Mississippi Animal Behavior Consulting

09/16/2025

When we start reactive dog training, it’s natural to focus on the ultimate goal: a dog who no longer reacts.

But if we only celebrate that, we miss the countless small wins along the way. Every effort to keep going and every recovery after a setback matters.

So here’s your reminder to celebrate it all! Starting with your own commitment, because that effort is what makes progress possible. 🙌

09/12/2025

✨Management Magic 🪄

I have a client whose large breed dog would run and slam into these doors (and a window not pictured) barking and scratching if he saw certain vehicles go by. Living in a subdivision filled with golf carts and daily delivery trucks, he would do this multiple times a day, anytime he saw them out the door or window. In our initial consultation, I recommended window film to block out the visual stimulus, so that while the dog could still hear the vehicles, he wouldn’t be able to see them. They have had the film installed for a few weeks now, and I just revisited them (and took this picture with their permission), and they have reported a huge reduction in barking to almost nonexistent. If he does bark, they are quickly able to redirect him away from the door to another part of the house, and provide him with some form of enrichment.

This dog also usually struggles with people coming into the home. In my consultation, he was a bit nervous about me, but after a few minutes warmed up a little. I prepared myself when I walked up to their door for our recent session, and had them have him on leash before I arrived. When they opened the door, he jumped a little towards me, but then immediately sat when I asked him. When I tell you this dog’s body language was SO different from our first meeting. He was not anxious or upset, merely excited to see me. I fully believe that him no longer seeing those trucks and golf carts, and so no longer reacting over and over during the day, has helped his nervous system actually RELAX. His pet parents have done a wonderful job and will be continuing to work with him on reducing his reactivity to the golf carts and delivery trucks when he is outside and can see them.

Many people try to jump straight into training, but do not underestimate the power of Management! Preventing this dog from getting so upset by merely putting up some window film from Amazon, has let to a reduction in stress for the whole household! If your dog struggles with barking at things that they see outside, give window film or another way of blocking the ability to see out a try.

09/11/2025

🎶Allow me to reintroduce myself🎤

I have some new followers so here is a little info about me! I love connecting with pet parents and helping them learn more about their dog, ways to fulfill their dogs' needs, and help them reach their goals for their dog. Both the dogs' and pet parents' welfare are core to everything I do. If you are looking to try and make your dog an obedient robot, that's not what I do! I am here to coach you and help you teach your dog the skills needed to live with us humans. If you are wanting to understand your dog better, and get the guidance you need from a knowledgeable and certified professional, reach out today!

09/05/2025

What is Behavioral Diversity?

At the heart of the Total Welfare Model is the idea that we can learn a great deal about a dog’s well-being by looking at the range of natural behaviors they are able to show when their needs are met and their instincts are honored.

The broader and more balanced this repertoire, the stronger the indication that a dog is experiencing a good life.

Examples include:
▪ Sniffing, tracking scents, digging, or pawing to explore
▪ Parading with a toy to invite interaction or show off
▪ Caching toys or bones in the yard or cushions
▪ Wrestling, ambushing, or play-stalking canine friends
▪ Rolling in the grass or basking in the sun

Navigating obstacles, perching, investigating, or patrolling with confidence
When a dog’s range narrows too much, welfare may be compromised. Why? Because without access to robust natural behaviors, dogs are restricted in some way. It may be their health, nutrition, environment, or interactions. Something is stopping them from doing enough “dogging.”

That’s a shift for the dog world to think about. We are so often asked to make dogs do less dog stuff. But true welfare means helping them do more of it.

This is what Total Welfare helps us learn to do: see dogs as dogs, meet dogs as dogs, assess dogs as dogs. With modern animal welfare science, we can move out of the dark ages and into a future that supports the whole picture of canine wellness and the Good Life they deserve.

The Total Welfare App helps track the breadth of natural behaviors as one part of the overall welfare picture, giving us greater confidence in understanding whether a dog is truly living the Good Life.

