Wild at Heart Dog Training & Behaviour Consulting

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Wild at Heart Dog Training & Behaviour Consulting

Emily Priestley, CTC, is a graduate of The Academy for Dog Trainers providing service worldwide.

Emily Priestley, CTC, CDBC has been working with and handling dogs professionally for over a decade. Emily's long career with the BC SPCA has allowed her to have a proven track record, having personally handled over 2,000 dogs. With experience with a magnitude of breeds and all problem behaviours, Emily has worked with dogs who are in desperate need of intervention and behaviour modification. As a

graduate of the world renowned Academy for Dog Trainers and accredited by the BC SPCA's AnimalKind program, Emily is committed to using current, scientific and kind techniques, and continuing education to ensure that you’re in the hands of the most advanced methods out there. Emily is certified as an SA Pro to help humanely and effectively guide you and your dog to recovery from separation anxiety. Emily is committed to providing a nonjudgmental, kind, and supportive atmosphere for both dogs and their guardians and will always be transparent about methods and techniques, allowing you to feel comfortable handing over the leash.

13/07/2025

Do you need to be worried about your dog's "vagus nerve"?

I'm asked this often, and most of you have probably seen the sponsored posts selling a course on treating the vagus nerve for things like fear and reactivity. The vagus nerve is a large nerve that runs the "rest and digest" system, which is the opposite of fight or flight, so I get why people are curious. But do you actually need to worry about it?

The vagus nerve in dogs connects the brain to the body. It controls automatic things like breathing, digestion, and heart rate. When a dog eats, rests, or calms down after stress, the vagus nerve helps the body return to a relaxed state. It also plays a role in managing inflammation and keeping the nervous system in balance.

In some emergency situations, vets may stimulate a dog’s vagus nerve in a controlled medical setting. But this is not something pet owners should be doing at home.

The vagus nerve controls serious things. Messing with it can cause a dog to faint, vomit, or have breathing problems. It’s not a simple calming trick. If your dog is anxious or reactive, there are much safer and more effective ways to help them. Vets do not use vagus nerve stimulation for normal anxiety or daily stress. It is a medical procedure, not a routine tool.

If your dog struggles with fear or reactivity, there are safe, proven ways to help. You don’t need gimmicks or risky hacks. You can change how your dog feels about things using counter-conditioning. You can expose them gradually using desensitization. You can add routines so they know what to expect, use calming enrichment like sniffing games or food puzzles, teach simple safety cues like a u-turn, and work with a trainer who understands stress and fear. If needed, your vet might also recommend medication to lower anxiety so your dog can feel better and learn more easily.

The good news is, if you're thinking about the vagus nerve, you're trying to help your dog. In a time when everything is a "hack," it's easy to get pulled toward shortcuts that sound science-y. But there are better, easier, and safer ways to support your dog.

Talk to your vet before trying any medical procedure!

13/07/2025

The predation sequence is hardwired into all carnivores: orient → eye → stalk → chase → grab → kill → dissect → consume. Wild predators do the entire sequence without flaw. If they don't do it perfectly, they don't survive.

But domestic dogs don't always have the complete sequence. Border collies and other herding breeds were selected to exaggerate the first half. That’s why they stare, stalk, and chase but (hopefully) stop before the bite.

Predation isn’t aggression. Aggression is about fear: dogs trying to make something go away by acting big and scary. Predation is different. Predatory dogs don’t want the thing to go away. They want it very much.

Owners are often shocked when their dog kills a baby bird or chases a cat. But even squeaky toys are designed to mimic dying prey, because it excites our dogs!

Jean Donaldson calls this "Animal Planet in your living room." It can be an eye opener when Fluffy is a stone cold killer!

But this doesn't mean dogs are dangerous. While dogs can show aggression AND predation, predatory behaviour is not predictive of a dog's danger to humans.

We even use predation as a reward. Agility dogs tug. Search and rescue dogs get a toy. Detection dogs earn a ball.

Learn more in Urban Sheepdog:
https://amzn.to/4g0o6VT

12/07/2025

How old is your dog? 🐕

12/07/2025

Border collies look smart, and they are, but that brain comes with a cost.

These dogs were bred to notice everything, respond fast, and work all day. That intensity can turn into barking, chasing, reactivity, and constant overwhelm in a pet home.

Many border collie owners are living with dogs who overreact to the world, struggle with rest, and seem like they're always on high alert.

While we seem to know so much about one of the most recognizable breeds in the world, we actually know very little, and that leads to a culture clash between us and our dogs in our own homes.

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone!

Grab your copy of Urban Sheepdog here:
https://amzn.to/4g0o6VT

And share this post if it hit home!

