Britta's Animal Training

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Britta's Animal Training Would you like to develop a relationship with your animal based on trust, cooperation and mutual respect?
(17)

If your answer is "Yes," then I am the trainer for you! I offer fear free, force free training and behavior consulting for all animals.

I stress the importance of body language all the time! It is so very important with all animals, not just dogs.I love th...
22/08/2024

I stress the importance of body language all the time! It is so very important with all animals, not just dogs.

I love this quote from the article, "Given how important body language is, why is it that beginner dog training classes never seem to spend any time on it? I suspect the answer is that we humans are in a rush to learn something that feels “real” and seems obviously helpful, like sit or stay."

The key to dog body language is recognizing stress signals, and understanding what our own body language communicates to our dogs.

One of my favorite things to do is care for animals. I don’t get to do it often but it brings me so much joy. When I wor...
16/08/2024

One of my favorite things to do is care for animals. I don’t get to do it often but it brings me so much joy.

When I worked at the zoo I was in great shape from cleaning enclosures. Today I remembered what hard work it is but also so fulfilling and therapeutic.

I had to throw in the p**p photo because that’s a big part of the job. 😀 Cleaning up horse p**p is nothing like cleaning up elephant p**p! Now that’s a lot of work 😅

Losing a beloved animal is one of the most difficult things that I have ever experienced in my life. One of my dear frie...
10/08/2024

Losing a beloved animal is one of the most difficult things that I have ever experienced in my life.

One of my dear friends and founder of in Lakeside is hosting a pet loss group therapy session followed by a healing sanctuary tour on August 17th.

Yep. I'm a  !
27/07/2024

Yep. I'm a !

I'm a proud snack leader

To all my fellow , owners trainers and behaviourists. I see you.

I love being a I'm saying that it's literally the tip of the iceberg! I know what's going on underneath the water, I know what's going on in the background.

We do so much more than just toss food.

You are doing a great job keep it up.

People can and will say mean things. It can be demoralising and hard.
But don't let anyone else tell you other methods are better. This works. Science is on our side. We got you.



I like to use elevated beds for lots of different training scenarios. It gives the dog a very clear and distinct place t...
07/07/2024

I like to use elevated beds for lots of different training scenarios. It gives the dog a very clear and distinct place to go and perform an alternate behavior, in lieu of jumping, barking, being underfoot in the kitchen, or trying to attack the bigger dog in the house 😅, etc. and it’s a fun behavior to shape.

It's that time of year again! Summertime pupsicles!
29/06/2024

It's that time of year again! Summertime pupsicles!

Cool off your pup with these easy-to-make frozen dog treat popsicles on a hot summer day. We put together several recipes you can try at home today...

26/06/2024

The 4th of July can cause some serious safety issues for dogs. Here's a guide on how to keep your dog safe during the holiday.

25/06/2024
An unbiased website that ranks dog's food.
22/06/2024

An unbiased website that ranks dog's food.

The Dog Food Advisor's unbiased dog food reviews and ratings searchable by brand or star rating. Find the best dry, canned or raw food for your dog.

Happy Tuesday from darling Hobie 😍❤️🥰
12/06/2024

Happy Tuesday from darling Hobie 😍❤️🥰

This is a really interesting article about superfecundation in cats and how it affects behavior. It is also common in do...
08/06/2024

This is a really interesting article about superfecundation in cats and how it affects behavior. It is also common in dogs and their behavior, particularly all the dogs coming from Mexico who are being placed for adoption.

I had a client recently tell me they went to a shelter to adopt a dog and there were two puppies in a kennel, one was super friendly, while the other was cowering in the corner. If they came from the same mother, It could be that each one had a different father and therefore had different behavioral traits. Behavior is one of many genetic traits transferred to offspring.

I am currently experiencing this phenomenon I believe; I adopted two kittens who came from the same mother who was a stray, and each one is so different, not only in how they look, but how they act.

By Beth Adelman Q: I recently adopted two young cats that the shelter told me are littermates. But one is a black shorthair and the other is orange and kind

It's that time of year again. Be on the lookout for dogs (and children) in hot cars.
07/06/2024

It's that time of year again. Be on the lookout for dogs (and children) in hot cars.

