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An SAT session is just a bookish pun on tutoring your dog when clients are busy.
Many Dog Latin clients choose SAT (sidewalk activity training) because of busy household schedules. Some clients schedule several monthly sessions to maintain skills or increase proficiency with cues and leash walking, while others desire calm, one-on-one tutoring.
To learn more about Dog Latin’s SAT sessions, visit our profile or doglatindogtraining.com.
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Research indicates dogs relate to words and objects differently than humans.
We tend to focus on the shape of an object while studies suggest dogs use scent, size, and texture.
So fascinating! Aren’t we lucky dogs are our best friends?
Dog parents often get stuck in the cycle of their dogs’ barking.
Because dogs react faster than people, we’re often in a losing battle when our dogs bark. They see motion at 80 images per second, while humans see 60 images per second.
Dogs are quick to bark, and the cycle begins. Dog parents don’t want to reinforce their dog’s barking, so they struggle with quieting them. But, their dogs become better barkers because they rehearse barking at triggers.
To compensate for our slowness, pick one behavior to reward—your dog’s spying triggers. Of course, you’ll succeed more by being as far away from the source of concern as possible, but that’s not always possible.
As a dog learns the game of looking at triggers, he may still vocalize. After all, his barking is well-rehearsed. Lower your expectations by focusing on one behavior at a time. Asking a dog who triggers easily to look AND be quiet is often too complex.
Dogs are quick learners when parents are consistent. You’ll begin to see your dog spying something and turn to you as if to say, “Hey, did you see that?” Bingo. You’re building the behavior pattern of checking in.
As your dog spies the trigger, you aim to mark the behavior of looking (with a clicker or word). For now, set aside the barking and get the game going. You’ll see progress over time—each dog is an individual.
Dog parents often struggle with problems such as aggression, barking, destructive chewing, mounting, mouthing, and nipping. If you can relate, let’s explore some doggy daily needs.
To solve issues effectively, dog parents must account for their dogs’ emotions and know that outward behavior is how they respond to them. Learning dog body language is key to understanding a dog’s behavior.
Parents can study their dogs to learn what they’re saying. Otherwise, communication goes awry and becomes confusing for both of you. Sharpen your dog parenting skills by observing dogs without distractions. If parents divert their attention to phones or friends, they may miss what dogs say. When dogs don’t get feedback, they make other choices. These choices include what we label “problems.”
Often, dogs tell us something through their behavior. Understanding their emotions enables parents to pivot, toggling between giving feedback and preventing unwanted behavior.
Ask yourself what your dog needs if you’re struggling with an issue. Dogs share daily needs with humans, like food and sleep, but they also need:
🍑Chewing or shredding
🍑Short outings, field trips, walks
🍑Sniffing the neighborhood
🍑Tranquility during the day
Reassess if your dog displays challenging behaviors. Your dog may be saying she needs one of the above.
An effective strategy is to ward off taxing actions by meeting a daily need before the behavior begins. Otherwise, dogs default to what they’ve practiced.
I’m always interested in learning more about animal species, and attending the @bestofthewesthorses preview and sale piqued my interest even more.
Dogs, horses, and people learn in the same ways. Yet, knowing a learner’s perspective of the world matters. Physiology, anatomy, motivation, evolution, and environment all matter and are intertwined. Play is a significant factor in social learning, too. It’s how creatures learn group rules.
Of course, learners are individuals, no matter the person, dog, or horse. Here are my takeaways about learning:
Give and receive regular feedback.
Actively “listen,” whether through vocalizations, behavior, and body language.
Create a safe space for learning.
Integrate real-life applications.
Play games to enhance understanding.
Balance my knowledge with a no-judgment attitude.
One takeaway from the @bestofthewesthorses—the is that the trainers love their horses and appreciate the bonds created between a horse and a person.
I also witnessed exceptional talent and incredible “girl” and “kid” power at the sale. Thank you to all the folks who spent time educating me!
