Barkside Training

04/07/2024

Barkside has been closed for the last couple years. If you need training please go to Ulti-Mutt Toys

01/05/2022

Dog Moms deserve the love too! https://www.callbarkside.com/

21/10/2021

Sometimes the goal of training is literally to be bored and calm.
Good training isn’t always exciting. I could show you video of Heidi here losing her poor little mind, barking and lunging and scaring people.
But that’s not good for Heidi or her handlers or the people who see her.

Today we walked around and parking lot by the beach when we knew it wouldn’t be to busy. We started in the car, just watching someone pick up trash, a kid doing tricks on his bikes and more, all that a distance Heidi could handle. A little whimpering, no barking, no lunging.

Then, we put on the long line and let her sniff around. She wasn’t allowed to go up to anyone but was able to watch as much as she wanted. If she started to stress, we’d go back to the car and get a snack.

When we were done with the sniffing. We came back to the car for some water and snacks. Now we’re just sitting here, Heidi is watching, listening and sometimes sleeping.

I didn’t need to show her I’m alpha, or pop her leash, just understand that things are stressful for her and we need to take our time.

29/09/2021

Training away symptoms like barking, lunging, growling, etc. does not treat the underlying cause of those behaviors.

There are a lot of misconceptions out there about how to work with dogs who have serious behavior issues. The biggest myth we hear is that it’s just something we need to “train” the dog not to do. But when we’re dealing with things like fear, anxiety, and aggression- it’s about far more than training.

🚪it’s about management- using doors, baby gates, leashes, muzzles, covering windows, etc. It’s about limiting triggers for safety and for quality of life.

🎾we provide lots of enrichment, giving outlets for natural behaviors, exercise, and brain stimulation.

💡we explain dog behavior and wait for “lightbulb moments” where people understand why the behavior might be happening and what they can do to prevent it. We give them tools to respect their dogs’ communication and improve their overall bond.

💊we often recommend that families talk to their vet or a veterinary behaviorist about appropriate medication options. We cannot “train away” a deep and daily anxiety about the world in general, and we work with veterinary professionals to help dogs feel safer.

☯️we have hard conversations and talk about acceptance. Sometimes our dogs are just not going to be the dogs we once wished they were- and it can be really hard to accept that your dog isn’t a dog park dog, or won’t be able to go to the picnic with you. At the same time, we provide acceptance that these things are ok! Not taking your dog to the coffee shop doesn’t mean you’re failing them, it just means you’re doing what’s right for that individual dog (and you) versus the idea of a dog that you once imagined.

Need some help working through behavior issues? Visit us (link in bio) to set up a consultation or find a certified positive reinforcement trainer in your area.

22/09/2021

One of the elements in battling Heidi’s badly lungey behaviors, is allowing her to experience lots of time outside away from her triggers where she can do dog things like climb, sniff, track, and move like a dog without fear.

20/09/2021

#🐾🖤

02/09/2021

Every dog is different, therefore every training plan is different. Sometime the thing that works for most dogs doesn't work for another and we need to switch it up to help them out. We can only every go as fast as our learner can learn.

26/08/2021

My #1 Wiggle!

24/08/2021

The first episodes of our new podcast "Tales from the Barkside" is up! If you have a reactive pup, this one is for you!

Right now we're available on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Anchor, and Radio Public, with more coming soon!

https://anchor.fm/diane-okeefe/episodes/The-Human-Side-of-Dog-Reactivity-e16ck75

22/08/2021

Don't wait till your dog is barking and lunging at guests to start training. In the moment when quests are there, their brain isn't really in learning mode, it's in freakout mode.
Work on it when they are calm and no one is around. Increase the distractions (someone knocking or ringing the bell) over time. For a full training plan, go to our website and book your free consult.
CallBarkside.com

17/08/2021

Thank you and for putting together this great reminder that whatever we believe we are doing in theory, in reality Classical and Operant Conditioning are always working together!

16/08/2021

Is your pets' name on the list!

12/08/2021

Come out to support Giant Hearts, Giant Dog Rescue!
We will be at Maker's Craft Brewery Saturday from 2-4. These dogs are huge and adorable! You don't want to miss them!

12/08/2021

Don't get frustrated! Just think of your problem as more information and learn from it!

