Shelby Helmerich - Companion Animal Training and Behavior

01/07/2024

Many of you know puppies are one of my favorites to train! I love a fresh clean slate that I get to mold into whatever I want! 🐾

With that, here’s our newest baby…
Welcome Ancient City No Ducks Given, call name Birdie, to the family!
Birdie is an 11 week old Lagotto Romagnolo.

She’s full of personality and quite the character!

We have started on name recognition, leash training, recall training, and sit.

Stay tuned for Birdie updates!

30/06/2024

28/06/2024

The 4th of July is around the corner. And around here it seems many folks want to celebrate every night leading up and following. This can be very stressful for dogs who are anxious about Boom Time. And by extension the humans who care for them, we don't like seeing our beloved pups afraid! Start your Bacon Party training NOW!

Speak to your veterinarian about medical interventions for dogs with intense phobias who might pose harm to themselves or others in their panic.

Make sure tags and microchip information is up to date!

And ensure you have a safe, secure space for your pup during the neighborhood war zone eruption.

If you have a dog who is very worried about fireworks, make sure you either home to support them, or have a sitter with them to ensure no one gets hurt, gets lost, or causes a problem at home!

27/06/2024

"My dog is stubborn" is something I hear in my line of work all the time.

I always ask the question" do you consider your dog to be stubborn" because if the answer is "yes" I know there are a LOT of questions to be asked to get to the bottom of what isn't working.

"Stubborn" is another generic label, which serves no purpose, because it doesn't make training any better / more efficient.

Dogs described as being "stubborn" struggle with many things, but they are never stubborn by choice. I mean no dog ever wakes up and thinks " You know what? I will be difficult today. I know what they want me to do, but I just won't".

Here are some of the reasons why dogs struggle behind the "stubborn" label":

⚠️they are tired;
⚠️they are unwell, in pain / discomfort;
⚠️they have an 'off day;
⚠️that are scared;
⚠️the environment is too distracting / overwhelming;
⚠️the task is too difficult;
⚠️they don't understand;
⚠️they are not comfortable performing the behaviour;
⚠️they need a higher value reinforcer;
⚠️the reinforcer is added too late / at the wrong times;
⚠️you've missed a step on the process;
⚠️you are increasing the level of difficultly too fast;
⚠️there is way too much distraction around;
⚠️your handling skills need work;
⚠️the equipment is too scary;
⚠️they are overwhelmed;
⚠️they need desensitisation / counterconditioning;
⚠️the exercise doesn't suit their breed, age, health;
⚠️they foundations have not been explained well enough;
⚠️you are rushing through the process;
⚠️you are getting angry / frustrated with them, which is scary;
⚠️you are inconsistent with what you've asked for vs what you are reinforcing;
⚠️you pick wrong times for training;
⚠️wrong equipment is being used;
⚠️you are rushing things....

The list goes on....

So before we we stick yet another, unhelpful, label on our dogs, lets stop and reflect why the dog isn't doing well with training, what can WE change in the process to make the training process work for the learner - the dog.

26/06/2024

🐾💜💕

25/06/2024

You might have bought your pet Labrador, Golden Retriever, Spaniel, or Vizsla with the expectation that they will simply fit into your everyday life like any other breed of dog.

Before they arrived, you might have imagined them sleeping next to you while you work from home, having a leisurely stroll on your daily dog walk, or inviting them to accompany you on trips to the local dog-friendly pub and days out to the beach.

What you’ve got instead is a ball of chaos and energy that struggles to settle anywhere, let alone somewhere exciting like a busy pub.

A hunting machine that pulls you from scent to scent on what has now become known as the daily drag.

A dog you don’t trust off-lead in the local park or countryside because you’re never sure if they will come back when you call them.

Indeed, owners who are uninitiated to a gundog’s way of thinking and naive to their hunting prowess do struggle to teach reliable recall and loose lead walking or heelwork in the presence of distractions such as wildlife and scent.

We all remember the desperate cries of Fenton’s owner as his Labrador failed to recall, choosing to chase deer through Richmond Park instead.

But on top of that, with no outlet for their innate desires to hunt, chase, and retrieve, pet gundogs are more susceptible to developing lasting and damaging behavioural problems.

Sadly, I have seen it all: resource guarding, constant frustration barking, obsessive shadow or tail chasing, destructive chewing, and general over-arousal and over-excitement.

