My Fantastic Friend

12/22/2024

I received my signed copy of Bark! by Zazie Todd back in September, just before Helene created havoc in Western North Carolina. I had been looking forward to this book’s release for ages and was so excited when the package arrived. The topic is near and dear. But after Helene, it just didn’t feel like the right time to open the package from Zazie. Today was finally the day! Zazie marked the passages with my small contributions with sweet little dog stickies. I am incredibly honored to be included in this book, written by an excellent and knowledgeable author. Her previous books Wag and Purr are wonderful. Please check out all of Zazie’s books!

Thank you, Zazie, for writing this book and including me, and for brightening my day with your thoughtful package. What a delight!

12/08/2024

Have a kitten? Check out this online kitten socialization class. Socialization for kittens and puppies in this sensitive period of their development includes more than you might think. See the original post for more info.

Calling all kittens!! I am so excited to announce my first ever KITTEN KINDERGARTEN class! Did you know kittens have a socialization period of development just like puppies? This sensitive period is actually strongest between 2-7 weeks, but kittens are in their sensitive socialization phase up to about 15 weeks old. I'm accepting kittens up to 5 months old for class.

Go to amatterofmannersdogtraining.com/fancyfelines to register!

This is our opportunity to mold kitten brains into brave, confident, happy, well rounded adult cats. We want to carefully and positively introduce all kinds of novelty like body handling, new people, vet visits, car rides, carriers, and more!

In this 3 week introductory class, we will go over what is socialization, do socialization exercises together, begin basic training, learn more about your kittens, and create a strong bond with your new kitty.

Classes will be Mondays at 6:30pm mountain time, December 9th-23rd. Class is virtual, which means you can join from anywhere in the world!

Go to amatterofmannersdogtraining.com/fancyfelines to register!

11/20/2024

I love working with food guarding and object guarding! Hope you enjoy this piece I wrote awhile back about how those case types work well with virtual coaching sessions. It also includes some info about those case types.

(I’m on a hiatus from taking new cases right now, but I will be back at it one day!)

https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/blog/a-good-trade/

"Video recordings provide a wonderful opportunity for additional feedback, as well as review for anything that might have missed in real-time. If I’m unsure, I can go back and look again."

From the archives, by Jessica Ring of My Fantastic Friend.

https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/blog/a-good-trade/

11/04/2024

A reminder that reward-based methods aren't just for sunny days and easy dogs and puppies. They are for all dogs. If you want to know more, I've got a post on my blog that answers common questions about training methods, from the archives. https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2019/11/reward-based-dog-training-isnt-just-for.html

10/15/2024

Taking some time for my own dogs today. Here’s Pippi playing one of her favorite games, hide and seek for treats hidden around the house. She and Gus both enjoy tearing up the toilet paper tubes to get to the treats.

10/02/2024

For those who may not know, I’m located just north of Asheville, North Carolina. We are ok and our house is ok. This entire region is very much not ok. We do not have power or internet, and it looks like it is going to be awhile. I have to suspend operations for now.

I’ll be helping at the animal shelter as much as possible. They are starting to take in displaced animals and provide pet food and other assistance to the community. If you want to help, here’s the link to donate directly to the shelter.

You can locate item in our database by entering any details from your bill or account in the search box above. We recommend excluding any dashes or spaces.

09/20/2024

Let them sniff!

Have you noticed that your dog zigs and zags on walks? Your dog isn’t trying to drive you crazy. They’re following their incredibly powerful sense of smell, which is how dogs experience the world!

Humans have 6 million olfactory receptors, compared to dogs, who have up to 300 million!

Those zigzags (and let me tell you, Finch is the zig-zaggiest) are your dog following scent trails, catching up on neighborhood gossip, and gathering information. (If only they could share what they learn with us!)

If you start to feel frustrated on walks, remember that sniffing is essential to your dog’s happiness, enrichment, and well-being! ❤️

Alt text: A small gray dog on a blue background with a speech bubble that reads, “Walking in a straight line is more of a human thing.”

09/16/2024

I love when a dog is supported and has an enriched life. 🥰

09/06/2024

Adoptable Topaz loves toy play as enrichment!

08/31/2024

08/28/2024

Do you have a dog who waits until you’re gone and then raids your kitchen, immediately and systematically, in a series of counter-top skirmishes? Nothing on the counter is safe: utensils, dirty dishes, whole loaves of bread, that cheese platter Aunt Tara brought to your birthday, a dish of g

08/20/2024

Gus and Pippi get their teeth brushed before bed!

