WOW BOW WOW-Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant

28/02/2025

Are you embarrassed by your dog's excessive barking on walks?

Here are some common mistakes dog parents may make:
❌Thinking that your dog is just being difficult, instead of understanding that they are genuinely worried about the environment.
❌Forcing them to "tolerate" triggers, which increases their anxiety.
❌Believing it’s about dominance.

Instead, understand their fear! Your dog wants to feel safe. ❤️
✅Recognize they're overwhelmed by their surroundings.
✅Be their guide, creating a safe space.

Give your dog 10 minutes of the right kind of training each day and finally get the calmer dog on your walks.

Join our next “Silence the Yappy Hour Workshop” to learn how to end your dog’s excessive barking on your walks without yelling at them.

Date: Monday, March 3rd
Time: 5pm PT - 6pm MT - 7pm CT - 8pm ET
Sign up here: https://wowbowwowoc.newzenler.com/f/silence-the-yappy-hour-workshop

28/02/2025

Does your dog bark excessively on walks?

Here are some common mistakes dog parents may make:
❌Thinking that your dog is just being difficult, instead of understanding that they are genuinely worried about the environment.
❌Forcing them to "tolerate" triggers, which increases their anxiety.
❌Believing it’s about dominance.

Instead, understand their fear! Your dog wants to feel safe. ❤️
✅Recognize they're overwhelmed by their surroundings.
✅Be their guide, creating a safe space.

Give your dog 10 minutes of the right kind of training each day and finally get the calmer dog on your walks.

Join our next “Silence the Yappy Hour Workshop” to learn how to end your dog’s excessive barking on your walks without yelling at them.

Date: Monday, March 3rd
Time: 5pm PT - 6pm MT - 7pm CT - 8pm ET
Sign up here: https://wowbowwowoc.newzenler.com/f/silence-the-yappy-hour-workshop

23/02/2025

“My dog doesn’t listen to me” is a common complaint I hear from pup parents. And I totally understand what they’re experiencing, especially when they have a larger dog at the other end of their lead.

Are you. . .
❌ Frustrated with the leash tug-of-war struggles
❌ Bracing for the yank when your dog lunges
❌ No longer looking forward to your walks with your dog anymore

Don’t stay upset with them or continue to feel defeated. You brought home a dog and promised them to be their guardian and that you would take care of them.

Here are 2 vital skills you need to teach your dog for that focused dog that listens:
💚 Check-ins
💚 Disengagement

Join one of my programs to discovery how to train your dog these invaluable life skills. Reset your life with your dog.

Here are a few of my recent students in the “From Ramunctious to Well-Mannered Pup Training Program” Cody (golden) and Marley (lab mix) recently finished the 6 week group class. And they happily learned to focus on their humans and became better listeners.

The next group class start on March 15th. Register here: https://wowbowwowoc.newzenler.com/courses/rambunctious-pup-training-progra

22/02/2025

Here’s George! In our sessions he has become (1) less fearful during his walks and walks nicely on leash, (2) more consistent about waiting at the front door before stepping out with a release cue, and (3) if he runs out the front door (he’s a runner!), he’s so much better at coming back when called. We’ve laid a good foundation to keep him safe in his neighborhood. His guardians will continue practicing with him

Do you want to lay a solid training foundation with your dog too, reach out: 714-794–9625

22/02/2025

Brace yourself for the most overused, underexamined claim in dog training:

“I use all four quadrants.”

Balanced trainers love to say it like it’s the ultimate mic drop.

That’s not a flex. It’s a misunderstanding of what modern dog training is actually about.

Just because operant conditioning describes four quadrants doesn’t mean good training requires using them all.

Operant conditioning is the science of how behavior is shaped by consequences. It describes four possible outcomes:

1️⃣ Positive Reinforcement: Adding something good to increase behavior (giving a treat for sitting)

2️⃣ Negative Reinforcement: Removing something unpleasant to increase behavior (loosening a tight leash when the dog stops pulling).

