Concerned Canines

19/12/2024

I never say "I told you so", but I will admit when I'm right. I knew from the moment I met Joey, that despite the noise, he was dog friendly. He just doesn't sound immediately dog friendly.

Building his owners confidence was important here, but this was the moment I made them a believer. Joey just wants a friend!

17/12/2024

I'm on BlueSky! Give me a follow and let me return the favor!

https://bsky.app/profile/concernedcanines.bsky.social

15/12/2024

There have been other studies that have suggested this. And I have seen first hand the benefit of naturally fearful dogs intact. Both of my dogs are intact, and that has been immensely helpful in working with their reactivity. I also think that one of the reasons we such high levels of reactivity out of shelter and rescue dogs is that they are neutered and spayed entirely too young.

14/11/2024

A dog named Barley, helping save wolves?! Who is the person and why is she living my dream?

This is pretty amazing! But for real...how do me and my Barley sign up?

https://alaskapublic.org/2024/11/13/a-dog-on-prince-of-wales-island-is-helping-to-conserve-wolves-by-tracking-their-p**p/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGjOg5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHe-9FxNt8xyGArGI2IcILvfAjM3vTZfihToYlKqDdoFZ7HqBGlkMljec-A_aem_F36RwkIxrDwU8_WgRYLR6A

Last summer, managers hired a dog named Barley to sniff out an important source of data on Prince of Wales Island wolves: their p**p.

10/11/2024

"I should have groomed him." Tears are still in Jennifers eyes, a few days afterwards. "You know...I had just groomed Flynn the day before." She felt bad about how Phillip looked. He was a little scruffy when we lost him.

That, of course, doesn't really matter in the end. Phillip loved being groomed. And it all happened too quickly. We thought we'd have more time.

I've been spending a lot of time lately thinking about the first dogs, the humans who first brought that wolf into their lives. What that experience must have been like. They loved these animals enough to bury them, and bury them deep enough to protect their remains from scavengers. Dogs are our oldest friends.

When I met Phillip, it was like discovering dogs for the first time. I grew up with dogs, had loved many over the years. But Phillip...it was a brand new world he opened up for me. He was my first guide into the world of dogs. There have been others since then...but Phillip literally changed the course of my life.

It's been over 6 months. And I have missed him every day of them. Every day.

A big thank you to Victoria at All About Ink. She's an amazing artist, and wonderful friend for doing justice to Phillips memory and his impact on my life.

09/11/2024

Good morning everyone! I'm out at the Santa Rosa Animal Shelter for their Pumpkins and Puppies event! Come out, meet some shelter dogs in need of good homes, buy something fun from the vendors!

I'm also offering a free virtual assessment for any dog adopted at today's event!

08/11/2024

Hi everyone! I'm considering doing some live chats again. Is this something people would be interested in? And if so, are there any topics you'd specifically like to talk about?

04/11/2024

These two! I am very grateful for these two - on the days when they (usually Barley) are annoying.

One of the most common issues I've seen lately is inter-household aggression. It's difficult having one dog, but having multiple dogs can lead to disagreements and sometimes fights. I'm lucky in that in my time as a professional trainer, I've never had any serious fights between my dogs. Sure, Phillip could be a little touchy at times. Flynn never once went after Kristoff, let alone Phillip. Kristoff has never once got into a disagreement with Barley. We had one little disagreement when we first Barley home between him and Phillip, but Barley had been there a total of two days.

My point is that these two dogs have some amazing chemistry, and I don't have a problem taking some credit for it. I didn't "pick" either dog, they found us. Kristoff was the last one in a litter, and no one had shown any interest in him because he was so standoffish. Barley was a singleton, that comes with a whole host of problems. Neither dog should be good with other dogs. I should have more problems with them.

How have I managed to avoid it?

Part of my success is that I give both dogs lots of one-on-one time with me. We do what each dog is individually interested in, and that isn't just playing. I give each dog individual cuddles and pets.

Secondly, I keep them working together. Training together helps show me where they are weak individually. But it also makes it easier to control both dogs at the same time.

