Vicki Burton - Professional Dog Behavioural Trainer

14/08/2025

14/08/2025

Deciding when the time is right is one of the hardest decisions we have to make.

Allowing our dog’s peace from physical or emotional pain is one of the final gifts we can provide them. But it never stops us wondering if we could have done more.

As their caregivers, only we can ever know if the time is right, sometimes only we are the ones who see their pain. Or their joy. We have to take some comfort in knowing that deep down, we did the right thing at the right time. We knew what was best for our dogs.

14/08/2025

They don’t need the whole house on day one.
In fact, too much "freedom" in your home can create challenges in those first few days.
➡️ Unfamiliar places can add more stress to an already anxious pup or dog.

They need time to adjust to their new environment.
Everything is different.....scents, sights, people, surfaces, and sounds.
Let them settle into one room before opening up the rest of the house.
Nervous or overstimulated dogs may toilet inside or even become destructive.

Chewing is natural... but you might not like what they find if they’re off exploring unsupervised rooms.

You’re adjusting to them as much as they are to you.
Limiting access to a couple of rooms really can help and it helps with that crucial early bonding.

➡️ Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
The adoption centre, breeder, or previous family often knows what your dog needs or prefers.
They want you to succeed and can help you through the early stages.

In the nicest way possible....use that support.
Reach out.
They’re there to help, not judge.

➡️ Don’t smother.
Children especially may want to show physical affection right away.
It’s tough to tell them no....but your new dog has been through a lot.
They don’t know or fully trust anyone yet.

Being hugged, kissed, or cuddled before trust has been built.....that’s too much.

They’ll let you know when they’re ready for more.

14/08/2025

Fleurieu Food Festival
I'm so excited to be guest speaker at Unicorn Equine Services and Horse and Dog Playground this Sunday 17th August.

Come and have a chat to me about anything dog behaviour related.

8 Sawpit Gully rd, Lower Inman Valley.

I cant wait to meet your canine buddy too 🍪🍪🐕🐩🐕‍🦺🐺🐶🐕

Big lineup of guests to meet at this Sundays (17th) free Open Gate Event at Unicorn Equine Services and Horse & Dog Playground as part of the Fleurieu Food Festival! We have Conservation & Detection Dogs SA who will be telling us about the amazing work they do - and a workshop they will be holding here in September (get your EOIs in - I think this will fill fast!) Vicki Burton - Professional Dog Behavioural Trainer who does fantastic work sorting out your Dog issues (or before they become issues!) Pets for Planet - River Carp Dog Treats telling us how food can also help conservation! Floof 'n Paws will be showing us their awesome Pet Treats, there will be free samples from Veggie Paws and Black Hawk Pet Care and a doggy and a horsey door prizes from Stockfeeds R Us ! You can also check out our new Party Paddock function option - and of course have a play (with dogs on lead!) in the area. As usual our normal private sessions are also available out of the 10 - 12 time period, so your pet can Run, Play, Explore, off lead in a safe environment! Hope to see you there - and please - we'd love to see some of our regulars too!😀

12/08/2025

12/08/2025

12/08/2025

11/08/2025

Ever wondered “why does my dog jump on guests” or “why doesn’t my dog come when called”?

If you boil scientific dog training down to it’s simplest elements, there are four scenarios that determine which behaviours your dog will keep doing, and which behaviours they’ll stop. These are known as the four quadrants of operant conditioning, and this is where you can find most of the answers as to WHY your dog does the things they do!

It works like this:
1. Something happens
2. Your dog does a behaviour
3. There’s a consequence

The behaviour will increase or decrease depending on whether the consequence is something your dog wants / likes or something they don’t want / dislike.

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Here’s our first question “why does my dog jump on guests” broken down:
1. The guest arrives
2. The dog jumps on the guest
3. The dog receives attention and maybe pats from the guest

This scenario is an example of POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT – the dog got something they wanted (attention) as a result of jumping, so they are more likely to jump in a similar situation in the future.

