Southpaw Dog Training

01/07/2025

This is the analogy that I think of when I see rescues promoting a puppy-mill retiree or an adolescent dog who 'just needs love'. Love is definitely a part of the process, and helps - but love alone, can't fix it.

Changing behavior is a process, that involves love and caring - but it also involves training and management. Maybe desensitization and counter-conditioning. Possibly medication. Consider the learning curve of the human involved - (medical school is a long and arduous process - most skill sets take time for humans to develop and master) And time - because nothing 'heals' instantly.

The broken leg requires surgery, casting, time and a change in activity and routine, assistive devices, possibly medication, and rehabilitation and strengthening progressively over time. And no two living beings heal exactly the same - at the same rate, and with the same outcome since all the factors vary in different stages and degrees.

So when you are seeking a change in your dog's behavior, you need to consider the process and ALL the factors in the process. If your dog pulls - a new leash, harness, collar, etc., isn't going to fix it anymore than handing the person with the broken leg a crutch.

01/06/2025

Games are Back!
Saturday Mornings at Brookpark. Come out for some good dog training fun and challenge your dog, learn some new things, reinforce basic skills, and build your bond with your dog.

Sign Up HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48AAAD2AA1FCC43-54159403-winter #/

01/06/2025

Adolescent Dogs....
If you haven't trained your dog and he's reached adolescence, or you have a newly-adopted adolescent dog, or even if you did puppy class, but training got away from you - adolescence can bring a lot of changes!! Get back into it! Come join our Adolescent Dogs Class and restart your dog's education!!

Email for details: [email protected]

01/01/2025

Puppy Classes Starting Soon!

12/13/2024

These 'quick' questions are often never that easy to answer... especially when it's a dog I've never even met!

Changing behavior takes time and effort - for humans as well as dogs. Invest in them and you'll develop the relationship you're looking for.

12/10/2024

My, my, oh, my - this looks like a GAME for our ADVANCED Players..... Bringing GAMES back in January 2025!! Get ready!!

12/06/2024

Love those Kelpies…..

Tenacity. We bred it. We wanted it. They got it. For the love of God people - do not get a Kelpie when you want a Cavalier!!

12/03/2024

I am really feeling this post this week. A bit of a read, but worth it.

One of the very best things an owner can get out of high quality training is a clear insight as to what their dogs are truly capable of.

Great trainers can leverage the right tools, training, and mindset to find answers that many owners would otherwise not find on their own. And even though it’s only a piece of the solution—knowing what is and isn’t possible—is an awfully important piece.

Once an owner sees what is possible, then it is up to them (with the guidance of their trainer) to become the equal of their goals and challenges with their dog. This almost always includes immense amounts of mental, emotional, and physical effort. Skills have to be learned, new ways of thinking and acting have to be developed, and lifestyle needs to be adjusted.

Of course this is a tall order. In the same way that most everyone would love to be in great shape, be financially abundant, and have great relationships with friends and family… these accomplishment all require great effort, great sacrifice, and longterm discipline and commitment.

And because we all know how us humans are wired—instant gratification with longterm costs almost always beat out delayed gratification with longterm benefits—we find most humans know precisely what’s needed, but find that cost simply too high to pay.

So when we proclaim how much we desire to transform our dogs and their behavior, it’s best, if we want to avoid appearing foolish and hypocritical, that we first examine how much of ourselves and our behavior that we’re truly willing to transform.

Said another way, don’t complain about the results you didn’t get from the actions you didn’t take. The results are waiting for you, but only come when you’ve become their equal. ❤️

12/02/2024

Can you guess which of the three dogs has not been biking yet?

Effective Exercise - some exercise is good. helpful exercise that aligns with your goals of having a calm, well-trained dog - some not so much.

Good Dog - now to train the human is working with some dogs today on calmness, self-control, leash skills / reactivity, and basic obedience. A part of their training program is effective exercise. Two of the three in this video have had some biking (as well as walking/training, and down-time).

Biking is a great way to get your dog exercise that helps - but there's a lot of nuances to doing this right - so if you want to learn - let us know!!

11/29/2024

Winter puppies can be somewhat harder to train -due to the weather - Winter puppies can be harder to housebreak, and don't get as many opportunities for exposure and socialization.

Get your winter puppy off to a good start - get into a puppy class - for puppies 8 weeks - 6 months. Get started early - it'll make all the difference!!

11/18/2024

Here's more science to support the fact that it isn't your dog's lack of ability to learn.....

11/11/2024

If you have a reactive dog - please watch this!!

I know a LOT of my clients who would just keep walking toward that other dog.

I know a LOT of my clients think this was a 'good' interaction because the leashed dog didn't react, so he must have been 'okay'.

I had Java out at the Sportsman's Club last weekend, and three off-leash dogs approached her - none got to her though. Even though the one owner had zero control over his dog, and the other owner told me that they wouldn't hurt her - didn't ask, don't care. They aren't getting to her. Trust is important.

Stop letting dogs interact on leash.

11/11/2024

I have to agree with him on this one.
Humans are out of control.