Pawsitive Change Dog Training

24/11/2024

23/11/2024

Guess the Breed Challenge: Luke

This week's Guess the Breed Challenge is an interesting one. What breed(s) do you think make up this handsome pup? He was adopted from a local shelter and is 70 pounds of snuggle.

Put your guess in the comments and come back next weekend for the answer!

If you have taken a DNA test of your dog and want to share results and a picture with me to use in this game please email PawsitiveChangeMT.com

21/11/2024

My own dogs (and cats) certainly get a Thanksgiving plate. Just be sure to check that the ingredients are pet safe! Count down to turkey time…

Thanksgiving is one week away and we wanted to share some holiday safety tips to keep your pet safe this holiday season. 🍗

Here are just a few of the common foods people eat around the holidays that are safe and unsafe for your pets. If you do share these foods with your dog, be sure to only give them a small, limited amount of table food. Of course we understand that every dog is different, so always consultant your veterinarian if you are unsure and err on the side of caution.

Here's to the holiday season! ✨

19/11/2024

Tuesday Tips: Trade

With holidays on the horizon (and all the decorating, gift wrapping and food preparation that entails) you may find your dog with something they shouldn't have. Remember, TRADE don't TAKE!

This will allow you to get the item from your dog safely without unintentionally encouraging a game of keep away or guarding behavior.

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

18/11/2024

With cold weather ahead do you know where you hat and gloves are? How about paw wax for your dog?

Max wax is what I use personally but musher's secret (second link) also comes highly recommended.

Also, even pet safe ice melt should not be ingested or left on your dog's paws. Be sure to watch where you walk them and to wipe their feet when they get home.

Or better yet, teach your dog to wipe their own feet! I can help: www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

Max Wax: https://amzn.to/3Z8wpJD

Musher's Secret: https://amzn.to/48PpE2B

This post contains affiliate links.

Maxwax paw balm for dogs all natural dog pad balm paw soother dog paw wax dog paw pad balm dermapaw dog balm dog paw pad moisturizer paw conditioner paw cream paw lotion for dogs mushers secret paw wax

16/11/2024

Snuffle box

Are you getting home and it's already dark? Did you catch the latest bug through the office and all you want to do is lay on the couch? Do you have a dog who LOVES to smell?

Make a snuffle box! Grab a box (we see those amazon boxes sitting in the corner), fill it with leaves, toss in a few treats. Voila! Instant enrichment.

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

14/11/2024

Trigger stacking is in play more often than you may realize!

One under recognized thing I’ve noticed that often leads to a trigger stacked environment is noises. Whether it’s wind in the trees, kids playing a few yards over or background traffic sounds. Even if you wouldn’t typically call the noise a “trigger” that extra background stimulation will push a lot of dogs closer to threshold. This may result in more hypervigilant and distracted behavior and reacting more strongly than you’d expect to the next distraction that pops up.

If your dog is struggling more than you expect in a situation, pause. Look around and LISTEN. What are they needing to process in the moment? Stop and reflect. How have the past few days been for your dog in terms of stressors and daily needs met? When you can determine what is contributing to your dog’s stress load it’s easier to manage and adjust!

Of course, I can help! www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

As always, Dogs Disclosed explains it so well.

TRIGGER STACKING – WHEN BEHAVIOUR HAPPENS “OUT OF THE BLUE”

We’ve all had those days when nothing seems to go right and one frustrating thing after another happens to us, leaving us feeling wound up, stressed and ready to explode at the next unsuspecting person who dares to ask us something.

This “unsuspecting” person may think we have a serious behaviour problem or need anger management therapy, when the truth is that we’ve just had a really bad day or even a few bad days and don’t usually behave like this at all.

Dogs are no different and a behaviour that seems completely out of character or happens “out of the blue” is often caused by “trigger stacking”.

A trigger may be anything that increases a dog’s stress levels and has a negative impact on their emotional, mental or physical state.

These may be small things that we may not even notice or seem insignificant to us, but they are all adding to an increasing “stack” of events that may culminate in out of character behaviour.

When stress levels reach a certain point, the next stressful event, however small, may cause an explosive reaction that is completely unexpected.

Instead of just focusing on a particular behaviour and seeing it as a problem that needs to be prevented, take a step backwards, look at the bigger picture, look at events, circumstances or environmental factors that may have played a role leading up to that behaviour.

Being aware of potential stressors and allowing your dog time to decompress, relax and unwind for a few days will often mean the difference between “normal behaviour” and a behaviour that seems completely out of character.

12/11/2024

Tuesday Tips: Enrichment

Last Saturday I shared a awesome looking lickimat food toy. I figured it was about time to share my handout on enrichment ideas again. 'Tis the season where it can become harder to get your dog out for as many walks and hikes as you'd like. Whether it's because you now get home after dark most days, the busy holiday preparations take up all your spare time, or you get a bug that keeps you indoors, you may find your dog in need of something more. Indoor enrichment like training games, treat hunts and food toys are a great way to provide variety. They are also useful to give your dog a good thing to focus on when you have company or a task you must complete and they want to be under foot.

Post in the comments your dogs favorite enrichment game or toy. Mine love toppls, treat/kibble scatters, and trick training.

www.PawitiveChangeMT.com

10/11/2024

Guess the Breed(s) Challenge: Nelly

A super mutt and super cute. She reminds me of my girl Star who was a reservation rescue whose DNA test showed Border Collie/Malamute/Husky/GSD and so much more.