It takes only minutes to save a life

Had a nice session with two cute puppies at Cottonwood Creek Park in Encinitas yesterday. It seems as though the only ph...
29/05/2024

Had a nice session with two cute puppies at Cottonwood Creek Park in Encinitas yesterday. It seems as though the only photos I ever take are of dogs settling on a mat and that’s usually because that’s the only time that I think about it, and also it’s an important behavior for dogs to learn… to settle and self sooth on their own without having to be told to lay down.

Aww! 🥰 Look what I got in my mailbox today 😀 My happy adoptaversary cards from  with my sweet girls, Gabriella and Aless...
22/05/2024

Aww! 🥰 Look what I got in my mailbox today 😀 My happy adoptaversary cards from with my sweet girls, Gabriella and Alessandra. So grateful for these little sweeties in my life and thank you for your thoughtfulness, Rancho Coastal Humane Society

Settle on a Mat, also known as Relax on a Mat, The Magic Mat and The Magic Carpet, is one of the most important behavior...
22/05/2024

Settle on a Mat, also known as Relax on a Mat, The Magic Mat and The Magic Carpet, is one of the most important behaviors that I teach dogs.

Dogs learning to self sooth and relax on their own is so important. And it can be quite exhausting having to tell your dog what to do all the time, like “Lay down.”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful just to lay a towel down next to your chair when you go out for coffee or for lunch and have your dog settle?

If this is of interest to you, contact me and I would love to help you.

Sometimes all you need is a nice text from a client to brighten your day!
30/04/2024

Sometimes all you need is a nice text from a client to brighten your day!

It is possible to train any animal who can perceive a cue, which is pretty much every one that I know of! Well worth the...
23/04/2024

It is possible to train any animal who can perceive a cue, which is pretty much every one that I know of! Well worth the read. Karen Pryor Clicker Training

As I write this article I am in the middle of an exciting and quite lengthy period of travel. Jokingly, I have referred to this as my International Consulting and Seminar Tour. It is a 31-day trip that takes me to Mexico, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the Czech Republic—and includes 11 se...

Just received this glowing review from one of my clients: “We found Britta through  recommended animal behavior and trai...
20/04/2024

Just received this glowing review from one of my clients:

“We found Britta through recommended animal behavior and training partners list. We couldn’t be happier.

We were struggling significantly with our first puppy and wanted to work with a positive reinforcement trainer, but also a trainer that was knowledgeable and eager to work with puppies. I reached out to Britta and received a prompt reply. We have now completed her Puppy Start Right program and have an excellent foundation for training moving forward.

Britta was absolutely wonderful to work with—patient, friendly and always responsive to our questions.

Our training with Britta will continue.”

Jamie T.

Check out my newest 5 star Google review!
19/04/2024

Check out my newest 5 star Google review!

★★★★★ "We found Britta through the San Diego Humane Society's Recommended Animal Behaviorists and Training Partners list. We couldn't be happier! We were struggling significantly with our first puppy and wanted to work with a positive reinforcement trainer but also a trainer that was knowl...

Socialization is so much more than puppies playing together. It encompasses everything in life. Today we went to  in Del...
12/04/2024

Socialization is so much more than puppies playing together. It encompasses everything in life.

Today we went to in Del Mar Highlands and had a super fun time.

This little girl fell in love with the puppy I had, Rosalie. They were such a cute couple. Adorable 🥰

P.S. What you could not see is that I was liberally giving her rewards and the interaction was brief. I am always mindful and sensitive to the dog's needs.

I’m looking for one more dog for my “Three’s Company” class. The reason it is called "Three's Company" is because it wil...
09/04/2024

I’m looking for one more dog for my “Three’s Company” class. The reason it is called "Three's Company" is because it will be limited to 3 dogs for more personalized attention.

The criteria for dogs would be friendly and not overly reactive to other dogs.

The class would be tailored to the three dogs that are participating in the class and we can work on everything from Foundation Behaviors to tricks to agility.

My plan is a four week course meeting at local parks in San Diego, most likely in the late afternoon/evening during the week or on Saturdays.

If you’re interested, let me know in the comments or send me a message. Thank you.

