Randi-Dog trainer/ Behaviour Consultant/ Personalized Dog Walker

09/02/2025

I NEED TO FEEL SAFE!

Like all living creatures, ourselves included, dogs need to feel safe – it’s a basic need for survival.

It’s hard wired into our brains to keep asking and checking – “Am I safe?” or “Is this safe?”

When we think about feeling safe it’s natural to just think about not being harmed or being in danger, but it’s not just about physical safety - feeling emotionally or psychologically safe is just as important.

While physical safety may be obvious and simpler to address, emotional safety is far more complex and not always easy to recognise or identify.

The same applies to our dogs – they are sentient beings whose behaviour is triggered and driven by emotions.

So many behaviour problems that we see in dogs stem from the brain saying– “I don’t feel safe!”

A dog that lunges and barks or behaves aggressively with another dog or person is very likely doing so because they feel unsafe. They are trying to make the scary thing go away.

A dog that is guarding resources is doing so because they are afraid that the resource will be taken away – they don’t feel safe when another animal or person approaches that resource.

A dog that is reacting to fireworks or thunderstorms or other noises is doing so because they don’t feel safe.

The same can be said for separation distress – the feeling of intense panic when left alone – “I am not safe!”

Some dogs may never get over a specific fear, but doing all we can to help dogs feel safe in our world is one of the most important gifts we can give them.

Our first responsibility should not be about training, obedience or trying to change behaviour, but to focus first and foremost on building trust, self-confidence, resilience, creating a safe and secure base and being the person that our dogs can rely on and trust.

In the words of Dr. Gabor Maté - "Feeling safe is the treatment and creating safety is the work".

In my words (as it pertains to dogs) – It is our responsibility to put in the work to enable our dogs to feel safe and when they feel safe, this will be part of the treatment or the solution to the problem.

09/01/2025

If people are telling you they are an animal behaviourist then they better have the proof to back it up. Please read below for actual credentials.

Your welcome.

What are Applied Animal Behaviorists?
An applied animal behaviorist is a person with advanced college education (MS, MA, or PhD degree) and expertise in dog, cat, and other domestic animal behavior. Some Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAABs) are veterinarians who complete a residency in animal behavior after graduating from veterinary school. These individuals have a title that includes DVM. CAABs study animal behavior, biology, zoology, psychology, and learning theory, so they have lots of scientific, research, and medical knowledge. These highly educated individuals are an exclusive group that has a firm grasp on the normal behavior of animals, which helps them recognize the abnormal.

CAABs are kind of like pet psychologists. They teach the pet owner why the behavior is happening and make specific recommendations on how to change it. They are experts in behavior modification and know what techniques to employ to change undesirable behaviors. CAABs are also teachers; they can effectively counsel pet owners and educate pet owners on how to understand their pet’s behavior prior to changing it.

Moreover, they can possibly identify potential medical causes of abnormal behavior and know the medications that will enhance behavior modification. Depending on laws where you live, CAABs may be able to recommend or prescribe drugs that address emotional issues such as separation anxiety, phobias, and compulsive behaviors. However, CAABs do not treat physical problems like veterinarians do, so they work closely with veterinarians who refer cases to them.

08/30/2025

What are we gonna do❤️

08/30/2025

08/28/2025

This week's blog is about puppy socialization and why the presence of an adult dig is vital to their development. Here's an excerpt. You can read the rest on our site.

"Puppy-only play sessions often escalate into overstimulation, reinforcing reactive rather than adaptive behaviours. The presence of adult dogs shifts reinforcement contingencies: puppies who self-inhibit and approach politely are rewarded with interaction, while pushy or inappropriate behaviours are consistently ignored or corrected (Howell, King, & Bennett, 2015). This naturalistic system fosters adaptive decision-making and emotional regulation."

08/28/2025

This week's blog will undoubtedly ruffle some feathers. Part one of two, Influencer vs. Science-based Dog Trainers: How to Spot Dog Training Misinformation Online is intended to help people sort through the long list of videos channels and make ethical decisions about dog training. Download our checklist for free.

08/28/2025

Position Statement.

At the Dogue Shop, we pride ourselves on setting the gold standard for animal training and behaviour modification. Unlike some in the animal training community who engage in online debates or seek social media validation, Dogue Shop, and its subsidiaries, remains steadfast in its commitment to using evidence-based, science-backed methodologies.

Dogue Shop does not adhere to the limited discourse set forth by influencers who seek to lump all professional trainers into a singular, often polarised category. Instead, we believe that to truly change human behaviour, professional trainers must lead by example—demonstrating, through their actions and results, what is effective, ethical, and aligned with the latest scientific understanding.

The Dogue Shop works directly with animals, clients, and communities to demonstrate that positive, humane training approaches based on sound behavioural science can transform lives. The foundation of our work is rooted in contemporary learning theories such as social cognitive, constructivism, situativism, and a deep understanding of animal cognition, behaviour, and emotional needs.

This is the path we follow—not to engage in divisive arguments, but to lead through action, expertise, and integrity. Through ongoing fieldwork, practical application, and an unwavering focus on scientifically validated methods, the Dogue Shop continues to lead the way in redefining how we train animals and advocate for their well-being.

Leading by example—not by rhetoric—is the cornerstone of how we foster lasting, meaningful change since 1999.

08/28/2025

In this week's article, Influencers vs. Science-based Dog Trainers Part 2: How to Think Critically About Online Dog Training Advice, we discuss credentials and questions to ask yourself.

Read the full article on DA's web.site and download our free check list on how to identify dog trainers, if you didn't last week. Scroll to the end and click on the link.

08/28/2025

There is a difference between training domestic and exotic animals. This week's blog explores what happens when trainers treat dogs and other animals equaliy. Spoiler, it creates frustration and aggression.

Here's an excerpt: A growing body of research shows that slowing training down, giving animals time to process information, and offering them greater choice and control can reduce aggression in exotic species. Rather than relying on rapid-fire, high-rate reinforcement, trainers who structure sessions with pauses and clear contingencies support both learning and welfare.

08/26/2025

We teach our puppies to learn and think while providing them an environment that is realistic.