Teach a Dog to Fish

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United States
Phoenix, AZ
Teach a Dog to Fish

Our team of positive reinforcement trainers aims for effective and lasting changes, based on strengthening your relationship with your dog.

Our Training Philosophy

We stand behind the guidance of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior in their position that "reward-based techniques should be used for teaching common training skills as well as to address unwanted behaviors. The application of aversive methods – which, by definition, rely on application of force, pain, or emotional or physical discomfort – should not be use

d in canine training or for the treatment of behavioral disorders." You will never see us using prong collars, shock collars, or intimidation to teach your dog. If these tools are currently the only things making you feel comfortable interacting, walking, and training with your dog… WE UNDERSTAND because at one point, we felt that way too. But now we have tools that leave those primitive ones in the dust, and we’re here to share them with you. We’re here to help build your relationship and understanding with your dog so that we can safely + comfortably work towards trust, with the goal of getting your family to a place where you feel safe working with your dog, without tools that cause them pain or discomfort. LIMA Based Training

LIMA training means Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive. We base all our interactions with you and your pet on this principle. This means we won’t ever use force, intimidation, or intentionally cause stress, pain, or anxiety in an effort to reach training goals. Continued Education

We’re never done learning because the research in our field is always growing and changing. We have and always will continue to attend training and behavior seminars, do our part in research studies that we’re asked to collect data for, read the latest literature, research the latest studies, and network with colleagues to remain at the forefront of training and behavior knowledge.

07/11/2022

Dogs lick for lots of reasons! You may notice your dog's tongue at work when she is coping with stress, grooming herself, or seeing if you have anything tasty on your hands! 👀

Licking releases endorphins in a dog's brain, so it can be a very enriching activity for them. As long as their licking isn't obsessive or destructive, it's fine to let them lick! You can even buy specialized "lick mats" and smear them with dog food, peanut butter, yogurt or anything else your dog enjoys. This gives them the perfect outlet for licking! 😋

While most licking is harmless, it is important to remember that a lip lick can also be a calming signal performed by your dog when she is experiencing stress or anxiety. If you see licking out of context (i.e. away from anything tasty), it's a good idea to pause and consider if your dog may be trying to indicate that she is uncomfortable with something going on. ⚠️

We see many dogs lip lick as a way to try to express a need for more space, which is why the Family Paws Organization has coined the phrase "Kiss to Dismiss" as a reminder that your dog's "kisses" may actually be a request for you to give her some space. 🛑

When do you notice your dog using their tongue? 👅

07/08/2022

If you haven't had a vet check recently and you're experiencing any sudden changes in behavior, we will ALWAYS recommend that you see your veterinarian as soon as possible. It's important to us that our training team is just one part of a larger support network providing care and guidance for you and your family. Many of our initial consults are often spent discussing talking points you can bring up with your veterinary team before, during, and after your vet checkup so that you may ask your questions more confidently, and advocate for your pets effectively while respecting your vet staff's time and expertise.

When any part of your support network believes that it may be time to consider behavior medication, due to chronic unresolved concerns, we will likely refer you to schedule a consultation with a veterinary behaviorist.💊

Many of our clients think of behavior meds as a last resort, but medications can make a huge difference for your dog and their ability to make meaningful progress in a training program. 🏅
The same way we might refer you to a nutrition specialist, veterinary dermatologist, or a canine physical therapist for help with resolving gut, skin, or mobility issues, we're likely to refer you to specialists in veterinary behavior (like our friends Dr. Moffat or Dr. Gerrish here in AZ!) when medication discussions are on the table.

If your dog is struggling with extreme fear, anxiety, or aggression, please reach out so we can help. ❤️

Has your dog ever had a behavior concern that was exacerbated by a medical issue? You are so far from alone, share your experience with us below!👇

07/06/2022

Does your dog demonstrate any behaviors that you would like to change? 👀

Many of our clients struggle with dogs who may be resource guarding, displaying aggressive behaviors, or demonstrating fear around strangers or new situations. 🫣

We always begin with a 90-minute initial consult, where we will review and prioritize your goals, answer your questions and get everyone started off on the right foot… or paw. 🐩

Then, in 1 x 1 lessons our trainer will come to you and work with you and your dog one-on-one. This is recommended for pet parents ready for guidance on how to work with their dogs. 🐕
We recommend 1 x 1 lessons for 90% of cases, and currently offer training nationwide through our virtual programs as well as in person within our AZ service area!

Ready to reach out about training? Visit the link in our bio or message us to schedule! 💬

07/04/2022

Do you have enrichment for your dog prepped for tonight? 😋

Lick mats like the one pictured are a great way for your dog to release some endorphins into their body when they are stressed by things like big, loud fireworks! 🎇

How does your dog feel about fireworks? What questions do you have about helping your dog tonight? 🐕

07/01/2022

🛋 Does your dog like to cuddle or do they prefer their space?

❤️ In a 2019 American Heart Association study, researchers found that just sharing your home with a dog was associated with a 24% reduced risk of all-cause mortality and a 31% lower risk of death by heart attack or stroke compared to those not sharing their lives with dogs.

