Animal Behavior Consultants of Michigan

27/02/2025

Can You See Me Now?
Dogs can see blues and yellows but not reds and greens (in the photo, what your dog sees is on the right, what you see is on the left). About 8 percent of men and 0.5 percent of women, are similarly red-green color-blind.
Most dogs have 20/75 vision, meaning that they must be 20 feet away from an object to see it as well as a human with clear vision who is standing 75 feet away (they are pretty nearsighted). However, dogs, unlike humans, can see well in both daytime and nighttime conditions.

26/02/2025

Resource guarding behavior can be complex and sometimes dangerous.
However, this study demonstrated that resource guarding of food bowls by dogs in a shelter does not always mean that they will do the same in an adoptive home. This important study also demonstrates the need for follow up support after adoption for dogs that have resource guarded to ensure a successful transition - however, many thrived in their new homes.

25/02/2025

Honoring our Wonderful mixed breed canines -
Chips was a Husky/ Shepherd and a WWII hero and honored with a PDSA Dickin Medal for his bravery and devotion to duty during WWII. The medal is the highest award any animal can receive whilst serving in military conflict. Husky/Shepherd crosses are still one of the most common family dog mixes - and they definitely continue to be intelligent and devoted family members!

21/02/2025

Wishing everyone a happy Friday!
Let us know what YOU plan to do with your best friend this weekend!

19/02/2025

We all look forward to Calm Walks.
The KEY is to be able to understand emotional threshold.
Emotional threshold is when your dog crosses from one emotional state to another. If a dog who is always concerned about strangers seems to move from ‘okay’ into 'out-of-control' after 3 bikes and 2 strangers pass - THAT is going over threshold.
If you notice your dog’s arousal increasing, act; don’t stand and wait to go over threshold.
✓ Create distance between your dog and the trigger(s).
✓ Focus on exercises to bring your dog into a thinking state - such as look at me and take a treat or go sniff for that treat in the grass.
✓ Get your dog out of the situation immediately. This is not a time for training, learning, or fixing problems.
Do you have a reactive dog? We can help! Find us at www.animalbehaviormi.com

(image credit foreverhoundstrust)

Our goal is to prevent, treat and effectively manage behavior problems in companion animals to enhance and strengthen the human-animal bond. If you have any questions about your pet’s behavior please contact us.

17/02/2025

Good veterinary care includes caring about behavior! Taking the time to understand how a dog or cat is feeling (scared, painful, anxious) is incredibly important when they are being medically cared for. Ask your veterinarian and vet nurse how they incorporate behavior in their interactions with your pet!

07/02/2025

05/02/2025

The data is clear!
Early life experience including calm, attentive mothering, positive, quality exposure to people and other dogs provides a solid basis for social adult dog behaviors. Always check out for yourself what a puppy's early life has included - don't rely on websites and 3rd party transporters.

31/01/2025

30/01/2025

Did you know that the Labrador retriever originated not in Labrador but in Newfoundland, Canada?
They were used by fishermen to help pull in nets and catch fish that escaped from fishing lines. In the 1800s, the breed was brought to England, where the name was changed to the Labrador Retriever. Labs are known for their retrieving skills as well as being dedicated service dogs. One famous Lab was Dorado (in photo) who insisted on staying with his visually impaired person and successfully guiding him on September 11, 2001, from the 71st floor of the burning World Trade Center after the plane hit the building above him.

23/01/2025

Baby it's COLD out there!
Record cold temperatures have made it hard to enjoy outdoor adventures. Be safe and limit time outside especially for short coated dogs. Also, salts and other ice melts hurt paws, try to avoid salted or chemically treated walkways and always clean and warm paws when you get back inside.

Our goal is to prevent, treat and effectively manage behavior problems in companion animals to enhance and strengthen the human-animal bond. If you have any questions about your pet’s behavior please contact us.

17/01/2025

Social exposure for puppies. Is more better? Not necessarily!
More exposure is not necessarily better. Negative experiences (think scary encounters) may actually predispose puppies to be fearful /aggressive later in life. Just exposing puppies to more numbers of dogs does not ensure a secure, confident adult dog. Make sure puppies have higher quality (excellent) experiences with other dogs - be selective! This is often best achieved in the context of a well managed puppy kindergarten class.

Our goal is to prevent, treat and effectively manage behavior problems in companion animals to enhance and strengthen the human-animal bond. If you have any questions about your pet’s behavior please contact us.

15/01/2025

We are truly blessed to have the chance to work with so many wonder pets and their people! Thank you!

14/01/2025

Did you know?
Today is National Sticker Day!
The first stickers began as tax and postage stamps (!!) in the 1800s, but they have come a long way. Share your favorite sticker that celebrates dogs or cats with us!

10/01/2025

As we think about New Year's resolutions ... remember how we interact every day with our dogs ... is 90% of the training we do (and behaviors we get).

09/01/2025

Imagine feeling pure panic - heart pounding, can't catch your breath kind - that is what separation anxiety is for dogs.
Treatment includes both managing anxiety with anti-anxiety medications along with training departure coping skills. Do you need help? We are here at: www.animalbehaviormi.com

This is also a great opportunity to check out this offer on building departure coping skills from our good friends at A Pleasant Dog. A self-guided video series on training coping skills includes 11 videos, 12 handouts, and a coupon code for 15% off a Treat and Train. It's being offered at $250 for lifetime access. Check out this great offer at:
https://www.apleasantdog.com/onlinecourses

08/01/2025

Separation Anxiety in dogs is the canine equivalent of a panic attack!

Treatment for dogs with severe separation anxiety requires a combination of treating anxiety with anti-anxiety medication AND helping the dog acquire better coping skills when their person(s) leaves. We are proud to collaborate with Jenn Gavin, CPDT-KA at A Pleasant Dog and their effective behavior modification program for dogs with separation anxiety! Check out these great newly available resources.

We are SO EXCITED to announce that A Pleasant dog will now be offering online courses to our wonderful clients! Our team has been working tirelessly to have this ready for you as soon as possible. We felt that the perfect first class would be a course specifically for working through separation anxiety, since we are so passionate about giving your and your dog the independence you both deserve.

This online course features
✓ 11 Videos
✓ 12 Handouts
✓ Unlimited lifetime access
✓ Coupon code for Treat & Train®
✓ Access to a Facebook group where you can ask questions and talk with professionals as well as connect with other pet parents who are working through the same things

We can't wait to train with you! Visit our website to sign up today! And leave a comment here to let us know what other types of classes you would like to see next.

https://www.apleasantdog.com/onlinecourses

18/12/2024

Do you know your dog breeds?
It was in Europe during the 1850s, that first attempts were made to standardize dogs breeds. Developed from old shepherd and farm dogs, the German shepherd dogs were first introduced in Germany in 1899, when Capt. Max von Stephanitz founded the breed. During World Wars I and II, the word "German" was dropped and the breed was referred to as the shepherd dog or Alsatian (a name that is still often used in Europe). As shepherding became less common, these beautiful dogs became use more for military and guard work.
One of the most famous shepherds was Rin Tin Tin who was 'adopted' by Lee Duncan, a soldier from Southern California stationed in Europe who found the puppy as German soldiers evacuated. Lee took him home, and as they say the rest is history!