❗⬇️ Add your thoughts in the comments below or share them over a message!
➡️ So far we have
🐶 Scent games. I think this one is self explanatory for the scent hound group 😂
🐾 Needs a parachute. Scent hounds brains tend to be focused on their nose, which can lead them into some dangerous situations due to terrain or being oblivious to other dog’s social cues. They will benefit from a handler who is willing to step back and allow them to pursue what they’re doing, but will step in to slow the dog down when they need help
🐕 Benefits from “Dog Time”. Scent hounds were bred to work quite independently, which means they need plenty of time to engage with the environment with as much autonomy as possible - no intervention from the handler if possible and safe
🫨 The impact of their loud baying on sensory sensitivities, the ear infections/ear cleaning with long ears and skin folds, dog dog social tendencies, and the emotional impact of a dog that is not attentive and eager to train have also been mentioned.
😁 What do you think of your scent hound?
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🙄 If you're like ew, emotional regulation techniques or ew mindfulness... yeah same!!
😅 I used to be/still am pretty skeptical (perhaps not the right word) of "mindfulness" and "emotional regulation", in part because these things were not presented in an understandable way, were not explained/were demanded, and my emotional experience didn't really match those described by others around me.
😁 Throw in a few bad experiences with various types of therapy and we have a full blown aversion
♥️ Grisha Stewart's academy and her How to Human course was the first place to make this information accessible to me in a way that finally made sense. And has been thoroughly life-course altering information.
(I'm pretty sure diamond members at the academy aka me have a code for the how to human course for a discount so message me if you need that or the scholarship application for a free 6 month academy membership 🥰)
🤷♀️ I'm still messily and awkwardly learning more about my emotions, how to remain responsive, and how to shame myself less. I still feel super out of place in most places of education about these topics, and still trying to figure out how to take what I'm learning about NT regulation and apply it to a ND brain.
💁♀️ But it's still helping. It doesn't have to be perfect
➡️ So, if you're a "the word mindfulness gives me the ick" kind of person you're not the only one 😂 follow me to be reminded when the episode with Grisha is released (sometime in November 🤷♀️) or follow Dog Life With No Spoons on your favorite streaming platform! (Except apple music bc setting that up is the most confusing)
#nervoussystemregulation #autisticwomen #adhdbusiness #adhdwomen #neurodivergent #neurodivergentwomen #reactivedogtraining #fearfuldogtraining #aggressivedogtraining
💙 If you constantly feel like you can't do enough this one is for you!
🐛 I was introduced to the inch worm concept at a neurodivergent business summit and it's been super helpful lately (there's a recent post on my grid that goes into more details!)
💙 Takeaway message: there's nothing wrong with you, there's nothing wrong with your brain, and maybe there's nothing wrong with the natural way you make passionate progress
❗ Even if its your dog training!!
🌈 Share in the comments (or with a friend) if this was helpful for you too!
PS: that's not how the dog rides in the car when the car is in motion 😉
#autisticwomen #accomodations #adhdwomen #neurodivergentwomen #spoontheory #audhder #adhddogtrainer #reactivedogtraining #dogtrainingadvice #chronicfatigueawareness #reactivedog #holisticdog
😓 I used to feel so guilty for not being able to make progress with my reactive/aggressive dog. I felt like I wasn’t doing enough for him, and felt guilty I couldn’t do more. Which meant I started to feel worse than ever about my limitations as a person with chronic fatigue and neurodivergence.
📚 Despite getting discouraged from time to time, I never stopped seeking more information. Finally, I was able to find in- depth information on pain, and the changes chronic pain or injuries can cause to balance and the nervous system.
💡 An injury can cause a dog to compensate using other muscles while moving, which can last beyond when the injury is fully healed. The muscle and movement compensation can cause more pain, and can result in the development of fears, anxiety, or aggression as well.
🚨 The most important thing I learned was you can’t train pain out of a dog!
😮 After learning about pain’s effects, I was able to see my dog’s behavior in a whole new light. This understanding, as well as making changes to decrease pain, helped us make permanent progress and helped reassure me that despite my limitations I could still help him.
🫂 If you’ve been struggling to make lasting progress with your reactive or aggressive dog, you are not alone. If you don’t stop seeking information, you can start to see change and start enjoying time with your dog again too - I promise there are things you have not tried yet! Just message me 🐶 or DOG so I can share my free How to Repair Your Relationship With Your Dog webinar with you! 🖥️✨
#painmanagementfordogs #dogsinpain #nervousdog #traumainformedcare #traumainformeddogtraining #dogbehavior #reactivedogtraining #aggressivedogtraining #dogtrainingadvice #reactivedog #holisticdogtraining
🚨 The answer is... all of the above!! Along with gait abnormalities like a foot swinging out to the side slightly instead of straight forward, exaggerated swaying of the hips, and avoidance of sitting/laying/jumping or certain surfaces.
❌ You can’t train pain out of a dog, and pain will always affect behavior. When working to resolve reactivity, aggression, or fear, resolving pain should be one of the first priorities.
❓ which surprises you the most?
