dogs of the dunes

01/26/2025

The act of not correcting is a learned skill.

Be patient with your dog AND yourself.

01/26/2025

One of the most common defenses for outdated dog training methods is “nuance”.

After all, if every dog is different, shouldn’t we consider all types of training methods, from treats and play to punishment with prong or shock collars?

Let’s talk about why this common talking point among some “dog trainers” is nothing more than a cop-out for a lack of knowledge on what to do next.

Nuance in dog training is about truly understanding the dog in front of you and making thoughtful, compassionate choices that help them succeed.

For years, many of us were taught methods that focused on controlling behaviors by suppressing them, often with tools like prong collars or harsh corrections.

While those techniques may seem effective in the short term, decades of research and experience have shown that they never address the underlying reasons for a dog’s behavior.

Instead, these “old school” methods can lead to stress, confusion, and sometimes even harm the bond between a dog and their guardian. And this is no way to serve the public as a professional.

Modern training takes a different approach.

It’s about noticing the small details, the flicker of an ear, the tension in a dog’s body, or the difference between curiosity and stress. It’s about stepping back, understanding what the dog is experiencing, and finding a way forward that builds trust and confidence, not fear.

For example, when a dog pulls on the leash, instead of relying on quick, harsh corrections to stop the behavior, we can focus on initially setting the dog up for success by managing the environment, lowering their stress, and teaching them new skills in a way they can truly understand. We can work all the way up to the challenging scenario without the need for punishment at all.

If you’re a professional trainer, you may have been taught more traditional methods in the past. It’s something many of us can relate to.

But as we learn more about how dogs think, feel, and learn, we have the opportunity to grow and evolve. That’s something every educator should be proud to do.

A “crossover trainer” is someone who’s made that leap, moving away from older techniques toward a more modern, humane approach. Their stories are a powerful reminder that change is possible.

If you’re a crossover trainer, we’d love to hear from you. What inspired your shift? What has your journey been like?

And for anyone who’s exploring new ideas, feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions.

This is a space for learning and growing together. We’re so glad to have you as part of the Dog Training Revolution!

01/25/2025

A gentle Saturday reminder: It takes as long as it takes. 💕🐾

01/25/2025

In honor of my 1 year anni with Theo and his family today, here is THE moment we were working towards for nearly 6 months.

No fear, no pain, and no 'dominance' required.

My work as a trainer is never about control; it's about emotionally competent communication to help you and your dog thrive.

If the story below sounds like skills your dog needs too, let's talk! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

THEO! WE DID IT BUDDY! 😭🎉

what started as a consult for walking services back in january quickly pivoted into a few months of training that made last night possible.

our first several sessions were leashed, inside, and at a distance as theo was unsure about my presence. we played games to work on simple cues of redirection like "leave it" and "find it", practiced how to facilitate a loose leash walk, and threw some stay in there as well.
we moved outside as the weather got nicer and began integrating what we had been practicing into the real world. sessions started with a neighborhood walk, followed by skill practice in the front yard and driveway. we weaved cones, used passing dogs as distraction (some clients of mine actually; hey !), and introduced the idea of me being the leash handler without mom there.

when you're a big guy with big feelings, it can be a lot to manage.

but last night, wow.

me being able to approach, leash, and then walk him in itself was a glorious moment. but the kicker was how many dogs and people we saw out that he PAID NO MIND TO. even at the end of our walk, as the 2 dogs he has ALWAYS reacted strongly to passed by his home, he stood there and ignored them completely. unphased. unbothered. THRIVING in his new confidence and understanding of the world.

HUUUGE shoutout to theo's ma (and tiny human brother too❗️) for the effort and perseverance, proving again that consistency pays off.

No breed needs a heavy hand. 🫶
Don't let location throw you off! Virtual and in-person services available. Book your consult in the bio and let's transform your dog!

custom 20' rope from 💞🤩

01/25/2025

This is Zeus and I love his wittle heart nose. 🥹🥹🥹

I had the joy of helping his new family interpret he and his big brother Apollo's play tonight during our session.

If you're unsure about the transition from a 1 to 2 dog home, let's talk! 219-246-9084

01/24/2025

Author/Founder. This book 📖 is written for our dogs, who cannot speak for themselves and for the people who love 💋 them. My passion for moving the dog training field forward in the face of difficult obstacles inspired me to create a wellness and training guide 📓 embedded with the Do No Harm ethical code. Get your copy here and start training without force or fear today ~ https://amzn.to/3Ptt14g

A straightforward, force-free, Do No Harm alternative to the traditional teaching model is needed in the unregulated dog training industry. As an ardent animal lover, canine behavior modification professional, and animal welfare advocate, I felt compelled to write The Do No Harm Dog Training® and Behavior Handbook to support The Hierarchy of Dog Needs® (HDN) guide. Given the strong movement toward human-animal bonding, there is a societal imperative to develop a more dog-friendly, dog-needs based model of care and training. Too often, basic needs are either not met or are under met. The Do No Harm approach make dogs lives better because it is truly dog-friendly, safer, has longer lasting results; moreover, it is more effective when compared to punitive training.

The Hierarchy of Dog Needs concept as a wholistic system of care had been brewing within me for many years. I dreamt about it a lot. I was in a rather unique position of responsibility that spurred me to speak out on behalf of the dogs. My disappointment and frustration with the dog training field’s direction toward shock, prong, choke collar devices, and other punitive methods inspired me to sit down and find a way to get my ideas into an easily understood visual form.

My academic background in experimental psychology and learning, graduate training and research in behavioral neurobiology, plus hands-on experience training dogs and wolfdogs, prepared me to create a one-page teaching tool in the form of a handout that is easy-to-understand and easy-to-use. The development of The Hierarchy of Dog Needs came to life through considerable trial and tribulation and some tears. The Do No Harm ethic grows naturally from The Hierarchy of Dog Needs and expresses the ideology and practices within this book.

After decades of wading through the ocean of materials available on dog training, I decided to write my own manual where specific items of interest are easy to find for both pet parents and instructors.

01/23/2025

01/22/2025

Check out this free webinar hosted by Fear Free Pets for pet pros, fosters, and new pet parents!

01/21/2025

01/19/2025

Really excited to share important information with current and potential fosters this Thursday! 💕🐾

We are 1 week away!!!!! Please come to the foster parent call out meeting where you will learn what it takes to be a foster parent and tips and tricks from Dog of The Dunes dog trainer!