10/07/2025

Australian Cattle Dogs look cool, but they are tough little dogs who were bred to act first and think later. Their tendency to be wary of people combined with herding traits that involve rushing and biting can make it hard when they are living in pet dog homes.

Many of my clients are struggling with barking, chasing, biting, stranger danger, and reactivity.

This ain't your grandma's lab! They aren't for everyone, but can be great dogs.

Don't forget to share this post if it resonated with you!

And grab your copy of Reactivity in Herding Breed Dogs here: https://amzn.to/48eQP6w

09/07/2025

“DO YOUR RESEARCH!”

On a recent post about my book, Urban Sheepdog, someone commented, “Might be better to discourage people from getting one of these dogs if they live in an apartment or in the middle of a city....”

And I get it. If you haven’t read my book or spent time here, it may seem like I’m suggesting these dogs are a good fit for everyone. But that’s not the case.

My book, written to help pet dog owners of working line dogs like Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, Aussies, and Shepherds who live a life off the farm, is part love story and part user manual. I wrote it to help people understand and fall back in love with their dogs.

Many owners of Border Collies and Cattle Dogs struggle because these dogs are intense, active, and have more energy in a day than most of their owners. I love these dogs, and I pour that love into my book. So I can see why it might seem like I’m promoting them as breeds people should go out and get.

But do I recommend these dogs for urban homes?

The answer is: that depends.

If you spend time here, you'll know that I always promote adult dogs as an option for people who are very set on what type of dog meets their lifestyle. That includes those in the city, people with kids, people who work and don't have time for puppy things or hours of exercise. If you are tied to a particular temperament, I always recommend adult dogs, around 2 or 3, whose temperaments are a bit more "what you see is what you get."

In a study, lack of socialization as a young pup was the strongest predictor of social fearfulness, but urban environments also showed a clear effect. Using land-use data, the study found that dogs living in urban areas were more likely to be afraid of strangers and other dogs. Cities can be overwhelming. Loud noises, fast movements, and constant encounters can wear on a dog. (Puurunen et al., 2020)

So while I certainly don't advocate for people in urban environments to line up for their next Border Collie puppy, it is estimated that there are well over 1 million Border Collies living in North America. What I can tell you for sure is that there is not a working home for each of these dogs. And with breeds like Australian Cattle Dogs becoming increasingly popular, we're just adding to the urban homes each year who will adopt and purchase these puppies.

And yes, I wish people would "do their research." But this concept is flawed as well. People are doing their research, but the research is flawed. As I describe in Urban Sheepdog, breed descriptions are notoriously vague and nuanced. Traits that most families don't want in dogs are candy coated. "Doesn't do well with strangers" becomes "loyal." Barks along the fence and at all sounds inside becomes "protective."

On top of that, people who do their research are rarely aware of the pitfalls ahead of them. People don't research "compulsive disorder Border Collie" on Google before they know it exists. People don't search "Blue Heeler trying to attack people in the car" if they don't know that this is something they could face.

Having said that, the vast majority of these dogs are doing excellent. I tend to hear about the ones who are struggling with behaviours because I work with dogs struggling with behaviours. While I am a strong advocate of matching the right dog with the right home, I am also a believer that many of these owners, even urban ones who haven't handled a dog before, can be matched with the right dog.

With these dogs, it's important not to fall into stereotypes. They can be as different as the homes that take them in. I have three working line Border Collies, and they could not be more different from each other in personality, behaviour, and energy levels. While none of the three would be a perfect fit for every home, there are plenty of homes that would be a great fit for each one.

So, while we hope people do research and we hope the right dog always ends up in the right home, that's just not realistic. And until we hopefully one day figure it all out, we need to create safety nets. Nets that catch the dogs who aren’t in the right home, or support the owners who are struggling, but could still be a great match with the right help.

If you're one of those urban sheepdog owners, my book is for you. Or if you're one of the lucky ones who comes across this stuff before getting your working line dog, I hope it helps you pick the right dog and set yourself up for success.

You can order Urban Sheepdog here, and it's currently $5 off! https://amzn.to/4g0o6VT

And if any of this landed for you, share it or drop a comment. It helps push this post out, in hopes that more people will see it when they "do their research"!

08/07/2025

From the archives... the original post was shared over 1000 times and resonated with so many people. I was on the Digging into Dogs podacast talking about this topic and this post went on to win an award. It became a chapter in Urban Sheepdog, which you can order for a limited time for $5 off: https://amzn.to/4g0o6VT

None of us went looking for fearful, aggressive, reactive, separation anxious, or medical dogs. Most of us wanted hiking partners, brew pup patio buddies, dogs who could go anywhere. We thought it would just naturally happen because of that old saying "it's all in how you raise them." They would be raised right, so it would work out fine.