@emmafimrite1
@aspenlarmer
@graceandgrithorsemanship
@skclivestock_chey_nichole
@skc_pony_collection
@tammy.burgard
@mozaun_mckibben_horses
@buckeyeacrefarmllc
@diamond.k.horses
Thanks, also, to the Hansen family of Hansen Performance Horses, Circle C Stables, the Adams family of Adams Horse and Mule Company, Triple T Livestock, Pleasant Valley Equine, Katie & Ervin Miller, Paris Thorson, Molly & John Sparrow, KC Peterson, Pam Rasmussen, Klay Klemic, and Ike Sankey.
If I mistakenly left any of the trainers out of my thanks, please add them in the comments!
Also, for horse enthusiasts, please educate me on mares. Out of 48 horses in the sale, there were only a few mares. Are there myths about mares?
Seriously, I was in awe of all the @bestofthewesthorses, some of my favs were the mares—Foxy, Arizona, and Kit Kat.
Puppies and new dogs benefit from lots of feedback about their new world. Information and reassurance are appreciated.
Meet Rosie, a ten-week-old mini Goldendoodle currently exploring her city neighborhood. She has a special bond with her older Spring Spaniel brother, who plays a crucial role in her learning process by being receptive to her attention.
Although they spend time together, it’s useful for Rosie to spend time away from him. In the video, we’re hanging out in front of her row house in Dupont Circle. It’s a bustling neighborhood with lots for a puppy to absorb.
Besides practicing the nose-targeting behavior of “Touch,” Rosie listens to city sounds and sees human and canine neighbors. A young puppy like Rosie can be easily overwhelmed with city life. We take a few minutes of our session to socialize.
Socializing a puppy is about building confidence in everyday situations. Watching dogs and people walk by are needed urban skills. By simply looking, Rosie learns what to expect outdoors. And, by keeping our introduction to her street brief, I ensure the experience is controlled and positive, instilling a sense of confidence and security in Rosie.
Search “self-care,” and you’ll see a list of articles with tips and strategies. You’ll even find scholarly articles on the topic.
Dogs need self-care, too. Their needs differ, though, from ours. While we enjoy the sights of a leisurely walk, dogs learn about the neighborhood by sniffing. Dogs benefit from positive, controlled field trips to understand our world. And dogs need to chew, forage, and shred like we may need to read, knit, play golf, or whatever fills our emotional cup.
Even though some cleanup is involved, when dogs engage in activities like shredding, they are fulfilling an innate need. Take Teddy, for example. He shreds a cardboard beverage container while his people put away groceries. He takes the holder to his blanket and shreds it for fifteen minutes. Afterward, he’s a bit tired but satisfied. His parents, in turn, provide a stimulating activity for him while they’re busy.
When you meet the self-care needs of your dog, you’re also supporting his mental health.
#DogAnxiety #SeparationAnxiety #DogBehavior #PetWellness #DogTraining #CanineBehavior #DogParenting #EmotionalDistress #dmvdogs #dogtrainingtips #dogemotions #DogLatin
It's crucial to recognize the distress signals of dogs when left alone. These can include whining, pacing, panting, drooling, trembling, chewing household objects, and even self-injury. Such behaviors indicate that your dog is experiencing high emotional distress when you leave.
As a dog parent, you play a crucial role in helping your distressed pet. There are several ways to assist a dog who becomes distressed and even panic. Every situation is unique. Here's what Winnie's Mom is doing to help Winnie:
⭐Mom consulted with her veterinarian. She's collaborating with her primary vet on medications that can ease Winnie's anxiety.
⭐Winnie and Mom are practicing relaxation exercises developed by Dr. Karen Overall. The exercises include 15 lessons, with each lesson leading to departures. Mom easily integrates the lessons into her day since each takes about five minutes. The lessons work up to dog parents leaving the home.
