Karma Canine Coaching LLC

04/01/2024

I’m pleased to announce that I have joined the team at Pawsitive Training Abq ! Much love to all my past clients and friends who have supported me on my training journey. For future bookings please see PawsitiveTrainingAbq.com

14/12/2023

Silliness is often misread as just that...a dog acting silly or goofy, but it is a very common (but lesser known) misread sign of stress.
These dogs are often labelled as "naughty", "not listening" or "acting crazy" when these dogs can be behaving this way from fear.
It can look to us like they are suddenly having a great time, jumping, leaping and "having the time of their life", when the reality is they are fearful and this is how they are showing it.
Often this can be a real eye opener when people realise their dog isn't enjoying what they are doing at ALL, and they are highly stressed.
Lifting one paw can be a sign of curiosity, but it can also mean they are moving into a state of anxiousness.
If you have a reactive dog (or even if you don't), you may be aware sometimes when you give a reward your dog almost takes your fingers with the reward.....normally they take rewards happily and don't "snatch"....that snatching and grabbing can mean they have moved into a state of anxiousness.....OR excitement.
That is the tricky thing with ALL of these signs, they can mean something else entirely.
The best way to decipher is to look for other signs of anxiousness or stress, those physical changes in their posture or face that you may have recognised before.....are they present ?
Is the tail tucked ?
Has the mouth suddenly clamped shut ?
Is there a sudden heavy pant/drooling ?
Have the ears changed position ?

These other signals will help you decipher exactly what is occurring.
Context is everything when deciding what these signs mean.

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03/11/2023

Karma “Kitten” Coaching has a foster kitten looking for a lap of her own! Yuumi is a 3 month old female who has a social and sunny personality. She’s being fostered with other cats and dogs, enjoys flirt poles and cat tv, and of course treasures mealtimes. She will be available to meet tomorrow NMAF (New Mexico Animal Friends) meet n greet at the Petco on San Mateo and Academy from 11-3!

28/10/2023

Credit: Johnny Trigger

29/09/2023

19/09/2023

17/09/2023

We neither advocate nor sell these dangerous pieces of dog gear. What are your thoughts?

05/09/2023

Another way to support your exuberantly mouthy dog is to teach the Off Switch game. First, you need a really good “default behavior.” Your dog needs to be able to offer this behavior(often sit or down) without you prompting them for it, so this needs to be trained first. Play a game like tug for 5-10 seconds, then stop. When your dog offers their default behavior, the game resume for the next 5-10 seconds. Stimulating games like tug can get a little too intense, so teaching your dog Off Switch can help them learn to moderate that.

16/08/2023

For dogs, exploring the world with their mouths is as natural as breathing. Our puppies don't have hands, so they learn about their environment by sniffing, tasting, and mouthing. What do we do when this can be painful or even alarming for us as their guardians? It is always a good idea to consult your veterinarian to rule out underlying health problems, but this month we can look at some of the options we have on the behavior side of things.

08/08/2023

As animal lovers, we all face grief at some point. Here are some good tips for navigating this difficult time. It also helps to remember that everyone grieves differently and it's better to ask someone what would help instead of making assumptions.

1.Allow Yourself to Grieve: It's important to acknowledge and give yourself permission to feel the emotions that come with losing a pet. Grief is a natural process.

2.Create a Memorial: Create a memorial or tribute to your pet, such as a scrapbook, photo album, or planting a tree in their memory. This can help you cherish the positive memories.

3.Reach Out for Support: Talk to friends, family, or a support group that understands the bond between humans and pets. Sharing your feelings can provide comfort and understanding.

4.Maintain a Routine: Keeping a routine can provide a sense of normalcy during a difficult time. Pets often play a role in daily routines, so finding new activities can help fill the void.

5.Express Yourself: Write about your feelings or create art as a way to express your emotions and memories related to your pet.

6.Self-Care: Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it's exercising, meditating, or spending time in nature.

7.Allow Time: Grieving is a process, and it takes time to heal. Be patient with yourself and give yourself the space you need to come to terms with the loss.

8.Seek Professional Help: If you're struggling to cope with the loss, consider speaking to a counselor or therapist who specializes in grief and loss.

9.Don't Rush Decisions: Avoid making impulsive decisions, such as adopting a new pet immediately after the loss. Give yourself the necessary time to heal before making any major decisions.

10.Honor Your Pet's Memory: Engage in activities that celebrate your pet's life, such as volunteering at an animal shelter or making a donation in their name.

