Pets & Their People Dog Training, LLC

12/03/2025

For those I've worked with, this should sound familiar. Always always always being advocate for your dog.

❌ Stop Apologizing For Your Dog ❌

"I'm so sorry about this."
"Sorry, he's still in training."
"Sorry, she gets nervous around strangers."
"I'm sorry, he's not usually like this."

Sound familiar? I bet it does.
As dog owners - especially of reactive, anxious, or very energetic dogs - we've turned apologizing into an art form. We apologize to strangers, to friends, to family members, to other dog owners, sometimes even to our dogs themselves.

But here's my question: What exactly are you apologizing for?
For having a dog with their own unique needs and challenges?
For prioritizing your dog's boundaries?
For being a responsible owner who's actively working on training?
None of these things deserve an apology.

Your dog isn't defective because they bark at other dogs. They're not broken because they need space from strangers. They're not "bad" because they haven't mastered every skill yet.
They're a dog with their own personality, experiences, and thresholds, navigating a human world that can be overwhelming.

The next time you feel that reflexive "sorry" bubbling up:
Instead of "Sorry, she's reactive," try: "She needs space, thank you."
Instead of "Sorry about the barking," try: "He's letting me know he's uncomfortable."
Instead of "Sorry, he's still learning," try: "We're working on this skill together."
Instead of "Sorry we have to leave early," try: "This has been great, but we've reached our limit for today."

This isn't about being rude - it's about presenting your dog's needs as valid and legitimate, because they are.
When we constantly apologize for our dogs, we're subtly reinforcing the idea that their behaviors and boundaries are somehow wrong or shameful. That our dogs should be performing better for the comfort of others.

Your dog isn't an inconvenience to be apologized for. They're an individual with unique needs that you, as their advocate, are honoring.

So let's make a pact: Less apologizing, more matter-of-fact statements of what our dogs need.

Because neither you nor your dog have anything to be sorry for.
Happy Training!

What's something about your dog's behavior that you've caught yourself unnecessarily apologizing for?

12/03/2025

12/03/2025

I was fortunate that I was told "Growling is a Gift." I had one dog who had been pushed so far past his comfort zone by another owner that he stopped growling. That's when he became unpredictable. If my dog growls or barks I say in a nice calm, higher voice "Thank you, what's going on? Let's go see" and let them know it's okay to express their fears, and I'm here to help them. It calms you, it calms them, and it lowers incidences of bites. ~ Rachel

12/03/2025

Important to know if you have an aging dog. ❣️🐾❣️

12/03/2025

Our goal is to prevent, treat and effectively manage behavior problems in companion animals to enhance and strengthen the human-animal bond. If you have any questions about your pet’s behavior please contact us.

12/03/2025

So incredibly important to understand. ❤️🐾❤️

Your Dog Owes You Nothing—And That’s the Point!

We bring dogs into our homes. We decide what they eat, where they sleep, how they spend their time. We are the ones who are empowered and it is humans who decide the rules—rules they never agreed to, in a life they didn’t choose.

Your dog doesn’t owe you a perfect recall.
They don’t owe you a sit on cue.
They don’t owe you affection, compliance, or some predetermined idea of “loyalty.”

And yet, every single day, they give. They show up. They communicate in the ways they know how. They exist in a world that often demands their unwavering obedience without question, their patience without reciprocation, and their love without condition.

But here’s the thing—relationships don’t work like that. A good relationship isn’t built on debt; it’s built on trust, understanding, and mutual respect.

So instead of assuming they owe you perfection, let’s rephrase the question: "What can I do to make life better for them?"

Maybe that means giving them more choices—more agency.
Maybe that means meeting them where they are instead of where we think they should be.
Maybe that means recognising that their behaviour isn’t about us—it’s about their needs, emotions, and experience of the world.

Because at the end of the day, our dogs don’t owe us anything. But what they give is something far more valuable than ounwavering compliance.

They give us trust. And that’s worth everything.

12/03/2025

Did you know? Separation Anxiety is more than just missing you!