⭐Besides the exercises, Mom does some independence training by providing Winnie with a frozen, food-stuffed Toppl after a walk. She cues,
⭐"Guard the castle" when near the mat and then walks around her home, only to return and repeat the cue. Mom aims to get many easy "Guard the Castle" reps before Winnie finishes the frozen snack. She's creating many easy wins for Winnie while teaching her the cue means that Mom returns.
Mom can also use the exercises to introduce outdoor triggers predictably.
If your dog is suffering when you leave, it's crucial to consult your veterinarian. Remember, your dog is not giving you a hard time; she's having a hard time. Professional guidance can make a significant difference in your dog's well-being.
Keep it simple for “reactive” dogs and increase their ability to cope through “Find it!”
🎯Play the game for several weeks inside. 🎯Scatter some kibble and snacks in a circle a few feet in diameter.
🎯Point out the food to your dog while happily saying, “Find it!”
🎯Over time and at your dog’s pace, widen the scatter area. Keep helping your dog find the snacks.
🎯Test a round of “Find it” during a quiet walk. Scatter on the sidewalk or grass. Help your dog to find the pieces.
When your dog instantly responds to looking down and searching, try “Find it!” the moment sees a dog at a safe distance.
If the game is well-conditioned, a dog can be more motivated to search rather than bark or lunge.
Many dogs struggle with travel, especially car rides. Zander’s first trip was his rescue transport from Texas to Washington, DC.
Zander arrived in March and flew on a plane in June. During the three months,
his family supported him through his fear of car rides. They took tiny steps and realized the power of successful moments rather than minutes.
Listen to your dog when attempting to convince them to like something they do not.
Pushing creates resistance. Support them through steps by feedback of praise and snacks. If your dog is not eating favorite snacks, the step is too big. How can you back up a few steps?
Thank you @justiceforpawsrescue, the rescue community, fosters, adopters, and donors for saving lives.
Dog parents of “reactive” dogs know that avoiding other dogs is a strategy to prevent the rehearsal of barking, lunging, and increased adrenaline levels.
Avoidance works, yet it’s not always feasible, especially in urban settings. But if the thought of coaching coping skills to your dog seems overwhelming, you’re not alone.
Expanding Callie’s resilience began with the simple marker word of “Yes.” A marker word lets a dog know that whatever she’s doing at the moment the marker is said, is appreciated. Markers are followed by a reinforcement, often food.
Whenever Callie looked at a trigger, she heard “Yes.” We often calmly moved away from it, too. At first, she was too overstimulated to eat food. It was a sign she needed more space from the trigger, something I couldn’t always give her.
To compensate for space, we found spots to watch the world go by at a distance. Callie quickly learned triggers are a signal that food may come. She learned to look at me when she spied them. Over time, we moved a foot closer or looked a second longer.
Ways to build coping skills include:
Making some days easier than others.
Scoping out and using “exits” on our walking routes like alleyways, parking lots, and foot paths.
Considering what a dog experienced during the day and on previous walks. Dogs have stressors which may vary from their people. For example, a house full of guests maybe fun for human family members, yet it often disrupts a dog’s routine.
Watching doggie TV—sitting at a distance and feeding snacks to your dog. A trail mix of food makes watching TV even more interesting.
Reading your dog’s body language even though you can’t see her face. Often, our dogs walk in front of us. Watch for a slight head lift. It a sign that your dog is homing in on a potential concern. Read their tails and ears. Listen to their breathing. Offer a tidbit. Dogs can’t eat if they’re senses are overloaded.
These tips aid Callie. Dogs are indivi
Dogs are miracles. I’ll be eternally grateful for Frankie and all my dogs.
My family is grateful for Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, WV.
@tina_kang6893
@pmull
@windmills_
@kellyfolkers
@clairemullen_
@mullen_ruth
@emmaanatashaa
@schmidt.julie
@ambassadogteddy
@maranalli22
@mullen.tucker
@matthewmullen07
@rafolkers
