Brightstar Canine Academy

10/09/2024

all dogs

09/14/2024

This is a lovely analysis of a behavioral situation. Thank you for posting it Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior ictoria Stilwell

09/14/2024

09/14/2024

Scientists are re-examining what signs of intelligence mean for animals.

09/14/2024

An ethical dog trainer will explain how your dog is seeing the environment and help them to cope with it better.

An ethical dog trainer will gather information, use rewards, avoid intimidation and never put a nasty collar on your dog to make them do something more convenient.

Get my book here: https://amzn.to/4gbSBsD

09/14/2024

One might argue that passive cruelty or neglect tend to manifest from convenience or function. For example, professional groomers or dog trainers may be motivated by a need or desire to get results at whatever cost to the pet. Economically, they may be motivated by profit and the need for expeditious business transactions. These practices may include pinning down a dog to trim his nails or applying physical punishment, such as a leash jerk, to prevent a dog from pulling on the leash.

09/10/2024

Does your dog pace constantly?
Do you have a dog that's uncomfortable during shows or during sport event?
Are you training a therapy or service dog?

This course is a game changer to help your dog relax into a comfortable relaxed position while still being able to enjoy their environment. Sign up at:
www.brightstardogs.com

09/10/2024

Senior dogs are extra special.
They also need extra special care.
Which is why I wrote The Senior Dog Wellness Guide: https://amzn.to/4cXUPJp

09/10/2024

Let's stay stinky!

09/10/2024

"I think 10 meters is far enough away" ❌
Your dog is the one who determines the distance, we can't✅
You may have found the perfect area because triggers are available... yet your dog is still struggling.
You are too close.

Reactivity is a tricky beast and we really need to respect the emotional turmoil bubbling underneath...and those emotions simply won't change if you are too close when you begin working with them.
There is a time to challenge distance, ...but again, your dog will let you know when they are ready. There are videos in the comments which can hep if you are new to a reactive dog (as there can be a lot to learn).
You CAN make a big difference with reactivity. ✅

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

09/10/2024

I wish I was lying.

09/09/2024

Your Presenters- Dr. Zazie Todd

09/08/2024

Reactive dog ❓💥
"Loading" is a general term...but it can help some to see this as a call to action. NOTHING good happens after this.....there is usually a reaction straight after.
"Loading" is in between looking🙂 and reacting💥, and you need to learn your own dogs subtle tells that this is exactly what they are doing.
Distraction isn't a long term solution for reactivity, though (to be fair) it has it's place
Distraction is exactly what it means...a distraction, sometimes it is needed and at times is helpful...but there is so much more to helping a reactive dog through their own emotional journey than just distraction. I will add some videos in the comments which can help.✅
"Loading" can take a split second....or much longer.
The very second you see the slightest changes in their posture/body language, you need to act....quickly

🙂Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.









dog

09/08/2024

09/08/2024

Keira Moore, PhD, BCBA-D, KPA CTP, is a trailblazer in the world of animal training, combining her expertise in behavior analysis with a passion for helping animals and their owners. Based in Escondido, California, Keira is the owner and head trainer at Pet Project Dog Training. She graduated from K...

09/07/2024

Discover our new "Calming and Relaxation" Course offerings. Learn how to have both you and your dog relax anywhere.

09/06/2024

Thresholds. I wish this was as easy as it sounds.
Over or under...simple ❓🤔 It actually isn't that simple at all. It can be really tricky to tell when dogs are actually up and over that all important threshold.
Is a bark over threshold❓ Is a jumping and "goofy" dog ❓Is sudden stillness a sign❓
There are a LOT of tell tale signs your dog has moved from one emotional state to another (and they can be very individual) the difficult thing is can be very quick.....but there are signs, even if it all happens in a split second. There is a helpful video in the comments covering this too.✅

There is a point when a dog is faced with a trigger, and has become over aroused, barking, screeching spinning, lunging (always a strange word to spell) or growling for these dogs it is very EASY to see that they are over a threshold.

Then there are other dogs where it is FAR more subtle.
These signals are often missed or misread....but these triggers are just as concerning and troublesome for these dogs.
Quietness
Sudden stillness
Subtle posture changes
Stress shown in their ears, eyes, face and mouth.

Many of these dogs that don't audibly (or "dramatically") react are absolutely STILL struggling in the face of a trigger, yet these signs can easily be dismissed by us.

If the quieter over threshold dogs were given as much consideration as the louder barking, snarling, growling dog.....they would be able to be seen as going through the same emotional changes.
A barking dog and a very quiet dog can have exactly the same emotions bubbling underneath, they just show it differently.

🙂Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

09/05/2024

Such an easy loop to get into and such a difficult one to break. 🤦
Over aroused/ "hyper" dogs.
They want MORE so we give them more.....sounds like a good plan, right ?
This is exactly what the majority of these dogs DON"T need.

I get it.
Nothing seems like enough for these dogs.
There wouldn't be a week go by where I don't have a handful of clients affected.

Make no mistake, for the vast majority of these dogs all MORE does is exacerbate the issue and create "adrenaline junkies" that NEED and WANT more....much more than anyone can give.
The stamina these dogs have built up is incredible....and that isn't a good thing.

There are those in the industry that believe the answer to hyper and over aroused dogs is to exercise them harder, faster and for longer. It is endemic in the dog training world that these dogs need to be "tired out more" by heavier exercise and physical activity.
Then there are those in the industry that KNOW the huge issues these dogs are facing and how absolutely damaging the "prescription" of more exercise can be.

You cannot throw that ball enough.....
You cannot walk/run them enough......
You cannot tire them out enough.....as physical exhaustion only "fuels" this behaviour.

If you want more information there is also a video on this in the comments✅.

When those physically exhausted dogs wake up.......the over aroused/hyper loop starts all over again.
However if you recognise it.....you can help this.

Not all the behaviours shown are behaviours only shown by hyper aroused/overly excited dogs but these are definitely common to those particular dogs.

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

09/04/2024

An ethical dog trainer will explain how your dog is seeing the environment and help them to cope with it better.

An ethical dog trainer will gather information, use rewards, avoid intimidation and never put a nasty collar on your dog to make them do something more convenient.

Get my book and be ethical: https://amzn.to/4gbSBsD