Rochester Canine Academy

04/21/2025

I recently read an article about a tragic situation. A 7 month old baby, who lived with her family’s 3 dogs, was attacked and killed by one of them.

An interview with the mother had her reiterating that she didn’t know what happened, as her baby had been around the dogs with no problems since they brought her home.

Sadly, as someone knowledgeable about dog behavior and dog bite prevention, I immediately knew exactly what happened, why it happened, and that this death was sadly very preventable.

1) (and most extremely important) The mother stated they didn’t even know which of the dogs was responsible, which means THE DOGS AND BABY WERE TOGETHER, UNSUPERVISED. When I say never, ever leave a baby and dog(s) unsupervised, I mean this: do you need to p*e, run out and grab the mail, go move the laundry to the dryer? ALWAYS separate the dog and baby. Put the dog into the backyard, have baby gates ready to separate, or bring one of them with you. It’s like leaving a mobile baby alone next to a pool. Not for 2 seconds. Not ever. And I really don’t recommend leaving any child under the age of 8 unsupervised for a minute, even with a single, trusted dog. Not even YOUR dog (who is the most likely dog to bite your child). Not even your gentle, dog-saavy kid.

2) The mother stated these dogs were “always with” the baby from the time she came home. In animal behavior/dog bite prevention, we call this “magnetizing” the dog and baby to one another. Kids should not be petting and interacting with dogs until they can follow simple directions - not for worry they’ll hurt or bother the dog, but because it is teaching them that dogs are for touching. A toddler who sees a dog and automatically moves to pet it is a danger to themself, and that behavior comes from parents acting excited whenever a dog approaches.

Letting a dog sniff, lick, cuddle up to your baby the minute you bring them home is teaching the dog that they’re entitled to the baby’s space. They learn they get praise, attention, etc from interacting with the baby in that way…which becomes a problem if the dog is later made uncomfortable and struggles to put space between themselves and the baby because they are “magnetized”. A dog that rushes to be with/near a baby the minute they’re set down is not cute, or their first “bestie”, they’re a liability.

3) 7 months old is an age where baby becomes more mobile, more vocal, and more aware of their surroundings. A newborn can’t pull fur or ears or use the dog to stand and cruise. They can’t squeal like a prey animal in a dog’s ear. They can’t come rapidly crawling, face level, towards a relaxing dog. That is why a vast majority of bites from familt dogs occur shortly after a baby becomes mobile - either learning to crawl, learning to walk, or starting to run and climb. Many dogs are fine with a newborn or infant…until that infant can approach the dog, touch them, or move suddenly, startling the dog. These times in a baby’s development require extra close supervision - I’d argue an adult should be in arms length.

