Barkley's brain, body, behaviors and B-Mod

28/07/2024

Breaking up Barkley's day with a red cup sniffari.

Enrichment does not have to be sophisticated or difficult.
It could involve scent, texture, safe social encounters, food/nutritional, physical movement, sounds.
Anything that can safely engage the dog's physical and mental abilities can be used promote stimulation, minimize boredom and, let dogs be dogs.

What is one thing you can do for enrichment today?

12/05/2024

To all the moms out there.

A very special day to all the moms who took in a companion animal to care for.

(photo credit unknown, stock photo)

04/05/2024

Anxious dogs worry and often get "stuck" in having to be a part of their worry/fear. They usually can not just walk away.

Barkley is worried his comfort zone and environment is about to be disrupted. There is a service person outside that he hears.

What do you observe that tells us he is likely anxious?

We will help him using a pattern game.
Can you think of how this helps him in this situation?

21/03/2024

Wow- 2 years go we began this journey!

His story is one of many.
We were fortunate to be able to help him.
He is not the dog for everyone but he is "perfect" for his mom and dad and family (small circle of people).
He will likely always have biological fear, stress, anxiety and frustration but, it is now under better management and control.

With the help of behavior vets, colleagues, family and friends, today this pup is alive and thriving better than he was.

31/12/2023

Happy New Year's Eve from Barkley!

Who made a resolution for their dog?

Perhaps start puppy socialization? Maybe start a basic manners class or take the next level? Trick or scent work?

What resolution was made for the dog who guards their food, toys or beds?
Or the dog that barks and lunges at people or dogs on walks or when people enter the home?
What about the dog who hides when people approach?
How about the dog who shakes when thunder or fireworks are heard?
In addition to making your own personal resolution, please do not forget about the commitment you made when you got a dog or puppy. They are relying on you to support and help meet their needs.

Please commit time to help your fearful, stressed, frustrated or anxious dog who may be struggling.

A dog who is barking, growling, lunging, shaking, whining, pacing and biting is likely not in a good place mentally and emotionally.

Here is Barkley "foraging" for his food. This helps him engage in species specific behaviors that can help with stress, anxiety, fearfulness and other behaviors.

Let Barkley know what you are doing in the New Year to help your dog!
Need a suggestion? Just ask us!

25/12/2023

What are the differences you see between these three pictures?

25/12/2023

What is like with Barkley with guests?
He has come a long way but still struggles and can show some confliction.

We have a system that allows us to set him for guests entering the home.
Sometimes, he is frustrated he can not get to them yet, he also shows hesitation and fear, too. We always err on the side of caution.
Here are two videos of today.
One he is separated from the guests. The other is when we systematically let him in.

I will also include pictures in another post . He is conflicted at times but, most times, he will prefer to be near us.
I support his emotions by sitting on the floor to be present. He chooses to be in the room, next to me; when he can move away and into the other room with frozen goodies.

19/12/2023

*Note- pictures of sedated dog in case you are sensitive. (and that is ok)
Have you ever wondered how people who are lucky enough to share their home with a dog who struggles get them to the vet? I say lucky because for some people, sharing their life with one of these dogs can really teach us kindness, patience, to be empathetic and selfless, while doing something good.
Barkley, who struggles with likely biological fear, stress, anxiety and frustration is one such dog. He also happens to be my sister's dog, for those who do not know.
He has been having ear inflammation /infections on and off for several months. Since getting him the vet is not always the easiest option; he has been treated with meds by us, per the vet, at home. With the last round having no effect, it was time to take him into the office today. This is a process. One that may not seem logical to many. To us, it is a process that is logical, humane and selfless.
Today, he went right into his muzzle, accepted and tolerated the Elizabethan collar and, even decided snuggles were seemingly needed or wanted afterwards!
As you slide through the pictures you will see the different stages that it takes to help Barkley feel safe, minimize his stress and keep him calm.
While under anesthesia, in addition to having his ears cleaned and medicated, he had blood drawn, nails cut, a**l glands expressed, physical exam and joints checked (as best as possible for crepitus etc.), shots that were close to being due etc. It needs to be a one and done at this point.
We are so happy to be involved with him and, behavior vets who go above and beyond to help all dogs, especially those who struggle behaviorally in some contexts.
Barkley did extremely well today. He did growl 5-7 times when we first entered and waited in our room but soon settled. We normalize this growling. This is HIS communication and expression of how he feels in that moment.
Once home, it is a day of enrichment and fun things! We normalize having fun to allow him to decompress. Decompressing can help him complete the stress cycle.
Thank you to everyone who is lucky enough to have and care for one of these pups.

14/11/2023

Look at Barkley and his mom spending time together, learning and having fun!

09/11/2023

The last 3 videos in the progression to help Barkley through the hoop!
Nice job, Barkley!

What are your observations?

