Elegy Kennels

01/10/2025

“I would want a male, or female?” 🤔

01/08/2025

There is often a discussion of certain training practices providing "safety" for dogs. Particularly in the use of shock collars, that shock collars provide 'safety' for a dog being off a leashed line. The truth of the matter is that these things fail, often in spectacular, dangerous fashions. But the key that is missed in these discussions is that physical safety is not the only priority in dealing with our dogs. Emotional/Mental safety are JUST as important. Some might argue in many ways they are even more of a priority.

The feeling of being safe, emotionally, reduces reactivity, aggression, distraction, and things like bolting/disappearing/escape. It is not enough that our dogs are just physically safe, we need to ensure they FEEL safe as well. For me my top priority is always; everyone is safe. First and foremost. But in that umbrella I consider the emotional well being of the animals and their human counterparts as just as significant as the physical safety of their dogs. Because when we feel safe, confidence, exploration, bonding, and strong relationships follow.

It is not possible for a living being to feel safe in an environment where physical harm for 'wrong' action is ever-present. That is not how punishment avoidance works. (The brain cannot seek to avoid punishment AND seek reinforcement, it can only do one at a time.) As part of my commitment to Safety First I actively avoid punishment techniques, force and coercion in teaching, because it allows my learners to always feel safe with me.

Safety First: Physical. Emotional/Mental. For everyone involved.

01/08/2025

01/07/2025

Starting the year off with a very nice litter coming up!

Stay tuned 🥁

Applications are open and more details to come

Elegykennels.com

Working/ Show Homes please PM directly

01/06/2025

Let's get real for a second.

The world often paints a picture that dogs who live together are best friends and do everything together.

This is just not true. Many many many multidog household utilize management in different situations to allow dogs personal space to enjoy things such as:

- feeding time
- chew time
- play time
- attention time

This. Is. Normal.

Just because someone utilizes management, doesn't mean their dogs don't enjoy each other's company or have fun together. It just means that there are certain activities that they prefer to do on their own.

And I will tell you firsthand that implementing safe space zones and time apart can be so beneficial to the relationship between two dogs.

Think about it-- do you enjoy doing every single activity that you do at home with your spouse, family, or sibling RIGHT there? I don't think so.

So let's normalize management between dogs who live together!!

Do you want to work on your dogs' relationship and/or interactions? Go to my website here to schedule a private consult: perkedears.com/private-training-sessions

01/06/2025

We try 🤣

01/05/2025

💭 Where’s my breakfast?

“Inside” 🚪 Litter
(Flint x Bo)

01/05/2025

Fixation 👀‼️
Not as simple as just a locked gaze, and in many ways fixation is ALREADY a reaction.
It just isn't a verbal reaction.
Fixation never leads to anything good for a reactive dog, it is an escalation of emotions and needs to be recognised and acted on.
There are lots of ways to help this, one in particular is a U turn (video in the comments).
This dog training handout is available abcdogsnz.com

01/03/2025

😊😍😇

01/03/2025

Amen to that!
Credit:Tinkerwolf