Dog Trained

12/12/2024

At this point in time, most folks understand the link between pain and behavior. It’s logical: you don’t feel well, you have less patience and tolerance, you lash out or shut down or otherwise are not the best version of yourself. It makes sense that the same would be true for dogs.

But how do we know there is pain with animals who cannot verbalize that pain?

The short answer: we can’t know.

The longer answer: we also can’t know there ISN’T pain.

Meet Malus.

From puppyhood, he’s been a little spicy. But he’s a terrier, so that’s normal, right? He didn’t like having his feet handled. No biggie. And as he got older, he got a little reactive to other dogs - again, see “terrier” in the dictionary. And after he got neutered at 2.5 years old, his behavior spiraled - going after his housemates, aggression directed at his owners, even less tolerance for handling, increased fence fighting. But there’s some evidence of increased aggression after neutering, so maybe he just got unlucky.

For many folks, that explanation would’ve been enough. They would’ve worked on behavior modification, or just accepted a crate and rotate household, or managed the heck out of all of his triggers… or, honestly, would’ve ended up euthanizing him for his dangerous behavior.

Luckily, Malus’s mom is Katrina, who is essentially a terrier in a human body. She dug in.

Training, a veterinary behaviorist, consulting with other behavior experts, expensive testing - and then we got our first physical explanation: low zinc.

But even with a zinc supplement, his aggressive episodes remained unpredictable. Katrina had noticed some very, very intermittent lameness, foot chewing, butt/tail biting, so off they went to the first orthopedic specialist - one who cleared him orthopedically for all activities.

So they did physical therapy, and pain meds, and kept working on training.

But the weird, mild lameness continued, and so did visits to specialists. A neurologist who recommended an MRI, then more physical therapy for a possible psoas strain, different meds, another orthopedic/rehab specialist consultation, adjustments to physical therapy, a PEMF bed for home use, adjustments to behavior meds, consults with nationally respected trainers and behavior specialists, and finally - FINALLY - a recommendation to see a pain management specialist.

“I think he may have Tethered Cord Syndrome. I’m going to try different pain meds, but there’s a specialist in Massachusetts you should get in touch with.”

With the new meds on board, his behavior improved. He was brighter, happier, had fewer episodes of lameness, self mutilation, and aggression.

Yesterday, Malus had a dynamic MRI at Tufts, where Tethered Cord Syndrome was confirmed.

Today, he had surgery to relieve the adhesions to his spinal cord that have been causing him pain.

He was never “just being a terrier.” He was not acting out for no good reason. He didn’t need harsher training methods. He wasn’t aggressing for no reason.

He was in pain.

There are no words to adequately describe how thrilled I am for Katrina and Malus to have this diagnosis and surgery in their rear view mirror - it has been a long time coming. The strain on Katrina and Kevin’s emotions, time, resources, finances, and household over the last 5 years cannot be overstated. Most folks wouldn’t - and couldn’t - go to the lengths they did.

We can’t rule out pain. We can only rule out specific issues and diagnoses. For Malus, it took finding the right vet who had heard about this rarely diagnosed issue to connect them with the vet who could help.

To my clients I encourage to work with their veterinarian to try to find any physical explanations: Katrina and Malus are the reason why I will push you more if your primary care vet shrugs you off. It’s why I will push and push and push, especially if your commitment to training and management is excellent but we still are struggling to make progress. Malus is on my shoulder (sometimes literally), poking me with his nose, screeching in my ear to look harder.

If you’ve ever heard him, you know how hard that ✨ delightful ✨ noise is to ignore.

(PS - Here’s your sign to sign up for pet insurance.)

To learn more about Tethered Cord Syndrome:
https://vet.tufts.edu/news-events/news/breakthrough-surgical-procedure-relieves-dogs-chronic-pain

11/06/2024

09/02/2024

🐾Understanding a puppy’s developmental stages is important to providing the right training, support, exposure, and socialisation at each phase. These stages have a profound effect on shaping a pup's long-term behaviour, especially when it comes to handling stress, fear, and new experiences. The key to having a ‘well-rounded’ adult dog is to recognise and understand the fear periods puppies go through, and how these can impact their overall development and emotional well-being.

