Canine Co-op

26/12/2022

Let me begin with this question...
Do you love everyone you meet?? The most common answer is "no". Some individuals like MOST people & others dislike MOST people... however the majority of humanity is in the middle. We are selective about who we spend our time with & develop deep relationships.

The truth is MOST dogs are the same: DOG SELECTIVE. This means they have different levels of tolerance for different personalities. Some dog don't like puppies or are uncomfortable around others with high energy. Some dogs simply need time to get to know another first before developing a relationship. There are dogs who only enjoy the company of calm dogs. Dog selective personalities can be successfully socialize with other dogs when they are thoughtfully paired with the right individuals. However, when you leave the interactions to chance by going to a dog park or tossing some dogs in a yard to "see what happens" there can be consequences which result in aggressive behavior.

A SMALL amount of dogs are truly dog friendly. These are dogs who generally never have issues with other dogs. They tolerate rude & obnoxious behavior perpetrated by other dogs upon themselves. Truly dog friendly dogs can handle the majority of personalities. These dogs are rare & should not be considered the norm when considering sociability.

A SMALL amount of dogs are truly dog aggressive. These dogs do NOT like the company of most dogs. It is possible for these dogs to develop relationships with one or two others, but generally they prefer to be left alone. These dogs are also rare, however you should be aware if you own one of these personalities. Interactions with other dogs will result in aggressive conflicts. However teaching these individuals how to calmly coexist around their own kind will certainly help decrease levels of anxiety when around other dogs.

25/12/2022

Merry Christmas from the Canine Cooperative family to yours! 🎄 ❤️

24/12/2022

As dog owners, we need to normalize the spectrum of dog sociability. Unreasonable expectations are placed upon dogs when it comes to interacting with their own kind. Owners feel pressured to "socialize" their dogs & shamed if their dog shows discomfort or aggressive behavior in these situations.

Let me begin with this question...
Do you love everyone you meet?? The most common answer is "no". Some individuals like MOST people & others dislike MOST people... however the majority of humanity is in the middle. We are selective about who we spend our time with & develop deep relationships.

The truth is MOST dogs are the same: DOG SELECTIVE. This means they have different levels of tolerance for different personalities. Some dog don't like puppies or are uncomfortable around others with high energy. Some dogs simply need time to get to know another first before developing a relationship. There are dogs who only enjoy the company of calm dogs. Dog selective personalities can be successfully socialize with other dogs when they are thoughtfully paired with the right individuals. However, when you leave the interactions to chance by going to a dog park or tossing some dogs in a yard to "see what happens" there can be consequences which result in aggressive behavior.

A SMALL amount of dogs are truly dog friendly. These are dogs who generally never have issues with other dogs. They tolerate rude & obnoxious behavior perpetrated by other dogs upon themselves. Truly dog friendly dogs can handle the majority of personalities. These dogs are rare & should not be considered the norm when considering sociability.

A SMALL amount of dogs are truly dog aggressive. These dogs do NOT like the company of most dogs. It is possible for these dogs to develop relationships with one or two others, but generally they prefer to be left alone. These dogs are also rare, however you should be aware if you own one of these personalities. Interactions with other dogs will result in aggressive conflicts. However teaching these individuals how to calmly coexist around their own kind will certainly help decrease levels of anxiety when around other dogs.

16/12/2022

What is lifestyle training?

Let's not think about training as set times throughout our day to specifically train. Our dogs are ALWAYS learning so guiding them throughout the day towards good decisions is key. This does not have to be a ton of work though…

➡️Utilize place or down to keep your dog in command & control their movement. Stationary commands take away your dog ability to make poor choices from while you move about your house, cook dinner, watch tv, fold laundry.

➡️Practice threshold manners & recall when you let out or call back your dog from a bathroom break.

➡️Practice the drop behavior when you are engaging with them in play.

➡️If your dog is freely roaming the home, make sure you supervise! This is when they are allowed to make their own decisions & it is important you are present to give feed back on those decisions. If our dogs are able to repeat behaviors we do not like, they will become habitual.

➡️Finally remember, just because you are home doesn’t mean your dog has to be out. Use the crate when you cannot supervise or just need a break!

