Empathy Over Ego Dog Training and Advocacy

25/01/2025

Put this in your "Must read" pile 📚 ✨️🐾
Knowledge is Power

Author/Founder. This book 📖 is written for our dogs, who cannot speak for themselves and for the people who love 💋 them. My passion for moving the dog training field forward in the face of difficult obstacles inspired me to create a wellness and training guide 📓 embedded with the Do No Harm ethical code. Get your copy here and start training without force or fear today ~ https://amzn.to/3Ptt14g

A straightforward, force-free, Do No Harm alternative to the traditional teaching model is needed in the unregulated dog training industry. As an ardent animal lover, canine behavior modification professional, and animal welfare advocate, I felt compelled to write The Do No Harm Dog Training® and Behavior Handbook to support The Hierarchy of Dog Needs® (HDN) guide. Given the strong movement toward human-animal bonding, there is a societal imperative to develop a more dog-friendly, dog-needs based model of care and training. Too often, basic needs are either not met or are under met. The Do No Harm approach make dogs lives better because it is truly dog-friendly, safer, has longer lasting results; moreover, it is more effective when compared to punitive training.

The Hierarchy of Dog Needs concept as a wholistic system of care had been brewing within me for many years. I dreamt about it a lot. I was in a rather unique position of responsibility that spurred me to speak out on behalf of the dogs. My disappointment and frustration with the dog training field’s direction toward shock, prong, choke collar devices, and other punitive methods inspired me to sit down and find a way to get my ideas into an easily understood visual form.

My academic background in experimental psychology and learning, graduate training and research in behavioral neurobiology, plus hands-on experience training dogs and wolfdogs, prepared me to create a one-page teaching tool in the form of a handout that is easy-to-understand and easy-to-use. The development of The Hierarchy of Dog Needs came to life through considerable trial and tribulation and some tears. The Do No Harm ethic grows naturally from The Hierarchy of Dog Needs and expresses the ideology and practices within this book.

After decades of wading through the ocean of materials available on dog training, I decided to write my own manual where specific items of interest are easy to find for both pet parents and instructors.

24/01/2025

😘

22/01/2025

Bundle up buddies 🥶💓🐾🤪

21/01/2025

Puppies...🐾 aka opportunistic scavengers
Set them up for success 🙌 ✅️
Guide them with kindness

21/01/2025

🥶Cold weather tips and enrichment from Best Friends Pet Care 💕

20/01/2025

Did you know that a well-rested pup is a happier, more balanced pup? 🐾 Dogs need plenty of restful downtime to thrive emotionally and physically.

🐶 Puppies: 18-20 hours/day
🐕 Adult Dogs: 12-14 hours/day
👴 Seniors: 14-18 hours/day

But it’s not just about laying down—it’s about truly relaxing. Quality sleep helps with emotional regulation, stress reduction, and overall well-being. Make sure your furry friend has a quiet, comfortable space to fully unwind.

I see a lot of recommendations to exercise your dog more, but is that really the issue?! Every dog is an individual, and while exercise is important, don't forget the crucial role of rest. Sometimes, the key to a happier dog is more relaxation, not more activity. 💙


Photo of my dog, Ragnar, sleeping on the couch, with his paw around my leg, using my foot as a pillow.

19/01/2025

🌟 VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSIONS 🌟

These sessions are EXTRA popular with my fearful clients—especially during this time of year! ❄️✨

Virtual training allows me to help more dogs and their people by removing the need for travel. Whether you're dealing with reactivity, anxiety, or basic skills, I can guide you from the comfort of your own home. 🏡

Let's see what we can achieve together, no matter where you are!

Keep being kind 💖 Happy training! 🐾

17/01/2025

Be the kind of person your dog looks at, HAPPILY 😍

17/01/2025

Train without pain ✨️ It can be done!

15/01/2025

Another D.I.Y Enrichment idea 💡 🤔
ENJOY!

14/01/2025

Thanks Zak George for your youtube videos ✨️🐾🙏 and Advocacy


Happy to share these gems 💎 ✨️

How to Stop Leash Pulling! Thank you Bark! for sponsoring this episode. Get a FREE DOG BED! Click here: https://barkbox.com/zakgeorgebed and https://superche...

14/01/2025

THE DOGS ARE SPEAKING TO THOSE WHO ARE LISTENING! 👂👀🧠🫀

Famous last words: "I'm a dog person" or "all dogs like me"—right before a BITE!

How EGOTISTICAL to assume all dogs are the same...
If you’re still approaching a dog clearly telling you to back off, you’re not listening. That dog is at the end of its rope (literally and figuratively)!

LISTEN.
Check your ego.
Learn actual dog body language before you find yourself on the wrong end of a bite.

Remember: a dog won’t bite if a bark or growl will do.

13/01/2025

Need a new idea? 💡
We are loving the lick mat egg 🥚

What you'll need-
1 lick mat
1 Egg

Directions: Crack an egg on the lick mat
Spread it around with a spoon or spatula.
Microwave for 10 second increments until cooked
⚠️COOL it down via refrigerator or freezer
Deliver to your dog!

What have you done for your dog lately?


Empathy
Over
Ego

11/01/2025

I speak Truth
For the dogs
Not to cause harm, but to check egos, change perspectives and make fiercely kind dog advocates.