3️⃣ Positive Punishment: Adding something unpleasant to decrease behavior (using a shock, prong or choke collar to stop reactivity).

4️⃣ Negative Punishment: Removing something good to decrease behavior (ending play when a dog gets too rough).

The key here? This describes HOW learning happens, but it doesn’t tell us what’s ethical or humane.

If your only measure of success is whether the behavior changed, you’re overlooking what truly matters.

Some trainers treat the quadrants more like a menu than a compass, selecting from each quadrant as if good training means using them all, rather than understanding which direction actually leads to trust and learning.

Many in my field act as if using all four quadrants makes them more “scientific.” But the scientific evidence doesn’t say we need to USE all quadrants, only that they exist.

And treating dogs like input-output machines - Behavior in → Reinforcement or
Punishment out → Behavior changes… misses everything that actually matters.

If you focus only on the quadrants, training becomes transactional. The goal shifts from building trust to just getting a behavior at any cost.

This is a common and critical misconception among balanced trainers, and it’s important to be aware of it when choosing a trainer or behavior expert.

They believe the quadrants give them scientific cover to use intentional fear, pain, and discomfort.

But here’s what they fail to understand:

Just because something produces a behavior doesn’t mean it builds trust.

If your dog is only behaving because they’re afraid of what happens if they don’t, that’s not ethical teaching. That’s coercion.

A neuro-affirming approach shifts the focus entirely, and this is at the heart of the divide in professional dog training today.

Instead of asking, “How do I get the behavior?”, it first asks, “What is my dog experiencing?” That’s a critical distinction.

Because dogs don’t just learn through reinforcement and punishment. They learn through context, feelings, past experiences, and social relationships.

No dog lives inside a quadrant chart. And no trainer should train like they do.

A trainer’s skill isn’t measured by how many quadrants they use. It’s measured by how well they understand behavior.

And behavior isn’t just reinforcement and punishment. It’s an expression of emotion, motivation, experiences, and environment.

Anyone can suppress behavior with punishment, it takes no skill. But in an unregulated industry, it’s no surprise that the easiest, most heavy-handed method, harsh corrections, is the most overused, even when it shouldn’t be used at all.

But training in a way that builds confidence, strengthens the relationship, and avoids unnecessary distress, that’s the real work and the standard this industry should uphold.

So the next time someone proudly declares, “I use all four quadrants,” ask yourself:

Are they demonstrating real expertise?

Or just revealing how little they actually understand about ethical, effective training?

Interesting articles and research relevant to this:

1. Improving Dog Training Methods: Efficacy and Efficiency of Reward and Mixed Training Methods https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349459195_Improving_dog_training_methods_Efficacy_and_efficiency_of_reward_and_mixed_training_methods

2. Balanced Dog Training vs. Positive Reinforcement https://www.petmd.com/dog/training/balanced-dog-training-vs-positive-reinforcement

3. Is Balanced Training Fair to Dogs or Is It a Cop-Out? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animal-emotions/202409/is-balanced-training-fair-to-dogs-or-is-it-a-cop-out

4. Does Training Method Matter? Evidence for the Negative Impact of Aversive-Based Methods https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7743949/

5. Balanced Training vs. Evidence-Based Scientific Dog Training https://dogbehaviorist.com/2023/03/23/balanced-training-evidence-based-scientific-dog-training/

6. Effective Dog Training is Reward-Based, Not Balanced https://spca.bc.ca/news/say-no-to-balanced-training/

21/02/2025

The best age to neuter a male dog is when it reaches full skeletal maturity. This can vary with large dogs taking longer to reach adult size.

21/02/2025

Does your dog bark excessively or lunge on your walks?

I often hear the desperation in owners' voices when they say they've "tried everything." Sometimes, that "everything" includes e-collars/prong collars, because they seem to work. But the behavior is only under control when the tool (or the threat of the tool) is present. The dog hasn't actually learned anything different. "I just show him the e-collar remote and he'll listen," or "If I don't put the prong collar on, he pulls so much," are phrases I hear too often.

