KR Dog Training

12/08/2024

Games based training aims at building life skills and increasing resiliency!

Edited to add additional information as requested!

Maximize your ability to help animals by understanding the science behind behavior. If you'd like to learn more about the research behind behavior change, please join my mailing list:
http://eepurl.com/hY-7hr or listen to my podcast: https://researchbites.buzzsprout.com

My Science of Fear course covers the limitations of counter-conditioning in more detail: https://sciencemattersllc.com/science-of-fear

And for more information on stress and resilience, check out my Unlocking Resilience course: https://sciencemattersllc.com/unlocking-resilience

Here are some citations for the research:
Keller, N. E., Hennings, A. C., & Dunsmoor, J. E. (2020). Behavioral and neural processes in counterconditioning: Past and future directions. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 125, 103532. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005796719302189

Bouton, M. E. (1988). Context and ambiguity in the extinction of emotional learning: Implications for exposure therapy. Behaviour research and therapy, 26(2), 137-149. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0005796788901131

Thomas, B. L., Cutler, M., & Novak, C. (2012). A modified counterconditioning procedure prevents the renewal of conditioned fear in rats. Learning and Motivation, 43(1-2), 24-34. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0023969012000021

12/08/2024

🙉 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.

04/08/2024

Great post with lots of quality tips on how to help your pup relax while out and about!

28/07/2024

I’m looking for a location to rent for a few hours a week (preferably Saturday mornings) starting this fall. If anyone sees anything, please let me know! Would love to start hosting workshops again ❤️

Requirements:
- dog friendly (obviously)
- grass area accessible for pottying dogs
- minimum of 5 parking spaces available (street parking ok pending how busy the road is)

12/05/2024

Unique and highly recommended opportunity 🥳

Join Canine Einstein and See Spot Play for a unique workshop on June 8 and 22.

This one of a kind event will review the power of play for you and your dog, covering tooics like:

🐾 what is play and why is it important

🐾the different types of play

🐾examples of games and play techniques for you and your dog.

We have two options.

1. Register with your dog for both days- you and your dog will be able to practice the games with hands on support from the presenters. Or

2. Register without your dog, but be able to practice at home and submit a video for feedback!

Either way- we will have a good time and all who attend will be entered to win a raffle basket from local small businesses!

Register today- space is limited!

30/04/2024

26/04/2024

It can be all too easy to look at a behaviour, particularly one that we find problematic, as an isolated thing that just occurs, or is put down to false and outdated ideas like 'dominance' or 'stubbornness'.

Think of behaviour as a symptom - underlying that behaviour there is an emotion driving that behaviour. Behaviours don't happen just 'because', there is always a reason for them and so it's up to us to learn how to understand what they are trying to tell us so we can work out what that emotion is.

And at the root of it all there will be a need. Something that is causing the dog to feel that particular emotion and so lead them to show the behaviour that we are seeing. Once we have discovered the emotion the dog is feeling, we can work out what the dog needs and help them to get whatever that may be.

The three pictures here give an example:

Behaviour: the dog is barking at something. If you look at their posture and body language the body is leaning back, away from what they are barking at. The ears are back, whiskers flared, and eyes fixed on something. The front paw is slightly lifted and there is a back paw in the air, and the back end of the dog may be lowered towards the ground a little.

Emotion: what the overall picture of the body language is telling us is that the dog is scared of the thing they are barking at, so the emotion they are feeling is fear.

Need: What this dog needs is immediate space from the thing that is bothering them, so they can feel relief from that fear and feel safer again. What they need going on is an increased feeling of safety and security, more trust in us to help them if they need it or get them out of a situation if it's too much for them.

When we can understand the need and emotion driving the behaviour we can understand our dogs far better and see where they need our help.

14/04/2024

IT’S FINE TO FEED YOUR DOGS SEPARATELY

I work with load of lovely clients who have multiple dogs that fall out sometimes. It’s often not the main issue their dogs are struggling with but it’s something they also need help with and it’s contributing hugely to their dog’s stress and anxiety.

