K9 Kounseling with Nikki

29/04/2022

Laundry day….😴

30/03/2022

When we met, this little cutie demanded attention by barking, yapping and jumping. Following the critical relationship work, that has all faded and she is now eager to learn. Focused, and providing great eye contact (“watch”), as we do a quick rehearsal of “sit” and “down” and then progress to the introduction of “stay”. This little stinker has been transformed into a little thinker. 🐾🤔❤️

30/03/2022

This little 15-month-old cutie possessed a list of undesirable behaviors:

💩failure to potty train,
🐶excessive barking,
👈demanding tendencies accompanied by a bossy and sassy attitude, and
👟running from her person when trying to get/reach her.

The biggest culprit and misunderstanding regarding potty training, was the use of potty-training pads. After witnessing the lack of success in utilizing these pads with many clients, I implore all puppy owners and advise that you DO NOT potty train with potty training pads. There is a place for them, and they provide a service, such as when I relied on them for our convalescing dog following a surgical procedure; but as for potty training, they only provide a false sense of success (until they don’t), as in this case.

This sweet little girl was in fact, potty trained – trained to potty in the house, using (and often missing) the potty pad. This was a situation where we had to go back to basics and launch a rigid and well-disciplined, potty-training regimen to reverse what she had already learned, allowing her to re-condition her mind and potty-ing association from what she already knew, to what she now needed to know.

Working simultaneously through the new potty-training plan, we also immediately began utilizing the appropriate relationship building tools and took the steps to meet her at a place her little doggo mind understood. Once we began implementing this program, she willingly came around, released the authority she believed she had, easily calmed down and relaxed. Now a content girl, comfortable with this newfound freedom of disengaging from the triggers of her environment also gave her the ability to focus on enrichment activities when we introduced obedience training, in which she responded to beautifully.

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15/03/2022

Honor your dog by loving them the educated way. When this happens, your relationship with your dog is strengthened and in turn, they honor you. They become a truly content, well rounded and well adjusted canine companion as problematic and troublesome behaviors melt away.

13/03/2022

Seem familiar? What does it mean to your dog when you leave them home alone? What really happens in your absence? Is your dog anxious and stressed? Barking? Whining? Restless? Destructive? House broken, but potties when you are gone? Fido has a message he's trying to tell you - let's decode it together!

03/03/2022

Is your dog listening? Can they "hear" you?

When leading your dog, calm and quiet body language will always win them to your way of thinking. Minimize verbal speak to reduce and eliminate confusion which adds potential for chaos and conflict. Check-in on your energy and "noise" to validate theirs.

02/03/2022

02/03/2022

How does your dog spend their down time?

Give your dog a bone...or a bully stick as recommended and pictured here. A bully stick is not only favored by teething puppies, but it is a great enrichment exercise for adult dogs as well. The time your dog spends gnawing on a bully stick not only satisfies their natural desire and need to chew, but it is also a boredom buster just as you and I would read a book, build a puzzle or scroll through social media. When you offer your dog a bully stick, be sure to have plenty of fresh water available.

01/03/2022

Can we talk? Tell me what would your dog say about your walk?

27/02/2022

Read this and break the old school thinking. Set dogs up to succeed. 🐾⭐️

🛇 Use your Manners! 🛇
The Sniff test - Stop doing that!
The sniff test - a badly engrained habit that society has been taught, without a clear understanding of what they're actually doing.

🚩When you reach out towards a dog, you are using body pressure AT them, giving them no time to assess whether you are safe & whether they require further investigation to pick up your information. You are forcing an interaction of a relationship that hasn't had time to develop. To some dogs, this is quite rude & the reason a lot of dogs snap at or bite people. This can cause alot of behavioral issues because of layered stress due to forced interactions.

🚩If they are on lead, they have no where to go if they are sensitive to spacial pressure, so can end up shutting down, shying away or snapping at your hand so you back off. This is an example of how a dog is now using pressure to turn off pressure & make you back off so they aren't so stressed.

🚩People think by offering your hand it can give the dog time to sniff to know you're friendly... they can sniff without being forced to sniff your hand.Their noses are far more superior than ours & they don't need close contact forced upon them to smell you.

🚩Some dogs might not want to know you. You have no relationship with them and that's perfectly fine. They aren't your dog so you don't need to touch them or steal pats for your own satisfaction.

