Helping you and your pet live a happier, healthier life with in-home and online behavior training. https://petharmonytraining.com/services/clients/
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Our world-renowned team tackles issues from jumping, counter surfing, and chewing to serious concerns like aggression, anxiety, fear, and compulsions. Helping you and your pet live a happier, healthier, and more harmonious life through in-home and online pet behavior training services. Our world-renowned team specializes in behavior issues, ranging from the annoying like jumping on guests, counter
surfing, and inappropriate chewing to the scary and serious, like aggression, anxiety, fear, and compulsions.
Did you know? We can help our pets progress towards our training goals more quickly by honing our observation skills and making changes to support them along the way!
If you want a real life example, Corinne shares in this week's blog exactly what led up to her realization that some behaviors happen automatically for a reason. Read it here: https://petharmonytraining.com/musings-of-a-toddler-mom-dog-behavior-consultant/
It’s incredibly painful to watch your dog experience distress. Their sadness and anxiety can feel overwhelming, and it’s hard to see them suffer despite your best efforts.
The frustration of not having a perfect solution can also be emotionally draining too.
On top of that, the cycle of improvements followed by setbacks is exhausting!
Join our upcoming webinar "Helping Dogs Be Comfortable Home Alone" on September 8 at 11am CDT.
We’ll dive into practical strategies to help break this cycle and provide the support you need! Don’t let the emotional strain continue—take a step towards finding relief and creating a calmer environment for your dog.
Only $17 for 90 minutes of helpful information! Sign up here: https://petharmonytraining.com/separation-anxiety-webinar/
So happy to announce that season 8 of the podcast is coming to you next week on September 2nd!!!! Here are some of the episodes we have lined up - HOPE YOU'RE EXCITED!
If you have a dog who doesn’t enjoy touching or petting, especially from people outside of the family, it’s perfectly okay to advocate for your dog and ask others not to touch them! Just because someone wants to pet your dog doesn’t mean they need to. With dogs, things can quickly escalate from tolerance to annoyance, leading them to say 'I said no!' with their teeth—and that’s definitely an outcome we want to avoid!
We work with clients to practice conversations and develop strategies to help them advocate for their pet! Just because we want to advocate for our pets - doesn't mean it's easy. So if that's something you need help with - don't hesitate reach out to us!
If you're hitting a wall and feel frustrated with your dog's anxiety, our new blog post is worth the read. It just might give you the perspective you need to re-focus and try again!
Read it here: https://petharmonytraining.com/gardening-wasps-and-anxiety/
Sometimes, our routines get disrupted, and life can become chaotic, making it tough to come up with ways to keep our pets happy and meet their needs. In those moments, it can be hard to think clearly about what activities to do. By creating an enrichment menu, you'll have a ready-made list of activities at your fingertips. This way, you won't need to waste any mental energy trying to come up with ideas on the spot!
You can do this on paper or in your Notes app, wherever you can easily access it! Have you made an enrichment menu before? If not, let us know if this is something you'll try!
Separation anxiety in dogs is more than just a fear of being alone; it’s an intense emotional response that can lead to destructive behaviors, excessive barking, and even physical symptoms.
Separation anxiety training is not just about getting your dog to endure being alone, but to reach a state of comfort, relaxation, and contentment.
This requires building key skills - relaxation, independent eating, playing with toys, and self-soothing. When you focus on this - you can set your dog up for success and a happier life.
If you want tips for separation anxiety, download our free guide here: https://petharmonytraining.com/satips
If you and your pet struggle to get your beauty rest at night but can't figure out why your dog isn't able to stay asleep, our latest blog post breaks down the top reasons why this might be happening. Read through this week's blog post and you'll get closer to catching some ZZZ's!
Read here: https://petharmonytraining.com/top-5-reasons-your-dog-wont-sleep-through-the-night/
No matter what mistakes happened in the past, you need to forgive yourself for not having enough information or accurate information at that moment. Only when you can open the doors to forgiveness can it start to become a beautiful journey of growth for you and your dog.
Did you need to hear this today?
If your budget is a bit snug or you just prefer making toys yourself, we’ve got you covered with these 10 DIY enrichment ideas.
Low energy activities = more calming for the dog
High energy activities = more stimulating for the dog
Next time you are exploring options for feeding your pup, try some of these options out and see what your pup likes best! There is a learning curve for new activities and puzzles, so give your pup time to work it out! This will only help develop their problem solving skills.
