Laska Dog Training

09/02/2026

A "NO" is a mystery to your dog.
Make it clearer and tell what to do instead!

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DO "NO”!?

It’s natural to automatically correct our dogs for unwanted behaviour by saying — “No,” “Stop it,” “Be quiet”, without giving it much thought.

It’s easy to tell dogs what not to do, but how can they possibly know what we want them to do instead, if we don’t show them and teach them how to succeed?

When we replace corrections with wanted alternatives, dogs begin to understand what works, feel less confused and frustrated, build trust and confidence in us, start to work it out for themselves and make better choices.

Sometimes the best option to prevent unwanted behaviour is by simply managing or making changes to the environment.

Baby gates or barriers to prevent access, visual barriers, clearing counter tops, not leaving food around, putting objects out of reach or providing more enrichment activities.

This isn’t about letting dogs do whatever they want, it’s about setting them up to get it right.

When we teach alternatives instead of just stopping behaviour, dogs begin to understand what works. When wanted behaviour is rewarded it’s far more likely to be repeated.

When we are about to say “No!” … stop and ask - what would I prefer my dog to do instead and focus on teaching that behaviour.

This is where real and lasting behaviour change begins.

09/02/2026

22/01/2026

29/10/2025

SECONDS COUNT
This post is not advocating that dogs meet every other dog, but rather about how to go about it in a safer way, if and when it does happen.

The 3 second rule for dogs meeting each other is used as a guideline to help foster positive introductions, prevent either dog from feeling overwhelmed or trapped and prevent any potential reactivity and stress.

A short 3 second introduction is enough time to provide important information to both dogs.

Enough time and information for dogs to decide – “are you a threat?”, “do I like you?”, “do I want to learn more about you?”, “do I really dislike you?”, “do I want you to go away?” etc. Both dogs may not feel the same way – one may not be happy to engage while the other may want to.

All interactions should ideally happen like this, not just initially. Just like us, dogs can have off days – things like pain, trigger stacking, lack of sleep or a host of other reasons can influence a dog’s emotional state and whether a dog wants to interact or not.

There are countless times I have witnessed meetings or introductions between dogs that have gone on just a few seconds too long and have not ended well.

This can have long lasting effects on future behaviour when meeting other dogs.

Understanding body language is critically important. If we are going to share our lives with another species, protect them, advocate for them and help them feel safe, then we need to understand and respect their language.

The examples in this post of red and green flags are just a few general ones to look out for – there are many more and these will differ depending on the individual dog, context and circumstances.

Here are some resources that provide more detailed information about body language –

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://bit.ly/4hwC8k1

On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://bit.ly/4oftWqW

Make sure those first 3 seconds count – they can make all the difference.

02/10/2025

Love ❤️ Not Hate — For All Species!

02/10/2025

A good read about your herding dog in a city!

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT: Urban Sheepdog has been completely rewritten and expanded. What started as a slim guide is now three times the length, with entirely new chapters, updated science, and packed with new content.

This isn’t just a slight change; it's essentially a brand new book. I’ve gone back through every page, reshaped it from the ground up, and added the depth I always wanted it to have. If you live with a Border Collie, Cattle Dog, Aussie, or any other herder, this new edition digs deeper into what makes them tick—and what makes them tough to live with.

The second edition of Urban Sheepdog is available now.

https://amzn.to/3Kx3yK0

24/08/2025

In dog training, we often hear terms like "overaroused" and "hyperaroused."

The problem is that these words can end up pathologizing behaviour that is actually normal. When a dog is excited, playing, running around, not listening to their handler because they want to play with their friends, barking, or doing any other thing that is typical dog behaviour, even if it looks “over the top” to us, calling it hyperarousal can make people think there’s an issue when there isn’t.

Hyperarousal is a very real physical and mental state where the fight-or-flight system gets stuck in overdrive, even without a true threat. It means being on edge, always alert, with your body and mind running too fast and too loud. In humans, it shows up in conditions like PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, and insomnia. It’s a serious state, not just a casual way to describe a dog who is “too excited.”

Of course, some dogs do experience this as part of bigger health or behavioural diagnoses. And more dogs are being diagnosed with anxiety and other conditions. But at the same time, many happy, excited dogs are now being described as hyperaroused.

Normal dogs jump. They bark. They do zoomies. They might be mouthy. They might not want to stop playing fetch. They may tune out when they’re with their dog friends, and in those moments they might look wild and over the top. They can frustrate us, make us feel like all our training has disappeared, wear us out, maybe even make us cry.

