Busimann's Dog Training

11/07/2025

Your legs.
Their friends.
Even your best cushion! 🫠
Where do you even start with this?
Well...it all depends why and when this behaviour is shown.
Some dogs do this when they just don't know what else to do!
Others may be looking for attention....either from us or a dog they want to interact with.

It might look "embarrassing" but it is natural and a way for dogs to release some energy, regulate their stress or they can even do this because they are so frustrated.
Some just don't know what on earth to do in a social situation and suddenly show this behaviour.

Look a bit deeper as to why this could be happening.
That is always key ...so an appropriate solution can be found.

It is natural.
It's normal.

It just may not always be appropriate.

11/07/2025

Is it failing?
Is there frustration creeping in to your voice?
It might be time to start fresh, with a new recall word... (not their name).
A clean slate to build on.
1️⃣Recall is about your relationship.
If they feel good....they'll come back.

2️⃣Practice in calm settings first.
Then level up. Distraction by distraction.

3️⃣Use the good stuff !
Chicken, a little bit of cheese....whatever makes them light up.

4️⃣Use a long line but this needs practice too.
Work on your timing and use this around small distractions first.

5️⃣Mix it up.
Sometimes a piece of chicken, a scatter of food all around....other times pull that favourite toy out of your pocket and play.

6️⃣You elicit their response and emotions attached to their recall word.

Make that recall word magic🪄

You are creating an emotional response.

Make that emotion a positive one.

09/07/2025

They are confused.
Many may feel vulnerable and their body language can give mixed messages that we may misread.
Those first few days can help shape everything .
Whether it's a new puppy or an older dog joining your family....there's a lot of information to take in.
It can be overwhelming.

Accidents on the carpet?➡️Completely normal when you are both adjusting to signals each other gives.

Changing foods?➡️As much as you may dislike the food they came with...their system is already under a bit of stress.
Changing now can add to those accidents in your lounge, hall.....or those sneaky "presents" you'll discover behind the couch.
Wait a week or two then slowly transition.
This gives their body more time to adjust and settle.

Go slow.
Breathe.
Give some space when needed.
Take care of yourself....it's a big change for you and your family too.

Settling takes time and patience but the confidence it builds?
So worth it !

08/07/2025

That repetition isn't random.
Why on earth do they keep doing it?
It worked!
We may not be able to see the "obvious" reward they are getting.....but they know it.

Straining on a walk ➡️They will get there just a little bit more with every step.
Jumping on visitors➡️Often rewarded by attention and pats.
Reacting to a trigger➡️Trigger eventually left

A reward to your dog is what they deem to be a reward....it isn't determined by us.

No food?
No pats?
It doesn't matter.

If it "felt" rewarding....they'll likely do it again.

Our job?
We need to figure out how they were rewarded and stop that cycle.

If we understand what's fueling it.....we are half way there.

08/07/2025

08/07/2025

There's a pattern to that "sudden outburst"
You may not have seen it coming, but if we slow it all down.....it's much clearer.
Fast?
You betcha it can be!
It can be incredibly quick from the looking to the barking, lunges and spinning.
Something to keep in mind.....
The "lock" state is a reaction.
As is the "load".
Those emotions have changed already.
It's just not verbal.
If we pay attention to these states.....it helps everything.

We can start to recognise when they go from just looking to locked on.
Time to get more distance to bring them back down.

Work with them in the green.
Can you work with them in the orange state?
You can but it is very nuanced there....very.
It's a delicate balance in that locked phase.

Share this with someone who may need it but please respect these are designed with thought and care (by humans).....so please share from the original source, being this page.
Thanks everyone.

All the best with your reactive dog.

You can do it !

06/07/2025

The chaser or the chased?
Do you have a "peace maker"
A dog that rolls others?
Every dog has their own play style...it's just sometimes dogs can struggle a bit to figure it all out.
There is nothing wrong with a small group of dogs playing either...it just needs a bit more supervision.

When that adrenaline starts to rise, things can turn sometimes.
Of course they can figure it out too....

Sometimes though they need your help.

06/07/2025

Your dog does not need to love every dog.
They don't even have to like them.
Or interact at all.....or maybe they will?
There is no right way to be social...it is as wide and varied for dogs as it is for us.
Quieter dog.
More outgoing.
Very selective.
Not really into other dogs?....or best mates with just a few?
Maybe they are truly happier without another dog around.
Perhaps they really do love every dog they see.

One thing is for sure.....when we judge someone because their dog "isn't the same" as theirs, that's damaging.

Lets start to normalise the wide range of sociability in dogs.

We have that in common.

06/07/2025

06/07/2025

MANAGING MULTIPLES
Chaos or calm or sometimes a mixture of both!

The picture in this graphic is of my 4 Schnauzers waiting patiently in the back of the car to go to the park for a walk.

Pictures can be deceiving though, and this is certainly not always how it is.

Having multiple dogs can be challenging and time consuming.

Dogs don’t get to choose their housemates. We expect them to just get along with any other dog we choose to add to our home and are often frustrated and stressed when this sometimes isn’t the case.

Just like people sharing a home, dogs certainly don’t always get along – at some time, there will be conflict and sometimes this can develop into a serious problem if not addressed early on.

Different personalities, different needs, energy levels, ages, conflicts over resources, spaces, people, entrances, exits, health issues etc. are just some of the things that can lead to issues.

The importance of learning, recognizing and taking note of body language is so important, especially when caring for multiple dogs.

When we ignore the “whispers” of body language or simply don’t understand or notice, the whispers may soon become shouts or screams and we have missed an opportunity to manage and diffuse conflict.

Over time, sometimes just seeing the other dog becomes a trigger, when initially it was only the specific circumstance or situation.

Prevention is always better than trying to “fix” a problem. Being proactive instead of reactive is so important in managing multiple dogs.

For more information on this subject, I recommend this book by Ethologist and Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist, Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., CAAB -
https://www.dogwise.com/feeling-outnumbered-how-to-manage-enjoy-a-multi-dog-household-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqBJswlYAUHzxvKzo5kVgRPsVsUPqY_Zyn6Lp8N58uBEqJbaUsp