Shelby Helmerich - Companion Animal Training and Behavior

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! 🚤☀️🌊

18/06/2025

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‼️ If an “aggression expert” isn’t advocating for thorough investigation into possible pain as part of their work with you… they are NOT ethical! ‼️

This is a sensitive story, and as such names have been changed to protect my clients’ privacy and identity. The dog pictured below is mine.

Over the last couple of months I’ve been working with a family and their dog (we’ll call him “Benny”). A year ago, Benny turned from a loving family pet to suddenly guarding the lounge; anytime that someone made an unexpected move in the room or entered it, Benny would begin posturing and barking at them, which eventually escalated into jumping and grabbing at their clothes, and then bites that punctured the skin.

A physical examination at the vet didn’t yield any results, and Benny was taking multiple types of anxiety medication that didn’t touch his behaviour.

We started working together, and I asked them to have some scans done to further investigate pain. Behaviour changes are one of the first indicators of pain, but otherwise dogs are REALLY good at hiding pain and it can be easily missed, even in a vet exam.

Because they had already been to see the vet, I was met with some resistance. We did implement safety measures and some training strategies to try to help Benny feel more at ease in the lounge, but his behaviour wasn’t improving.

Eventually, Benny did have an MRI, and it was revealed that he has a chiari malformation in his brain - that is, part of his brain was pushing down into the spinal canal. We could have done all the training in the world but it wouldn’t have mattered, because this wasn’t a behaviour issue.

How many trainers would have slapped a shock collar on this poor dog, who was already suffering? How many would have simply said that he needed to learn boundaries or hear the word “no” and not looked any further? How many would say that it’s all well and good to use positive reinforcement, until it “doesn’t work” and then you need punishment?

It’s estimated that up to 80% of aggression cases have some kind of underlying medical issue. You NEED a behaviour expert who can liaise with your vet and who will advocate for *thorough* examination, not just a quick check over to tick a box.

It’s an unregulated industry. Be careful who you trust with your dog, even if they call themselves an expert or have tons of followers. And if your dog’s behaviour suddenly changes, they’re probably in pain.

15/06/2025

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Understanding the Change: Puppyhood to Adolescence

Just like humans, dogs go through distinct developmental stages that significantly affect their behaviour. One of the most critical transitions is the shift from puppyhood to adolescence—a period marked by noticeable changes in attitude, energy levels, and responsiveness. Understanding what’s happening during this phase can help guardians navigate it with patience and confidence.

🐾Puppyhood vs. Adolescence

Puppyhood generally spans from birth up to around 5–6 months of age. During this time, puppies are typically eager to please, more manageable, and highly receptive to learning. They bond quickly with humans, and their behaviour is often more predictable.
Adolescence begins around 6 months of age and can last until a dog is 18 to 24 months old, depending on the breed and individual development. For some larger breeds, adolescence may stretch even longer. This stage can come as a surprise to many dog owners—it’s often when their sweet, obedient puppy starts testing boundaries, seemingly "forgetting" behaviour cues, and becoming more independent.

🚨Common Behavioural Changes During Adolescence

During this period, a dog’s brain and body are undergoing major changes. Hormones surge, leading to shifts in behaviour. You may notice:

• Selective listening or disobedience – Behaviour cues that were once followed are suddenly ignored.
• Increased energy and excitability – Adolescent dogs may become more hyperactive and impulsive.
• Testing boundaries – They may chew more, dig, jump up, or push limits they previously respected.
• Heightened reactivity – Adolescents may become more barky or anxious, especially around new people, dogs, or situations.
• Fear periods – Dogs may go through brief phases where they suddenly become fearful of familiar things.
• Sexual behaviours – Especially in intact dogs, behaviours like marking, hu***ng, and roaming may increase.

❓️Why Challenges During Adolescence Are Common

Adolescence is the canine equivalent of the teenage years. It’s a phase where dogs are growing rapidly, testing independence, and often struggling with impulse control. Their brains are still developing, especially the areas responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation.
Because of this, it’s common for adolescent dogs to seem difficult or frustrating. This is not a sign of a "bad dog" but a normal developmental phase. Consistent training, patience, and structured outlets for their energy can help them navigate this period successfully.

🏠Why Many Dogs Are Surrendered at This Age

Unfortunately, adolescence is also the most common time dogs are surrendered to rescues or rehomed. This typically happens between 6 months and 2 years of age. The reasons include:

• Guardians were anaware or feel unprepared for the sudden change in behaviour.
• Lack of training or consistency in early life, making adolescent behaviours harder to manage.
• Unrealistic expectations that dogs will remain as calm or easygoing as they were in puppyhood.
• Increased size and strength, making unwanted behaviours more difficult to control.
• Lifestyle mismatches, where the dog’s needs exceed what the family can realistically provide.

