Sammy Hyde, Professional Dog Trainer

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Sammy Hyde, Professional Dog Trainer

Professional trainer with a passion for helping dogs and owners thrive together. Sammy specializes in training reactive, aggressive, and fearful dogs.

Sammy is a certified professional dog trainer offering both in person and virtual training services. She also has a special interest in puppy development and adolescent dog behavior. When she isn’t training dogs, Sammy enjoys hiking in the mountains, conducting gluten free baking experiments, attempting to grow low-maintenance plants, and reading all the books on behavior she can find!

09/01/2024

BEHAVIOR CHANGE TAKES TIME!

This might see obvious, but I think we all have to remind ourselves of this… myself included!

Sometimes it feels like we aren’t making progress in our training… but when we look at our plan we realize it has only been a few weeks. That can FEEL a lot longer than it actually is, and we can end up thinking that our training isn’t working.

Changing behavior is a marathon, not a sprint. You need consistent effort over a long period to achieve long-term behavior change!

Next time you are feeling like your training isn’t working, remember that it takes time! Give you and your dog the time you DESERVE to see changes and achieve your goals.

08/01/2024

New services! Schedule a FREE virtual chat to learn more and find out which service is right for you!

https://sammyhydedogtraining.as.me/freevirtualchat

24/10/2023

New services!

I have expanded my service area for in-person training AND added virtual training options!

For pet professionals, I now offer Pro-to-Pro consultations!

I am currently booking into November. If you are interested in booking a session, schedule a FREE virtual call with me by checking out the link in my bio.

28/04/2022

Not all dogs thrive at daycare… and that is okay!

Doggie daycare can be a great resource for some dog owners, but it is important to consider the dog's experience, and if daycare is a suitable environment for that individual dog.

Doggie daycare is not the right fit for every dog. It is a highly stimulating and arousing environment. While some dogs might thrive in this type of social environment, many dogs will not!

Dogs who might do well at daycare:
▪️Dogs who are sociable and not selective about play partners.
▪️Dog who enjoy large group play and socialization.
▪️Dogs who read and respond to other dogs' social cues.
▪️Dogs who can disengage from play easily.
▪️Dogs who take frequent breaks from play.

Dogs who might NOT do well at daycare…
▪️Dogs who are selective when it comes to socialization or play.
▪️Dogs who do not enjoy play with unfamiliar dogs.
▪️Dogs who get overaroused easily.
▪️Dogs who do not read or respond to other dogs' social cues.
▪️Dogs who do not take breaks during play.
▪️Puppies, adolescent, or senior dogs.
▪️Dogs who resource guard food, toys, space, etc.

Many owners feel that their dogs are “missing out” if they don’t go to daycare… this is not true! If your dog does not enjoy or thrive in that environment, that is okay!

[PD: first slide shows three dogs laying on the ground in a fenced in yard. One dog is resting her head on the ground with a furrowed brow, one has his head upright with a tight closed mouth, and one is panting with soft, squinting eyes. Text matches caption above.]

25/02/2022

Dog Reactivity with !

My next IG live will be a chat with Alison about dog reactivity! What is reactivity? How do we identify it? What causes or contributes to reactivity? What training can we do to improve it?

Got some questions for us? Leave them in the comments below!

15/02/2022

5k GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate 5k followers, I will be giving away some of my favorite things…

▪️ 20ft long, 1/2” width, long line with autolocking carabiner!
▪️ tricky treat ball!
▪️ training treats!

How to enter:
▪️ Follow me
▪️ Like this post!
▪️ Comment below and tell me which item you would be most excited to win, and tag a friend!
▪️ Share to your stories for 5 additional entries! (Can be done once every 24 hours)

This giveaway will close on 2/28 at midnight. One randomly chosen winner will be notified by DM by 3/3. Winner must reply within 48 hours to accept prize. Must be 18 years or older and live on the United States or Canada to enter.

This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or supported by Instagram.

31/01/2022

IG Live this Saturday with .school.of.bitchcraft!

We will be discussing all things puppy, with a focus on puppy training and socialization! What skills should you focus on with a new puppy? How can you socialize your puppy before they are fully vaccinated? What do you do if you have a fearful puppy? We are here to answer your questions! Set a reminder and don’t miss this. 🐶❤️

If you can’t make it live, leave your questions in the comments below and we will try to answer them and you can watch later!

26/01/2022

3 things to change… If you have a REACTIVE DOG 🐕 📢👍

1. Walks: Instead of short walks that focus on heeling and obedience… Try long walks focused on sniffing and exploring. Walk in places where you can AVOID your dog’s triggers so that they can enjoy their walks, decompress, and fulfill their behavioral needs.

