Brightstar Canine Academy

12/26/2024

Once you start diving into the world of dog sports, position changes no longer seem so straightforward.

12/25/2024

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas to everyone! Happy holidays to all. Wishing everyone peace and happiness.

12/24/2024

If you plan on gathering with friends and/or family this holiday season, there are a number of things you can do to keep your dog (and your visitors) safe.

Remember, there is nothing "wrong" with your dog if you need to manage amid all the chaos; that is 100% normal.

Check out this week's blog post for more info on how you can implement each of these strategies: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2022/11/14/holiday-gathering-tips

12/21/2024

Everything is behavior. Behavior is what we see when the mind decides how to act when presented something.

12/21/2024

We have many discussions on a daily basis with our training partners when we're discussing behaviors. If you're not familiar with trigger stacking we can explain it a little bit. When your dog is frustrated or in a moment where they can understand what's going on multiple things can create bigger behaviors. Barking dogs outside barking dogs inside loud TV arguments in the house all of these things can compound to increase the size of the behavior that we're seeing. It only takes a moment to be able to help this go up or go down. Hope your dogs through that realize they may not know what to do.

Have you ever had one of those days where things just seem to happen, one after another, until you just can’t take any more? Welcome to the concept of trigger stacking.

This is perhaps even more important to understand at this time of year, when there is so much activity and things going on, with lots of different people, smells, etc.

To explain how trigger stacking works, here’s an excerpt from my book Fight or Fright:

“Imagine a scenario for me. You are in the supermarket and get into a queue to pay for your shopping. You may not have much, and anticipate getting out of there smoothly, without hassle. Someone cuts in line in front of you. It is annoying, but they only have a couple of items and give you a big friendly smile. It really is not that big a deal, so although it could be considered annoying, you leave it and avoid the aggravation.

Let us rewind now to earlier in the day…

• You walk out of the house to see that you have a flat tyre. How annoying!
• Someone cuts you up at the roundabout. Clearly they are an idiot but no damage done.
• Every traffic light seems to go red as you are on your way. This ‘quick trip’ to the shop is taking forever.
• In the car park, the only space left is on the far side of the car park, next to someone that cannot park their car properly within the lines so it is hanging over into your space. This means that you have to squeeze in very carefully and just hope you will be able to get back in your car when you come to leave.
• You start making your way around the shop and it becomes clear that you have ‘that’ trolley – the one with a mind of its own and absolutely no intention of being steered anywhere meaning your back and shoulders are getting really sore.
• Then, to cap it all off, someone cuts you up in line and gives you this big over cheerful smug grin as they do so. That is just the last straw and you explode at them.

Anyone looking on would likely say ‘They just went off on one out of nowhere!’

Welcome to the concept of trigger stacking. Any one of the things that happened on the way to the store or during your shopping trip is annoying to have happen, but add them all together and it is just too much. Every one of those things that has caused you some annoyance lingers in the system for a little while, and that means that the effect is building up. One or two of those occurrences before the queue jumper at the store might have meant that you were left irritated but did not fly off the handle at the person barging in, but the added effect of all of them took you beyond what you could stand without losing it – it took you beyond your reaction threshold.

Dogs are no different.”

It’s not just negative things that can lead to trigger stacking. Over excitement can also result in a dog bubbling over and not being able to cope. Anything that raises the dog’s (or our) arousal levels can all accumulate until the point where it’s just all too much.

This is why it is so important to be able to recognise the signs of increased arousal so we can tell if our dog needs a break and a chance to calm down so they don’t reach that threshold point and life stays calmer for both them and us.

12/21/2024

New discounts to show our appreciation and assist those in need.

First responders enter shield.
Veterans and active duty IServe

Rescue groups, good for within the first 3 months of adoption.

Sam's 20% on first four sessions.
Pcaps 20% on first four sessions

TAPS 20% on first for sessions

12/19/2024

Did you know that we don't do training packages? It's by the session only. You may need only one so we will not lock you into more. We provide a service to help you better your home and life with your dog. We want to help with your peace, and your peace of mind.

12/13/2024

Plus a relevant tangent in which I talk about birds

12/13/2024

Social media can be so harsh. 💥
Lots of negative comments and posts dissing the 3x3x3 "rule".
The advice is still sound....and catchy enough to be able to be remembered, however I do understand that some people really do take things to heart and will strictly adhere to 3 days, 3 weeks etc.
I made this not to "diss" the creator of the 3x3x3 rule but to perhaps open up the conversation that every dog is unique, as is their (and your !) circumstances.
This is the time of year many people open up their homes to new dogs....I hope you find this helpful.
This dog training handout is available abcdogsnz.com

12/10/2024

The IAABC offers a Parrot Communication Poster designed by renowned artist Lili Chin to help you better understand your feathered friend's body language and vocalizations! This resource is perfect for parrot owners, trainers, and enthusiasts aiming to strengthen their bond with their birds 🦜💖

Download the poster here: https://iaabc.org/parrot-posters

12/10/2024

Enrichment...just a buzz word or does it really help dogs behaviour ?
One of the MOST important skills you can teach is find.
It relaxes✅
It calms 💤
It helps overarousal and over excitement💥
If you are unsure where to start with find there is a video in the comments that goes over how to introduce your dog to this easy skill that enriches, soothes and engages their brain....win, win, win !
Graphics available abcdogsnz.com

12/10/2024

12/10/2024

Play suddenly turns❓
What are some signals dogs don't appreciate in play ?
These are just some that can cause play to suddenly turn.
Not all dogs have good play skills and some have very awkward play styles and can even play inappropriately....so not all dogs that do posture over a dog, neck hold and stand over are showing possible problematic play behaviour.
Generally speaking though these can lead to play suddenly turning.
Dog training posters available abcdogsnz.com

12/10/2024

Dogs, babies and toddlers all need the ability to learn, grow and explore in a safe environment! 🐾 💚 👣

Management is incredibly important to help create this success! ✅

If the child does not have the ability to follow guidelines or regulate their emotions in the moment due to their age or other reasons like being over tired, there needs to be management in place to support success for EVERYONE!

When in doubt about the closeness or proximity of your dog, baby and toddler, space it out!

✏️ Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin