Benevolent Sun Dogs

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Benevolent Sun Dogs

I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer(CPDT-KA and AKC-CGC). I focus on relationships first!
(4)

06/20/2024

05/24/2024

The Canine Behavior Assessment Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) is a standardized test that has been in use for over twenty years, which helps track behavioral modification goals and progress. It was originally designed to be used for dogs in private homes with behavioral issues to help keep them from being surrendered. However, I love to use it for shelter and foster dogs, as it gives a multi-faceted picture of a dog’s personality, rather than just focusing on the problematic areas.

Here is the assessment I conducted yesterday with the employees and volunteers at UFAR’s shelter facility (United For Animals Rescue) in Margate. Warrior is one of their longest-term residents, and his back legs are paralyzed. We would like to raise awareness for shelter dogs with special needs. If you would like to contribute towards Warrior’s ongoing physical rehabilitation, equipment and training costs, you can donate directly through UFAR’s website:
www.ufarescue.org

C-BARQ Assessment
(Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire):

1. Stranger-directed aggression: hostile/threatening responses toward an unknown person
2. Owner-directed aggression
3. Dog directed aggression against unfamiliar dog(s)
4. Dog directed rivalry, against other dog(s) in the home (resource guarding, bullying, fighting)
5. Stranger-directed fear: anxiety and stressful body language in the presence of unfamiliar people
6. Non-social fear: wary/fearful responses to unexpected noises or other novel stimuli (noise- or neo-phobia)
7. Dog directed fear: wary/fearful responses to unfamiliar dogs
8. Separation-related behavior: observable isolation distress when removed from the owner/primary caretaker
9. Attachment and attention-seeking behavior: while owner/primary caregiver is present
10. Trainability: willingness to work for reinforcement
11. Chasing/prey drive
12. Excitability: measuring arousal levels and ability to disengage from potential triggers
13. Touch sensitivity: measuring cooperation for vet/grooming visits, being touched by unfamiliar person(s)
14. Energy levels: physiology; define the physical exercise requirements

www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅
Canine Behavior Modification & Training
Broward & Palm Beach Counties
▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel

05/24/2024

05/01/2024

INTRODUCING 2 RESCUE DOGS: Initial two meetings, using the “Traffic Game”

🚦It’s really important to allow two unfamiliar dogs the time to get to observe each other first, and let them check each other out, before we put them together in a play situation. Especially the “bully breeds” and rescue/shelter dogs (my faves!)

🚦Watch as we introduce Lucy, my foster from Milo’s Dog Rescue of South Florida, to Kit Kat, who is at United For Animal Rescue’s shelter facility. These dogs just want to have fun!

🚦You’ll see, at one point about halfway through the video, the dogs had a little “tiff,” when Kit Kat was too much in Lucy’s face, and she let him know. When this happens (and it’s normal for new acquaintances trying to figure each other out), WE humans must keep OUR emotions in check and project a confident, calm demeanor. It’s also important, if possible, to let the dogs continue to interact, so the play doesn’t end leaving a “bad association.”
ufarescue.org
milosdogrescue.com

www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅
Canine Behavior Modification & Training
Broward & Palm Beach Counties
▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel

03/26/2024

Please plan for your pets too. 😇

When my first client told me she was leaving money in her will for me to care for her dog, I was touched, I was grateful, and I was surprised. The amount of money she mentioned was staggering to me.

When my good friend died and had no plans for his dog and cat I took them in despite the fact that it wasn't a perfect match. I didn't want a dog. I had my own troubles and I simply couldn't afford another vet bill. I was surprised with four vet bills and two ongoing medical conditions within the first year costing me over $10,000.

When a third friend and client got diagnosed with cancer and asked me to care for their dog, I did a cost estimate. And I was horrified to find that my first friends estimate was pretty close.

I don't believe in charging friends money on their deathbed. I don't believe that money should be the bottom line in how we care for our loved ones. But there's no getting around the fact right now that the shelters are full, people are buying puppies out of puppy mills, and our well loved companions are getting euthanized for space.

Please ask your friends and family if they can care for them. Ask them if you can leave some money. Put it in a money market or your retirement account or in your will to go for the care of your loved one. If you do it, your pup has a good chance of living out the rest of their life in relative happiness. If you don't it's Russian Roulette in the shelters.

Your dog loves you. They count on you for everything in their life. You owe it to them to plan in case you can't be there.

Contact me if you want to discuss how to plan for your dog. Www.katesdogs.com

02/06/2024

Deaf Dog Beginning Obedience: Sheba

01/16/2024

STATION WORK: Go to your “Place” or “Mat:”

“Place” (or “mat” or “bed”) is one of my favorite cues to teach. It has so many applications and is useful in countless real-life scenarios, such as preventing door-dashing, allowing you to eat (or work or rest) in peace, feeling comfortable that your guests can enter your home without being “mugged” by your dog, and helping your over-excited pup calm down. Its more advanced applications include having your pup relax while out in public at dog-friendly restaurants and bars, at the vet’s office, and while traveling.

I want to be upfront now that this a complex behavior chain that takes time, dedication, and practice to get right. By “chain” I mean it is several behaviors rolled into one cue— we want your dog to go to the mat, sit, lie down, settle, and stay there, no matter what other exciting things are happening in the environment. But we must work towards this final goal by reinforcing small successes along the way. We call this “splitting,” as in rewarding for increments of compliance along the way and not asking for behavior which is above your dog’s current skill set. If your dog has trouble staying on the mat longer than a few seconds, don’t worry! Just reinforce (treat) as soon as you see them about to get up, and stay at that level. Split, don’t lump!

Beginning Steps:
If you want to be able to use this skill in any room and out in public, I suggest you use a portable bed or yoga mat that you can easily move and carry. You will also need a handful of yummy, yummy treats for reinforcement.
Decide on the word you want to use. “Place" is frequently used, but "bed" or "mat" work fine if they already have a “place.”

Start off by standing close to the bed or mat that will serve as your dog's station. Use a treat to lure the dog onto the spot. As soon as all four feet are on the mat, praise your dog or click the clicker and give a treat. Repeat this several times. Most dogs will go to the bed or mat after a few short training sessions.

Additional behaviors we want as part of this behavior sequence:

Most dogs are familiar with the “sit” cue, and you want to use it here. We want to have the mat indicate a relaxed state of mind, so if you have to verbally or physically cue your dog to sit, do this immediately after they step on the mat. “Down” can be a little more difficult, and you may have to practice this separately. “Settle” comes after “down,” when all the weight is on one hip, which can be lured, and then “stay” is the final behavior, which is the most difficult part.

Pro Trainer Tips:

Don’t leave the mat lying out when you’re not training this cue. Otherwise, it becomes something to just stand on and walk over— like an area rug, bathmat, or welcome mat— just another part of the environment. We need it to be special, the way we look at a hammock—a “zen” place!

There is no such thing as “too many treats” while your dog is acquiring this skill. You can fade them out later, but in the beginning, you want their mat to be the most awesome free lunch in town— they just lay on it, and treats come pouring from the sky! If you train this right, you’ll see that after a little while, when you pull out the mat, your pup just goes over and lays down on it.

01/09/2024

LONG LINE SKILLS

📿 Working your dog on a long line (leash) is a great way to improve basic obedience skills AND your relationship! It’s a safe way to let them have more freedom in public.

📿 My favorite part (and Quint’s) is the ability to sniff and explore new environments. Both of these activities are extremely rewarding for dogs.

📿 Standard lengths on Amazon are 15’, 20’, 33’, and 50’. Pair with a sturdy back-clip harness (make sure your dog has mastered loose leash walking and is not overly reactive to environmental triggers), then learn how to “wrap” the line in your hands. Now go have fun!

www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅
Canine Behavior Modification & Training
Broward & Palm Beach Counties
▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel

01/03/2024

DESENSITIZATION for DOG REACTIVE DOGS:

🔗 What is desensitization? It is a technique whereby we slowly and carefully expose a dog to her trigger(s) in order to decrease her emotional and physical response to it/them. Simply, she “gets used” to the trigger(s) over time.

🔗 Let’s say you move into a house near the railroad tracks. In the beginning, you’re going to be very aware of every passing train, but after a while, you no longer notice. Or you decide to cash in on the latest craze of starting your day with a freezing cold shower. Those first few days aren’t going to be very easy🥶 but you do get used to it. In my case, I have white noise machines playing 24/7 in my house (you can hear them in my home videos). Occasionally I come home, and there’s something not quite right in the house but I can’t put my finger on it. Then I realize the power went out or one of the dogs unplugged the noise machine by mistake and there’s no background noise. I have become so desensitized to the sound that I only notice when it’s not playing.

🔗 In the case of dog reactivity desensitization, it’s super important that we recognize when we have pushed the dog close to or over threshold and use time and distance to bring her back below threshold. Equally important is allowing the dog freedom of movement, so she can advance/retreat and engage/disengage with the other dog at will. Choice is a very powerful reinforcer and puts the dog in control of what is usually a very stressful and scary situation.

www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅
Canine Behavior Modification & Training
Broward & Palm Beach Counties
▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel

12/21/2023

12/19/2023

😫 Treating reactivity is a specialized field within the dog training profession. It requires many hours devoted to education in the latest scientific research and techniques, studying the top practitioners in the subject, and many hours of practical experience in the field. A competent professional will choose the appropriate protocol(s) which address each client’s individual needs.

😫 In my case, focusing on reactivity also required countless hours of training, shaping, and tailoring several of my own dogs to become “demo” or “decoy” dogs to use in different protocols with clients’ dog-reactive dogs. All six of my dogs that I use are rescues, and with the exception of Brandy, they ALL had reactivity issues of their own at some point or another. (I’m convinced that Brandy was just born with the perfect temperament, although she was pretty neglected by her original owners before I got her at 8 months).

😫 Unfortunately, many dog owners believe that reactivity means their dogs are being disrespectful to them as owners—-if only their dogs could stop trying to be the “alpha” and obey when they’re asked to sit, down, and stay when another dog goes by… But here’s the deal: reactivity is not an obedience issue. REACTIVITY is NOT an OBEDIENCE ISSUE! Your reactive dog is not stubborn, is not misbehaving, is not dumb, and is not executing “revenge” for you going away last weekend.

😫 Reactivity is an emotional issue, and every dog has his own unique history and set of lifestyle/learning circumstances that contributed to his behavior around certain triggers. You cannot “train” reactivity out of a dog (or any learner, for that matter). It takes a qualified professional to get to the emotional root of your dog’s conditioned emotional response. And don’t fall for a “quick fix” promise—-treating reactivity is almost always a long journey, not an immediate destination. A competent, ethical professional will help you realistically manage your expectations and set achievable goals.

www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅
Canine Behavior Modification & Training
Broward & Palm Beach Counties
▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel

12/17/2023

12/16/2023

12/10/2023

“THE PRICE IS RIGHT” for RESOURCE GUARDERS:

💰A Case History: this is my dog Raemi. She was found as a stray in rural Georgia when she was about a year old, and then shipped to the Broward County Humane Society for a better chance at adoption. After my clients could no longer handle her resource guarding issues around their 2 young children and elderly mother, as well as her severe vehicle reactivity, she found her way into my crew. That was in May of 2021.

💰When she first came to me, she guarded very low value items from me: socks, pillowcases, empty bottles, etc. (**she has never guarded objects or food from any other dog; only humans, for which I am thankful, given the size of my crew). We worked on this using the “trade up” method (offer a higher value treat/item for exchange) and also got a pretty solid “place” and “drop it,” along with a unique sounding recall cue: I roll my R’s in a high pitched voice for a high value treat, which works with all of my dogs.

💰Things have been rolling along nicely for the past 2 years as far as her guarding issues go, but this past week I got my dogs a new food puzzle toy, which Raemi finds extremely valuable. I first gave it to her two days ago, and she exhibited a unique “freeze” which I have seen with her before, but have never seen in another dog. Her whole body goes stiff EXCEPT for her tail, which keeps moving very slowly side to side in a medium-low position. Normally this is an indication of a “mellow” or relaxed mindset (vs. a very fast moving, stiff, and/or raised position, which we call a “flag”). She did this while I was trying to move the puzzle around with my foot so she could have easier access to the compartments. You will notice that throughout this video, her tail continues to wag in a slow manner and low position. Don’t be fooled—a wagging tail does not always indicate a “happy” or mellow mind frame!

💰I could try the “trade up” method here, where my approach to the puzzle predicts even higher value food being delivered at the location of the puzzle and then I reclaim the puzzle, but I’m not going to use that technique here and I’ll tell you why. Possession is nine-tenths of the law. Yup, I’m not going to risk all the work we’ve put into her RG issues by taking away the puzzle UNTIL she is done with it. People are well intentioned but misguided when they are proud of being able to take away a half-eaten meal or chew from their dogs, or even being able to put their hand in the bowl. No, no, no—please!

💰So, my best bet is being able to call her away from the puzzle when (and only when) she is finished with it. Here’s where “The Price is Right” comes in: “Come On Down” and get your valuable prize, away from the puzzle, so THEN I can retrieve it.

💰Correctly interpreting canine body language is CRUCIAL when dealing with any guarding issue. Bites very, very rarely “come out of nowhere,” and when they do, there’s almost always an underlying medical or neurological component. Consult a professional who has experience working with these kinds of issues, please.

***DISCLAIMER***
We never want to provoke a dog into an anxious emotional state/aggressive reaction. My goal when filming this was to capture Raemi’s unique freeze with tail still wagging; I was not intending to have her respond with a growl and air snap, which she does in the video, but I will use it for instructional purposes and as a cautionary illustration. ALWAYS be extremely careful around dogs with guarding issues; even a worthless palm frond can instigate a serious bite.

www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅
Canine Behavior Modification & Training
Broward & Palm Beach Counties
▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel

12/07/2023

GETTING ATTENTION in order to GET BEHAVIOR:

🤓 Sometimes my dog just wants to get to the “treat” part in a training session. Can’t blame him..Let’s get to Christmas morning already and screw the first three weeks of December 🎅

🤓 But we all need some impulse control, or “delayed gratification,” if you like. We don’t get the paycheck until we do the work… and a common obedience training issue is a dog who anticipates the cue, then takes a “shortcut” in order to get to the reinforcer sooner.

🤓 But if we reinforce (treat) for behavior we didn’t ask for, but the dog offered, we have just mucked up the already murky waters of communication between us. It’s just not CLEAN training. So although it’s OUR initial impulse to say, “how cute, he did what I wanted him to do before I asked,” it’s just messy training.

🤓 Your best bets, when you have an “anticipatory” dog, are WAIT and WATCH ME. If he’s throwing out all kinds of behaviors, simply getting eye contact can go a long way to help him settle down and focus in the moment, instead of looking ahead to Christmas morning….

www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅
Canine Behavior Modification & Training
Broward & Palm Beach Counties
▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel

12/06/2023

🌅 A Beautiful Day Off:

☀️ Today I took my senior girls to Tree Tops Park for a lovely “sniffari”/get away day. Although they are 13 and almost 13 (February), I still use them quite often in my sessions with client dogs in a variety of scenarios. They love to help, and are still physically capable of doing the exercises, which are pretty simple and not physically taxing. They get very excited when I say, “Let’s go to work!” I have no plans to retire them until they choose to.

☀️ I think we all know how important it is to take breaks from our daily livelihood/profession/regular routines and focus on our mental health, whether that break is a day, a week, a month, or more. These breaks can also be from a person/people; consumption with work, food, alcohol, social events, etc. (very common this time of year); an organization; or social media. During the holidays especially, there is so much subliminal pressure to embody that perfect “Hallmark” image of joy and holiday cheer, and it’s bu****it. I have never met a person from this planet whose life is remotely similar to a Hallmark Holiday movie. And that’s OK, as long as we recognize those movies/images as fantasy and not an impossible ideal to strive for.

☀️I absolutely adore what I do for a living, and the longer I do it, the MORE obsessed with it I become. There’s nothing like the feeling I get after a connected session, where I reach both dog and owner and know I’m making a difference in their relationship. I love telling clients how special, smart and unique their dogs are—because they are! I get the same feeling when I connect with my own dogs—I can almost smell the pheromones they emit when we’re cuddled up together after a breakthrough session or other bond-building activity. But sometimes the world and our lives are going so fast, I’m not able to recognize and cherish the moment in the moment.

☀️ I didn’t always want to be a dog trainer, unlike many of my colleagues, and entered the profession after “trying out” a variety of occupations. I’ve only been doing this for 7 years; the past three heading my own company. But the more I learn, the more I realize how MUCH there is to learn, which means I’m completely hooked 🪝. Growing up, my dream was to become an author, and with dogs, it’s amazing how much creativity is involved. My growth as an individual is intertwined with self-actualization in my profession, and I’m constantly thinking about new things I want to try out.

☀️ However, this post is about self-care and the need for breaks. Sometimes I have to force myself to slow down and live in the moment. This is a lesson that dogs understand very well, and are happy to share. You’d be surprised at how much THEY can teach US, if we are able to listen.

12/03/2023

THE BOOMERANG GAME for HUMAN-REACTIVE DOGS (fear of strangers in the home):

🪃 The goal is to have Becker disengage from his trigger (strange person in the house) and engage with his owners, who are the source of both emotional safety and reinforcement (treats). The delivery location of the reinforcer will ideally be halfway between security (his owners) and his trigger (me, the stranger). The radial distance should be adjusted as the situation and Becker’s emotional state dictate (closer/farther) and treats can be thrown away from both the owner and the trigger.

🪃 The treat delivery is a kind of reverse Treat/Retreat (Suzanne Clothier’s excellent protocol for dogs with “stranger danger”). Instead of the stranger being the source of the treat delivery, the owners are, but they are tossing the treat away from them to prevent Becker from “sticking” to them and to encourage him to investigate the new person. Ideally, the stranger/guest in the home is sitting quietly with no excessive attention on Becker, no sudden movements, and conversing normally with the owners.

🪃 It’s very important that the owners use their event marker to catch the split second when Becker disengages from his trigger (me, the stranger) and focuses on them. Secondarily, this is also the moment he stops barking, and we want to reinforce that as well. The timing and mechanics are crucial to the success of this protocol, but with some consistent practice they are relatively easy to master.

🪃 The most important thing, as usual, is to listen to what Becker’s body language, vocalizations, and movements are telling us about his emotional state. He must be allowed choice in his behavior, and the ability to move away from his trigger if he needs to. I like to do this exercise in a room with lots of space and more than one exit path available, with the dog on a long line for safety but not restriction.

www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅
Canine Behavior Modification & Training
Broward & Palm Beach Counties
▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel

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Videos

WARRIOR! Warrior has been at the shelter for over two years, looking for his unicorn forever home, and we want to get him out, about, and seen by potential adopters! The rescue has received donated wheelchairs, but they don’t fit him well and he really needs a custom-built one for his particular physical situation. Meanwhile, though, we’re going to desensitize Warrior to his triggers (other dogs, cars, unfamiliar people) with the help of a kids’ wagon and get him out in the world! www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅 Canine Behavior Modification & Training Broward & Palm Beach Counties ▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel @benevolentsundogs #dogtraining #dogtrainer #rescuedog #shelterdog #ufarescue #unitedforanimalsrescue #dogobedience #bullybreed #pitbull #amstaff #staffordshireterrier #sciencebaseddogtraining #functionalanalysis #applieddogbehavior #southfloridadogtrainer #positivereinforcementdogtraining #gooddog #bullybreed #endbsl #certifiedprofessionaldogtrainer #foryou #fyp #cpdtka #benevolentsundogs #adoptdontshop

C BARQ assessment for Warrior, paralyzed shelter dog

The Canine Behavior Assessment Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) is a standardized test that has been in use for over twenty years, which helps track behavioral modification goals and progress. It was originally designed to be used for dogs in private homes with behavioral issues to help keep them from being surrendered. However, I love to use it for shelter and foster dogs, as it gives a multi-faceted picture of a dog’s personality, rather than just focusing on the problematic areas. Here is the assessment I conducted yesterday with the employees and volunteers at UFAR’s shelter facility (United For Animals Rescue) in Margate. Warrior is one of their longest-term residents, and his back legs are paralyzed. We would like to raise awareness for shelter dogs with special needs. If you would like to contribute towards Warrior’s ongoing physical rehabilitation, equipment and training costs, you can donate directly through UFAR’s website: www.ufarescue.org C-BARQ Assessment (Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire): 1. Stranger-directed aggression: hostile/threatening responses toward an unknown person 2. Owner-directed aggression 3. Dog directed aggression against unfamiliar dog(s) 4. Dog directed rivalry, against other dog(s) in the home (resource guarding, bullying, fighting) 5. Stranger-directed fear: anxiety and stressful body language in the presence of unfamiliar people 6. Non-social fear: wary/fearful responses to unexpected noises or other novel stimuli (noise- or neo-phobia) 7. Dog directed fear: wary/fearful responses to unfamiliar dogs 8. Separation-related behavior: observable isolation distress when removed from the owner/primary caretaker 9. Attachment and attention-seeking behavior: while owner/primary caregiver is present 10. Trainability: willingness to work for reinforcement 11. Chasing/prey drive 12. Excitability: measuring arousal levels and ability to disengage from potential triggers 13. Touch sensitivity: measuring coope

C-BARQ Assessment for Warrior, paralyzed shelter dog

The Canine Behavior Assessment Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) is a standardized test that has been in use for over twenty years, which helps track behavioral modification goals and progress. It was originally designed to be used for dogs in private homes with behavioral issues to help keep them from being surrendered. However, I love to use it for shelter and foster dogs, as it gives a multi-faceted picture of a dog’s personality, rather than just focusing on the problematic areas. Here is the assessment I conducted yesterday with the employees and volunteers at UFAR’s shelter facility (United For Animals Rescue) in Margate. Warrior is one of their longest-term residents, and his back legs are paralyzed. We would like to raise awareness for shelter dogs with special needs. If you would like to contribute towards Warrior’s ongoing physical rehabilitation, equipment and training costs, you can donate directly through UFAR’s website: www.ufarescue.org C-BARQ Assessment (Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire): 1. Stranger-directed aggression: hostile/threatening responses toward an unknown person 2. Owner-directed aggression 3. Dog directed aggression against unfamiliar dog(s) 4. Dog directed rivalry, against other dog(s) in the home (resource guarding, bullying, fighting) 5. Stranger-directed fear: anxiety and stressful body language in the presence of unfamiliar people 6. Non-social fear: wary/fearful responses to unexpected noises or other novel stimuli (noise- or neo-phobia) 7. Dog directed fear: wary/fearful responses to unfamiliar dogs 8. Separation-related behavior: observable isolation distress when removed from the owner/primary caretaker 9. Attachment and attention-seeking behavior: while owner/primary caregiver is present 10. Trainability: willingness to work for reinforcement 11. Chasing/prey drive 12. Excitability: measuring arousal levels and ability to disengage from potential triggers 13. Touch sensitivity: measuring coope

INITIAL MEETINGS: SHELTER/RESCUE DOGS

INTRODUCING 2 RESCUE DOGS: Initial two meetings, using the “Traffic Game” 🚦It’s really important to allow two unfamiliar dogs the time to get to observe each other first, and let them check each other out, before we put them together in a play situation. Especially the “bully breeds” and rescue/shelter dogs (my faves!) 🚦Watch as we introduce Lucy, my foster from Milo’s Dog Rescue of South Florida, to Kit Kat, who is at United For Animal Rescue’s shelter facility. These dogs just want to have fun! 🚦You’ll see, at one point about halfway through the video, the dogs had a little “tiff,” when Kit Kat was too much in Lucy’s face, and she let him know. When this happens (and it’s normal for new acquaintances trying to figure each other out), WE humans must keep OUR emotions in check and project a confident, calm demeanor. It’s also important, if possible, to let the dogs continue to interact, so the play doesn’t end leaving a “bad association.” ufarescue.org milosdogrescue.com www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅 Canine Behavior Modification & Training Broward & Palm Beach Counties ▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel @benevolentsundogs #dogtraining #dogtrainer #rescuedog #shelterdog #ufarescue #milosdogrescue #dogobedience #bullybreed #pitbull #amstaff #staffordshireterrier #sciencebaseddogtraining #functionalanalysis #applieddogbehavior #southfloridadogtrainer #trafficgame #positivereinforcementdogtraining #gooddog #bullybreed #endbsl #certifiedprofessionaldogtrainer #foryou #fyp #cpdtka #benevolentsundogs #adoptdontshop

Deaf Dog Beginning Obedience: Sheba #dogtraining #deafdog #dogtraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #certifiedprofessionaldogtrainer #southfloridadogtrainer #dogbehavior #operantconditioning #benevolentsundogs

LONG LINE SKILLS 📿 Working your dog on a long line (leash) is a great way to improve basic obedience skills AND your relationship! It’s a safe way to let them have more freedom in public. 📿 My favorite part (and Quint’s) is the ability to sniff and explore new environments. Both of these activities are extremely rewarding for dogs. 📿 Standard lengths on Amazon are 15’, 20’, 33’, and 50’. Pair with a sturdy back-clip harness (make sure your dog has mastered loose leash walking and is not overly reactive to environmental triggers), then learn how to “wrap” the line in your hands. Now go have fun! www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅 Canine Behavior Modification & Training Broward & Palm Beach Counties ▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel @benevolentsundogs #dogtraining #dogtrainer #leashskills #dogobedience #sciencebaseddogtraining #functionalanalysis #applieddogbehavior #southfloridadogtrainer #positivereinforcementdogtraining #rescuedog #gooddog #bullybreed #endbsl #certifiedprofessionaldogtrainer #foryou #fyp #cpdtka #benevolentsundogs #adoptdontshop

DESENSITIZATION for DOG REACTIVE DOGS: 🔗 What is desensitization? It is a technique whereby we slowly and carefully expose a dog to her trigger(s) in order to decrease her emotional and physical response to it/them. Simply, she “gets used” to the trigger(s) over time. 🔗 Let’s say you move into a house near the railroad tracks. In the beginning, you’re going to be very aware of every passing train, but after a while, you no longer notice. Or you decide to cash in on the latest craze of starting your day with a freezing cold shower. Those first few days aren’t going to be very easy🥶 but you do get used to it. In my case, I have white noise machines playing 24/7 in my house (you can hear them in my home videos). Occasionally I come home, and there’s something not quite right in the house but I can’t put my finger on it. Then I realize the power went out or one of the dogs unplugged the noise machine by mistake and there’s no background noise. I have become so desensitized to the sound that I only notice when it’s not playing. 🔗 In the case of dog reactivity desensitization, it’s super important that we recognize when we have pushed the dog close to or over threshold and use time and distance to bring her back below threshold. Equally important is allowing the dog freedom of movement, so she can advance/retreat and engage/disengage with the other dog at will. Choice is a very powerful reinforcer and puts the dog in control of what is usually a very stressful and scary situation. www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅 Canine Behavior Modification & Training Broward & Palm Beach Counties ▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel @benevolentsundogs #reactivedog #fearfuldog #anxiousdog #desensitization #behaviormodification #dogtraining #sciencebaseddogtraining #functionalanalysis #applieddogbehavior #southfloridadogtrainer #positivereinforcementdogtraining #rescuedog #gooddog #bullybreed #endbsl #certifiedprofessionaldogtrainer #la

LUCY: 3

DOG TRAINING: Beginning Basic Obedience using Luring & Shaping, Lucy (part 3) www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅 Canine Behavior Modification & Training Broward & Palm Beach Counties ▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel @benevolentsundogs #dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #southfloridadogtrainer #positivereinforcementdogtraining #rescuedog #dogobediencetraining #gooddog #bullybreed #endbsl #certifiedprofessionaldogtrainer #luring #shaping #operantconditioning #foryou #fyp #cpdtka #sciencebaseddogtraining #milosdogrescueofsouthflorida #benevolentsundogs #adoptdontshop

COUNTER CONDITIONING

COUNTER CONDITIONING DOG-REACTIVE DOGS:

😫 Treating reactivity is a specialized field within the dog training profession. It requires many hours devoted to education in the latest scientific research and techniques, studying the top practitioners in the subject, and many hours of practical experience in the field. A competent professional will choose the appropriate protocol(s) which address each client’s individual needs. 😫 In my case, focusing on reactivity also required countless hours of training, shaping, and tailoring several of my own dogs to become “demo” or “decoy” dogs to use in different protocols with clients’ dog-reactive dogs. All six of my dogs that I use are rescues, and with the exception of Brandy, they ALL had reactivity issues of their own at some point or another. (I’m convinced that Brandy was just born with the perfect temperament, although she was pretty neglected by her original owners before I got her at 8 months). 😫 Unfortunately, many dog owners believe that reactivity means their dogs are being disrespectful to them as owners—-if only their dogs could stop trying to be the “alpha” and obey when they’re asked to sit, down, and stay when another dog goes by… But here’s the deal: reactivity is not an obedience issue. REACTIVITY is NOT an OBEDIENCE ISSUE! Your reactive dog is not stubborn, is not misbehaving, is not dumb, and is not executing “revenge” for you going away last weekend. 😫 Reactivity is an emotional issue, and every dog has his own unique history and set of lifestyle/learning circumstances that contributed to his behavior around certain triggers. You cannot “train” reactivity out of a dog (or any learner, for that matter). It takes a qualified professional to get to the emotional root of your dog’s conditioned emotional response. And don’t fall for a “quick fix” promise—-treating reactivity is almost always a long journey, not an immediate destination. A competent, ethical professional will help you realistic

DOG TRAINING: Beginning Basic Obedience using Luring & Shaping, Lucy (part 2) www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅 Canine Behavior Modification & Training Broward & Palm Beach Counties ▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel @benevolentsundogs #dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #southfloridadogtrainer #positivereinforcementdogtraining #rescuedog #dogobediencetraining #gooddog #bullybreed #endbsl #certifiedprofessionaldogtrainer #luring #shaping #operantconditioning #foryou #fyp #cpdtka #sciencebaseddogtraining #milosdogrescueofsouthflorida #benevolentsundogs #adoptdontshop

LURING & SHAPING

DOG TRAINING: Beginning Basic Obedience using Luring & Shaping, Lucy (part 1) www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅 Canine Behavior Modification & Training Broward & Palm Beach Counties ▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel @benevolentsundogs #dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #southfloridadogtrainer #positivereinforcementdogtraining #rescuedog #dogobediencetraining #gooddog #bullybreed #endbsl #certifiedprofessionaldogtrainer #luring #shaping #operantconditioning #foryou #fyp #cpdtka #sciencebaseddogtraining #milosdogrescueofsouthflorida #benevolentsundogs #adoptdontshop

ANTICIPATING your DOG before he ANTICIPATES YOU:

GETTING ATTENTION in order to GET BEHAVIOR: 🤓 Sometimes my dog just wants to get to the “treat” part in a training session. Can’t blame him..Let’s get to Christmas morning already and screw the first three weeks of December 🎅 🤓 But we all need some impulse control, or “delayed gratification,” if you like. We don’t get the paycheck until we do the work… and a common obedience training issue is a dog who anticipates the cue, then takes a “shortcut” in order to get to the reinforcer sooner. 🤓 But if we reinforce (treat) for behavior we didn’t ask for, but the dog offered, we have just mucked up the already murky waters of communication between us. It’s just not CLEAN training. So although it’s OUR initial impulse to say, “how cute, he did what I wanted him to do before I asked,” it’s just messy training. 🤓 Your best bets, when you have an “anticipatory” dog, are WAIT and WATCH ME. If he’s throwing out all kinds of behaviors, simply getting eye contact can go a long way to help him settle down and focus in the moment, instead of looking ahead to Christmas morning…. www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅 Canine Behavior Modification & Training Broward & Palm Beach Counties ▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel @benevolentsundogs #functionalanalysis #operantconditioning #behaviormodification #bullybreed #adoptdontshop #amstaff #cpdtka #sciencebaseddogtraining #englishbulldog #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #pitbull #pibble #dogbehavior #dogtrainingtips #certifiedprofessionaldogtrainer #southfloridadogs #dogtraining#benevolentsundogs #dog #gooddog

🌅 A Beautiful Day Off: ☀️ Today I took my senior girls to Tree Tops Park for a lovely “sniffari”/get away day. Although they are 13 and almost 13 (February), I still use them quite often in my sessions with client dogs in a variety of scenarios. They love to help, and are still physically capable of doing the exercises, which are pretty simple and not physically taxing. They get very excited when I say, “Let’s go to work!” I have no plans to retire them until they choose to. ☀️ I think we all know how important it is to take breaks from our daily livelihood/profession/regular routines and focus on our mental health, whether that break is a day, a week, a month, or more. These breaks can also be from a person/people; consumption with work, food, alcohol, social events, etc. (very common this time of year); an organization; or social media. During the holidays especially, there is so much subliminal pressure to embody that perfect “Hallmark” image of joy and holiday cheer, and it’s bullsh*t. I have never met a person from this planet whose life is remotely similar to a Hallmark Holiday movie. And that’s OK, as long as we recognize those movies/images as fantasy and not an impossible ideal to strive for. ☀️I absolutely adore what I do for a living, and the longer I do it, the MORE obsessed with it I become. There’s nothing like the feeling I get after a connected session, where I reach both dog and owner and know I’m making a difference in their relationship. I love telling clients how special, smart and unique their dogs are—because they are! I get the same feeling when I connect with my own dogs—I can almost smell the pheromones they emit when we’re cuddled up together after a breakthrough session or other bond-building activity. But sometimes the world and our lives are going so fast, I’m not able to recognize and cherish the moment in the moment. ☀️ I didn’t always want to be a dog trainer, unlike many of my c