Dogs experiencing separation anxiety aren’t just being dramatic—they’re genuinely distressed when left alone. This anxiety can manifest in barking, destructive behavior, pacing, or even house accidents, and it’s often a result of feeling unsafe without their human.

▪ Puppies and newly adopted dogs are more prone to separation anxiety as they adjust to their new home.
▪ Some breeds are more predisposed to struggling with alone time due to their strong bonds with people.
▪ Major life changes—like moving, schedule shifts, or a new family member—can trigger or worsen anxiety in dogs of all ages.

The good news? Separation anxiety can be managed with patience and structured training. Teaching independence, creating positive alone-time routines, and using calming strategies can help your dog feel more secure when home alone.

If your dog struggles with being left alone, you’re not alone either—there are solutions to help both you and your pup feel more at ease!

02/03/2025

Ethical dog training prioritises the dog’s well-being, using methods rooted in respect, empathy, and understanding. Positive reinforcement is central, rewarding desired behaviours with treats, praise, or play, while avoiding fear-based techniques like punishment or intimidation. Ethical trainers consider the dog’s individuality, recognising their emotional and physical needs.

They use science-backed approaches to foster learning in a way that builds trust and strengthens the bond between dog and owner. The focus is on clear communication, patience, and creating a safe environment where the dog feels confident to explore and learn. Ethical training ensures happier, healthier, and more balanced dogs.

Be the change: Commit to ethical dog training. Enjoy free webinars, support, and ABTC pathway. Ask to join!

02/03/2025

Another strong post on how pain can effect behavior. I know it effects mine.

The link between pain and behaviour is a topic I have a particular interest in.

With an ever increasing frequency I often meet young dogs with health issues that contribute to undesirable behaviours and/ or slow progress in terms of their training.

As I’ve spoken about so many times before- dogs don’t show pain or discomfort as we do and please do not assume that because your dog is young they do not have pain.

Have a look at some examples below of dogs I’ve seen recently in clinic

1️⃣ - 2 year old lab.

Referred to the vets for anxiety and reactivity around her owners young son- guarding the sofa from him, serious confidence issues, also becoming reactive with other dogs. No limping, lameness, no functional issues, no outward signs of pain.
Sent onto me by the vets for a pain assessment, after my assessment I recommended X-rays which led to a subsequent diagnosis of Hip dysplasia.

2️⃣- 6 year old big bull breed.

Very noise phobic and then started to become reluctant to go on walks - still really energetic and super happy to play and run and jump on and off furniture and run up and down stairs- sent for a pain check by Victoria Cooper Canine Behaviourist. On physio assessment I found pain in her low back and hip - sent her back to vets for pain relief and X-rays and she was given a subsequent diagnosis of lumbosacral disease and hip dysplasia.

3️⃣- very cute energetic 1 year old poodle cross.

Always been over excitable around other dogs and nervous of new situations. Lunges at runners and dogs when out and about. Very barkey but friendly. Again no limping or lameness. Loved chasing the ball in the garden- would play for hours until the ball was taken away from her.
Went to see the vet who passed her onto me for a pain check - I found patellas that were loose on both knees. Subsequent X-rays led to a diagnosis of bilateral luxating patellas.

4️⃣- 2 year old cocker spaniel

Normally no issues ,very sociable and friendly - suddenly started serious resource guarding at home and then bit his owner - sent to me by the vet for a pain check and afterwards subsequently diagnosed with elbow dysplasia

I could go on and on with these examples but I think they paint the picture.

⚠️ All these dogs have one thing in common. They were experiencing pain⚠️

They were not being naughty or aggressive or dominant or testing boundaries.
Their pain was triggering undesirable behavioural changes.

It is now accepted that the most accurate method for evaluating pain in animals is not by physiological parameters but by observations of behaviour.

None of the above issues would be resolveable with addressing behaviour modification .
Indeed if your dog is not responding to a treatment programme as you would expect, in many cases this means that there is pain present limiting the animals ability to proceed.

Some of them will have drastic improvement from the moment the pain is addressed however often, once pain is addressed , behavioural intervention will then be required to address established and learned avoidance responses.

If your dog has any behavioural issues, take them to a vet and ask for a thorough examination or a referral to a suitably qualified physiotherapist. If you’re still not sure, get a second opinion.

