Synergy Dog Training and Behavior

19/06/2025

Now is the time to start desensitizing/counter conditioning your fearful dog for fireworks and/or thunder. We have multiple methods for different levels of anxiety with over 35 years of experience.
This is one of our fields of expert experience. Give us a call to start your sessions today. 435-590-6780

14/06/2025

Post a photo of your dog enjoying summer!
👇👇👇

12/06/2025

FIREWORK DESENSITIZATION
The best time for dog firework desensitizing is now. There are many things you can do to help. One of the things is directly under your fingertips. Playing Youtube videos at ultra low sounds and then increasing volume and duration every day, is great for desensitization. You can also pair this with treats when your dog seems happy. If you study dog body language and facial expressions, you will understand the difference between stress and relaxation. Giving treats only when your dog is relaxed, while listening to the fireworks, is called counter conditioning along with desensitization.
Counter conditioning and desensitization daily, are the number one way to help your dog not be fearful of fireworks. You can also engage in a fun activity during the fireworks videos as long as your dog stays relaxed. This helps them by redirecting their attention. Examples are retrieving a toy, a lick mat, or a high value chew toy. You can also engage in short training sessions with treats, providing you keep your dog under stress threshold.

There are also relaxation medicine either natural or from your veterinarian. Obviously, medication from the vet is stronger than anything you can use over the counter. You have to gauge which your dog needs. Try these well before July to see if they help.

Make sure you do NOT confine your dog in a crate. If they enjoy their crate, covering it with a blanket with the door open or off, will give them a nice place to hide, if they choose to go in.

There are also various extras to try. A “Happy Hoodie” is a sound dampening head wrap. You can add cotton to the ears for extra sound dampening. “ThunderShirts” are anxiety vests that help some dogs the same way as swaddling infants.
“Adaptil” (formally DAP), makes pheromone diffusers and collars that promote calming in some dogs. These should all be tried well in advance of actually needing them.

As a last resort, drive your dog out to wilderness areas or forests where fireworks are banned is a way to keep your buddy calm and relaxed. An alternative idea is hanging out with your dog in the basement or a center room without windows while watching a loud TV and perhaps a fan may offer a bit of comfort.

If you have questions on desensitizing your dog to fireworks, thunder or other fears or phobias, give us a call at 435-590-6780. We’d love to help.

07/06/2025

🎆FIREWORKS TONIGHT🎆
Don’t forget today is the Opening Ceremonies of the Utah Summer Games. They will have fireworks at dark. Please help your dogs that can’t handle that. Suggestions: You could take a drive out of town and look at the stars or storm watch until 10:30. You could also hang with them in a basement or center room and crank up the volume of TV, fans, etc. As a last resort, you can hang blankets on the walls of a room and try to dampen the sound.  if you need help desensitizing them before the Fourth of July, let us know. We’d love to help.

06/06/2025

Did you know reactive dogs are one of our specialties? Do you have a dog that barks or acts fearful/agitated of people, dogs, doorbells, movement, etc? We treat the problem of why the dog reacts instead of the reaction. When you change the dogs mind, helping him achieve peace, you “fix”the reaction. We don’t use any aversives, only positive science based techniques. Call us for a free phone consultation. 435-590-6780


29/05/2025

It is Rattlesnake season! Rattlesnakes prefer temperatures between 70°and 90°. They can even be out at night, if it is warm enough. They especially love tall grasses because this is where they find the most prey. The easiest way to avoid your dog from getting bit is to keep them on a leash. You can ask your veterinarian or check the internet about the pros and cons of the rattlesnake vaccine.

It’s also a great time to educate yourself between the difference of Gopher Snakes, and Rattlesnakes. They look similar but their eyes shape and of course tail look very different. I have seen several Gopher snakes this year already including one right in the middle of Cedar City on green grass. 

Below is a good article written on rattlesnake bites. It is best to read up on it now, then wait till you have the emergency.
https://veterinaryemergencygroup.com/blog/dog-rattlesnake-bite/

24/05/2025

How often do you talk to your dog? How much dog language do you understand?