But that still isn’t hyperarousal. It’s just normal behaviour. What it really reflects is what we as humans tolerate, or don’t.

Dog behaviour rarely lines up neatly with what we think is “acceptable.” Normal dogs eat poo. They hump for fun. They sniff and lick each other’s bums. They eat vomit, or guard it if they don’t. They pull underwear out of the laundry basket in front of guests, they counter surf and eat entire steaks. And they do these things because it works for them. On one hand, people love to imagine they’re living with wolves and leading packs. On the other, they dislike a lot of dog behaviour, especially when it’s inconvenient or when they’re not the centre of the dog’s world.

So, when dogs run like maniacs and want the ball thrown for the 50th time, instead of accepting them for who they are, we sometimes reach for labels. When we use terms like hyperarousal, we risk turning normal behaviour into something that looks pathological. And normal dog behaviour, even if it doesn’t suit us, isn’t automatically a problem.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t teach dogs not to jump on grandma, or that we can’t be grossed out when they eat the neighbour’s cat’s p**p. But framing normal behaviour as a disorder can be misleading.

This is where clarity matters. Trainers can raise concerns about real issues such as compulsive disorders, anxieties, and the like. We can notice when behaviours may point to something more serious. But we cannot diagnose. If we do see signs of genuine hyperarousal, the right next step is always referral to a veterinarian.

If a trainer tells a client their dog has anxiety because the dog “seems stressed,” or says a dog has compulsive disorder because they want to play fetch, or declares a dog is hyperaroused simply because they’re very excited, that crosses into territory outside the scope of training. A good comparison would be a teacher suggesting a medical diagnosis for a child, or a dental hygienist recommending a root canal. Those are roles best left to the professionals trained for them.

When we look at intense breeds, we should also expect intensity. Malinois are laser-focused. Border collies don’t want to quit. ACDs are gritty and determined. Using terms like hyperarousal without being clear on the difference between natural intensity and an acute stress response blurs the line between normal and clinical.

Yes, happy and excited, working and intense dogs can be aroused. But when we add qualifiers like "over" or "hyper," it suggests the dog’s behaviour is above what is normal in that moment. That risks pathologizing what may just be energy or excitement. If you suspect true hyperarousal, that’s a medical concern and should be referred to a vet. But if the term comes up simply because a dog is excited, playful, or intense, it may reflect our perspective more than the dog’s reality.

By being thoughtful with language, we can better support both dogs and clients, keep clinical terms where they belong, and still address behaviours that need management or training without suggesting there’s something “wrong” with the dog.

29/05/2025

We are a group of Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, and Doctorate level Animal Behaviorists dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through an understanding of animal behavior. Join us and discover how insight into animal behavior can strengthen the human animal bond and enhance....

10/05/2025

A good description of how a dog might feel when using aversive training techniques:

“And just to short-circuit the tired arguments that inevitably follow such claims, of course we recognize that aversive tools and methods effect change on a dog’s behavior, even if that change is limited in its effectiveness over time. Just as if you punched me in the face repeatedly, I would change my behavior and do what you said because I would fear what you would do to me if I didn’t. Ultimately, however, I would also develop a growing resentment towards you, and any trust I may have had in your commitment to serving my best interest would erode further with each landed punch. My anxiety would probably grow whenever I was around you even if you never punched me again because I could never forget what you did to me. You wouldn’t realize that because you think that you fixed me and that my ‘good’ behavior validates your use of violence. You might see my lack of action as a success even though I am shutting down or you might be surprised if I fight back one day, and direct that towards you or to someone else. Ultimately, you will always blame me for behaving ‘badly’ and never look at what you did to cause it.“

Credit: Victoria Stilwell

10/05/2025

“This is why the dog training industry needs to stand up and advocate for all dogs, however uncomfortable doing so might be, and despite whatever unpleasant noise may be directed at them as a result. Because the reality is this: no dog, animal or human being thrives when they are living under threat, when they are fearful, or when they are in pain.”

No dog, animal or human being thrives when they are living under threat, when they are fearful, or when they are in pain. We work to eliminate the use, promotion and condonement of all aversive tools and methods in any situation with all dogs.

27/04/2025

Dear PetSmart Leadership,

I’m writing as someone deeply invested in the well-being of dogs and their guardians, recognizing PetSmart’s influential role in pet care practices nationwide.

