All Together Better

06/04/2024

Contest time hey dog lovers having a good recall gives you and your dog more freedom. Here are some tips from Alliance of Modern Pet Professionals - of Pittsburgh.

03/08/2024

We are so excited to announce or next Evening with AMPP in-person Seminar! May 7th, 6:30pm at Success Just Clicks Dog Training in Pittsburgh, PA! CPDT CEUs available!

Our good friend, and AMPP member, Debbie Thomas CPDT-KA, SAPro, is going to take us on an overview of Separation Anxiety, including some strategies to identify, manage, and work on separation struggles. She's going to touch on SA from a rescue or shelter perspective as well!

Key Topics:

--What is separation anxiety? Explore the definition, prevalence, and impact of separation anxiety on dogs and their owners.

--Causes of separation anxiety: Uncover the underlying factors that contribute to separation anxiety, including genetics, temperament, life experiences, and environmental triggers.

--Symptoms of separation anxiety: Learn to recognize the telltale signs and behaviors that indicate separation anxiety, such as excessive barking, destructive behaviors, and house soiling.

--How to manage separation anxiety: Gain practical tips and techniques for managing separation anxiety in your dog, including creating a structured routine, providing enrichment activities, and practicing gradual desensitization.

--Training techniques to reduce separation anxiety: Discover effective training methods that can help your dog cope with separation, including positive reinforcement, counterconditioning, and systematic desensitization.
Medications and other treatment options.

For details, visit https://www.pittsburghpetprofessionals.com/eventsandseminars!

03/01/2024

My colleague and fellow licensed family dog mediator Justine created The Dial Method. It’s a very simple, fun, and LEGS-friendly system that organizes all the essential dog behavior information- to help teach the humans before they teach the dog.

All the info is here:

The busy parent's shortcut to raising a family dog right.

03/01/2024

Truly one of the best seminars I’ve ever attended. This truly made a huge difference in the way I support animal care givers. If you are in the industry and want to level up your skills, I highly recommend you check this out.

🗣️ Hello Behavior Vets community!

🎉 We are coming to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to present The Resilience Framework this summer!

Eliminating all stress in life is impossible and is never the goal of training. Instead, the goal is to help a learner acquire the skills which enable them to process stressful experiences and grow more resilient from them. In this 2-day seminar, we will use a model founded on scientific principles, which was created by our experts here at Behavior Vets. The Resilience Framework represents seven domains around which an individualized training plan can be created which will support the dog’s development and help them build resilience; we are calling it the Resilience Rainbow. 🌈

👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-resilience-framework-pittsburgh-pa-tickets-845230014727?aff=oddtdtcreator

📚CEUs pending

💰Tuition:
⭐️ Early Bird Tickets – before March 31, 2024: $266
⭐️ General Admission Tickets – after March 31, 2024: $299
⭐️ Shelter/Rescue/Vet Student/Vet Tech Tickets - no expiration date: $266

🎓 Behavior Vets Memberships 🎓
We are grateful that you trust us with your continued education, and we wanted to make it even easier for you to learn and grow with us.

We are grateful that you trust us with your continued education, and we wanted to make it even easier for you to learn and grow with us.

🔥 Exclusive Content: Dive into premium articles, videos, and tutorials available only to our members.
🌟 Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals, industry experts, and thought leaders.
🚀 Early Access: Be the first to know about new features, events, and updates.
🎁 Bonus Perks: Enjoy special discounts, freebies, and surprises.
📚 Learning Hub: Access our knowledge base, courses, and workshops.

👉 There are two ways to enroll for each membership:

📝 INTRO MEMBERSHIP:

Monthly: This is a subscription, which automatically renews at $29.99 each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time.

Subscribe monthly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/subscriptions?id=behavior-vets-basic-membership-plan

Yearly: Purchase this package for $299.99 and save $60.00

Purchase yearly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/basic-behavior-vets-membership 💼📚

💡PLUS MEMBERSHIP:

Monthly: This is a subscription, which automatically renews at $39.99 each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time.

Subscribe monthly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/subscription/behavior-vets-mid-tier-membership

Yearly: Purchase this package for $399.99 and save $80.00

Purchase yearly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/behavior-vets-plus-membership-annual 💼📚

📖 PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP:

Monthly: This is a subscription, which automatically renews at $69.99 each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time.