2. Feeding: Instead of feeding your dog out of a bowl, use puzzle feeders or DIY enrichment to provide increased mental stimulation. For some reactive dogs, walks are simply too stressful to meet their mental exercise needs. Giving them indoor enrichment can meet some of those needs that walks aren’t fulfilling. Bonus points for sniffing and licking enrichment, which can be very calming for dogs!

3. Mindset: Remember, your dog is not giving you a hard time, they are HAVING a hard time! You are in this together. Real progress begins when you start to see yourself as a team!

If you have a reactive dog… what changes have you made in your life that you fill have helped! Share in the comments down below! 💬

[PD: First image shows a brown dog facing away from the camera looking alert, with a stuff body, low tail, and weight pushed forward on front legs. Text on screen for all slides matches above description]

15/01/2022

Puppy Socialization BINGO!

Got a new puppy at home? Try introducing them to some of these things!

Make sure to go slow, introduce only one thing at a time, and keep it positive!

[ID: Infographic showing nine socialization experiences for your puppy including: bath time, people wearing hats, blender, bicycles, traffic cones, paw handling, elevator, brushing teeth, balloons.]

08/01/2022

RED light, GREEN light!🚦

When it comes to puppy socialization, quality is more important than quantity. It’s easy to overwhelm a new puppy, and this can lead to negative associations. Use the “red light, green light” system to ensure positive exposure to new experiences!

[ID in comments and alt text]

02/01/2022

Training tips to ROCK the new year! 🤩

1. When training a new skill, always start in a low distraction environment first! It is important to solidify good foundations before adding distraction.

2. Focus on short training sessions several times a week, instead of one long training session. 5-10 minutes per session is ideal.

3. Rotate treats to increase their value! Dogs love novelty, and adding novelty to your reinforcement can increase its value.

4. Start and end your sessions with an easy skill. This helps build motivation at the beginning and let’s you end on a success!

5. When in doubt, go back a step in your training plan! Frustration can demotivate you and your dog. It is always better to go back a step then to continue struggling at the current one!

[ID: Photo of red dog smiling up at the camera with blue and teal colored graphics around the image. Text on images matches description above.]

29/12/2021

I want to know how you define “respect” between you and your dog! 🐶🧑🏽📝

The word “respect” is often thrown around in the dog training community, and it always makes me wonder… what do we mean by “respect?” How are we defining respect in a human-animal relationship? 🤔

Like any term, the meaning can vary depending on the person using it. So tell me how YOU define “respect” between you and your dog! 📢

Comment below! 💬

Photo of two dogs in winter jackets sitting in front of a tree. Text reads: I want to know… how you define “respect” with your dog. (Description continued in comments)

01/12/2021

There are many valid concerns about the welfare of the modern pet. Issues such as breeding for extreme features that compromise health. Environments that are ill suited or unsafe for the animal. Lack of opportunities to practice natural behaviors… It is easy to get wrapped up in the welfare of the individual animal and forget about the owner. This is a serious mistake.

Companion animal welfare is unique in that there is a human who’s life and behavior is intimately tied to the animal. There is a relationship there that is different from the human-animal relationship with livestock or wildlife. The purpose of the relationship IS, in large part, the relationship itself! If that relationship becomes damaged, it will affect the welfare of both parties.

You can not ignore the welfare of the owner. To improve the welfare of the pet, the owner must be invested and committed to a training plan, and they can not do that if their welfare is compromised. A stressed, frustrated, exhausted owner can not learn new skills… just as a stressed, frustrated exhausted dog can not learn new skills!

Don’t forget the human part of the equation. It is essential. ❤️

23/11/2021

Dog training is about working WITH your dog to achieve a common goal. It requires clear communication and predictable consequences on both sides. Dog training is more than teaching fun tricks. It’s the way in which we build a social relationship with our dogs. Therefore, it is critical that we take care in choosing how we train, as it will set the foundation for our relationship with out dogs!

19/11/2021

If you wouldn’t leave your kid in-charge of caring for a 2 year old, they can’t be in-charge of the dog! 🧑‍🍼🐶😖

The fact of the matter is… dogs are dependent on us. They depend on us for food, shelter, exercise, medical care, safety, etc. It can not be your child’s responsibility to ensure all of the dog’s needs are met! It is unfair to both the dog and the child. A child shouldn’t be expected to fill the role of a primary caregiver. A dog shouldn’t be treated like a homework assignment.