To find out why it is so important for non-working, pet gundog-breeds to do some gundog training head to
https://clickergundog.co.uk/blogs/news/what-is-the-point-of-doing-gundog-training-with-my-pet-dog-if-i-don-t-want-to-take-them-on-a-shoot

If you know someone who has a pet dog that would benefit from participating in gundog training, even if they will never go on a shoot, please consider sharing this post or blog link with them.

📸 Alice Loder Photography

25/06/2024

THE SNOOZE TIME DANCE

Most of us are familiar with the sometimes amusing or maybe even irritating ritual that some dogs perform before settling down to rest.

Why do they insist on circling, digging, scratching, making mounds of cushions, blankets or mats, often with great delight and satisfaction, when they have a perfectly comfortable, neat place to sleep?

It may simply be the same urge that leads us to twist, turn and scrunch up our pillows before finding a position that feels most comfortable, but the most likely reason is that this behaviour is genetically inherited from their wild ancestors.

These pre snooze dance moves each served a specific purpose that enabled their wild ancestors to feel protected, safe and comfortable in their environment.

Even though our modern, domesticated dogs shouldn’t need to be concerned about the same things their ancestors did, many dogs simply can’t resist performing these rituals.

Sometimes excessive circling, the inability to get comfortable or crouching down and then getting up again may indicate a health issue like arthritis, back problems or other painful conditions so it’s a good idea to have a vet check if you are noticing this happening frequently.

Generally, snooze time dance moves are a completely normal, natural behaviour and allowing your dog to perform these moves to their hearts content is important in contributing to their wellbeing by allowing them to feel more in control of their environment.

23/06/2024

❓❓❓Did you know …..❓❓❓

Only the dog can determine what is a “high value reinforcement” when it comes to training / working around specific stimuli / behaviour.

For example - their normal food may be good enough reinforcement to do some basic training at home / in the garden, but it’s unlikely to work when you try to work amongst high distraction environments, with lots going on, with lots of different stimuli present (especially if negative associations have previously formed around those specific stimuli).

In this case you will need to appropriately raise the value of the reinforcer (sometimes trial & error is needed until you find what actually works). If it’s sausage, work with sausage, but if only steak works, well .. steak during training it is.

So if you are moving from a quiet learning environment with no distractions, to an environment where there is distraction, be prepared that whatever reinforcer you’ve used previously, may no longer work in the “new set up”.

That’s ok. It just means your dog needs a bigger incentive to engage with you / disengage from everything else.

21/06/2024

What a fabulous article!!
As the only behavior consultant in the area, I’m often sent dogs that other “trainers” have tried to “fix” with training, that have ultimately made it worse.

With my background in veterinary medicine, dog training, and behavior modification; I often catch things that others miss.

Training and behavior modification are two different things. Sometimes in my plans, we do have some overlap though.

Often times, well meaning owners just don’t know when their dog’s behavior is a training issue, or something more and that’s okay!

Contact me today and I can help you out! 🐾

Whenever problem behaviors arise, people often seek a “trainer", but behavior outcomes can worsen significantly with the wrong professional.

19/06/2024

🐾Hello everyone! Just wanted to hop on here and remind you that if your animal is afraid of loud sounds/noises, such as fireworks, then lets go on ahead and get their medications to help them have a better Fourth of July this year! 🐾

Also a couple of reminders to think about:
1. Have your pets microchip information updated (in case they run away or are able to escape)
2. Have some visible identification such as; writing on their collars with a sharpie your telephone number and their name, or having a piece of tape on their collar that has your information on it, etc.
3. Please keep them in a safe space/inside! This could be a kennel, laundry room, mud room, etc. This will make them feel better and more safe. 🐾

18/06/2024

If you are interested in ever adding a purebred dog to your family, please make sure you are not supporting unethical breeders! 🐩

There are so many poorly bred dogs in the world, that often times are what fills the shelters, especially any designer breeds. These “breeders” are typically trying to make a buck and producing dogs with questionable temperaments and a variety of health issues.

The beauty of purchasing a well-bred purebred is the predictability. You have a better understanding of what your dog will grow up to act like and be like.

You also have a support system guaranteed by purchasing from a reputable breeder, in which most of these breeders will take the dog back if your life circumstances do change or they will help you in any way they can.

Please make sure you check out the OFA website and browse by breed! Here you can see what health testing is recommended for your breed of interest. You can also search a specific registered name of a dog to ensure that the breeder did perform the testing they claimed to do. By purchasing a dog with health and genetic testing, it helps ensure that your dog’s quality of life has a lesser chance of being affected by health issues.

I also highly recommend searching for breeders through the breed’s parent club website. Often times, you can find vast information there about the breed, including a list of reputable breeders.