Don't make these mistakes:
❌ Don't rely on quick fixes that don't address the root cause! These tools might suppress the behavior temporarily, but they don't teach your dog how to feel differently about the trigger. They create a learned helplessness and can even increase anxiety.
❌ Don't demand a "sit" near scary things! This can make your dog lose trust in you. They need you to help them feel safe, not put them in a vulnerable position.
❌ Don't assume your dog feels the same way you do! Just because you think something is fun/harmless doesn't mean your dog does.
❌ Don't flood them! Overwhelming your dog with the trigger (like other dogs) can backfire BIG time. It often makes the behavior worse and creates more fear and anxiety.
❌ Don't wait and hope they'll grow out of it! Problem behaviors rarely disappear on their own. In fact, they often escalate if ignored.

-----

✔️ What if you could stop the excessive barking and lunging by actually addressing the root cause?
✔️ What if you could walk your dog without the fear of them reacting and without having to rely on tools like prong collars or showing an e-collar remote?

It's possible! Let's help your dog learn new coping skills/strategies and build confidence. It takes time and consistency, but the results are lasting . . . without the need to threaten them with a remote or continue to use an aversive tool.

Want to explore if you can witness your dog being less reactive to the things that worry them– like other dogs, big trucks, other people.

Work with them now for the long term life you have together ❤️

Reaching out to chat: 714-794-9625

17/02/2025

Sound Familiar?

"I'll clean out that room tomorrow..." I’ve been talking about decluttering my house for over a decade. What I found so helpful is having accountability buddies. Earlier this year a friend and I set up a weekly decluttering accountability check-in. And I’m doing it!!

We've all been there. Big goals feel overwhelming, so we procrastinate or start small and lose momentum.

Does this sound like your dog training journey?
🐾 Starting a new routine, only to give up after a few days?
🐾 Feeling lost and confused by conflicting advice?
🐾 Wishing you had a support system to keep you accountable?

Imagine this:
✔️ Consistent progress towards your dog training goals.
✔️ A community of dog lovers who understand your challenges.
✔️ Expert guidance tailored to your dog's unique needs.

Sign up for the Silence the Yappy Hour Workshop to learn how to receive accountability and support from dog trainers who can help you implement the steps successfully.

The Workshop is especially for you if this is your current life with your dog.
👉 Are you tired of:
-- Excessive barking at everything that moves.
-- Stressful walks where your dog screams at other people & dogs.
-- Guests avoid your home because of your dog's behavior?

👉 Dream of:
-- Only a few calm alerts, then back to enjoying your day.
-- Enjoying your walks with your dog.
-- Your dog as the welcoming ambassador of your home.

🐶 Dog training is not a one-size-fits-all solution. YouTube videos and generic advice often fall short.

In our workshop we share how we can provides personalized guidance and support from experienced trainers to help you:
❤️ Understand your dog's unique reactivity triggers.
❤️ Develop a customized training plan.
❤️ Stay motivated and accountable with a supportive community.

Join me tonight at the Silence the Yappy Hour Workshop and start your journey to a calmer, more fulfilling life with your dog.
Date: February 17th
Time: 5pm PT/8pm ET

Or, continue to feel frustrated and stuck in the same cycle of inaction. Choose the path to a significantly improved quality of life for both you and your dog.

Take your next step here: https://wowbowwowoc.newzenler.com/f/silence-the-yappy-hour-workshop

17/02/2025

When we know better, we got to do better. . .

There is so much lag in the dog training industry.

So sad.

To the American Kennel Club,

For decades, you have positioned yourselves as a leading authority on dogs in the United States.

With that position comes immense responsibility, to ensure that policies and practices reflect the best available science and prioritize the well-being of the animals entrusted to us.

