By Your Side Pet Behavior Consulting

26/11/2024

👇👇👇 Food for thought.

07/09/2024

For all my friends and clients surviving doggie adolescence. Hang in there!

Adolescence occurs between six months and 18 months of age—a time when guardians typically struggle the most with their dogs. Some guardians are so overwhelmed and underprepared for this developmental stage of their dog’s life, they choose to surrender the dog to a local shelter or rescue group. In a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science found that the majority of the surrendered dogs (47.7 percent) ) were between 5 months and 3 years of age (M.D. Salman,John G. New, Jr.,Janet M. Scarlett,Philip H. Kass,Rebecca Ruch-Gallie &Suzanne Hetts, 2010)

The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.

During canine adolescence, changing s*x hormones effect the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to process information they are receiving from the environment including the presence of dogs, vehicles, people, or really anything around them. They behave in ways that might feel frustrating or upsetting for the dog’s person.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control. We see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

So what does this mean? This could mean that what was once no big deal to the dog now feels scary; what was once easy to do is now stressful; what once made sense is now confusing. At times, the world can feel like ‘too much’ for the adolescent dog.

As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, our own frustration and impatience can cause us to act unpredictably. This adds to our puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for our dogs to adjust.

If you have an adolescent dog, what can you do? You can give your dog the time and space to observe what is going on around them when on leash at a distance away from the activity when possible. You can give your dog long walks to sniff and explore in nature, giving their brain time to decompress. You can offer your dog a quiet space to sleep so that they can consolidate memories effectively. You can continue training various skills, breaking them down into easier steps that can be generously reinforced.

By understanding what our adolescent dog is experiencing we gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best adult selves.

19/07/2024

I saw a post on Facebook that has me concerned.
The post was by a person recommending that someone use a shock collar on a cat. Never have I ever heard of such a thing. I thought the indoor electric fences were bad enough (I've heard of people using these for both dogs and cats, sadly).

I went to that person's professional website and - not so shocking - (pun intended) found ZERO credentials or evidence of education about cats as a species or their behavior. This person is a balanced dog trainer.

I am not here to argue training methods for dogs (though I certainly have thoughts and feeling). I just need to say - BE AN INFORMED CONSUMER when you hire a professional to help you with your pets. Find people who know what they are talking about, the species with whom they are working, and the impacts (both good and bad) of the methods they are using.

Sadly, ANYONE (yes, that includes you) can put up a website and claim to be an animal behavior expert - dog trainer, cat whisperer, whatever.

Learn what to look for to find a QUALIFIED professional. I will put some information in the comments on this.
And PLEASE , don't shock your cat.

Picture of my sweet Peanut as a kitten for algorithm tax.

18/07/2024

A couple of puppy grads this week!

Congratulations to Team Bruno and Team Riley. I had so much fun with both dogs.

As different as they look, they have a few things in common. They are both 5-month-old certified good boys! Both joined families who did their research and found good breeders who focused not only on appearance and health but temperament too. And they both have dedicated families who want to understand them and enjoy them for who they are!

Bruno and Riley met each other today for the first time and had a fantastic play date to celebrate school being out for the rest of the summer!

05/07/2024

Food for thought....
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/are-we-loving-our-pets-to-death/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article_inset_1.1&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR24u885_ZTJZ077VQbX-_gnxntvtMBZbtQzUEzBNmiZEapdo3aSDP-xdA4_aem_Cf37bNzWBpgmqD1R_bpPxw&sfnsn=mo

23/05/2024

I am looking for friends, colleagues or clients (current or former) who have done the EMBARK DNA test for their mixed breed dog and would be willing to share a screen shot of the results and a couple of good pictures of your dog. DM me for more information. Please and thank you!

11/05/2024

As a working cat behavior consultant, I repeat myself over and over again every day. I have compiled this list of some of the things I end up talking about the most.

1. If your cat is constantly begging for food, they’re hungry. Increase the frequency of meals to at least 4x a day and calculate how many calories they’re getting. An average 10 pound cat needs around 250 to maintain weight.

