Caribbean Canines, LLC

27/01/2024

Here's a great article on how to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a dog. American Red Cross has a online course titled, "Cat and Dog First Aid" which is excellent. Only 35 minutes and $25. If you prefer, there's a free app from the app store - American Red Cross Pet First Aid.

Dogster is a publication where dog lovers come together to get the latest expert advice about dog behavior, health, news and entertainment.

15/01/2024

There is a common misconception that if we just drill concrete skills (aka Obedience Skills) hard enough, or often enough that it will prevent behavior problems. This is not how behavior works. At best drilling a dog through obedience skills might mask the problem, but it doesn't change their underlying emotional cause of the problem. A dog who is reactive and behaving aggressively in response to their fear, discomfort or perceived threat will not suddenly stop feeling those Big Feelings because he's been demanded to sit, or down through them. A dog who starts a conflict with another dog due to over arousal or frustration , or even redirection, will not suddenly stop feeling all those overwhelming feelings simply because they are drilled in a heel for ten minutes. Concrete skills can have their place, and their uses. But they are not skills for behavior change. They provide a mask for behavior that can cause a false sense of security in terms of whether or not the dog has truly experienced an emotional change towards the stimulus. That can be pose significant risk in terms of aggression presenting behaviors, as it will appear the dog's sudden snap came "out of no where."

When your dog is experiencing a behavior concern, it is because they are having an emotional problem in response to certain stimuli. This is not personal, and it is not a problem that can be resolved by simply drilling the dog to sit more frequently. Under going genuine behavior modification takes time and an effort to address the underlying emotional cause of any behavior disruptions your dog is experiencing.

15/01/2024

We tend to rush dogs through life, and never really give them the chance to make their own choices, or observe something for long enough to understand it.

Just slowing down and letting them be still, is good for them and for us.

Remember: ensure they have enough space to feel safe.

29/12/2023

The 'pack leader' approach, also often referred to as dominance theory, stems from early studies on captive wolves which suggested that wolves in a pack constantly compete for dominance, with one alpha wolf coming out on top. The theory was then applied to domestic dogs, with the idea being that dogs view their human family as their pack and behave badly because they're trying to assert dominance over their human 'pack members'.

This concept has been widely popularised through various forms of media, including TV shows. However, the dominance or 'pack leader' approach to dog behaviour and training is not supported by current scientific research, and here's why:

Flawed Initial Study:

The initial study that gave rise to the dominance theory was conducted on a group of unrelated, captive wolves. Later studies on wolves in their natural habitat found that wolf packs don't operate on a dominance hierarchy, but are instead structured more like a human family, with parent wolves acting as leaders of their offspring. The original model, therefore, isn't applicable even to wolves, let alone to dogs.

Dogs Are Not Wolves:

Even if wolves did operate on a dominance hierarchy, applying these findings to dogs would be misguided. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, and while they are related to wolves, they are a separate species with different behaviours and social structures. The way dogs interact with humans is also fundamentally different from how wolves interact with each other.

Misinterpretation of Behaviours:

Many behaviours that are often attributed to 'dominance' or a desire to be a 'pack leader' are usually normal dog behaviours or responses to fear, anxiety, or confusion. For example, a dog that jumps up to greet people might be doing so out of excitement or because they've learned that jumping up gets attention, not because they're trying to assert dominance.

Ineffective and Potentially Harmful:

The 'pack leader' approach often advocates for the use of punishment or aversive techniques to 'show the dog who's boss'. Not only can these methods cause fear and anxiety, but they can also damage the relationship between the dog and their guardian. Positive reinforcement training methods are more effective and build a relationship based on trust and mutual respect, rather than fear.

Contradicts Modern Canine Science:

The overwhelming consensus among modern canine behavioural scientists and veterinarians is that the dominance theory is outdated and incorrect. Dogs, like all animals, are complex beings whose behaviours can't be explained by a simple desire for dominance. They have a wide range of motivations and emotions, and their behaviour is influenced by a variety of genetic, environmental, and situational factors.

In conclusion, the 'pack leader' approach is not a valid or ethical method for understanding or changing dog behaviour. Instead, positive reinforcement and force-free methods should be used to teach dogs desired behaviours, with an emphasis on understanding and meeting the dog's individual needs.

Learn more with the Canine Principles Skill Hub and try before you buy.. https://www.canineprinciples.com/subscription/skill-hub-membership

25/12/2023

Wishing everyone a very Merry Woofmas!