If you ever have any interest in a certain breed, please reach out to me! I’m more than willing to help!

Pictured below is Romy, our Lagotto Romagnolo, as a pup working on off leash training!

15/06/2024

Let's talk about this photo. It's cute, except it's not. I see a dog who cannot get up without telling the child to get off. How do you think a dog is going to do that?

The 7 Golden Toddler Dog Rules:
#1: If a dog walks away from you, you DO NOT FOLLOW.
#2: Always leave room for the dog to walk away from you.
---that right there is 90+% of dog bites eliminated---
#3: We do not climb on the dog.
#4: We do not grab or pull on the dog.
#5: We do not hit or throw anything at the dog.
#6: We do not touch the dog's food.
#7: We do not go into the dog's kennel.

I promise these are not overly difficult concepts for littles, nor will they rob a kid of their bond with the family dog. It will deepen that bond, while keeping everyone safe.

"Oh, it looks like Moose is walking away from you. She is saying she wants a break. Let's play with this instead!"

"It's Moose's dinner time! Let's give her space to enjoy her yummies."

"That is Moose's room(kennel) and only she is allowed to go in there."

"If Moose wanted a break, could she walk away from you right now? No she really couldn't. Let's move away from the play house. You can keep playing but now she can leave when she wants a break."

In conclusion, ***parent your child or your dog will do it for you, and you will not like how they do it.***

15/06/2024

Fun fact Friday! (would you like if this were a regular thing?!)

Dog bites - what do we look for and how do we determine motivation? Well, we look at A LOT of factors and our intake forms help us begin this process for you - that's why they're DETAILED.

Everything from breed traits, breeding background, past and current learning, your environment/triggers, the health of your dog, their behavioral traits, and your actions before/after the bite are ALL things we take into consideration.

When determining malice though, the location and intensity of the bite is a HUGE factor for us. Dogs may defensively bite for MANY reasons, but pain is always a huge concern.

13/06/2024

Meet Spencer, the Labrador/Poodle!
He is a super sweet boy! Look at that happy tail! 🐕
Spencer can show some aggressive type behaviors that we are working through!

12/06/2024

Look at this handsome hunk! 👀 🐕
Meet Mumford, the Mastiff!
We are working on reactivity and cooperative care!
Who else just wants to kiss his face?!? 😘

07/06/2024

I’ve been terrible at taking new client dog pictures lately, but I remembered this one!

Meet Daisy Mae, the French Bulldog/Boston Terrier mix. She is the smartest little pup. 🥰 🐶

05/06/2024

You know that feeling....the one when your day is coming to an end and it's time to unwind?
You head to your closet to slip out of those restrictive clothes😩 and into something super comfy. 😍
You may grab a glass of wine, some hot tea, or other drink of choice, fall into your "comfy chair" and breathe a sigh of relief that you can now have a chance to decompress (even if only for a moment). 🙏
🤔 Would that sigh be as deep if you stayed in those heels, tight jeans, necktie, or rugged work clothes? Would you decompress as much?
I'll tell you - for me - even getting out of yoga pants and into my super comfy fleece pjs is like stepping right into a warm hug. ❤
Believe it or not - the collars, harnesses, and sweaters you choose to dress your dog in can feel just as restrictive when worn day in and day out. 🕰
Now, I'm not suggesting you DON'T use these items - they are 👉 INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT 👈 to keep our dogs safe when outside and on adventures.
But I do want you to consider giving your dog time every day (when safely inside your home) where she can be "as nature intended" 😉
That feeling you get when all of those restrictive pieces are gone will likely be similar for your dog. The ability to:
💜 move and breathe uninhibited (both your dog and her skin/coat)
💜 scratch those places that really need scratching!
💜 lay without something stretching, jabbing, or poking your body
💜 fully decompress after a long day
💜 have a more comfortable and deeper sleep
This is one subtle, yet impactful thing you can offer your dog every day that may really have a substantial impact on her quality of life.🐾

05/06/2024

Another reminder to dog owners, and apparently dog ‘trainers’ too, that if an unknown dog is on lead it is not okay to allow yours to approach them. Ever.

If your dog does approach an on-lead dog and a scrap occurs, yours was the one out of control.

Reactive dog owners have it hard enough without people letting their dogs run over and interfere, it causes so much unnecessary stress to them and their dog.

Please use your common sense, compassion and abide by dog owner etiquette by recalling your dog or keeping them on lead around others if they’re unable to recall.