💡Moving Through It

It’s important to remember: adolescence is temporary. With continued training, socialisation, and clear boundaries, dogs mature into calmer, more predictable adults. Support from trainers, dog classes, or even professional behaviourists can make a big difference.

If you’re in the thick of adolescent dog chaos—you’re not alone. It’s a challenging but completely normal part of raising a dog, and with time and patience, most behavioural issues will improve as your dog matures.
If you’d like support navigating the challenges of adolescence, or want to set your puppy up for success to make this phase as smooth as possible, get in touch to learn more about my one-to-one training programmes. I’m here to help you and your dog build a calm, confident partnership that lasts a lifetime.

ℹ️ Email: [email protected]

Teach. Train. Thrive

11/06/2025

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We can spot a puppy quite far away who has been taken away from their mom at too young of an age. It is very important to make sure that when you get a puppy, they must be 8 weeks or older because this phase of their life can never be repeated.
If you find yourself in a situation with a puppy younger than 8 weeks old, you need to call us out ASAP so we can help you put things in place to try and reduce the risks and severity of these problem behaviours. The younger your puppy, the more urgent we need to see you.
If you stay far away, no problem, we also do virtual sessions, give us a call!

08/06/2025

Birdie had her first lake day recently! 🐾

At a year old, after tons of training and socialization, it’s so rewarding to see her enjoying new experiences like this.
From splashing in the water to calmly relaxing in busy environments - our little Lagotto is growing up! ☀️

What summer activities are you doing with your dogs?!?
Drop photos below ⬇️

08/06/2025

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One of the greatest challenges in my work isn’t difficult dogs or even frustrated owners. It’s the limits placed on behaviour professionals when it comes to recognising and addressing potential medical issues. As a behaviourist, I can observe, analyse, and often strongly suspect when a dog’s behaviour may be linked to pain, neurological changes, or underlying health problems — but I can’t diagnose or prescribe.

This can be incredibly frustrating. I work in a country where understanding of dog behaviour is still developing. While public interest has grown, so too has the spread of misinformation. Outdated training advice, incorrect assumptions about why dogs behave the way they do, and well-meaning but misguided input from social media or unqualified sources can muddy the waters for owners trying to do the right thing.
Owners often don’t know what they don’t know. And I don’t blame them for that.

The gap between good intentions and accurate knowledge is wide. Unfortunately, this can delay progress, especially when a dog's behaviour is too quickly dismissed as “just behavioural,” rather than seen as a potential symptom of something deeper.

We also face a wider cultural challenge: many still believe behaviour is separate from health. In reality, behaviour is always linked to physical and emotional wellbeing. A sudden change in behaviour isn’t just a training issue — it’s a sign. But without being able to access medical diagnostics independently, I rely on collaboration with veterinarians. That partnership is essential, but it also depends on the vet’s understanding of behaviour and openness to exploring deeper causes and its magic when you get to work as a team.

So much of my work is not just helping dogs, but also helping owners and other professionals understand what behaviour really means. It requires patience, compassion, and a willingness to gently challenge assumptions.

Behaviour work isn’t about fixing dogs. It’s about listening to them — and helping others learn to listen, too.

04/06/2025

This week I met Basil, the 1 year old Bernese Mountain Dog/Poodle mix 🌿
Basil is a sweet, eager-to-please pup working through overexcitability and underlying anxiety.
With structure, support, and positive reinforcement, she’s going to make great strides.
I’m excited to watch her and her owner grow together!

10/05/2025

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09/05/2025

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08/05/2025

Congrats to the newest AKC Canine Good Citizen!
🏅
Alyssa and Misha, the St. Bernard, have been putting in the work the last few months!

Misha had some dog reactivity and struggled with loose leash walking and distractions.

I’m so impressed with their progress and couldn’t be more proud!!!

08/05/2025

We had quite the time at the Evansville Obedience Club Bow Wow Bonanza last weekend!

Romy (pictured right) showed off and earned two new titles: Farm Dog Certified (FDC) and the AKC Temperament Test (ATT)!

Birdie (pictured left) was on a roll - she brought home four titles in one day! She passed her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, earned her Fetch Title Novice (FTN), completed the Farm Dog Certified (FDC) test, and passed the AKC Temperament Test (ATT)!

We’re so proud of these clever little Lagotti and all their hard work!

Huge thanks to the judges, volunteers, and the Evansville Obedience Club for putting on such an enjoyable event!