Staywilddog Training

07/07/2025

Hey everyone.

I know times are tough right, but I wanted to reach out to those who could spare a helping hand.

One of my students, Daisy Mae, is in need of emergency care.

She has been drastically losing weight, is severely dehydrated, hasn't been able to eat and has now been unable to get up the stairs. She is still a young girl and deserves every chance at life.

Of you could help, her mom Crystal would greatly appreciate any form of help and support, even if it is just sending this message along.

While Crystal has only asked for a small amount she needs approximately 4k to save Daisy. So please continue to donate.

Hello, good day! My name is Crystal. I have this beautiful, beautifu… Crystal Condron needs your support for Save Crystal's Great Dane: Urgent Vet Care Needed

28/05/2025

I have had difficulties sharing just the update so I will resend the link to the page.

For details on the most recent update on my dad, please click here and consider sharing so the community may know.

I will not be taking questions or repeating this.

Everyone, please be patient with me during this process.

Yesterday, my dad was hit by an SUV while riding his motorcycle in … Leum Makara Unutoa needs your support for Help My Dad In Critical Care Due To A Hit & Run

26/05/2025

Friends, followers, trainees...

I could use your support.

I don't normally post personal concerns here but this warrants the overlay between business and life.

You may have seen the local news. But if you haven't I am going to share it here.

My Dad, Robert DeWayne Jr, was the victim of a hit and run while he was riding his motorcycle. He is currently stable and going to have surgery tomorrow.

I have started a gofundme to help support his wife Tonya D Wilkes-DeWayne and our family with my dad's medical care and needs.

We know that he has fractures in the c1 and c5/c6 vertebrae.

He has a complete spinal injury and swollen disk.

He is unable to feel most touches and could possibly be paralyzed. Possibly unable to breathe without a machine.

He is intubated and heavily sedated.

We have had brain scans done and the damage to him has caused multiple strokes

We hope for the best but are also preparing for the worst.

If you would like to support my dad, please consider donating or sharing our link below.

If you would like to donate via venmo or cashapp to avoid the fee from gofundme, my username is

Venmo:
Cashapp: $leummakara

I appreciate your time, your hope and prayers for my dad. No one deserves this.

I will be taking a few days off while my dad is in critical care and I appreciate my clients who have been flexible with.

If you have any info about the people who hit my dad and left him for dead please share with the local police. We must find them.

Yesterday, my dad was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle in W… Leum Makara Unutoa needs your support for Help my Dad in Critical Care from a Hit and Run

24/05/2025

Today was a big step forward for Kodiak.
He saw the ducks — normally a huge trigger for him — and instead of reacting or trying to chase, he just watched. No tension, no barking, no pulling. Just curious, calm observation.

We’ve been working on helping him shift his emotional response to things that used to spark stress or excitement. It’s not about shutting down who he is, but giving him space to process without going into overdrive.

Every time he chooses stillness, he’s learning that he doesn’t have to react — he has other options.

This kind of progress is quiet, but it matters.

Check out StayWildDog’s video.

03/05/2025

TOP 3 MISTAKES FROM NEW DOG TRAINING CLIENTS

And these 3 mistakes are accountable for a large portion of your dogs skill base and what they truly know, and what they don't.

Luckily, some minor tweaks to your behavioral understanding gets you moving on the right path!

Want to learn more about how to communicate with your dog? Visit www.staywilddog.com and book a free discovery call!


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Check out StayWildDog’s video.

01/05/2025

All true!

THE PLOT TO DOMINATE HUMANS

We hear it far too much - “my dog is dominant” or “trying to be the alpha” or “I have to be the pack leader to show my dog who’s in charge”.

The definition of dominance - dominant in the chain of command / occupying or being in a commanding or elevated position / having a controlling, prevailing, or powerful position in a social hierarchy. Do we really believe this of our dogs in the context of our relationship with them? Are dogs really trying to take over our homes and rule the world?

We control everything in their lives - what and when they eat, when they go out, their choices, where they sleep, who they interact with, their environment etc. and yet it’s still believed they are trying to dominate us.

Yes, dominance between dogs does exist, but not in the way that we may assume. It exists in certain situations or contexts, is fluid and may constantly change. It’s not usually about using force but about one individual deferring to another.

