Category: Uncategorized
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Why I train and teach dogs the way I do
Recently, there has been much debate on social media on different methods of dog training and behavior modification. There have been several trainers and behavior consultants going back and forth with each other on the best tools, techniques, and methods to train dogs. Also being debated is the impacts of those things on the dogs. …
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Curious about online dog training and coaching?
Early in the year, I feel like I get more inquiries than usual for dog training. And sometimes people are surprised that I work online. When I tell them that, the next thing I hear is either “But I was really hoping for someone to be in person,” or “Really? How does that work?” You…
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Why find-it is awesome for your dog
While scrolling through Instagram, I came across the story of Violet. Violet is a small mixed breed that is being fostered by a person I follow. I follow a lot of accounts that post about dogs up for adoption, but Violet’s story stuck out to me because she had been returned back to foster care…
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Finding a dog sitter for your reactive dog
Finding a good, reliable dog sitter can make a big difference when traveling and you have to leave your dog at home. Finding the right person to care for your dog can allow you to have peace of mind on your trip. However, finding a sitter can be challenging, and even more so when you…
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When your dog’s triggers cause you anxiety
On a recent coaching call, I was working with a guardian on the next steps for her dog’s behavior modification plan. We were working together to help the dog feel more comfortable around other people. Both the dog and her guardian had been doing amazingly well up to this point so I was excited to…
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Better mindset, better results with your reactive dog?
Today, I want to talk about a very important tool in your dog’s reactivity recovery: your mindset. Now before you roll your eyes and check out, keep reading. I’m not talking about “always being positive” and avoiding negative thoughts at all cost. Toxic positivity really gets under my skin. I’m not asking you to eschew…
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Counterconditioning in Dogs
Spend any amount of time on social media or YouTube and you will likely hear dog trainers, behavior consultants, and even vets voicing the importance of counterconditioning to help dogs overcome their negative feelings toward various stimuli. (Note: In this post, I use the word stimulus and trigger interchangeably). At first glance, it sounds easy…
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It’s not about obedience.
From kindergarten to eighth grade, I attend a very small private school. The bar was high and the teachers and nuns ran a tight ship. I am a lifelong people-pleaser (now in recovery). As a young girl, I figured out what things or actions made the adults happy. And then I strived to do those…
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Lessons Learned from Reactive Dogs
When I first started my dog training career, I had never heard of the concept of reactivity in dogs. I had never experienced a dog completely losing it at the end of their leash when another dog is near. I had never dealt with a dog that was fearful of noises. And I certainly…
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Do you have agency in your dog behavior modification plan?
I recently conducted a survey asking guardians about their experience with their reactive dogs. I asked things like where they were now vs. where they wanted to be, what their goals were, and how their dogs’ behavior impacted their lives. Many of the answers were common things I hear from guardians of reactive dogs. However,…
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