4) The mother stated this attack came out of nowhere. Sadly, I’d be willing to bet everything I have that someone educated in canine body language and behavior would have seen this coming. Unfortunately, there are an excessive amount of myths and urban legends regarding dog training and behavior, and many dog owners have very little education or exposure to current, science-backed information on the subjects. “It came out of nowhere” is translated by dog trainers as “I wasn’t aware of what the warning signs looked like.”

~~~ so what could have prevented this tragic death? A combination of proper supervision (and making it known to parents to NEVER leave a baby and dog alone together), a more appropriate standard approwxh to introducing dogs and young children, combined with education for dog owners and young children on canine body language and stress signals.

04/19/2025

Full-service programs are booked—but that doesn’t mean you have to wait.
Foundations: Premier Access is open for a limited time and a small number of clients.
Start strong. Build clarity. Let’s go.
🌐RochesterCanineAcademy.com🌐

04/12/2025

04/10/2025

Rochester NY's only overnight and weekend Emergency Veterinary Hospital

04/02/2025

A nonprofit working to fulfill an urgent need for local pet owners and their animals is opening a new, permanent location this week in East Rochester.

03/27/2025

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced Thursday this year’s schedule for the Department of Public Health’s free rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats and domestic ferrets. According to New York State law, it requires that cats, dogs and domestic ferrets need to be v...

03/25/2025

🚨 WE’RE MOVING! 🚨
Starting this Friday at 7 PM, all emergency services will be at our NEW REVS location:

📍 445 West Commercial St, East Rochester, NY 14445

We’re excited to continue our mission in a new space built just for the community! 🐾
Please note: REVS will no longer provide services at University Ave after Friday at 7 PM.

Our hours will remain the same as we continue to complete our phased construction.

Monday - Thursday 7pm to 7am
Friday 7pm to Monday 7am (24 hour weekends)

Same compassionate care. New home. 💙

*To answer a few common questions;
-Our phone number will remaining the same, 585-775-0020
-We are working our hardest to expand our services and our hours ASAP, please keep following us for updates
-Thank you for all of the kind comments and support as we work as quickly as possible to provide these services to our community! This has been quite the endeavor, and we are very proud and thankful for the support!

03/12/2025

It’s that time of year 🦨😬

03/09/2025

Happy Friday Everyone 🐾❤️

03/03/2025

Thinking about getting a Doodle, Cockapoo or any Poodle mix? Have you been told they "don't need grooming until 1yrs old" or "coat maintenance is easy"?

*PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING piece written by a groomer..in the pic that's known as a pelted coat /Pelting. A dog’s fur gets so matted & tangled it will come off in one piece. It's outs tension on the skin, can damage the skin causing horrible infections and sometimes renders the dog helpless,unable to move and it can then cause fatality
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Poodle crosses (cockapoos, doodles, maltipoos etc.) are not "easy breeds" to maintain. The photo attached (shared from another groomer) shows how matting forms at the skin. By looking at this dog's top coat, you may not see the knots and you may not feel them as you would a knot on the ends of the fur but under that fluffy top layer this is going on. Once it starts its very difficult/ impossible to brush out... and even if you could it would be cruel to put the dog through it. Maintenance at home has to be more than a quick once over for these dogs if you want to keep them in that fluffy coat which was probably one of the reasons you chose a poodle cross in the first place. You really need to sit down with a brush and then a metal comb and make sure you can get it through the entire body at least 2 to 3 times a week.

I often feel like owners don't believe groomers when they say their dog has to be clipped very short. I always hear "I know he/she is matted, but leave as much as you can". You cannot clip through matting, you can only clip under it. As this photo shows, clipping under the matting means taking the coat back to the skin.
I promise you, your groomer really doesn't want to do this but they won't hurt your dog by putting it through dematting, they also don't want to hurt their reputation when the clients go around complaining about how the last groomer "scalped" their dog but there really is not any alternative. Instead of being angry with your groomer if they clip your dog very short please respect their commitment to do what is in your dog's best interest, accept responsibility for not having brushed your dog properly at home, and work with your groomer because, together, you can prevent this happening again. All groomers will be very happy to demonstrate a technique called line brushing which will help make your grooming at home more effective. Just ask! We all want owners to know how to do this

Poodle crosses are easily one of the highest maintenance dogs in reference to their coats. The combination of the soft coat they are mixing poodles with these days is a coat that is extremely prone to matting.

If you like a fluffy pup, you probably need to consider no more than 3-5 week intervals between grooming and set aside time for regular brushing AND combing at home.

Please know, if you bathe your poodle cross you really need to blow dry and brush out right after. Moisture, be it a bath, rain, swimming, snow etc are all going to make matting worse. If you know your dog is already matted-- bathing is only going to make it worse! Brush out before the bath.

Lastly "breeders" who say these dogs can't or shouldnt be clipped and not to give them a hair cut until they are one year old are misleading potential owners in order to sell$$$$ puppies and setting them up for a sad day when they finally take their pup to the groomer!!!

If this hasn't put you off buying one please schedule your puppy's first groom immediately after they've had their vaccinations and then be prepared to do the maintenance at home between regular professional grooms.

03/02/2025

New season, new leash on life! 🌿✨ Schedule a Spring Evaluation and discover how to bring out the best in your pup—just in time for sunny walks and outdoor fun!

02/25/2025