26/07/2023

Thank you, NM! I am honored to be voted a 2023 Neighborhood Fave.

Be sure to visit me on and leave a recommendation for
Karma Canine Coaching, LLC

17/07/2023

The 'pack leader' approach, also often referred to as dominance theory, stems from early studies on captive wolves which suggested that wolves in a pack constantly compete for dominance, with one alpha wolf coming out on top. The theory was then applied to domestic dogs, with the idea being that dogs view their human family as their pack and behave badly because they're trying to assert dominance over their human 'pack members'.

This concept has been widely popularised through various forms of media, including TV shows. However, the dominance or 'pack leader' approach to dog behaviour and training is not supported by current scientific research, and here's why:

Flawed Initial Study:

The initial study that gave rise to the dominance theory was conducted on a group of unrelated, captive wolves. Later studies on wolves in their natural habitat found that wolf packs don't operate on a dominance hierarchy, but are instead structured more like a human family, with parent wolves acting as leaders of their offspring. The original model, therefore, isn't applicable even to wolves, let alone to dogs.

Dogs Are Not Wolves:

Even if wolves did operate on a dominance hierarchy, applying these findings to dogs would be misguided. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, and while they are related to wolves, they are a separate species with different behaviours and social structures. The way dogs interact with humans is also fundamentally different from how wolves interact with each other.

Misinterpretation of Behaviours:

Many behaviours that are often attributed to 'dominance' or a desire to be a 'pack leader' are usually normal dog behaviours or responses to fear, anxiety, or confusion. For example, a dog that jumps up to greet people might be doing so out of excitement or because they've learned that jumping up gets attention, not because they're trying to assert dominance.

Ineffective and Potentially Harmful:

The 'pack leader' approach often advocates for the use of punishment or aversive techniques to 'show the dog who's boss'. Not only can these methods cause fear and anxiety, but they can also damage the relationship between the dog and their guardian. Positive reinforcement training methods are more effective and build a relationship based on trust and mutual respect, rather than fear.

Contradicts Modern Canine Science:

The overwhelming consensus among modern canine behavioural scientists and veterinarians is that the dominance theory is outdated and incorrect. Dogs, like all animals, are complex beings whose behaviours can't be explained by a simple desire for dominance. They have a wide range of motivations and emotions, and their behaviour is influenced by a variety of genetic, environmental, and situational factors.

In conclusion, the 'pack leader' approach is not a valid or ethical method for understanding or changing dog behaviour. Instead, positive reinforcement and force-free methods should be used to teach dogs desired behaviours, with an emphasis on understanding and meeting the dog's individual needs.

Learn more with the Canine Principles Skill Hub and try before you buy.. https://www.canineprinciples.com/subscription/skill-hub-membership

03/07/2023

The City’s Animal Welfare Department is encouraging pet owners to protect their pets this 4th of July. While the holiday is a wonderful day to celebrate with family and friends, for animals it is a fearful, stressful and dangerous time. The fireworks often drive pets to act out of character, especially if left outside and unattended. They run away, jump over fences, and leap through screens and windows out of fear.

These simple precautions during the Fourth of July festivities can help:

1. Leave your pets at home and indoors. The noise of the fireworks for most pets could cause anxiety, fear and a desire to flee.
2. Keep pets in a lit, cool, calm closed room with familiar sounds and chew toys that will help to distract and make the animal feel safe.
3. Identification tags and microchips are a must in case the pet escapes. This will help to reunite the pets and the owners quickly and effectively. Please make sure information on tags and microchips are updated. FREE microchipping available to residents of Albuquerque, until Monday, July 3 at the Eastside and Westside shelters.
4. If the pet gets especially stressed, ask your vet for help to calm your pet down.

Should your pet get lost and end up at either shelter, Animal Welfare wants to expedite the process of returning them to their owners. If your pet is already spayed or neutered, they will be returned to you free of charge. All you have to do is pick up your pet at the shelter.

For locations of the Animal Welfare Shelters, visit www.cabq.gov/pets.

30/06/2023

BEWARE OF THE QUICK FIX!
There are no quick fixes when it comes to lasting, successful behaviour change, whether with ourselves or with our dogs.

Want to lose weight? The quick fix of diet pills, meal replacements or slimming machines may initially be successful, but is unlikely to last. Long term success will require effort, a change in mind set, being mindful of emotions, eating less or differently and exercising – there is no quick fix.