🤔 If you are meeting a dog, what should you do?
⚠Ask the owner if you can interact with their dog. Not all people want strangers touching their dogs. Especially strangers who you are unlikely to see again.
⚠Stand up straight & relaxed, with your hands at your side.
⚠Ignore the dog & talk to the owner.
⚠Don't stare at the dog & don't try to force an interaction by going in for a pat. If the dog wants to know you, it will come up to you & sniff around. Usually they will move away & then come back for a second sniffathon. Some dogs will bunt your hands & wag their tails, which are good signs that you're likely an accepted new friend. Give them a few slow pats down their back (NOT THEIR HEAD) & then stop. Is the dog happy? Has it accepted your interaction? This will determine whether you can give it more pats.

🐶This is a more stress free option for dogs & a reason why in consultations we can develop a good level of trust, especially with fearful dogs & aggressive dogs, without a bunch of negative side effects from forced interactions.

27/02/2022

27/02/2022

26/02/2022

A little warm up exercise to get the day going. ❤️🐾

26/02/2022

Sporting lovable personalities and a willingness to show unconditional love and loyalty, it’s no wonder dogs are a human’s best friend. Unfortunately, fraudsters know this too, and they use a variety of tactics to take advantage of unsuspecting dog lovers looking to purchase a pooch. However, you can avoid scams by following these basic guidelines.

What is a Puppy Scam?
Fraudsters will pose as reputable breeders looking to sell dogs, often at a huge discount. But the truth is there is no discount, and rarely ever a dog. Fraudsters primarily take advantage of people who want a purebred dog but do not want to pay a full price for the puppy at reputable breeders.They offer up popular breeds for a tenth of the price to entice their victims, only to leave the unsuspecting buyer hanging once the payment is made.

Sniff Out the Warning Signs
Be on the lookout for the following:
• The price is too good to be true, heavily discounted and/or negotiable
• The dog is free, but you need to pay for shipping
• No refunds, returns, or warranties
• Can only contact the seller online and not by phone
• Seller asks for a “deposit” or changes the price
• Stock photos or altered images
• They want funds fast. Request to send money using wires or electronic means

Best Practices
Recognizing the warning signs of fraud is a good start but take additional steps to protect yourself from fraud. For instance, educate yourself on various breeds, and ask for breeder references from a local veterinarian or animal shelter.
Try to stick to in-person cash transactions. Studies have shown that several online sites list pets for sale and nearly 80 percent are scams.
Lastly, consider adopting a furry friend from a local animal shelter. Crossbred canines often live longer, healthier lives than their purebred counterparts and are significantly more affordable. This way, you can save a pooch and your wallet in one swoop.

Are You a Puppy Scam Victim?
You can report Puppy Scams to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or your State Attorney General’s Office.

Efirstbankblog.com

24/02/2022

This lovely rescue was bundled with fear and apprehension. She totally adores her humans and loves to meet new people, but she carries a lot of anxiety when she is tasked with entering new and unfamiliar buildings. With minimal information about her story, we set up a plan to work at her pace with calm and quiet encouragement. Although we were very ecstatic with her gradual progress, we did not want to make a big deal out it to ensure that our enthusiasm wouldn't create any set backs. Sitting here now, she is keenly aware of this new environment but relaxes peacefully of her own free will, as she enjoys her new found freedom.

23/02/2022

23/02/2022

A comic-strip snap shot of our dogs life, interpreted by our youngest son. ❤️🐾

23/02/2022

...on a bumpy and unpredictable road? Together, we can achieve Your Plan. 🐾

23/02/2022

Not only is loose leash walking a much more comfortable and harmonious experience with your doggo, but this learned and practiced skill is a great asset in relationship building with your canine companion.

23/02/2022

Emerging out of the pandemic, the critical and rudimentary time of socialization has been handicapped for so many of our pups. They are unsure of what to expect and how to behave in social situations that take them out of their comfort zone. Here is a pair meeting for the first time, figuring it out.

19/09/2021

So good to be a part of such a great community collaboration! So many great resources come together and are available to our pet families of the desert. 🐾😊🤩

26/12/2020

11/12/2020

Using the CALM FREEZE at a local low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinic sponsored by Coachella Animal Network (CAN):

I enjoy the time I get to volunteer at these monthly clinics and due to the original lockdown of the COVID19 pandemic, the turnout over the last couple of months has been amazing and very encouraging.

For many dogs, being in close proximity to other dogs, stimulating and heightening the sight and smell senses can be overwhelming and exciting. This combination often produces unwanted anxious behaviors dog owners are unfamiliar working with – this, in turn can create anxiety for the owner adding even more tension or stress to the situation. For many, our common reaction to correct the dog is to raise our voice at the dog and/or yank on the lead in effort to correct them. Alternatively, others try to calm their dog by petting, shooshing, or talking to the dog trying to convince them to calm down. Unfortunately, none of this interaction is effective and only adds more excitement and hyper behavior in the dog.