Maybe early on there were red flags. Maybe you didn't notice until they became an adult. I wish it was as easy as placing a puppy or rescue dog in the right home and adding love to "fix" things. So many people struggle with how things could have gone, should have gone, what they might have done wrong. There's a lot of baggage we carry into training from the past.

Many people want to negotiate out of the problems with their dogs. "What if we don't follow the plan? What if I can't manage it? What if I just wait for them to 'grow out of it'?" It can be hard to reconcile the dog you wanted with the dog that you have. I understand. I didn't know Zelda would be epileptic and how devastating that would be.

Mourning the dog that you thought you were going to have can help you move forward with the one you have. Forgive yourself for mistakes and commit to changing patterns moving forward. Thank your dog for doing the best they can with the cards they were dealt. Forgive them for hating the strangers at the brew pup. Forgive them for lunging on walks. Understand why they don't want to meet your friends who come over for dinner.

We often hear "train the dog in front of you." I suggest we love the dog in front of us. That doesn't mean we aren't going to be frustrated, sad, angry. That doesn't mean we aren't going to wish we had a dog who could go anywhere and do anything. But it might help us appreciate what they can do and who they are. We wish it were different, and so do they. Mourn the dog you thought you'd have and fall back in love with the dog in front of you.

06/07/2025

POLL: How much exercise does your border collie get in a day?

No right or wrong answer... I'm just curious to see what everyone is doing - working from home, pet care, sports... what do you do?

Drop into the comments!

03/07/2025

“This book honestly saved my sanity.” – Amazon reviewer

If you're struggling with your border collie, Australian cattle dog, German shepherd, Aussie, or other herding breed, this is for you!

When I chose to focus on herding breeds struggling in non-working homes, my goal was simple: help people understand these dogs better. Too often, I saw guardians with working dogs looking for a better relationship but struggling to understand them.

These dogs were bred for intense work, possessing endurance, quick thinking, strong responsiveness, and laser-like focus. On farms and in trials, these traits shine. In cities, they become problems. The same energy and precision that once made them champions now get them labelled as difficult.

Border collies are one of the most recognizable breeds in the world, but that doesn’t mean we truly understand them. We fail them by trying to shut down their instincts instead of working with them. Cattle dogs, malinois, working-line German shepherds, Australian shepherds, we’re taking them from farm to condo in one generation, and the culture shock is affecting both dogs and their people.

You might be dealing with leash reactivity, endless barking, nipping, what appears to be obsessive ball chasing, or a dog that never seems to settle. It's frustrating. It's exhausting. And it can feel really lonely.

This book is designed to help you understand your dog's perspective. Yes, we can raise and train them for life off the farm. But understanding how they experience the world changes everything. It builds connection.

If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I’m just not the right person for this dog,” you’re not alone. And you’re not failing them. Let me show you how to fall back in love with your dog.

Whether you're getting your first border collie, adopting a rescue, or trying to make peace with the one spinning in your living room, this book is for you.

This isn’t a step-by-step training manual. It’s a lens. A way to see your dog more clearly so the training you do actually fits who they are.

What readers are saying:

“This book honestly saved my sanity. Emily’s book explains the fundamentals of herding dog behaviour, and the whole book was information I hadn't learned in the last year of reading up.” — amarie82amarie

“This book made me cry a couple of times because you really feel the author’s love for her dog, and if you feel the same way, it will get you! Don’t hesitate, get it and read it!” — Lauryn

"This book helped explain my dog's peculiar behaviours, and it gave me insight into what makes her, her.” — anonymous

Urban Sheepdog is $5 off for a limited time.

Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/4g0o6VT

02/07/2025

TRAINERS! Do you want to better understand clients who exhibit what appear to be compulsive behaviours? Do you struggle to know the difference between what is typical and what is a sign of a bigger problem?

What’s the difference between a dog who won’t stop playing fetch and one stuck in a compulsive loop?

How do we distinguish between high drive and something that requires veterinary attention?

When does repetitive behaviour become a welfare concern?

This webinar is designed for trainers seeking a deeper understanding of compulsive behaviour in dogs. We’ll cover what to look for, what to rule out, how to support clients, and how to stay within scope while still being useful.

We’ll cover the known types of compulsive behaviour in dogs, the science behind why they develop, common comorbidities, what helps, what doesn’t, and what falls within our role as trainers. We’ll also examine red flags, what to ask during intake, how to discuss it with clients, and when to refer.

Identifying and Addressing Compulsive Behaviour in Dogs: What Trainers Need to Know

Part of the Trainer Study Series

August 1st, 2025 at 10:00 AM Pacific

Approximately 1 hour plus live Q&A

$24.99 CAD (about $18 USD)

Recording included. Pet parents welcome.