If you’ve got a feline friend, I’m here to lend a paw 🐾 Whether your kitty is acting a bit quirky or you’re facing some ...
09/04/2024

If you’ve got a feline friend, I’m here to lend a paw 🐾 Whether your kitty is acting a bit quirky or you’re facing some behavior challenges, I’ve got you covered.

Here are some ways I can assist:

Litter box issues

Aggression

Scratching and clawing furniture

Fear or shyness

Depression or lethargy

Excessive licking and/or grooming

Providing mental stimulation and helping with the prevention of behavior issues through clicker, training, trick training, and enrichment

Introducing your cat to new people or a new animal resident

Introducing a new cat to your home and your resident pets

Preparing your cat for a human baby

Crate training for travel or visits to the veterinarian

Wearing a harness and walking on a leash

Advice on multi cat homes and helping cats get along

Help with your cat being more accepting of petting, handling and/or brushing

Transitioning an outdoor cat to indoor living

Let me know how I can help you 🐱

So very very true.
12/03/2024

So very very true.

"Why is cruelty legal when it's branded as training?" .- from my friend Sandy Machado (who shared an excellent post about this, please check it out on her page)

I will never stop educating about this.

It's not just about tools, it's also about attitude.

"I've never seen them do anything aversive or cruel with my dog"

This is a common cry from those who defend "trainers" who use these tools. It's because we fundamentally lack the knowledge to recognise it or it's because we are so indoctrinated into thinking that harshness, however slight, is necessary for teaching.

Consider our upbringing by parents, clergy, school teachers. How much of it was truly kind, gentle abd effective? How sensitive were we to the adult's breathing pattern, their tone of voice, then tension in their face and body, the harsh eye contact, the just-harder-than-necessary physical contact (hand or arm holding)? When we grow up with these and actively don't take steps to learn other ways, this is what we do with those in our charge when it's our turn.

When it comes to our dogs, it doesn't even have to be those tools. It's the tightening of the lead, the pull back, the setting of the jaw, the holding of the breathe, the clicking/snapping of the fingers, the "tsssst," the "eh-eh," the leaning forward, taking space, the finger point,, lack of humour, humility, understanding, compassion, kindness, the dismissiveness. And on and on.

This takes work. A lot of work. Constant work.

I decided to do my best never to be harsh with my kids over 20 years ago. I've in the main succeeded with that. It took my longer to apply this to my dogs, but in the main, I'm succeeding. Because I committed to it. It takes effort not to fall back into old patterns when I'm tired, stressed, unwell. It's not easy but nothing worthwhile ever is.

Slow down, respond, rather than react. Give your dog a minute. Or two. Let them sniff. Understand that the walk is hugely about enrichment, not about distance travelled in a certain time. Give your dog space to move, put their lead on and take it off with consideration for their body. Do the same when drying them. Put their food out with kindness, warmth, humour. Enjoy them. Love them.

Then start applying this to everyone we come into contact with (I'm still working on that one, as you can sometimes see from my sarcastic, and often hilarious, retorts to some people on this page).

Kindness is not softness nor weakness. Neither is gentleness. Our dogs didn't decide to be here, humans did. We need to step up.

23/02/2024

The relationship between dogs and humans has evolved significantly over the centuries. Once revered primarily for their practical roles in hunting, herding, or guarding, dogs have now become an integral part of many families, providing companionship, loyalty, and unconditional love. As our understan...

Check out my newest 5-star review on Google.
12/02/2024

Check out my newest 5-star review on Google.

★★★★★ "Britta is an animal, dog whisperer..She hones in to what your dog needs and helps make a plan with you to reach your goals! Our dog, Mahina loves her and we all learned so much. I highly recommend her to anyone needing or desiring training etc 🙏Sandy"

So true!
07/02/2024

So true!

So true! But for me, it’s playing with the blinds and trying to get the laundry closet door open 😅
07/02/2024

So true! But for me, it’s playing with the blinds and trying to get the laundry closet door open 😅

04/02/2024

Great enrichment idea!

Today my clients, I and their dog, Hilo, worked on Attention (giving eye contact, responding to name and responding to o...
01/02/2024

Today my clients, I and their dog, Hilo, worked on Attention (giving eye contact, responding to name and responding to orienting sound) in the front yard of their home with lots of distractions on the street. They and Hilo did very well.

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