Busimann's Dog Training

04/11/2025

They're just "off".
Something has unsettled them and we just cant see it.
There's no dog around.
No people either, but they are struggling.
Time to look a bit deeper.

Candles, diffusers and even a change of your perfume can be deeply unsettling for a dog.
If you have two dogs and need to take one to the vet or the groomers, sometimes the welcome home is confusing.
Colder or even aggressive.
Their friend looks the same but they smell totally different (and scent is everything to a dog).

Of course dogs can be stressed by storms but before that thunder and lightning they may be acutely aware of a change in the atmosphere, long before we even notice.
It doesn't need to be an actual storm either, a change of weather is sometimes enough to unsettle dogs.

Those ultrasonic devices we have in our homes, the pest control devices can cause dogs anxiety but so can our modern TVs and devices on standby. Some can emit high frequency sounds that we can barely hear. Even a heat pump turning itself on and off and adjusting output can trigger dogs and even the compressor unit outside cause stress.

We often think of triggers they can see and miss all the other ways our dogs can be affected.

Back to the candles, oil burners and plug in air freshener units for a second.
They may be pleasant for us, but deeply disturbing for a dog.
For some dogs, they can really take a toll.

Maybe rethink if you really need them.

You may be surprised just how relaxed your dog is when you don't use them.

04/11/2025

A dog who’s had plenty of cheese might stop responding eagerly to it as a reinforcer. Switching to a different treat, toy, or activity restores motivation. Recognising satiation helps keep reinforcement varied and effective during training.

04/11/2025

04/11/2025

TRAINING TUESDAY - Teenage Dogs can be challenging!

They are bigger, awake longer, and can seem to forget their prior training. The good news is that it all fits within 'normal' development. Read some great tips on handling teenage dogs - from the author of "How to love and survive your teenage dog" no less!
https://www.ppgaustralia.com.au/Owners/Advice/Dogs/Teenage-Dogs

03/11/2025

Should we interfere?
Why not just let them “go for it”?
Nothing builds confidence like a great play session with a new or trusted friend.
Nothing ruins it faster than letting it go on for too long.

Play can turn quickly for many dogs. What starts as fun can shift and morph before we even realise.
If your dog has had limited exposure to other dogs or they are a quieter or less social dog, little and often is a good rule.

Over arousal and over stimulation are easy lines to cross. When that happens, things can change fast.
Reading the other dog’s body language becomes harder, they stop taking those small pauses to assess what’s happening, and they miss the moment the vibe has shifted.

If play only ends when someone collapses from exhaustion, growls, or gets a correction from another dog, that pattern can stick.
For some dogs, that can knock confidence and cause further issues going forward.

If your dog struggles with social interactions, little and often is the key.
Short, positive, well matched play sessions build far better social confidence.
Choose their playmates wisely.

02/11/2025

01/11/2025

❌ Dogs. Aren’t. Toys 🧸

A dog that remains completely still and seemingly ignores being roughly pulled around by a child isn’t something to cheer about. The dog is likely expressing a form of learned helplessness.

Learned helplessness is a psychological condition in which an individual, after enduring repeated exposure to uncontrollable and stressful circumstances, ceases to attempt to change or escape the situation, even when solutions are within reach.

If you are overwhelmed and unheard, to the point where you just sit in silence and stew…eventually you might lose control and lash out? 🤔💥

01/11/2025

In case you needed to hear this today… 🩷

You’re doing an incredible job. Even when the walks feel heavy, the stares feel sharp, and you wonder if things will ever change, you still show up. 🙌 That matters more than you know. Every small choice to stay patient, to take a breath, to try again tomorrow…you’re showing love in motion.🐾

Progress with a reactive dog isn’t always loud or obvious. 🌱 We know it; you know it. It’s built in quiet moments, small wins, and having the courage to continue (despite the tears or fears!). You’re growing right alongside your dog, and this growth takes two. 🐶🧡🐾 So take a deep breath, look at how far you’ve come, and know this: you and your dog are a team worth every bit of the effort. 💛