Sisu in Flux

05/16/2024

05/07/2024

05/02/2024

Guess what? I'm surrounded by my favorite Charlee Bear Dog Treats! 🍖🎉 It's like I've found the ultimate treasure trove. These treats are so tasty that I can't help but wag my tail in delight!

Here's a fun fact: Did you know Charlee Bear Dog Treats were named after a rescue dog named Charlee? He was so cute and cuddly, just like a teddy bear. His lovable nature inspired the creation of these delicious treats! 🐻

Can't wait to dig into these bags of joy. But first, let's take a moment to appreciate this treat-filled spectacle! 📸

Animal Behavior at Carroll University

05/02/2024

I just finished a scrumptious meal from Hound & Gatos Pet Foods, and now I'm having the best nap of my life! 🍖💤 You can see me snoozing next to my favorite bag of Hound & Gatos food.

The flavors were so rich and meaty, just as we dogs love! And the best part? I heard from my human that Hound & Gatos meals are grain-free and packed with proteins. That means more energy for playtime when I wake up from this heavenly nap! 🎾

Dreaming of my next meal already. Until then, keep those tails wagging and enjoy your naps as much as your meals! 🐕‍🦺

Animal Behavior at Carroll University

05/02/2024

Just two dogs generalizing some behaviors.

Animal Behavior at Carroll University

05/02/2024

Here’s what a polite greeting might look like from a dog’s perspective:

Approach Slowly and Sideways: Dogs perceive a direct approach as threatening. A polite greeting involves approaching slowly and from the side, signaling non-threatening intentions.

Avoid Eye Contact: In the dog world, direct eye contact can be seen as a challenge or threat. It’s more polite to avoid direct eye contact during the initial greeting.

Sniffing: Sniffing is a primary way dogs gather information about each other. A polite greeting allows for this sniffing without any interruption.

Relaxed Body Language: A dog with a relaxed body, wagging tail, and open mouth is signaling that they are comfortable and happy. This is a sign of a polite and positive greeting.

As a human, you can advocate for your dog during greetings by doing the following:

Respect Your Dog’s Comfort Zone: Not all dogs are comfortable with close contact immediately. Allow your dog to set the pace of the interaction.

Educate Others: Teach children and others how to respectfully approach your dog. This includes avoiding direct eye contact and allowing the dog to sniff their hand before petting.

Use Positive Reinforcement: Reward your dog for polite behavior during greetings. This could be with treats, praise, or petting.

Know When to Step In: If your dog seems uncomfortable or the other dog/person is not respecting your dog’s signals, it’s okay to remove your dog from the situation.

Remember, every dog has their own comfort levels and ways of communicating. It’s important to pay attention to your dog’s signals and advocate for their needs.

Animal Behavior at Carroll University

05/01/2024

Mopsie was on the news!

Animal Behavior at Carroll University

Carroll University has some extra furry graduates this semester. The animal behavior students have fostered seven dogs as part of their program.

04/25/2024

Hello again! Sisu here, with a little information about using "wait":

Safety First: My human taught me to “wait” before I go outside or leave my crate. It’s not just a game, it’s for my safety.

Treat Time: Every time I “wait” correctly, I get lots of praise and sometimes even treats! Even if I am not entirely successful. It’s like a fun game we play.

Impulse Control: Learning to “wait” has helped me control my impulses, like not rushing through doors or waiting while my human places the food bowl on the floor.

No More Bolting: Now, I don’t bolt outside or lunge out of my crate. I’ve learned to “wait,” and it’s made a big difference.

Patience is Key: My human says patience is essential when learning new things. So, I’ve been practicing my “wait” command and getting better every day.

Rewards for Good Behavior: The best part about learning to “wait” is the rewards! Going outside is especially nice when I "wait" at the front door. My human always makes sure to reward me when I do a good job.

Remember, learning new commands like “wait” takes time and patience, but it’s worth it.🐾

Taylor Lebakken, Thank you for your support, overall presence, and, most of all, advice that helped me achieve some of my most successful behaviors. Your patience is SO valuable.

Animal Behavior at Carroll University

04/25/2024

Important points about “muzzling” :
1. Safety First: My human introduced me to this thing called a muzzle. It’s not scary at all, in fact, it’s for my safety and the safety of others.
2. Treat Time: My human made it fun by putting treats inside the muzzle. I got to eat them just by putting my snout inside.
3. Comfort Matters: The basket muzzle is comfortable and allows me to pant, drink water, and even receive treats.
4. Positive Vibes: My human used positive reinforcement, which means I got lots of praise and treats every time I put my snout in the muzzle.
5. No More Nibbles: The muzzle helps me control my instinct to nibble on things I shouldn’t, like stitches or bandages.
6. Space Please: The muzzle also helps people understand that I need my space, which is great because not all dogs like to be petted by strangers.
Remember, muzzling is not a bad thing, it’s a tool for safety and training. It’s important to make sure the muzzle is a good fit and to introduce it in a positive way! 🐾

Lemon FKA Lennon- Carroll University Dog in Training Thank you for your support when I was practicing my "muzzle" behavior outside. You added a nice boost to my spirit, which can be seen in my tail wags.
Animal Behavior at Carroll University

04/25/2024

I learned a versatile cue called “middle”.
1. Best Friends Forever: When I go to my human’s “middle”, it feels like the safest and happiest place in the world. It’s like we’re the best team ever.
2. Treats Galore: Every time I go to “middle”, I get lots of praise and sometimes even treats! It’s like a fun game we play.
3. No More Scary Stuff: If I’m ever feeling scared or nervous, going to “middle” helps me focus on my human instead of the scary stuff.
4. Vet Visits Aren’t So Bad: Even when we go to the vet, “middle” helps me feel calm and safe.
5. Navigating Crowds: When there are lots of people around, “middle” helps me stay close to my human.
6. I’m Safe: If my human ever feels threatened, they can call me to “middle” to keep me safe.
7. No More Jumping: I used to jump on people when I got excited, but now I go to “middle” instead.
8. Staying Safe: “Middle” helps me stay safe when we’re in crowded or potentially dangerous places.
9. Focus on My Human: “Middle” helps me focus all my attention on my human.
10. We’re a Team: Learning “middle” has made me and my human an even better team.
Remember, every dog is different, so it might take some time for your furry friend to learn “middle”. But with lots of practice and positive reinforcement, your dog will be a “middle” master in no time! 🐾
Gelato - Carroll University Dog in Training Thank you for giving me the idea to try "middle." Your success with that behavior has given me the confidence to try it out.

Animal Behavior at Carroll University

04/18/2024

Today was a day of surprises and tasty treats! I was happily munching on a treat when my human said, "Drop it, Sisu!" I looked up, and there it was - a new, even tastier treat falling to the ground. 🍖

I dropped my current treat (yes, the one I was already enjoying), and went for the new one. It was some Charlee Bear Dog Treats! The smell was irresistible, and the taste... oh, the taste was out of this world!

It was a moment of pure bliss, a moment of realizing that sometimes, dropping a tasty item can lead you to something even better. It was a lesson learned in the most delicious way possible.

So, here's a little wisdom from your furry friend - Sometimes, drop it can lead to great rewards. You never know, it might just be the tastiest decision you ever make! 😉

Animal Behavior at Carroll University