Paws for Success

20/11/2025

19/11/2025

An excellent dog trainer is ethical, empathetic, and highly educated.

They value hands-off teaching and take pride in kindness, always listening and considering both the dog’s and the owner’s needs.

These qualities ensure that the dog’s welfare and the bond between dog and human are respected and nurtured.

11/11/2025

10/11/2025

Your dog isn’t giving you a hard time. Your dog is having a hard time.
It can be difficult to decipher WHY your dog is having a hard time, but Paws for Success can help!
Call 516.238.2585 for our assistance in mediating with your dog.
For more about us: pawsforsuccessny.com

08/11/2025

06/11/2025

“Considering that problem behaviour is often associated with anxiety, the behaviour itself may be aggravated by positive punishment. Rather than learning an alternative behaviour, a physically punished and aroused dog tends to focus only on his own pain and self-defense – true as well for children who are physically punished.” That's veterinary behaviourist Dr. Ilana Reisner writing in 2017 about why we shouldn't use positive punishment with dogs who have behaviour issues. And, as she points out, the same applies to children too.

If you want to learn more about why it's so important not to use aversive methods with dogs (and what to do instead) check out my book Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog, which is available from all good bookstores. You'll also find plenty of information on my blog (link in bio).

Get Bark! here: https://amzn.to/4oW5N8O

04/11/2025

Most of my clients are very surprised when i discuss things like this but it’s all very true.
Thank you to ABC Dogs NZ for a great post

They're just "off".
Something has unsettled them and we just cant see it.
There's no dog around.
No people either, but they are struggling.
Time to look a bit deeper.

Candles, diffusers and even a change of your perfume can be deeply unsettling for a dog.
If you have two dogs and need to take one to the vet or the groomers, sometimes the welcome home is confusing.
Colder or even aggressive.
Their friend looks the same but they smell totally different (and scent is everything to a dog).

Of course dogs can be stressed by storms but before that thunder and lightning they may be acutely aware of a change in the atmosphere, long before we even notice.
It doesn't need to be an actual storm either, a change of weather is sometimes enough to unsettle dogs.

Those ultrasonic devices we have in our homes, the pest control devices can cause dogs anxiety but so can our modern TVs and devices on standby. Some can emit high frequency sounds that we can barely hear. Even a heat pump turning itself on and off and adjusting output can trigger dogs and even the compressor unit outside cause stress.

We often think of triggers they can see and miss all the other ways our dogs can be affected.

Back to the candles, oil burners and plug in air freshener units for a second.
They may be pleasant for us, but deeply disturbing for a dog.
For some dogs, they can really take a toll.

Maybe rethink if you really need them.

You may be surprised just how relaxed your dog is when you don't use them.

03/11/2025

29/10/2025

Howloween for Dogs Tip #4:
Your dog doesn’t have to meet any trick or treaters. It isn’t necessary. Their costumes may seem confusing or scary. Their approach to your house may make your dog feel unsafe.
Your dog does not have to meet the strangers. Keep your dog feeling safe.

28/10/2025

The most important thing is for you to keep your dog feeling safe. Halloween is a tricky day for dogs.

Maybe you have to put a bowl of candy on the doorstep.

Maybe you have to disconnect the doorbell for the day.

Maybe your dog goes in a calming room with their favorite enrichment.

Make a plan ahead of time.