Shelby Helmerich - Companion Animal Training and Behavior

22/09/2025

Life comes with a lot of transitions - new jobs, new homes, and sometimes, even new little ones. 🍼🐾

One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself (and your dog) is solid training that prepares them to confidently adapt to change.

Our dogs, Beau and Birdie, haven’t had much experience around babies, but because of the foundation we have built through training - impulse control, calm manners, and trust in us; they’ve transitioned beautifully as we welcomed baby Rhett into the family.

We had our very first stroller walk together, and I couldn’t be prouder of how they handled it. Training doesn’t just give you a dog that listens - it gives you a dog that can thrive with you through every season of life.

Here’s to many more peaceful walks and new adventures ahead!

22/09/2025

Many of you have heard the stories of Major or had the pleasure of meeting his big goofy self.

We said goodbye to Major, our beloved yellow Lab, after his battle with cancer.

Major challenged me in ways no other dog had before.
His behavioral struggles pushed me to dig deeper, learn more, and grow into the trainer I am today.
The lessons he taught me shaped not only my career, but the way I connect with every dog that comes into my life.

It’s never easy to lose a companion, but I’ll forever be grateful for the impact Major had on me, both personally and professionally. His legacy will live on through the countless dogs and owners I’m able to help because of him.

Miss you, big yellow dog 💚

20/09/2025

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🤔 WHO DO I TRUST⁉️

There’s a saying in dog training: the only thing two trainers agree on is that the third one is wrong. When you’re exhausted you’ll grab advice from everywhere—Google, your neighbor’s “perfect” dog, breeder, vet—you name it. No wonder it’s maddening.
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THE REALITY

🤯 This industry is unregulated. No universal standards, anyone can call themselves a trainer.

🐩 Proximity ≠ expertise. Breeders, groomers, vets, rescue folks = valuable perspectives, but not automatically behavior specialists—just like you wouldn’t see a cardiologist for a broken arm.

❌ Ditch dominance/“be the boss” methods. They’re more harmful than helpful.
✅ Reward-based training works across all breeds (yes, even your tough cookie).

🗓️ Start early. Waiting until 6 months to train? Outdated and counterproductive. Modern, science-based methods say start now.
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HOW TO CHOOSE A TRAINER

🚩 Red flags: “guarantee,” “fix,” “cure,” “quick results.” If it sounds like magic, it’s marketing.

🏁 Green flags: Education, current methods, humane tools, realistic timelines, and transparency.
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QUESTIONS TO ASK A POTENTIAL TRAINER

🔹 Background: Where did you learn to work with dogs? What certifications/memberships do you hold?

🔹 Philosophy & tools: What’s your training approach? What equipment do you recommend and why? Are methods humane and tailored to individual dogs?

🔹 Professional growth: What was the last seminar/workshop you attended?

🔹 Experience: How often have you handled the specific issues I’m hiring you for?

🔹 Classes (if relevant): Class size limits? Separate puppy vs. adult levels (beginner/intermediate/advanced)?

🔹 Process, methods & support: Do you use praise/rewards frequently with upbeat cues? What do you do when a dog does something wrong? Are lesson handouts available? Is info on how dogs learn, problem-solving, and basics available if requested?

🔹 Transparency: Can I observe a session before I commit?
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👍🏼 Bottom line: Interview a few, pick the pro who’s educated, up-to-date, humane, and honest about timelines. Then commit to the plan and do the reps. Your dog—and your sanity—will thank you.

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Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA

🐕🐩🐕‍🦺🦮

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© 2025 Stacy Greer
All rights reserved. Feel free to share via the “Share” link to the original post. Downloading for redistribution online or in print form is strictly prohibited.

02/09/2025

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12/08/2025

VetFolio Human-Animal Bond Certified! ✅ 🐾

The certification deepens my understanding of the powerful connection between people and humans - from the neurological science behind the bond, to ways it improves health and well-being for both pets and their people!

Through this training, I learned strategies to strengthen that bond in veterinary practice and for canine training and behavior modification. It also promotes animal welfare and ensures every interaction supports the emotional and physical health of bonds ends of the leash!

Cannot wait to apply these principles to help foster happier, healthier relationships between pets and the humans who love them!

08/08/2025

I had someone reach out looking for help to rehome a dog!

Gunner is a Black Lab mix, 7 years old and a neutered male. He is a sweet, loyal dog who loves people. He struggles with anxiety and doesn’t do well with other animals, so he needs a calm, pet-free home. He’s on meds for anxiety and is heartworm positive, but is full of love and potential.

He just needs someone patient who can give him a second chance. ❤️

Message me if you're interested!

06/08/2025

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They don’t need the whole house on day one.
In fact, too much "freedom" in your home can create challenges in those first few days.
➡️ Unfamiliar places can add more stress to an already anxious pup or dog.

They need time to adjust to their new environment.
Everything is different.....scents, sights, people, surfaces, and sounds.
Let them settle into one room before opening up the rest of the house.
Nervous or overstimulated dogs may toilet inside or even become destructive.

Chewing is natural... but you might not like what they find if they’re off exploring unsupervised rooms.

You’re adjusting to them as much as they are to you.
Limiting access to a couple of rooms really can help and it helps with that crucial early bonding.