When I was a child I wanted to grow up and talk to animals like Dr. Doolittle. At first, I thought that meant a had become a veterinarian. I studied animal science (pre-vet). Then, something happened to change my career choice. I refused to perform a vivisection on a live puppy. Best choice! Now, I’m living my dream.

23/05/2025

Show me a photo of your dog on your last outdoor adventure.
👇👇👇

23/05/2025

Carrots are an amazing addition to your dogs diet. They have a satisfying crunch and most dogs love them. You can freeze them to make them last longer. for older dogs, you may have to chop them up. You can add to enrichment by scattering them in the yard and letting your dog find them.

The health benefits from carrots are great. A few of them are:
*They improve digestive health because of fiber.
*They help prevent chronic disease with antioxidants.
*They really do improve eyesight.
*They help your dog’s body detox.

Mold in Pet Food: A Hidden Danger

Pet food manufacturers worldwide are facing a growing challenge—controlling mold contamination in both dry and canned foods. This issue has led to numerous lawsuits linked to pet illnesses and deaths.

One of the most dangerous mold byproducts is aflatoxin, a potent fungal toxin. When pets consume food with unsafe levels of aflatoxins, they are at high risk for poisoning. These toxins can damage vital organs, suppress the immune system, and have even been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer.

A Natural Defense: Carrots 🥕

An easy and natural way to support your pet’s defense against aflatoxins is by incorporating apiaceous vegetables, such as carrots, into their diet. Carrots contain unique compounds called polyacetylenes, which help detoxify harmful substances—including aflatoxins.

While completely eliminating aflatoxins from a dog’s system can be challenging, carrots can support your pet’s metabolism and help process and neutralize these toxins more effectively.

💡 How to Serve Carrots to Dogs:

Serve raw or cooked.

Use as training treats or mince and mix into meals.

Chop into bite-sized pieces suitable for your dog’s size.

Don’t discard the green tops—they’re rich in antioxidants and nutrients and safe to feed in moderation.

Protecting your pet starts with smart choices. Adding carrots to their diet is a simple yet powerful way to boost their health and resilience.

Lastly, it's a misconception that carrots are high in sugar. A medium raw carrot contains only 5.8 grams of carbohydrate. Making it non-starchy.

Glycemic Index measures how much some foods and drinks raise your blood sugar levels. It runs on a scale of 1 to 100. A score of 100 means the food has the same effect on your body as eating a type of sugar called glucose.

The lower the glycemic index (GI), the slower your blood sugar rises. Raw carrots have a GI of 16. The GI for boiled carrots ranges from 32 to 49. That puts carrots in the low glycemic food group:

Low glycemic index: 1-55
Medium glycemic index: 56-69
High glycemic index: 70 or higher

21/05/2025

CONFORMATION SKILLS SEMINAR
I will be hosting a conformation handling seminar Tuesday, May 27 at 5:30 in Cedar City, UT. It will be specifically for issues that people are having either with their dogs or their handling skills. Beginners through seasoned pros welcome. This will not be a handling practice, but a skill building seminar. I will also offer auditing for those who want to come without a dog to learn. The costs are $40 for one dog and handler team and $20 for each additional dog. Auditing is $25. Juniors $25. You need to sign up ahead of time and submit a written case study. Call 435-590-6780 to reserve your space.

20/05/2025

You never know what will happen when you meet your goal. 😂 What does your ideal dog training goals look like?

18/05/2025

Our motto has always been “Building better relationships, one dog and handler at a time.”

How exactly do we help you with your relationship with your dog? We help you with clear, consistent communication to your dog. We bridge the gap between what you are trying to communicate to your dog and vise versa with body language. We give you many alternatives to negative reinforcement. This is done through communication, positive reinforcement, positive rewards, alternative behaviors, teaching new cues and commands, play behavior, psychology, etc.. We have over 35 years practice experience as well as continued education in animal behavioral science.

For the last few years, there has been an influx of “balanced trainers”. Most of these trainers have little experience and use aversive tools. Unfortunately, we have had to help a lot of the dogs that went through other people‘s programs. These dogs are not taught coping skills, but simply to shut down by being shocked or other negative stimulation.

We offer a gentler, more holistic way of training and understanding your dog. Call us for a free phone consultation. 435-590-6780