Applying calming and quiet techniques are simple to utilize and are extremely effective in managing these types situations.

CALM FREEZE

The GOAL is to demonstrate to your dog a quiet and calm posture in response to an excitable situation. The good news is our dogs pay attention – close attention to us and are looking to us to solve what they perceive as problems. They are ALWAYS willing to mirror our behaviors and take cues from us and what we are doing, so let’s use this and provide them with a reasonable solution to calm their unwanted behavior.

Remembering that they are looking to us for guidance and will mirror us, start by patiently and quietly squatting in front of your dog, your back to the “stimulant” of your dog (this tells your dog that you are not concerned with what is going on behind you). This next step is VERY important: without ANY eye contact, petting or speaking to your dog, quietly reach out, palm up, gently grab his collar under his chin and just calmly secure him there until his posture/behavior changes to the quiet you are displaying and the quiet you seek from him. Since you are face to face, you might have to turn your head away so that you are not tempted to look him in the eye or speak to him. Just remain there, quietly, calmly and gently securing him, demonstrating the behavior you want front him.

This usually only takes a few moments before you will notice a change. He will start to quiet, sit and maybe even lay down. As soon as his behavior has changed favorably; quietly and without eye contact, speaking or petting, stand up, ignoring and turning your back to your dog. If appropriate, just walk away from him.

As I was assisting with crowd control during the event, I worked with many dog owners, explaining and demonstrating this technique. They were completely blown away by its effectiveness and were very grateful for the tip. This is such a valuable tool that can be utilize in so many situations. Contact me – I can help with all of your training needs.

06/12/2020

...all three doggos claimed their spot around the tree.

25/11/2020

24/11/2020

FIVE THINGS TO THANK YOUR DOG FOR THIS THANKSGIVING:

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and in the spirit of thankfulness, it is a great time to reflect and take a look at the things we are grateful for. For me, this definitely includes how thankful I am for the dogs in my life. In honor of this holiday, I wanted to share the top five reasons I’m giving thanks for my doggos this year.

What are you most thankful for about your canine companion? Are we thankful for the same things? What’s not on my list that you’re giving thanks for? I hope you’ll give this post a read and then leave your thoughts in the comments section so we can all celebrate our pups together!

Here’s what I am most thankful for…

I AM THANKFUL FOR MY DOGS CONSTANT COMPANIONSHIP AND DEDICATION:

Dogs are by far one of the most loyal creatures on the planet. After all, what other animal will watch you walk out the door to leave for work or run an errand, then sit at the window or door all day simply waiting for you to get home?

Your pup’s favorite person is YOU. Having this kind of connection with animals is one of the most beautiful things in the world. While we all need human connection, sometimes all it takes is a cuddle on the couch or a long walk in the park with your fur baby to remember you are not alone.

Need a hug? Your dog will be there! Need someone to listen to you? Your pup will happily do so! Simply need a day to rest and relax? Your dog’s right by your side! Thank your pup today for their constant loyalty and companionship.

I’M THANKFUL FOR MY DOGS GOOFY ANTICS THAT MAKE ME LAUGH:

Dogs do the funniest things. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that most pups do at least one thing a day that brings a smile to their owners’ faces. I know my dogs do!

From chasing tails to “protecting” you from that evil critter that sits outside your window, it’s pretty easy to chuckle as you watch your pup explore the world. We all could use a little more laughter. Thank your pup today for the smile he/she puts on your face!

I’M THANKFUL FOR MY DOGS IMPACT ON MY HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:

Dogs can improve a person’s health and well-being in so many ways. For starters, our canine companions are experts at helping people cope with compromised mental health. While dogs can’t cure depression or anxiety, they sure can provide a lot of comfort and support, which greatly alleviates the symptoms. This is why many people who struggle with mental health, choose to adopt a dog as it is the perfect solution since the love, support, and companionship they provide is unmatched by any other. Dog adoptions amongst seniors is also common as it enriches their life with unconditional companionship.

Our pups also have the ability to improve our physical health. When you adopt a dog, they rely on you for complete care, which means getting up off the couch to attend to their basic needs on a daily basis, such as going for a walk or being fed. Even though often times it seems to be a nuisance, I value the exercise and activity I receive thanks to spending time with, training and meeting the needs of my dogs.

Has your dog been a contributing factor in improving your mental or physical health? Tell me in the comments below; I’d love to hear your story!