Subscribe monthly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/subscription/behavior-vets-premium-membership

Yearly: Purchase this package for $699.99 and save $140.00

Purchase yearly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/behavior-vets-premium-membership-annual 💼📚

📚PRO MEMBERSHIP:

Monthly: This is a subscription, which automatically renews at $69.99 each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time.

Subscribe monthly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/subscription/behavior-vets-premium-membership

Yearly: Purchase this package for $699.99 and save $140.00.

Purchase yearly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/behavior-vets-pro-membership-annual 💼📚

12/07/2023

If you want to start a pet care professional let me know I am here to guide and provide!

10/03/2023

It’s going to be fun! Last chance

Don’t be baaaaaaaaashful!! There are still 2 last minute openings for this weekends clicker camp !

Check the bio or story for the registration link!

09/30/2023

Looking for a training class I recommend phenomenal canine.

Group classes are up! Sign up for small group classes held at 215 Brownsville Rd Pittsburgh PA 15210.

STAR Puppy October 30th 6:30PM - Learn the basics of sit, down, stay, loose leash walking, and more all while earning your dog's STAR puppy ribbon! Open to all dogs under 1 year in age.

Bachelors Basic Obedience November 7th 6:30PM - Open to all ages Learn the basics of sit, down, stay, loose leash walking, and more!

Masters Advanced Obedience November 1st time 6:30PM - Already took a class with us? Took a class at another facility? Want to brush up on those skills? This is the class for you.

PHD AKC Canine Good Citizen November 4th 10AM - This 5 week course takes you through the AKC Canine Good Citizen prep and test.

Sign up today! https://phenomenalcanine.as.me/

09/21/2023

Even the toughest dogs have their Achilles' heels! 🐕💔

If you're a dog trainer, share your thoughts about this!

09/06/2023

I love hearing feedback like this if you need support with growing your business or you want to create a ethical pet care business join my coaching program Potential unleashed.

Andrew (https://alltogether-better.com/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ) has helped me change the way I move through the dog training industry for the better. Before enrolling in his Mentorship Program I was going through a rough bout of compassion fatigue. I honestly had no idea how to ask for help! Thankfully a mutual friend and very successful Entrepreneur Liz who also is mentored by Andrew connected us.

To say I took the mentorship at the time I needed it the most is an understatement.

Andrew’s industry experience and passion for dog behavioral education makes him a wonderful sounding board and powerful support system.

Whether you’re a seasoned vet in the dog training/care industry or you’re brand new, I highly recommend seeking guidance from Andrew.

He’s personally boosted my confidence a lot. Andrew Marrangoni 💃🏼

Woo!
Michelle

09/01/2023

When the going gets tough, resilient leaders get going!

08/31/2023

Leadership that turns setbacks into comebacks.

08/31/2023

Looking for a class here is your opportunity

Last call! We have advanced obedience AND puppy class this Saturday September 2nd.

We also have a few more openings in our all ages basic obedience class Tuesday Sept 5th at 6:30pm!

Sign up today with the link in our bio or send us a message!

08/30/2023

Providing teams with strong leadership to help them endure disasters!

08/25/2023

Entrepreneurial Insights into Team Motivation ⭐️

08/24/2023

How Entrepreneurs Inspire Their Teams!

08/23/2023

The Path of the Entrepreneur to Team Success!

08/21/2023

Because it so well written and I share the same sentiments as the author I’m am sharing this.
I understand why so many people are using tools that cause discomfort and pain because they are happy with leverage and feeling of control over their dog. These tools are making their life easier at the expense of the dog’s welfare. I walk around every day watching the silent suffering of these animals most the time with caregiver completely oblivious to the amount of discomfort and stress their dog is experiencing. Mainly due to the amount of fabrication around their use. I used to use these tools as well. I told myself the same stories. That my dogs needed these things to learn how to navigate safely in our world. I can tell you that is bull s**t. I always thought my dogs were happy and well trained. I can tell you that their skills and our relationship skyrocketed after I decided to ditch the tools. If you want to raise the potential of your dog’s wellbeing and your relationship with them I want to support you. If you want to learn a more humane approach to living with your dog let me know I am happy to support you with compassion and understanding.

🗣️ “When used correctly........"

This phrase comes up time and time again when those who advocate for the use of aversive dog training methods and tools try and come across as ethical.

"When used correctly" are empty words.

It's a non-descriptive phrase. It gives the reader/viewer NOTHING to measure- other than the trainer's own opinion of their skill.

