Ask Dr. Caryn

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Ask Dr. Caryn Dr. Caryn specializes in personalized training & behavior modification for dogs and their people.
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Dr. Caryn offers personalized training and behavior modification for dogs and their people in the Greater Fredericksburg and Northern Neck Areas of Virginia. Private, personalized training is scheduled by appointment and conducted where you need it most...in your home, at your veterinarian's office, and in dog friendly public venues such as parks and trails. Personalized training packages are desi

gned to meet YOUR GOALS. I use non-aversive, force-free methods based in the science of how animals learn. All my methods and protocols are designed to build a strong and trusting bond between you and your dog. My education, experience, and expertise include Puppy Socialization, Good Manners, Basic Obedience, Behavior Modification, Service and Therapy Dog Training. Workshops and Seminars include Clicker Training, Polite Leash Walking, Behavior Modification for Reactive Dogs, Be A Tree Bite Prevention, Dogs & Storks, Dogs and Babies, and TAGteach. In addition to my PhD in Animal Behavior, I am a Certified Animal Behaviorist and Trainer with memberships in multiple professional organizations including: Karen Pryor Academy, Pet Professional Guild, Association of Professional Dog Trainers, Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (ccpdt.org), and International Association for Animal Behavior Consultants (iaabc.org).

As a dog owner, you should prioritize mental stimulation for your dog because it curbs behavioral problems. A properly m...
23/08/2024

As a dog owner, you should prioritize mental stimulation for your dog because it curbs behavioral problems.

A properly mentally stimulated dog is more likely to be a well-behaved dog. In contrast, bored, anxious dogs will leave it up to themselves to find activities such as digging, excessive chewing, and property destruction – definitely not what humans want!

According to Sonntag & Overall from the Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies at the University of Pretoria, “a lack of mental stimulation in dogs may lead to decreases in behavioral flexibility and promote reactivity or depression” (2014). None of us want our puppies to experience depression!

https://www.pawrade.com/resource/wellness/mental-stimulation-for-dogs

Curious about mental stimulation for dogs? We discuss why a dog owner should prioritize mental stimulation for dogs and puppies.

Beach Paws Boutique is your local resource for enrichment items for your dog or cat! Read this article and Ask Dr. Caryn...
23/08/2024

Beach Paws Boutique is your local resource for enrichment items for your dog or cat! Read this article and Ask Dr. Caryn to help you select the best items for your special pet.

https://www.pawrade.com/resource/wellness/mental-stimulation-for-dogs

Curious about mental stimulation for dogs? We discuss why a dog owner should prioritize mental stimulation for dogs and puppies.

Register to VOTE, today and tomorrow at Beach Paws Boutique. Ask Dr. Caryn (Dr. Caryn Self Sullivan) is certified to con...
10/08/2024

Register to VOTE, today and tomorrow at Beach Paws Boutique. Ask Dr. Caryn (Dr. Caryn Self Sullivan) is certified to conduct non-affiliated, non-partisan voter registration drives. Register in-person, or online or check your voter registration status here https://www.elections.virginia.gov

What are we reading this month at Beach Paws Boutique?
10/08/2024

What are we reading this month at Beach Paws Boutique?

Check out this great listen on Audible.com. This cutting-edge science narrative, chock-full of heartwarming case studies, is one woman’s quest to learn the true meaning of dog intelligence. This delightful narrative takes listeners on a powerful search to unlock the secrets of dog cognition,...

What are we watching this month at Beach Paws Boutique?
10/08/2024

What are we watching this month at Beach Paws Boutique?

Embark on a delightful journey into the world of dogs in this documentary that reveals scientific and emotional insights about our lovable BFFs.Watch on Netf...

