This was such a big moment for Bruno.
When we first started training, he would launch himself at the door, the baby gate, and on leash towards other people. No bites occurred as his owners had been managing a lot.
Bruno's biggest struggle is trust. He's very bonded to his one human and tends to be territorial over his house.
My first goal was to get him comfortable with my presence in the house. I didn't use food, but I told his human to guide him to place and reward when he settled with calm affection. I'd talk, I wouldn't move even if he barked at me, I showed him that it wasn't going to work.
Once he started to calm down at our second session, I tossed food away from me to encourage him to take space. I didn't bait him to me at all. That is one of the worst things you can do with a dog like Bruno. And honestly... don't ever bait a dog to get closer to you if they don't want to.
At our third session, we worked on going outside together and out for a walk. He was a bit of a space cadet and was very over stimulated by everything outside. It was a challenge!
But by our fifth session, Bruno started to look up at me with a softer face. I'd acknowledge him in a calm tone and just let him decide how close he wanted to get.
This video is at the end of our fifth session. Both his owner and I were stunned that he made that choice. I expected him to take longer than that. Note that I pet him for a few seconds to check if he wanted more and he asked for more.
Patience and kindness go a long way.
#dogs #straydog #rescuedogs #dogtrainer #dogtraining #bullybreeds #fearfuldogs #reactivedogs
Remember that we have to change our own behavior before we can change our dog's behavior.
#dogtraining #dogs #yycdogs #doglifestyle #rescuedogs
A little background on Trunks when he went missing this time last year.
Serioudly though, my music is what helps me.
Being a dog trainer can be very challenging some days.
We take on a ton of stress and anxiety for our clients and help guide them with understanding.
We have to find balance for ourselves too.
#meditation #dogtrainer #dogtraining #patience #doglifestyle
⚡️Cooperative Handling⚡️
It's all about trust and understanding. I let my dog advocate for himself when he feels uncomfortable, like removing his paw to tell me he's over it. Using rewards and counter-conditioning techniques, we're making handling a positive experience. Now, Trunks will allow all his paws to be handled with the help of some dried sardines! Small steps, big progress.
#cooperativehandling #dogs101#dogtraining #doggrooming
Separate your verbal cue and your hand signal. 🤘
Foster seminar for @heartmountainrescue
An amazing group of people eager to learn more to help their current and future foster dogs.
Thank you to everyone who came out and thank you @molliesmarketyyc for having a perfect space!
#rescuedogs #rescuedogsofinstagram #rescuedog #heartmountainrescue #yycdogs #fosterdogs #adoptandshopresponsibly #bullybreed #dogtraining #dogtrainer #balanceddogtraining #positivereinforcement #trainyourdog #dogs101 #yyc
Training our dogs is about more than just commands—it's about empowering them to make choices. After all the time we spend teaching them, let's give them the space to practice their skills independently.
Remember that you should be practicing those skills in a safe way, i.e., safe distance, leashed, etc.
Don't put them in a situation they're not ready for.
#dogtraining #dogs101
Doing nothing can be challenging for our dogs. It's such an important skill, especially when adapting to a new environment.
Go get a coffee/tea and go sit in a park with your dog. 🤘
#doglife #dogs #dogs101 #dogtraining
If you have a dog selective dog it's important that they can be neutral around other dogs.
Parallel walks are one of the best ways to start! Knowing their threshold distance is key in this. Start with further distance and over time you can shrink that distance.
#dogs #rescuedogsofinstagram #doberman #bullybreed #corgimix #coexistence
What is a dog selective dog?
A dog selective dog is one that doesn't get along with certain other dogs. It's normal because dogs, like humans, they have preferences and personalities. They might not like every dog they meet, just like how humans might not like every human they meet. It's important to understand and respect a dog's preferences to keep them and other dogs safe and happy.
#dogs #doglife #doglifestyle #yyc #yycdogs
This is how I handle Trunks. I will never correct him for barking at strangers pulling up into our driveway. I want him to know it's okay to be concerned but if I tell him to "out" and give him an alternative, which was to come to me, that's when he knows to stop.
An alert bark shouldn't be punished, but you can give them guidance for what to do after you've taught them to stop.
I prefer Trunks to alert me, especially when I'm alone, so it's not a behavior I will stop, but changing how he feels after is important.
This takes time. Trunks is a nervy dog, but he listens well when I give him direction in most situations. Is it perfect? Nope, but it was under control, and that's all that matters to me.
#dogs #bullybreed #dogtraining #guarddog
Let's focus on responsible ownership and education rather than perpetuating stereotypes.
Bully breeds aren't inherently "bad." Yes, they can be dog aggressive, and yes, they can be human aggressive. They can indeed do damage. But here's the thing: ALL DOGS can display these behaviors, and all dogs can do damage no matter the size or breed(s).
As responsible dog guardians, it's crucial to understand our dogs, their breed, and their instincts and provide them with appropriate outlets. We need to ensure they get what they need daily, train them, and seek help from professionals if necessary.
I'm tired of hearing people demonize these breeds. It's also frustrating when people throw other breeds under the bus just to defend bully breeds. That's not fair or productive.
Advocating for our dogs, regardless of breed, means understanding them and not putting them in situations where they may struggle.
#bullybreeds #dogs #dogbreeds #nobsl #alldogs #dogs101
No dog trainer can guarantee results.
#dogtraining #dogs
#doglife #dogs #dogtraining
It is crucial for our dogs to become well-adjusted and confident in various environments.
To start, we first need to have a controlled space to introduce environments, sounds, and distractions.
Slowly building them up to higher distraction areas.
This helps prevent overwhelming our dogs and promotes positive associations with new experiences.
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We live in a rural area, so Trunks is used to quieter spaces. We often will take Trunks somewhere new to expose him to different stimuli. Training never stops, so remember to challenge yourself and guide your dog through the moments they find scary.
#dogs101 #doglifestyle #dogtraining #yycdogs
Alright, so getting your dog to come back during their zoomies is all about making their recall word super exciting. Start easy, call their name, throw in their recall, and when they hustle back, jackpot them with treats or heaps of praise.
Add distractions slowly, up the energy, and keep rewarding like it's a party. Make your recall cue the ultimate invite, so they ditch the zooms for some treats and good vibes with you.
Stay chill, be patient, and soon they'll be recalling like a pro, even in the midst of a zoom fest. ⚡️🤘⚡️
#dogtraining #rescuedogsofinstagram #rescuedog #bullybreed #recalltips #dogs101 #doglife #yycdogs