Pet Behavior Solutions

04/04/2022

Check us out on Instagram for the videos!

We are also working activities with the dogs next to each other. This is a very challenging activity! It can makes dogs feel more competitive and “jealous” when their partner gets a treat and they do not. It can also make some dogs feel vulnerable because there is a little social pressure that goes along with the other dog being next to them. (Not peer pressure rather social pressure of complying with a human while considering the social politics of another dog nearby.) For some dogs, we will ask them to all do the same behavior and simply wait their turn for the reward. Those dogs are not allowed to crowd into another dog’s space when it isn’t their turn. We call that staying in your own lane. For more confident or advanced dogs, we will be asking them for opposing behaviors which involves discrimination training. One dog will stay while the other dog is called to come, or one dog will down while the other dog is asked to sit, etc. If it sounds difficult to get dogs doing different things side by side with one human, it is! These activities tap into impulse control, conflict resolution, problem solving, body control, focus and relevance, and confidence building.

03/01/2022

This week we decided to try some every day practical skills. The first activity will involve a fumble course. This is a sensory activity where we place many different substrates on the floor for the students to learn to walk through and experience. This is a confidence building exercise but not just for timid dogs. Think of all the different surface textures that dogs may need to navigate in life: rocks, slippery floors, grates over walkways, metal road plates, escalators, etc. This involves sensory experiences and sensory generalization. Sensory experiences help build nerve connections in the brain that allows for more complex learning. It also helps dogs with different learning styles through the experience of novel surface textures. Sensory activities develop and gross motor skills by promoting problem-solving and exploration.

The second activity will be training around household items such as brooms, mops, vacuums, buckets, walkers, crutches, hoses, etc. The goal with this training is to teach dogs to move away from and leave these items alone when in use. This is not just a safety activity. It taps into problem-solving and body control. We will be using kibble or treats and a clicker for this exercise but you can simply use a marker word such as “yes” with some praise. Don’t praise too enthusiastically though, we don’t want to activate dogs with this activity. Listen for the instruction on the videos. We will be rewarding the dogs for any movement away or any disengage in a dog’s interaction with the items.

08/19/2021

Calling all dog parents who are interested in obedience training but looking for easier way to work with a professional trainer? Why not consider these “bite” size classes with our Zoom Express Obedience Training?Who should consider Zoom Express:

12/10/2020

Do you realize that for some juvenile dogs this is the first time they have ever seen rain in their lives? The Edu-Care juveniles are frolicking!!!

08/07/2020

I scheduled two dates for the compassion fatigue webinar so that is why there are two postings - one is on Sunday, August 30th from 2 pm to 4 pm Pacific and the other is Wednesday, August 9th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Pacific. If you are in animal welfare or animal rescue and feeling stress - this webinar will help give you some tools to manage it.

08/07/2020

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/finding-emotional-health-in-animal-welfare-tickets-116137116241

Tools for handling stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout

08/07/2020

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/finding-emotional-health-in-animal-welfar4e-tickets-116138791251

Tools for handling stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout

06/10/2020

06/10/2020

It’s OK - you can tell me. It’s been hard lately. I understand and care about you.

05/04/2020

I wrote an article on how our staying at home is impacting our pets. Hope you find it helpful!

https://nebula.wsimg.com/82028cac06c802a51c0008e25da71205?AccessKeyId=149C83CFE48FD5E6EA1B&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

04/02/2020

All this time with our dogs has led to some interesting inquiries! First - we’ve seen more environmental reactivity with all the stimuli in the neighborhood. Makes sense! But we can still work on it instead of letting them practice it. Remember, practice makes perfect so the more they do it the more they will do it even when things go back to normal. Second - we are seeing instances of separation anxiety rearing its ugly head. The dogs are getting used to us being home so there is such a contrast when we are gone! We are seeing it for short trips the grocery store! If your dog is even slightly inclined in that behavior, please do some independence training where you separate yourself from your dog. Go for a walk WITHOUT your dog, do your office Zoom meetings with you enclosed in your office without your dog, etc. It will go a long way for helping them to know what to expect when things get back to normal.

04/01/2020

Please join me and send in your videos of your cats doing the lava challenge! . Pretend there is lava on the floor and the cats have to make it from one place to another WITHOUT touching the floor!

03/26/2020

In this age of adaptation - we are offering Skype or FaceTime consultations as well as phone consultations. We will do all we can to help with any issue you are having. We have to adapt with the times in order to be a resource for pets and their families! Stay safe, everyone!

03/12/2020

A big thank you to Friends for Life for hosting the multi-week class “Core Behavior Assessment for Cats.” Students are rounding the finish line and preparing for their exam next week. This class contains an AMAZINGLY dedicated group of animal shelter, animal care and control, and animal rescue volunteers and staff. They have taken the time and made a commitment to learn more about cat behavior in our sheltering and rescue community. Next Wednesday is the big exam where the class will be divided into two groups representing an open intake facility and a limited intake facility including foster homes. They will be discussing cases and practicing their new-found knowledge. Finally, we are all learning to incorporate everyone’s thoughts, concerns, and ideas in an open, nonjudgmental format with the understanding that everyone has something important to contribute to the discussion for the benefit of the cats in our community! Thank you to each student!