Mississippi Animal Behavior Consulting

10/06/2025

I recently completed the Cat and Dog First Aid course. While I have 5 years of experience working as a veterinary technician, this course was a great refresher on CPR and first aid for pets. Knowing what to do in emergencies can be crucial, and if you've never taken a pet first aid course this is a great one that gives you all the basics. If interested, you can view more about the course at American Red Cross.org or this link: https://tinyurl.com/4zvp6b2f

10/02/2025

Check out the Pet Life column which is written every month by Yours Truly! This month I discussed crate training, why it may or not be a good fit for your dog, and how to make the crate a more positive experience.

The October edition is on the way now! check out the e-edition here: https://www.flipsnack.com/Emmerich/signature-magazine-october-2025.html

09/22/2025

Myth: “If my dog doesn’t limp, their arthritis isn’t serious.”

✅ Fact: Many dogs with arthritis don’t limp noticeably, especially in early stages. Subtle signs like stiffness, slower movements, or reluctance to jump are important clues.

If you're interested in tailored advice for your dog, our Teleguidance service is for you!
https://caninearthritisteleguidance.co.uk

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 ❤️