The Grounded Pooch

02/01/2025

Another excellent educational post from Sunshine Dog Training & Behavior! Y’all be sure to follow them.

😱 BIGGEST MYTH OF ALL . . .
Probably the most widely spread myth is that you should put your hand out to let a dog sniff so they know you're a friend.
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⁉️ WHY IS THAT A MYTH

🧫 Did you know that some dogs have been used to sniff out cancer cells in a petri dish? They can do this because olfaction in dogs is their memory system, their primary sense in dealing with the world.

👃🏼 Dogs have 20 times more scent receptor cells than humans, and the scent-processing section of their brains is larger than ours.

🍔 Where we might say, "Mmm, I smell burgers!" a dog would say, "I smell: fried ground cow muscle; imitation cheese made with vegetable oil; wheat bun; a dozen sesame seeds; one day-old lettuce; partly green tomato; spices in a tomato-based sauce, all touched by the hands of a human!" Dogs smell in minute detail!

🧼 It's safe to say that dogs can smell you before you enter their personal space. You putting your hand up to their nose only lets them smell what you had for lunch & what type of soap you used to wash your hands!

🤜🏼 What a hand in the face of a dog can do is appear threatening. It can sometimes be a good way to get bit if you do it in the "just right" circumstances.

🤔 Dogs that don't appear to care might care once you start to pet them. Likely this indicates a misunderstood body language cue that was not taken into account.
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⭐️🐕 Read the dog's body language ‼️

❓Is the dog giving signals of wanting to be approached?

❓Is the dog moving toward you?

📸 Learn more dog language, here: http://bit.ly/2qXZowE
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🤷🏼‍♀️ SO, HOW SHOULD I GREET A DOG?

👉🏼 If the dog wants to be pet she'll start coming toward you.

👉🏼Then the dog might sniff you, then you may pet her, on her side or under her chin.

👉🏼 If she moves away or shifts she may not be comfortable with the greeting. Stop & allow her to move or walk away.

👉🏼 Some dogs just don't care to be greeted by others. This is ok!
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🎥 Watch this wonderful video on how to properly greet a dog! https://youtu.be/Bu1n1mPCCOo
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Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© 2025 Stacy Greer
All rights reserved. Feel free to share via the “Share” link to the original post. Downloading for redistribution online or in print form is strictly prohibited.

01/24/2025

Medication is often a very useful tool in getting your dog’s anxiety under control. It doesn’t have to be forever!

I’ve written about medicating anxious dogs before, and it’s such an important topic that I want to touch on it again. There are so many misconceptions surrounding this subject.The idea that anxiety…

01/23/2025

Sunshine Dog Training & Behavior does such a great job explaining things!

01/23/2025

If you’re in need of a groomer for your pup we love The Wet Dog - Canine Barbershop and Plant Boutique. They have a safe and calm environment for your pup and they all truly love what they do. Please check them out!

01/21/2025

Let us keep your pups entertained and properly snuggled while you’re away. We offer daycare Monday - Saturday and boarding 365 days a year in a private, home setting in Madison.

www.thegroundedpooch.com

01/19/2025

Our dogs hear it more than we do! 😂

01/19/2025

01/18/2025

❌ A DOG THAT ROLLS OVER = I WANT BELLY RUBS‼️ ❌

😰 While some dogs do like belly rubs many do this behavior as an appeasement behavior that usually means "yikes, I'm not sure about this situation!"

🖼️ Context matters so you'll need to look at the bigger picture!

01/17/2025

We can help you with a plan and support you while navigating this path with your dog. Visit our website to send us a message www.thegroundedpooch.com.

01/16/2025

Be sure to follow Animal Positive Coalition!

Polite Pooches LLC brings you great insights!

We say our dog's name constantly yet we rarely reward that attention. Remember to reward attention with food, play, or going outside!

01/10/2025

Is your dog a bit too sassy and smart for their own good? Message us today to get started on building a more respectful and cooperative relationship!

www.thegroundedpooch.com

01/08/2025

Keep an eye out for Tootsie, folks. It’s cold and she needs to get home.

**UPDATE: REUNITED**
Tootsie is still missing and we desperately need to get her home before the winter storm hits us. Last seen Tuesday 1/7 at Staples near Hughes Rd and Hwy 72 in Madison. If you have any information on her whereabouts please call the number on the flyer or message our page. Thank you!

01/03/2025

Happy New Year!

We are so thankful for each and every one of our clients who make it possible for us to live this crazy dog life. We love your pups like they are our own and appreciate your trust in us.

As we finish up year two and move into year three of running our home based business we’re making a few changes to make things function a bit more smoothly for us.

- We are available - BY APPOINTMENT - for pickup/drop off from 730a-730p seven days a week (including holidays). Appointments help us ensure we have the house set up and your pups items ready when you arrive.

- Pickup/drop off outside of regular business hours is available for a $25 fee.

- All pickup/drop off is done curbside to keep things inside the house as calm as possible. You are always welcome to set up a time to come see our set up inside the house or ask for video/photos of your pups during their stay.

- We function most efficiently with great communication from our clients, so we ask that you always text us when you’re on the way. This will ensure that we aren’t spending a lot of time in waiting mode and we can maximize playtime for everyone.

- Our base boarding fee is now $50/night for up to two dogs, and an additional $20/night for additional pups in the family.

- A $50 fee will be charged for any boarding booking cancelled less than 48 hours prior to the stay. Stays cancelled less than 24 hours prior will be charged a minimum of $50 but not more than half the full booking fee.

- Daycare is available Monday - Saturday from 730a - 530p. Our fee is $15 for a half day and $25 for a full day, per dog. Early/late pickup fees apply as stated above.

- Training and behavioral services are offered within Madison County at $100/hr within a ten mile radius of our home in the city of Madison. Addition distance will be an extra $25 per visit.

We will be adding all these changes to our website soon. We look forward to continuing to love on your pups in 2025!

01/02/2025

DOG REFUSE TREATS AT TIMES?

😣 If you are trying to work with your dog there are a few things that can indicate your dog is what we call "over threshold" - in which your dog's stress levels are too high to properly learn, listen or think properly.

‼️ Thresholds are important in training because they can make or break your success.

There are several indicators that your dog is over threshold. (Not an exhaustive list!)
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1️⃣ Refusing food

2️⃣ Spitting out food

3️⃣ Barking/lunging

4️⃣ Appearing to "not listen"

5️⃣ Heavy panting

⏱ If your dog frequently goes over threshold and you aren't sure what to do, or if what you're doing isn't working, it's time to start a behavior modification program to get it under control!

🦸🏼 Get in touch with the proper professional for optimal results.

📸 The attached handout/image (click to enlarge) is from Grisha Stewart's BAT protocol (Behavior Adjustment Training) and shows stress on a very lovely illustrated, easy-to-understand scale. Illustrated by Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin

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Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA
🐕🐩🐕‍🦺🦮

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© 2024 Stacy Greer
All rights reserved. Feel free to share via the “Share” link to the original post. Downloading for redistribution online or in print form is strictly prohibited.