Pet Training with Emily P.

07/09/2020

I touch.

10/08/2020

27/05/2020

A picture is worth a thousand words

Share this one with your clients so they have a better understanding of the struggles for a brachycephalic pet.

Image credit: International Canine Behaviorists

03/05/2020

What you think is a guilty look is actually a look of fear.

27/04/2020

Walks are soooo important.

27/03/2020

Very important!

26/03/2020

I haven't forgotten - some quarantine enrichment videos coming very soon! Just putting them together. 😁🐶

29/02/2020

Please remember, exposure alone is *not* the same as socialization. If your dog looks stressed and fearful, she probably is, and that's unlikely to improve by just being plopped or dragged into an intimidating situation. A good poster from Sara Reusche of paws4u.com and Lili Chin https://www.flickr.com/photos/lilita/9709045843/sizes/l/

25/01/2020

Just a thought of the day I felt compelled to share..

Working in veterinary medicine is where I single handedly see the most dog to dog mishaps with the general public due to simply lacking knowledge on dog behavior, and lack of respect for both their own dog and other dog’s space. Let me play it out for you, of what I see, all too often. Owner has their dog in the waiting room on a loose, long leash. The Dog is free to roam within a 6 ft radius. Another dog and its owner attempt to come in the doors, only to be blocked and greeted nose to nose by the uncontrolled dog, now tense on his leash, pulling and eager to meet. Its owner speaks out, “oh it’s okay! I’ve got him, and he’s friendly☺️” Here is where I step in to politely ask the owner to keep her dog close to her, only to get a response of “he’s fine, he’s wagging his tail!” 🤦🏼‍♀️ Little do they know, I see something else, way more complex, far beyond their assumptions.

Education and knowledge is power. Especially when you are dealing with an animal that you are supposed to mentor and guide for its lifetime, to ensure stability, confidence, and respect. In my professional and outright personal opinion, never is it okay to:
1) Allow your dog to greet another dog nose to nose on a tense leash
*A dog greeted head on is generally very rude, intrusive, and unnatural in the dog world, and can create conflict right from the get go. Any dog can take this posture as threatening, and begin defensive aggressive behavior. To make matters worse, a tense leash can build the energy in a dog to produce reactive behavior due to space constraints. If you must introduce dogs on leash, it is better to allow them to greet side by side on a LOOSE leash, and relax!

2) Assume that a wagging tail is a happy dog wanting to interact
* A dog will wag its tail for a multitude of emotions. It is VITAL to understand what your dog is saying by it’s tail wag. Based on tail position and speed will indicate how the dog is feeling. For example, A low, fast wag can generally indicate nervous energy, or insecurity, which has potential to cause a fear aggressive response. A high, stiff wag can mean over-arousal/over-stimulation or intent of ready to spring into action. The dog will make lousy choices in this state of mind and make it more difficult to control should they “rev-up” more. A medial, soft & loose wag is generally universal for a happy dog. Get to know your wags!

3) Assume the other dog is just as “friendly” as yours
* Not all dogs are dog friendly. This should be obvious knowledge. Just because your dog is friendly does not mean the other is, too. They could be undersocialized, have social insecurities, or just be dog aggressive. Give other dogs space, please.

4) Allow your dog to interact with other dogs in a veterinary office waiting room
* Dogs often come into the vet office already stressed. It is generally not a place of pleasure as the dog is usually being shuffled into a tight room, being held by strangers only to be poked and prodded at. The smell of other ill dogs or even death is in the air which makes a dog uneasy. Most owners are often nervous FOR their dog during a vet visit so their energy does not help the dog, either. There may be the the smell of cats in the room, stress pheremones, and urine markings from other dogs. Dogs come in not feeling well, or maybe have arthritis, or painful from an injury. They may be recovering from a surgery. Or coming in to be put down due to old age or chronic illness. Now tell me why this sounds like a good spot to “play”?!

We all go to the vet with our dogs. Please make your next visit pleasurable for everyone!

23/01/2020

14/01/2020

Important! Any dog can bite and 70% of bites happen within the home, usually toward children. Supervise always and don't let your kids tease, climb-on, or bully your dogs. Teach your kids to respect your dog's space!

Here are two examples of supervision. The top image is passive supervision – an adult is physically there but distracted. In this situation, a mobile baby can access a dog in a matter of seconds. It is super important during this new mobility phase to always have an adult actively supervising (see the bottom image). Remember – a dog and baby on the scene, a parent in between.

08/01/2020

Spend time with your pup! Work with them, have fun with them.

08/01/2020

Very important! The dog that bites first is usually the one people blame for a fight, but oftentimes, it's the undersocalized, "too friendly" dog that starts it by not respecting the cut-off cues given by the other dog. Don't let your pup bulldoze or invade the space of other dogs.

Not every dog wants to be greeted, just like not every person does. Respect other dogs and teach your dog appropriate manners and social skills. And always ask and make sure you have permission before letting your dog greet or interact with another dog.

Quote by Chad Mackin

Photo by RH Unity K9

27/12/2019

You are teammates!

06/12/2019

When you hear the words, "But he's friendly!", run the other way. Recycling a corollary to last week's poster on making the right choices for your dog.

[Thank you, Grisha Stewart and Lili Chin. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lilita/6577001349/sizes/l/]

26/11/2019

100%

18/11/2019

Not all dogs want to be pet. Respect them!

09/11/2019

If they back away, don't force contact. That's what leads to bites!

The correct way to greet a dog. However, I often don’t invite. Sometimes that’s too much pressure, and it’s best to just wait and give them time to choose.

03/11/2019

NO.

Belgian Malinois have been in high demand since al-Baghdadi'a death.

31/10/2019

Amazing job, you guys! So much growth from this class. Congrats Tucker, Bella, Lexi, and Astro! 😍

31/10/2019

You made it! Great job, guys! Happy graduation, Blue, Ryler, Levi, Seddy, and Lucy!! 🧁🎉❤

31/10/2019

Congrats to my two tiny loves and my baby dumpling! Well done, Starr, Libby, and Sammy! 😍🐶🎓

31/10/2019

Take the time to teach your pups to walk nicely on a standard leash and then you'll never need anything else!

26/10/2019

Keep this in mind when you get frustrated with your dog when they seek your attention! You are their whole world.

❤️

22/10/2019

YAAAAY, graduation friends!! Great job, Joji and Willow! 🐕❤🎓😍

21/10/2019

Hooray, Tucker and Tripper! Graduation stars! See you next class! ⭐