Meal times can be a really common trigger point. Loads of people feed dogs in different corners of the same room, or a few feet apart in the kitchen and stand in the middle like a goalie ready to keep the dogs apart. Other people say that their dogs are fine eating together but don’t like it when one dogs finishes first and then hovers around the one still eating. Or the dog may be uncomfortable when the other dogs inspects their bowl when they’ve finished. A really simple way to avoid many fallouts is to start feeding dogs in separate rooms.

If you don’t know what you are looking for, you may not be aware that your dogs don’t love eating together. Signs they are finding it stressful would be eating really quickly when the other dog comes near or looks over, or slowing down the speed they eat at or even stopping eating and standing over their food and looking very still. Trying to take food out of their bowl to another place to eat it can also mean they aren’t comfortable.

If you are seeing any ‘distance increasing’ behaviours like growling, stillness, stiffness, curling their lip etc or signs of fear such as making themselves look smaller or tucking their tail etc this all mean they aren’t happy.

If your dogs aren’t totally happy eating in the same room, or you are having to stand between like a referee, feed them separately in different rooms.

It’s not a failure or an admission that they don’t get on to feed them separately, it’s totally normal in multidog households!

If you have dogs who have allergies and can’t eat the same food or dogs who are taking medication in their food etc too, it’s a really good idea to feed them in separate rooms.

It’s true that dogs are social eaters and most prefer company when they eat but this doesn’t need to be another dog eating next to them. This could be a human in the same room while they eat or it could be another dog behind a stairgate. I prefer to use stairgates rather than shut doors in most cases as it can enable social eating but without the risk of fallouts or either dog rushing. We want dogs to enjoy their food and take their time without feeling pressured.

Even if dogs aren’t actually falling out at mealtimes, having another dog putting pressure on them by standing near or rushing them so that they can lick their bowl, can build up resentment over time. Some fallouts between dogs are not due to one catastrophic event but are due to a series of small resentments over time that build up and cause a breakdown in the relationship.

I have 3 dogs who all eat in separate rooms with stairgates inbetween. They all adore each other and two happily share a lickmat regularly and all 3 do treat searches together. Their meals are in separate spaces as one is on so much pain meds that he rattles and one dropped tablet would kill my tiny dog, one has severe allergies and would be ill just from licking the other dogs bowl and she’s also a pig and would eat everyone’s food.

It’s not a failure to feed dogs separately and it doesn’t mean your dogs don’t get on. It can be about respecting each dog’s needs and actually improve their relationships together.

Laura McAuliffe, 2024, Dog Communication

10/04/2024

TIP TUESDAY
This is a quote from Chirag Patel during Clicker Expo 2023 during a presentation about Loose Leash Walking! When you're out walking with your dog, remember that your leash is not a piece of equipment for control; it's a safety net, since the majority of us live in an area with traffic and distractions. That said, ask yourself what does control your dog? What are they motivated by? What interests them when they're on leash (and when they're off leash)? What does your dog gravitate toward?

If you find yourself frustrated with your dog on leash, try to remember that it's not a failing on your dog's part; it's the strength of the rewards available to your dog - and you may not be the one providing those rewards all the time! There are a lot of instances where your dog will be seeking and receiving rewards from their environment! If you'd like your dog's attention to be on you, you'll need to work to be the one providing a lot of the rewards - and rewards your dog cares about!

04/04/2024

Let them Sniff! 🦮

Dogs Don’t Just Enjoy Sniffing, They NEED It! 🐶👃

Research shows that letting your pet explore the world around them through their nose is extremely important for their mental 🧠 and physical 💪 health.

Today’s article is all about the importance of giving your pet plenty of sniffing opportunities (link in the comments).

25/02/2024

Shake it…shake it off…

A recent study by two researchers in France looked at sniffing, pulse rate, and leash length on walks. Sixty-one dogs were taken on three separate walks, five minutes each walk, once with a 1.5m leash, once with a 5m leash, and once without a leash at all (walk order was randomized for each dog). Off-leash dogs sniffed the most, more than 3x as long as the dogs on short leashes. Dogs on long leashes spent nearly as much time as unleashed dogs sniffing, almost 3x as long as dogs on short leashes.

This study also found that sniffing resulted in lowered pulse rates, and the more intensely they sniffed, the more their pulse rates lowered. Pulse rate was also lowered when dogs “shook off” during walks on all leash lengths. The “shake off” behavior was often seen when the dog’s pulse rate was particularly high.