I AM THANKFUL FOR MY DOGS ABILITY TO TEACH ME ABOUT PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GENTLENESS AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE:

My dogs teach me new things on a daily basis. However, one of the most important things my dogs have taught me is the importance of being patient, kind and gentle, and how to love unconditionally. In fact, my entire dog-training method has been founded on these principles.

There’s nothing better than knowing that your dog loves you regardless of what mood you are in, how successful you are, how much money you make, how nice of a house you live in, what you’ve experienced in your past, etc. This is such a great reminder that we should practice these principles whether it be while training our dog(s) or while interacting with people, family, friends, co-workers or strangers.

I AM THANKFUL FOR MY DOGS SIXTH SENSE:

The power of connection that our canine companions provide continue to amaze me and I am awestruck by some of the experiences I have shared with my doggos. There are times when it seems they know me or the environment we are in, in a greater way than I do. They seem to possess an instinctive super-power of situational awareness by picking up on the slightest subtleties of a situation that have gone unnoticed by others.

They have the keen ability to discern what is needed in the moment and act on it. I have experienced this when my pup offered a response in empathy to comfort (i.e., pre-emptive response to my anxiety due to a past illness) or an alert in protection (i.e., detection of earthquake prior to obvious detectable activity). This ability reminds me to take their lead of focus and perception allowing me to rely on and trust my own gut instinct.

I hope this upcoming holiday season provides you with an opportunity to reflect on just how amazing it is to have a dog in your home. Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section. While you’re reflecting, don’t forget to give your fur baby an extra treat or belly rub to remind them how much they are appreciated!

Happy Thanksgiving!

22/11/2020

Check this out!! Amazing facility close to my heart.

Many have found fur-ever homes since the pandemic. Did you get rescued by a new fur-baby since the lockdown? Ask me about my pandemic rescue special!

20/11/2020

GIVE YOUR DOG THE BIRD!???

Thanksgiving, for most families, is all about the bird. Hours go into the roasting and basting, and once the feast is over, there are turkey sandwiches, turkey potpies, and turkey casseroles to make. In the midst of all of that leftover turkey, it is tempting to slip our dogs some meat, or even to make them up a plate of it as a special Thanksgiving treat.

But can dogs eat turkey? Is it good for them? Are there risks? Here is what you need to know about feeding turkey to dogs to get your dog through the holidays safely.

Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
The short answer is “yes and no.” Turkey is not toxic to dogs. It is an ingredient in many commercial dog foods and is rich in nutrients like protein, riboflavin, and phosphorous. When cooked plain, under the guidance of a veterinarian, it can be an essential part of a homemade dog food diet.

Thanksgiving turkeys, however, are rarely cooked plain. We rub our birds with butter and oils and season them with salt, pepper, herbs, and spices. We stuff them full of stuffing, onions, garlic, and more herbs. To us, this is delicious. For our dogs, it is a recipe for unpleasant digestive upset at best, and pancreatitis at worst.

How to Feed Your Dog Turkey Safely
If you decide to feed your dog turkey this Thanksgiving, there are a few things you need to know to do it safely.

Skip the skin. All of that fat and seasoning is dangerous for dogs. The fat content can cause pancreatitis, and the seasonings can irritate your dog’s stomach.
Make sure you only feed your dog turkey meat. Onions are toxic to dogs, and garlic is potentially toxic in large quantities.
Feed your dog only small quantities of turkey, and talk to your vet about adding food scraps into your dog’s diet, especially if your dog has a preexisting health condition, like diabetes.
Make sure there are no bones in the meat you feed your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?
Poultry bones, especially cooked poultry bones, are brittle. This, combined with their small size, makes them very dangerous for dogs. Veterinarians caution against feeding dogs bones of any kind, including poultry bones, as they can cause the following problems:

Mouth and tongue injuries
Obstruction of the throat or intestinal tract
Choking
Bone fragments can pierce the lining of stomachs and intestines
Constipation
Re**al bleeding from sharp bone fragments
Blockages that require emergency surgery
If you want to give your dog a bone, try a large hardy nylon or rubber chew toy bone or another size-appropriate chew toy. Some of them are even flavored, and your dog will live to chew another day.

The Verdict
Yes, you can feed your dog turkey safely, as long as you follow these guidelines. However, feeding table scraps to dogs on a regular basis can lead to obesity, which causes a host of problems, including diabetes, hypertension, joint stress, and hip dysplasia.

If you have any more questions, talk with your vet about how to feed turkey safely to your dog.

Credit: AKC.org

19/11/2020