Neonatal Period (0–2 Weeks)

During the neonatal stage, puppies are entirely dependent on their mother. Their eyes and ears are closed, and they spend most of their time sleeping and nursing. At this age, there’s very little environmental interaction or learning beyond the comfort and safety of their litter[1].

Transitional Period (+- 2–3 Weeks)

In this short but crucial phase, puppies start to develop their senses. Their eyes and ears open, and they begin to explore their immediate surroundings. This is when their motor skills develop, and they become more active. While fear isn’t yet a significant factor at this stage, early positive and gentle handling can set the groundwork for future interactions and socialisation[1].

Socialisation Period (+- 3 -16 Weeks)

The socialisation period is one of the most critical phases in a puppy’s life. During this time, they are highly receptive to forming social bonds and learning about their environment. Positive exposure to various people, animals, sounds, and experiences is extremely important to shaping a well-rounded adult dog. Socialisation during this period has a lasting impact on their behaviour, making it a key time for introducing puppies to the world in a controlled, and positive way[1].

Fear Periods in the Socialisation Stage:

Around the 8–12 week mark, puppies experience their first significant fear period. This is when they become particularly sensitive to new experiences and can easily form fear-based responses. During this window, it’s important to ensure that any exposure to new environments or stimuli is positive and non-threatening. Negative experiences at this stage can lead to long-term fear or aggression issues. This sensitivity is linked to the puppy’s rapidly developing nervous system, which makes them more reactive to stimuli[1].

Juvenile Period (+- 3–6 Months)

The juvenile period which is also known as the ‘terrible teens’ is influenced by increased independence. Puppies become more curious and eager to explore their surroundings. Their motor skills are more refined, and they start to solidify the behaviours and social cues they’ve been learning. However, they are still developing emotionally and mentally, so ongoing socialisation and positive reinforcement are incredibly important[2].

At this stage, some puppies may experience a second fear period, usually around the 4–6-month mark. This is typically a shorter phase but can still lead to heightened sensitivity and reactivity, particularly to unfamiliar people, animals, or environments. Like the earlier fear period, it’s important to carefully manage their experiences during this time to prevent the formation of long-term fear-based responses[2].

Adolescence (+- 6–18 Months)

Adolescence can be the most challenging stage for both puppies and their owners. As their bodies and minds continue to develop, many adolescent pup’s become more independent, test boundaries in the sense of figuring out what behaviours work or don’t and may even seem to “forget” cue’s you may have taught them. It’s so important to remember and understand that the environment plays a HUGE part in their behaviour.

During this period, various areas of the brain mature at different rates. This phase is associated with increased levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can influence a dog's emotional responses and sensitivity to stimuli. The amygdala, a region in the brain linked to processing emotions, becomes more reactive, contributing to heightened fear responses. Additionally, changes in neurotransmitter levels, particularly serotonin, impact mood regulation and influence how the dog perceives and copes with stressors. These neurochemical fluctuations shape the dog's behaviour and emotional responses during this critical developmental period [4].

The two last fear stages are around 6–13 months, and around 14-18 months, where adolescent pups might suddenly become cautious or reactive towards things they were previously comfortable with. This stage can coincide with hormonal changes, and careful environmental management is needed to set the dog up for success, not put them in a position where they may ‘fail’, and to reinforce positive experiences as well as avoid letting fearful responses become habitual. It’s a good time to revisit training, focus on building confidence, and continue appropriate exposure and socialisation.

🧠The Role of Fear Periods in the Fight-or-Flight Response

This is the most important thing to understand when it comes to fear periods!!!! Instincts are involuntary and are a natural part of puppy development, designed to help them become more aware of potential threats to defend and protect themselves. These periods are characterised by the fight-or-flight response, which is triggered by specific chemicals, mainly adrenaline and cortisol [3].

Adrenaline is responsible for the immediate fight-or-flight response, making animals more reactive and alert to perceived threats. Whether they choose to flee or defend themselves depends on their temperament, past experiences, and how they are managed during these fear periods.

Cortisol, the stress hormone, plays a key role in managing longer-term stress. Repeated exposure to stressful situations without proper appropriate management can result in chronic anxiety and reactivity in the dog[4].

💪How to Support Your Puppy Through Fear Periods??