23/12/2023

Excellent dog trainers understand that the field of dog training is ever-evolving, with new research and techniques continually emerging. They recognise that each dog is unique, with its own set of behaviours, experiences, and learning styles, which means there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

This diversity necessitates a commitment to lifelong learning and adaptability. By staying informed about the latest advancements in canine psychology, behaviour modification methods, and training tools, they can provide the most effective and humane training for each dog. This openness to learning and evolving ensures that they can meet the diverse needs of dogs and their guardians, fostering better relationships and enhancing the well-being of the dogs they work with.

Their continuous pursuit of knowledge reflects their dedication to their profession and their deep care for canine welfare.

05/12/2023

So proud to be a CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer). The Certification Council for Professional Dog Training is the LEADING independent certifying council for dog trainers. 300 hours of documented training and a letter from a veterinarian before you can even apply to sit for the rigorous exam. Not tied to any school or franchise. All of my certifications subscribe to LIMA (least intrusive, minimally aversive) training methods which produce the most psychologically sound dogs. Dog training is not a regulated field. Know the qualifications and training philosophy of the trainer you hire.

29/11/2023

A dog who’s displaying unwanted behaviors is doing so for a reason. You owe it to your “best buddy” to get to the root cause and helping the dog work through the issue by changing his emotional response from a negative to a positive one.

Punishing an unwanted behavior doesn’t change anything in the dog’s brain. It only suppresses behavior. The big feelings are still there for your dog.

17/11/2023

Let me tell you about a girl I know. She has brown and black hair, big warm beautiful brown eyes that allow you to see into her soul. She literally melts into your arms and loves to be hugged. She loves sunbathing too. Because she didn’t get the best start in life, everything is new to her so she’s a bit fearful of unfamiliar things. She’s grown to trust and love the new people in her life who love on her, take her for walks, or just sit in the sun with her. She’s learning how to enjoy life and needs someone who is patient and can help her along. She’s mixed breed, a bit over a year old, under 30 pounds, spayed and up-to-date on shots. Robyn is in need of a calm, loving home with patient pet parents. Loudon K9 Paws & Tails, a local 501c3 charity whose mission is to facilitate placements of dogs into homes through education and training, is providing 6 training sessions for Robyn and her new owners. That’s a $600 value to assist Robyn and her new parents in getting the very best start. She’s on her way. Could you the person for Robyn? Contact Shirley Bierkamp 865-850-0370, or Janet Parrott 404-219-3795 to meet Robyn.

15/11/2023

Support your pet in their time of need. They depend on you!

11/11/2023

A lot of people wanted to know what brand of collar Chief was wearing when it exploded and he was burnt with battery acid.😭 I found this collar through a recommendation in a lab mom group. This was a brand new collar, and we only had it for maybe a month. We didn't use it for the shocking features, but we did for the vibration. If you know anyone who uses training collars for their pets, please tell them about Chief. After googling, I did find other stories of this happening. He is in loads of pain and has a long road to recovery. I'm so sad for my poor baby boy!💔🐾

10/11/2023

Ins and outs of Turkey day.

28/10/2023

27/10/2023

I Ain't Misbehavin'… I’m just misunderstood

What we often think of as misbehaviour is often just a dog behaving like a dog naturally does.

We expect so much of our dogs when we bring them into our lives, forgetting that they are a different species that doesn’t interact with the world in the same way that we do.

We hold them captive in a confined, unnatural space and become frustrated when they don’t behave the way we expect them to.

We become frustrated when our dogs don’t walk nicely on a lead, don’t get on with every other dog or person they meet, steal food from counter tops, don’t give things back, guard resources, dig, chew or destroy what they shouldn’t, bark, howl or whine too much etc.

We need to replace our frustration and our need to train away or fix unwanted behaviour with understanding and patience.

Understanding that dogs naturally behave in a certain way and patience in guiding them to learn a different behaviour using force free, positive reinforcement methods or by better managing their environment.

Providing outlets to engage in natural behaviour, providing mental, physical and social stimulation and understanding why dogs behave the way they do will make a huge difference to their lives.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our dogs is our understanding.

06/10/2023

THE CHOICE TO CHOOSE
WHY DOGS SHOULD BE ALLOWED CHOICE

Imagine every little detail of your life is controlled - what and when you eat, where you sleep, when you’re allowed inside or outside, when you’re allowed to go for a walk and if you’re allowed to stop and explore, who you’re allowed or forced to interact with, what activities you’re allowed to participate in, when you’re shown affection or receive attention, where you’re allowed to be touched etc.

This would create stress and anxiety, a feeling of helplessness, apathy, a lack of confidence and many other negative emotions. The same is true for dogs.

Dogs live in a world where just about everything is controlled by us. Allowing choice, no matter how simple that choice may be, provides so many benefits.

