Spicy Paws Dog Training

06/04/2026

Hot take: Stockholm Syndrome

This is one of those thoughts that persists when I think about dog training and one of the reasons I choose to train the way I do.

For those who have never heard the term, "Stockholm syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where captives or victims of abuse develop positive feelings, empathy, or loyalty toward their captors or abusers. It is often described as a subconscious survival mechanism where a victim aligns with the perpetrator to reduce the perceived threat to their safety."

One aspect that stands out to me in particular is this:

"Gratitude for basic survival:
Viewing the withholding of abuse by the captor as an act of kindness"

Now, before anyone jumps into the comments, I'm aware that Stockholm syndrome itself is debated among psychologists. I'm also not arguing that dogs experience human psychology exactly the way we do.

But the underlying concept is worth thinking about.

Dogs don't choose where they live. They don't choose who controls their access to food, shelter, freedom, social interaction, and safety. We make those decisions for them.

So when we use pain, intimidation, fear, or threats to achieve obedience, what exactly are we building?

A relationship based on avoiding consequences?

Are we mistaking compliance for cooperation?

Are we confusing relief from something uncomfortable with trust?

That's not the life I want with my dogs or the dogs I work with.

I want dogs to choose to engage with me because doing so is rewarding. Because they feel safe. Because our relationship has value beyond the fact that I control the things they need to survive.

I don't want cooperation that exists because the alternative is unpleasant.

I want cooperation because the relationship itself matters.

Maybe Stockholm syndrome isn't the perfect term. Maybe the better reference in today's time is "trauma bond" or in dog speak "learned helplessness" regardless.....

I think the question is still worth asking.

What kind of relationship are we creating when relief from punishment is mistaken as kindness?

Because when you know better, you do better.

It's 2026. Our dogs deserve that.

06/01/2026

For years, the message from dog training culture was simple: spot the problem, apply the right technique, and expect results. It's a reassuring idea. It's also not quite true.

The reality is that behaviour can change but it has limits. The current consensus is that behaviour is modifiable, but constrained by biology, emotional state, physical health, genetics, environment, developmental history, owner behaviour, and the specific behavioural pathology involved (Strickler, 2018; Powell et al., 2021).

One of the biggest blind spots in dog behaviour is undiagnosed illness. Pain, hormonal imbalances, gut discomfort, neurological conditions, poor sleep, and even certain medications can all significantly alter how a dog behaves (Camps et al., 2019).

Looking calmer isn't the same as feeling calmer. A dog can stop growling without becoming less afraid. Outward behaviour and inner emotional state are not the same thing and interventions that suppress the visible signs of distress without addressing the underlying cause aren't really solving the problem.

Powell et al. (2021) found that treatment outcomes were shaped not just by the dog's presenting problem, but by owner personality, attachment style, and canine demographics. Dodman et al. (2018) found associations between owner psychological status and the prevalence of canine behaviour problems including links between human emotional health and greater use of aversive training methods.

So can behaviour change? Yes.
Can all behaviour change? No.
Can some dogs improve dramatically? Absolutely.
Can some dogs become functionally safer, happier, calmer, and more resilient? Yes. Can every dog become the version their owner hoped for? Almost certainly not.

Dogs are not blank slates waiting to be programmed. They are biological individuals with genetics, pain states, emotions, learning histories, and limits.

05/30/2026

Suns out, tongues out!

Are you out enjoying the nice weather too? Share a picture of your pups!

05/29/2026

Today is the last day to enter for the Y102 "Cutest Critter Contest"

The winner receives 3 FREE In-Home Training Sessions with Spicy Paws Dog Training!

I've been enjoying seeing & reading all about the pups who have already been submitted! While I'm not the one making the choice, I am very excited to meet the "Cutest" winner!

Follow the link to submit your dog's picture!

Y102's Cutest Critter Photo Contest-Upload your Photo!

05/28/2026

PSA from Maze:
Let 👏 Your 👏 Dogs 👏 Sniff 👏

Maze has always loved a good sniff walk and being a sassy Great Dane she has used to her size to ensure she gets to sniff the smells she REALLY wants to know about. Most people might be annoyed by this but at the end of the day we need to remember who the walk is suppose to be for...

If I absolutely need to call her away and keep moving I can and will but if I don't have to, I'm not because this is extra mental stimulation for her.

We found out yesterday at her chiropractor appointment that she has some concerns with her spine that need further attention as well as an Iliopsoas(hip flexor) strain so she's back to restricted/low intensity activity until further notice.

Allowing her to sniff until her heart is content during her short walks gives us more "Bang for our Buck" by adding more mental stimulation to balance out the loss of physical stimulation.

Keep this in mind next time you're walking your dog and choosing to rush them along each time they want to investigate something.

& if you need help with your dog's behavior or want to learn more about how to meet their needs in ways other then just a walk, reach out and let's talk!

Spicy Paws Dog Training
(570)990-2396

05/25/2026

Stay Safe this holiday weekend!

05/22/2026

Food & Training 🐾

People have a lot of conflicting feelings about using food in training. I get it. I’ve been there. The hesitation can be real.

But using food is so much more than “just giving your dog a treat.”

• It helps us understand how our dogs are coping. Dogs can be having BIG feelings and still "look fine" but they’ll often refuse food. That’s information.
• It can help flag potential medical concerns. Dogs can’t tell us when something feels off, but changes in appetite matter.
• It’s motivation. We go to work for a paycheck… why wouldn’t your dog? Pay them for their work.
• It makes learning clearer and easier for both of you.

Because at the end of the day, you have a choice:

You can try to force behavior through fear and corrections…
or you can teach your dog what you want in a way they actually understand.

Using food isn’t bribery.
It isn’t a cop-out.

It’s communication and when used correctly, it changes everything.

Because I promise you, your 10lb dog doesn't need a prong collar 🫠

If you’re struggling with training or not sure how to use food effectively, I’m happy to help you figure it out 🐶

Spicy Paws Dog Training
(570)990-2396

05/19/2026

Don't forget to submit your pictures to Y102 to prove your dog's the cutest! The winner receives 3 FREE In-Home Training sessions with Spicy Paws Dog Training!

Follow the link to enter!

Share with your friends and family so they can enter too!

Y102's Cutest Critter Photo Contest-Upload your Photo!

05/16/2026

🚨 Announcement 🚨

I’ve made the difficult decision not to renew the lease for my physical location.

I’ve truly loved having a space where people could come together, realize they weren’t alone, and grow alongside their dogs in a supportive environment.

Unfortunately, life decided to life.

Between ongoing issues with the location itself, working full-time third shift, and now having two dogs going through separate medical journeys, this is the decision that makes the most sense right now.

Spicy Paws has always been a passion project for me — but it’s not my entire life. I want to continue showing up for dogs and their people in a way that is sustainable, both for myself and for the quality of support I provide.

The good news?

Spicy Paws Dog Training itself isn't going anywhere. I will still be offering private in-home training within 30 miles of Auburn, PA, as well as virtual training options for those outside of my area.

I’ll also be exploring other ways to provide lower-cost training and educational opportunities similar to my group classes, so if that’s something you were interested in, stay tuned while I figure out what this next chapter looks like.

This decision wasn’t easy, and I definitely had bigger plans for the space. For now, those plans just have to wait for another season.

Thank you to everyone who supported the facility, attended classes, trusted me with your dogs, or simply followed along. It has meant more than you know. ❤️