Creature Good Dog Training

11/04/2025

Jake bit other dogs. Shadow bit a person.
Neither of them was a “bad dog.” They were scared, overwhelmed, and doing the only thing they knew how to feel safe.

This Dog Bite Prevention Week, I’m sharing their stories—not to scare anyone, but to educate with compassion.

Most bites are preventable when we know what to look for:
👉 Lip licking
👉 Freezing
👉 Turning away
👉 Growling (yes, growling is communication!)

Let’s learn to listen before it escalates.

Dog Bite Prevention Week: Why It MattersDog Bite Prevention Week is a time to educate, not shame. Every year, hundreds of thousands of dog bites occur in the U.S. - most involving familiar dogs in familiar situations. As a positive dog trainer who specializes in fear-based behavior (and most bites a...

07/04/2025

Let’s shift the narrative📖 around dog bites🦷 from:

🎯punishment to understanding🧠
🎯punishment to management🐕
punishment to compassion & connection❤️

🐶All dogs are capable of biting🦷. Most dogs today have anxiety🌩️ which can increase bite numbers.

The best time⏰ to address a dog bite is before the dog bites!

🧠Understanding dog behavior &
building trust through respect is the best way to avoid dog bites.❤️

🦷Most bites are not serious - those are the ones I'm focusing on this week.📅

💀Serious bites are different so I'll talk about those separately.

If you've been bit🩼 or have a dog that has bitten🦷 - I've had both! - share your story✍️ in the comments!

It shouldn't be a taboo🚷 conversation!

04/04/2025

New blog post: Learn 5 unique ways to support your reactive dog to build trust for better walks.

Reactive dog behavior is often misunderstood. Reactive dog parents are too!Years ago when I first got involved with working with fearful dogs, I was walking my dog Jake, who was barking and lunging on leash at another dog, when a man passed by and said, “I just don’t get why people want aggressi...

31/03/2025

New Blog Post: There are a lot of benefits to reactive dog parents for DNA testing your dog. See why it isn't just fun to learn what your dog's breed/mix is...it helps with their reactive behavior, too!

Discover how DNA testing your reactive dog can improve training, uncover breed-specific behavior, and reveal hidden health issues. Learn why

20/03/2025

Here's my latest blog article about helping your reactive dog thrive by allowing them outlets for their natural behaviors and making small changes that get big results❤🐕

Many dogs today seem to have it all— the best food, toys and even vacations. Yet, many struggle with reactivity. It’s not easy being a modern dog. Despite living in our complex human world, much of dog behavior is still driven by instinct which can lead to behaviors that don’t fit neatly into ...

20/03/2025

Here's my latest blog article about helping your reactive dog thrive by allowing them outlets for their natural behaviors and making small changes that get big results❤🐕

Many dogs today seem to have it all— the best food, toys and even vacations. Yet, many struggle with reactivity. It’s not easy being a modern dog. Despite living in our complex human world, much of dog behavior is still driven by instinct which can lead to behaviors that don’t fit neatly into ...

13/03/2025

I'm delighted to announce I am now an official partner of My Anxious Dog, an incredible haven of support and goldmine of useful products for owners of anxious, nervous and reactive dogs.❤

07/03/2025

I had a conversation about this at a client session yesterday. There's no denying parenting a reactive dog is challenging. It's also totally worth it❤️. I wouldn't have traded in my time with Shadow for anything❤️. That's why my work is dedicated to helping reactive dogs and their people.❤️

Having a reactive dog is incredibly challenging. Some days, it feels like it takes everything out of you. You plan every walk like a military operation, constantly scanning for potential triggers and identifying escape routes. You avoid busy streets, cross the road at the sight of another dog, and b...

02/03/2025

Keeping your anxious/reactive dog happy and occupied can be tough.😊

Here's a way to do it that takes ZERO extra time⏱️ while being great for your dog's🐶 emotional❤️ mental🧠 & physical🐕 well-being.

All you have to do is let your dog "help"🔨🪛 you do something you're going to do anyway.