2. Don’t fall for the gimmicky litter or litter box. Your cat doesn’t want a Litter Robot or Pretty Litter or whatever. You do. 9/10 cats prefer a simple uncovered box with clay litter.

3. If you own multiple cats, your house needs to look like multiple cats live there. I know as soon as I enter a home if the cats are fighting or not based on the number of cat trees, beds, toys, feeding stations, litter boxes, etc.

4. I can tell you with 99% certainty that your cat is not displaying dominance with whatever behavior he is doing.

5. Play with your cat at least twice a day for at least five minutes. Even if your cat is just watching the toy, they’re playing. It counts.

6. The Jackson Galaxy cat introduction method does not work consistently enough to even be relevant. I could (and do with my clients) spend 90 minutes explaining exactly why and what to do instead.

7. Your cat can be trained to do anything using positive reinforcement. This includes cooperating for taking medication, having their nails trimmed, and going into a carrier. Punishment is primarily not effective because it doesn’t teach the cat good behavior. They don’t learn what they’re supposed to do instead.

8. The answer to your problems is ALMOST never to add another cat. It does help sometimes, sure. But often you just create more problems.

9. Cats thrive when given choices and they have a sense of control over their own lives. Use a consent test every time you interact with your cat (hold your hand out and wait for the cat to close the distance). Voila. You no longer get bitten during petting.

10. Learn body language, learn body language, learn body language. You’ll thank me.

Let me know if you have questions, and feel free to suggest your own!

(Reposted from Reddit)

30/04/2024

This came up in my personal FB memories from 11 years ago. I found it on a rescue website as I was in the midst of my dog's journey from a stray who found me to a local animal control facility where they were going to euthanize her based on breed to finding a rescue willing to pull her, give her time to decompress, and a proper behavior evaluation. I walked the road with her and her rescuers because I believed she was a good dog. She was a part of me from the moment I saw her.

She is the reason I help other dogs today. She was misunderstood. She needed someone to give her space and empathy. She need someone to hear her. We struggled at the time to find someone who knew what that meant. It took time, patience, and a lot of trial and error to figure out hear and help her, but what a gift - for both of us - when I did.

Listen. Honor what they are telling you. If you need help learning how to listen, to understand, to respect....ask. It is so worth it. Both of your lives will be so much richer.

23/04/2024

"Dogs were born to learn not be trained....
We should not be trying to change dogs but change the world in which they live." - Kay Laurence

My inspiration, my teacher, my "why"....

14/03/2024

A little late...but need to shout out to Gracie and her amazing humans for finishing up Puppy Foundations. I can't share a picture here, but wanted to acknowledge their hard work as a team!

01/02/2024

Choose who cares for your family member carefully. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it could literally be a life-or-death decision. The Animal Rescue League of Boston created this simple checklist to help you research facilities before entrusting them with your pet.

February breaks will be here before you know it! Are you planning a vacation and boarding your pet? There are currently no statewide regulations that govern boarding kennels and pet daycare facilities in Massachusetts. The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Board Safely™ campaign encourages pet owners to do their own research before leaving their pet in the care of a boarding kennel or daycare facility. Download the Board Safely™ checklist today at https://www.arlboston.org/board-safely.
Image description: photo shows a black and white dog laying down. Text says "Did you know… there are no statewide regulations that govern boarding kennels and pet daycare facilities in Massachusetts?"

15/01/2024

I am out of town for work for a week and I wanted to make it easy for my partner to keep up my dog's daily enrichment - especially because she hasn't been feeling well lately and routine is so important for her. Routine and enrichment reduce stress (which we can experience when we don't feel well).

So I set the human up for success....so that he could set the dog up for success! I prepared an enrichment item for each day and left a list. All he has to do is get it and put it down. I wish I could do this for all of my clients! But since I can't - try setting yourselves up for success.

It took me about 10 minutes Sunday morning to prep six items and make the week easy!

23/12/2023

Happy holidays from me and my furry family to yours!

Wishing everyone a peaceful holiday and a smooth transition into 2024. Here's to more smiles, tail wags, purrs, and love in the new year.