Everyone knows the saying "a tired dog is a happy dog," which highlights the need for exercise. But sometimes, this leads people to over-exercise their dogs, and they find their pets are still full of energy and can't relax.
The real problem is that dogs aren't being taught how to relax, which is an important skill.
If we keep pushing our dogs to exercise more and more, we might end up with super energetic dogs that we can't keep up with.
So here's your reminder to balance exercise with teaching relaxation skills also!
Changes in routine are hard on everyone, which is why we want to challenge you to create an enrichment menu for your pet. This way, all the activities your pet loves will be at your fingertips whenever you need them!
Get the step-by-step instructions on creating an enrichment menu here: https://petharmonytraining.com/august-2024-enrichment-challenge-create-your-pets-enrichment-menu/
This advice makes me cringe because taking stuff away from your pet can often exacerbate resource guarding.
Think about it from your point of view: If every time you were eating a piece of cake, someone came up to you and took it from you, you wouldn’t be too happy. Even if they took it and gave it back, I would be pretty annoyed!
Think about it from a behavioral science point of view: when animals are peacefully munching on something and we take it away, it can create negative associations. If they start growling or even lunging at us and we then leave them alone, it reinforces their aggressive behavior. (Note: I am NOT advocating taking things away from animals who are growling, lunging, or biting. In those moments, leaving them alone is the best option. Safety first, always.)
We advise you to leave your pets alone when they’re enjoying food and chewies.
Only take things from your animal if it’s a safety issue—and in those cases, trade them by giving them something even more valuable* and discontinue randomly taking things from your pet.
*Disclaimer: if your dog has a history of biting anyone who gets close to their valued object, even trading can be risky if not done correctly. If your dog has a bite history or is at risk for biting, please work with a qualified behavior professional (like us!) to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort rather than taking any advice from the internet—even ours!
In this week's blog post, Consultant Lesley goes over some ways to think about setbacks, trials, and tribulations. If you're ready to relieve yourself of unnecessary guilt or shame that oftentimes comes with being a pet parent, this one's for you.
Read it here: https://petharmonytraining.com/move-the-dog-forward/
What if I told you there are skills that you and your dog can learn together so you can tackle leash reactivity as a team?
And even better, we can teach you how to turn leash reactivity from stressful into something fun too!
Join our webinar happening in 2 days on August 4 at 10am CDT to learn our top tips and tricks.
It's something we work on with all of our leash reactive clients and we're so excited to share with you!
Sign up for only $17 today through the link in bio!
*Recordings available for 60 days if you can't make it live.
Save your spot here: https://petharmonytraining.com/betterwalks
Having trouble with loose leash walking? Because it's not simple!
Training a dog for loose leash walking requires a combination of skills and behaviors. They are also typically developed through consistent training sessions and gradually increasing challenges and distractions as the dog progresses.
So if you've been feeling frustrated with your dog's loose leash training, just know that it takes A LOT of practice!
Work with our expert team for tailored guidance and support! We offer both virtual training sessions and in-person training in Chicago. Book your next session here: https://petharmonytraining.com/services/clients/
We understand how challenging and disheartening it can be to manage a dog with leash reactivity. It's important to remember that this behavior is not your fault.
There are sooooo many different factors beyond your control that can influence your dog’s reactions!
Please know that hope is not lost. You CAN work towards creating a more peaceful and enjoyable experience with your dog on walks.
We're sharing our top strategies in our upcoming Leash Reactivity Webinar! Sign up for only $17 to learn from a professional behavior consultant.
The webinar is happening on Sunday, August 4 at 10am CDT. If you can't join live, you'll have access to the recording for 60 days. Hope to see you there!
Sign up here: https://petharmonytraining.com/betterwalks
There are going to be times when we need to help our pets calm down, regulate, and be ready for more restful and relaxing activities.
Or there may be times when your pet needs to slow it down for their physical health.
Or we need them anchored in a spot quietly instead of rolling their Kong Wobbler into the wall and knocking over furniture while we’re on a call.
The first step to figuring out which enrichment activities are calming for your pet is to observe for the activities that your dog does either while already resting, or while shifting from active time to restful time!
Use this infographic as a starter but remember to trial and evaluate different activities for the best results!
🔔 Last Chance To Join Our Safe Spaces For Anxious Learners Class! This is a 4-week class where we will teach you how to build a safe space for your pet and give them the skills to calm themselves and self-regulate when they're feeling stressed. Class starts July 31 at 2pm PDT.