I absolutely encourage owners to get their kids involved with caring for their dog in age appropriate ways! Get them involved in the training process. Have them participate in play time or daily walks. Show them how to feed the dog at meal times. Have them help prepare enrichment items. Supervise and guide them as they help care for the dog! Do not, however, leave the responsibility of caring for the dog on their shoulders. Regardless of your child’s involvement in caring for the dog, you must be prepared to feed, walk, play, groom, and care for that dog in all the ways it needs.

If you want to teach your kids about responsibility, do not start with the care and wellbeing of a sentient being.

17/11/2021

I don’t want my dog emotionally dependent on me. I don’t want her to have to look to me to know how to handle every situation. I don’t want her to be constantly looking for cues as to how she should react, what she should do, how she should feel. That sounds exhausting…

I want to empower her to make choices that keep her healthy, happy and safe. I want to help her adapt to her environment. I want to teach her the skills she needs to navigate life. While I am always there to support her and provide guidance, my goal is to help her engage in behaviors that enrich her life and keep her safe.

The way I look at dog training is simple… my priority is on teaching behaviors that help my dog live a healthier and happier life. I train for behaviors that keep her safe. I train for behaviors that aid in maintaining health and treating disease or injury. I train for emotional resilience around triggers or in stressful environments. I train for skills that allow her to have freedom, choice, and an enriched life.

It is not about being the leader.

I would rather build a leader.

And honestly… that is what a TRUE leader does! Empower and support those they watch over.

11/11/2021

What is trigger stacking? 🐶📈💣

Trigger stacking is an accumulation of stress resulting from multiple stressful events happening in a short period of time.

All dogs need time between stressful events to recover and return to baseline. Trigger stacking may cause a dog to overreact to a trigger that would normally not invoke such a response.

A trigger is any stimuli, experience, or situation that a dog finds frightening, uncomfortable, upsetting, or arousing.

How to avoid trigger stacking?
▪️Know your dog's triggers so you can avoid them when necessary.
▪️Give your dog time to relax between stressful events.
▪️Work with a trainer to desensitize your dog to arousing/stressful triggers

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Code: HYDE

09/11/2021

Should we focus on helping dogs adapt to their environment, or should we adapt the environment for them? 🤔

I think about this a LOT as a trainer. I get a lot of cases where the problem is simply that the dog is not a good fit for their environment. The Aussie in the city who barks and lunges at bikes and tries to herd everything that moves. The Pyrenees who is afraid of strangers but lives in a home with frequent guests. The loud Beagle who lives in an apartment and disturbs the neighbors. The cattle dog who nips the small children in the home when they run around… None of these dogs are showing maladaptive behavior. Their behavior is normal, but a poor fit for their environment. So… what do we modify? The behavior or the environment.

Sometimes, the decision to modify the dog’s behavior is easy. If a dog is terrified of the vet, of course we will work on desensitization! It is important for them to get veterinary care and a matter of health and safety. But other times… I struggle with whether or not I should be modifying a dog’s behavior or having owners modify their lifestyle. I am a dog trainer. I train dogs. Humans hire me to help make their life with their dog easier. They want me to change their dogs behavior… but is that always the right call?

Are we asking too much of dogs? Is their behavior inappropriate or is the environment? Dogs have not changed that much genetically in the last 100 years… but the environment in which they live has changed drastically. It is not a surprise that many dogs struggle to exist in their current environment… many of them are simply not prepared for it. So, what do we do? Is it more ethical to change the dog’s behavior or the environment?

I genuinely don’t have the answers… but I want to hear what others think. I don’t believe there is an easy answer. Realistically, it will depend on the situation. However, I think this is an important question for us to all ask ourselves, whether you are an owner or a trainer. So, what do you think?

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Code: DRFREJAHYDE

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ABOUT ME

WHAT TRAINING METHODS DO I USE?

Dog training is an applied science, not a philosophy. I follow LIMA guidelines, focusing on positive reinforcement, environmental management, classical conditioning and desensitization, without using aversive tools and techniques. My goal is to provide you with effective and long lasting results. Therefore, I avoid the use of punishment based techniques that research has shown causes fallout behaviors in animals.

WHAT IS MY BACKGROUND?

I started working in medical education and research, with a focus on cognitive psychology and learning theory. I later attended the Karen Pryor Academy for animal trainer and received my certification as a KPA-CTP. I received my bachelors degree in Physiology and Neurobiology from the University of Connecticut. WHY TRAIN WITH ME?