Read more about it below!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HX77kp2HBDiTxmq/?mibextid=Le6z7H

https://www.tuftsyourdog.com/everydaydogcare/giving-your-dog-time-to-sniff-on-walks-will-literally-soothe-his-heart/

What else can we learn about dogs from their walking behavior? Take your best friend on a Sniffari and see what you observe!

17/07/2023

Today we will focus on the predatory lending practices of our local pet stores.

Petland Racine, Petland Janesville, Puppy World, and Corners Pets offer predatory financing through 3rd party companies with APRs as high as 153% with the Petland stores offering Petland credit cards with APRs of 29.99%.

Most of these loans are for 36 months so if a customer purchased a puppy for a $3200 puppy with 152% interest, they would end up paying over $11,500 in interest with monthly payments of over $400 per month.

It gets worse. In states where there are no legal protections, your puppy can actually be repossessed upon missed payment. And you are still on the hook for the loan or lease even if your puppy gets sick or dies.

Learn more about predatory lending practices of pet stores by clicking here: https://bailingoutbenji.com/buyer-beware-predatory-pet-leasing/

15/07/2023

Do you have a dog who seems glued to your side?

Look for enrichment activities that encourage physical movement! Puzzles like this will get your pup to practice getting distance away from you in a way that is safe and fun for them!

Wanna get more tips for Separation Anxiety Training? Comment SA and we’ll send you the link to our free guide!

16/06/2023

Have you completed the Sexier Than a Squirrel Challenge yet?

This challenge was created by Absolute Dogs and includes 25+ days of videos, where you will learn 25 different games you can play with your dog.

This program was developed to show you how to become the most exciting thing from your dog’s perspective - hence the name of the challenge! If your dog darts after squirrels, tries to play with every dog in sight, does not take toys or treats outdoors, or does not pay any attention to you, then this challenge is for you! It is also an amazing relationship builder for the proud parents of a new pup.

The games are easy enough that a school-aged child can follow along. At the same time, the games can be modified for the more experienced dog and handler team! Simply increase the difficulty as needed. This is where I come in!

I am available for private questions and also have a support group for those of you who join. Each day, you can post your videos or questions! I would love to celebrate your victories and help adapt the games for you as needed.

For just $32, you will receive lifetime access to the program! You will also gain access to the Absolute Dogs private community FB group and to KR Dogs private FB group. You also will be supporting Pets Of Our Future, as I will be donating a couple programs and 50% of all proceeds.

Ready to commit and join me in this challenge? Send me a PM to sign up!

27/02/2023

Appeasement Licking.
This is always a difficult subject as often this is something which is misread or dismissed as affection or "kisses".

Not ALL licking is appeasement licking, appeasement licking is usually paired with other stress signals or calming signals....and I know that may be tricky for some to notice.

Licking is completely normal for dogs. It can be a healthy and socially acceptable behaviour between other dogs. It is relaxing, soothing and can be displayed for many reasons.
However appeasement licking can also be shown to other dogs, even ones they know and live with.

Licking can be used as a greeting, a show of affection and can also be a sign of a deep bond, seeking more information and tasting.....so absolutely your dog can lick you as a sign of affection.....there is no question of that.🙂

However...sometimes others can misconstrue or misread these signals.

If you are in any doubt over why your dog licks either you or another dog...video the interaction.
Watch that video and look for tell tale signs of stress (some are mentioned in the graphic).

One of the worst feelings in the world is when I have to inform someone that those certain types of "kisses" do not come from a place of affection but can be from a place of fear, mistrust and stress.

28/11/2022

Most animals thrive when their lives are predictable. When they know what to expect and how to achieve their goals, and when their expectations match their reality, there’s no need for them to worry. Their anxiety diminishes. That’s why predictability is one of the seven domains of the Behavior Vets’ Resilience Rainbow. 🌈

Since our pets thrive on predictability, we like to use Pattern Games when helping dogs acclimate to environments and situations.

Pattern Games are designed to do two things:

👉 They create a strong reinforcement history for a particular behavior or series of behaviors.

👉 Patterns create predictability in environments that can be unpredictable, thereby helping to reduce anxiety.