11/12/2022

Leash Walking... there is an ocean of options for WHAT to use when walking your dog.

Let's break down how to choose what is right for you & your dog.

1st Dog training tools are simply aids to help you,
• gain leverage over strength.
• influence behavior change.
• communicate more effectively.

2nd Are your specific goals to
• stop leash pulling?
• control leash reactivity?
• walk off leash?

3rd Does your dog
• slip out of collars or harnesses?
• have a collapsed trachea?
• have neck or spine issues?
• freak out when you apply leash or collar pressure?

Each tool provides different support based upon the above considerations. Learning how to properly USE these tools, will AID you in communicating to your dog. Remember they only help with leverage, they are not quick fixes. However if what you are currently using is not suiting you & your dog's needs, there are plenty of other avenues to try!

13/11/2022

As dog owners, we need to normalize the spectrum of dog sociability. Unreasonable expectations are placed upon dogs when it comes to interacting with their own kind. Owners feel pressured to "socialize" their dogs & shamed if their dog shows discomfort or aggressive behavior in these situations.

Let me begin with this question...
Do you love everyone you meet?? The most common answer is "no". Some individuals like MOST people & others dislike MOST people... however the majority of humanity is in the middle. We are selective about who we spend our time with & develop deep relationships.

The truth is MOST dogs are the same: DOG SELECTIVE. This means they have different levels of tolerance for different personalities. Some dog don't like puppies or are uncomfortable around others with high energy. Some dogs simply need time to get to know another first before developing a relationship. There are dogs who only enjoy the company of calm dogs. Dog selective personalities can be successfully socialize with other dogs when they are thoughtfully paired with the right individuals. However, when you leave the interactions to chance by going to a dog park or tossing some dogs in a yard to "see what happens" there can be consequences which result in aggressive behavior.

A SMALL amount of dogs are truly dog friendly. These are dogs who generally never have issues with other dogs. They tolerate rude & obnoxious behavior perpetrated by other dogs upon themselves. Truly dog friendly dogs can handle the majority of personalities. These dogs are rare & should not be considered the norm when considering sociability.

A SMALL amount of dogs are truly dog aggressive. These dogs do NOT like the company of most dogs. It is possible for these dogs to develop relationships with one or two others, but generally they prefer to be left alone. These dogs are also rare, however you should be aware if you own one of these personalities. Interactions with other dogs will result in aggressive conflicts. However teaching these individuals how to calmly coexist around their own kind will certainly help decrease levels of anxiety when around other dogs.

09/11/2022

Ever had that bad start to the day lead to an even worse part of your evening?

You know, you overslept. In a rush got up & stepped on your dog's chewed Benebone (ouch! if you know, you know). No time to shower or eat breakfast. You get to work; cranky & hungry. You take a deep breath, go to the break room to get a cup of coffee. As you walk out, Linda from accounting rushes by & causes you to spill your coffee all over your shirt. Work day over, you head home.
Too exhausted to make dinner, you call for delivery... they don't have a driver tonight. You go OFF on the person who answered the phone, telling them how unprofessional it is to not have a back up driver & hang up in a huff.

THIS is trigger stacking. While maybe none of these events separately would not cause you to needlessly explode, all of them compiled together take you way past your threshold of tolerance. The end result is blowing up at an event which normally would not illicit a response by itself.

Dogs operate similarly. Stressful events which stack themselves on top of each other cause our dogs to unnecessarily explode or have less tolerance for events that seemingly caused not reaction at all. Be aware of all the stressful scenarios your dog experiences through out the day & have realistic expectations for their reactions.

24/10/2022

There's a lot of negative stigma around muzzles & dogs that wear them. Let's talk about all the reasons a dog may wear a muzzle...

➡️To prevent unsafe scavenging
➡️To prevent a high stress dog redirecting on their handler
➡️For vet/groomer appointments
➡️To avoid nipping in over aroused dogs

What type of dogs wear muzzles?
➡️Friendly dogs
➡️Not friendly dogs
➡️Happy dogs
➡️Dogs who have responsible owners
➡️Big dogs
➡️Small dogs

….you name It. Muzzles protect the dog wearing them and everybody around them and it's time we normalize muzzle use.

