Tailspin Petworx Dog Training and Behaviour

06/20/2026

Ahh, Adolescence.

A time of ridiculous antics, bums higher than fronts, gangly legs, big feelings and assholery.

Some dogs struggle more than others, some humans struggle with it as well. Dogs surrendered to shelter and rescues are highly likely to be somewhere between the ages of 7 months and 2 years. There is a reason some rescues tell you your newly adopted dog is "2 or 3" and then your vets or trainers are like....hmmmm I don't know about that....

Adolescence is a time of massive hormonal and neurological change, yes, even if they are neutered or spayed. There is neuron pruning and adding happening, dumping the puppy antics and replacing them with teenage emotionality on their way to actual adulthood.

Your teenage dog may be a different dog each day...and that is why.

What are the typical behaviours I see that people struggle with when their dogs are at this age?

Not listening to known cues
Lack of impulse control
Counter surfing
Mouthing and overarousal
Reactivity
Weird fear glitches
Problems with handling at the vet or groomer
Excessive Chewing
Being a jerk to other dogs
Frustration
Resource Guarding

Did I mention Big Feelings?
BIG FEELINGS, BABY!

The thing that I struggle with is how many people spend so much time fighting the current of their dog's changing states.
"He is being stubborn"
"She just blows off my commands"
"He is being such a (fill in the appropriate description here)"
And the one that saddens me the most:

"I am at my wits end"

( Also...how does a wit end? Such an odd saying....)

When I work with these clients and dogs I encourage them to work WITH their dog, not against them and understand that these smaller phases of insanity are normal, albeit occasionally "wit ending" and yes, that it is absolutely possible to use good management/prevention and a few well thought out exercises to cope with the changes and the emotions.

All with the end result of a well adjusted, fun to be with, dog.

Patience, Grasshopper.

Come to the Teenage Meltdown class and learn to enjoy the roller coaster!

06/18/2026

I need one more registration for Teenage Meltdown starting next week!!
To break even we need at least 3 dogs registered so please share!

To register go to www.tailspinpetworx.com

06/05/2026

Registration open for classes starting June 24. Limited spaces! Come join us for fun, educational and useful classes for you and your dogs!

06/03/2026

I am making tshirts and decals! So much fun, except I have just done more ironing than I have in ten years lol.

What do you think about the sayings? Like em? Please let me know!!

06/03/2026

[ EPISODE 5 - ON YT IS NOW LIVE!]

ℹ️ https://youtu.be/A9-0-Q9YOJk?si=67IWrEsJYzYW0roL

Such a great conversation with Holly, Sarah & Maggi on everything dog training. I wish we had more time, as there was still so much more I wanted to chat about

Travelling Tails K9 Rescue
Grassroots K9 Georgina
Tailspin Petworx Dog Training and Behaviour

Maggi Burtt from Tailspin Petworx, Holly Corcoran from Grassroots K...

06/01/2026

I was a guest on a podcast recorded today. We talked a lot about methods and rescue and prevention and a zillion other things....

To no surprise, myself and the other trainer there had much more in common than not, even tho she is a balanced trainer and I am R+ and pretty close to 100 percent FF.

We don't HAVE to be at odds all the time. We can advocate for dogs and their people without being fanatics. There are so many of us doing good, respectful and safe work with dogs.

My personal ethos is mine. Whether it is exactly the same as someone else's is unnecessary as long as the general movement is towards the welfare and safety
of the animals and their people.

I will share the podcast when it is live and you get to see me in my happy place, talking dogs and behaviour.

But now? A nap....

06/01/2026

Just yesterday Shebang and I were walking along Belmont when a young man and his little doodlebug dog crossed the road to my side, sans leash.
They were coming towards us so I called out ahead, took him a second to respond as he was....on his phone (surprise!) and I asked him to leash up.

This little doodle looked a lot like the one that attacked Shebang and I could not be sure that there would not be a reaction. I pulled over onto a lawn to manage the space and he and his now leashed dog walked by without incident.

Turns out Shebang couldn't have cared less lol. But if she had and had reacted to the dog or if the dog had approached her because he was free to do so a reaction could have driven this lovely little dog onto the road.

There are many safety considerations:

The comfort and safety of your neighbours and their dogs
The comfort and safety of your dog
The comfort and safety of road users

A leash is a management and safety tool, not a ball and chain

Don't let your ego or "convenience" get in the way of safety

This one makes me furious - off lead down a busy road, I actually don't give a s**t if it is legal or not!

It is a risk, to the dog, and to the public around - a dog darting into traffic can cause an RTA - risking the dogs life as well as human lives.

I do not care how cool you think you look, or that you couldn't be arsed to train your dog not to pull on the lead, or that your dog is old and slow or whatever excuse you have, that lead is for your safety, your dogs safety and everyone elses too.

05/28/2026

Well Google forms was being wonky for those trying to register...
So zoom link is in the comments
Hope to see you there!

05/27/2026

Coyote Zoom is tomorrow night at 7pm.
Please share

To register FREE https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCza3eW6zzi81K13Z0c8iok4hJ9F12vzd_xKyZIxif0r4CiQ/viewform?pli=1

Hope to see you there! Please share