Pets & Their People Dog Training, LLC

14/08/2024

Know your dog.

🙉 Behaviour is communication 🙊

Juno stops on a walk and turns her head indicating she would like to take a right, not a left.

Juno grunts and leaps up when I move my feet beneath the covers, expressing her displeasure about a rude awakening.

Juno squints her eyes, purses her mouth, and rocks ever so slightly onto her haunches when a child runs up asking to pet her. "No thanks, kid. Not today."

Every movement and sound a dog makes—from the subtle wag of their tail to a sharp bark or low growl—serves as a vital expression of their inner world, conveying their needs, emotions, and intentions. The same way we use our voice, the symbolism of words and their meaning (and, yes, our body language, too), a dog exhibits particular behaviours to communicate something deeply significant, whether it be feelings of anxiety, excitement, fear, pain, discomfort, or a specific need or desire. Rather than dismissing unwanted behaviours as simply "disobedience" or "rudeness," it is imperative to interpret them as meaningful signals that require our attention and understanding.

By attuning ourselves to these communicative behaviours, we can engage in a more profound dialogue with our canine companions. This approach not only enhances the efficacy of learning/teaching but also deepens the relationship and trust between a dog and their caregiver, fostering a relationship grounded in empathy and mutual reciprocity.

14/08/2024

Excellent explanation! For those I've worked with this will sound familiar.

14/08/2024

14/08/2024

From the article, "Dog training is not regulated, and against a backdrop of misinformation and out-dated ideas, it can be hard for dog guardians to know where to seek help."

Dog obedience training and behaviour modification should use reward-based methods, according to a new position statement from the American Veterinary

14/08/2024

❤️🐾❤️

10/08/2024

Becoming a better trainer and handler is often separated by the details.
Many trainers work towards the same goals using different methods. When the situation is difficult or a dog is under adversity, the quality of your work and the attitude of your dog, reveals the effectiveness of your process.

How you train and your success as a teacher is not only the method you employ but how you go about it, including your mindset, effort, communication skills and patience.
A dog’s ‘try’ and heart is ultimately a reflection of his desire and enjoyment.
You can often tell from a dogs attitude if his training was positive by how he reacts, especially in challenging situations; if he's happy to fulfill his commands or if he responds with sullenness or avoidance.

Dogs can be trained with many different styles and techniques.
There is a big difference though between a dog that has been trained only through drilling and a dog that has been trained intuitively.
When the work is enjoyable and the task is fully understood, it becomes your dogs idea to want to please.
When he is mentally invested and you have a connection, you get his heart and a partnership is formed❤️

macraeway.com

10/08/2024

10/08/2024

Something to think about for sure!

Sweet 14-week-old Golden Retriever puppy Percy is on the road to recovery after spending some time in our ICU over the weekend! He was an excellent patient and feels better already thanks to some time in our state-of-the-art oxygen kennel. In this photo he had popped his little head out to say hello to our staff during one of his treatments, and we don’t think he could get any cuter!

How Percy ended up spending the weekend with us is an important story that his caring owners allowed us to share to help keep other pets safe. Percy and his big brother were rough-housing, when Percy’s collar got stuck on his brother’s mouth. Percy panicked when he was suddenly stuck, and while twisting around trying to escape he caused his collar to become even tighter around his neck! Thankfully their owner noticed quickly that something was wrong and freed Percy before he lost consciousness. When his owners rushed him to see our ER team, Percy was struggling to breathe, drooling profusely, and very distressed. Radiographs showed that Percy had fluid in his lungs (non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema) caused by the time he spent struggling to breathe. Pain medications and oxygen support quickly helped Percy breathe more comfortably as his body worked to heal from the experience.

The strangulation hazard of dogs playing while wearing collars is a hidden danger that many pet owners don’t know about, but a story we hear with some frequency in the ER. Thankfully Percy’s story has a happy ending, but if his owners hadn’t been there to intervene it could have been tragic. Please, get your pups microchipped so they have a permanent form of identification, and then take those collars off when they’re playing with or interacting with other dogs!

09/08/2024

Many trainers will say with certainty why a dog is doing something. "Your dog is pulling on leash because he wants to be in charge." Firstly, how does the trainer know this? Did they ask the dog and the dog told them? And if they were able to have that conversation couldn't they just ask the dog not to pull?

The truth is, we can't always know why our dogs are doing things. What we can do though is focus on preventing the rehearsal of the unwanted behavior and focus on teaching what we'd rather happen instead.

09/08/2024

Another PSA about trainers posting on social media (yes, this includes me! 👆)

TikTok famous dog trainers are taking over, and unfortunately that's not always a good thing. Does having 1 million Instagram followers make you a good dog trainer? Some of the information getting shared on social media is incorrect, ineffective, or downright dangerous. So how do you figure out who's who?

🐶 Look for credentials listed in the trainer bio. Don't see any? It's likely they don't have any. This is not a good thing. "I've had dogs for 20 years" is not a qualification.
🐶 Beware of sneaky marketing. Guarantees of behavior, promises to fix a problem in only a few minutes, or telling you that you "HAVE" to follow these rules are all red flags.
🐶 Impressive before and after videos that show massive behavior change in "only one session"? You may actually be seeing behavior suppression instead of actual behavior modification.
🐶 Pay attention to body language. We share A LOT about body language, and if you have a dog, you likely have some idea of what a relaxed dog looks like. Apply your knowledge to social media videos! Is the dog in the video panting heavily? Are their lips pulled back? Are their ears back? Do they look tense? Those are all signs of stress, anxiety, and fear...