You CANNOT train the pain or discomfort out of your dog. Address this first and foremost before you consider trying to modify their behaviour .

If your behaviourist or trainer doesn’t immediately advise a veterinary visit if any aggression, excessive ‘naughtiness’ or strange behaviour is present, walk away.

Please always rule out pain being the cause of your dogs behaviour change first.

Please share to increase awareness

01/03/2025

Extremely important for you to know your dog and your dog's physical limits. Just like with humans, dogs (and horses) can overdo it. Which can make us cranky and sore.

01/03/2025

Do you know what Low Stress Handling® methods to use and how to recognize escalating body language? These handy posters are available for both cats and dogs and make a great reference guide.

01/03/2025

This is incredibly important. ❣️🐾❣️

We spend years studying canine behaviour, pouring over research, and refining training methodologies—but what if the most overlooked expert in the room is the dog themselves?

For too long, dog training and behaviour sciences have been shaped by a human-centered framework, where we interpret, control, and dictate how dogs should behave based on our expectations. But a critical question remains: How often do we let dogs be the experts on themselves?

A dog knows their own fears, joys, and preferences. They know what makes them feel safe, what they find rewarding, and what situations are overwhelming. Yet, training and behavioural interventions often ignore this knowledge in favour of rigid human-imposed structures. When we say a dog is "stubborn" for not responding to a request, or "reactive" for showing discomfort, we risk dismissing their perspective entirely.

From an ethical standpoint, acknowledging a dog’s expertise means recognising their agency. It means shifting from control to collaboration. It is allowing them to participate in decisions that affect their lives. It means asking, what does this dog need?, rather than what do I need this dog to do?

This isn’t about abandoning guidance or structure, but about recognising that a dog’s experiences, emotions, and choices matter. If we are truly listening, we might find that the best teacher on what it means to be a dog isn’t a textbook or a trainer—but the dog themselves.

Let’s teach with them, not despite them.

01/03/2025

North Texas peeps! Fantastic opportunity to learn more and be prepared for pet emergencies!

No refunds will be offered once this ticket is purchased. If 7 days notice is given, your ticket can be transferred to someone else.

25/02/2025

Important to think about. Especially when working with a trainer.

THE FOOLISHNESS OF FLOODING

Using flooding as a behaviour modification technique involves exposing a dog to an intense amount of something they fear with the goal of eliminating that fear / anxiety / emotional response.

This approach is often recommended as a quick fix that achieves fast results.

Some examples of how flooding is used –
A dog fearful of water might be forced into a pool and prevented from escaping.

A reactive dog may be forced into a “sit” near other dogs or people and be punished for any signs of reactivity.

A dog afraid of loud noises might be forced to stay in a room while loud sounds play, with no way of escape.

In flooding theory, once a dog stops reacting, the fear has been cured, but at what cost?

Flooding is traumatic and may cause extreme stress, anxiety and even more long-term fear related problems, increasing negative associations.

Flooding often causes learned helplessness - an emotional coping mechanism that may look like a dog is completely “cured”, but in reality, they have shut down, given up, disengaged, become emotionally numb and detached. There is no other choice because no matter how hard they try there is no longer any point in trying to escape or react.

Flooding can destroy the trust our dogs should have in us. Dogs depend on us to advocate for them, protect them and keep them feeling safe from whatever they’re afraid of.

Flooding prioritises achieving quick fixes over emotional wellbeing and a safe and supportive environment.

Using modern, scientific, effective, ethical and humane modification methods like positive reinforcement, counterconditioning or desensitisation is the answer to achieving positive learning experiences, to build trust, relationship, safety and in turn, long lasting behaviour change.

The harm and negative consequences that flooding causes is certainly not worth it.

“In the soil of the quick fix is the seed to a new problem” …. Wayne Muller

25/02/2025

Did you hear that lovely story about a dog reunited with their family after 100 days? All because of a microchip. Another person had their dog stolen out of their backyard and thanks to an airtag he was able to locate him and the thief was arrested! Make sure your pet is always protected and update your files if you move!