The Understood Dog LLC

01/17/2023

06/24/2022

Image description: A red adolescent Alaskan Klee Kai looking directly at the camera, tongue out.

Text Reads: I’m not being naughty, it’s my neurons! Brain function, and therefore behaviour, is a delicate balance between excitation and inhibition. But did you know that inhibitory neurons, unlike excitatory neurons, do not fully mature until the end of adolescence, so a young dogs ability to balance its own behaviour is not yet fully developed.

06/14/2022

Leash reactivity is one of the most common behavioral challenges that pet owners face. Holding your dogs back while they’re barking and lunging can be frustrating, frightening, and downright embarrassing! Although it can feel like there’s no hope for enjoying your walks again, the good news is that leash reactivity is entirely treatable.

Read more about overcoming your dog’s leash reactivity… https://bit.ly/3zuvnLI

By: Alex Sessa CPDT-KA, CDBC, VSPDT

03/03/2022

Behavior suppression is not the same as behavior modification. Real behavior change take time because we're helping the dog make new associations and change the underlying emotions about how they feel about something. Scaring a dog through leash jerks, corrections, shock or prong collars, intimidation or cutting off their airway may temporarily get them to stop barking or growling, but they're still afraid on the inside. All you've taught them in that moment is not to communicate and you perhaps have made the negative association worse, because now the scary thing predicts pain or more fear. For a deeper dive, read more here https://rescuedbytraining.com/2021/05/31/suppressionmodification/

12/16/2021

Totally!

100% accurate.

12/16/2021

Please ask for permission! ❤️

Holiday tips from Doggone Safe for parents to help keep kids and dogs safe:

11/15/2021

Yes, it's about horses, but it all applies.

11/15/2021

Muzzles can be cool!

✨MUZZLE UP! MONDAY✨

Name: Athena

Breed: mix

IG:

'Likes': Playing with her brother, peas, cuddles and stealing shoes

'Dislikes': Other dogs!

Type/brand of muzzle in photo: Leerburg (I customised it by cutting and welding it back together)

Their muzzle journey: Muzzled dogs are good dogs and training your dog to be comfortable in a muzzle is the sign of a responsible dog parent, whether you never need to use one, just for vet visits or want to utilise it for every walk, it doesn't matter - it's a great tool to have on hand.
I would also say that training with a muzzle doesn't mean that your dog needs to have bitten before or is deemed "aggressive". Listen to the professionals, not a busybody up the local park. My dog is extremely dog reactive and whilst we work on training, I pop the muzzle on when we are going on a new route just in case!



We want to hear YOUR muzzle story! Follow the link https://linktr.ee/muzzleupproject to fill out the Muzzle Up! Project spotlight form, and you could see your dog and their story highlighted on our page!

10/21/2021

Excellent info.

10/04/2021

It's kind of long, but hang in there; it's a great article!! Spread the word-"Dominance Theory"-based dog training totally misses the mark.

Your dog is NOT trying to dominate you. Dogs do whatever works to get what they want. Management and cooperation will get you both what you want.

09/30/2021

I know this is from a horse training source, but this discussion is true for dogs, as well!

09/24/2021

What information are you providing?

09/09/2021

This is such a powerful reminder to set your dog up for success and to know his limitations. 🙌

09/04/2021

🚩September is Puppy Mill Awareness Month! Learn what not to believe. 🚩

08/31/2021

Lack of response to a cue requires more looking towards the teacher than the student. If we haven't taught the behaviour we want under the circumstances we want that is our failure not our dogs.

08/14/2021

Here are ten common misconceptions about what dogs need and how they communicate with us. Plus, a gallery of reader and staff dog pictures!

07/24/2021

Stay-at-home regulations in response to COVID-19 have put humans at increased risk of loneliness. Some studies support dog ownership as a protection against loneliness, while other studies have suggested the lockdowns can be used to reflect upon the similar restrictions owners impose on their pets o...

07/10/2021

"Cute" pictures of dogs often look ok to the untrained eye - but when you know what you are looking for it can be a real eye opener.

Dogs tell us all the time when they are uncomfortable, and we do not always listen.

Many bites could be prevented with just a little knowledge on dog body language.

Want to learn how to understand your dog?

Get in touch xx

07/06/2021

04/23/2021

Yes!!!

03/30/2021

Every dog is entitled to their opinion!

03/08/2021

TV shows have the power to influence how dog guardians view their dog’s behaviour and what training method they will use to solve problem behaviours.

01/23/2021

We loved working with Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin on this infographic. Why do you use a muzzle?