Laura Monaco Torelli - Animal Behavior Training Concepts

Mentorship team @dreamdogacademyllc has been doing a fantastic job with our paw care goals. This brief video features the acoustic stimuli of the dremel, followed by the grinding sound of a chopstick, as cues that predict food. How adorable is Puggles, too? Fantastic progress @dreamdogacademyllc - I feel lucky to be a small part of your care team. Disclaimer | This short video doesn’t feature the full scope of our training plans, discussions, and demonstrations, and is not meant to be a tutorial for nail care. Please consult your veterinarian for medical concerns. __ #Teamwork #Collaboration #PawCare #DogCare #HusbandryAtHome #ReadySetForGroomerAndVet #BehaviorScience #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether

Prescription wet dog food baked into treats per veterinary approval

Our sweet Vito began a prescription food trial last month to help us assess potential food allergies. Our fantastic veterinary team at West Loop Veterinary Care offered both dry and wet food options. We took both. Per my request and their approval, Vito’s wet food is baked in fresh batches a few times per week to help create novelty, variety, and options. So far he votes paws up! Please consult your veterinarian about this option should it be of interest to you, too. Not a sponsored post. Vito paid for these awesome bake molds with his own hard-earned cash. __ #DogDiet #HeartDogs #DogFamily #DiscGolfDog #RhodesianRidgeback #DogFoodTrialOptions #VeterinaryApprovedDogDiet #DogPrescriptionFood #ChicagoDog #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether

KPA LIVE “Husbandry At Home” with Laura Monaco Torelli

So excited that this new exciting project that I worked hard on behind-the-scenes for months is available for another round! The best part is that I get to showcase excellent training contributions by clients and colleagues in my new Karen Pryor Academy course, too. And the animals are brilliant teachers that guide us along the way. I cannot wait to collaborate with new teams and learn from their excellent questions. Registration opens February 22, 2024. We sure hope you can join us! Learn more at: https://karenpryoracademy.com/live-classes/cooperative-care-with-laura-monaco-torelli/ __ #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether

My Sweet Santino’s angel wings

A most beautiful surprise arrived in the mail. Ever since Santino was a puppy, I’d rub his light-colored fur above each shoulder that looked like angel wings. And every single day, we would say his angel wings opened to stretch as he flew around the house when no one was home. We would take long, slow sniff hikes together along Lake Michigan between Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Field Musuem, up to Buckingham Fountain. The stunning Chicago skyline as our visual backdrop. I miss Sonny so much that it physically aches. The constant lump in my throat as I catch my breath upon realizing that he’s no longer physically with me. Those that know this gift of a bond with their animal family members know the heartbreak. Thank you to my dear friend, Julie Benson Pawsitively Inspired, for this gorgeous handcrafted gift. I’m so glad you knew my boy over the years. He loved to spend time with you at our training workshops. Thank you for perfectly capturing my heart dog with his angel wings featuring the Chicago skyline, and his name along the bottom of the frame. Video length: 1 minute, 32 seconds. The remote turns on the light variation sequence. Wait for the last light sequence… it makes his angel wings shine like the pulse of a heartbeat. 🪽🪽🌟🐾🧡 __ #HeartDogs #Gratitude

Team Fuzzy | Weigh Too Much Fun First Time Offering Voluntary Weight

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then video is worth a million. As long as we acquire photo/video within safe conditions for handlers and animals. Today’s training session at Fluffy’s new home ended quickly due to valuable information from his family, and observable behavior that I saw, too. I requested we reschedule, and for my client to contact their veterinary team immediately. As I walked from their home to run an errand, they texted to let me know they were headed to the veterinary clinic, and asked if I’d like to join. So, I rerouted my walk in the city immediately to @vetiquechicago with their approval to join the exam. We were also able to acquire Fluffy’s weight for the first time voluntarily with my welcomed live-coaching tips. He’s #17.7 lbs. Even the way he arches his back ever-so-slightly is valuable for us and Dr. Remnas to see. Fuzzy typically doesn’t eat food during vet visits, but we tried anyway and he took us up on the offer! I left the video unedited with audio. Thank you so much to Beth, Dr. Remnas, the veterinary team, and Fluffy for this opportunity to learn with you. I’m so relieved a treatment plan has been mobilized to support his health care and adored life in his new home. [Disclaimer: Fuzzy’s family and veterinary team gave approval for this photo and short video to be shared publicly. This social media post is a brief clip with written content that doesn’t give the full scope of our collaboration. Please consult your veterinary clinic with concerns that apply to you, the animal you share your life with, and their individual wellness/treatment plans.] __ #Teamwork #ChicagoDogs #DogCare #DogTeamSupport #Collaboration #ReadySetForGroomerAndVet #AlwaysLearning #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether

A mentorship moment update from another talented team that I feel privileged to be a part of, and learn with. 🔅Colleague & talented trainer, Ellen Withrow, sent this lovely video update of her 15 year old pup, Bella. 🔅Teaching gentle restraint & support for veterinary/general care has numerous valuable benefits. 🔅Bella has underlying cardiac concerns that require frequent monitoring. Ellen’s supportive veterinary team help toward goals & expectations. This short video doesn’t include all their hard work/planning. But it does feature low stress handling coupled with fluent teamwork. 🔅Ellen offers Bella food while Shelby Hurd, RDCS, of Mobile Pet Imaging LLC, conducts an echocardiogram & 6-lead EKG. Michaela Kessinger (veterinary assistant), demonstrates gentle restraint. No straps. 🔅The imaging table is custom-made with an opening located at the bottom for easy equipment access along the ventral side to Bella’s body. 🐾 Bella was given numerous breaks, and the team observe her body language while the touch gradient remains light contingent on acquisition of the necessary data to guide the care/treatment plan. 🔅Even the thoughtful manner of how Ellen offers the food to Bella is extraordinary. 🐾 Ellen reports that the test results came back with good news! 🔅As I commonly share, please note this short video update does not feature all their hard work, steady progress and expected regression, and the nuances factored in. 🔅Each journey is unique. Please consult your veterinary team. 🎉 Congratulations again, Ellen, Bella, Shelby, and Michaela. I look forward to additional updates! 🔅This procedure was done at the Animal Rehabilitation Center, Grandview, MO.

Mentorship moments are those I feel privileged to be a part of. 🔅 I’ve known this talented trainer for many years. So when Dog Charming (Sonya Bevan) reaching out for additional support in their care journey toward a voluntary blood draw, I felt honored to contribute some tips. 🔅 Willow has underlying cardiac concerns that require frequent monitoring. Sonya has a wonderfully supportive veterinary team that helps every step of the way toward flexible goals and expectations. 🔅 Dr. Snowden at Vetwest Animal Hospitals onboarded pre-veterinary visit medications (oral and topical numbing cream), and supported Team Willow over the past few months in complement to our virtual sessions. 🔅 From Willow choosing to not leave her car at the veterinary clinic to today’s short video update, their journey has been a long yet educational one for me. I’m learning so much from their excellent questions and video submissions. 🔅 Even though they weren’t able to successfully draw blood, every approximation they built to this successful attempt is worth celebrating beyond measure. 🐾 They weave in tricks (my favorite middle position, AKA - the clownfish trick in this video). Plus other tips not featured in this short clip. 🐾They left the door to the lobby open along with Willow wearing a long line per veterinary clinic planning & approval. Space as a reinforcer holds high value for Willow. 🐾 And so much more! Please note this short video update does not feature all their hard work, steady progress, expected regression, and the nuances factored in to this team process. 🔅 Each journey is unique. Please consult your veterinary team. 🎉 Congratulations again, Sonya, Willow, and Dr. Snowden. I look forward to upcoming updates!

Team Blake joins us from London. His family does an extraordinary job with his specific needs that are under excellent care via a veterinary neurologist. Since walks outside his home are limited, adventures in a stroller are on deck to help keep their lives enriched. Here’s a sneak peek into yesterday’s virtual session with talented trainer, and his adoring family member, Hanna Ascough. A special thanks to friend/colleague Linda Ryan: Inspiring Pet Teaching - Cat & Dog Behaviourist & Trainer for referring them my way, and for Linda’s excellent contributions to Blake’s care program. Lucky me to join their team! __ #Teamwork #Collaboration #DogCare #DogSupport #TalentedTrainers #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether

One of my virtual mentorship teams and their veterinary team have been extremely gracious to reach out and extend the invitation to join them for a variety of care sessions in their various clinics. Here’s a short video highlight with Bella, the sixteen year young German Shepherd, family member/talented trainer, Ellen Withrow, and Tricia Horton, DVM, CVA of LionsGate Animal Hospital in Kansas. They invited me to join via Zoom, observe to learn the procedure, and offer tips. Ellen recently introduced the thumbs up marker since Bella is hearing compromised, per my suggestion. Such beautiful, inspired teamwork that I feel privileged to observe. [Permission granted from Ellen and Dr. Horton to share this video] __ #Teamwork #Collaboration #MentorshipTeam #DogCare #ReadySetForGroomerAndVet #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether

Vito’s Journey | Dog Attack Recovery Update 🔅 It’s been a while since I’ve posted an update. But a few recent supportive private messages from kind folks that listened to our story about that traumatic incident on @michaelshikashio podcast uplifted and inspired me to do so today. 🐾 Sweet Vito is flourishing and back to enjoying fun hikes after a long time of hard work interspersed with veterinary collaborations. It’s impossible for me to break down our extensive care and behavior modification plan in one post. ❤️‍🩹 My own recovery journey as his family, handler, and caregiver has had its own challenges. Mainly, my constant hypervigilant behavior of scanning for illegal off leash dogs (there are leash laws where we live and where I hike with our boys). I’m constantly looking over my shoulder. Constantly peering around corners, fences, across busy city streets, through trees where we are headed. Being attacked by two illegal off leash dogs has long-term fallout for me. 🌟 One area of control I do have is researching our walk routes. So knowing where we can escape to put a physical barrier between us and another dog (on or off leash) has been a game changer for me. Vito loves this game, too. 🤲 I initially said “run” - but that word choice made me feel scared. So I chose the verbal cue of “safe” along with the visual cue of movement to locations where we can be protected. We practice when no other dogs are around, build a thick reinforcement history, and now practice with neutral dog teams that follow leash laws located at a distance. 🐶 Vito continues to inspire me with his own resilience, joy, and sweet personality. I owe so much of my continuing education journey to him. And to those that continue to cheer and support Team Vito on… thank you, thank you! 📽️ Here are two short videos of our fun game. An empty tennis court and a building on the college campus in our neighborhood. Isn’t he adorable? __ #VitosJourney #Do

Team Vito resilience round update. We’ve worked so hard to arrive at this place together thanks to a wonderful collaboration with our fantastic veterinary team at West Loop Veterinary Care. Special thanks to veterinary technician, Evely, for her gentle touch and caring approach. It’s been a journey, and we are learning together! 1) Clownfish middle position = temperature 2) Middle position = stethoscope 3) Chin rest = brief oral exam 4) Stationing = actual vaccination with pretend poke - actual injection - followed by pretend poke post-vaccination. Pretend pokes with capped needle. *Evely granted permission for this veterinary visit to be videotaped, and it’s educational content to be shared publicly.* [Video disclaimer | this short 90-second reel isn’t a full representation of our hard work and collaboration. Please consult a veterinary professional should you have medical concerns with your dog] __ #Teamwork #Collaboration #HusbandryAtHome #ReadySetForGroomerAndVet #VitosJourney #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether West Loop Veterinary Care

Team Cusco reached out for virtual support to help make bath time less stressful for their pup and them. So we created a point of success, met for multiple sessions, advanced at the shower location, and integrated new bathing approximations away from the bathroom location, too. This short video doesn’t showcase all their dedication and reinforcement history established behind-the-scenes. But it does show fantastic progress with a brand new prop that will be used to emit water. Thank you to professional trainer, Lydia DesRoche, for inviting me to help with their client, Team Cusco! __ #DogCare #DogTraining #Collaboration #HusbandryAtHome #DogGrooming #ReadySetForGroomerAndVet #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether

Vito’s been busy contributing his brand of cuteness to our cooperative care videos. Today we advanced on oral care. I adore the way he cuddles his body into me and leans into this new game! __ #HeartDogs #DogCare #Clickertraining #ReadySetForGroomerAndVet #RhodesianRidgeback #HusbandryAtHome #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether

Congratulations Team Rosie for passing their American Kennel Club novice trick dog test today! #VideoDescription | A small brown and white colored dog wags her tail while looking at camera. Dog has a clipboard with American Kennel Club Novice Trick Dog checklist next to her. Dog is offered treats at end of video loop. __ #TeamWork #Collaboration #TrickDog #SweetDogsChicago #ChicagoDog #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether

🔅I’ve been collaborating with Team Rosie for a few months. Her offered baseline behavior during body handling, bathing, eye, and ear care was to run away, growl, and bite the handlers. So when her family showed off their amazing progress today, we advanced to a new goal. Being able to provide care for Rosie’s head, mouth, ears, and eyes. ❓I asked if they ever observe Rosie burrow her head into towels, furniture, dog beds, toys, etc., and they replied yes! 🐾 So we took Rosie’s lead and even added a soft, warm small damp hand towel underneath the large dry towel in this session. 🔅Please note: this short video doesn’t demonstrate or explain all the small, positive approximations it took for us to get here. It celebrates another moment of how when we take a closer look at the animals around us, they show us their smallest success point in their environment to build on. 🌟 Thank you for this fantastic learning opportunity, little Rosie. You helped us move forward to support you when we listened! 🎥 | Thank you @rosieinchitown for inviting me to help with your goals, and for taking this video. Rosie is so smart and adorable. __ #Teamwork #HusbandryAtHome #Joy #DogCare #DogTraining #Collaboration #DogTeams #ChicagoDog #SweetDogsChicago #PositiveReinforcementTraining #ReadySetForGroomerAndVet #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether

Our last day of staycation included lots of fun activities outside. Thank you Mother Nature for the warmer weather, and for treasured time with our sweet Vito. This is a joyful way to start 2023! __ #HeartDogs #RhodesianRidgeback #Love #Family #DiscGolf #DiscGolfDog #Gratitude Music | Ikson | New Day

One of the highlights I experience in collaboration with Karen Pryor Academy teams are to learn about their professional expertise and contributions to our community. Meet Liberty and Livingston from the Freedom Dogs Organization. Their skilled trainers, Tom Stanson and Christian Webb, share some valuable notes below that complement two videos from a recent workshop. 1. “One of the many things we see in our Veterans is the stress that different environments and situations can cause them. Deep breathing is a great indicator to our dogs that the Veteran is feeling stress. The visual cue of the chest moving and the exhale is very effective because it is easily recognized by the dog and doesn’t require a lot of thought or exertion from the Veterans. I would categorize this behavior as more of a “head dip” than a “chin rest” even though they are oftentimes in contact with the Veteran. We tend to use a verbal cue “chin” for the chin rest behavior which can serve a similar purpose in comforting the Veteran, but is also used for other things like vet visits and examinations. The “chin” cue prompts the dog to put their chin in the Veteran's palm.” 2. The mission of Freedom Dogs is: Speeding the recovery and enhancing the lives of wounded military heroes through the use of specialty trained service dogs. They help Veterans re-enter society again by providing and bolstering strength, encouragement, and confidence. 3. To learn more about Freedom Dogs, people can visit our website https://www.freedomdogs.org where we have more information about our programs, upcoming events, and ways to get involved. Thank you to Tom, Christian, Liberty, Livingston, and the Freedom Dogs Organization for all you do to help support Veterans. It's an honor to observe your teamwork in the KPA Arizona series. Video 1 | Livingston & Christian Video 2 | Liberty & Tom Photos | Both Service Dog Teams #VideoAccessibility: Noted in comments section #PhotoAccessibility: Not

After the two illegal off leash dogs attacked Vito in May 2019, our road to trauma recovery is at the pace it needs to be while we navigate it together. And as we quietly went under the radar to support one another, my husband and I observed Vito’s inhibition and reduction to offer play and barking behaviors. This short video is from last week during an adventure to @boslysbackyard where we rent this amazing space for safe off leash playtime. To see our sweet pup play, run, and sing the way he did pre-attack means everything to us. Our journey is ongoing and we are grateful for the meaningful support from those on Team Vito. Thank you! __ #HeartDogs #Love #Gratitude #DogAttackTrauma #VitosJourney #DogAttackRecovery #DogLeashLaws #DogCommunity #RhodesianRidgeback #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether Bosly's Backyard

Karen Pryor Academy workshop fun with cue transfers. This is Team Althea’s first time pairing up with me for a live demonstration. Such a brilliant pup that stepped in to help our student teams observe a cue transfer process. One of my favorite training topics! Thanks PAWS Chicago for hosting us. __ #Teamwork #KPA #KPAChicago #CueTransfers #Clickertraining #ExploreTheJoyOfLearningTogether Karen Pryor Academy Karen Pryor Clicker Training