This is highly problematic. An absence of adequate regulation of training and behaviour professionals parallel to the frequent display of self-appointed expertise is a BIG welfare problem for dogs in this industry.

⚡️The trainer I watched in a popular instagram video 'stimming' a dog with an e-collar everytime the dog went to sniff things in a pet store probably thought they were using it correctly.

🖐️ Ceser Milan probably thought he was applying 'calm and assertive' body language correctly on Holly the Labrador as a way of ‘working’ with her food aggression, even though she bit him multiple times for doing it. He required hospital treatment.

🐕‍🦺 The prong collar trainers whose dogs make an awful choking sound when corrected, probably think they are doing it correctly. Despite the prong seemingly being placed ‘correctly’ high on the neck!

💥 The well known UK balanced trainer who posted a video a good while back of them 'stimming' a french bulldog for exhibiting abnormal repetitive behaviours probably thought he was using it correctly. (The dog's owner later posted their own video explaining how this made the dog worse, and a more welfare focused approach has now started to help the dog).
🤷‍♀️ What does 'correctly' even look like?
Good timing and equipment placement?
Is that REALLY all that’s needed to make sure the dog is protected from poor professional conduct and fall-out?

🤔 How can we help the viewer know what to look for?
It's very hard for me to imagine what the correct use of aversives looks like, but a start would be:

✔️ Getting a vet referral, reviewing the full medical history of the dog.
✔️ Reviewing the stressors in that dog's life and addressing them.
✔️ Applying positive reinforcement focused methods first and foremost. This applies to all dogs. No excuses!
Enough of us are doing this daily with the same demographic of clients (let’s not flatter ourselves with ‘I get the red zone dogs’ comments, please!).

I have subjected myself to watching plenty of balanced training videos to make sure I am educating others based on what I SEE and not just what I think or read in research.
I am not seeing ANY evidence of the above in the videos, posts or comments I have seen.

I can catagorically say I have NEVER seen added text or information to the many videos I have watched that even acknowledges stress or pain in dogs.

Balanced training method videos appear (to me) to continuously represent dogs simply "a good dog" or "a bad dog". There’s not enough mention of a “stressed dog”, a “hurting dog” or a dog who has yet to be taught different (kindly).

I don’t see explanations as to WHY the dog may be behaving that way and what is being done to help the dog- beyond applying aversive methods to punish or supress the bad behaviour.

Whilst I would NEVER endorse the use of aversive tools and aversive methods that intentionally startle or cause discomfort- I would have a little more respect for balanced trainers if they actually OWNED their methods publicly.

Be transparent.
Be clear about HOW these methods work.
So, let's help owners make a genuinely informed decision rather than leading viewers to believe there is no risk to the dog's physical and emotional health, and only benefits to be gained.

Some even think that these tools are enjoyable for dogs! This gross misunderstanding is the soul responsibility of those who showcase using these tools to the general public without being transparent.

Here are few examples of what transparency from balanced dog trainers would look like when discussing aversive tools in ALL contexts;

🗣️ “Because the e collar may startle the dog or cause an unpleasant sensation, we tried to remove as many stressors as possible in the dog's life before applying the training".
🗣️ “We considered using a slip lead on this dog to apply leash corrections, but the dog was found to have hip dysplasia in their pre-session vet check. It wouldn't be fair to correct a dog, which is unpleasant for them, if they are already in pain- so we need to address that first".
🗣️ “E collar aversion training may be able to stop your dog chasing sheep, but it won't stop them killing your next door neighbours cat or causing a road traffic accident. So, you really need to up your management and make sure your dog doesn't escape".
🗣️ “As a correction on a prong collar causes momentary compression to the neck - this can cause stress by temporarily reducing oxygen intake and also causing discomfort from all the metal pins briefly digging in. For that reason, the dog had a vet check to make sure the're not experiencing any pain in their neck, or elsewhere".
🗣️ “Because a prong collar correction has the potential to be deeply unpleasant for the dog, we have to be so careful about when we apply it. If you're not careful, the dog may associate the discomfort with what they are looking at when the correction is delivered and start to fear it. This could be a child, or it could be the rose bush they have to walk past on your driveway. Your correction has to be timed perfectly to the mili-second and that is really not easy!".
🗣️ “Because the slip lead tightens when a corrrection is applied or when the dog pulls- this is uncomfortable and stressful for the dog and the dog adjusts their behaviour to avoid that discomfort. We want to avoid causing our dogs stress as much as possible, so we are starting our training in a super easy environment so the dog can get maximum reinforcement for the desired behaviour. Ideally, we just don't want to correct the dog at all".
🗣️ “Here I am scaring the dog with my body language. I am being intentionally threatening and confrontational. The dog will change their behaviour to appease me, as they can’t escape. The risk here is they could bite you in defense, so you do have to be really careful”.