Fear periods can be daunting for both puppies and their owners, but with the right support with a force-free positive reinforcement trainer, puppies can navigate these stages and become more confident and resilient with emotional maturity and time.
To end off my very long post here are a few tips to help manage fear periods…

Reward behaviours you like when you see your puppy doing them. This includes calm behaviour and DO NOT punish fearful responses, which could make the situation worse. Puppies do not misbehave the way humans interpret it! Their behaviours are usually natural responses to their environment, and what we might label as “misbehaviour” is often just a result of unmet needs, confusion, or stress.

Introduce new experiences gradually, ensuring that your puppy doesn’t become overwhelmed. Make new interactions positive and manageable.

Remember that fear periods are temporary. Remain calm, and don’t force your puppy into situations they find intimidating.
I hope this helps you understand fear periods and your puppy or adult dog better. Please reach out to your nearest force-free, science-based trainer in your area if you need help.💜

[1] Scott, J.P. and Fuller, J.L. (1965) Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

[2] Serpell, J. (2017) ‘The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior, and Interactions with People’, in Serpell, J. (ed.) The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior and Interactions with People. 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 21-47.

[3] Overall, K.L. (2013) Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. St. Louis: Elsevier Health Sciences.

[4] Freedman, D.G., King, J.A. and Elliot, O. (1961) ‘Critical Period in the Social Development of Dogs’, Science, 133(3457), pp. 1016-1017.

08/16/2024

Why “wait and see” might be a waste of time, money, and welfare - by Kate Woods, IAABC-ADT, FFCP

07/04/2024

If there were only a four things I could communicate to the general public about dogs, it would be this:

1. It is not all in how you raise them.
2. Genetics matter. Like, a lot.
3. Not every home is right for every dog - and vice versa. And - there is no shame in realizing you are not the right fit for each other.
4. Not every dog can, or should, be saved.

Now, storytime:

I’ve known these delightful humans, M & R, for a couple of years now. Blood, sweat, and tears were put in to their last dog, and ended in the heartbreaking realization that it was neither safe nor sustainable for him to remain in their home. When they were ready for their next dog to join their home, they reached out for help in finding them.

Meet Scout.

He’s been home with them for 3 weeks now, and he is bringing them so much joy.

Is he perfectly well trained with zero naughty habits or areas we need to work on training? Nah - he’s an adolescent bully mix, we’ve got some manners to work on as he adjusts to his new home! But his quirks are silly, not unsafe. The root of his “issues” is that he is full of enthusiasm, not anxiety. And for a dog with 3 legs, he is surprisingly agile when there are empty yogurt containers in the bin on the other side of a baby gate. 😂

I wish every potential dog owner would reach out to a professional for help in finding their next dog - it might put those of us who specialize in anxiety or aggression out of business, but god would the trade off be worth it. If I only saw my clients for basic manners after finding them the right match, I’d know I was doing my job well - and saving them from such heartbreak in the process.

When you’re thinking about adding to your family, please, please, please: start with the RIGHT dog, for your personality, and family, and lifestyle, and environment.

Think of it as hiring a matchmaker instead of getting on Tinder.

It’s worth it.

💜🩵

06/26/2024

One Spot left: TRICKS FOR TREAT!!
Start date: July 14 Sunday 11:45-12:45pm, six consecutive weeks, 4 dogs per class, located at 4906 Wisconsin Ave NW. Washington DC. Tricks include Sit Pretty, Roll Over, Take a bow, Clean up toys, Crawl, Push, Weave, Spin, Shake, High Five, Cross your paws, Wipe your Paws and more! Use shaping, luring, capturing and targeting to start. variety of skills or advance them if you have already working on your tricks titles or just having fun.

06/21/2024

01/01/2024

A little caffeine on a beautiful, rainy, New Year's Day and I have the best new game for us this year! What would you add to your dog's Bingo card?

12/29/2023

Management is something every trainer I know talks about - it’s one of the first conversations I have with clients. Baby gates, x-pens, leash tethers, the list goes on…

I’ve always thought I was good at finding adaptive solutions but today I walked into a lesson and was blown away by the genius of my client! Their dog is a big boy who loves to counter surf, but also struggles with being confined.

Look at this beautiful AND creative solution they came up with! This is a portable ping pong net 🤯 I am so in love with this and was so impressed with their ingenious idea.

You can find them on Amazon - get one while you can because I think this is gonna be a new trend 😂

11/29/2023