Dog trainers, let’s stop with all the “fixing” talk. We all know that whatever you accomplish with the dog — no matter how amazing — if the work isn’t kept up by the owner then whatever greatness of “fixing” you’ve accomplished will quickly fade.

Thus, the dog was never “fixed”

Dog owners, let’s stop with all the dog trainer should “fix” my dog talk. As stated above, whatever your trainer accomplishes with your dog, if you don’t apply the same degree of work, skill, and diligence your trainer did, all that “fixing” will disappear, along with all your money.

Thus, the dog was never “fixed”.

The reality is simple. A dog’s behavior will always revert back to whatever their environment allows — which means it’s always up for grabs, and hence why I hate the term “fixed”, because that implies something permanent has occurred, when it hasn’t.

Typically this conversation will bring up arguments about the differing value of board & trains vs one-on-ones vs day training vs… blah, blah, blah. The reality is, they all work — and they all don’t work. They each have their pros and cons, but that’s a conversation for another day.

What makes any training model work or not is the skill and insight of the trainer and their ability to actually create positive changes in the dogs they work with; the skill and ability of the trainer to then transfer these skills and insights to the owners so they can replicate the work; and finally the commitment/determination/drive of the owners to create an environment that leverages all of these newly learned skills and insights (including all personal changes that need to occur) and applies them longterm to bring out the very best in their dogs and themselves… and thus make these changes in both species permanent.

That’s the closest anyone will ever get to “fixing” a dog… but it’s more than close enough. Promise.

02/24/2025

02/18/2025

✨Did you know that if you have a pacemaker, you can include it in your Will to be donated to a dog in need after you pass away?
Although pacemakers cannot be used for another human, they can help dogs with heart problems and potentially save their lives. You can arrange for the pacemaker to be sent to a vet of your choice.
Many pacemakers are simply thrown away, and dogs may die because people do not know about this option.
Donating the pacemaker can even save the dog's owner the cost of a new one, which can sometimes make a crucial difference in affording life-saving treatment.

02/15/2025

Many dog owners believe that granting their dogs complete freedom—allowing them to roam the house unrestricted, greet people however they choose, or explore on walks without guidance—will make them happier. However, in reality, excessive freedom often leads to insecurity, anxiety, and behavioural issues.

Too Much Freedom Creates Insecurity

When a dog is left to make all its own decisions without structure or leadership, it can quickly become overwhelmed. Dogs thrive on clarity and consistency; without clear boundaries, they may feel unsure of their role within the household. This uncertainty can manifest as anxious behaviours, hyperactivity, excessive barking, or even reactivity. While it might seem like allowing a dog to have complete autonomy is an act of kindness, it can actually have the opposite effect, creating stress rather than confidence.

Freedom Without Structure Leads to Stress, Not Empowerment

Rather than feeling empowered, a dog with too much freedom often experiences a heightened state of vigilance. They may constantly feel the need to assess and manage situations, particularly if they perceive their owners as passive or inconsistent. This can lead to nervousness, leash pulling, jumping up, and even resource guarding, as the dog takes on responsibilities it isn’t equipped to handle.

Providing controlled freedom, where privileges are earned through calm and appropriate behaviour, helps dogs feel safe and secure. For example, rather than allowing a dog to run off-lead without recall training, structured long-line work teaches them how to check in and respond reliably before being given more independence. Similarly, rather than giving unrestricted access to the home, starting with designated areas and gradually increasing freedom as the dog demonstrates good manners prevents unwanted behaviours like destructive chewing or excessive excitement.

Structure and Boundaries Create Stability

Setting clear expectations and boundaries does not mean enforcing a rigid or overly strict lifestyle. Instead, it means providing a balanced framework that helps the dog understand what is expected of them in different situations. Predictability is key—when a dog knows how they should behave, they experience far less stress and can settle more easily.

For example, greeting guests calmly should be a default behaviour rather than allowing a dog to charge up to visitors with excessive excitement. Teaching a structured “place” command or using impulse control exercises can help reinforce this. On walks, rather than allowing a dog to pull in all directions, loose lead walking and structured sniffing time create a more harmonious experience where the dog is mentally fulfilled without becoming overstimulated.

Earned Privileges Lead to a Happier, More Relaxed Dog

A dog that earns freedoms through good behaviour is ultimately a more relaxed, balanced companion. Off-lead time, access to furniture, and increased independence should be rewards for calmness and reliability rather than default privileges. This approach fosters a cooperative relationship between dog and owner, where the dog understands that guidance leads to positive experiences.

In contrast, a dog given too much freedom too soon may struggle with impulse control, constantly seek stimulation, and develop behaviours that become difficult to manage. This is particularly true for young or excitable dogs, who often need more structure to help them develop self-regulation skills.

Final Thoughts

Providing a dog with the right balance of structure and freedom leads to a more confident, secure, and contented animal. Freedom should be something a dog earns over time, based on trust and reliability, rather than something given indiscriminately. By guiding our dogs through clear leadership, predictable routines, and fair boundaries, we help them feel safe, reducing stress and fostering a calm, well-adjusted companion.

Instead of asking, “How much freedom should I give my dog?” a better question is, “How can I create an environment where my dog feels secure, fulfilled, and able to make good choices?” The answer lies in structured guidance, not limitless freedom.
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