Canine Tutor

19/09/2023

One of my favourite visuals. How life might be to a dog who had been living on the streets or in a very different environment. https://www.facebook.com/caringforstreetdogs/photos/a.1741442559483964/1893492527612299/

25/06/2023

Depends on which on of my dogs! Ha! Pretty sure one if them would be a crazy driver 🤣 Anybody know which one?

18/05/2023

Wow, pretty darn cool!

Pet parrots in a new study led by Northeastern researchers loved using iPads to call fellow birds to chat while forging lasting friendships.

27/04/2023

I might just live with THAT dog;)

27/04/2023

Ask me if I love puppies! I do!!! Little learning sponges!

How handsome is this young SDiT, Journey? Out and about practicing his manners 🥰❤️

18/04/2023

Are you that human? We all are at times. But, learning to respect boundaries, set expectations, allow consent and give space at times are all valuable...to both human and dog:)

15/04/2023

Look at this cutie pie! Coco is a Australian labradoodle with the cutest markings. She is learning to go to her “place” when people come to the door. Good girl🐾🐾

09/04/2023

Look at this sweet boy! Tobin landed well when he was rescued by his kind and patient people. He has a loving home, with people who have great dog instincts. I will be helping with foundation skills and enrichment. This guy has a great life from here on!

08/04/2023

Crates are an important piece of doggy furniture:)

Does your dog have their own space? A place they can go if resting, overwhelmed, or wanting to be alone for a bit. All of our service dogs are crate trained, crate comfy. They often choose to rest in their crates. We also teach them purposeful rest. This is time for them to rest well, re-charge and be off duty🐾🐾 Service Dog in Training, Bella, rests in her crate after a training outing. Good girl Bella!

04/04/2023

For those who know me, she is speaking my language and truth🐾🥰

Why the language you use makes a difference in your relationship with your dog – and perhaps even the success of your training program.

18/03/2023

Does your dog snore? 🤣

17/03/2023

Dog ownership is a lot of furry companionship, tail wags and chasing balls, and ample unconditional love.

10/03/2023

This is Copper! He is so stinking cute, and so smart. Puppies are such cute learning sponges. I love them! 🐾🥰

09/03/2023

It is in so many things, beware!

Whole Dog Journal‘s mission is to provide dog guardians with in-depth information on dog food, training, behavior, health, and more.

25/02/2023

It is purposeful and does require a plan to properly socialize a puppy.

Puppy socialisation is NOT just about playing with other dogs.

In fact, too much uncontrolled exposure to other dogs can cause so many unintended consequences.

If you have a puppy, make sure you try to work on ALL aspects of socialisation, as listed in the bottom graphic.

20/02/2023

Just look at this face! Seriously, how cute is Archie? He and his mom, Emily, are working with me to build his confidence. Archie had a rough start to life being born in a puppy mill. His mom works with cocker rescue, he now is safe, and boy does he have it made!

16/02/2023

😁

Life is better with a dog. 🥰🥰

16/02/2023

I couldn’t have said it better!

31/12/2022

Happy New Year! Over this past year I have met some really wonderful people and pups. Thank you for inviting me into your homes, to help with your amazing dogs. Each of them were brilliant and you were wonderful learners! Here’s to 2023 🥂🐾

22/12/2022

Hello and burrr! It is seriously cold out there today. Actually, dangerously cold. I ran a few errands and didn’t think it was too bad. Afterwards, I came home and took some treats up to the chickens, and to check on them...IT IS TERRIBLE outside. I was properly dressed and my fingers were painful in minutes. My dogs love the cold weather, and were holding up paws in minutes. We are all back inside! Chickens are warm and have snacks;)

Does anybody need help getting a dog inside? It is just too cold for the next few days. I can lend out a crate or two if that helps! Please bring them in!

15/12/2022

Winter is time for snuggles with your best friend! Multi-dog households are pretty wonderful! Most dogs love other dogs, but not all... Are you thinking about adding another dog? Think about your current dog: are they high energy, old and slow, friendly, etc? It can be awesome to add a new family member, but needs to be so for all!

Please remember, dogs don’t make good Christmas presents. It is a 10-15 year commitment-everyone should be involved in the decision for best outcomes!

12/12/2022

Do you hike with your dog(s)? It is so much fun! Of course, your dog’s fitness matters, so pace the hike accordingly. But go-get outside!

23/11/2022

How much do you love this sweet face? Meet Gracie, not my golden Grace, but another sweet golden 🥰🐾 She is almost perfect and we will be working with her mom to get her there!

20/11/2022

Excellent!

TREAT AND RETREAT ☺️

The key to this exercise is to use both food and distance to help pups feel that they are safe. Treat and retreat can be implemented in many ways. You might practice this if your pup hides from visitors or if your pup has done well with a guest protocol and is ready for the next step.

The key concepts are:
✅ Pups are able to control the distance that they get to the person that frightens them

✅ The person = awesome stuff happens

✅ There is zero pressure to approach the person

👉 Treat & Retreat, Version One:
We recommend that version one be done by a trainer or behavior consultant, or under the immediate supervision of your trainer or behavior consultant.

🔺Open the apartment door
🔺Toss very high value treats
🔺Close the door and leave

👉 Treat & Retreat, Version Two:
After working with a professional in version one, you are ready for version two. The guest is already indoors, sitting quietly.
The dog is brought into the room. Follow any precautions set out for you (muzzle, drag leash, etc.)

🔺The guest is still and does not make eye contact with the dog.
🔺The guest tosses a very high value treat past the dog so that the dog has to walk away from the guest to get the food.
🔺Guest repeats this for a few minutes.
The dog is taken out of the room.

There are other applications to this game. These are the versions Behavior Vets typically start with when working with our clients when addressing fear and/or reactivity.

🦄 Thank you to Suzanne Clothier for creating this fantastic game! Learn more about it at

02/11/2022

Deafinitely Dogs is a non-profit organization that relies on the donations of individuals and businesses to train and place service & facility dogs. Each dog receives two years of individualized training before they’re placed to assist with specific tasks to mitigate disabilities for their person. They also receive ongoing training and support for life.

Help us win $5,000 by voting for us at veridiancu.org/sparkthespirit ✨ Simply click Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor, choose Deafinitely Dogs, and enter your information. One vote per person!