🎤👋

04/06/2024

COMMON SOURCES OF FIGHT AND FALLOUTS

Living with multiple dogs in my experience is generally fabulous but it can take some management. It’s rare that households with several dogs don’t have any issues that need management and it’s often not a Disney film where everyone shares bones, sleeps in a big pile, happily lets other dogs walk over them and never ever falls out 😂 most people with several dogs work hard to make sure that there are no issues and know what triggers to avoid.

My 3 dogs absolutely adore each other but we still work hard to make sure they don’t ever fallout. I have to manage as my Inuit, Sylvi, isn’t a great sharer and would take everyone’s food and chews given half a chance.- we manage this by feeding them separately. The terrier gets very aroused at times of high excitement or in narrow spaces and thinks about chasing the big dogs 😳 so we don’t let her go out the back door at the same time as my inuit. My Dalmatian is incredibly easy going and my best boy, he is no trouble at all but this means they would walk all over him if I let them! I have simple management that makes sure that we avoid any fall outs and we keep the lovely relationship they all have.

I work with so many cases where dogs in a household fall out and the triggers are generally really predictable and are often avoidable. This is just guide to potential issues and if you have concerns about issues with your own dogs please seek qualified professional help. We can often sort things out in the early stages of issues in a household but if relationships between dogs really break down if can be hard, or impossible, to rectify.

COMMON TRIGGERS FOR FIGHTS AND FALLOUTS ARE:

🥩 RESOURCES - food/toys/access to favoured people

Feeding separately and giving chews separately is just common sense if you have potential issues. New toys may be worth guarding but old toys may not be. Long lasting chews may be an issue abs may be buried or hidden. Having multiple toys of the same type helps some dogs. Stairgates and having separate space can prevent so many issues!

📦 TIMES OF HIGH AROUSAL - e.g postman knocking on the dog

Being excited at the start of a walk can also be an issue for some dogs and they may fallout as everyone piles out of the car. We can try to keep arousal low by doing calm activities and scent work as we get out the car. Outdoor post and parcel boxes can often help postman related issues or using a doorbell that texts you rather than a door knocker etc.

High arousal in play can also be a factor- some dogs need careful management in play to make sure that arousal doesn’t get too high. If play is getting louder and louder and you aren’t seeing them take turns and pauses and breaks then they may need a break from play.

High arousal and frustration can also cause issues if dogs are fence running etc in the garden and the other dog gets in the way. Seek professional help if you are struggling with reactivity issues.

🚪 NARROW SPACES- gateways/hallways especially if combined with high arousal
Postman at the door combined with a narrow hallway is a recipe for disaster in some dogs. Doorways can also be an issue- running into the garden at speed whilst very excited etc.

🛑 STRESSED DOGS- other sources of stress can disrupt household harmony

Even if dogs get along brilliantly normally, if one is very stressed they may not cope with things they would normally cope with (trigger stacking). A house move, owners changing work pattern, a new dog walker etc are common themes. Other sources of anxiety like noise worries and separation issues all contribute to stress.

Being really tired can also be a factor and reduce tolerance- we see this lots with puppies and adult dogs. By 8 or 9pm many adult dogs just want to rest and sleep without being disturbed and many issues with adults getting cross with puppies happen in the evenings. Let your adults rest in peace away from annoying puppies.

🏥 PAIN AND ILL HEALTH- tolerance may be lower and stress higher

The first sign that a dog is unwell can be loss of tolerance around their housemates. Pain may make them suddenly unable to cope with another dog lying on them in the night for example or bumping into them as they run into the garden. Any changes- see your vet!

🐕 GROWING UP! moving into adolescence can be a trigger for fall outs

Dogs may get along swimmingly but maybe fall out as they mature. Dogs change a great deal emotionally and mentally as they go into and through adolescence and it can be a tricky time to manage. They may be finding life generally difficult to navigate at this age and may have lower tolerance around their housemate or they may change in confidence and the dynamic with older dogs may alter. Hormones may also make things more complex- females approaching a season or who are having a phantom may be much more bothered about resources and you may need more household management. Boy dogs may change when hormones peak in adolescence and this may impact on dynamics in the household too.

Most multi dog households do get along well with some simple management and for me, the benefits of having several dogs and the rich and complex relationships they have far out weighs any negatives.

It helps to think carefully about the ideal housemate for your dog if you are thinking of adding another- don’t make things difficult for yourself if you can help it and also think realistically about whether your dog actually wants to share their life and home with more dogs. Some dogs don’t want to live with other dogs or have more dogs added to the existing mix and that’s fine too!