Questions about behavior or training? You know how to reach us! Check out our stories for more info!

07/08/2024

For the cat folks! ❤️🐾🐱

Predictability may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering training, but it is actually an important factor for cats. Cats thrive on routine and schedules, which help them feel secure and safe in their environment. A consistent schedule can reduce a cat's anxiety because she won’t worry about what comes next and will have something reliable to depend on.

So, what does predictability have to do with training? By incorporating training sessions into your cat’s schedule at a set time each day, you are providing her with security and giving her a chance to build confidence and spend quality time with you.

To create a training routine, choose a time of day that fits easily into your schedule and is sustainable. There’s no need to create stress for yourself, so make it as convenient as possible. Remember, you only need 5 minutes a day for training sessions!

07/08/2024

By Dr. Ian Dunbar

04/08/2024

Have you ever thought “why aren’t they getting this?” Many people get stuck while training their animals. Here is a list of mistakes I commonly see and how you can fix them.

04/08/2024

In the world of TikTok and other social media platforms, this is EXTREMELY important to be mindful of.

🟢Everyday there is a new “dog specialist” that pops up on social media these days.

🟢But do you, a potential client, a dog guardian, know what these individuals bring to the table in terms of dog knowledge?

🟢As the dog industry is entirely unregulated, anyone can say they are a dog trainer, behaviourist, consultant, specialist. Hey - vast majority of them on TV these days say so. But did you ever check what actual qualifications they hold? You haven’t? Then you should !

🟢If someone hasn’t studied the modern training methods, and hasn’t been independently assessed to have acquired a satisfactory level of knowledge to work with animals, how do you know they are safe to work with your dog?

🟢You don’t. It’s a real gamble in which if you lose - you dog pays the price.

🟢And sadly, sometimes, it means that choosing the wrong professional to work with your dog, means years of serious behaviour problems resulting from using approach that did not fully investigate your dog’s behaviour, the causes, function of the behaviour or motivation.

🔲For the sake of your dog - stay safe. Do your research. 🔲

04/08/2024

While dog training plays a useful role in building a harmonious relationship with our canine companions, living ethically with dogs also involves respecting their inherent dogness and acknowledging their need to practice natural behaviours. Recognising that dogs have their unique instincts, drives, and desires allows guardians to create an environment that caters to these innate tendencies. By providing opportunities for dogs to engage in species-specific activities such as sniffing, digging, and foraging, we enrich their lives, promote mental well-being, and strengthen our bond with them. In essence, fostering an ethical relationship with dogs goes beyond training, encompassing a profound understanding and appreciation of their true nature.

The ISCP is built on these fundamental ethics. Join us today!
https://www.theiscp.com/

04/08/2024

WHAT THE F?

Recognising stress responses in dogs.

Fight or flight are well known reactions to fear or stress, but these other “F” words are also important to understand and be aware of as they may not always be so obvious.

Freeze, Fawn, Fidget or Fool around are also responses to stress or fear and are also commonly seen in people.

Some dogs may have a genetic predisposition to one type of response while some react based on previous experience - what has worked for them before or what hasn’t. Some dogs have different reactions depending on the specific context.

Recognising and taking note of situations or circumstances where these responses are seen is important in understanding how our dogs are feeling.

When we recognise a fear or a stress response, we are able to intervene and advocate for our dogs.

04/08/2024

What is a "Sniffari"?🐶

Sniffaris are dog-led walks! They're a fantastic enrichment activity that can be done in just about any low-traffic area. Not only will this help burn energy, but allowing our dogs to make decisions and think independently can help them build confidence in different situations. It also gives us a chance to stop and take a breath along with them AND allows our pups to do a natural, essential behavior for their mental and physical well-being.💙

04/08/2024

It's HOT out there! ☀️ 🔥 Please be cautious about having your dog accompany you to outdoor events (especially if they are on pavement!) and be sure they have lots of shade and fresh water when they do need to be outside. Do you know how to recognize signs of heat stroke in dogs?

If you observe these signs, get your dog out of the heat and to a veterinarian immediately - heat stroke can escalate fast!

Read more about it here: https://otto.vet/pawsitive-heatwave-solutions/

28/07/2024

😆😆😆

28/07/2024

How do you set this up? Prevention and management are key! Instead of being annoyed that your dog is underfoot in the kitchen, have their mat in a certain spot, ask them to go there and reward often enough to keep them there. (Be sure to teach this behavior before you try to actually put it to use.)

27/07/2024

When teaching dogs, it is important to consider their emotions and take them into account.

By considering canine emotions when teaching dogs, we can ensure a positive environment in which learning takes place efficiently and without either party becoming stressed or frustrated.

If a dog feels threatened or scared while being trained this could lead to behavioural issues as they strive to cope with its anxieties instead of focusing on what it is being taught.

Furthermore, unpleasant experiences during training can also have long-lasting psychological consequences that may manifest themselves at a later date through aggressive outbursts or even attacks.

27/07/2024

There's a strange culture in the dog training society. A culture which seems to be preoccupied with training methods. How we teach dogs to do things has garnered a lot of attention over the last couple of years. And in many ways rightly so because unskilled dog training can cause distress to dogs and is both rife and unethical.

There is much more to living with dogs than training them though. And the idea that a dog who might be struggling just needs to be taught how to behave is highly antiquated. Let's take a quick look at the reality of why dogs behave as they do.

https://www.nicemembership.com/post/how-essential-is-a-well-trained-dog

27/07/2024

But don’t despair! Help is out there, and every small step gets you closer to resolution and to more fun adventures with your pet.