A Beautiful Day

🌅 A Beautiful Day Off: ☀️ Today I took my senior girls to Tree Tops Park for a lovely “sniffari”/get away day. Although they are 13 and almost 13 (February), I still use them quite often in my sessions with client dogs in a variety of scenarios. They love to help, and are still physically capable of doing the exercises, which are pretty simple and not physically taxing. They get very excited when I say, “Let’s go to work!” I have no plans to retire them until they choose to. ☀️ I think we all know how important it is to take breaks from our daily livelihood/profession/regular routines and focus on our mental health, whether that break is a day, a week, a month, or more. These breaks can also be from a person/people; consumption with work, food, alcohol, social events, etc. (very common this time of year); an organization; or social media. During the holidays especially, there is so much subliminal pressure to embody that perfect “Hallmark” image of joy and holiday cheer, and it’s bullsh*t. I have never met a person from this planet whose life is remotely similar to a Hallmark Holiday movie. And that’s OK, as long as we recognize those movies/images as fantasy and not an impossible ideal to strive for. ☀️I absolutely adore what I do for a living, and the longer I do it, the MORE obsessed with it I become. There’s nothing like the feeling I get after a connected session, where I reach both dog and owner and know I’m making a difference in their relationship. I love telling clients how special, smart and unique their dogs are—because they are! I get the same feeling when I connect with my own dogs—I can almost smell the pheromones they emit when we’re cuddled up together after a breakthrough session or other bond-building activity. But sometimes the world and our lives are going so fast, I’m not able to recognize and cherish the moment in the moment. ☀️ I didn’t always want to be a dog trainer, unlike many of my c

THE BOOMERANG GAME for HUMAN-REACTIVE DOGS (fear of strangers in the home): 🪃 The goal is to have Becker disengage from his trigger (strange person in the house) and engage with his owners, who are the source of both emotional safety and reinforcement (treats). The delivery location of the reinforcer will ideally be halfway between security (his owners) and his trigger (me, the stranger). The radial distance should be adjusted as the situation and Becker’s emotional state dictate (closer/farther) and treats can be thrown away from both the owner and the trigger. 🪃 The treat delivery is a kind of reverse Treat/Retreat (Suzanne Clothier’s excellent protocol for dogs with “stranger danger”). Instead of the stranger being the source of the treat delivery, the owners are, but they are tossing the treat away from them to prevent Becker from “sticking” to them and to encourage him to investigate the new person. Ideally, the stranger/guest in the home is sitting quietly with no excessive attention on Becker, no sudden movements, and conversing normally with the owners. 🪃 It’s very important that the owners use their event marker to catch the split second when Becker disengages from his trigger (me, the stranger) and focuses on them. Secondarily, this is also the moment he stops barking, and we want to reinforce that as well. The timing and mechanics are crucial to the success of this protocol, but with some consistent practice they are relatively easy to master. 🪃 The most important thing, as usual, is to listen to what Becker’s body language, vocalizations, and movements are telling us about his emotional state. He must be allowed choice in his behavior, and the ability to move away from his trigger if he needs to. I like to do this exercise in a room with lots of space and more than one exit path available, with the dog on a long line for safety but not restriction. www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅 Canine Behavior Modification & Training Br

CONSTRUCTIONAL AGGRESSION TREATMENT (CAT): In this video we are using Negative Reinforcement (R-) to help Blaze feel more secure around other dogs. When he behaves in an “aggressive” or “over-aroused” manner, I wait until he calms down, if only for a few seconds, then I remove my dog and myself from his presence. In this way, we are removing an undesirable stimulus (my dog) when the desired behaviors indicating calmness are present and the unwanted behavior decreases (lunging, barking, or whining). We are promoting better behavioral choices and a calmer state of mind for him in the presence of his triggers. www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅 Canine Behavior Modification & Training Broward & Palm Beach Counties ▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel @benevolentsundogs #reactivedog #dogtraining #anxiousdog #cpdtka #professionaldogtrainer #southfloridadogs #gooddog #constructionalaggressiontreatment #dogbehaviormodification #sciencebaseddogtraining #aggressivedogs #certifiedprofessionaldogtrainer #conditionedemotionalresponse #benevolentsundogs #bombproofbrandy #demodog

Get your holiday shopping started with some inexpensive stocking stuffers for the dog lovers on your list! Here are a couple alternative uses for items that could also be used for their original purpose, too 🍷 🥃 🍹 Just don’t mix them up and eat the dog treats or give your dog the alcohol 🙄 Happy Holiday Season! www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅 Canine Behavior Modification & Training Broward & Palm Beach Counties ▶️ See more of our videos on our YouTube channel @benevolentsundogs #doglover #giftidea #doglovers #dogsoginsta #dogtrainer #rescuedog #foryou #fyp #holidaygifts #holiday2023 #adoptdontshop #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #pitbull #cpdtka #dogbehavior #dogtrainingtips #certifiedprofessionaldogtrainer #endbsl #southfloridadogs #benevolentsundogs #dog #gooddog