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Here’s a scenario that could be the answer to our second question, “why doesn’t my dog come when called”:
1. The dog is having fun running down the street when the owner calls them back
2. The dog returns to the owner
3. The dog is shut back inside the house

This is NEGATIVE PUNISHMENT – something the dog wanted / was enjoying (freedom) stopped as a result of coming when called, so the dog is less likely to come when called in a similar situation in the future.

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A common example of NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT is when fearful dogs learn to react and bark at other dogs:
1. Scary dog approaches the dog
2. The dog growls, barks and lunges
3. The scary dog leaves

Because the barking behaviour caused the thing that the dog didn’t want (the approach of the other dog) to stop, the dog is more likely to growl, bark and lunge in a similar situation in the future.

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Lastly, an example of POSITIVE PUNISHMENT is if a dog were to avoid getting in a car due to a bad experience:
1. Owner opens car door and asks dog to jump up
2. Dog jumps into car and steps on a hot seat belt buckle that’s been in the sun
3. Dog’s paw is burnt by the buckle

As something the dog didn’t like happened as a result of entering the car, the dog is less likely to get in the car in the future.

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A scientific trainer will train dogs by manipulating the consequences of the dog’s behaviour so that desirable behaviours are more likely to happen, or undesirable behaviours are less likely to happen. The most efficient and ethical way to train is by primarily making use of the positive reinforcement quadrant, which is why many modern trainers refer to themselves as “positive reinforcement trainers.”

Does your dog do a behaviour and you’re not sure why? Tell us about it in the comments, so that our team and your fellow Dog Geeks can help deduce the reason for the behaviour!

Happy training Dog Geeks

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DISCLAIMER: This is a pretty technical concept that we’ve attempted to break down so that it’s understandable to someone without experience in behavioural science. We’ve made some generalisations and left out some particulars on purpose to keep things as simple as possible. If you’d like to learn more about operant conditioning and behavioural science, two of our favourite books on the topic are “Don’t Shoot The Dog” by Karen Pryor and “How Dogs Learn” by Mary R. Burch and Jon S. Bailey.

Links to related reading in our library:
What is a reinforcer:
https://www.beacondogtraining.com.au/short-article-what-is-a-reinforcer
Canine learning theory and why dog's jump:
https://www.beacondogtraining.com.au/short-article-canine-learning-theory-and-why-dogs-jump
Replacing a bad behaviour with a good one:
https://www.beacondogtraining.com.au/short-article-replacing-a-bad-behaviour-with-a-good-one

11/08/2025

Amara' - French Bull Dog x Staffy
'Lola' - French Bull Dog x pug x

Reactivity towards unfamiliar dogs
Lunging and squealing on lead.
Territorial barking at dogs passing the home.

Fun in home consult with these two happy girls.
Both with an unknown early history (3rd home for Lola)

Family had attended dog training classes with both girls, achieving bronze level🥉so this gave us a great foundation to build on 🐾👌

Today we introduced a clicker or verbal YES to mark desired behaviours, followed with an awesome treat.

The lounge room front lower window will be blocked out to prevent territorial barking, when dogs pass the home.

We headed off to the fenced dog park and found a great empty carpark spot were Lola's family can park and practice some lovely calm work, whilst other dogs run free in the fenced park.

Amara and Lola enjoyed their one on one training session and their family are all ready for this next chapter.
💛🐾🐾💛

10/08/2025

Did your dog just do nothing?......absolutely nothing?
Brilliant!
Reward them.
We don't reward nothing enough.
They have made good choices with no barking, jumping or simply checked in with you for more guidance.

Training doesn't have to be spins, tricks and always telling them what we want.
Real "training" can happen in silence.....and often its trickier to spot.

Keep your eyes and ears ready to spot those good choices.
When you reward them.....watch what happens.

More "nothing".
Excellent!

10/08/2025

Alas! There is a magic pill. Thanks for this perfect magic pill!