The Dog Days of August have arrived! and We’re celebrating with the Teeny Tiny Town Scavenger Hunt! Culmination of this ...
01/08/2024

The Dog Days of August have arrived! and We’re celebrating with the Teeny Tiny Town Scavenger Hunt! Culmination of this contest hosted by Parks and Recreation, Town of Colonial Beach and Colonial Beach Explorers will be a family oriented Dog Days of August Event on the corner of Washington and Hawthorn on Tuesday August 20th. You have 20 days to locate all the unique icons pictured on the flyer in Downtown Colonial Beach. Submit your answers online or using the flyer available at Beach Paws Boutique and other locations around town! https://www.colonialbeachva.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1059

We just renewed our membership with the CB Historical Society & Museum at Colonial Beach using their new updated website...
24/07/2024

We just renewed our membership with the CB Historical Society & Museum at Colonial Beach using their new updated website and online giving platform! Now it's even easier than ever to support this essential NGO (501c3) in Downtown Colonial Beach! Check out their new webpage! Thanks Deb Newman at Petite Taway Inc for the incredible website revamp! It is beautiful. Caryn Self Sullivan, Ask Dr. Caryn, Beach Paws Boutique, Visit CBVA Colonial Beach Virginia

The Colonial Beach Historical Society & Museum preserves and promotes the town's rich history and operates the Museum at Colonial Beach which is dedicated to the preservation of Colonial Beach history as well as local Potomac River history.

Have you heard of the Thai Bangkaew?
18/07/2024

Have you heard of the Thai Bangkaew?

Meet Thailand's most fearsome fluff

18/07/2024

Another common recommendation is to use a crate or small room with a gate for confining a dog with separation anxiety.

While this isn’t necessarily wrong, it’s crucial to know that many dogs with separation anxiety also suffer from confinement anxiety. In such cases, a crate or baby-gated area can exacerbate the problem. A thorough assessment of what’s best for your dog is essential.

Read this blog for more information: https://malenademartini.com/crates-think-outside-the-box/

18/07/2024
12/07/2024

The aluminum can recycling run scheduled for this morning has been cancelled due to storms. Will reschedule. Watch this space.

2nd Friday Art Walk & Sip 'N StrollFeatured Artist: Erin O'Donnell, Holistic Healer and ReaderErin O’Donnell, local holi...
08/07/2024

2nd Friday Art Walk & Sip 'N Stroll

Featured Artist: Erin O'Donnell, Holistic Healer and Reader

Erin O’Donnell, local holistic healer and reader, will be featured at Beach Paws Boutique during Art Walk/Sip ‘N Stroll on Friday July 12th from 6-9 PM. Click here to schedule your Mantra Mutts Wisdom Card Reading. signupgenius.com/go/60B044CA9A92BA6FB6-50261786-mantra (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044CA9A92BA6FB6-50261786-mantra) No charge for your reading, I'll have a tip jar out for Erin!

Beach Paws Boutique

Now Available: eGift Cards for Friends & Family

08/07/2024

Lost! Brand new pair of prescription sunglasses. They are rainbow colored. Please call Caryn at (540) 287-8207.

06/07/2024

Need coffee? Stop by Beach Paws Boutique and Ask Dr. Caryn for a free cuppa coffee! We have a Keurig and sugar (no milk ;-(). And..... Hawthorn Mercantile has tea. We'll keep your going unil Colonial Buzz Espresso and Wine Bar reopens on Monday!

06/07/2024

Update: The Buzz is not open this weekend. They were giving away coffee on Thursday and Friday only. Hopefully all permits will be approved and they will officially open early next week!

05/07/2024

Great music at Colonial Beach Brewing! Chauncey Fortune Sally & Brian

Natural Antiseptics for Dog Wounds...Puncture wounds, bites, scrapes, abrasions, broken glass, cuts, burns – dogs injure...
30/06/2024

Natural Antiseptics for Dog Wounds...
Puncture wounds, bites, scrapes, abrasions, broken glass, cuts, burns – dogs injure themselves in a hundred ways. Topical cleaning products and antibacterial dressings help prevent infections and speed wound healing.

