Britta's Animal Training

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Not sure if I have ever known a dog that loves food puzzles as much as Lilly! I was hired to help Lilly with her fear issues and part of my curriculum is building her confidence and one of the ways that I’m doing that is through food puzzles. @nina_ottosson has the best food puzzles on the market and Lilly’s mom has purchased three of them and Lilly adores her food puzzles and her mom loves watching Lilly work on them. It’s a win-win for everyone. Thank you Nina for creating such a wonderful product for dogs and cats and other creatures. You are appreciated more than you know! 🙏🏼🩷🐶🐱🐭🐹🐰🦊🐻🐼🐻‍❄️🐨🐯🦁🐮🐷

Have I mentioned how near and dear to my heart in enrichment is? Before I was a dog trainer and had my own business, I was an animal trainer at the San Diego Zoo and my first job was working in the enrichment and husbandry division. It was a dream come true job for me And now having my own business, I like to share my expertise in enrichment with my clients. This is @nina_ottosson food puzzle. Her food puzzles are my favorite. This particular dog is shy and fearful and so we’re working on building her confidence. One of the ways that I do that is through problem-solving and being rewarded for figuring things out and not worrying about getting it wrong. Plus, it’s a relaxing activity. #enrichmenttoys #foodpuzzles #ninaottossonpuzzles #shydog #buildingconfidence #ninaottossondogpuzzle

Agility in the park is one of my favorite things to teach. Agility has so many benefits for dogs. It provides mental physical and emotional benefits. Yesterday, Wendy and Piper, and James, Jamie and Winston and Therese and Major Tom had a lot of fun bonding with their dogs as well as learning the basics about agility. If you’re interested in enriching the life of your dog, and developing a better bond with your dog, based on trust, cooperation and mutual respect, please contact me. I would love to help you. #agility #agilityinthepark #enrichment #enrichmentfordogs #brittasanimaltraining

This is a video of Teddy a Palomino that the Treat Them R+ght Animal Rescue rescued from a boarding facility near the border of Mexico, who had been dumped there by their previous owner. Teddy was showing signs of aggression and we’ve been working with him for a while to build his trust. Giving animals choice is so important in their lives; just like us and giving us choice. We’ve been working on cooperative care using a start button, which is a flat piece of wood. When he puts his front feet on the wood it’s him saying, “I am willing to participate.” And he’s free to walk away at any time. In the this video we’re working on consensual grooming and I use a whistle marker to let him know he’s doing a good job and rewarding with food. #horsesofinstagram #horses #cooperativecare #markertraining #nofear #noforce #positivereinforcement

We have been working on cooperative care with Teddy. Teddy was dumped at a boarding facility near the border of Mexico and had some physical problems from being ridden hard, as well as emotional scars due to his rough treatment. One behavior he was exhibiting was aggression, trying to bite, because that was all he knew when feeling not listened to. We worked through that by building trust and working at his pace with marker training, amongst other things, and have gotten to the point of working on Teddy's feet in a relaxed, cooperative way. He really enjoys his training and new life @treatthemright animal rescue in Lakeside.

Today is day seven and my last post on “Why it’s important to let your dog sniff on walks,” at least for a while. I hope you’ve enjoyed my series and learning more about the importance of letting dogs take their time and smell on walks. The gift of sniff: Strengthening your bond with your dog. Every walk you take with your dog is more than just a stroll—it’s a conversation. By allowing them to explore their surroundings, you grant them freedom, choice and autonomy over their body and environment. In doing so, you convey that they matter— that their needs, desires and feelings are significant. While we may never fully comprehend a dog’s inner life, we can honor their existence. The simple act of letting your dog sniff opens up a world of connection. It invites you to slow down, be present in the moment, and observe. Through empathy, you bridge the gap between species. These shared moments— when you both pause to savor a scent— weave a tapestry of trust. Over time , this trust deepens your bond. So, as dogs enrich our lives, let’s reciprocate by offering them the gift of sniff.🐾 #BondWithYourDog #Conversation #Freedom #Choice #Autonomy #TheGiftOfSniff #Trust #SharedMoments