🤔 Want to learn more about how identifying pain fits into a holsitic, trauma informed approach for resolving fear, reactivity, or aggression? Visit the link in my bio for a free webinar! 🖥️✨
#painmanagementfordogs #dogsinpain #nervousdog #traumainformedcare #traumainformeddogtraining #dogbehavior #reactivedogtraining #aggressivedogtraining #dogtrainingadvice #reactivedog #holisticdogtraining
😬 I used to feel stuck and discouraged when it came to training my aggressive/reactive dog. I kept trying to implement solutions and getting frustrated, because focusing on shown behaviors didn’t feel quite right when I considered the research and anecdotal evidence indicating most (80%+) behavior problems in dogs are caused by pain and discomfort, and the idea that a body that feels well will act well.
💡 Eventually, I learned making observations is more important than implementing interventions on behavior. Making observations can tell so much: the purpose of the behavior, discomfort, imbalances, subtle feelings, their preferences and coping strategies… and allows you to make targeted, customized training plans tailored for success.
❗ You can’t train away pain after all!
😁 Now, I’m able to recognize when my dog’s behavior needs intervention or support. I’m able to pause and observe to know when he is in discomfort, what kind of support he needs, and we’re able to live much more peacefully together.
➡️ You can start to identify the root cause of your dog’s behavior and learn how to best support them and their behavior with a holistic approach too, so you can start to live in harmony instead of focusing on modifying and being frustrated by their behaviors. Just visit the link in my bio for a free, full length webinar on How to Repair Your Relationship With Your Dog! 🖥️✨
#painmanagementfordogs #dogsinpain #nervousdog #traumainformedcare #traumainformeddogtraining #dogbehavior #reactivedogtraining #aggressivedogtraining #dogtrainingadvice #reactivedog #holisticdogtraining
❗ One of the biggest limiting thought traps I see ADHD dog owners falling into…. The thought that “if I can’t do all of it, or can’t do it perfectly, then I might as well not do it at all”
😬 Most of the time this isn’t even a fully formed thought, and comes out in many ways. Increased frustration when trying to train something new, showing up ten minutes late for your scheduled training session and “well then I might as well not do it at all”, or even thinking “I could train now but its not quite the perfect time/I didn’t have it scheduled for now…”
🙋♀️ I am here to remind you some is better than none!
🙃 Easier said than done to internalize, but slightly inconsistent training will still be effective over time! (provided you have decent management as well)
😶🌫️ There aren’t many examples of inconsistent dog training, but I’ll let you in on a little secret…. It has taken me almost a year now to counter condition my dog to sticking his head into a collar after he had a bad experience with gear, and it’s still a work in progress! We may only work on it every day some weeks, and not for several weeks at other times. And we’re still making progress!
😁 So here’s your reminder to let go of some of your unrealistic expectations for yourself and put a sticky note in your training area if you need to remind yourself some is better than none! Follow for more ADHD dog training tips
🤔 (Interested in learning about an ADHD friendly approach to resolve your dog’s reactivity, aggression, or fear? Check out the link in my bio to a free webinar on how to start repairing your relationship with your dog!) 🖥️✨
#autisticwomen #ableism #disabilityinclusion #accomodations #adhdwomen #neurodivergentwomen #neurodivergent #holisticdogtraining #reactivedogtraining #nervousdog #aggressivedog
😧 This shouldn’t be an unpopular opinion but it seems like it is!
😬 I see trainers complain all the time “my client isn’t being compliant” and owners complain all the time “I feel overwhelmed” or “they told me to just power through it.”
💁♀️ In response to both… oh no.
❗ A behavior plan should be designed to tak einto account the dog’s needs AND how much available time/energy/emotional bandwidth you have as the person doing the training! If something isn’t working, it’s time for a new plan, not time for feeling guilty or shamed!
➡️ There’s more than one way to resolve every problem and more than one way to train every behavior.
🤔 Looking for that missing piece in finding a sustainable way to address your dog’s reactivity, aggression, or fear? Visit the link in my bio for a free webinar on how to get started enjoying life with your dog again 🖥️✨ ok
#dogwellness #neurodivergentwomen #adhdwomen #relationshipbuilding #spoontheory #holisticdogtraining #reactivedogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #adhdbusiness #nervousdog #aggressivedog
🤫 Confessions of a canine behavior consultant: my dogs dont know how to heel
❗ You read that right!
🙃 Could I teach it? Sure. Well, maybe - I’d probably get bored trying to make it fancy but theoretically yes.
💁♀️ I could give in and train it just because it might make me look better as trainer because most other trainers do, but its just not something we need in our lifestyle.
➡️ We live in a low population density city, my dogs are minimally reactive, and we don’t have narrow walkways. So, long line skills and an understanding of leash boundaries for a six foot leash are all that’s essential for our lifestyle!