Laura McAuliffe 2024, Dog Communication

03/06/2024

As the only Behavior Modification Consultant in the area dealing with canine aggression and severe anxiety, I have been having an influx of difficult cases.

Because these cases are riskier to handle, I will be adding a price increase to these types of cases.

It is at my discretion whether I decide if your dog falls under that category, but it is your responsibility to be transparent about your dog’s behavior for everyone’s safety.

If you falsify or do not fully disclose information, I have the right to not take on your case.

Thanks everyone!

Enjoy a picture of my new critters 🐴 🐮

03/06/2024

Rose, the Rat Terrier, stayed with me recently for a Board and Train! 🐕
We focused on engagement and potty training. She was initially trained on potty pads and we were working on getting her to go outside instead. She did great!!

31/05/2024

I'd take a bet that there's not a dog trainer alive who's not heard this...

But if a dog behaves 'better' during a training session it's not because they're trying to impress the 'teacher'. Or because the trainer exudes any mystical power. There's no 'dog trainer magic' at work. If a dog behaves 'better' it's almost certainly because -

• the trainer rewards more generously
• the trainer has better timing
• the trainer rewards anything that's better, no matter how small the improvement, instead of waiting for perfection
• the trainer doesn't put the dog in situations they can't cope with

And the good news is these are all skills that you can learn!

If you are struggling to see progress or have stalled in your training journey it's worth asking yourself whether you could improve on any of these. And if you can...do!

28/05/2024

28/05/2024

BARRIERS TO LEARNING – WHY SOME DOGS STRUGGLE TO LEARN

“My dog is stubborn, doesn’t listen to me, a slow learner, not the smartest, tries to be in control, will only do it at home, will only behave sometimes, is uncontrollable……” – these are comments that are often heard.

Just like us, dogs need the right kind of conditions to either be able to learn something new or to bring about a change in behaviour.

Dogs are not robots that can be programmed by a set of specific inputs that guarantee consistent results. They are individual, sentient beings that need to be understood.

If we’re feeling stressed, anxious, tired, over excited, too distracted, not feeling well, have no motivation etc. we will find it really difficult, if not impossible to learn something new, change our behaviour or change a habit. The same applies to dogs.

A dog’s emotional state, the surrounding environment, motivation, age (pups, adolescents, seniors) or any health issues all have a significant impact on their ability to learn.

If your dog is having a hard time learning something, look at these factors and see if there is a reason that may be preventing progress.

Maybe your dog is just having an “off” day, just like we do.

Try again tomorrow or next week and set your dog up for success by having realistic expectations.

Learning or changing behaviour takes time, patience, consistency, understanding and the right conditions.

26/05/2024

I had a chat with a new client today, the dog in question has suspected arthritis which has caused some anxious behaviours occur such as freezing, not walking on certain surfaces and reacting to other dogs (having been attacked previously).

Their old trainer suggested using a shock collar to "cure" these issues.

Now unless I'm missing something but electric shocks aren't generally known for curing arthritis (happy to be proven wrong).

Thankfully the owner said nope and has come to me for a dynamic dog assessment and some follow-up training sessions.

To all the owners out there. Your dogs behaviour will always have a reason driving it, we just need to understand what it is.

If you don't feel comfortable with something your trainer or behaviourist has suggested, feel free to say no and find someone who will help you understand what's going on.

I shudder to think about that dogs quality of life if the owner had said yes.

24/05/2024

🐾Each dog is unique, and the specific problems and solutions may vary depending on the dog's coping abilities and emotional state.
💜Consult with a veterinarian or qualified dog behaviourist to develop a personalised plan for your dog's behavioural issues.

16/05/2024

Romy enjoys his time Murray Pet Resort & Spa!

The Lagotto Romagnolo breed can be hesitant with new people and situations, so proper socialization is critical.
From a young ago, Romy has attended daycare once a week to help socialize him with new people and environments.
He enjoys the playtime and pets!

12/05/2024

Once again for the people in the back…

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
There are NO 🅂🅃🅄🄱🄱🄾🅁🄽 🄳🄾🄶🅂
⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️

🔹Dogs don’t deliberately disobey or resist their humans, just because.

🔹Dogs are largely motivated by what is rewarding and reinforcing for them, and what is aversive and punishing for them.

🔹Sometimes, what the human wants the dog to do is not as rewarding as what the dog wants to do, or perhaps the dog finds it unpleasant or scary.

🔹To train a dog that seems stubborn, you need to make yourself more rewarding and reinforcing than anything else in the environment. Plus ensure the dog feels safe.