Register before July 30 to join: https://karenpryoracademy.com/live-classes/safe-spaces-for-anxious-or-fearful-learners-live-with-ellen-yoakum/
Behind every reactive dog is a guardian doing their best to help them.
Instead of judging, let's offer understanding and encouragement.
Reactivity is often a sign that a dog needs more support and care, not less.
These dogs deserve our patience and kindness, and so do their humans.
Empathy goes a long way in making a difference. If you see a dog struggling on a walk, think about how you can help rather than criticize!
If you're struggling with leash reactivity, we're here to offer relief! Join our upcoming webinar on August 4 at 10am CDT!
Topics we will discuss:
✅ Leash reactivity do's + dont's
✅ Ways to properly manage reactions
✅ Ways to improve walks
✅ Plus Q&A time!
Join us for only $17 and get 1.5 hours of valuable content: https://petharmonytraining.com/betterwalks
Bringing a new dog or cat into the family can be an exciting and rewarding experience. This experience can be a tad more complicated when there is already an existing dog or cat in the household. When this is the case, our goal with introductions is to be thoughtful in our approach in order to set everyone up for success.
Check out our new blog post for some do’s and don’ts when introducing a new dog or cat to your household: https://petharmonytraining.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-introducing-your-dog-and-cat-7-expert-tips-for-a-harmonious-coexistence/
Shout out to all of you who are out there every day, tackling leash reactivity with your dogs.
It's not an easy journey to navigate and here you are handling it with patience and love. Here you are doing your best helping your dog feel more comfortable and secure.
Don't forget that your efforts really make a difference. Every step forward, no matter how small, counts big time in your dog's book.
Remember, you're not alone in this journey! It's a common struggle that a lot of people deal with!
That's why we are hosting a Leash Reactivity Webinar on Sunday August 4th at 10AM CDT! It's $17 to join and we share top tips that can provide you with immediate relief! Save your spot here: https://petharmonytraining.com/betterwalks
Here's to more stress-free walks and happy dogs!
Omg! We're officially wrapping up Season 7 😱 Thank y'all for another great season! In this Q&A Episode, we're diving in and answering excellent questions submitted by our listeners!
In this episode, you'll hear Allie, Emily, and Ellen talk about:
🐾 Our go to Enrichment Ideas for bad weather days
🐾 Cheap, apartment-friendly foraging activities
🐾 All things chewing
Tune in to episode 86 on Enrichment For The Real World Podcast today!
https://petharmonytraining.com/episode86
Needing support is normal as a pet parent! And if you're curious about how you can support the pet parents in your life, Ellen's got you covered. In this weeks blog, she shares easy ways you can help alleviate the stress of the pet parents around you—easy enough to start implementing today!
Read it here: https://petharmonytraining.com/it-takes-a-village-small-ways-to-help-your-fellow-pet-parent/
Observation is such an important part of enrichment! If you don't observe the effects, then you won't truly know if the activity was enriching for your pet or not. Here's something you can reference to hone your skills in making useful observations!
Make sure to save this post for the next time you give your pet an enrichment activity!
Check out this blog our consultant Ellen wrote!
Just like humans, dogs can experience overwhelming emotions and need a safe, comforting space where they can relax and feel secure.
This dedicated area allows them to be fully themselves, giving them the opportunity to cope with their anxiety and reduce stress overall.
Our dogs give us unconditional love, and they deserve a calm and secure environment in return!
If you want to create and maintain a safe space for your dog, our class "Safe Spaces for Anxious or Fearful Learners" is perfect for you! Whether they're fearful or have elevated levels of reactivity, you will learn how to use safe space training to help dogs gain the skills to navigate the world, even when their worlds are big and scary.
This is a four week class starting July 31 and we meet every Wednesday at 2pm PDT! More details here: https://karenpryoracademy.com/live-classes/safe-spaces-for-anxious-or-fearful-learners-live-with-ellen-yoakum/
Here's a reminder that meeting human needs is a fundamental part of making the world a better place for pets! And providing a safe space for ALL humans is the first and most critical step in meeting these needs.
On this week's new podcast episode, we’re going to dive further into Building Safe Spaces for Humans and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.
In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:
🐾 How humans are animals too
🐾 Safety vs. comfort
🐾 Implicit biases are a thing
Tune in to episode 85 of the Enrichment For The Real World Podcast today!
https://petharmonytraining.com/episode85
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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
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