Trainer Leslie McDevitt 🦄, has gifted the world with many Pattern Games, including the "1-2-3 Game." It can look like a ‘walking game.’

What you'll need:

✅️ Treats
✅️ Calm low-distraction space
✅️ A leash for going outside

Step One:
✅️ Say "three", and then immediately deliver a treat.
✅️ Repeat several times.

Step Two:
✅️ Next, build a chain by saying, ''two, three,” then immediately deliver a treat.
✅️Repeat several times.

Step Three:
✅️ Say, "one, two, three", then immediately deliver a treat.

Step Four:
✅️ Try practicing in a slightly more distracting environment. We recommend starting in the backyard.

There are many applications to this game. This is just an introduction as to how to teach the game. The 1-2-3 Game can be played with a variety of animal species, including cats and horses!

24/10/2022

We have a few handmade tugs available! These were made from a small business in Canada - Snuffles & Tugs

These are not toys that you leave out all they’re time. They make amazing rewards! I love to use them when playing Toy Switch, in agility, or in training.

Bonus is they protect your hands from mouthy puppies…. And they’ve held up playing with tons of dogs including American Bulldogs, Staffies, Heelers, and Labs.

Available tugs:
- bottle cruncher (you can fit a water bottle inside)
- Wooly sheepskin
- maxi bungee
- mini tug
- rabbit pocket loop

Contact me for more info!

22/10/2022

Trying to earn your new dog’s trust? Here’s some ways!

Need help from a professional? Send me an email at [email protected] ☺️

19/10/2022

New post alert! 😊

http://kizzyscaninecorner.com/dmt/

15/10/2022

Do your dogs love to chase? Most of mine sure do!

Using a flirt pole is a fun way to play “chase” with your pup. Additional bonus is that you can add in training (such as working on arousal concepts, proofing cues, etc) while providing efficient exercise!

Check out this video for step 1!
https://youtu.be/7_Swyc5EKPA

KR Dogs officially has SquishyFace Studios Flirt Poles in stock! $25 each 😀

We have both the regular and jr sizing. The jr size is perfect for small spaces such as indoors in the winter!

14/10/2022

Want to know one of my TOP TIPS for newly adopted dogs?

Leave a leash on your dog!

Yes, both inside and outside the home. This allows you to more easily “catch” your dog in moments where he may be in trouble - whether he runs out the door, counter surfs, or is pestering another animal. Simply step on the leash or grab it in order to redirect your pup towards a more appropriate activity.

This is extremely beneficial for new dogs who may be sensitive to handling, small dogs who don't want you bending over them, nervous pups, or homes with children. It's easy to forget and move too quickly to grab their collars - unless you have a leash dragging 😉

Picture of Rudy in his early days working with me. He is now happily adopted - a confident, friendly guy with an amazing family ♥

14/10/2022

Now enrolling students for Life Skills! This course was created with your pup in mind - be it a newly adopted pup, a nervous mill survivor, a dog with some reactive tendencies, or a handler-dog pair looking for a new challenge.

There is a maximum of four dogs per class, allowing for an individualized approach and the right learning environment. (We do have visual barriers to help you succeed if needed!)

This course is 6 weeks long. The class will meet each Monday evening for just short of an hour. You'll receive weekly emails with homework & lesson summary, two three-week plans, and a graduation package! The price of the course is $180. If your dog was adopted from a shelter or rescue, you will receive a 15% off code!

To enroll, register at https://portal.busypaws.app/customers/kr-dog-training-llc?series_id=889. If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected] 😊

--------------------------

Monday, November 14th at 5:30PM
Life Skills for dogs 4 months and older

6-week course using training games to:
- Build foundational skills
- Prevent common behavior struggles (or learn how to address them!)
- Strengthen your relationship with your pup
- Grow your dog's confidence

Class held at 1325 14th Street Racine, WI 53403

07/10/2022

Recall tips 🤗

07/10/2022

Free virtual class through an amazing nonprofit organization!

We wanted to share an upcoming class for training with us --- with this virtual option it doesn’t matter where you live!
*FREE Intro to Training class - LIVE with time for Q/A
Tuesday, October 25th, 7pm Central Time
Instructor: Steve Frost KPA CTP, SBA, CPBT-KA
Here's the link to register: https://asoundbeginningprogram.com/classes/events-calendar/purple/2985-free-intro-to-training-virtual-class-40
THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY THAT CAN GIVE YOU A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF DOG BEHAVIOR and how to get started with positive reinforcement training.