Yet, when it comes to modern, science-backed dog training, your policies remain alarmingly outdated and increasingly at odds with every major behavioral science organization worldwide.

Let’s be clear: there is no credible scientific body that supports your stance on allowing aversive training methods, including shock collars, prong collars, and coercive techniques.

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB), the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), the British Veterinary Association (BVA), the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioral Medicine, and even your counterparts, The Kennel Club in the UK, have all reached the same conclusion: aversive training methods are harmful, unnecessary, and counterproductive.

And yet, you continue to stand in opposition to legislative efforts aimed at protecting dogs from these outdated practices.

In 2025, you actively lobbied against New Jersey Senate Bill 3814, which sought to establish humane, evidence-based regulations for dog training by eliminating cruel and scientifically discredited aversive methods.

You opposed Bill 3814 to protect aversive training methods, yet had no issue with its exemption allowing violent and inhumane practices in police dog training. Your priorities are clear, and they are not in the interest of canine welfare.

Instead of embracing this opportunity to lead, you defended archaic techniques that have been shown to cause fear, distress, aggression and unnecessary harm.

You labeled the bill “restrictive,” insisting that trainers need “flexibility” in their methods, even when those methods violate the overwhelming body of research demonstrating the dangers of aversive training.

This is not leadership; it is negligence.

Your current stance is not merely outdated, it is dangerously out of step with scientific consensus and directly undermines canine welfare.

Research consistently shows that punishment in training increases stress, anxiety, and aggression in dogs while offering no advantages over positive reinforcement.

So, why does the AKC continue to defend the indefensible? Is it a reluctance to evolve? A desire to appease outdated training factions? Or a fundamental misunderstanding of the science that governs animal behavior?

Whatever the rationale, the consequence is the same: you are obstructing progress and putting dogs at risk.

Contrast your actions with those of The Kennel Club UK, which has embraced modern science, championed humane training, and lobbied for a complete ban on electric shock collars in England.

They took this stand because they recognized that dog welfare must come before outdated traditions.

The question before you is not a complex one:

Should the public trust the overwhelming consensus of the world’s most credentialed veterinary behavior experts, or should they believe that the AKC alone possesses knowledge that somehow eludes the world’s leading experts in animal behavior and welfare?

It’s time to modernize your stance to one that prioritizes dog welfare by eliminating harmful training methods.

Take a leadership role by publicly rejecting shock collars, prong collars, and coercive techniques.

Align your policies with the overwhelming scientific consensus that positive reinforcement is not just the most effective method, it is the ethical path forward.

History will remember those who led the way and those who stood in the way.

Zak George

Sources for more info
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SW-sUZ8bhZxXqKGv1qz9wLVqfTy9wzbdY_suFGG_OrA/

15/02/2025

Ending the day with Sweetheart cookies from ♥️

13/02/2025

Is this your current life with your dog?
Excessive barking out the window at everything that goes by.
Screaming on your walks at other people & dogs.
People don’t visit your home anymore.

How about only one or two alert-bark instead?
Dream of enjoying your walks with your dog?
You wish your dog was the greeter at home!

If you want to change your current life with your dog, join the Silence the Yappy Hour Workshop on Monday, Feb 17th. Sign up for the workshop here: https://wowbowwowoc.newzenler.com/f/silence-the-yappy-hour-workshop

13/02/2025

During your first weeks with your new puppy, build a strong bond, master potty training, help them feel secure when you're away, and teach them to play gently (no more nipping!).

Join our FREE Q&A with a dog trainer to start off on the right paw! Get expert advice and learn how our 4-Week Membership can help you and your pup thrive.
� Wednesday, February 12th at 5pm PT / 8pm ET
� Sign Up Here: https://wowbowwowoc.newzenler.com/f/puppy-primer-membership-q-a

12/02/2025

Nipping & Crying?--Essential Tips for the First Months with your Puppy

The first few months with your puppy are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

This is the "Golden Window" to build a strong bond, master potty training, help them feel secure when you're away, and teach them to play gently (no more nipping!).