Natural antiseptics for dog wounds offer anti-microbial treatments for minor wounds without the pain and discomfort associated with alcohol.

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+15402878207

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Videos

Beach Paws Boutique features products recommended by Ask Dr. Caryn.

The sweetest words I every hear as an animal behaviorist and trainer: "That's a miracle!"

Judi loves BarkBox! Order yours here: https://barkbox.com/r/ASKDRCARYN

BarkBox "Rugged"
BarkBox "Rugged"

The new "Rugged" version of BarkBox ensures that Judi has new toys to chew on each month! Novelty and variety keeps her interested in her own toys, rather than my furniture legs and baseboards. Many of the toys and treats we give away at the Annual Dog Day of August come from BarkBox! Get your FREE BarkBox when your subscribe to the monthly service here: https://www.barkbox.com/r/ASKDRCARYN

Give your dog improved mental health for Christmas with an Omega Tricky Treat Kibble Ball! Order online at http://askdrcaryn.com/shop

Young Rivah Stewards placing oyster shells on Ellery Kellum Rock Reef near Tides Inn.

Capturing "Eye-Contact"
Capturing "Eye-Contact"

In this video, the handler is "capturing" EYE-CONTACT. Each time the dog looks up at his owner's face, she clicks and then delivers a tiny, but tasty treat. EYE-CONTACT is a Behavior taught in our Foundation Skills Training Course. It is an essential behavior, which will later be use in conjunction with a Reliable Recall, Walking Politely on Leash, and Leave-it.

Special homes still needed for Bubba and Luna...two very special dogs owned by very special people (not related) who regrettably need to find great loving homes for their precious pets. Please contact me if you have room in your home and your heart for more unconditional love from a canine partner!

Good boy Ren!

Gotta get UP and OFF on cue and under stimulus control!

Still searching for a good home for Luna, a young adult mixed breed who has successfully completed my 6-week Good Manners Course with her owner. Due to changes in the home, Luna is now left alone for up to 10 hours a day. She is a sweet dog and her owner is thinking of her best interest in looking for a "better" home. Please contact me for more information.

Mocha: Back to kindergarten in a novel location. Once your dog understands a cue, such as sit or down, in your training space, be sure to "re-capture" the behavior and "re-add" the cue in many other places. This enables your dog to generalize the cue!

Ren and Mocha in a nice game of tug!

Mocha & Little T.

Life with puppy!

Ren is learning to settle in a down while being petted!

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My Story

Like many of my peers, I began training dogs professionally late in life. After a lifetime of diverse careers from being a teen-age mom, to bookkeeping and banking, to sales of everything from Avon to Real Estate, I started college later than most...at age 39...the same year as my youngest daughter! My BS is in Marine Science (Coastal Carolina 1997) and my PhD is in Animal Behavior (Texas A&M 2008). My academic life enabled me to teach and conduct research around the world, finally coming back “home” to Virginia in 2010. Today, I offer private, personalized training and behavior modification for dogs and their people in the Greater Fredericksburg Area and the Northern Neck of Virginia. In addition to my PhD, I am certified by, or a professional member of, multiple professional organizations including the Karen Pryor Academy, Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Pet Professional Guild, International Association for Animal Behavior Consultants, Association of Professional Dog Trainers, Doggone Safe, Family Paws Parent Education, Operation Socialization, and American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

Personalized training can be done in your home, at your veterinarian's office, or in dog friendly public venues such as pet stores, parks and trails. Training packages include Puppy Socialization, Good Manners, Basic Obedience, Behavior Modification, and Foundation Training for Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs. More and more I’m specializing in serious behavioral problems including aggression and separation anxiety. Workshops and Seminars include Intro to Marker Training, Polite Leash Walking, Intro to Behavior Modification for Reactive Dogs, Be A Tree Bite Prevention, Dogs & Storks, Dogs and Babies, and TAGteach.