07/11/2023

Helping dogs part 2.

Here are two videos of helping Barkley acclimate to the hoops. Video 2 shows first, then video 1. (unable to edit to flip order) Watch video 1 then video 2.

What do you observe?
What am I doing that can help him feel safe?

06/11/2023

I see emotions when working with a dog.

Most people only see what the dog is not doing. (I told you to sit and you are not)
When we get "stuck" on only wanting to see the behavior, that can lead us to place blame on the dog. We then typically use words like "stubborn" or "defiant". This does not help the dog or us.

Barkley has (likely) biological fear. He struggles with stress, anxiety and frustration. He has come a long way over the last 1.5+ years!

Mom bought some agility equipment to do something new with him and, to help continue to build his confidence. Since he is likely to have a negative reaction to it, we need to be proactive to help him in a positive way.
To help him, we put it in the yard, on the ground for him to get used to it. It is a change in his environment.
We let him decide if it is safe to approach or not. This gives him choice over his own life.

Would you feel safer if your choice to move away from a potentially scary or unknown situation was taken away?
Stay tuned to see how we help him!

What is your dog fearful of? What choice can you give them?

21/10/2023

Recently, Barkley came across the open basement door. He heard me inside. He has never entered or exited the basement. This is new to him.
Most dogs would have entered without thinking twice. Barkley not only thinks twice, he thinks 3, 4 and 5 times about not going in. This is his lack of confidence and fear of novel situations. Do you know what purpose this likely serves?

I hear you barking Mister Barkley. I will meet him and help him. I will allow him to engage or move away as he needs to- this is giving him choice and control over the situation.

What do you notice when I start counting?
Does this matter? Why or why not?

01/10/2023

A nice way to build confidence and provide mental stimulation is to teach simple, short tasks that he can accomplish and succeed at.

What are some of your observations?

08/06/2023

You talking to me?
Just two dogs communicating. What do you think they are saying?

26/03/2023

This pup conquering the tree stump jump!

24/03/2023

Awwww, just a baby Barkley eating dinner and, with so many benefits coming along for the ride during the process!

08/03/2023

Look at Barkley patiently wait to move into his muzzle! Training with understanding, patience, positive associations and, working at his pace allows him to make good choices!

26/02/2023

By giving Barkley some good chew time, we can help minimize some of his stress and anxiety. Chewing helps dogs relax.
This is his time to do dog things!

He is eager to spend 45 minutes on his new moose antler!

03/02/2023

Barkley's Mantrailing harness arrived!
Barkley is a sensitive pup. If we were to put this on him fast, it would likely cause mental and emotional harmful side effects. These could cause him to have a negative associations and, make it difficult to put the harness on.
I want to create a positive and fun association. My only criteria here is for him to look (notice) the harness. What do you see? Why do you think that is?

22/01/2023

Barkley's mom and dad practicing his recall in anther context! I hope they never have to use it again but, it is nice to know if they need to, it is there for them. Thanks for making an emergency recall part of your priority behaviors to keep him safe!

22/01/2023

Barkley's mom and dad practicing his recall today! Nice job in motivating him to respond!

03/01/2023

Remember when Barkley set the agenda while training walking the ladder and he tackled me?
Here he is practicing the real goal!

What is one thing that you observe about this training session? Anything! 🙂

28/12/2022

17/12/2022

Barkley would like to share a tip that has worked for him.
Creating a safe space away from people can help.

28/11/2022

This guy can not catch a break.
A few days ago I removed a tick from his neck. Yesteday the area showed signs of being swollen. Today it feels like it is filling with fluid.
Hopefully our progression in muzzle training and trust is enough for another vet visit.
He will be sedated and hopefully successfully muzzled by us prior to being crated at home and transported to the vet later today.

19/11/2022

Barkley had the week off (from me, but not from his mom, dad and grandma) while I was away.... It was my time to learn!

He is in for some doggie fun!
From Their Perspective LLC, Animal training and behavior consulting

That's a wrap for the first Mantrailing USA Instructor course! 🇺🇸🤯🥳

We had 5 brilliant students who excelled through the week demonstrating excellent coaching skills and Mantrailing instruction. We are really excited to have them join our Mantrailing Global Instructor family!

If you're interested in joining our 2023 Instructor course in Texas in May next year at Dog Gone Fun Agility, LLC , we'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

For more information on our Mantrailing Instructor courses please visit www.mantrailingglobal.com

06/11/2022

Barkley had a significant improvement in his muzzle training!
Watch him move into the muzzle and, I was able to add in bringing up the second strap! He is also "working" for scratches and any attention! This is a huge step for him in muzzle training since we had stalled a couple of months ago! His choice, always!

02/11/2022

Here is video 4/4 in this training!

What are some things that you notice?

29/10/2022

Video 3/4!

What do you see that is different? Is this a good thing? Why?