We've got a lot of work to do - but I am spending these first few months with my new dog managing what we can, enjoying each other, and helping Toast feel very much like herself. We can change behavior without changing who our dogs are, so don't forget to celebrate what you see in your dog before you dive into the work. Looking to fall in love with your dog again? Reach out! 🙂 #phillydogs #dogsofPhilly #phillydog #phillydoglovers #phillydogtrainer #phillydogtraining #southphillydogs #friskyinphilly #positivereinforcement #positivereinforcementtraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #forcefree #forcefreedogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #rescuedog #terriermix #chihuahuamix
It's officially spooky season, which means those of us with sensitive dogs have the added fun of figuring out how to keep our dogs under threshold not just around their normal day to day triggers, but also around real live ghouls and goblins. Here’s what I do with my guy to try to make sure all those tricks are met with treats: 1. I leave LOTS of room for observation. Sometimes dogs just need more time and space to figure out what they are looking at. 2. I trained a “positive interrupter” for when he gets flustered, or something unexpected happens (hello jump scare!). I usually use my dog’s name or a “let’s go!” cue that I have paired with movement, fun, and treats. 3. Reinforcing bravery by moving AWAY from scary things is a super important part of the desensitization process that most humans want to skip, and I’m here to tell you DON’T - why would you reward your dog for being brave by pushing them into a situation that is even scarier? 4. I know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em - sometimes we just avoid, or I reward my dog for being brave by leaving the area. Did you find this helpful? Like and share to see more tips for training your reactive dog :) #phillydogsofinstagram #phillydogs #dogsofPhilly #phillydog #phillydoglovers #phillydogtrainer #phillydogtraining #southphillydogs #friskyinphilly #positivereinforcement #positivereinforcementtraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #forcefree #forcefreedogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #reactivedogtraining #reactivedogtrainingtips #aussiesdoingthings #australianshepherd
Yes, it's true - I was once one of those trainers. I remember telling clients that when their dog moved past them the dog had "left the chat," were more likely to get into trouble, and were ditching their people. The unfortunate implication was that when your dog left your side, the relationship suffered. But after spending the last 15 years learning to prioritize the dog's needs over the training industry's infatuation with the concept of control- I can now attest to the fact that a dog enjoying their environment is not a personal affront to the work you have done together. Those joyful moments CAN and SHOULD occur because of the work we have done together, not in spite of it. As a result, we get dogs that can be dogs AND can still engage with their people when needed. What training "rules" have you ditched over the years? #phillydogsofinstagram #phillydogs #dogsofPhilly #phillydog #phillydoglovers #phillydogtrainer #phillydogtraining #southphillydogs #friskyinphilly #positivereinforcement #positivereinforcementtraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #forcefree #forcefreedogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice#MemeCut #Meme #MemeCut
Yes, it’s true - I was once one of those trainers. I remember telling clients that when their dog moved past them the dog had “left the chat,” were more likely to get into trouble, and were ditching their people. The unfortunate implication was that when your dog left your side, the relationship suffered. But after spending the last 15 years learning to prioritize the dog’s needs over the training industry’s infatuation with the concept of control- I can now attest to the fact that a dog enjoying their environment is not a personal affront to the work you have done together. Those joyful moments CAN and SHOULD occur because of the work we have done together, not in spite of it. As a result, we get dogs that can be dogs AND can still engage with their people when needed. What training “rules” have you ditched over the years? #phillydogsofinstagram #phillydogs #dogsofPhilly #phillydog #phillydoglovers #phillydogtrainer #phillydogtraining #southphillydogs #friskyinphilly #positivereinforcement #positivereinforcementtraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #forcefree #forcefreedogtraining #dogtrainingtipsandadvice
When we first bring home a puppy (or a new adult dog for that matter), their brains are real busy assessing and processing all kinds of new stimuli - new smells, new environments, your movements, other animals in the home, your routines throughout the day, etc. Even just existing in a new space during those first two weeks can be exhausting as your dog works to sort through all of that new information. Then after a few weeks, something changes. Your dog starts getting into stuff - chewing things they’ve never touched before (my new dog ate a guitar this week), pulling items out of shelves, and digging through your plants. You have bought ALL the chews, have a pile of toys at the ready, maybe you even have another dog in the home for your puppy to wrestle. The problem is that even if we have all the right ingredients for proper enrichment, we might be forgetting that your dog may crave NOVELTY. The same old same old just won’t do it for them anymore and we need to make some adjustments. Here are some ideas for you: 1. Rotate your toys AND chews. 2. Introduce new items into your dogs play space that you are ok with them interacting with (I’m looking at you recyclables!). 3. Try a different walking route. 4. Invite over some new friends (human or canine) to spice things up. What do you do to keep your pup out of trouble? Comment below! . . . . . #phillydogsofinstagram #phillydogs #dogsofPhilly #phillydog #phillydoglovers #phillydogtrainer #phillydogtraining #southphillydogs #friskyinphilly #positivereinforcement #positivereinforcementtraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #forcefree #forcefreedogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #puppytiktok #puppy #puppylife #puppytraining #rescuedogsrock #adopteddogsofinstagram #pitbullsofinstagram #rescuedogsrule #rescuedogsofinstagram #pibbles #pittie #pittielove #phillydogsofinstagram #phillydogs_ #phillydog #phillydoglovers #phillydogtrainer #phillydogtraining #friskyinphilly #positivereinfo
