Bark-Talk Dog Training

16/06/2025

YIP OF THE WEEK:

Do you have a new puppy? How do you deal with all the "issues" that come with it-potty training, mouthing, chewing, jumping, barking...and more. As a new dog owner, you might feel overwhelmed at times. Frustrated, upset, and you may even question "what have I done getting this new puppy?" HELP!

I often tell my clients that introducing a puppy into your home would be like dropping me out of the blue into another country where I don't understand the language, customs, expectations or how to appropriately behave. This is what you've done to your new dog-he has no idea what's happened except that all of a sudden he's away from his mother and siblings where he played like a puppy plays- mouthing, biting, jumping, chewing, and has landed in your home where he's expected to behave more like a human with your set of rules and expectations. How does he know what to do? He doesn't!

Understanding this with an empathetic mindset, you have to show him. Stay calm. Take a breath. Set reasonable expectations. Be consistent. Teach. Train. Be patient. Be kind. Be his mentor.

07/06/2025

YIP OF THE WEEK;

Mental exercise and stimulation is critical to keeping your dog happy and healthy. Dogs (and humans) need physical AND mental exercise. A bored dog won't be happy or well balanced and will ultimately start displaying unwanted behaviors such as chewing or destroying things, barking, increased anxiety or bothering you all the time for attention. Most dogs sleep(nap) on average for 12-14 hours a day! Puppies and senior dogs may rest a little longer. So you don't have to be stimulating or playing with your dog all day.
-Training is an important way to provide mental stimulation. 5 to 10 minutes , 3 or 4 times a day (or, as it happens, meaning when your dog is near you while you are busy, when you're about to go out the door, get into the car...ask for a look, sit, wait, down)
-If available to you maybe do a class together such as agility (I've done it and it's a lot of fun!).
-Make sure your dog has a lot of calm, relaxed sniffing time on your walk. Loose leash and let him be a dog...sniff everything and let him lead you a bit.
-Change up your path on your walks...go to new places once in a while like a park or a different neighborhood. Even just going in the opposite direction on your walk is new and unexpected!
-Train while walking....every once in a while ask for a look (or always catch it when he looks at you) or a sit or down.
-Walk with friends and/or other dogs.
-Play with your dog-fetch, tug, hide and seek, find it...
-Give your dog meals using puzzle toys, licky mats, snuffle mats, kongs (stuffed and frozen is great).
Find ways to have fun together!

31/05/2025

YIP OF THE WEEK:
Thinking of getting a new dog?
You can either go to a shelter/rescue organization or to a responsible breeder. Either way, both should spend a good amount of time and help with an assessment to help you find the best fit for you, your family and the dog. Make sure the whole family goes, especially children, to be able to observe the dog's behavior with kids...noise, sudden movements, etc. You would want a dog that's comfortable with all that if that's your situation.

What else to look for?
-Does the dog seem shy or outgoing? A shyer dog may take a lot more time and patience to train. No fault of theirs, just anxiety that needs to be accepted and worked through.
-Can the dog do a simple "look" or "sit"? If they get it pretty quickly, it MAY indicate the dog will be easier to train (but not a guarantee!).
-Does the dog seem curious? Does he want to interact with you and the family? Will he play with a toy? Not all dogs know how to at first. Once playing, does he get overly excited? Jump, mouth you? Or does he respect your space?
-Does the dog shed a lot? Do you care?
-Find out a little about the breed and personality traits.

Take your time. This is a decision for the next 10 years or so. If it doesn't feel right, take a breath and go to another place. No rush. Most often, you'll know when it's the right fit.

23/05/2025

YIP OF THE WEEK:
Is your dog anxious or fearful?

Fearful behavior is a sign that your dog is feeling distress. It's his response to something that's uncomfortable or unfamiliar. Often loud noises (fireworks, thunder) or sometimes something in the environment around you such as quick movements (bicyclists, scooter, cars, runners) , other dogs, different people, sounds or even textures under their feet. It could be anything. Respect it. Manage it.

Common signs of fear in a dog are:
-Body language with tail tucked, ears flat back or a low slung body.
-Trembling, panting or drooling
-Whining or barking
-Yawning or licking lips
-Running away or pacing
-Aggressive behavior

Things you can do:
There isn't one magic way to calm your dog's anxiety. It may require doing multiple things and may take some time..
-Using a snug "shirt" may help him feel calmer
-Behavior modification and desensitization training involves you working consistently with your dog to help him feel more comfortable and calmer with his surroundings and all the things happening. Work with a trainer or behaviorist for help with doing what's best for you and your dog.
-Medication may be recommended by your vet if it's really bad. Anxiety that becomes overwhelming for your dog will impact his and your quality of life.

19/05/2025

YIP OF THE WEEK:
As warm weather sets in, contact with the wildlife around us may impact your dog. Bee stings and skunk spray are probably most common.

Often dogs are stung by bees around the mouth/snout area since sniffing around is a favorite activity! The nests can be in the ground so be aware is you see a lot of bees in one area. If your dog is stung, it's probably best to contact your vet for advice as to whether to just monitor or bring your dog in. Severe allergic reactions (like with people) can be life threatening so getting help as quickly as possible is a must.
Wasps are more aggressive than bees. They also may make nests in the ground or sometimes under decks or eaves.

Skunks are usually nocturnal so seeing one during the day may be one with rabies. An animal with rabies (skunk, fox, possum, etc...) may be acting "funny"- walking like it's drunk and not showing fear since normally a wild animal will run away from you and walk in a straight line. If you see that contact animal control immediately.