15/10/2022

How do you teach a Loose Leash Walk?

Join us for our 2 part Leash Walking series!

The reason why dogs pull on leash is because we ultimately reinforce it!

1. Dog pulls towards somewhere they want to go.
2. We allow them to drag us over, creating tension on the leash.
3. Dog pulls through leash pressure until they reach the area they were pulling towards.
4. The pressure “turns off” because they have stopped pulling & got to where they wanted to go.

Your dog is learning that if they see something, they should pull through the pressure because it will stop once they make it there. We need to teach them how to YIELD to leash tension & return back towards us when they feel pressure. This will help to create an easier walking experience for both you & your dog.

25/09/2022

Many owners struggle with their dog’s reaction when guests arrive at the door. Both over excited & territorially aggressive behavior can have unwanted consequences from jumping up on, knocking over, lunging at, barking, snapping or biting. However having a protocol in place teaches your dog what to expect & how to behave when guests arrive.

Frankie, who joins me in this video, is territorially aggressive when people arrive at her home. While her behavior is “offensive” it is also normal that dogs act this way. Unknown individuals who arrive in their territory can pose a threat & therefore they will jump into action in order protect the area.

In order to create new behaviors when guests arrive, we need to not just teach Frankie what to physically do, but also address how she feels about new people entering her space. This helps to ensure the training goes beyond just what her body does, but also helps her have a positive experience.

20/09/2022

I'm not quite sure what has happened as a society where judgement needs to be slung just about everywhere. Opinions flow as freely as oxygen. Everyone is entitled to them, but NO ONE has to listen to them. Truth of the matter is those who are screaming the loudest, usually have the least to add to a conversation.

Nowhere do I see this more than in dog training; both between professionals & private dog owners. In fact with the holidays coming to a close, how many have been shamed for training your dog? Your Uncle John bragging about how he has NEVER had to use any tools with the dogs he has had in his lifetime. Aunt Susan who comments on how CRUEL you are for having your dog place during dinner time. Your cousin Tim who grew up with dogs (that Uncle John trained) & knows everything about dog training, yet has NEVER trained a dog of his own. And finally your neighbor Cindy, who popped over for desert, who just doesn't understand why you can't let your dog "be a dog".

At the end of the day, YOU are the one who lives with your dog. Teaching your dog manners is far from cruel, it's hands down the greatest GIFT you can give your dog. Dogs who listen & are well taught are dogs who get to DO MORE things. So while your brother Mike judges your choice to have a trained dog, smile. Because your dog gets to leave their home & go on amazing adventures & off leash hiking in the woods. While their dog doesn't see beyond their fenced in yard because they are too out of control to even walk on a leash.

25/08/2022

Jaimee & I are going LIVE tonight to talk about our upcoming workshop!⁣
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We will highlight what we loved about the last one and how excited we are for this collaboration to be growing! ⁣
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If you have any questions, come join and ask away! Or leave a comment and we will make sure to answer it during the live! ⁣
⁣

24/08/2022

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟰 & 𝟮𝟱⁣
⁣
The Canine Cooperative will be hosting another workshop! Jaimee from & myself will be teaching our Canine Foundations course that has help so many owners press the restart button with their dog. ⁣
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In 2 days we will teach you the foundation we use with EVERY single dog who comes through our programs. We will take you from a basic understanding of your dog, to a more comprehensive knowledge of dog behavior, training tools, training techniques, philosophies, and how to apply all of those things in your every day life to help you have success with your dog.⁣
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Join us! Start living life WITH your dog, not around them. ⁣

Hope to see you there!

Come and gain a deeper understand of how you can communicate and connect with your dog from 2 Canine Experts and Trainers.

20/08/2022

There are many methodologies, ideologies & techniques when it comes to training your dog. For owners, it can be an exceptionally confusing experience to navigate. However the ONE aspect which should never falter while training your dog is COMMUNICATION.

E Collar training should be looked at as the "icing on the cake" of a great foundation you have created with your dog. An electronic collar does NOT solve your behavioral issues or provide a magic wand type of experience. The truth is an E Collar provides no context or direction, it only enhances it. An owner must use this tool in conjunction with this in mind.

