Dog Talk Training

11/22/2024

10/30/2024

“We all know intuitively that behavioral characteristics can be inherited. After all, this basic notion is the reason for thousands of years of selective breeding in the dog world – it’s why we’ve been able to develop specific lines of dogs who are consistently driven to retrieve things, herd sheep, guard our homes, or track rabbits without any formal training at all. Why, then, does it surprise us that other types of behavioral tendencies can also be passed from parents to offspring?”

If you’re a dog owner, I’m sure you’ve heard this refrain. Conventional wisdom says that young puppies come to us as blank slates. Full of promise and limitless potential, ready to be molded into …

10/11/2024

This handsome boy is Ice! I’ve fallen (quite literally🙃) head over heels for this dude!!
He joined his new family over the summer but was terrified of everything he encountered. It seems that he just never had the opportunity to experience life inside with a family. He simply had never experienced things like stairs, furniture, noisy appliances and all the other things that are so common in our lives.
BUT, the boy loves him a ball! So instead of forcing him to simply accept things he fears, I’ve taken something he knows and loves to help him adapt to new surroundings, his BALL! We’ve made so many new, positive experiences for him in these last few weeks and this picture just shows his recovery, resilience and pure joy!!! Going to be tough sending him home but I know he’s taking the experience and skills I taught him and will continue to make progress!!! Good boy, Ice!

THIS is why I love what I do!! ❤️

09/07/2024

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.

08/11/2024

08/08/2024

Little dogs need training too!!!

Molly is a 3 month old Maltese and is here working on potty training, a little basic obedience & confidence building, and having some fun playing with other dogs while learning appropriate play as well!
She’s a phenomenal little dog and we’re enjoying her fun personality! 🥰

🤓Did you know that small dogs, starting from a young age need to learn social skills and build confidence? And to do that they need to be taught how! People tend to just pick them up and they never truly learn how to be a DOG!

I can help with your small (or big) dogs!!

I offer a 3 week board and train and in-home lessons!

Message me with any questions!!

08/01/2024

Everyone who is thinking of getting dogs should read this because you need to understand this reality:

Your dogs breed matters! Even a mix of breeds!
Each breed had a purpose!

***I am a 21st century dog.***

-I'm a Malinois.
Overskilled among dogs, I excel in all disciplines and I'm always ready to work: I NEED to work.
But nowadays I get asked to chill on the couch all day everyday.

-I am an Akita Inu.
My ancestors were selected for fighting bears.
Today I get asked to be tolerant and I get scolded for my reactivity when another approaches me.

-I am a Beagle.
When I chase my prey, I raise my voice so the hunters could follow.
Today they put an electric collar on me to shut up, and you make me come back to you - no running - with a snap of your fingers.

-I am a Yorkshire Terrier.
I was a terrifying rat hunter in English mines.
Today they think I can't use my legs and they always hold me in their arms.

-I'm a Labrador Retriever.
My vision of happiness is a dive into a pond to bring back the duck he shot to my master.
Today you forget I'm a walking, running, swimming dog; as a result I'm fat, made to stay indoors, and to babysit.

-I am a Jack Russell.
I can take on a fox, a mean badger, and a rat bigger than me in his den.
Today I get scolded for my character and high energy, and forced to turn into a quiet living room dog.

-I am a Siberian Husky.
Experienced the great, wide open spaces of Northern Europe, where I could drag sleds for long distances at impressive speeds.
Today I only have the walls of the house or small garden as a horizon, and the holes I dig in the ground just to release energy and frustration, trying to stay sane.

-I am a border collie
I was made to work hours a day in partnershipwith my master, and I am an unmistakable artist of working with the herd.
Today they are mad at me because, for lack of sheep, I try to check bikes, cars, children in the house and everything in motion.

I am ...
I am a 21st century dog.
I'm pretty, I'm alert, I'm obedient, I stay in a bag...but I'm also an individual who, from centuries of training, selective breeding, needs to express my instincts, and I am *not* suited for the sedentary life you'd want me to lead.
Spending eight hours a day alone in the house or in the yard- with no work and no one to play or run with, seeing you for a short time in the evening when you get home, and only getting a small toilet walk will make me deeply unhappy.
I'll express it by barking all day, turning your yard into a minefield, doing my needs indoors, destroying your belongings, or being unmanageable the rare times I'll find myself outside.
You may think that I should be happy to be able to enjoy all this comfort while you go to work, but actually I’ll be exhausted and frustrated, because this is absolutely NOT what I'm meant to do, or what I need to be doing.
If you love me, if you've always dreamed of me, if my beautiful blue eyes or my athletic look make you want me, but you can't give me a real dog's life, a life that's really worth living according to my breed, and if you can't offer me the job that my genes are asking, DO NOT buy or adopt me!
If you like the way I look but aren't willing to accept my temperament, gifts, and traits derived from long genetic selection, and you think you can change them with only your good will, then DO NOT BUY OR ADOPT ME.
I’m a dog from the 21st century, yes, but deep inside me, the one who fought, the one who hunted, the one who pulled sleds, the one who guided and protected a herd still lives within.
So think **very** carefully before you choose your dog.

Offering in-home private lessons and 3 week board and train options

08/01/2024

Dr. Eric DeBoer speaks on the fairy ring mushrooms growing in the yards of south Louisiana residents.

07/09/2024

Some excellent information on what ethical, scientifically proven dog training is and what it isn’t!
Choose wisely, training methods and dog trainers are not equal. Dog trainers should have a broad range of knowledge in dog behavior, how they learn, and have the experience to use that knowledge to teach not only the dog but their owners as well.
Our job isn’t to punish, suppress or control the dog. It is to teach and show dogs what we want and expect from them in a positive and consistent manner, without harm!

06/29/2024

The first half of the year has flown by!

But here are just a few of the cuties we’ve gotten to meet! 🥰

06/03/2024

Be Your Dogs Advocate!!

Dogs aren’t naturally equipped to live in a human world so it’s up to us to guide them!

Here are a few different ways we can do that!

I’d love to answer any questions about this or anything else dog related!! 😍

05/07/2024

Happy “6th” Birthday to my Beau!!

His favorite thing is still balloons
His favorite person is Jenson
Favorite toy for 3 years now is snakey (he even let him keep a couple of squeakys inside)
Favorite activity is hunting/stalking lizards
I think he finally excepted Ellie is his sister (probably because she can actually catch the lizards lol)
He is easily the most judgmental dog ever
He keeps everyone in line (they call him the fun police)
His favorite food is freeze dried beef liver and “fancy” cheese (don’t give him no sliced cheese)
Still marches to the beat of his own drum
Still does not cuddle
BUT, he’s our Bo Bo and we love and appreciate him just the way he is! 💙🐾

03/05/2024

I have a couple of openings for board and train coming up! Please let me know if you’re interested!

I’m also still offering in-home private lessons!

Text me at (337) 254-8252 or shoot me an email at [email protected]

02/09/2024

Excuse me while I interrupt your morning with this cuteness!!😍
His name is Winston. He’s with us for training and let me tell you, he’s killing it!!! He’s so eager to learn and has a sweet, playful personality!!

I love getting to be a part of building some pretty fantastic puppers! 🥰