When we first bring home a puppy (or a new adult dog for that matter), their brains are real busy assessing and processing all kinds of new stimuli - new smells, new environments, your movements, other animals in the home, your routines throughout the day, etc. Even just existing in a new space during those first two weeks can be exhausting as your dog works to sort through all of that new information. Then after a few weeks, something changes. Your dog starts getting into stuff - chewing things they’ve never touched before (my new dog ate a guitar this week), pulling items out of shelves, and digging through your plants. You have bought ALL the chews, have a pile of toys at the ready, maybe you even have another dog in the home for your puppy to wrestle. The problem is that even if we have all the right ingredients for proper enrichment, we might be forgetting that your dog may crave NOVELTY. The same old same old just won’t do it for them anymore and we need to make some adjustments. Here are some ideas for you: 1. Rotate your toys AND chews. 2. Introduce new items into your dogs play space that you are ok with them interacting with (I’m looking at you recyclables!). 3. Try a different walking route. 4. Invite over some new friends (human or canine) to spice things up. What do you do to keep your pup out of trouble? Comment below!
Beat the heat with an indoor "search" game 1.Prepare by letting your dog watch you place a stinky or high value treat in a small toy like a lotus ball. 2. Place your dog in a stay on a mat, or behind a baby gate. 3.Let your dog watch you place a treat or a baited toy (like a lotus ball) on the ground 6-8 feet from them. 4. Walk back to your dog and release them to “search.” 5. When they find the treat/toy, praise and feed them a few treats one at a time in the spot where they found the toy. 6. Repeat steps 1 thru 5 until your dog understands the format of the game. 7. Increase difficulty by adding distance, starting to place the item around a corner, out of view or at different heights. As long as your dog is actively searching/scenting for the item, you do not need to do anything. If your dog comes back to you or looks confused you can give hints by walking closer to the item and repeating the “search” cue. #dogsofphilly #phillydogsofinstagram #phillydogs #dogsofPhilly #phillydog #phillydoglovers #phillydogtrainer #phillydogtraining #southphillydogs #friskyinphilly #positivereinforcement #positivereinforcementtraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #forcefree #forcefreedogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #rescuedogsrock #adopteddogsofinstagram #rescuedogsrule #rescuedogsofinstagram
It is important to remember that genetic characteristics like sensitivity to small environmental changes, high focus and alertness, split second reading of movement, explosive responses, etc. are all skills that can make our dogs more likely to become reactive - but these are often also DESIRED traits that many working dogs are specifically bred for. However, many of us parent dogs that end up in environments where those skills do not serve them anymore or we have not found appropriate outlets for those skill sets. This is why I always urge my clients to observe how these behaviors are serving their dogs and what we can do to not only channel those skills into productive outlets, but to marvel at and admire the parts of your dog that can sometimes feel the toughest to work through. Your dog is already amazing - let’s do the work to bring out their best. #phillydogsofinstagram #phillydogs #dogsofPhilly #phillydoglovers #phillydogtrainer #phillydogtraining #positivereinforcement #positivereinforcementtraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #forcefree #forcefreedogtraining #dogtrainingadvice #reactivedog #reactivedogawareness #reactivedogtraining #reactivedog
When we see behavior that appears “out of control” it makes sense that some people will gravitate towards training strategies that put a lot of emphasis on CONTROLLING our dogs. We might add restrictive equipment, limit movement, invest our time in building obedience/compliance. But the reality is that reactivity often stems from a dog already feeling like they have limited choices - barking and lunging is an “expensive” behavior and is most often the result of the dog feeling backed into a corner and those behaviors are the most efficient way to get the space and safety they need. It can feel counterintuitive to some, but it is so VITALLY important for your reactivity program to include opportunities to share a space with a trigger in a way where your dog feels safe enough to practice low stress information gathering as well as the chance to CHOOSE coping skills that make them feel their best. #phillydogsofinstagram #phillydogs #dogsofPhilly #phillydog #phillydoglovers #phillydogtrainer #phillydogtraining #southphillydogs #friskyinphilly #positivereinforcement #positivereinforcementtraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #forcefree #forcefreedogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice#reactivedogsunite #reactivedogsarestillgooddogs #reactivity
