Irwin Dog Training - Constant Canine Consulting: Behavior & Training

10/13/2025

Sharing again to remind folks to vote for Irwin Dog Training to build up the ethical treatment of dogs in the Treasure Valley!

Vote once per day from October 6 through October 24.

10/08/2025

We've been nominated! Please vote to help promote the safe, ethical treatment of dogs, better understanding of their behavior and improving the relationships between dogs and their humans!

(Found under 'pet training' under the 'services' tab.)

Vote once per day from October 6 through October 24.

09/29/2025

There are going to be times when our dogs struggle to respond to cues they are otherwise familiar with. Sometimes it's due to distractions (such as an amazing smells in the environment, something to chase, a new friend etc.) Sometimes it's due to conflicting information (we have never practiced this skill in this environment.) And sometimes it's due to the dog not quite understanding what you're asking (we didn't quite ask the same way we have asked before with our cue, or body language.) This is a good time to remember to MOVE YOUR FEET. Changing where or how we are standing, or approaching the situation can change everything for our dog.

When in doubt; Move your feet.

09/11/2025

It's so easy to freeze when faced with an over reaction from our dog, or another dog even. But one of the best things we can do is to train ourselves to keep our feet moving. So many things become easier, smaller, or even non-problems when we just keep moving. Dory the fish was on to something. 😉

08/07/2025

One of my favorite days: judging the Owyhee County Fair dog show.

07/14/2025

When we take a walk with our dogs there are two options. We can make the walk about our needs, or we can make the walk about the dog. Choosing to prioritize your dog's experience on the walk leads to a better experience for you both. Stay present. Stay connected to what your dog is doing to help them, support them, and help you get out of your own head for a bit.

06/26/2025

CALL YOUR VET TODAY about getting medication to help with the holiday explosions. Dogs do well with the Bacon Party protocol but some need extra help to manage their anxiety during the intense rounds of explosives on the 4th of July (and surrounding weekends.) Getting your vet's sign off on medical help, or a renewal to a prescription now is a good idea so you don't have to rush last minute.

06/25/2025

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR PETS ID TAGS THIS WEEK. And double check their microchips are also current. The fireworks can start early (they certainly do in my neighborhood) and an up to date ID tag can help get a pet home who has panicked and bolted after a surprise firework home much faster!

06/24/2025

It's that time of year again! Remember to work on your Bacon Party Protocols for the up coming holiday-of-massive-backyard-explosions ahead of the 4th of July weekend. This is a great way to reduce the stress of the evening for both human and canines!

05/28/2025

"You believe someone not because you have no doubts about them. Belief is not the absence of doubt. You believe someone because you don't have enough doubts about them." - Malcom Gladwell.

I get it; you were told the force was necessary. You watched the TV show featuring someone pushing a dog physically around, and were told that was what that dog required because there were no other options. You saw the TikTok video of the guy in paramilitary gear holding a remote while an overactive, stressed out Malinois did a flashy heel ... and you heard the voice over explaining that 'not all dogs....' You were sold the idea that in order to help your dog, you were going to have to hurt them first.

And it didn't sit right with you.

But this was the expert, right? This person had a large following, a tv show on a major network, they were sitting in front of professional looking podcast equipment bought off amazon... They have a Malinois, a breed of dog hyper bred for extreme biddability but surely that makes them hard to work with right? And yet... You didn't think it was right. In your gut you had doubts. In your heart you knew it wasn't right to hurt your dog to force them into compliance. Somewhere inside you knew there had to be a better way.

There is. There absolutely is. There is no need to use force, fear, aversion or physical punishment to change the behavior of your dog. Yes, even your dog who has threatened to eat the neighbor on a regular basis. Yes even your dog who can't see another dog on the street with out losing his mind. Yes even your dog who has never sat still a moment in his life and is driving you both crazy. Yes even your dog who hides under the bed and almost never comes out. Yes even your dog who chases everything that moves. Yes even your dog who can't spend a single second alone. Yes even your dog who got dismissed from daycare. Yes even your dog who your entire family thinks is a menace. All dogs - every dog- can be helped through fear free progressive reinforcement driven practices with out every having to resort to force. I promise.

05/26/2025

"You believe someone not because you have no doubts about them. Belief is not the absence of doubt. You believe someone because you don't have enough doubts about them." - Malcom Gladwell.

I get it; you were told the force was necessary. You watched the TV show featuring someone pushing a dog physically around, and were told that was what that dog required because there were no other options. You saw the TikTok video of the guy in paramilitary gear holding a remote while an overactive, stressed out Malinois did a flashy heel ... and you heard the voice over explaining that 'not all dogs....' You were sold the idea that in order to help your dog, you were going to have to hurt them first.

And it didn't sit right with you.

But this was the expert, right? This person had a large following, a tv show on a major network, they were sitting in front of professional looking podcast equipment bought off amazon... They have a Malinois, a breed of dog hyper bred for extreme biddability but surely that makes them hard to work with right? And yet... You didn't think it was right. In your gut you had doubts. In your heart you knew it wasn't right to hurt your dog to force them into compliance. Somewhere inside you knew there had to be a better way.

There is. There absolutely is. There is no need to use force, fear, aversion or physical punishment to change the behavior of your dog. Yes, even your dog who has threatened to eat the neighbor on a regular basis. Yes even your dog who can't see another dog on the street with out losing his mind. Yes even your dog who has never sat still a moment in his life and is driving you both crazy. Yes even your dog who hides under the bed and almost never comes out. Yes even your dog who chases everything that moves. Yes even your dog who can't spend a single second alone. Yes even your dog who got dismissed from daycare. Yes even your dog who your entire family thinks is a menace. All dogs - every dog- can be helped through fear free progressive reinforcement driven practices with out every having to resort to force. I promise.

05/19/2025

Dogs are only beholden to being dogs. It is our job as the humans, as the gatekeepers of the snacks, the outdoors, and everything else in their lives to prepare dogs for what they are going to experience. It is the height of unfair, and unkind, to put a dog into a situation they are not emotionally, physically, or behaviorally prepared to be in. This starts from the moment you bring a dog home, the act of teaching them what is expected, and how to navigate the world they are thrust into.

The justification to use punishment, and especially physical force, in dog training evaporates when we recognize that the dog's only obligation is to being a dog. And the rest of it is on us.