Today is my day six of “Why it’s important to let your dog sniff on walks.” Sniffing: Canine Communication Unleashed Beyond mere information gathering, sniffing serves as a form of canine communication. Dogs express their emotional state through this olfactory exploration. Let’s delve into the fascinating ways they use sniffing to convey their feelings. #1 Self soothing and displacement: When dogs feel stressed, overstimulated or anxious, they turn to sniffing as a coping mechanism. It’s akin to how we say “um” or scratch our heads when uncertainty creeps in. #2 Appeasement and cut off signals: Sniffing isn’t just about scent; it’s a subtle language. Dogs may use it as an appeasement gesture to signal friendliness or diffuse tension. Alternatively, it serves as a cutoff signal— a way to say, “Let’s end this interaction.” #3 Context Matters: By keenly observing our furry companions we can decipher the nuances of their sniffing behavior. Whether it’s a casual exploration or a deliberate message, context holds the key. So, next time your dog follows their nose, remember—they’re not just smelling the world; they’re speaking their heart ❤️ #caninecommunication #EmotionalState #Feelings #Appeasement #cutoffsignals #heart #selfsoothing

Today is my day five of my series about “Why it’s important to let your dog sniff on a walk.” The joy of sniffing: Unleashing canine happiness. When your dog sniffs, something fascinating happens in their brain. The “seeking system” lights up. This system is also responsible for releasing dopamine, the delightful “feel good” chemical. An increase in dopamine has far reaching effects: it enhances mood, motivation and attention, while also regulating learning and emotional responses. But there’s more! Beyond stress reduction, sniffing can significantly impact your dogs mood making them more optimistic. Picture this: during your walks your dog isn’t just checking “pee mail” or neighborhood “social posts.” Instead, they’re experiencing a sensory adventure akin what keeps us scrolling through social media. So, next time your furry friend dives into a scent trail, know that they’re not just exploring—they’re savoring moments of pure canine joy 🐾 #caninehappiness #seekingsystem #dopamine #stressreduction #peemail #socialposts #optimistic #caninejoy

Happy St. Patrick’s Day 🍀 Today is day five of my series, “Why it’s important to let your dog sniff on walks.” The calming power of sniffing for dogs. Research indicates that when dogs engage in sniffing their heart rate decreases. Remarkably, the more they sniff, the greater the reduction in heart rate. This phenomenon suggests that sniffing has a soothing effect on our canine companions, potentially alleviating anxiety and stress. Consider incorporating daily decompression walks using a long line. These walks can significantly benefit fearful or anxious dogs, as well as any dog navigating our bustling modern world. By teaching dogs to associate sniffing with cues, such as “Find It” games, we encourage them to disengage from constant scanning and fixating on environmental triggers. Additionally, the movement involved in sniffing can release tension in their bodies. So, the next time your furry friend follows their nose, know that they’re not just exploring scents, they’re finding peace. ☮️ #Calming #Sniffing #Dogs #HeartRate #soothingeffect #CanineCompanions #Anxiety #stress #decompressionwalk #LongLeash #Fearful #Anxious #ModernWorld #FindIt #furryfriends #peace

Today is day five of my series on “Why it’s important to let your dogs sniff on walks” series. Mental exercise through sniffing: A calmer canine companion. Did you know that sniffing is like a mental workout for your dog? Their remarkable sense of smell engages a significant portion of their brain. By encouraging sniffing, you’re not only letting them explore the world, but also giving their cognitive abilities a boost. The delightful side effect? A calmer and more relaxed dog at home! While a leisurely sniff walk is beneficial, you can take it up a notch. Try these activities to engage your furry friends brain: 1. Scavenging games: Scatter or hide treats around your house or yard. Let your dog use their nose to find these hidden treasures. 2. Food puzzles: Invest in interactive food puzzles. These challenge your dog’s problem-solving skills while satisfying their appetite. 3. Nose work classes: Enroll in a nose work class. It’s like detective training for dogs where they follow scents to locate hidden items. Observe how these scent games enhance your dog’s mental enrichment. You might just discover a more serene and content companion by your side. 🐶 🧠🦮 #MentalExercise #CalmerCanine #furryfriends #ScavengingGames #FoodPuzzles #NoseWork #scentgames #enrichment

Today is day six of my “Why you should let your dog sniff on walks” series. Allowing your dog to sniff: Embracing their canine nature. Every dog deserves the chance to express their true nature. Just like humans, dogs have innate behaviors that define them. Sniffing, often overlooked, is one of these essential behaviors. It’s not just about identifying scents; it’s a way for dogs to explore their environment, connect with their instincts and experience the world. Unfortunately, we sometimes perceive certain behaviors as “problems.” Digging, scavenging and vocalizing can be seen as nuisances. However, these actions are entirely normal for dogs. They’re part of what makes them unique. So how can you let your dog be a dog? Give them ample opportunities to sniff! It’s a simple way to honor their canine instincts. Whether it’s during walks, play time or outdoor adventures, encourage your furry friend to follow their nose. By doing so, you’re allowing them to fully embrace their doggy essence. 🐾 #sniffing #caninenature #scents #walks #playtime #outdooradventures #furryfriends #nose #doggyessence