🥼 So there you have it: soak up all the doggy cuddles you can, but make sure your dog consents to those cuddles! How can you tell your dog wants to snuggle?
(Keep an eye on our IG stories today for some quizzes and body language tips!)

06/29/2022

🐕 Do you have a dog who could use some help with manners? Or a dog that you would love to be able to take on adventures with you? Day School might be a good fit!

👩‍🏫 Day School is like having a personal doggy tutor. During lessons we will teach, practice, and proof new behaviors for you, then send you daily Pawgress Reports.

📈 Once weekly review lessons in your home are when we show you how to maintain those new behaviors, and are key to this learning process! You will still have homework, we’re just cutting that work in half.

💬 If you'd like to inquire about Day School, DM us or click the link in our bio. What goals are you working towards with your dog?

06/27/2022

👋 Say hello to our amazing lead trainer! Angelina is a Certified Family Dog Mediator and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). She would melt straight into the ground if we tried to brag about her in this post, so please enjoy these quotes from some of her clients and make your own judgments about how skilled she is.

⭐️ "I never thought we’d get to see the day where we could do normal dog things with our dogs. When we found Angelina, our dogs Denver and Delilah were reactive toward bikes and cars, they were too scared of new people to go to the vet and get vaccines, and would scream and lunge toward other dogs on walks. Our fur-children now have a vet staff who love them, they go on adventures with us all the time, and Denver can even enjoy visits to OHSO’s dog friendly patio on the weekends without issue. Angelina is like a miracle worker, and taught us all so much." — Deb S., Alma M., Denver, Delilah, and Dragon

⭐️ "Our daily walks were like literal torture. I’ve had a shoulder replacement and my husband a knee replacement, and our 100lb pup only had one speed: Hyperdrive. After a few day camp sessions with Angelina, we weren’t afraid to walk our dog anymore. Louie doesn’t lunge at other dogs anymore, we understand what works for him, and don’t feel guilty on bad days when we can’t walk him, cause we know how to meet his needs. SO thankful for the work Angelina put in with and for our family." — Brenda J., Rahul N., and Louie

🫵 Do you have any experience working with our trainers? We would love to hear from you in the comments!

06/24/2022

As our friends at Play Way Dogs like to say, Play is Magic. 🪄

We really can't stress enough how important it can be to learn how to play with your dog. It may sound simple, but for many dogs who haven't had the opportunity to practice play, as well as for those who experience chronic stress, learning how to play is a process. And it's a skill, just like many others, that you can learn together. 🐕

“I think it helps the human, the dog, and the partnership to have this one expectation-free space – this isolated time where you only focus on what you both can do right, where you make each other laugh and enjoy being silly together. That kind of connection can help keep you invested for the long haul in helping your dog. It can recharge the batteries in the relationship.” - Amy Cook, Ph.D., Certified Dog Behavior Consultant & Creator of PlayWay ✨

Does your dog initiate play with you? How do they act when they want to play? What are their favorite games? 🎾

06/22/2022

Thinking of adding a new furry family member to your home? We can help you find the perfect dog for your family, and even go with you to a shelter to meet and assess your candidates. Getting to help you choose your newest friend is one of our favorite things to do. Click the link in our bio to get more info on this service! 💞

And if you happen to be looking for a happy-go-lucky bully mix, maybe Elmer (adoptable through Freedom Brothers Recovery & Rescue) would work for you? Message them if you'd like to meet this boy! ☀️

06/20/2022

Do you know how to tell when it's too hot to walk your dog? Here are some things to keep in mind! 🥵

🌡 Place the back of your hand on the surface where your dog will be walking outside. If you can comfortably hold your hand on it for seven seconds, it should be safe for your dog. If it feels hot to you then it's too hot for them!

🐶 Be extra careful with brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs, pugs, frenchies), pregnant dogs, and puppies. They have less heat tolerance!

☀️ Aim for early mornings and late evenings when temperatures may be cooler. You can also try to stay on grass which will be cooler than concrete!

👟 If you live in an apartment or somewhere where you will need to take your dog out for potty breaks frequently, dog booties are a great option to protect their feet. Ask us how to get started with conditioning your dog to enjoy wearing booties!

What questions do you have about dogs and the heat? Let us know in the comments! 👇 And watch our Instagram stories today for signs your dog may be overheating!

06/01/2022

Ever been impressed by your dog's impeccable ability to recognize their exact dinner time? ⏱

According to Alexandra Horowitz, the founder of Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College, "Smells tell time. In other words, a strong odor is probably newer odor, laid down more recently. A weaker odor is something that was left in the past. So in being able to detect the concentration of a smell, they're really seeing not only what it is but how long ago it was left."

How does your dog let you know when it's time to eat?! ⏰

Image Description: Kahuna (a white bully breed mix dog wearing a dapper bandana with a black bowtie on it) beams towards the camera with one winky eye and a happy, open-mouth smile. The rest of the graphic is on a yellow background and the text reads: "How do you know when your dog wants to..." and then a little speech bubble coming from Kahuna says "eat?"

Source: NPR's Fresh Air episode, "From Fire Hydrants To Rescue Work, Dogs Perceive The World Through Smell." Transcript here: https://www.npr.org/transcripts/496417068

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Phoenix, AZ

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https://www.teachadogtofish.com/

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