Kindred Spirit Dog Training

06/23/2024

As a pet guardian or professional, it can be difficult to measure improvement once the pet starts medication.

Medications, both daily and fast acting, can help improve behaviors. Here’s what you should watch for:

06/23/2024

DOPAMINE does a lot more than reward‼️

🧠 Fast dopamine neurons are involved in the detection of events and ascribing of value. Slow dopamine neurons are needed for movement, behavioural activation, motivation, reward and punishment (yes punishment increases dopamine too). Dopamine concentration outside the neurons is needed for movement control, which is critical for dog sports.

😱 There is so much more than conditioning going on in our dogs' brains when we train them, and understanding the beautiful complexity expands our horizons, and helps us help them.

(Shared with permission by Barking Brains)

06/23/2024

If you ever travel with your dog into the United States — even as a U.S. resident heading home from a visit to Canada or Mexico with your pooch — heads up! The rules for entry are changing.
https://news.vin.com/doc/?id=12146666

06/23/2024

The Ten Myths of Canine Behavior
Myth #10: My dog growled at me. I need to punish the growl.
One of the most important behaviors to reinforce rather than punish in dogs is growling. Growling serves as information, signaling that a dog feels uncomfortable in a situation. It is not an act of aggression but a form of communication, and for that, we should be grateful. We can address growling constructively by identifying and avoiding the actions that triggered it. Punishing a growl risk suppressing this warning signal, potentially leading to a bite without any preceding warning.

06/23/2024

Something everyone should know👇

We should always avoid putting dogs in uncomfortable situations. Regardless of whether they're muzzled or not.

Just because a muzzle negates the risk to others, doesn’t mean that it changes the way our dogs FEEL!

It’s so important to treat your dog as you would if there was still a high risk of injury to another being because in doing so you will be more likely to keep your dog out of situations you know they’re unlikely to be able to cope with.

👉 Your dog will still be uncomfortable with dogs even if they're muzzled.

👉 With a muzzle on, your dog will still be uncomfortable at the vet.

👉 If your dog was so fearful they tried to bite your neighbour before, they still might try with a muzzle on.

A muzzle is a MANAGEMENT TOOL that keeps dogs and others safe, but a muzzle alone doesn’t create emotional change. 💕

Putting on a muzzle doesn't mean we can throw everything at our dogs that we couldn't before, just because the risk to others is lower. We help our dogs grow in confidence and feel safe, not them. We do it with good management, great, ethical training, and considering whether our dogs will enjoy our situations.

Let me know if you agree! 💗

06/23/2024

With summer comes record temperatures across the states. in the summer while keeping them stimulated? Here's what we're doing in the hot weather.

06/23/2024

Are you planning some long-distance travel with your dog? Here are some important things to consider when deciding whether you should drive or fly with your dog.

11/04/2023

Oh they know! 🙄

08/30/2023

08/30/2023

If you are struggling with compassion fatigue, burnout in the workplace, or are feeling overwhelmed, join our upcoming webinar on September 7, at 8 p.m. ET with professional speaker and therapist, Kari Knutson.

As pet professionals these are struggles we know all too well. But, you no longer have to choose between your passion for your work, the welfare of animals, and your own well-being. Join us to learn about tools that will support you in working more effectively and loving what you do again.

Register now: https://bit.ly/3KuEHnf

08/30/2023

05/14/2023

In our newest podcast episode we are joined by Debbie Martin, RVT, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, VTS (Behavior), and renowned pet journalist, Steve Dale. In this episode they discuss how we can utilize proper cleaning protocols and products to eliminate negative-associative pheromones, and how we can use positive-associative pheromones to create a Fear Free environment!

Listen now to further your knowledge around pheromones & support your day-to-day experiences with the pets in your clinic, office or salon!

https://fearfreepets.com/parsing-pheromones-with-debbie-martin/

by our friends at Virox Technologies Inc.

05/14/2023

New podcast episode alert! 🐾 🎙️

In our latest episode of Happy Paws, "Understanding Animals," we had the honor of speaking with Temple Grandin, MS, PhD, and our founder, Dr. Marty Becker. Dr. Grandin & Dr. Becker dive into the emotional well-being of all animals and how Fear Free can positively impact their sensory based world. You won't want to miss this episode!

Listen now: https://bit.ly/3LSlgof

05/13/2023

Watch the world go by is such an important part of puppy socialization.

How close you can get your puppy to activities is not the name of the game.
People interacting with your puppy isn't the goal. Playing with other dogs is not the goal.

This is not a competition to see who can get the closest to activities with their puppy.
Puppies do not need to be close to the activity. In many cases they should be further away.

Grab a coffee/tea and just simply hang out, out of the way, where puppy can observe and be comfortable.
I often bring a chew toy for the puppy and of course a bowl of water.

Take your time with this.

Socialization outings that we have used:
(Sitting at a distance and observing, not interacting)
💚Kids get on/off the bus
💚Construction
💚People with dogs, bicycles, skateboards at the park
💚People at a coffee shop, library, airport
💚Track and field practice
💚People grooming horses
💚People going in to stores
💚Agility trial
💚Baseball games
💚Going to the beach
💚Christmas lights
💚Going for ice cream
💚Sitting in the car in a variety of places
💚Going out during the day and at night

There are some things that I will never include because I cannot get distance.
This includes going to watch fireworks and going through the car wash.

This cute photo is of Robin the day I brought him home. I would find quiet spots in the airport like this terminal that was under construction so that he could rest.

05/13/2023

Here's my hot tip for having a great relationship with your dog.

Teach your dog that you are reliable.

That means:
🐾If they need help, help them.
🐾If they are confused, break it down so they understand.
🐾 Don't just ignore their request for contact and connection.
🐾If they are afraid, teach them you are safe and will protect them.
🐾Be consistent.
🐾Don't take anger or frustrations out on them.
🐾Set them up to succeed.
🐾Advocate for them.
🐾 Don't yell or push them away because you are tired or had a hard day.
🐾Meet their needs, including rest, exercise and enrichment.
🐾 Set up environments that work for them.
🐾 Understand their behaviors have a function that has nothing to do with ruining your day.
🐾 Understand that day to day routines become habits. If a dog does the same thing for months or a year, appreciate that they cannot just change today because you want them to.
🐾Go slow when needed.
🐾See them as an individual. What works for you might be different from what you saw on Instagram.
🐾Observe and listen to their feedback.

05/13/2023

Recently I had the honor of writing the forward for an important and timely book: The Role of Companion Animals in the Treatment of Mental Disorders. Published by the American Psychiatric Association, this book is a testament to the hard work of mental health researchers and practitioners who are do...

05/13/2023

The effects of neutering a dog too early changed the recommendation of when to neuter.

05/13/2023

What do you do if an off-leash dog approaches you while you are walking a dog? Make a plan today, learn more.

05/06/2023

Does your cat strike a pose that reminds you of a bread loaf? If so, you might be wondering: Why do cats loaf? The answer may surprise you.