Clear communication- E Collars allow communication with dogs through a language they already know and understand, touch. E Collars are muscle stimulators. They "grab" the muscle & pulsate them. Think of it as tapping someone on the shoulder or even grabbing them by the arm.

Reliability- E Collars create non negotiable boundaries you are able to enforce in a non confrontational & neutral way.

Off Leash Freedom- E collars allow for communication with dogs at a distance. Many collars have a range of 1/2 mile! You can feel confident in letting your dog off leash after training.

Relationship- Clear communication improves any relationship. E Collars can bridge the gap between human & dog.

15/08/2022

CHANGE does not happen without intervention.

If you are looking for better behavior from your dog, you better start reflecting upon your own.

Your dog will not create good habits by themselves. They also will not stop bad habits either. If your current situation is not working between you & your dog, it's time for YOU to CHANGE.

Providing a structured environment helps to give your dog a routine they can follow. Routines build expectations that allow you to ask your dog for their accountability in following them. Leaving this all to chance, your dog will pick what suits them each & every time. As I have said time & time again, the odds are you will not like their choices. So intervene! Teach your dog what you expect from them & hold them accountable for this behavior. The pathway to a better behaved dog starts & ends with YOU 🙂

04/08/2022

Here are 3 things you can do TODAY to help change the relationship you share with your dog.

Use the crate. Yeah, I said it! Take your emotions out of the equation. The crate is a safe space, promotes relaxation & helps to supervise your dog while you can not. You leave behavior to chance, I promise you will not like the outcome.
Set boundaries. Not only with your dog, but in ALL your relationships. You're not a doormat. Stop letting people & your dog walk all over you. Boundaries are healthy for everyone. Embrace them.
Leash up. Your leash is not just a rope that keeps your dog from running away. It is a communication tool. Think the game of telephone you played, you know the one with the string & cans? (I may have just dated myself!) Learn to use your leash to communicate to you dog about what is appropriate & what is not.

29/07/2022

As dog trainers, dog owners often state we are "miracle workers".

Owners witness trainers do things with their dogs they never thought possible.

They believe perhaps, dog trainers have some voodoo magic which is sprinkled upon their dogs!

However all we possess is a very in depth knowledge of how dogs think & process information.

Dogs speak a different language. Dog trainers are here to interpret that language for you & put you on a path to better communication.

There is no miracle at work here... just translation. Learn the language & have a better relationship with your dog.

24/07/2022

Leash Walking... there is an ocean of options for WHAT to use when walking your dog.

Let's break down how to choose what is right for you & your dog.

1st Dog training tools are simply aids to help you,
• gain leverage over strength.
• influence behavior change.
• communicate more effectively.

2nd Are your specific goals to
• stop leash pulling?
• control leash reactivity?
• walk off leash?

3rd Does your dog
• slip out of collars or harnesses?
• have a collapsed trachea?
• have neck or spine issues?
• freak out when you apply leash or collar pressure?

Each tool provides different support based upon the above considerations. Learning how to properly USE these tools, will AID you in communicating to your dog. Remember they only help with leverage, they are not quick fixes. However if what you are currently using is not suiting you & your dog's needs, there are plenty of other avenues to try!

16/07/2022

Dogs are communicating ALL the time. Are you listening?

We cannot live successfully with a dog without knowing how to communicate with them. While us humans communicate verbally, our dogs communicate non verbally through the use of body language. Body language includes tail carriage & motion, ear & eye position, body position, movement & facial expressions. Learning to read your dogs body language will positively impact your relationship with your dog.

10/07/2022

We have all been there... our dog is doing something inappropriate & we end up yelling commands at them, to no avail.
The problem is owners try to direct their dog once they have entered an over aroused state of mind. Your dog is amped up by the environment, you are amped up yelling & the entire interaction is one BIG mess.

It is very difficult to communicate with an over aroused head space. Asking for a "sit" when your dog is already jumping up on your guest will likely do little to help your cause. However the root issue is NOT the fact your dog isn't sitting. It's the manner of the greeting... the energy & mental state which accompanies it. Instead of using obedience to address behavior problems, use obedience to affect levels of energy & state of mind. This will in turn help your behavior issues.