If your dog is bitten by an animal bring your dog in for care as soon as possible.

04/05/2025

Why Carry Treats?

Wearing a treat pouch on your walks or around the house when training is important to help teach/train your dog. Not just for training "sessions" but treats should be used when you catch your dog being good and exhibiting desired behaviors.
Having treats with you helps to:
-Reinforce looking at you and checking in
-Reward a good recall
-Reward good loose leash walking
-Reward a leave it if they see a squirrel, deer or smell something disgusting yet enticing on the ground
-I've also used treats to catch a loose dog wandering the neighborhood and been able to return them to the owner

Over time, it's important to decrease the use of treats so your dog doesn't become treat dependent-meaning they only respond for treats. That doesn't mean no treats at all... Just fewer and for good behavior.

28/04/2025

What's Going On...my dog's behavior has changed??

I hear this fairly often when a dog is growing out of the puppy stage. It's called ADOLESCENCE! Like humans, dogs also go through a stage where there are physical, biological and psychological changes happening. In dogs, this is usually between 6-18 months but it can last as long as a few years depending on the dog!

So what's going on?
-It seems like all the training has gone out the window. The dog isn't listening! This is normal. Just stay consistent with the training. He'll get back on track.
-Sleep times may change. He's no longer sleeping as much and has a lot more energy. Maybe, he's getting up earlier or won't settle down to go to sleep at the time you all used to! It may take a little while but he/you will get into a new pattern that works.
-Behaviors may change when out in public-reactions to other dogs, people, noises, objects...he may seem to be less confident about the world around him. Keep socializing with patience!

These changes and other behaviors will get better over time. Remain patient and calm. This too shall pass!

20/04/2025

YIP OF THE WEEK:

Can I have a calmer dog that listens better?

Our dogs are tied in to OUR behaviors. What does that mean? It means that our body language, behaviors and tone of voice influence how our dogs feel and behave. Often, we're not very aware...For instance, do you get super excited when you first enter the house or go to let the dog out of his crate in the morning? Then, does your dog jump, mouth on you or have an accident?

Being aware of how our behaviors influence our dog's behavior/demeanor is essential.
-If you want a calmer dog, stay calm and quieter.
-Catch your dog being good. Exhibiting behavior you want. Then reward with praise or a treat.
-Make sure your body language and your voice are communicating the same thing.
-Be consistent.

06/04/2025

YIP OF THE WEEK:

I'm training people, not dogs!

Surprising??? Most people get it, especially once we begin working together. Yes, the dogs do learn from me indirectly. Most importantly, my clients learn how to communicate with their dogs by learning body language (theirs and their dog's) as well as the use of hand signals for cues and timing and delivery of treats and/or praise. That's why I spend most of my time focusing on the owners and not the dog once I've demonstrated how to give direction to your dog to achieve a positive outcome. It's also why we spend a lot of time observing or investigating what's going on with you and your dog, how to manage the situation and then ask for and get the behaviors you want.

The biggest benefit of YOU training your dog is that training builds an incredible, amazing bond between you and your dog!

29/03/2025

YIP OF THE WEEK:

My Dog Has No Leash Manners!!!

Most of my clients are anxious to work on leash walking because they're frustrated with their dog's behavior. Their dog pulls because they see a squirrel, deer, a person, bicyclist (you name it) or they're reactive to other dogs or they do their own thing: stopping and pulling to sniff, walking in front or behind...I could go on.
What to do?
-Try not to yell ('no, no, no!"), or jerk and yank on the leash.
-You have to learn to communicate CONSISTENTLY and effectively
with your dog in a way they understand by using the correct cues and body language as well as reinforcing the behavior that you want.
-Holding the leash correctly to send the right message isn't easy. It takes time to get used to it. Keeping the leash loose with your hands and body relaxed is crucial.
-Try to learn to anticipate what's ahead so that your dog doesn't go "over threshold". Do this by continually watching your dog and the environment and giving the proper cues/reinforcement so that you and your dog can remain calm.
-Combine your leash walk with sniffy time where you let your dog just be a dog and sniff for a while. This is important mental exercise which helps tire your dog and is important for his well being.

Bottom line....PRACTICE!! Calm, relaxed leash walking doesn't happen overnight. You have to learn how to have a conversation with your dog where they learn to understand what you're asking. And remember, always try to catch them being good and reward. Make it fun!

23/03/2025

Enjoy your puppies!!! And older dogs!

Post pics of your pups!

23/03/2025

YIP OF THE WEEK:

Have a new puppy/dog? Something we don't often realize is important (in addition to training) is to get your dog used to being handled. Your dog may not feel comfortable being held or touched, having a harness put on, feet or body wiped down if muddy, etc. This isn't a normal dog thing to do. Your dog may just cope but may be anxious and uncomfortable which, over time, might lead to nipping.

You want your dog to become comfortable with touch. To do this, you have to build trust by going very slowly. Start with very gentle pressure while stroking your dog. Then take your cues from his body language. Does he lean into you and feel comfortable or does he pull away? Do a gentle calming massage daily to get him used to your touch. Then proceed slowly and gently touch his ears, mouth area, eye area and the feet. Introduce a new area of touch every few days. Build his trust and comfort so he understands you're not going to hurt him. If your dog sensitive with a certain area you can calmly use treats as you touch/massage.

Enjoy this special time together!