Want to get a qualification? Hard work, long hours, commitment and effort is the only way.

The same principle applies to bringing about a change in behaviour.

We live in a society where we want and expect quick fixes. Our lives are often so busy, stressful and complicated enough without having to even think about spending time and effort in trying to “fix” our dog’s problems.

Why not just use a shock collar, choke chain, spray bottle, shake can or send them off to a board and train facility to quickly sort them out without us having to put in any time or effort? What about a trainer that guarantees quick results? There are never any guarantees when it comes to behaviour.

Stay away from quick fixes – they usually come at a great cost. Yes, they may suppress that particular behaviour but it is likely to surface in another way and we won’t like that either.

Changing behaviour takes time, it requires understanding, consistency, patience and commitment, but the results of “fixing” something the right way, are worth it.

This quote by Wayne Muller sums this up perfectly “In the soil of the quick fix is the seed to a new problem….”

08/06/2023

Are you potty training a young dog? It can be a little overwhelming at first. We can use structure like leashes, crates and baby gates to make our dog’s world a little smaller. Too many choices can be overwhelming rather than helpful! You can also reach out to an accredited trainer to start learning how to reinforce the changes you want to see.

02/06/2023

I am often asked when is the right time to start training. The answer is there is no wrong time! We alter the expectations and plan for the needs of the individual. That said, this terrier puppy has a lot of motivation to learn, and starting this young means his wonderful guardians will already have some learned behaviors in place before he’s started practicing a repertoire we as humans don’t appreciate.

09/05/2023

Hey, KCC is a sponsor of Albuquerque Roller Derby!

17/03/2023

It’s time for ! Always a fun way to get continued Ed learning from so many amazing speakers.

08/03/2023

Some good pointers from our friends at Canine Zen!

Teaching your dog to walk calmly on a leash can take time and patience, but with consistent training and positive reinforcement, it can be accomplished. Here are some steps to follow: Start with the right equipment: A sturdy leash and a well-fitted collar or harness are essential for safe and effect...

06/03/2023

I’m pretty excited to share our new family member, Ramble. He’s a mustang from Sand Wash Basin in NW Colorado. He will be learning with positive reinforcement!

26/02/2023

* Bringing this post out of the vault, because it’s so important * 👇🏻

I think it’s common to think that when our dog is unruly, there is something wrong with them. 

Especially when we look around us and see perfectly behaved pups strolling happily down the street with their owners. 

But the truth is…

Everything your dog does is NORMAL. 

Chewing…

Digging…

Barking…

Pulling on the lead…

Lunging at other dogs or joggers…

Growling…

It’s all NORMAL. 

This is  a normal response for a predator (because that’s what dogs once were) that got plucked out of their natural environment and dropped onto your sofa. 

What’s not normal? 

Walking on a leash at a mind numbingly slow pace as you stare at your phone…

NOT chewing things, or mouthing you…

Holding a sit stay or a down stay as you chat to a friend…

NOT losing their mind around another dog. 

Sure selective breeding has curbed some of the more natural responses our dogs have…

But the truth is…

Your dog’s behavior is a NORMAL response to them trying to adapt to an environment that truthfully is NOT normal for them. 

So tell me…

What does that shift for you? 

Because your dog isn’t “Bad”. There’s nothing wrong with them. Everything they are doing is completely normal.

14/02/2023

When raising teenagers of any species, it’s important to remember two things: they often mirror our energy and they have a lot more needs to satisfy than most mature dogs. What does that mean? That when your teenager tries to satisfy his own needs by chewing something you don’t want him to, he could just match our frustrated energy when we yell “no!” It’s not that the word no is bad, it’s that we often use it in times of upset and without a clear picture of what we want our young and impulsive dog to do. If you don’t know how to replace unwanted chewing, it’s definitely time to call in a trainer! The teens can be a trying time, but they don’t have to be impossible.

07/02/2023

Haha thanks to the makers of this video! Spot on! Advocate for your dog! They don’t need random strangers doing any of these things.

05/02/2023

Did you know any animal can be trained using the same principles we use in dog training? My goal with any species is to build understanding and partnership with the animal. We don’t need to be the boss, dominate them, push them around etc. That doesn’t mean we can be wishy washy or indecisive, but you can be calm and confident without being a jerk. An animal with a history of trust and curiosity is more prepared to face the unexpected than one who was taught to do what I say “or else.”