➡️ Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
The adoption centre, breeder, or previous family often knows what your dog needs or prefers.
They want you to succeed and can help you through the early stages.

In the nicest way possible....use that support.
Reach out.
They’re there to help, not judge.

➡️ Don’t smother.
Children especially may want to show physical affection right away.
It’s tough to tell them no....but your new dog has been through a lot.
They don’t know or fully trust anyone yet.

Being hugged, kissed, or cuddled before trust has been built.....that’s too much.

They’ll let you know when they’re ready for more.

06/08/2025

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When dogs display concerning behaviours such as growling, snapping, reluctance to be touched, or sudden changes in mood or sociability, pain is a critical factor to rule out. But one common point of confusion for guardians and even some professionals is this: why doesn't the behaviour immediately improve when pain relief is introduced?

Just like humans, dogs have the capacity to remember experiences associated with pain especially if the discomfort was chronic, unpredictable, or occurred during routine activities like being picked up, groomed, handled, or walked.

This phenomenon is often referred to as pain memory, and it explains why a dog may continue to avoid or react negatively to certain actions or environments even after the source of pain has been treated or resolved. It may take 6–8 weeks or more for behaviour to begin to shift.

Here's why:

Nervous system habituation: Once that pain is removed, it can take weeks for the dog’s nervous system to trust that an action (like walking, jumping, or being touched) won’t cause harm.

Behavioural conditioning: If pain was regularly triggered during routine activities, say, being lifted into the car or being petted along the back a dog may have developed conditioned fear responses.

Emotional recovery: Dogs who have felt consistently unsafe in their bodies may need time to rebuild their confidence, even after physical healing has begun.
Because dogs are so good at masking pain and often cope quietly it’s essential to look for small, subtle indicators of improvement rather than expecting dramatic overnight change.

This lag between removal of pain and change in behaviour can make diagnosis difficult. Owners may worry the medication “isn’t working” when in fact, it’s doing exactly what it should but the behavioural shift will take more time and possibly require additional behavioural support to help the dog unlearn old associations and rebuild trust.

In other cases, if pain is only one piece of the puzzle, behaviour may not improve until both pain and anxiety or trauma are also addressed in parallel.

03/08/2025

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Small signals.
Big meanings.
These movements and behaviors aren’t random.
They've been carefully chosen and deliberately used by your dog and they're being used to avoid confrontation, deescalate or steer clear of something they feel uneasy about .
They might sense just a little pressure or conflict...so they offer a signal to say, “We’re all good here.”

Growling is a clear signal they can give...but it's risky.
Way before the growl are all these little signals they can give.
It's communication and it's natural....but we can be "offended" when we realise they are aiming them at us.

Instead of taking it personally, we can ask ourselves....
Why do they feel the need to use them?
That question is an opportunity to support our dogs better

Some signals serve a double duty.
A tail lowering, perhaps tucking? Often fear.....but it can also act as appeasement.
A lowered head? Maybe appeasement, maybe fear.
Context matters.

They can be incredibly subtle.
Tricky to spot....but we owe it to our dogs to look a little deeper at why they are behaving the way they are.

It is all communication.

22/07/2025

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THE RECIPE TO CHANGE BEHAVIOUR

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a recipe or instruction manual that when followed would guarantee to solve the problems of each and every dog and every situation?

There might be a general template that we can use to begin with, but there cannot be a specific recipe or a cookie cutter approach to change behaviour effectively or ethically.

Each dog and each situation have different “ingredients” that need to be assessed and considered. There are just far too many variables involved to use the same recipe.

Genetics, history, life experiences, environment, the individual dog, as well as the guardian or family situation and commitment, will all be different and have to be taken into account.

This is why ethical, suitably qualified dog professionals will often answer a question someone asks about dog behaviour by saying “it depends”, because it really does depend on all the different variables.

There are no quick answers, no quick fixes and no specific, cookie cutter recipes to bring about successful, lasting behaviour change.

Stay well away from promises or guarantees that there are.

06/07/2025

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This video takes a closer look at the Look at That (LAT) Game, exploring intermediate and advanced strategies to help dogs feel more comfortable and focused in challenging environments. 🐕 Whether your dog is reactive or overly excited by things like other dogs, people, or moving objects, the LAT Game offers practical solutions to build calmness and confidence.

You'll also discover tips to improve your LAT skills, a bonus suggestion to enhance your training sessions, and how LAT integrates with other useful techniques like mat work and the Superbowls Pattern Game. Stick around for guidance on the next steps if you live with a reactive dog!

Watch now to learn how to help your dog navigate the world with ease and focus.

https://youtu.be/cwKapA5ggP0

18/06/2025

Met sweet little Miley yesterday for her very first puppy training session! 🐾
At just 8 weeks old, this Golden Retriever pup is already on her way to becoming the perfect adventure buddy. Her family has plans of taking her everywhere - from strolls in town to relaxing days out on the lake.

We’re starting with the basics to build a confident, well-mannered companion who’s ready for all of life’s big (and little) moments! 💜 🐶

Stay tuned to watch this cutie grow into her role as the best lake dog around! 🚤☀️🌊