06/10/2022

A good decompression walk in the woods with a 10 foot lead is one of our favorite exercise activities!

What about your pup?

https://thecognitivecanine.com/blog/yes-your-dog-needs-off-leash-time/

ft: Agapo Love

04/10/2022

This weekend was our first in the new training facility! Lots of exciting changes coming up.

I’ll be stocking merchandise that I love and use daily with my pups! So far this includes enrichment toys, treat bags, chews, double ended leashes, 2 hounds harnesses, treats, and flirt poles! 😍

(I’ll have to keep a close eye on J when she’s there with me 🤣)

03/10/2022

Pets Of Our Future had it's first group workshop this past weekend! This new non profit's goal is to help keep pets in their homes.

01/10/2022

7 Days to a Less Reactive dog!

Say goodbye to barking, lunging and over excitement with the 7 Day Challenge for 2022!

The 2022 Barking, Lunging, Reactivity Homeschool Challenge is now OPEN!

https://nbn.absolute-dogs.com/pdp7-day-challenge?prod=barking-lunging-reactivity-7-day-homeschool-challenge&ref=1312

*You may see other mentions of the challenge elsewhere. This link is unique to me and not only does it help you to jump into the experience, but by using this link, you are also signing up for support from me. Simply PM me with a video if you have questions! Or ask me to add you into KR Dogs Private Learning Community :) *

Solve your barking, lunging and reactivity Struggles with FUN! 🥳🎉🎈🥳

This is an incredibly popular challenge! But why?
• It’s not because it only costs $8 (no brainer!)
• It’s not because thousands of people have taken part before
• It’s not even because of the new games and skills you will learn
It’s because it works!
If you have a dog that is:
✔️ difficult to walk
✔️ lunges and barks at people, dogs (or anything!)
✔️ gets overexcited
✔️ and you really can’t get to grips with where to even begin to help them – then you need this!

It takes place over 7 days and begins on Wednesday 12th October.

Just 30 minutes a day max should do it but you get the challenge for LIFE so you can watch the videos at your own pace!

Empower yourself, and come out of the fray with skills that will allow you and your dog to go on amazing adventures together!

But surely you can’t fix reactivity in just 7 days?
Well that very much depends on the dog in front of you!

Dogs new to my home (such as foster dogs) often improve massively within 7 days due to preventing rehearsal in this new space. For other dogs that I’ve worked with, some have had improvement within the week with a few tweaks and training… other dogs improve over the coming weeks and months using these same methods! Your journey with your pup is unique.

It's more about consistency, being aware and having the right tools (aka games!) in place than it is about time. ALL of which will be shared with you in the challenge. Excited!!!? Yep I am too!

So get ready to check off that list…
• Reactivity, check!
• Off-Leash Freedom, check!
• Household Manners, check!

You CAN transform your reactive dog through FUN GAMES in our 7 Day Challenge for just $8 👇👇👇
https://nbn.absolute-dogs.com/pdp7-day-challenge?prod=barking-lunging-reactivity-7-day-homeschool-challenge&ref=1312

Are you saying yes to new learning and adventures with your dog?

I’m always here to answer any questions you have - just message me anytime! 😍

Let’s do this! 💪

30/09/2022

Tucker was having a hard time controlling himself while the kids were eating.
It was causing chaos.
Mom was overwhelmed and saying "no" more often than she would have liked.
Dad was sad that his formerly perfect dog was interrupting family time.

This family was more than ready to experience less chaos.
IMMEDIATELY after our online consult, they tried something new.
They dug out the dog's crate out of storage, brought it into the kitchen and used it at mealtime.
Tucker loved his stuffed Kong and remained happily engaged while the family enjoyed their mealtime together.

No more jumping, begging, scratching the kids in an effort to steal their food.
More peace for the parents.
Less "no" and more "yes".

Making a difference, one strategy at a time.

If you'd like relief, please check out my affordable membership, The Pooch Parenting Society www.safekidsanddogs.com