These early experiences are the building blocks for a lifetime of trust and smooth sailing during later life-skill training. ❤️

Join our FREE Q&A with a dog trainer to start off on the right paw! Get expert advice and learn how our 4-Week Membership can help you and your pup thrive.

🗓️ Wednesday, February 12th at 5pm PT / 8pm ET

➡️ Sign Up Here: https://wowbowwowoc.newzenler.com/f/puppy-primer-membership-q-a

10/02/2025

Puppy Shark!!!

🐶 Puppy Primer: Start your life with your pup on the right paw! 🐾

Feeling overwhelmed by potty training accidents, nipping, and constant crying? You're not alone!

Join our FREE Q&A with a dog trainer to get expert advice and learn if our 4-Week Membership is the perfect solution for you and your pup.

🗓️ Wednesday, February 12 at 5pm PT / 8pm ET

➡️ Sign Up Here: https://wowbowwowoc.newzenler.com/f/puppy-primer-membership-q-a

09/02/2025

One of my young students, Cashew, laid down for a nap at the end of our session. 💤 🐶🤣. Training sessions can tire your pup too—15-20 min sessions are perfect.

Reach out if you need help training your pup: 714-794-9625

08/02/2025

Don't Let the Puppy Blues Bite! 3 Key Areas for a Smooth Start 🐶

Bringing home a cuddly, playful puppy is a dream come true! But for some new pet parents, that dream can quickly turn into a whirlwind of frustration and exhaustion.

Why? Because those adorable little furballs require a lot of work, and without the right foundation, those first few weeks can be overwhelming.

Here's the truth: Puppy Blues are real. These are the confessions of a few of my new puppy parents:
(1) there are days they have regretted bringing home their puppy
(2) feel so frustrated and sleep deprived when their puppy crying during the night or when they leave the room
(3) their whole day is cleaning up after the puppy and they can’t get anything else done
(4) can’t focus on their work because they get interrupted by their puppy all day long
(5) feel like a prisoner in their home
(6) forgot how sharp puppy teeth are and they really hurt!
(7) didn’t know that puppies bite and nip
(8) don’t remember their last dog being this hard (they are remembering the last years with their last dog and forgot the first year or 2)

These are really caring people but they made the mistake of underestimated the struggles of raising a puppy.

But by focusing on these 3 crucial areas before you even think about teaching "sit" and "stay," you can set yourself (and your pup) up for success:
- Potty Training: consistency is KEY!
- Biting/Nipping Too Hard: teach gentle play
- Crying Puppy: OK with alone time

By prioritizing these areas, you can avoid the common pitfalls of new puppy ownership, such as:
- Constant cleaning up after accidents
- Sleepless nights filled with puppy cries
- Feeling like a prisoner in your own home
- Frustration and stress from unwanted biting

Remember, a well-trained puppy is a happy puppy (and a much happier pet parent!).

Ready to learn more? Join our FREE Q&A with a dog trainer on Wednesday, Feb 12th at 5:00pm PT / 8:00pm ET. Get expert advice and see if our 4-Week Membership is the perfect solution for you and puppy!

➡️ Sign Up Here: https://wowbowwowoc.newzenler.com/f/puppy-primer-membership-q-a

(Link is also in the Puppy Primer Membership link in my bio)

06/02/2025

OH the excitement when you realize that you can relax on your walks with your dog that used to over-react to other dogs, people, bicycles, kids on your walks! (Turn on the volume for the excerpt from a pet parent at one of our group training sessions)

And your dog is looking forward to their walks instead of . . .
(1) wanting run back home or
(2) charges out on high alert looking for the 'danger' in the environment

A sigh a relief for both dog and human! ❤️

Reach out to finally have the same. . . 714-794-9625

(or type CALM DOG in the comments to receive my proven tips)