As a certified SA Pro Behavior Consultant, here are 3 things I recommend for every dog with Separation Anxiety!
1️⃣ Puzzle toys that teach your dog to move away from you are great for dogs who seem glued to your side. Toys like the Kong Wobbler allows your dog to practice getting distance away from you in a way that’s fun and safe!
2️⃣ Providing a dedicated safe space is so important for every dog! Creating a restful environment for our pets can give them the ability to self-soothe and self-regulate without you, which is key for being comfortable at home alone and increasing their independence.
3️⃣ Giving your dog more sniffing opportunities is one of the most effective ways to destress. Whether it is formal tracking and trailing, taking a sniffari stroll around the park, or scatter feeding, these activities can either directly or indirectly help them navigate stressful situations!
Want more help with your dog’s SA? We’re hosting a separation anxiety webinar in a few weeks - stay tuned for the announcement! #dogtraining #dogseparationanxiety
It may not sound like enrichment but part of meeting your dog’s needs is making sure their little paws are protected from the hot asphalt! #dogcare #dogs
Even as a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant - I have my own internal struggles with my dogs. Even though I tell clients all the time that they’re doing enough. But this is just another reminder that we’re all just humans at the end of the day and it’s okay if we have these feelings. #dogs
When people think about enriching their pets’ lives, they often focus on food puzzles. While these are great for mental stimulation, there are tons of other enrichment activities that don’t require food! #enrichment #enrichmentfordogs #dogcare #dogs
Leaving toys out for your dogs to play with or recyclables for them to shred are great ways to teach them to entertain themselves and foster independence. Especially when you work from home and need them to leave you alone while you’re busy! I keep a box in my office and also other areas of the house. Do you have a similar set up?
#Enrichment #EnrichmentForDogs #SillyDog #FunnyDog #DogMomLife #CanineEnrichment #DogEnrichment #DogToys
Giving Zorro tasty foods that nourish his body IS enrichment! Fresh, early-season dandelion greens are Zorro’s favorite! This is a win-win because he’s eating healthy, tasty food AND I have less weeding to do ;) What seasonal nourishing foods do you give your pet? #enrichment #pets
Both my dogs dig as a part of their settle routine and I love it! 😂 Let me know if you have a dog that does this too!!!
#Dogs #FunnyDog #DogMomLife
Our rehab vet has us working on laser therapy as a part of Griffey’s pain management and mobility treatment. We’re starting with an emphasis on the areas we know cause him some ouch, and will add additional points as we all gain fluency in the process.
It requires going to the facility, so we took time to build a relationship with Heather and feelings of safety and security at the clinic!
What’s something you do that meet your pet’s needs that not many people think is enrichment?
Happy Training,
Ellen
#Enrichment #DogCare #DogBodyLanguage #DogHealth #Dog101 #CanineEnrichment #EnrichmentForDogs #Dogs #DogTips
I mean that’s not how you actually use a lick mat Laika but...at least she’ll leave me alone during my multi-hour zoom marathon. I guess we can call this a win win 😂 What’s something weird your dog did recently that made you chuckle?
#Enrichment #EnrichmentForDogs #SillyDog #FunnyDog #CanineEnrichment #DogEnrichment
Dogs communicate their comfort levels through their body language, and when we pay attention to these signals, we build trust and a stronger bond with them.
If my dog walks away, looks uncomfortable, or shows signs of stress when I try to hug him, I listen and accept his “no”.
This helps him feel safe and understood, reinforcing the idea that his feelings and comfort are important to me.
Meeting his needs in this way also contributes to his overall emotional well-being and fosters a harmonious relationship!
#DogBehavior #DogBodyLanguage #Dogs
Here’s a behind-the-scenes of what working with one of our consultants looks like!
Our goal will ALWAYS be to take a collaborative approach with our clients and never impose a one-size-fits-all-solution.
We prioritize actively listening to your concerns, goals, and preferences. We believe that the training plan should fit your lifestyle, values, and your dog’s individual needs for long term success.
So when you hire someone to work with you and your pet, remember that a good trainer/behavior consultant should empower you with knowledge and skills. The ultimate goal is to help you feel confident and capable of continuing the training independently!
If your values align with ours, reach out to one of our consultants today! We offer a variety of training packages and also free discovery calls are available if you have any questions upfront. We specialize in nuisance behaviors but also scary/dangerous behaviors. #dogtrainer #behaviorconsultant #dogtraining
We’re often asked, ‘Can I let my dog bark?’
And the answer, as you might guess, is a classic ‘It depends!’
To give you the best advice on managing barking, we’d need to ask you a whole lot of follow-up questions tailored to your situation.
But here’s the thing: Barking is totally normal for dogs—it’s how they communicate and express themselves.
In the last couple of years, my dogs Griffey and Laika have started this chatter and howl routine when the dogs next door are having... words.
We’ve noticed that letting them have their ‘howl-fest’ often leads to a quicker calm down for everyone.
If we saw that the howl-fest was sending our dogs up their ladders of escalation, we’d take a different approach to meet our goals.
Are you looking for personalized strategies to manage your dog’s barking? Connect with our team of expert behavior consultants for tailored solutions! #dogtraining #dogs #dogbehavior
Enrichment can look like making it easy for your pet to entertain themselves! While I was on a call, Laika went to her toy bin and pulled out this toy to play with. Part of meeting our pet’s needs is providing them the skills to meet their own needs.
I’m always here to help if my pups need it, but teaching them to fulfill their needs independently is really important to me. What about you?
#Enrichment #DogEnrichment #EnrichmentForDogs #DogsLife #DogToys
It’s easy to forget that we don’t get to decide what is most enriching for the dog - they’re the ones who decide! And if your dog wants to stop at a spot that’s different than the normal route, then let them! The walk is for them to sniff and meet their needs
Happy Training,
Claire
#Enrichment #DogEnrichment #EnrichmentForDogs #DogsLife #DogLover #Dogs #MeetYourDogsNeeds #LetThemSniff #Sniffari
Griffey has been showing new piloerection (hair raising) patterns and I was able to capture on camera to share with our team. Video documentation is a lot more detailed and accurate, which make things easier for your pet care team to understand and provide a better diagnosis/treatment!
#DogCare #PetCare #DogTrainingTips #DogTips #Dogs #DogHealth #Enrichment
What experiences have you had watching your dog mentor the foster dog? Share with us in the comments! We recently had our consultant Lesley come on the podcast to share how we can better support adopters and fosters. If anyone is interested in becoming a puppy foster, check out episode 75 of Enrichment For The Real World Podcast for all the advice!!!
#ShelterDog #DogShelters #RescueDog #DogsOfInstagram #DogAdoption #Enrichment #CanineEnrichment #DogTraining #LifeWithDogs #DogCare #FosterDog #FosterFail
What's a small thing your pet chooses to do that brings them joy? While the light is pretty bright for my eyes, lying in the sun is one of Laika’s favorite activites, so I keep a pair of sunglasses on my desk so she can have her sun time. It may not look like enrichment but that’s one way I meet her needs!
#Enrichment #EnrichmentForDogs #CanineEnrichment #DogCare #Dog101 #DogTraining
While you don’t NEED to have 2 types of cue for food...it does make life easier for me! If you also taught your dog this, do you find it to be easier too?
#ReactiveDog #DogTraining #DogTrainingTips #DogWalking #Dogs #Walkies #DogTrainersOfInstagram #DogTrainingIsFun #DogTips