Here, my client Bertie, is helping me repot a plant.🪴 Earlier he helped me bake a cake.🎂 Tomorrow he's going to help me pull up some old flooring.🧱

Any activity works as long as it doesn't include anything harmful to your dog such as harsh chemicals.☠️

Share something your dog can help you with in the comments!

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02/03/2025

If you parent a reactive dog and still wonder if online training services would actually help, check out my new blog post on why online training is the perfect choice for your reactive dog.

Today, technology is reshaping how we train dogs. It might seem strange not to have your trainer physically in the room with you at first, but when you see the results you’ll be a believer!Working online has been proven to be one of the best ways to change your reactive dog’s behavior. The virtu...

27/02/2025

I've been holding off sharing this information because I'm just so gutted by it but I don't see that changing any time soon. On 2/10 my sweet girl, Shadow Dawn, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at just 4 years old. She was with me for a bit less than 2 years and I loved her so much. She died in my arms and my home is so empty without her. I'm not ready to share more details and there really isn't a lot to say as her death is a mystery in many ways. Everything just feels awful right now. Thank you to everyone who had been kind to her❤🐕

23/02/2025

Not sure if your dog's behavior means they are reactive? Check this list to know for sure!

Understanding Reactivity in DogsReactive behavior or "reactivity" in dogs is often misunderstood. A reactive dog isn't "bad" or "aggressive"—they're overwhelmed and overreacting to certain stimuli (cars, other dogs, etc.) due to fear, pain, frustration or lack of coping skills. What your dog overr...

22/02/2025

Today may be "Walk Your Dog Day" but think twice before deciding to bring your reactive dog to any dog walking festivities!🐕🚶‍♀️

Why⁉️

Most reactive dogs don't love group dog fun🐕🐩🐕‍🦺 or group activities in general🧑‍🤝‍🧑🧑‍🤝‍🧑

So, avoid busy times🕔, locations🗾, activities⚾

Instead, walk your reactive dog during off hours🕔, lesser populated areas🗺️ or just stay home and play together instead⛹️‍♂️🥎!

Reactive dogs are special❤️‍🩹 and require special treatment♥️

18/02/2025

Excessive barking can be a sign of anxiety and is considered part of the cluster of behaviors we call reactivity. Is your dog a barker?

Why Dogs Bite: 4 Common Reasons and How to Prevent ThemAll dogs are capable of biting. It’s a natural instinct that has helped them survive—whether for self-defense or hunting. While domesticated dogs no longer need to hunt for food or protect themselves in the wild, the ability to bite remains ...

15/02/2025

I've done this for both my dogs🐕 and it totally works! Obviously, it's more about the tone🎵 & cadence🎶 than the words.

What do I do? ➡️➡️I read POETRY to them!🧑‍🎨

In particular, I recite a poem I know by heart called Jenny Kiss'd Me💋 by Leigh Hunt. BUT, instead of "Jenny" I use my dog's name.❤️

So it goes...

Shadow kissed me when we met,
Jumping from the chair she sat in;
Time, you thief, who love to get
Sweets into your list, put that in:
Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me,
Say I'm growing old, but add,
Shadow kissed me.

Since I memorized🧠 it I can use it anywhere, like at the vet's office.🏥

Share a special way you calm your dog🐶 in the comments!✍️

11/02/2025

This is an interesting read whether you have a blind pup or not. Enjoy!

Dogs and humans are both very visual species. We rely on body language so much to understand the context and communication of the world around us.

07/02/2025

Get more from training practice with your dog with these tips!

Positive training is the humane, science-based approach to training dogs I use with clients and recommend to everyone. Positive training rewards wanted dog behavior and ignores or redirects unwanted behavior. This encourages your dog to repeat the desirable (i.e. rewarded) behaviors and abandon the....

28/01/2025

If you have a reactive dog, I've created a free course that helps you and your dog enjoy more peaceful walks using positive energy and small actions. You can check it out at https://creaturegood.thinkific.com/courses/peacefulwalks