Register: https://wildatheartdogtraining.as.me/compulsivedisorder

26/06/2025

I’m hoping to connect some dots about my ACD Mozzie's background. I’m her third home and was told she originally came from Alberta.

I’ve done Embark DNA testing, and she shows about 21–22% shared DNA with several registered dogs from different kennels. I’m trying to figure out which litter she might be from or where she might fit in the pedigree.

She matches closely with the following dogs:

Catalyst’s Sparkling Clover
Catalyst’s Many and Then Some
Puppies from Catalyst’s A Few Good Stories To Tell
Willowbend’s A Tall Tale
Blue Yonder’s Seminole Pride
CH Buzzards Off To The Races

She was born around May 26, 2019 and likely came from lines involving Catalyst’s Old Country Soul, Catalyst’s Something Special, or CH Bendigo Briarmoor Cow Patty. There’s a possible connection to a May 25, 2019 litter from Briarmoor as well.

If you’re a breeder who has produced litters from any of these lines, or you know of someone who sold pups to Western Canada in 2019, I’d really appreciate hearing from you. Feel free to PM me.

Thanks so much for any leads.

25/06/2025

Is it pain, or is it something else?

We’ve long misunderstood pain in dogs. We still tend to think that dogs in pain would always be limping or yelping, when in reality most will silently suffer. Some might groom more to cope. Some might be a bit more cranky when they’re sleeping.

Even though we’re getting better, it’s still common to see dogs struggling with chronic or acute pain who aren’t getting the help they need. The general public often doesn’t recognize pain unless it looks dramatic or obvious.

I spent my career assessing animals for signs of not just pain, but discomfort and distress. In the shelter, just like in your home, many animals won’t show pain in the way you think. One dog, who I still think about often, was in a different shelter for a week, hiding in the back of the kennel. She had a broken pelvis, and no one realized. Another dog, a big Rottie who loved playing ball, seemed to quit running and just wanted to lie down after a few minutes. He didn’t limp or yelp, but it was enough for me to send him for an assessment. He had the worst torn meniscus and ACL tear that the surgeon had ever seen. Any of the staff who worked with me will tell you that I took pain very, very seriously. No animal on my watch would ever go without help.

In my private practice, I deal with many cases where pain is the underlying issue, often undiagnosed. I’m very vocal about understanding pain, treating it, and making sure we fix it if we can. It’s our ethical duty as caregivers of animals who are captive and can’t seek their own medical attention.

But have we gone too far with pain? I see a lot of posts out there now, all pointing out pain in dogs. Many of these posts, some by inexperienced trainers, suggest that normal dog behaviour is pain, or that fearful, reactive, or aggressive behaviours always have pain as an underlying factor. I see some owners desperately searching for the source of pain in their dogs. And yes, pain is complex, often impossible to find in a creature that can’t tell us what’s wrong, and should be taken very seriously. It should absolutely be pursued if we’re sure it’s there.

However, what is often overlooked alongside that is that behaviour is just as complex and just as elusive. Fear itself is the default setting for the animal kingdom. Fear is the very thing that has kept life on this planet. Without it, zebras wouldn’t flee lions, mice wouldn’t fear owls, our ancestors wouldn’t have survived encounters with cave bears, and we wouldn’t use caution when crossing a busy intersection.

In dogs, fear is also the default setting. It’s very easy to get into a dog through genetics, stress, lack of good experiences, or bad experiences. Even the stress a dam experiences while she’s pregnant or whelping can switch on fear for the rest of her pups’ lives.

So when we say pain is always responsible, we are, on one hand, finally doing our dogs justice by speaking up about something that is wildly misunderstood. But on the other hand, we’re doing them a disservice by downplaying their emotional abilities. Just like us, dogs can feel physically fantastic but be emotionally unwell.

It’s also worth saying this clearly: fear is often enough on its own to explain a dog’s behaviour. A dog doesn’t need to be in pain to be reactive, restless, or struggling. Fear is a powerful emotional state, and in many dogs, it’s the main driver. Especially in genetically sensitive or spooky breeds like border collies, Australian cattle dogs, or German shepherds.

That said, pain and fear can absolutely coexist. A dog might be both anxious and sore, or frustrated and in pain. Or they might be afraid of things that never used to bother them because pain has lowered their ability to cope. Behaviour is rarely caused by just one thing. But we can’t keep acting like fear is only valid when it’s backed up by a medical condition.

What do you think? Do we push so far in one direction that we miss the other possibilities?

Don't forget to check out my book, Urban Sheepdog! https://amzn.to/4g0o6VT

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