09/03/2025

09/03/2025

08/26/2025

Happy National Dog Day! Give your dog some extra love today, and share a picture of your dog in the comments ❤️

08/23/2025

This is why I always do a consult with new clients and we always discuss in depth medical history, and if radiographs or any other diagnostics have been done. Behavior and pain are often intertwined.

PLEASE
PLEASE
If you're a trainer reading this and you're using Slip Leads/Prong Collars/Grots/whatever else as a behaviour solution to manhandle dogs, or if you're a dog parent and reactivity has been worsening...

May I PLEASE ask that you consider doing some research into the most common underlying cause of reactivity.

PAIN.

This is yet another dog who we've had an enquiry about who has been ragged around on a slip lead for her reactivity.

Not only will that have worsened her pain tenfold, it created mistrust with her owner and made her collar shy.

On our suggestion, her owner pushed vets to investigate and VOILA ... Hip Dysplasia and Arthritis at 6 years old. She is IN PAIN and her reactivity is her communication to tell others to be careful around her body ❤️

This year has been awful. So so many dogs experiencing the same chain of events.

1. Reactivity worsening.
2. Desperate owners reaching out for support
3. An advert offering "fix in one day"
4. Aversion work using equipment on the neck
5. Dog either experiencing worsening reactivity (and in this case - directed at owners) or learned helplessness (shut down)
6. No aftercare

This shouldn't be a theme.
And it shouldn't be happening regularly.

A good quality trainer/behaviourist will ALWAYS look into dog health FIRST when looking at reactivity as a symptom.

If you have a dog who's reactivity has developed/changed recently, keep a diary, speak to your Vets and talk to a Trainer/Behaviourist who will encourage you to do so.

Remember - they can't tell us with words ❤️

08/22/2025

✨Virtual Client Testimonial ✨

"I have loved and raised a lot of dogs and cats over my lifetime and did it the way my parents taught me. The last 2 dogs I had as puppies was 14 years ago. My husband and I decided to get a puppy to fill the lonely place in our hearts from the loss of one of our senior dogs and I realized that training methods have probably changed in the past 14 years! We live in the boonies which made it inconvenient to travel to a trainer or to have the trainer come to us. That's where Rayanne comes in! She made it so easy to set up our virtual meetings where I could stay home. She is a very caring person and intuitive in helping me train our puppy. Of course, it was really me that she was training! She has helped me navigate through the typical puppy stages as well our unique situation in dealing with our senior dog who is blind. Everything she recommended has helped us survive the puppy stages. I have been consulting with Rayanne for 8 months now and will continue to use her expertise in the future. I highly recommend her!" - Trixie's Mom

Trixie and her mom have put in the work and they're seeing the results! ❤If you are interested in virtual or in person training for you and your dog, reach out today! 📧www.msanimalbehavior.com

08/20/2025

Here’s the truth: there is no such thing as a guaranteed “kid friendly” dog breed!

✅ Dogs are individuals.

Just like people, dogs have unique personalities, sensitivities, and comfort levels. Even within the same breed or household, two dogs may react completely differently to the same child’s behavior.

✅ Labels can be risky.

When we assume a dog is automatically “kid friendly,” we may let our guard down—skipping supervision, ignoring stress signals, or expecting too much tolerance.

✅ What really matters:

• Active, adult supervision during all dog-child interactions 🧑‍🍼

• Teaching kids respectful behavior around dogs (no grabbing, hugging, or climbing) 🛑

• Setting up success stations (like gates, crates, or mats) so dogs always have a safe retreat spot 🛋️

• Watching for body language cues that show discomfort (lip licking, whale eye, stiff body) 👀

👉 Instead of looking for a “kid friendly” dog, look for ways to create a dog aware home where both your dog and your child feel safe, respected, and supported.

Because the safest dog is not the one labeled “kid friendly”… it’s the one who is set up for success. 💛

08/19/2025

I am back from a great vacation with family at the beach, and ready to get back helping pet parents! Sessions are booked for August, but reach out today to get your initial consultation scheduled for September! www.msamimalbehavior.com