Magnolia Animal Training

08/01/2025

🐶 Puppy Biting and Mouthing Checklist ☑️

Puppies are going to bite and mouth; it's part of how they explore the world! Even then, we realize that it's not an enjoyable experience. Those teeth are sharp!

How do we address it?

☑️ Have all of their needs been met? Food, water, potty, and exercise
☑️ Have they been getting enough sleep, or have they been awake for too long? Puppies need up to 18-20 hours of sleep per day.
☑️ What appropriate chewing items are readily available to them? They should have access to chews, enrichment items, and toys of different textures and types
☑️ Are they being handled too much? Sometimes we unintentionally frustrate puppies by constantly touching them, restraining them, picking them up, and interrupting them without redirecting them, which can lead to an increase in mouthiness.

Redirecting puppies to appropriate chews, toys, or other activities is the best way to combat mouthiness. If the biting continues after attempts to redirect, return to the checklist!

While most puppy biting and mouthing is to be expected, there are times when it escalates past the point of what is "normal". Do not hesitate to reach out to us if it feels extreme or atypical. We can help, whether you're local to us or not! 💙

05/17/2025

I recently polled my audience - a diverse cross-section of dog guardians, professional trainers, enthusiasts, and yes, even plenty of balanced trainers who frequently disagree with me. Right now 81% of respondents have a negative view of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Inc. (CCPDT).

My community is actively engaged, deeply knowledgeable, and represents a broad spectrum of viewpoints. Such overwhelming negative perception is a significant red flag and should be a wake-up call for CCPDT.

So why the concern?

🚩CCPDT continues to permit training tools and methodologies that are widely deemed harmful, such as shock and prong collars they do this in spite of clear guidance from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - AVSAB and the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB), both of which explicitly reject these methods.

CCPDT bases their standards on a non-peer-reviewed educational framework without considering veterinary behavior organizations in their decision-making process.

This matters because veterinary behaviorists are uniquely qualified to evaluate how outdated training methods directly impact an animal’s physical AND psychological well-being.

Their specialized expertise is precisely why veterinary behaviorists are recognized worldwide as the most credible voices on humane and effective dog training practices.

⚠️When a certifying organization disregards the expert consensus established by the most credentialed bodies in animal behavior, it raises legitimate concerns about professional ethics, responsibility, and public trust.

By continuing to certify trainers who may use aversive tools, CCPDT risks endorsing methods that have been scientifically shown to contribute to increased fear, anxiety, and aggression in dogs, which results in genuine, significant public health and safety concerns.

CCPDT’s stance is not just controversial, it’s potentially negligent. Negligence means failing to act with the prudence that a reasonable organization would exercise under similar circumstances (remember: the vast majority of certifying organizations have already rejected these methods around the world), especially when credible and scientific expert advisement clearly opposes their policies. CCPDT seems to be insisting on opening themselves up to significant liability and scrutiny, and potentially jeopardizing the trainers they certify and the clients those trainers serve as well.

It’s critical that we keep pressing for clarity, ethics, and accountability in dog training.

Our call to action is to withdraw from the organization asap, and to not renew certifications in order to push back against this irresponsible tolerance of outdated methods on the public’s dogs.

Outdated dog training can no longer go unchallenged.

POLL: Do you view CCPDT negatively?
(Leave your answer in the comments!)

05/17/2025

NOTICE: Independent Investigation into Certification Standards and Practices of Dog Training Organizations: CCPDT and IACP

In response to growing concerns regarding potential harm and negligence associated with certification standards of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Inc. (CCPDT) and the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), we are formally initiating an independent, fact-finding investigation into these organizations’ practices.

Specifically, CCPDT and IACP openly certify trainers who are permitted to use outdated, aversive methods, including shock collars, prong collars, and choke chains, on dogs belonging to members of the public.

These methods have been scientifically linked to many behavioral issues including increased aggression, anxiety, fear-based behaviors, and deterioration of the dog-guardian relationship.

We are currently gathering documented evidence and firsthand accounts involving CCPDT or IACP certified trainers, particularly in cases where dogs or guardians experienced:

• Increased aggression or reactivity
• Heightened fearfulness or anxiety
• Avoidance or withdrawal behaviors
• Suppressed or shut-down behavior
• Physical injuries or trauma linked to training methods
• Increased stress-related behaviors (e.g., repetitive pacing, licking, excessive panting)
• Behavioral deterioration leading to rehoming or euthanasia
• Veterinary expenses or medical interventions due to training-related harm
• Emotional distress for dogs or their guardians
• Significant financial or emotional burdens resulting from inappropriate training methods

This fact finding investigation is not aimed at individual trainers. Rather, our goal is addressing broader systemic issues within these certification organizations that potentially compromise public safety and animal welfare and are known to result in the problems listed above.

We welcome confidential contributions from dog guardians, industry professionals, credentialed experts, legal experts, consumer advocates, and those experienced in animal welfare.

Current or former affiliates, members, or insiders from CCPDT and IACP who have knowledge of internal policies or ethical practices are strongly encouraged to confidentially share their experiences.

If you have information or insights to contribute, or if you wish to offer professional support or guidance, please reach out privately. [email protected]

Your confidentiality and privacy will be fully respected and protected.