Nelly is off to a great start on her training journey thanks to private lessons and a local positive reinforcement based group class. I just know she'll go far with her mom's dedication.

www.pawsitivechangemt.com

09/11/2024

If you plan to have company and/or are doing a lot of cooking around the Thanksgiving holiday, you may want to think about some options to keep your dog entertained and out of the turkey.

Check out this cook multi-level lickimat! I've not used this specific toy, although lickimats are a go to food toy in high distraction or stressful envinrmoents in our house. I do have experience with and recommend this brand though. If you try it out let us know how your dog likes it!

https://amzn.to/3Cg5lyV

This post contains affiliate links

The Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Lickin' Layers is a Level 2 dog puzzle game and slow feeder in one, designed to challenge your dog's mind while slowing down their eating pace. Dogs have to navigate the three layers of food compartments by spinning each one to reveal the treats. Dog puzzles hel...

07/11/2024

Your dog licking your baby or child many not be the cute interaction that you think it is. Lupine quickly learned to use a 'kiss to dismiss'. Licking the baby makes him pull away and thus give her space. When you have your dog around kids it's very important to learn to recognize your dog's subtle communications. Heck. It's important to recognize the subtle communications when you have your dog around humans of all ages. When you listen to your dog's 'whispers' they don't need to escalate to yelling.

I've worked with a number of clients in the past year who experienced changes in their dogs behavior and comfort level as the baby became more active. I've experienced this in my own home as well. If you know someone who needs help with the dynamic between their kids and dogs, send them my way! www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

Thanks to Family Paws Parent Education for the great information.

Dog licks are often thought of as doggy kisses. But, it’s actually something to take a step back and notice. And could sometimes be considered a, “Kiss to Dismiss” (more on that below). These licks do trigger some questions that may seem a bit silly to ask in response. Something like, “Describe the licks for me. Fast, slow, and then does the dog move away?”
“Is it a full tongue or a little bit?”
“Full tongue lick or quick flick?”
“Is the child sitting and the dog approaches or vice versa, what level of mobility does the child have, is food present or remnant?

There’s many questions! But, these questions help us gather valuable information to help us understand what the dog may be communicating. At Family Paws Parent Education, we want to help parents consider and recognize that dog licks may not always be what we think they are, “affectionate kisses”, or indications of “love,” but could have other meanings. We refer to this as “Kiss to Dismiss”. If you are curious of these doggy “kisses” and if they are a “Kiss to Dismiss”, ask yourself,
🐶 Is your dog in need of space? (what just happened? Did your baby crawl closer to your dog?)
🐶 Is your dog in need of space and there is a reason they may choose not to move? (example: comfy spot, resource, pain)
🐶 Does this licking deter closeness or lead to an increase in space?

Thank you, Steve Bishop of Bishops Gate Dog Training for this graphic! Steve is also a Family Paws Parent Educator.
We do not recommend baby and dogs interact as shown in these illustrations. Never allow your baby to crawl up to or freely explore your dog in this way.

You can also find him on Instagram at

05/11/2024

Tuesday Tips: Name Game

9 out of 10 times when I ask a client how they taught their dog their name, the answer is... they didn't. Most people start to use their dog's name and they loosely pick up on it. We want to really clearly define "name means LOOK AT ME right away!". This easy and fun name game will do that. This is a crucial foundation to all training but especially teaching your dog to reliably come when called.

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

04/11/2024

Guess the breed(s)

It's time for another guess the breed challenge! This is Nelly. She's a super smart and sweet puppy who was adopted from a reservation in Montana. What breeds do you think make up her DNA? Post your guess in the comments! Test results will be posted next Sunday.

If you have done a DNA test on your pup and are willing to let me share it for a post like this please email me at [email protected]

02/11/2024

I often share a handout with drawings of stress signs. I know that photographs may be more helpful for some. So here is a great resource from Tail-Blazers Dog Training.

You might not always notice, but dogs have their own way of showing when they're stressed out. These subtle signs, or "stress signals", can mean they're feeling stressed, anxious, confused, scared, or even excited.

Context plays a huge role in interpreting a dog's body language. If you want to get to the bottom of their stress when you see those signals, you have to consider everything happening around them.

Dogs may display stress signals even when they're experiencing a good type of stress, known as eustress (see previous post for the differences between eustress and distress). During moments of excitement or during a training session, you might notice them shaking off or yawning. These behaviors help them relieve stress, which is a healthy response and suggests that they are in the process of learning.

Shaking off and yawning in dogs can also be signs of distress, that's why it's crucial to take a step back and assess the situation to understand what's going on.

By recognizing these stress signals, you can better understand your dog and, if necessary, take action to help them feel more comfortable and less stressed.

31/10/2024

Happy Howl-o-ween from the Pawsitive Change Dog Training crew!

www.PawsitiveChangeMt.com

29/10/2024

Tuesday Tips: Preventing Door Darting

I know that I shared this recently but here is a refresher in preparation for Halloween trick-or-treaters!

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

27/10/2024

A pupdate from Winnie!

When we first started working together she would let out a piercing and repetitive bark at most things. The world can be big and scary when you are so small! She also was afraid to jump into the car or to get groomed. She is making great progress thanks to her mom's dedication.

It can be challenging and overwhelming when you have multiple training goals to tackle, but with a personalized plan you too can help your dog!

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

26/10/2024

Important Halloween safety tips for your pets from Company of Animals.