Back to our example of greetings. If we address our dog at the sound of the doorbell by sending them to "place", it will immediately minimize arousal. Now you can answer the door without your dog repeating the unwanted behavior. Once your dog is calm, you can allow them to greet your guest & ask for a "sit" prior to receiving affection.

The root of the original behavior was never one of obedience. It was about lowering levels of arousal in order to make your dog successful. So the next time you find yourself yelling commands at your dog, ask yourself about your dog's state of mind & how you can impact levels of arousal first.

03/07/2022

It's that time of year again!

💥 4th of July 💥

For some of you it's a fun time & for others it's hell on earth if you have a dog who has noise phobia.

So unfortunately at this point, it's too late to do anything for your dog as far as training. You're going to focus on damage control: how to keep your dog safe & comfortable.

But owners… get started for next year now! You KNOW every year the outcome of this holiday & it’s affect on your dog. You CAN work through this behavior & help your dog to be more comfortable around sound.

Here are some tips to help you through this weekend.

1. More dogs go missing July 4th than any other time of year. Put id tags on your dog or even better, gps tracking.
2. Take your dog out for their last bathroom opportunity before it gets dark.
3. Give your dog a safe space to stay, preferably in their crate. An accidentally open door can be an escape route & a lost dog.
4. Drown out the sound of the fireworks with other noises.
5. For extreme cases, contact your vet for medication. Allowing your dog to just sleep through the holiday may be the most humane option.
6. PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR! Seriously, get to work ♥️

28/06/2022

"Structure" may as well be a four letter word. When dog owners hear it, emotions have them recoiling! Many owners struggle with this part. They think it's too hard , will take too much time or their dog won't be able to have any fun.

NOT TRUE!

Implementing a predictable routine in your home based upon behavioral expectations will build good habits with your dog. Ever heard... dogs are creatures of habit? Yup! It's true! In fact the lack of structure can create feelings of anxiety for dogs that manifest into unwanted behaviors for you.

So let’s break down “structure”.

EXPECTATIONS are the things you want to see in your relationship with your dog.

SUPERVISION allows you to monitor these expectations.

CONSISTENCY helps to build the long term application of your expectations.

ROUTINE helps to develop patterns of behavior by repeating the same cycle daily.

HABITS are eventually born out of patterning a routine & become normal day to day behavior.

23/06/2022

Aversive & Abusive are NOT synonymous. Yet there seems to be a ton of confusion surrounding this terminology.

Aversive consequences create a negative association with unwanted behavior. EVERY living being is subject to this consequence. Both nature & society set boundaries for behavior. We AVOID events which cause us discomfort.

Human Perspective-
1. Nature- Shake a hornets nest, get stung.
2. Society- Rob a bank, go to jail.

Canine Perspective-
1. Nature- Put your face in a porcupine, get stuck with quills.
2. Society- Cross an underground fence boundary, feel stimulation.

These consequences keep behavior in check based upon the laws of nature & society. The only difference when discussing training a dog is the societal consequences are manipulated by the owner.

Abusive means engaging in habitual violence & cruelty. There is absolutely NO place for this in dog training (or anywhere else) EVER. Period.

I hope this clears up any confusion.

18/06/2022

Ever had that bad start to the day lead to an even worse part of your evening?

You know, you overslept. In a rush got up & stepped on your dog's chewed Benebone (ouch! if you know, you know). No time to shower or eat breakfast. You get to work; cranky & hungry. You take a deep breath, go to the break room to get a cup of coffee. As you walk out, Linda from accounting rushes by & causes you to spill your coffee all over your shirt. Work day over, you head home.
Too exhausted to make dinner, you call for delivery... they don't have a driver tonight. You go OFF on the person who answered the phone, telling them how unprofessional it is to not have a back up driver & hang up in a huff.

THIS is trigger stacking. While maybe none of these events separately would not cause you to needlessly explode, all of them compiled together take you way past your threshold of tolerance. The end result is blowing up at an event which normally would not illicit a response by itself.

Dogs operate similarly. Stressful events which stack themselves on top of each other cause our dogs to unnecessarily explode or have less tolerance for events that seemingly caused not reaction at all. Be aware of all the stressful scenarios your dog experiences through out the day & have realistic expectations for their reactions.