Doesn’t quite sell the method so well to potential clientele and followers, does it?

Using ambiguous language like 'pressure' is just not thorough enough. Interpretation of what pressure is relies on one's own experience.

Some people may have felt extreme pressure in their lives and view it as highly aversive. Others may have only experienced mild pressure and thus view it as a minor inconvenience that is easily overcome.

A living being's emotional and physical resources will influence how they cope with pressure (stress!). It's not black and white as each individual is different, and their individual coping ability can vary day to day.

Talking about 'pressure' and 'using it correctly' gives zero indication that a risk assessment should be done daily on our learners, regardless of the methods we use on them.

I have yet to see sufficient evidence of balanced trainers showing that they are looking at all of these nuances or helping viewers learn about them.

The many videos I see make it look very much like the aversive tool is stage 1 in the process. If it's not, then why aren't they saying so?

This does dogs a HUGE disservice. If you want to get remotely close to using aversive tools correctly (if there is such a thing!) then let's see balanced trainers be more transparent as to the risk of using these tools. Correct use is increasing awareness of what can go wrong.

If you want positive reinforcement trainers to do the same, sure! I’ve not been shy about discussing fall out across my work and I work very hard to prevent it.

Positive reinforcement users could go into detail about how to reduce fall-out, such as frustration and redirection, from negative punishment, extinction or clumsy mechanics.
Let’s help viewers recognise how withholding or withdrawing reinforcement, ignoring a behaviour without providing an alternative, or poor application of reinforcement can cause problem behaviour.

BUT, if you're a balanced dog trainer who ALSO uses reinforcement based methods too......then I fear your list of disclaimers will start to get a little long. All of those risks using reinforcement are piling up and onto the risks of using aversion based methods.
If this is truly about dog welfare, let's see ALL the details on every.single.post so you can be sure that every person you are potentially influencing is as informed as they can be.

Why does this matter more with aversion based training methods? Because they are designed to operate on avoidance of fear, anxiety (stress / pressure), discomfort and pain. End of.

NOTE: I have not looked at every bit of content from every balanced trainer in the world. I know there are some who are very knowledgable and who do take stress and pain into consideration. Some are also less quick to use aversive tools or methods.

My predominant direct experience is that this is less common OR they are just not talking about it openly! I have a problem with both!

When ever a trainer posts about using an aversive tool they should still be completely transparent.

People who don’t know better are watching.
Final Note: If you think the ever increasing popularity of balanced methods online is because they are better than gentle methods, I would encourage you to look into (online) how social media platforms prioritise VIOLENT content. This is quite well established information now.
It has nothing to do with effectiveness, and everything to do with what unfortuantly now seems to make humans tick. It's pretty gross, if you ask me.

08/19/2023

Fellow FDM and owner of pooch parenting has an offer for you if you are expecting children and have a dog!

08/18/2023

Principle Leadership in an Ethical Challenges and Entrepreneurial Solutions

08/16/2023

Shaping Tomorrow: How Entrepreneurial Leaders Foster Innovation Today!

08/14/2023

Mindset about success, and not limiting yourself with Non serving beliefs about yourself

08/11/2023

Choose Your Circle Wisely and surround Yourself with Positivity and Watch Your World Transform.

08/10/2023

Ownership Amplifies Impact: Crafting a Mindset for Action.

08/09/2023

Setting Clear Goals with Purpose!

08/08/2023

Tomorrow's Success, Today's Visualization: A Roadmap to Greatness.

08/07/2023

Understanding, timing and mechanics all valuable skills to learn when you care for animals. Come learn with some of best on the farm!

Learn how to give stress free chicken pedicures at clicker camp!

Cooperative care can be a game changer for both the human and the animal by lowering stress and boosting communication. And it can be done with any species.

Register with the coupon code “earlybirdbarn” to save $50!

08/04/2023

Challenges are opportunities, setbacks are stepping stones. 💪🚶‍♂️