Bad Behavior/Good Dog

20/05/2023

10/05/2023

Birdie my one-eyed wonder is 13, while our foster dog Mazie is just 5 months old. Old and young dogs can be friends but be sure to give your old dog plenty of breaks. Use crates, playpens or baby gates to allow down time for the older one.

06/05/2023

Pro Tip: When crate training avoid using a treat to lure your dog into the crate. This may make them associate bad things with a treat. This is called poisoning the treat. The presence of a treat 🟰 getting put in the crate. Therefore the treat can actually trigger a fear response because it predicts something they don’t like.

Instead teach your dog to “load up”. Toss a handful of treats in the crate and when the dog goes in for them say the cue “load up”. Do this many many times until the dog shows no hesitation going into the crate. Then toss one treat in and say the cue. Again, do this many times and possibly over several sessions. When the dog is completely comfortable and happy to “load up” for a single treat, make the motion of tossing a treat into the crate and give the cue. As soon as the dog goes in, praise heavily and give several treats. Congratulations, you’ve now taught your pooch to gladly hop in the crate and you are rewarding a behavior instead of trying to lure or bribe your dog into the crate.

*If at any time the dog shows hesitation, go back a step until they are comfortable. Don’t be tempted to rush it.

My foster pup, Mazie, showing off her ”load up” skills.

29/03/2023

Study it and remember these tricks!

03/03/2023

Let’s see your dog’s picture!

28/01/2023

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fellow-creatures/202004/why-dogs-happiness-not-obedience-is-what-counts?fbclid=IwAR2IZ6sjKkIlJWaWG6d6JrIECown5nDWugG-1jNHU6Vsz30MFmRDWuEdmiU&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

When we focus on making dogs happy, it’s better for them and us.

26/10/2022

October is Pit Bull Awareness month. Our foster dog Kevin is here to remind everyone how great bully breeds can be. Kevin has been in the shelter system for most of his 4 years. He has hair loss from the stress of it.

Kevin is a gentle giant with the sweetest personality. Don’t over look the bullies when searching for your best friend.

07/09/2022

Meatball had just a touch of resource guarding. He would get stiff and growl when anyone came too close to his food bowl. As you can see he no longer displays those behaviors. Some people will get in a power struggle with their dog over guarding but that’s the worst thing you can do. Dogs guard from a place of anxiety. They are fearful there’s not enough or that they will lose what they have. Trying to dominate or discipline these dogs only affirms what the dog suspected, that human’s near their stuff is bad for them.

Meatball has learned humans + food = yummy treats.
Over a period of time I’ve built up his confidence and trust in me by not trying to take his food, but instead tossing a treat to him. At first I tossed from far away, now I can walk right up and drop it in his bowl.

I got what I wanted, a dog who didn’t growl at me, Meatball got what he wanted, all the food plus extra!
It was a win/win for both of us. When you encounter an issue with your dog’s behavior come up with a plan where you both win. Life’s just better that way.

26/08/2022

Happy National Dog Day from the gang!

26/08/2022

Little Tuckett is a smart boy who loves to learn! Did you know dogs learn best through games? Make training fun for your dog and see how far they go!

03/08/2022

On these hot summer days dogs can easily over heat outside. Bring them in where it’s cool. This is Birdie. She’s found a cozy spot under the ac vent. Now it’s your turn to show us how your dogs are keeping cool this summer.

01/08/2022

A friendly reminder that it’s too hot to be walking your dog.

07/07/2022

Listen to your dog when they whisper so they don’t have to shout.

01/06/2022

Olive had a habit of picking things up off the ground and not wanting to give them back so we taught her a game I call, What Do You Have?

29/05/2022

Many years ago our pit bull adopted a baby crow that fell out of his nest. She watched over him for weeks until he was big enough to fly. I’m always amazed and awed by the compassion of animals.

19/05/2022

Do you know the right way to greet a dog? Is it A, B, or C?

19/05/2022

Please don’t be THAT person. If a dog doesn’t want affection don’t force it.