The context and parameters in which we allow choice is obviously important. Safety, boundaries, environmental factors, other people or animals always need to be taken into account.

A very long time ago, when my daughter was going through the “terrible 2’s” or maybe it was 3’s or 4’s, she would flat-out refuse to put on the set of clothes I had picked out for her.

Tantrums and stubbornness would often make us late for wherever we were going. This problem was solved by laying out 3 different sets of clothes and allowing her to choose which set she was going to wear.

These were still within my parameters and were still my choice, but by doing this I had allowed her a choice and the problem was solved, without harsh discipline or emotional fall out.

Dogs that are allowed some control over their environment and how they respond to situations are more confident, more emotionally balanced, better able to cope with stressful situations, less anxious, less stressed and have fewer behaviour problems.

Look for simple, safe ways to provide more choices for your dog. Improve their wellbeing and quality of life in a world that seeks to control them.

06/10/2023

BEWARE OF THE QUICK FIX!
There are no quick fixes when it comes to lasting, successful behaviour change, whether with ourselves or with our dogs.

Want to lose weight? The quick fix of diet pills, meal replacements or slimming machines may initially be successful, but is unlikely to last. Long term success will require effort, a change in mind set, being mindful of emotions, eating less or differently and exercising – there is no quick fix.

Want to get a qualification? Hard work, long hours, commitment and effort is the only way.

The same principle applies to bringing about a change in behaviour.

We live in a society where we want and expect quick fixes. Our lives are often so busy, stressful and complicated enough without having to even think about spending time and effort in trying to “fix” our dog’s problems.

Why not just use a shock collar, choke chain, spray bottle, shake can or send them off to a board and train facility to quickly sort them out without us having to put in any time or effort? What about a trainer that guarantees quick results? There are never any guarantees when it comes to behaviour.

Stay away from quick fixes – they usually come at a great cost. Yes, they may suppress that particular behaviour but it is likely to surface in another way and we won’t like that either.

Changing behaviour takes time, it requires understanding, consistency, patience and commitment, but the results of “fixing” something the right way, are worth it.

This quote by Wayne Muller sums this up perfectly “In the soil of the quick fix is the seed to a new problem….”

06/10/2023

04/10/2023

When we punish dogs for growling, we aren't helping them feel better about whatever it is that is threatening them. Instead, we are teaching to stop letting us know when they feel unsafe.

The result? A dog who stops giving warning signs and "bites out of the blue."

02/10/2023

[Friendsville, TN] MARK YOUR CALENDAR for October 21st for a FREE MICROCHIPPING EVENT for zip codes 37737 and 37772! 11am- 1pm!

Each year, thousands of pets go missing and aren't reunited with their families because they didn't have any way to tell a human where they belong. Unlike GPS tracking devices on a collar (which can easily be removed), a microchip (which is about the size of a grain of rice) is inserted into a pet. If they go missing and are taken to a facility such as a shelter or vet's office with a microchip scanner - the facility can contact the microchipping company who can contact you (that is why it is important to always keep your information current with the microchip company).

The free microchipping event is sponsored by The Animal Protectorates. It will be held in the parking lot at Saving Spot from 11a-1p - it will be first come first serve until the time or microchips run out.

Saving Spot
Friendsville Animal Center GATE 3
706 Kiser Station Road
Friendsville, TN 37737

This event is made possible through financial donations to The Animal Protectorates and sales proceeds from the nonprofit-all-volunteer-run Saving Spot Boutique

13/09/2023

Infographics provided by Oscar Winning Behavior

11/09/2023

AMAZING collaboration of veterinarians, fosters, shelter staff, behavior consultants, trainers, and veterinary staff. Seeing canine behavior through all the lenses of the professionals represented was the most incredible educational experience. Thank you to Dr. Chris Pachel and Michael Shikashio for this workshop. You help all of us help the dogs we encounter. The Great Big Dog Aggression Workshop - St. Paul, MN.

25/08/2023

Voted #1 by Whole Dog Journal!

For comfort, freedom and control

24/08/2023

I've studied Dr. Dunbar's work from the beginning of my dog training education. I once asked him about shock collar training and he gave me a page long response that I treasure. In a nutshell "Reward-Training is much more Effective than Punishment-Training"

24/08/2023

If you haven’t yet stopped saying “it’s all how they’re raised,” about pit bulls, maybe my article can convince you.

This week it is ten years since my dog Theodore was taken off the chain. Probably time to share this article and photo again! This is the moment he was unchained and he is probably yodeling with joy.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-theyre-raised-pit-bulls_b_8029078/amp

23/08/2023

Just a reminder…