10/08/2021

It's ok to give your puppy some alone time when they are overly bitey or destructive. It's actually to their benefit and yours!
By giving them a safe space to be by themselves with something good to chew on, we can help them learn how to be successful on their own.
Keeping them with you, biting you, destroying everything and going potty where ever is available, sets everyone up for failure. They continue to practice the things we don't want and those crazy bitey sprees typically mean they need a nap. Think about how toddlers throw tantrums when they are times.
So when your puppy is driving you crazy, don't get angry. Take a deep breath and calmly bring them into they pen with a good chew.

09/08/2021

Always have your plan ready before you start to train. Think about the obstacles that may occur for both you and your dog. Anticipate how you will handle different scenarios. If things don't go according to plan, take a break, reassess with your new information and get back to training!

04/08/2021

We all need a little more space sometimes.

If your dog gets barky, lungy or even just over excited when they see other dogs or people, your first step should always be to get more space!
If their brain is going hay wire, it's not a good time to train. Get them enough space that they can think before you get to training.

03/08/2021

Just like people trying to tackle behavior issues, we need to remember our dogs needs. We need to remember to get enough sleep, good hygiene, exercise, eating well, and engaging our brains. Dogs need all of these things too.
To learn more about how to keep your dog on track and bring out the best in them, send us a message!

31/07/2021

Give your dog a break. A bark at the door when the mailman comes by? A quick pull on the leash when they see something exciting? Jumping on you when you get home from work?
We need to remember to give our dogs a break sometimes. Behavior change, even for small things like biting your nails can be really hard. We all have slip ups. I wouldn't want someone to berate or embarrass me about my nails, and I don't yell at or knee my dog for getting excited when I come home.
I want someone who is supportive and gets me back on the right path and that is exactly who I want to be for my dog.

30/07/2021

It’s so important to think outside the box! Instead of everyone ending up frustrated and increasing conflict, think about different ways to accomplish your goals. If you need help, ask a pro!

29/07/2021

29/07/2021

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMdvX9kfm/

29/07/2021

I hear this all the time. "I've tried using treats, but my dog just doesn't care."
It's not surprising. In order for the food to work, we need to start teaching our coping skills in a low distraction, non-threatening environment. When our dog understands what we are doing, we can start to increase the difficulty. Maybe we work in a large field with a calm dog on the other side. Over time we should be able to decrease our distance.

28/07/2021

Even when we aren't actively training, our dogs are learning. Ensure they are learning how to make good choices!
https://www.callbarkside.com/
#247

26/07/2021

Chicken and I are headed to the vet today for some booster shots. Chicken is also semi ferral and scared of everything. So I blocked out extra time to help her with some adjustment breaks along the way. Here she is just sitting in the car in the driveway. I wanted to wait until she looked like she was enjoying being pet, could take food, and started to get curious about things in the car instead of just being shut down. Then I decided we would head to the vet. When we get there, we will likely sit in the parking lot again and let her calm down a little from the ride. Typically she is so scared in the car that she 💩. Poor sweet Chicken. Because we know that stressful events “stack” and build upon each other, I like to take the time to bring her stress levels down as much as I can before we progress. Is it still going to be stressful for her? Absolutely. Will she still p**p in the car? Maybe. But the hope is that each step is slightly more manageable than if I had just totally flooded her. It’s so important to remember that your dog isn’t giving you a hard time, they are having a hard time. Anything I can reasonably do to make that time easier for her, I’ll do it.

26/07/2021

Yup, every breed. Even your goldens, and doodles and the mutt down the street who has never bitten anyone before.
Every dog can bite and will under the right circumstances.
Learning your dog's language and potential trigger points can help to keep you, your family and friends safe and happy! Learn to respect their boundaries instead of setting everyone up for failure.

23/07/2021

This summer, make a splash in your dog's life. There is still time to work on reactivity, manners and so much more! https://pocketsuite.io/book/barkside-behavior--training?service=phone-consultation

19/07/2021

Just like with anything else, break down your goals with your dog into small, specific and realistic, actionable steps. Pick one thing and when you feel confident there, (be sure to say what confidence looks like for that particular action, move on to the next. You'll be surprised how much you can accomplish and how your enthusiasm to continue grows!

18/07/2021

We are never here to judge. We are here to help. That means everyone! #757