Happy Tails Training & Behavioral Consultant

06/04/2023

The dog looks so proud

06/04/2023

03/04/2023

All wheel drive for this mushroom hunting K9

30/03/2023

Getting some steps in!

24/03/2023

ARE YOU WORTH COMING BACK TO?

There are many reasons why dogs don’t come back when you want them to. A dog’s genetics play a big role in this when an environment is far more stimulating and exciting and listening and coming back to you disappear into the background as genetic instinct takes over.

An exciting scent or seeing something to chase can all override a response to you.

Genetics aside, a common reason why dogs don’t come back when called is because it’s not a positive experience for them.

I often cringe when I watch owners trying to get their dogs to come to them when they call.
They call and call and get increasingly angry and frustrated as their dog keeps ignoring them.

When their dog eventually does come back, or has been chased and "captured” by their owner, they get screamed at, yanked about, smacked or punished in some way for taking so long and not listening. Why would a dog want to return to someone who does this to them!

Make coming back to you worth it by always making it a rewarding experience.

Have a little patience if it takes longer than you would like, let your dog finish what they’re doing before calling them, practice in different locations and environments and never reprimand or punish them for coming back.

There is never a guarantee of a perfect recall each and every time, but making it rewarding will greatly improve the rate of success.

18/03/2023

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!! ☘️ ☘️ Fresh Picked Organic, Non-GMO Collie Flowers.

24/02/2023

Everyday there’s opportunity to increase the wellness of your pet through various experiences & exposure to new things.

10/01/2023

Obedience Training
Potty Training
Socialization
618.521.9421

10/01/2023

Crate/Kennel Training is crucial for the development of your pet. When used properly as a training aid it is very effective in the mental development & creating a calm state of mind. Nip separation anxiety in the bud, msg for training solutions!

30/12/2022

Do you use DOWN or word OFF when your dog jumps??? To often I hear people hollering at the jumping dog “Down” “Down” “Get Down”….. well your confusing the dog.
And let me guess he/she prolly doesn’t have a good down either.

OFF is the proper command when your pet is jumping so that the “Down” command will hold its value & not become conflicting for the pet.

Don’t make you pet guess what your actually trying to say. Choose clear commands & use consistently.


✌️❤️🐾

26/12/2022

Snow Day ⛄️

26/12/2022

Time to make Snow Angels ❄️ ❄️ ❄️

Tip: Take your pets out in the snow & rain for regular play sessions. Helps them from being avoidant of undesirable weather & prevents unwanted potty accidents inside.

25/12/2022

Merry Christmas,
Happy Holidays,
Feliz Navidad
❄️ 🎄 ⛄️ 🎁 ⛷

28/11/2022

Health & preventative care tip… If ya’ll haven’t heard of Colloidal Silver your missing out, this stuff is WONDERFUL. I’ve use it for many years on humans & animals with amazing results. I recommend using it sparingly or only as needed to boost immune system. Improper over use or high intake can cause argyria. I am not affiliated with neither of these manufacturers, but have used these for many years & believe everyone should have Colloidal Silver in their medicine cabinet.

28/11/2022

❌ ✨ DOG TRAINERS AREN'T MAGIC.

Sorry to disappoint.

🧙🏼 However, if a trainer is properly educated, trained, up-to-date on canine behavior, possess a highly developed set of skills and properly continues their education they are likely on their way to being really good or are already incredibly good at their set craft.

📝 So what’s different between a skilled trainer and a dog owner? Simple. Skills and knowledge in their field.

💪🏼 But let's be real. All dog trainers started somewhere. Usually this was as a struggling dog owner that wanted to really launch into learning how to truly help their own dog in some way. So, they sought out what was necessary to do that. Then they decided that there are lots of other dog owners just like them and they want to share their knowledge and skills to help!

🧘🏼 But, but, but . . . All a dog trainer can do is coach, show, teach, educate and guide.

👉🏼 Only you can put into action all that lovely information, utilize those skills and reach out for help when you need it so you can rinse and repeat.

👉🏼 You'll have to do all that "consistency is key" stuff us dog trainers are always droning on about and "practice here and there and everywhere" stuff too.
That will all be on you.

🤷🏼‍♀️ Otherwise you’ll have to settle for watching your dog seemingly always "listen" to your trainer and blow you off or not do it as easily as he does with your trainer.

🙌🏼 If your trainer can do it, so can you. Both are humans with brains and skills, you just have to do it like your trainer told you to. That's all.
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Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA
Copyright© 2022

28/11/2022

Can we really blame our dogs for the confusion when their entire world is enveloped by mixed messages? Why mixed? Because we knowingly or unknowingly teach them that they and us are precisely the same. And then we become upset when they respond to what we’ve taught by challenging us, pushing us, disregarding us, stressing us, overwhelming us, and sometimes even injuring us.

If you’re going to teach your dog that you and they are the same—meaning the social structure, and the differences between human and canine aren’t clearly articulated—you can’t be upset when they run with what you’ve taught them.

It’s not the student who’s at fault, it’s the teacher.

PS, I know many bristle at the fact that I point out that there should be a clear distinction between dog and human—with the human in charge, and above, and the dog subordinate, and below. Feel free to bristle away. But when you’re struggling with your dog, refer back to this post, and attempt to digest it with an open mind. The answers as to why you’re struggling are likely here when you’re ready to find them.

28/11/2022

22/11/2022

Love this so!❤️

21/11/2022

Spurlunking with Sushi & the nature crew.
,

14/11/2022

Sushi’s wishing everyone a Happy Monday! And wants to inform ya’ll if your not already on a RAW or Homemade feeding regimen it’s time to look into it.

14/11/2022

Dog trainers don’t possess any magic. What they do possess, if they’re good at their craft, is a highly developed set of skills. But remember, at one point they knew very little, and likely got into this line of work because they were struggling with their own dogs.

So what’s different between a skilled and knowledgeable dog trainer and a struggling owner? Yep, you guessed it, skills and knowledge.

These people that you now hire for help were once struggling much like yourself. What did they do? They developed within themselves—likely with the help of another dog trainer—what was necessary to be able to solve their problems, and now, with all that ability, they help others with theirs’.

But, and this is a big but, all they can do is help. They can share information, teach skills, coach, and root you on—but only you can put in the work to take what is being shared and make it something personal, integrated, and useful.

You don’t have to become a dog trainer, but you do have to become a skilled, and knowledgeable owner—to whatever extent needed to match your goals.

Otherwise you’ll have to settle for watching your dog “magically” excel with your trainer, and “mysteriously” deteriorate with you.

13/11/2022

Boy Howdy & Lady Liberty Excursion

12/11/2022

Happy Trail Hounds….awaiting their kitty companion.