Finally, and this should come as no surprise - I let them be dogs. I let them chase squirrels in the backyard. Let them wrestle in the Florida room. Let them be...them...and it has led to a wonderful dynamic.

And it's also one of the biggest reasons why I am always hesitant to bring a new dog into my home. I want to make sure I have the time, space, energy, and resources to devote to that dog.

These two are my best friends. And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are each other's best friend.

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween everyone! Remember, keep your pet indoors tonight, and away from the front door if you're giving out treats! Keep them safe tonight and have fun!

(Art by the amazing Johan Egerkrans)

30/10/2024

We take a lot of things for granted with our dogs. If you've never dealt with anxiety or aggression, if you've only ever had "normal" dogs...you take a lot of stuff for granted.

Many dogs love car rides! But not all of them. Cars are a difficult thing to explain to a dog - and getting into one isn't any different. I've had and worked with many dogs that were afraid of getting into cars. Thanks to my own dogs, I found ways to teach dogs how to feel comfortable getting in and out of cars on their own.

Max was one of these dogs. He started life as a feral puppy, his owners found him and his sister roaming just outside of their neighborhood. Once they caught him, they brought them inside and got them the care they needed. But a car might as well be an alien spaceship to a feral puppy. And mom couldn't lift him in and out of her vehicle.

But look at the breakthrough we had today! I'm so proud of these two!

28/10/2024

🍁🍂🎃 Barley Visits The Pumpkin Patch 🎃 🍂🍁

Barley has loved pumpkins since he came into our house. He'll carry little ones around, play with them like balls. He'll chew on bigger ones (without the stems and eventually without the pulp and seeds!) And he cuddles them, using them as pillows. Barley has also been reactive to people. How do I do something fun for my pumpkin loving, reactive dog? Carefully!

When we visited a few weeks ago, I was telling a volunteer how much Barley loved pumpkins and he invited me to bring Barley to pick out some.

We chose to go when they were open, but not busy. When we arrived, I confirmed with the volunteers that we were still okay to do this. Then we got out of the car, got Barley acclimated to the new surroundings and went to check out the pumpkins.

He had a blast! Being overwhelmed by both the environment and the pumpkins, he got comfortable quickly and started exploring. He even took a treat from the volunteer, and offered his chin for scratches!

It was a lot of fun, and wonderful way to end October. Thanks to the volunteers at St. Luke United Methodist Church for not only allowing me to indulge my dogs love of pumpkins, but for being patient and understanding with him!

Want to take your reactive dog out into public? Maybe go pick a few pumpkins yourself? Give me a call and let's squash their reactivity!...see what I did there? Squash?...No?...Too Corny 🌽? Okay, I'll stop now...

22/10/2024

Hi everyone! Barley here with a reminder that if you really like what my human counterpart is trying to do - help reactive dogs with compassion, patience, and kindness to live a happier and healthier life - he needs your support.

You don't have always have to support him financially! Simply commenting on his posts, liking and sharing his content, and recommending him to others is IMMENSELY helpful to keeping his business going. So, remember, if you see something you like - let him know! Comment on his posts, share them with your friends, and recommend his services to others. He offers online classes, so he can help anyone anywhere with their concerned canines!

Now, I'm going to put his phone down before he figures out I can text!

22/10/2024

Moxie continues to show off. This is what patience and consistency will get you. Here is a dog that would love to say hello to a neighbor and his dog, and a family member is talking to them. Instead, Moxie is relaxing next to his owner, calmly focused on her. I'm so proud of him and his owner! They're doing great work!!

21/10/2024

She's so tiny! Rosie decided that the best place all 4lbs of her body during our assessment was in the middle of my notebook!

13/10/2024

Check out this awesome vendor raffle basket today! $5 for 1 ticket or $20 for 5! We have a $65 gift certificate in there! Can't beat that!!

13/10/2024

Hi everyone! We're out at the Fall Festival for Nativity of Our Lord, right off of UWF. Come out and see us, and a ton of other great vendors!

13/10/2024