05/15/2025

Hey everyone. I am in the process of sorting out my life. I have a severe disability that causes significant pain and prevents me from doing simple tasks. I love what I do and take pride in my work. In order to maintain my ethics, I need to be healthy.

Since I am not able to manage my disability and work schedule at this time, I am going to be closing down Magnolia Animal Training temporarily. I do not have a return date yet.

I will not be taking on clients for anything other than pet sitting. This will include house sitting and dog walks or check-ins. If you are interested in booking me, please either message me here or send a request through my Rover page. https://www.rover.com/sit/lauras96571

I am still monitoring this page on an infrequent basis. I welcome messages regarding shelter behavior or other topics mentioned in my "About" section. Please be mindful that I am not able to provide timely responses. (Why I'm shutting down temporarily)

Thank you in advance for anyone who expresses concern or reaches out to me -- disability or topic messages. I hope to recover quickly and be back up before winter. Your respect for my situation will help me do this.

Find 5 star dog sitters on Rover.com. Book dog sitting or dog boarding online! 24/7 customer support, peace of mind protection. Better than a dog kennel.

11/15/2024

Shutting down behaviours through aversive methods such as loud noises (shakers, rattles, clapping, shouting), air sprays or water sprays, shock collars or physical punishment may certainly suppress behaviour in the short term, which can be very reinforcing for caregivers.🐾🐈🐕

However, what we MUST consider is what effects this may have in the long term.🌟🐾

Animals will learn that they can no longer use certain behaviours to communicate, relieve stress or show their emotional state.🐶😿

This in turn may lead to learned helplessness, reduced welfare and quality of life, or in some instances to physical disease such as Feline Idiopathic Cystitis.💔

So, before choosing the easier option of shutting down behaviour, please consider what this may do to your pet in the long run…🌟🐕🐈

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11/02/2024

08/26/2024

Something I have become very passionate about over the last few years are financially friendly animal welfare services. Examples of these include low-cost medical services (vaccines, spay/neuter, etc.), food pantries, and boarding options for those facing domestic violence or other issues.

If you are a local animal welfare organization (shelters, rescues) or a business that provides care for animals, please take a few moments to look into Pet Help Finder!
(Qualifications - https://www.pethelpfinder.org/m/phf/224).
Their website provides a directory to individuals in need of financially friendly services.

Why consider this? Well, guess what's one of the easiest ways to reduce the homeless pet population and ensure pets receive essential care:
Provide services that help people keep their pets instead of having to relinquish them due to the financial burden.

I respect that not all organizations and businesses can provide these services. That's completely okay. However, I know that there are multiple food pantries not listed on this directory. I'm sure the same can be said for boarding and veterinary services.

Please help spread the word about this website and encourage organizations and businesses to list themselves if they qualify.

Thank you in advance for your help. While I'm informed on this topic, I ask that you please direct all questions about the directory to Pet Help Finder.

05/09/2024

Proud member of PPG. They have my full support when it comes to regulation and standards. Check out their website for CEUs. Lots of webinars available among other education options

04/28/2024

Interested in contributing to a pet supply drive for the Omaha, NE community? If you live in the area, you can drop supplies off at Petsmart - West Maple.

Here's two easy ways regardless of where you live:
1) Visit the Petsmart app or website to purchase items online. Just set the delivery method to "Pick up in store: West Maple." Put it under the name "Tornado Drive"

2) Visit the Petsmart app or website and purchase an E-gift card at any value. You can send it to [email protected]. (Name: "Tornado Drive") These E-gift cards will then be used to purchase items for the supply drive.
Receipts will be posted after these purchases (within 5 days of receiving gift card)
*I will be able to provide option 2 until the end of May.

Link to Petsmart - West Maple store page (select this store for option 1)
https://www.petsmart.com/stores/us/ne/omaha-store2038.html

Both in stores and online, you'll find that there are several items discounted right now. Some have 5x points offers attached to them as well. Donating can be hard on the wallet sometimes. Please take advantage of these deals, discounts, and extra points available to Treats Rewards Members.
You have to take care of your pets, too.

At Omaha PetSmart pet stores, you'll find essential pet supplies and services. This location offers Grooming, PetsHotel, Doggie Day Camp, Training, Adoptions, Veterinary and Curbside Pickup. Visit us at 17035 Evans Plaza or call us at (402) 289-1592 for an appointment. The PetSmart Treats program ea...

04/27/2024

04/27/2024

My community is in desperate need of donations right now. If you are interested in helping but don't live in the area, please donate to the following organizations and/or donate items online.

You can donate items by purchasing them through the Petsmart website, selecting the W Maple store and place them under my name (Laura Schaeffer). I will ensure they reach the victims.
Don't forget to use the code Save20 to donate even more for less.

(Please use this store when placing orders to be donated. https://www.petsmart.com/stores/us/ne/omaha-store2038.html)

Thanks in advance to everyone stepping up

04/21/2024

As cannabis-derived products have become more available across the US, veterinarians have seen increased cases of THC exposure in pets. Here are the most common clinical signs in dogs. If you suspect your pet may have ingested a cannabis product, contact your veterinarian.

For a detailed guide to cannabis and its impact on veterinary medicine, check out avma.org/Cannabis.