Just when I think Im a mature adult, this sound effect makes me laugh too hard while watching Annika and Coco. 😝 🏁
A broken lawn mower equals bouncing dogs in the fields 😂 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🌞 ☀️
Kato, here for board and train to learn how to not be reactive towards dogs. He's also been in some massive dog fights as well. We've been making several trips to the Crossings for exposure to other dogs. The path of training that I see for dogs is "Not successful/not positive " (meaning it wasn't good or fun event- this maybe more familiar for vet visits for people to understand. The dog was growling and scared the whole time and no amount of praise or feel good communication can make it better. The second path is "successful/not positive " meaning the dog is working through their struggles, but obviously hates it and no feel good communication helps still. The third (and where Kato is now) is "successful/positive ". He can now enjoy his time during conflict, is underwhelmed by the environment and is also open to feel good communication.
I am still working on those paths with his owners to gain the same relationship with Kato that I'm gaining.
Colt and Kato have the privilege of working together this week while Colt boards. They both can benefit from working around each other as they each give off the triggers they both react to. Both dogs are muzzled for safety. Kato is learning how to share space in a calmer headspace with other dogs around him.
Fans of Sunshine : sound on if you want to hear Sunshine sing curse words.😂🤗
I'm starting touch therapy with Kato with the goal that I can move his chaotic energy away from him so he can relax. That is one struggle that he has not been able to let go of and which is holding him back. He does not know how to rest, how to find dopamine naturally, how to be an "on" dog and then be off. He tends to be done with a training session high adrenaline, over aroused and not with a satisfied headspace. His owners and I had an at least conversation yesterday at a check in session here and they agreed that's what has always held him back. The route of training for me has always been, if something works- do it again. If its supposed to work historically, but isn't working, try it a few more times. If it still isn't working - 180 switch it up. Touch therapy for Kato is the 180. Now, we watch how he responds in the next 12 hours.
Kato is learning the heading ball today. He's learning to move towards, go left and go right. I'm trying to find a way to satisfy his breed to dampen his behaviors.
I'm learning more of what Kato needs in environments with conflict. He's interesting to me because he needs a ton of emotional support with his clicker (like 90% of his communications during conflict are clicker communications) , a lot of eye contact requirements to keep checking in with me , but more interesting is his after skills are done work. He seems to understand his good behavior "jobs" are done and he let's loose the inner demon 😈 🙄 when he comfortable again. It's a psychological cue us humans have allowed him to own, that when we are done, "we are done". Typically I tell my clients "the walk starts inside", or really where you are at. Meaning, if picking up the leash cues the dog for the walk, then the walk starts when you pick up the leash. Kato's walk starts where it should historically like other dogs, but absolutely doesn't end where you put the leash down. He doesn't have the dopamine flow that most dogs have at the end of a quality training session. Now I have to learn from him how he needs the walk to end. Duration work? Treadmill? High focus quick engagement drills? Touch therapy?
I'm waiting on Kato to tell me.
Kato had his first off property training today and I met a couple of friends a d fellow trainers at the Crossings in Colonie. We saw a ton of dogs, a whole lot of very nice behaviors from Kato, and I think he genuinely enjoyed his time there:)
Loki is a smart dog, but im convinced this is the only thing cycling through his head when he's running 😅
German short-haired pointers running laps around the pond makes sense 😅🌎🌞
Dear Ollie's owners: I'm sorry. 😅
That is all .
Nellie has been home for 1 week. She came into board and train for being dog reactive, low stranger confidence, jumping on kids and adults, and some pretty intense separation anxiety. Her owner tried working with the vet and after a few trips back and forth there, the vet referred Nellie to me for help. And Nellie is seriously living the dream now. Inclusion is the best reward!
Kato is on his first session of the treadmill today. The treadmill is hopefully going to open up some of his dopamine hormones with the movement. The treadmill isn't being used as a way to tie Kato out. It's to allow the dog to travel without adding adrenaline. Kato's walks outside tend to be very adrenaline, flight or fight related with his reactivity. He isn't enjoying his walks right now in his life as he is on guard. He isn't getting the benefits of the chemical release in his brain or body. His walks outside are still necessary, but adding the treadmill may help release the chemicals holding him back. Also, it's great confidence work, impulse building and focus training.
Kato is learning neutrality around baseline dogs. Annika, who is staying here, is a perfect dog for Kato learn neutrality from.
The first step in dog/dog rehab is to put out the explosive fire the dog does when near a conflict. Then we teach neutrality. Simply put, im not much caring this dog is moving around. Then we teach engagement. All of these teachings have to happen in multiple formats. Stationary, moving, high energy, low energy, inside, outside, near and further away. We teach snap shots to dogs to understand Yes and No. When you have given the dog thousands of snapshots, we put together a story board, then a chapter, then a reference boom. Then when we move around in tbe world the dog cycles through their reference book to problem solve.
I turn my back for 5 minutes and my best employee is on a unscheduled biscuit break.
Sigh.😅
It's Coco and Annika's turn for a video!
Flex has known me almost my whole training career so far.
I started out being scared of him (in his younger years he was pretty intense). Then he understood his training and he became a partner to me when he boarded. He allowed me to feel safe in my first training center on a very busy highway, with my baby with me, late at night, big windows and possible weirdos coming in when I was there alone in the evenings. He was there and held my ground when a few weirdos did come in. Somewhere in the years Flex and I became friends. Not scary anymore, not business partners , but friends seeing each other a few times a year. He's an old dog now. Loses his balance. Can't run far or fast. Now, I see my friendship has turned to true respect for him. He's a great dog. I'm honored to know him and be one of his select humans he has chosen to share himself with.
Love the dog life.
Sunshine is ready to advertise she's open for business. She's made her sign 😂✨️🐈🐈🐱
Monday Motivation!
This starts Kato's 2ed week with me. I like to start out Monday sessions with seeing where their head space is. Over the weekend, he started some historical behaviors towards dogs (early conversation stuff like vampire eyes) which was nipped as soon as it started. But, overall this is an okay thing. He's relaxing and trusting the environment enough to show his colors. Some dogs come in on their first day full of explosions, others take their time melting the ice. Kato's taking his time, which won't surprise his owners. He's a very intelligent dog and very calculate. Those aren't necessarily negative qualities . He just needs to learn to use those powers for good instead of evil. He's wearing his muzzle here for no behavior reasons, just getting more conditioning to wear it as a tool.