Did you know brushing your dog's/cat's teeth is important for their health? Poor dental health affects the whole body AND behavior. Don't worry, most of us don't do it or don't do it enough! But today's a good day to start. Here are just a few tips.
-This toothbrush Diego is showing off is my favorite and preferred toothbrush for dogs. It has a large and a small end with soft bristles. You can get this toothbrush at PetSmart or Chewy and probably most of your local pet stores (it's basic!). I use the large end for Diego and the small end for Myles. Perfect!
-Make it easy to remember! The easier a task is for us to remember and actually do, the more likely we are to make it a habit. Put your toothbrush, toothpaste, and treats where you plan to brush teeth in an easy to see/easy to remember spot. Maybe you place it all in the bathroom and brush your pets' teeth right before you brush yours. Maybe you place it next to their food and brush their teeth before breakfast (my current routine). It becomes part of the feeding routine AND makes breakfast the delicious reward after having teeth brushed (but you can also give a snack!).
-Teach muzzle handling/lip lifts first! Teach your dog/cat it's great to have their lips lifted and mouth handled first and separately from toothbrushing, then introduce the toothbrush and actual brushing slowly and incrementally.

Once your dog/cat is comfortable and brushing has become a happy habit, it takes hardly any additional time out of your day for a HUGE healthy payoff. Brush those teeth!

08/18/2024

Fear is easy to come by and difficult, if not impossible, to undo in many cases. Below are several ways dogs become fearful:

👉 Genetics
👉 A stressed mother during pregnancy (affects offspring)
👉 Maternal behavior
👉 Early environment (missed socialization)
👉 Bad experiences

We can help dogs by going at their pace and never being the source of their fear. ❤️

Alt text: A black and white dog on a yellow patterned background. Speech bubble says, “Fear is easy to come by and difficult, if not impossible, to undo.”

07/26/2024

"While everybody applauds the impulse to reduce fear, anxiety and stress in dogs; excitement of the kids on Christmas morning variety, of the crazed laughing with friends variety, of the dogs racing around or unpacking a puzzle toy variety, is not bad. It’s good."

From the archives.

https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/blog/intensity-isn-t-bad/

07/19/2024

“In general terms, when we provide dogs with what they need, it means they have good welfare and they are happy. When dogs have what they need, they are less likely to have behaviour issues, and they are more likely to have a good relationship with us. So instead of thinking about obedience, we should think about happiness. Everyone loves their dog. And I think everyone wants their dog to be happy too.”

Instead of asking, “How do I get my dog to obey me?” we should ask, “Is my dog happy?” and “How can I make them happier?”

07/14/2024

I was updating some older blog posts and came across this one. And since today is a sunny day, it's seems worth sharing again. Reward-based methods aren't just for sunny days and easy dogs and puppies. They are for all dogs.

07/07/2024

I wanted to give a quick update as to why I haven’t been as active on this page. My local shelter, like many others, is understaffed and underfunded. (And that’s an understatement.) Despite that, they do a great job in caring for the dogs and cats and working with the community. They provide the animals with more than just the bare minimum of food, water and shelter. They provide medical care, enrichment feeding, training, walks, play, foster placements, and days out of the shelter to decompress, just to name a few things. It’s honestly amazing they do what they do with their meager resources.

How do they do it? Mostly through volunteers and donations.

So, that’s where I’ve been spending much of my time, outside of my client work. I volunteer frequently, and I love it! It can be difficult, emotional and draining. It is also fulfilling, uplifting and meaningful.

For the time being, I’m referring more complex behavior cases out to trusted colleagues and taking on fewer clients in general. I’m still taking virtual clients for basic skills, and I’m continuing to work with existing clients.

Pictured: Adoptable dog Sly enjoying some time in the baby pool.

06/26/2024

I cannot wait for this book!

Isn't this the most gorgeous cover?!! I am beyond thrilled to share it with you. I was delighted when I heard that Belle Wuthrich--the same person who designed the covers for Wag and Purr--was working on the cover for Bark!, and I think she has excelled herself with this one. Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog is available for pre-order now from all good bookstores and from Amazon https://amzn.to/4cAKSSt Bark! will be published on 1 October 2024 in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and on 17th October 2024 in the UK. Let me know what you think of the cover!