Points of Wisdom Dog Training

11/09/2024

We are open for business! The mountain fire is 100% contained, thanks to all the crews who worked tirelessly day and night to get it under control. There are still barricades blocking Timberline Road, but you can drive around them. See you all later!

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11/03/2024

We will be closed till further notice due to the fire on the mountain. All classes and private lessons today and tomorrow are canceled. Thank you to everybody who checked in. 🩷

10/30/2024

Mission accomplished.

09/26/2024

Dune!

09/26/2024

More handling practice...

09/22/2024

The award for best dressed today goes to Ziggy.

09/22/2024

Congratulations to our newest puppy grads!

09/06/2024

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.

09/05/2024

Great morning to train! Xena's grin will never get old.

08/31/2024

More puppies! This looks like a meeting of the minds.

08/31/2024

Puppies!!!

08/31/2024

Congratulations to our new AKC S.T.A.R. puppies, Elsie and Joy!

08/26/2024

Here's a helpful checklist to follow when searching for a dog trainer. You have every right to do the research and confirm the alleged cred, experience, and letters behind names are current and legit.

https://www.vet.upenn.edu/docs/default-source/ryan/ryan-behavior-medicine/finding-the-right-trainer.pdf?sfvrsn=395e17ba_2

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08/22/2024

08/19/2024

Highly recommend. It dispels the alpha/dominance nonsense and further confirms that canine behavior is a science that we're only just beginning to understand.

Embark on a delightful journey into the world of dogs in this documentary that reveals scientific and emotional insights about our lovable BFFs.Watch on Netf...

08/18/2024

Another myth debunked!

Should you let your dog sleep with you? There are historical precedents, and while there may be potential issues, there are plenty of benefits.

08/17/2024

Well said!

Whole Dog Journal‘s mission is to provide dog guardians with in-depth information on dog food, training, behavior, health, and more.

08/17/2024

I'm seeing a lot on the internet (as usual) about people's perceptions of fearful and reactive dogs. It must be stated that coddling and comforting are not the same. A fearful dog should be comforted. If he is reacting to a trigger, he needs to be removed away from the trigger by increasing distance ASAP. He needn't be 'scolded' or treated harshly. Being kind and proactive does not reinforce reactive behaviors. It sets him up for success by not allowing him to practice/rehearse those impulsive, reactive behaviors to avoid turning them into learned behaviors. To treat a fearful/reactive dog without conscience and as his 'leader' and/or to punish with aversives is the very last thing one ought to be doing. We need to classically counter condition and desensitize our dogs methodically. Exposure to triggers should be slow and controlled. The reactive dog should never be allowed to escalate over his threshold and he should not be punished. Reactive dogs cannot be forced to just deal with it or else we risk doing real, lasting damage.

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