😁 Is a heel essential for your lifestyle and environment? Then teach one! But don’t feel like you need to teach a specific skill just because every body else says you need to
🤔 Want to learn more about an approach to resolving reactivity, aggression, and fear focused on finding sustainable solutions for YOUR lifestyle and no one else’s? Check out the link in my bio to a free webinar! 🖥️✨
#dogwellness #neurodivergentwomen #adhdwomen #relationshipbuilding #spoontheory #holisticdogtraining #reactivedog #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #adhdbusiness
🔎 read if you're struggling to make progress training your reactive, aggressive, or fearful dog
🚨 Behavior problems related t reactivity, aggression, and fear need emotional support, not behavioral intervention. Solutions focused on the end goal or on the behavior itself can fall short of addressing emotional needs and result in a lack of progress
❗ Here's what you really need
🐶 1. Evaluate expectations and implement management. If your dog continues to feel unsafe, you will struggle to make progress. If you set unrealistic expectations, you will struggle to ever feel accomplished or satisfied.
🐾 2. Identify pain/discomfort/other medical causes. If you dog is in pain they will not be able to feel very safe. Many problems will resolve themselves when the discomfort or imbalance is addressed
🐶 3. Establish feelings of safety. It can be really difficult to tell (and to acknowledge) if your dog doesn't feel fully safe in your home. But establishing a space where the dog FEELS safe (not just IS physically safe) gives them a space to release stress and fully rest, which are necessary for good brain function
🐾 4. Become a secure attachment figure. Acknowledge your dogs communication, answer their requests, delight in their presence, and PLAY with them! By being a secure attachment figure you become a mobile safe spot, which makes the whole world safer.
🐶 5. Targeted stress relief. Most dogs living in the modern world are exposed to daily stressors. Without helping them release this stress your dog will struggle to learn and think to the best of their ability.
🐾 6. Support coping skills. Without coping skills your dog is going to rely on what works - barking, biting, hiding, etc. By helping your dog find and use their coping strategies, you can be less focused on supporting them with perfectly timed food delivery.
🤔 Want to learn more about these concepts and how to implement them? Message me REPAIR! 💌 I'd love to share my fr
🔎 Read if you want to start honoring your body but you need to train your reactive, aggressive, or fearful dog
👏 There is nothing wrong with being chronically fatigued. Full stop. 🛑
👏 There is nothing wrong with doing things in a way that works for you and your body, 👏 there is nothing wrong with honoring the needs your body has, 👏 and there is nothing wrong with making progress at the pace you make progress.
❗ Now read it again, as many times as it takes for you to fully believe it for just a moment.
➡️ And save this for when you need a reminder.
😁 Now, we'll get into some dog training tips.
😤 Most dog training advice revolves around consistency and putting in the time, which frankly doesn't work for someone with inconsistent energy reserves.
🫂 But from a chronically fatigued canine behavior consultant to you, that is not the only option!!
💃 You can honor your needs AND still make progress training your reactive, aggressive, or fearful dog despite what other people tell you. Here's 3 tips:
💤 1. If you're fatigued - REST. Don't try to take the dog out and train. Wait until you have the spoons and your training will be more effective and less frustrating
🐶 2. Start focusing less on your dogs specific behaviors and more on their emotional state. Providing emotional support tends to be a lot less taxing than training sessions and helps you and your dog navigate many situations more calmly
🐕 3. Start prioritizing your relationship with your dog. Do you have goals because they would enhance your living situation with your dog, or because other people tell you you should? Focusing on developing a better relationship means you'll actually get to enjoy spending time with your dog! And the specific behaviors become less important naturally
➡️ Follow for more fatigued friendly training tips
🤔 Want to learn more about how to resolve reactivity, aggression, and fear for your dog without burning out with
🤭 Confession from a dog behavior consultant: I’m really bad at remembering to give my dogs enrichment toys/activities.
❗ And you can be too, and still make progress with your dog!
🫣 You read that right. I’m a dog trainer but I’m pretty terrible at remembering to wash and prep enrichment toys. If I do manage to prep the toys or activities, i often forget they’re available when I need them, especially in high stress situations like someone coming over to the house since that is an overwhelming situation for me also.
😬 I used to think toys and activities were the only option for enrichment - after all, how often do you see people recommending “just give your dog a kong” for barking while people are over, separation anxiety, barking in the car, barking at you, inability to settle.. As if a kong or other enrichment toy is the fix all solution for keeping your dog calm, occupied, and fulfilled. If it kept them occupied and they were tired or calm after then it was enrichment right?!
👎 Wrong! Well, right in some ways but overall wrong. Now I view enrichment as SUSTAINABLE system to meet everyone’s needs, including yours. If washing, filling, and remembering to give your dog a kong isn’t sustainable, then that’s not enrichment (because your dog isn’t going to get it regularly).
❗️Enrichment isn’t all about toys and keeping your dog occupied. It is about changing their daily environment to help them meet their needs, and it never needs to involve expensive toys if you don’t want it to.
😢 Dog training advice is steeped in shaming people if they’re not able to do things a certain way. That’s why now I help people repair their relationship with their dog and find sustainable solutions to resolve behavior problems so you can live harmoniously without shame or being told there's only one way to do things
🤔 Want to learn more about a flexible, shame free approach? Message me! ✨ I’d love my free webinar on How to
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