Bluff City Paws

09/05/2024

Truth! Dogs not robots!

09/05/2024

Be careful when asking for help from an animal behaviorist. Most dog trainers are certified to apply behavioral modification in their instructions.
Like with dog trainers it’s unregulated and anyone can call themselves a behaviorist. As a behavioral consultant my training was included in my certication to become a professional dog trainer and certified to apply b mod.
Most good consultants have several Certified Behavioralists including Veterinary Behavioralists to refer when they need to. They will help identify the cause of your dog’s problem behavior and then create a customized treatment plan.

The only people officially titled “animal behaviorists” are those certified by the Animal Behavior Society (ABS). The ABS offers two levels of certification. Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists have a Master’s Degree in a biological or behavioral science and at least two years of professional experience in the field. Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists have a doctorate in biological or behavioral science with five years of professional experience in the field. Certification helps ensure that the person you’re hiring has the key skills and knowledge and has to recertify every 3 years.

It’s important to look for professionals with the proper education and experience and ask when selecting one who they are certified with. You can start here.

https://iaabc.org
http://www.ccpdt.org/dog-owners/how-to-choose-a-dog-trainer/

09/01/2024

At long last, our audio and video iWoofs Dogcast (since 2007) has been posted on Dunbar Academy (home page). You may want to check out Season 8 — all eleven episodes are about different approaches to resolving Dog-Dog Reactivity.
https://www.dunbaracademy.com/pages/video-iwoofs-season-8-public-page

08/28/2024

I'll never stop advocating for dogs at the vet...

TOMORROW IS THE DAY!

💥 Last call today to sign up for my Masterclass: Vet Visit Success for Adult and Senior Dogs. 💥

If vet visits stress you and your dog out, this class is for you!

You will learn actionable things to do to improve your dog's well-being when it comes to vet visits.

Because all of our dogs deserve to be able to receive needed vet care in a way that isn't traumatizing.💜

Registration link HERE: https://www.perkedears.com/successful-vet-visits-masterclass 🔗

08/26/2024

Happy National Dog Day!
♥️🐾🐾🐾🐾♥️

08/25/2024

Today's Dog Training Myth of the Day: "Only tell them once!"

What if you ask a dog (whatever age, breed, s*x, background, training level) to do something, but there is no response?

Set aside the myth of "only tell them once." Good rule of thumb: if it were a toddler, what would you do? Probably wait a few beats, be sure you had the kid's attention, then ask again.

Just like us, dogs may not be tuned in 100% because they are busy having their own experience of life which may or may not include you at any moment.

If you *do* have the pup's attention, and they did hear you, next step is to consider that they do not understand and/or don't see the point!

I've often asked clients to stand on a chair and sing happy birthday. I've done it while they were trying to take notes. Result: no compliance, and they say usually say, "Sorry - I was focused on taking notes. What did you say?"

If they are paying attention to me but look at me as if I'm crazy, I ask, "Did you understand what I asked? You did? So why aren't you doing it?" Inevitably the answer is, "I don't want to" or "Why would I do that?" It helped them understand how their dogs might be responding.

So give your dogs the courtesy of clear communication, engage attention first, be sure there is understanding, and make it worthwhile for the dog to work with you. Respect, courtesy and taking responsibility for what we are communicating and how we are communicating -- those are all supportive of healthy dog/human relationships.

This does not mean repeating, Sit-sit-sit-sit-sit-sit which is not good communication no matter who you're talking to! 😊

If you want and need response to just one request (and this has great value!), you first have to teach understanding, understand that connection and attention must come first always, then develop the skill, tighten the criteria and make it worthwhile. Then practice!!!

08/25/2024

BOL!!

08/25/2024

Learn what dogs are telling you by learning their body language.

Dogs speak to us with body language in some surprising ways. Learning what they’re saying is a key ingredient for keeping your pet happy and safe.

08/22/2024

We at Bluff City Paws have known this for a very long time.
Build others up and we all stay on top!

Supporting another’s success in the dog world won’t ever dampen your own.

📸 >> instagram.com/doghandlerssay

08/18/2024

Reducing puppy barking techniques

In this video, dog trainer Chirag is working with a caregiver whose dog tends to bark a lot. Chirag is showing the caregiver some simple but effective traini...

08/16/2024

Her words are lovely.

