DogWorkz - Training and Behavior Solutions

09/10/2025

A sad reminder of the dangers lawn chemicals pose for your dogs.

In this article, I share the story of Bennie, a magnificent German Shepherd taken by a cruel, deceptive cancer called cutaneous lymphoma. His journey serves as a chilling warning about a silent threat lurking in plain sight: the chemical cocktails of herbicides and pesticides used to create perfect,

07/10/2025

Don't contradict yourself and confuse your dog!

05/10/2025

Giving your dog a chance to “be a dog” and express their natural instincts is incredibly satisfying for them. Give them a break from heeling and let them explore!

30/09/2025

If you've been doing the same thing over and over and over again with the same results but you want DIFFERENT results...you might need to do something...different.

24/09/2025

As your new puppy starts to explore the world and experiment with different behaviors, keep in mind how acceptable those behaviors will be in the future. What's cute now may not fit what you'd like when your puppy is a grown adult!

Reward what you'd like to see continue and prevent what you DON'T want to continue, keeping the future in mind!

16/09/2025

Is it "disobedience?" Or something else? Keep your eyes (and mind) open when training, working, or playing with your dog to make sure you're both enjoying the moment.

08/08/2025

Update on the dog that overheated during search & rescue training a while ago.

As promised, we’re sharing the immediate actions taken when K9 Bodhee experienced heat stroke during a recent SAR training. This is not intended as medical advice, but rather a firsthand account based on our training and experience. These steps saved his life.

Field Treatment for K9 Bodhee – Heat Emergency Response

Immediate Field Response

The first priority was to get Bodhee into the shade and assess his condition. He was staggering, and as I poured water over him to begin cooling, he collapsed.

I immediately saturated his body using all the water I had in my pack. I removed his collars to prevent any restriction to airflow or blood circulation.

Within moments, my teammate arrived with additional bottles of cold water and a couple of ice packs. She then ran to the nearest house to gather more ice, towels, and water, while also calling for someone to bring more cold supplies directly into the woods.

We soaked a towel in the cold water and draped it over Bodhee’s body, rotating ice packs on critical areas: his neck, armpits, abdomen, groin and inner thighs , and paws. We continued applying ice water to keep his body temperature down.

Due to the severity of his condition, we opted to continue active cooling in the field instead of moving him prematurely. We closely monitored his mentation and physical response throughout. Once his condition stabilized enough for transport, we moved him to the vehicle and headed directly to the emergency veterinary hospital.

Monitoring and Transport

Bodhee has an integrated microchip capable of reading temperature; however, due to external cooling, it provided inaccurate readings. Our secondary re**al thermometer proved too short for field use. As a result, we could not accurately monitor the rate of cooling until he was loaded into the vehicle.

Once in transport, we obtained a reliable temperature reading — and realized we had cooled him too much. We immediately wrapped him in blankets to stabilize his temperature during the remainder of the drive.

Outcome and Lessons Learned

Both the emergency veterinarian and our primary veterinarian confirmed that our rapid field response saved Bodhee’s life.

To those questioning whether training should have occurred that day — we understand. Conditions were controlled: early morning training, shaded environment, moderate duration, and a well-conditioned dog. Despite all precautions, this incident is a sobering reminder that heat-related emergencies can occur suddenly and without warning. No team, regardless of experience or preparation, is immune.

What made the difference was training, preparedness, teamwork — and fast, decisive action.

Bodhee has since made a full recovery and is expected to return to operational status soon. We’re immensely grateful for the outpouring of support, prayers, and encouragement throughout this ordeal.

If this story helps another handler prepare better, act faster, or save their partner’s life — then it was absolutely worth sharing.

Key Takeaways for SAR Teams:
• Act Immediately: Delay in cooling can be fatal.
• Cool First, Then Transport: Unless contraindicated, begin cooling in the field before moving.
• Know Critical Areas: Neck, armpits, abdomen, groin and inner thighs, and paws are effective cooling zones.
• Be Prepared: Carry cooling gear (ice packs, towels, water) even in shaded or “safe” environments.
• Train for Emergencies: Don’t assume conditioning alone will prevent heat injury.

30/07/2025

Very rarely does a bite happen without warning. We need to listen to dogs better and respect their communication.

07/07/2025

Working or playing in the heat is no joke. So glad this dog is on the way to recovery.

04/07/2025

It can be a Not-So-Happy 4th for dogs with fear/anxiety, so here are some things to try to help your pup stay safe today:

• Go for a nice, long walk this morning before it gets too hot or too noisy outside.
• Set up a “safe” area for your dog. An interior room with a TV or radio can help.
• Practice settling down in that safe area periodically throughout the day.
• Prep some busy toys for the evening – stuffed frozen Kongs, puzzle toys, lick mats, snuffle mats, etc. Remember that sniffing, licking, and chewing are all naturally calming activities for dogs.
• Throughout the day, provide your dog with some mental exercise – tricks, training, scent games, etc. This will help calm them AND tire them out at the same time.
• If you have things to help your dog like a Thundershirt, medication, Mutt Muffs, etc., find them NOW, not right before the fireworks start.
• Administer medication and calming agents early enough that they can take effect before the fireworks start.
• Be sure your dog’s ID tag and microchip are up to date.
• If your dog needs to go outside during the fireworks, walk them out on a secure leash, even if you have a fenced yard. A panicked dog can easily get through or over a fence.
• If you know your dog will struggle today, stay home to ensure their safety. It’s okay to comfort them! Fear is an emotional response, not a choice, and cannot be “rewarded” by comforting them.
• If your dog is truly in a state of panic, a secure crate will be the safest place for them rather than trying to hold onto them.
• As dogs get older they can develop new fears of loud noises so don’t be surprised if your “bombproof” older dog suddenly seems to be bothered by fireworks or storms.

01/07/2025

Our blog on Heat Injury/Heatstroke in dogs has been updated with the latest research! Check it out for tips on helping your dog stay cool, happy, and healthy this summer!

Latest update: June 30, 2025 Spring and Summer mean lots of outdoor fun for both humans and dogs, but it’s important to remember that even if YOU may not be feeling the heat when the temperat…