Your stores provide valuable products and services to millions, myself included. I appreciate your accredited trainers’ dedication to positive, reward-based training.

Yet, a significant contradiction remains unresolved, which we, members of the professional dog training and behavior science communities, urge you to address.

In 2021, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), a leading evidence-based voice in veterinary behavior science, published their position statement explicitly opposing the use of aversive training methods. (Linked below)

AVSAB strongly advises against shock collars, prong collars, and choke chains, citing substantial evidence these devices cause stress, anxiety, and aggression, even when used as directed.

This declaration was our industry’s equivalent to the Surgeon General stating “smoking causes cancer,” or the American Psychological Association declaring “corporal punishment harms children,” prioritizing the mental and physical welfare of dogs.

This stance is unanimously supported by 100% of major veterinary behavioral organizations globally (see comprehensive list below).

Critically, these behavioral science organizations unanimously clarify these tools are unnecessary in any known training or behavior modification scenario, pose significant risks to animal welfare and public safety, fail to produce lasting behavior change, damage the human-animal bond, can increase aggression, and do not address underlying behavioral issues. These are profound, inherent problems, not minor concerns or rare side effects.

Such universal scientific consensus makes aversive tools inappropriate for anyone, pet guardians and those involved in animal training alike. Continued sale of these products exposes PetSmart to potential liability, as there remains no credible scientific evidence, reputable behavioral organization, or expert consensus supporting their use under any circumstances. A lack of awareness is no longer defensible, morally or scientifically.

We urge PetSmart to give this matter the careful attention it deserves and promptly discontinue the sale of these aversive products.

I recognize PetSmart’s continued sale of these products likely reflects policies that have not yet been re-evaluated against recent scientific advancements and evolving ethical standards over the past four years.

Given your stated commitment to modern, ethical training, the continued availability of these harmful devices in PetSmart stores and online remains problematic.

Though many locations secure shock collars behind locked displays and rely on associates to caution customers, this approach falls short in 2025. Availability, however restricted, implies endorsement and directly contradicts expert consensus.

Continuing to sell aversive dog training tools despite overwhelming scientific agreement is like a pharmacy still selling cough syrups containing he**in or diet pills containing amphetamines, products once common but now universally recognized as harmful.

Even with good intentions, stocking such products sends confusing and harmful messages, undermining consumer trust and established science.

These aversive tools suppress behavior through pain, fear, or discomfort, a fact grounded in decades of behavioral research, not hyperbole.

Arguments based on customer demand or educational outreach no longer hold, as modern behavioral science unequivocally rejects these tools without exception.

PetSmart has shown leadership on social issues, promoting diversity, inclusion, and compassion. In that spirit, we, the modern behavior science community, professional dog trainers, and concerned public, urge you to extend these principles consistently to animal welfare by eliminating aversive training products entirely.

Removing these devices from your stores is consistent with PetSmart’s stated values, clearly signaling to pet guardians that modern, ethical, scientifically sound training prioritizes dogs’ emotional well-being and positive reinforcement.

Countless advocates for animal welfare and ethical training stand ready to support PetSmart in making this critical change. Doing so will reinforce PetSmart’s legacy as a compassionate and forward-thinking leader.

A comprehensive list of scientific references follows. Additionally, I am available for good faith private discussions at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Zak George
Advocate for Humane Dog Training and Pet Welfare

Organizations opposing the use of aversive tools:

* American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)
* American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
* American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB)
* American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
* European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (ESVCE)
* British Veterinary Association (BVA)
* British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA)
* Australian Veterinary Association (AVA)
* Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
* Scottish Government (“Guidance on Dog Training Aids”)
* American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
* Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
* Association of Pet Behavior Counsellors (APBC)
* Dogs Trust UK
* Blue Cross for Pets
* Animal Behavior and Training Council (ABTC)
* Association of Professional Dog Trainers UK
* The Kennel Club (UK)
* Association of Professional Dog Trainers Australia
* Association of Professional Dog Trainers New Zealand
* New Zealand Companion Animal Council
* New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NZSPCA)
* The Gundog Trust UK
* Guide Dogs UK
* Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS)
* Edmonton Humane Society
* British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BCSPCA)
* Pet Professional Guild (PPG)
* Companion Animal Welfare Council (CAWC)
* International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)

Links to statements from the above organizations and additional professional animal welfare and training organizations who have also publicly condemned all aversive training tools, plus an extensive list of scientific references is available at: https://www.zakgeorge.com/general-5