The Finer Paw

05/29/2025

Let them SNIFF! It’s how dogs color their world.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/692045156854546?fs=e&fs=e

05/29/2025

Great Tips!

https://www.facebook.com/Sunrise/videos/1923448561812915/?fs=e&mibextid=wwXIfr&fs=e

05/09/2025

At the Association for Professional Dog Training International, we stand by and for dogs.

Since adopting our Standards of Practice in April 2022 (and reaffirming them in 2024 with the launch of APDT International), one core principle guides everything we do: No training or behavior scenario justifies the intentional use of aversive punishment.

This conviction is rooted in peer-reviewed science and is consistent with the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s position: tools designed or used with the intent of causing fear, pain, or startling (e-collars, prong/choke collars, bonkers, shaker-cans, leash corrections, harsh verbal reprimands, etc.) elevate stress, suppress learning, and increase the risk of aggression—outcomes that undermine the well-being of both dogs and the people who care for them.

As the largest association in the world for the dog training field, our community’s mission is to advance the profession through science, compassion, and education. We champion methods that safeguard welfare, build trust, and create lasting behavioral change. But a standard is only as strong as the community that lives it. APDT International is a global network of trainers, behavior professionals, veterinarians, animal care professionals, and dog lovers who believe progress happens when knowledge is shared, ideas are explored respectfully, and support flows in every direction. In support of this, all APDT International Members attest to practice within these standards and are held accountable by one of the most robust systems of ethics in the profession.

When we learn together, grow together, and hold space for one another’s perspectives, we elevate the profession and create a brighter future for every dog-human team. If there are differing ideas or opinions, we encourage a healthy, respectful and generative conversation so all may learn and grow as a result. APDT International is a hub for information and collaboration, and we accept that progress is born through challenges to ideas. These challenges should be explored without disrespect, harassment, and personal attacks, which can be significantly diminished as we value science over opinion and prioritize data over hearsay.

Let’s keep building this compassionate, science-driven community together — one conversation, one collaboration, and one success story at a time.

🔗 Explore our full Standards of Practice: https://apdt.com/standards-of-practice/

🔗ASVAB Statement:https://apdt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AVSAB-Humane-Dog-Training-Position-Statement-2021.pdf

🔗 Explore how you can engage with APDT International: https://apdt.com/engagement-benefits/

08/16/2024

08/13/2024

It’s why I use these in my Van!

12/03/2023

Why punishment “works” Thanks https://www.facebook.com/rplusdogsbehaviour/

07/24/2023

❤️❤️❤️

You may have heard the expression that dogs 'see with their noses.' But these creature's amazing nasal architecture actually reveals a whole world beyond what we can see. Alexandra Horowitz illustrates how the dog's nose can smell the past, the future and even things that can't be seen at all. [Dire...

07/04/2023

Here some great pictures of how to trim black nails!

06/13/2023

Reposted from Caring for Rescued ex Street Dogs (as shared by unrelated organization, Rescued By Training)
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What a great visual to help illustrate all the “normal” things that are around that your fearful dog may be sensitive to. When people tell me “there’s nothing for the dog to be scared of” I try to help them understand that maybe there aren’t things that we find scary but to a dog, maybe one who has never lived inside or with humans or in a busy place, there are plenty of things to be afraid of.

See the original post for a LOT more great information at
https://www.facebook.com/caringforstreetdogs/posts/pfbid02Adzodhu5YzirmcLtrw2q6r5PPLQzHE8NX8NMEdWvg1EPorpR1RPhmfc795LQB1pAl

06/05/2023

08/03/2022

WHY SQUIRTING IS HURTING
Using a spray bottle to sq**rt water at a dog to stop an unwanted behaviour is not something I support and I’ve seen many cases where the consequences of this have caused long term problems.
This method of stopping a behaviour is unfortunately still very popular and even some puppy schools and dog trainers believe that it’s an effective, humane way of correcting behaviour. Just because it doesn’t cause physical harm doesn’t make it right. There are emotional consequences. Consequences like creating negative associations, fear, mistrust, a fear of water and / or bottles and more. Behaviour is driven by an underlying emotion, creating more negative emotions certainly doesn’t solve anything.
Consequences like a puppy being continually sprayed for chasing a child that resulted in the puppy associating the child with the punishment. This family had been advised that this was the quickest and easiest way to stop the behaviour. This pup developed a fear and dislike of children that he may never fully get over.
If a dog is sprayed for jumping up at a person, it doesn’t teach the dog what behaviour they should be doing instead. Rewarding a dog for having four paws on the floor instead of jumping up is the logical way to teach this. Yes, it may take more effort and time, but the dog will learn an alternative behaviour and the jumping up will stop.
Teach dogs what to do instead of what not to do. Dogs live in our world and are expected to follow our rules. How can we expect them to behave the way we want them to if we only punish unwanted behaviour and don’t teach them what behaviour we are looking for? Stop focusing on unwanted behaviour and focus on teaching an alternative behaviour – how else will our dogs know what to do?

04/17/2022

BONES, BONES, BONES! I can't even count the number of times people told me they worry about bones splintering and harming dogs. The reality is, crunchy RAW (NOT COOKED) bones are essential for keeping teeth healthy.

Here is a handy chart to explain what bones you can give your dog and what purpose they have: FOOD, DENTAL or PLAY.

Also, here's an article on the topic of bone feeding: https://peterdobias.com/blogs/blog/16688340-what-bones-are-good-for-dogs