Understanding Dog Training

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Understanding Dog Training We love our dogs, but they can chew, bark, jump, p*e in the house, or even growl at people!
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Understanding Dog Training helps you and your dog understand each other using force free, humane, science based methods in the greater Sacramento region.

So often, i hear of dogs who were sooo good and then they turned into a teenager!
25/05/2022

So often, i hear of dogs who were sooo good and then they turned into a teenager!

Ever wondered why a puppy's behavior seems erratic during adolescence, which occurs between six months and 18 months of age?

The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.

During canine adolescence, s*x hormones are changing which effects the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to modulate sensory processing and subsequent behavior.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control.

So what does this mean? This could mean that your dog, who used to come when called, suddenly cannot. This could mean that your dog, who didn't jump up on guests, suddenly does. Your dog that walked nicely on leash is now pulling. Or perhaps it seems like some days your dog responds to behaviors you ask of them, and some days they don't, without any rhyme or reason.

We also see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, frustration and impatience sometimes cause us to act unpredictably.

This adds to your puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for puppies to adjust.

By understanding this we can gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we can help create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best selves.

GOOD REVIEWS are not enough :-( Finding a competent dog trainer is hard for the average dog owner.Look at the reviews be...
18/05/2022

GOOD REVIEWS are not enough :-(
Finding a competent dog trainer is hard for the average dog owner.

Look at the reviews below for a local trainer! They look great, yes?
These are reviews of someone who is in legal trouble for abuse and neglect and dogs were just confiscated and he was shutdown in Auburn, CA.

I can't take on many clients any time soon but if I can help you, no matter where you live, find a competent, ethical trainer, I will do everything I can to help you avoid dangerous trainers who will hurt your animals.

Many people think their fearful rescue dog must have been abused.But there are many reasons for fear in dogs.This is a n...
21/01/2022

Many people think their fearful rescue dog must have been abused.
But there are many reasons for fear in dogs.

This is a nifty graphic!

There's no way to know for sure, but I believe so much of it is actually genetics.

10/01/2022

This isn’t precise.
It isn’t science-y.
Part of me wants to chime in and explain it more.

But in his way, he is so spot on and it’s brilliant.

How to rehabilitate a dog (and how not to)

This is worth a moment of your time. Truly.

And if you want a happier dog, and you’re not sure how to do it, let’s talk!

https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdMxeHFb/

Every year, I think the world of dog training moves a little closer to kindness and the general public's understanding o...
01/01/2022

Every year, I think the world of dog training moves a little closer to kindness and the general public's understanding of what is science based is also what is most humane.

I came across this wonderful post by Veterinary Behaviorist, Dr Sophia Yin (sadly no longer with us), unpacking in great detail, some of the dominance myth and also helps us understand more clearly, just what Cesar Milan is doing.

It's an article with nuance and complexity and if you like digging deeper into topics, it's worth your time.

I hope you are safe, warm, and have a happy healthy New Year filled with love and kindness.

https://drsophiayin.com/philosophy/dominance/

Virtually everyone who started as a dog trainer over 15-20 years ago started out using traditional dog training techniques: similar to those used by Cesar Millan (National Geographic’s The Dog Whisperer). This is how most dogs were trained back then. As a result we have first hand experience as to...

20/09/2021

We know better, so we do better.

(This can be a polarizing topic and we welcome kind debate on this page. Name calling, derogatory, and sarcastic statements will be deleted.)

This is fun and almost free enrichment you can do with your dog. You can start with higher value hard treats so your dog...
03/08/2021

This is fun and almost free enrichment you can do with your dog. You can start with higher value hard treats so your dog will be more motivated to figure it out

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMd3nELbP/

He was testing my patience today but this took less than 10mins to make. He is a working dog after all.

It can be frustrating when dogs don't listen to us. Are they stubborn? Are they naughty?Nope! Learn what's going on! htt...
10/07/2021

It can be frustrating when dogs don't listen to us. Are they stubborn? Are they naughty?

Nope! Learn what's going on!

https://www.understandingdogtraining.com/my-dog-doesnt-listen-to-me/

Many people wonder get upset when their dog doesn't listen to them. But there are many reasons why this can happen and they're all fixable if you know what's going on.

Hey people! now that it's June, fireworks season is coming. I had a dog who was so terrified, he was literally trying to...
01/06/2021

Hey people! now that it's June, fireworks season is coming. I had a dog who was so terrified, he was literally trying to crawl inside my skin. It was gut wrenching.

As a trainer, I've learned a lot about how to help our dogs during fireworks season and I put together a class and am offering it for free for a limited time in exchange for your feedback.

Help your dog feel safe!
Coupon code: JULY4TH (limited time offer)

https://understanding-dog-training-academy.newzenler.com/courses/boom-pow

Fireworks can be terrifying for dogs, but solutions and help are available

Lots of people are concerned about using treats or about giving their dog people food.I used to think if I gave my dog c...
03/05/2021

Lots of people are concerned about using treats or about giving their dog people food.
I used to think if I gave my dog cat food, they'd start meowing, but cat food, similarly to people food, can be a high value training treat.

Learn about treats and dogs!
https://www.understandingdogtraining.com/dog-treats

Should I give my dogs treats? What kind of treats should I use to train my dogs? Is it ok to give my dogs snacks?

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Understanding Dog Training - Helping You and Your Dog Understand Each Other in the greater Sacramento Area

Kayla Block is a graduate of the prestigious, comprehensive two year program at the Academy for Dog Trainers where she learned all aspects of dog behavior in theory and in practice.

She is committed to force-free, science tested, and humane dog training.

She is also a long time lead volunteer at Front Street Animal Shelter in the city of Sacramento, CA. She developed and led the Fearful / Timid Dog program and helped develop the course content for training volunteers to work with fearful dogs.

She has also fostered nearly 50 dogs with various levels of behavioral issues.