Here’s a little video of Kat’s new puppy, Misu, enjoying her lunch from a Bob-a-Lot treat dispenser. We gave her lunch a little early since a thunderstorm started to roll in and we want to create lots of positive associations with storms as early as possible. Misu enjoys lunch given this way. If she didn’t or found it frustrating, we would maybe use a Likimat or stuffed Kong or hand feed treats to her calmly. *Look in first comment to see short video 5 minutes later - mental stimulation activated and the thunderstorm seems to be having very little effect. Yay!!! #miniamericanshepherdpuppy #miniamericanshepherd #dogsandstorms
Our dogs aren’t purposely trying to frustrate or annoy us. They are simply expressing their emotions and asking for help.
We can do our best to meet their needs in a given moment. If there is some reason we can’t in that moment, the very least we need to try to do is acknowledge the request.
Perhaps that looks like redirecting their focus to something more appropriate until you can help them. Maybe that means giving them a toy or a chew or a stuffed Kong or Toppl to keep them calm and occupied in that moment.
Our dogs will begin to understand that we will always do our best to meet those needs as soon as we are able. When this happens, the urgency they were previously expressing will begin to diminish over time.
#wearealldoingourbest #dogstoo
Some ridiculous cuteness from Supervised Puppy Play last week! Say hello to Darla and Monte. 😍
#trainingthroughtrust
#nashvilledogtrainer
#20yearsexperience
#ethicaldogtraining
#forcefreedogtraining
#r+training
#nashvilledogtraining
#nashvilledogs
#nashvillepuppies
#puppiesofinstagram
#daschundsofinstagram
#daschundpuppy
#havaneseofinstagram
#havanesepuppy
#dogsofnashville
#puppiesofnashville
#dogtrainer
#positivereinforcement
#sciencebasedtraining
#trainwithoutpain
#headtilt
#lovedogs
#grateful
Sweet Max and Kat doing a little duet. Max gets so excited to see people he likes and let’s them know by “singing” to them. We think it’s adorable! ♥️ Do you have a dog who sings, too? #dogsthatsing
Did you know that mental stimulation has been shown to be 30% more effective at reducing a dog’s energy than physical stimulation? As we move into the cold and often rainy season, think about offering more brain games to your pup. Things like like this puzzle toy, treat hunts in the house or yard, scent games, and TRAINING. Learning new things is a great mental activity! There are so many wonderful options now. Sweet Imani figured this toy from @outwardhound out quickly and wanted more. 😍
#trainingthroughtrust
#nashvilledogtrainer
#20yearsexperience
#forcefreedogtraining
#nashvilledogtraining
#nashvilledogs
#dogsofnashville
#dogtrainer
#positivereinforcement
#sciencebasedtraining
#trainwithoutpain
#canineenrichment
#braingamesfordogs
#outwardhound
#lovedogs
#grateful
Adorable Blue decided to do a slo-mo down into frog dog. So glad we got this on video! She and her mom are doing such a great job with their training! #trainingthroughtrust
#positivereinforcementtraining
#20yearsexperience
#rplusdogs
#nashvilledogtrainer
#nashvilledogs
#goldenretriever
#goldensofinstagram
#goldenretrieverpuppy
#lovedogs
#frogdog
#frogdogsofinstagram
#grateful
Pepper and her parents taking a little play break between training sessions. Did you know that - like us humans - dogs learn better if they are given small breaks during training/learning? Giving them the opportunity to stop for a few minutes or so to play or sniff or engage with you in a fun way or even rest for a bit gives them the opportunity to process what they were just learning in a non-stressful way and helps them to better understand and retain what you were teaching them. So take lots of breaks during training sessions and you will have a dog who likely learns what you want from them more quickly. Have fun and keep it positive! #nashvilledogtraining #nashvilledogtrainer #trainingthroughtrust #positivereinforcement #greatpyreneesmix #havefunwithyourdog #playbreaksareamust #nashvilledogs #20yearsexperience #lovedogs #grateful