There is such joy in taking a puppy out into the world when there is no fear, only curiosity. No hysteria or over the top arousal, just interest in exploration. The temperament trait of self-modulation permits learning and relaxation, even in unfamiliar places. Being in the Think & Learn Zone makes it effortless for River to apply all she knows anywhere we go.

Open heart, open mind, and deeply connected, baby River fills my eyes, my heart, my soul. All of the hard work that we put into raising each litter using my Enriched Puppy Protocol pays off in countless ways, and not just for each pup's loving family. It pays off for the puppy and the adult dog that puppy will become.

More to come on how I balance River's lovely qualities with the chaos that the real world can throw our way, and how I help her be successful, connected and capable, wherever we may be. She's not perfect and neither am I. But we keep opting for the highest quality connection and experience we can achieve in any moment--and it surely does feel wonderful!

08/15/2024

Use this info when you are asked why use R+.

Dog obedience training and behaviour modification should use reward-based methods, according to a new position statement from the American Veterinary

08/14/2024

Become a certified RAT Assessor!

If you are involved in helping people and dogs find their best relationship, RAT™ is a must-have tool that streamlines your training so that you can be as effective, humane and customized as possible. This is an intensive course with the RAT Assessor Test included.

Why RAT?

The dynamics of relationship are your guide to effective training. RAT shows you what that dog and that handler need!

*Identifying strengths and weaknesses in a relationship points the way to customized training plans.

*The RAT scoresheet provides clear information for the client, and supports the rationale behind your training plans.

*Make the match! Is this dog right for this handler? Is this handler or lifestyle right for this dog? RAT is an ideal suitability assessment.

*Track progress through changes in the RAT scoresheet, provide excellent feedback for clients.

*This rapid assessment provides a new framework for understanding the dog/handler relationship.

RAT looks at the patterns of interaction between a dog and handler. Both ends of the leash are considered, with an eye to what supports the relationship, what may be undermining it, or what may be creating training challenges.

Register today at: https://suzanneclothier.com/shop/ratcourse/

Early Bird Dog Registration ends August 18th!

08/12/2024

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08/07/2024

👏👏

We see you 🤍

Have you checked out our dog sport + training merch? We promise you won’t be disappointed ˙ᵕ˙ ShopCanineAesthete.com

08/06/2024

Many people ask and we love sharing! Love this!

What's the best way to meet a new dog? Download my handout here: https://rescuedbytraining.com/meeting-dog-first-time-dos-donts/

08/02/2024

Here’s a chance to build your reward skills.
I train dogs that are deaf and markers, reinforcers and rewards are key to an enthusiast learner.

Twenty years ago I was an enthusiastic promoter of replacing the term REWARD with the more academic term REINFORCER. Sounded more convincing.

“Give your dog a reward” often meant a pat on the head. Yep, I was around before food was used commonly and effectively.

Lots of anxiety still exists around the use of food in learning. “The dog will mug my hands” or treat bag, or pocket. Nope, not if you pay attention and use your Reward Predicting Stimulus with diligence.
"When can I stop giving treats?" When would you stop saying thank you: that dinner was delicious and I appreciate you cooking it for me.

The way you deliver the reward is more
important than the reward itself.

Do you remember the extras for excellence? A bag of mixed food values (very lacking in evidence of value) and you selected the right treat to match your assessment of the dog’s effort. BIG question whether the dog made a connection between high value for high effort or whether it was just a ride on the wave of unpredictability.

After ploughing my way through the Wolfram Schultz material and delving into the neuroscience of reward systems I now regard the term reinforcer a backward step and simply functional.

Interaction with a dog should be so more than a function. The reward is at the heart of their learning, NOT the behaviour we have be sold on developing. When we focus on the behaviour we lose focus on the reward.

The science based reinforcer promotion was often dumbed down to make it simple and easy to apply. Today we are more devoted to the experience our dogs are having: desire and pleasure. We have learned that anticipation brings alive the drive to learn not the fabled consumption. Gone are the click-and-shove recipes and fast food stuffing.

I get the biggest reward seeing my dogs passionate about their learning. 💥

https://www.learningaboutdogs.com/product/step-up-reward-skills/

NEVER STOP LEARNING BECAUSE LIFE NEVER STOPS TEACHING

07/30/2024