Kyla's Pawtastic Dog Training LLC

07/05/2025

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-puppy-training-podcast/id1458176724?i=1000715608888

Great podcast!!!

Podcast Episode · The Puppy Training Podcast · 07/03/2025 · 11m

07/04/2025

There is a lot of misinformation floating around the dog owning community regarding resource guarding. You’ve probably heard one or both of the following:

“If your puppy growls at you over a bone, you can’t let them “win” and must take it off them”

“Dogs that guard things are trying to be dominant – you must show them who’s boss”

Both of these statements are incorrect!

Resource guarding is actually a FEAR BASED BEHAVIOUR – it’s caused by an anxious dog believing that humans will steal things from them. Trying to “show them who’s boss” by using harsh punishments or taking the possession so that they don’t “win” will only increase their anxiety, and make the resource guarding problem worse.

There is a big difference between a dog tolerating something, and a dog that is genuinely relaxed and happy with something. One of the scariest boasts that trainers often hear from uneducated owners is “I can take a bone off my dog!” More often than not, the owner in this scenario is using intimidation to force the dog to surrender the bone, either accidentally or on purpose. The result is a dog with a growing resentment towards the owner, and it’s likely that one day the dog will become fed up and fight back.

Instead, trainers much prefer to hear owners say, “My dog will happily give up a bone when I ask them to.” This statement speaks to a mutually beneficial relationship between dog and owner, and is much safer long term.

If your dog is a resource guarder, a good positive reinforcement trainer will be able to show you how to teach them to be relaxed and happy when humans are around their things.

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This post is the first in a series of myth-busting graphics designed to look at the reality behind the many pieces of misinformation floating around the dog owning community.

Do you have a suggestion for a myth that you’d like That Dog Geek to cover? Send us a message or comment on this post!

06/30/2025

06/24/2025

Right now, meeting those dogs by being dragged towards them is damaging their chances of ever changing.
You aren't being rude by not allowing that.
You're actually helping !
If that cycle continues, it rarely gets better and can get a whole lot worse.

You aren't spoiling their fun, well....actually you might be but that's ok for now.

Use that distance.
Have a much higher reward than you may have been using (esp if little progress has been made).

If they don't want that food.... they are very likely too close.
Or that food isn't what they would sprint to the moon and back for.

Playing with them is another good option.
Reward with play !
For some dogs that is a key area often overlooked.

Look into pattern games and U turns.
Some of those techniques are on this page..... feel free to scroll back.

Don't give up.

You really can do this !

06/19/2025

A new study conducted by animal behavior and mammalian cognition experts at the Universities of Lincoln and Sussex, and Jean Monnet University, reveals that dogs may be far better at understanding human speech than previously understood.

06/19/2025

What does "ethical communication" mean in pet training?

I mentioned this in my launch post and here's the thing, ethical communication starts with listening. Truly listening is a skill.

When your dog pulls on the leash or your cat scratches the furniture, these aren't intrinsically "bad" behaviors. Every behavior serves a purpose for that animal. For us, this is important communication. Your pet is telling you something about their needs, emotions, or understanding of the situation.

Ethical communication means listening to what your pet is actually saying. If your dog is pulling toward another dog, what are they communicating? Excitement? Anxiety? The need for space? Understanding the "why" changes everything about how we respond.

Instead of labeling behaviors as "good" or "bad," we should ask "What is my pet trying to tell me?" and "How can I help them communicate this in a way that is safe and works for our family?"

Your dog isn't pulling to be "stubborn." They might be overwhelmed by the environment, excited to track down that interesting smell, or simply haven't learned what you actually want from them in this situation. When we understand the purpose, we can address their real need with compassion instead of frustration.

Rather than suppressing or punishing unwanted behaviors, we teach alternative ways for our pets to express and meet their needs that work better for the whole family.

When we listen and respond with understanding, training becomes a conversation between partners who respect each other. Your pet learns because they feel heard and supported, not because they're afraid. This approach creates stronger relationships, more confident animals, and families who genuinely enjoy their time together.

What has your pet been trying to tell you lately? I'd love to hear your observations!

05/09/2025

05/02/2025

“Perfectly trained” does not always mean truly happy.

We often admire quick results in dog training, but it is important to question how those results were achieved. Did the dog genuinely enjoy the process, or was compliance rooted in stress, fear, or pressure?

Just like calm does not always equal comfort, impressive obedience does not always indicate kind or humane training.

Real kindness matters. Always look beyond the results.

❗️Follow, share, and help shift the narrative because the emotional truth lives beneath the behavior.