Kira Schultz Dog Training

Trainer Talks Multi dog Households. All multi dog households should have management in place. Even if your dogs get along. Even if they are litter mates. Even if they have never had problems. Unfortunately, dogs are animals. And animals sometimes have problems with each other. Think about siblings that are too close in age. They stay in the same space. They share the same things. They desire the same things. Most times, they can handle it. But sometimes, they can't. Sometimes, they want to be away from eachother. This is why management is important. This is why each dog needs to be able to be in a seperate space. This is why each dog deserves their own food bowl away from the others. And this is why in my opinion, each and every mukti dog household should know a couple of things. 1. They should know and have the sbility to break up a fight. I hope you never need it. But it is still important. 2. Each mukti dog household should have management in place. Whether crates, gates, x pens, or doors, having management in place for them is incredibly important. Do you have problems separating your pups? Do you have questions on how management can help your household? Let me know how I can help! #rewardsbasedtraining #positivereinforcement #multidoghousehold

SNOW DAY!!! Show me your snow day pups! And tell me what things you are doing to keep your pups entertained this snowy day! We played outside for a bit and will play off abd on. But we also have lots of chewies and lick mats to keep us occupied.

It's so hard sometimes having a dog that is difficult. From the management challenges, to the extensive training, to the juggling the needs of different dogs in different situations, to even just trying to survive. It all can add up. And that can lead to so many feelings and emotions. It's important to try to remember that we are still trying. We are still fighting. We are still going. We are still moving forward. It may be hard and complicated. But giving up is the failure. Not where we are in our journey. #rewardsbasedtraining #positivereinforcement #forcefreereactivity #forcefreetraining #forcefreetrainingprofessional

Dog Trainer Confession Time My dogs don't know heel. And they more than likely will never know heel. I know. I know. A terrible trainer sin. But......the reality is, heel is not important or a skill that will be beneficial to me. Ever. Training your dog for the skills that make sense for your life is so important. Don't need your dog to know Heel? That's okay. Don't need your dog to know Place? Perfectly acceptable. There are skills that I think are things that I think every dog should know. But.....here's another secret. None of them are obedience. Yep. You're dog doesn't even have to learn sit. Things like pattern games, Look At That/BAT training, cooperative care training, desensitization, and so much more is so much more important than obedience. So the next time someone who isn't in your house questions why your dog doesn't do what they think it should. Think abiut it. Does your dog need that skill? Do you want them to have that skill? If the answers aren't yes. Then it isn't a big deal.

Today 4 fireworks went off right after I got the dogs in. Now is not the time for desensitization. Now it is management, survival, and preparing as much as we can. The 4th of Juky can suck for dogs that are stressed. Make sure you are prepared. Do you have enough stock of appropriate meds for your dog for potentially 7 days?( Because we all know they aren't gonna just be on the 4th) Have you trialed those meds so that you know your dogs reaction to them? Do you have enough enrichment or chewies to keep your dog occupied for the time? Do you have a plan for when there are active fireworks going that make sure your dog is going to feel safe( hidey hole, snuggled up, safe space)? Do you have their collar on with their IDs just in case? ( though no dog should be out when there is active fireworks going)

Have you ever described your dog as disobedient? How about Stubborn? Bad dog? Naughty? Or a ton if other words that we tend to use wuth dogs with behavior issues? Is your dog actually those things? Is your dog being intentionally disobedient? Are they actually being stubborn? Disobedient means the intentional refusal to obey. Meaning that they would only be not doing a cue because 'they don't want to'. Stubborn means to have a dogged determination to not change one's attitude. Meaning that nothing else could be at play in that situation. So when your dog barks at the neighbor, or bolts out the door and ignores your recall, are they really being 'stubborn' or 'disobedient ' or are they struggling and overstimulated? The language that we use for our dogs behavior has a definitive impact on our idea and thoughts on our dogs. Abd those thoughts can change how we see(and help change) our dogs behavior. By looking at their behavior as not 'disobedient' or 'stubborn' but instead 'struggling' or 'overstimulated' or other issues, it allows us to look at our dogs behavior more objectively and be able to help them navigate through those problems more effectively. I have a challenge for you. Change your language that you use with your dog and their behavior. Just one word. Change that word and see how it can change the thought process. See how it changes what you feel about your dog and their behavior. And let me know how it goes.

Trainer Talk Have you ever described your dog as disobedient? How about Stubborn? Bad dog? Naughty? Or a ton if other words that we tend to use wuth dogs with behavior issues? Is your dog actually those things? Is your dog being intentionally disobedient? Are they actually being stubborn? Disobedient means the intentional refusal to obey. Meaning that they would only be not doing a cue because 'they don't want to'. Stubborn means to have a dogged determination to not change one's attitude. Meaning that nothing else could be at play in that situation. So when your dog barks at the neighbor, or bolts out the door and ignores your recall, are they really being 'stubborn' or 'disobedient ' or are they struggling and overstimulated? The language that we use for our dogs behavior has a definitive impact on our idea and thoughts on our dogs. Abd those thoughts can change how we see(and help change) our dogs behavior. By looking at their behavior as not 'disobedient' or 'stubborn' but instead 'struggling' or 'overstimulated' or other issues, it allows us to look at our dogs behavior more objectively and be able to help them navigate through those problems more effectively. I have a challenge for you. Change your language that you use with your dog and their behavior. Just one word. Change that word and see how it can change the thought process. See how it changes what you feel about your dog and their behavior. And let me know how it goes. #rewardsbasedtraining #positivereinforcement