Dogs know that we are not dogs and they don’t expect us to behave like other dogs.

Dogs need us to be their advocate, a source of security, of safety and a secure base from which they can navigate our world – not a source of pain, fear, intimidation, force, competition and dominance.

There is a vast amount of scientific evidence and information available that debunks the dominance myth as it pertains to our relationship with dogs.

Here are just a few links and references for further information -

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour – “An appropriate trainer should avoid any use of training tools that involve pain (choke chains prong collars, or electronic shock collars), intimidation (sq**rt bottles, shaker noise cans, compressed air cans, shouting, staring, or forceful manipulations such as "alpha rolls" or "dominance downs physical correction techniques (leash jerking, physical force), or flooding exposure. The learner must always feel safe and have the ability to "opt out” of training sessions”

Why Dominance Theory Fails in Dog Training
https://readypupgo.biz/why-dominance-theory-fails-in-dog-training/

Dr Anne Mcbride & SJ Evans
https://www.apbc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/APBC-Dominance-Article.pdf

Dr. L. David Mech talks about the terms "alpha" and "beta" wolves and why they are no longer scientifically accurate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNtFgdwTsbU

01/05/2025

For those who have met or watched Kodiak in my training videos, this is his breeder! She has a great eye for beautiful and intelligent dogs and she happens to have 2 left from her last litter. If you are looking to bring some fun, energetic, comical companions home I recommend you check her out!

01/05/2025

Yes!! One of the most misunderstood behaviors of dogs!

HU***NG HOUNDS
It’s not always about what it looks like.

Some dogs do and some dogs don’t, but if you have a dog that humps at the most inopportune times it can be particularly embarrassing or annoying.

Other dogs, other people, visitors, toys, cushions, furniture, anything that can be mounted and clung to may be fair game.

As people, it’s natural to assume that this behaviour is of a sexual nature, that our dogs must be oversexed, sexually frustrated or the all-too-common incorrect belief that our dogs are just trying to be “dominant” or “the alpha”.

Hu***ng, like many other dog behaviours does not always have a simple reason. It can be a complex behaviour which is usually emotionally or socially based.

When hu***ng is annoying another dog or person or causing frustration, discomfort or harm in any way, then obviously this behaviour needs to be addressed, but sometimes we need to consider if it’s really something we need to stop because as people, we see it as socially unacceptable?

Is it just a harmless way of relieving stress or anxiety or a way to release excess energy. Is a little hump now and then okay if it’s not causing any harm?

One of my boys (I’m referring to my dog - just to prevent any misunderstanding!) humps one of my other dogs every Saturday morning without fail.

This happens when we get back from a long walk in nature. I allow him to do this because I understand it’s his way of releasing excitement and calming himself down.

As long as the other dogs don’t mind, I don’t believe it’s causing any harm as it’s a healthy way of self-regulating.

If we prevent this, correct it, or at worst punish this behaviour are we removing a harmless natural outlet and risking another unwanted behaviour taking its place?

Hu***ng is one of the most misunderstood behaviours.

Very often, behaviour is not about the way it looks, but the way we perceive it from our human perspective.

30/04/2025

Luring in dog training—helpful tool or shortcut? It’s a hot topic, but when used right, it builds confidence without pressure. Fear-free doesn’t mean ineffective. Let’s talk about it.

Check out StayWildDog’s video.

07/04/2025

Today, we had such nice weather that I chose to take Inari, my handicapped demo dogs out for some basic practice! Do you have any goals for working with your dog off leash?
Tips:
-Start recall practice inside the home first so there are less distractions.
-If your dog nails this, then step it up by practicing in the yard. Still a safe space but with slightly more distractions.
- Once your pup has done consistently well then it's time to diversify the environment. Use a long nylon lead to keep your dog safe during the learning process. Calling your dog BEFORE they feel the leash get tight.
-From there it's about changing the variations of distance and environments.
-We recommend you ALWAYS reward for recall practices. When a real situation happens and you need your dog to return right away, even if you don't have treats, your dog BELIEVES that you do!

Create consistent practice, or join StayWildDog Training for the Adventure Classes this Summer that work on important skills for explorer dogs.

Let dogs be dogs, with the freedom to explore and the training to listen.