Every Dog Behavior and Training

07/18/2024

Get ready for lots of staff updates in the next couple of weeks. We've added so many amazing new people to the Every Dog team. Including our newest behavior consultant, Kay Dameron!

Kay started working with animals at a young age. She began fostering in 2015 and promptly became passionate about dog training when she saw the difference it made in foster’s lives. Facilitating communication between people and their dogs to create better relationships brings her joy. Kay is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Family Paws Parent Educator, and a CGC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. When not building bonds between dogs and their humans, Kay enjoys spending time outdoors, gardening and painting! (She/Her)

Welcome, Kay!

07/17/2024

Kelley Corson hosted a great webinar on navigating your dog's exercise restrictions. Some dogs would like to get tons of exercise, with lots of running, hiking, etc. But there are many circumstances where they can't. They could be going through heart worm treatment, healing from an injury, dealing with structural health issues, or many other reasons.

So what do you do with your high energy dog when you can't give them all the exercise they'd like? Learn from this webinar on our Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRW40WmaT3I

07/16/2024

In case you missed it! We’re offering 20% off of Puppy Agility Classes this summer!
It is so hot in Austin. Give your puppy exercise and socialization INDOORS at Puppy Agility! Plus puppies doing agility are just really adorable.

Agility keeps your dog active AND mentally engaged while boosting confidence and listening skills. It is also a great opportunity to bond with your puppy while having an absolute blast. Our Puppy Agility classes are just for pups aged 3 to 10 months.

Through July, get 20% OFF puppy agility classes with the promo code PUPPYSUMMERFUN. Sign up at everydogaustin.org/dog-agility-classes!

07/15/2024

Alright, y'all - Monday vibe check. How are we feeling? We're #3 right now!

07/12/2024

Their first meeting was unforgettable: Cisco jumped up and placed his paws on Maria's shoulders, giving her a big hug that sealed the deal. Maria knew without a doubt that they belonged together.

After a two-month adoption process (delayed by issues in the pup) Cisco and Maria happily settled into their new life together. Sadly, a series of attacks at local parks quickly affected Cisco's ability to enjoy life, triggering fear and reactivity when outside. Sadly, he was attacked AGAIN while on a walk, leaving the two deeply shaken. His reactivity escalated, and he became too fearful to be outside.

A friend suggested doggy daycare, but it didn’t work out. After some behavior tests, the daycare staff concluded that Cisco was "broken" and should stay confined to Maria's home. This shattered Maria's heart, but she refused to give up.

She found Every Dog's co-founder, Michele, whose words, "He's not broken; he's just lost his confidence," gave Maria hope. Through controlled exposure and continuous training with his human and Every Dog trainers, Cisco began to rebuild his confidence.

With our financial aid option available, Maria and Cisco could take on more training adventures. Cisco eventually passed the Canine Good Citizen test and became a certified therapy dog through the Dog Alliance. Now, he provides comfort to children in reading programs, proving that with the right support, many dogs can overcome their past to shine.

It took hard work and a lot of bravery, but he's thriving! Maria's love transformed Cisco - helping him to feel safe and confident again. In return, he helps others feel safe and confident as a therapy dog.

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As a 501(c)3 non-profit, donations allow us to continue our work. Today we share this story to show why we do what we and where those donations go. Thank you so much for all of your support. It makes a big difference to families like Maria and Cisco! To learn more about becoming an Every Dog donor visit everydogaustin.org/monthly.

07/11/2024

Teaching a "Place" or "Mat" Cue

Let’s talk about Magic Mats! Whether you call it “Place” or “Go to Bed” or something else, having a designated spot for your dog to go to stay safe or out of trouble has a lot of benefits in public AND in the home. For instance, it can be a nice safe spot for your dog when you’re on a picnic, or if you're at home and cooking.

So how do we teach it?

STEP 1: Make the mat magic.

Start by putting great treats on the mat- it’s magic! It shows that good stuff happens on the mat. Every once in a while, toss treats on there for your dog to find so they associate it with yummy treats.

STEP 2: Teach your dog to get on the mat.

You want to get your dog to go to their mat on cue. When your dog gets on the mat (or even puts a paw on it), click and treat - but toss the treat off the mat. This way your pup has to leave the mat and come back. Once they go back to the mat, click and treat again. Repeat until they start flying back to the mat after each treat.

STEP 3: Name the cue. (aka say "Place" or "Mat")

When you're 90% sure your puppy will return immediately to the mat after a treat, you can start to name the cue. Just as your puppy is heading to the mat, say your cue. You're saying the cue right before they hit the mat, as though it were on cue already! Do this on repeat until they associate the word with the behavior.

STEP 4: Work on distance.

Once your pup goes to their mat on cue, it's time to get them going there from a distance. First, try it from just a few inches further away- remember, your dog needs time to learn that their cue means "go over to your mat, from wherever you are" instead of "sit on this thing in front of me." Take your time, and practice from lots of spots.

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Did you know that you can learn more tips like this on our blog? We have a ton of free dog training resources over there! Visit everydogaustin.org/blog

07/10/2024

Hi friends, we'd love you to meet our new trainer, Carolyne Castner! Carolyne will join our Sunday crew at Work and Woof down south!

Carolyne is a native Austinite and lifelong animal advocate. She started her work with dogs as a volunteer with Austin Pets Alive and the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter. She was fascinated by the work the behavioral teams did to help improve the life of long-stay shelter dogs and dove head first into the world of dog training! Carolyne lives with two cats (who are clicker and target trained!) and a service dog named Maggie. She is fascinated with animal learning theory and is a dedicated student in the science of positive-reinforcement training.

07/09/2024

Let’s talk about guarantees in dog training! There are some things we CAN promise you, and other things we can’t.

We CAN promise to support you, give you expert advice, and be honest with you about how to achieve your goals (and how much is realistic).

We CAN’T promise to fix all of your dog’s issues, 100%, especially within a time frame. And this is even more true when dealing with issues like aggression and anxiety.

Dog behavior is just too complex for those kinds of guarantees. There are tons of factors (like genetics, early life experiences, neurotransmitters, etc) that impact behavior, and we don’t have control over many of them!

Guaranteeing a timeline might mean someone is willing to use some not-so-great methods to try to force change (even on the surface). Or it can be our own ego getting in the way (as humans, it can happen to the best of us!)

We know how frustrating it can be to not have a guarantee. But imagine asking for guarantees in other areas! Would you ask a teacher to guarantee all of their students getting straight A’s? Or a therapist “curing” a patient of PTSD in 3 sessions? We know these things aren’t realistic!! And it’s the same with dog behavior.

So don’t get caught up in guarantees we CAN’T (and shouldn’t) make, and focus on those we CAN- like treating you with kindness and giving you the tools to succeed.

07/08/2024

Join us for "Surviving the Teenage Months with Your Dog!" - our new FREE webinar on Thursday, July 11, 7-8PM CDT w/ camilla_in_training !

Whether you've worked hard with your sweet puppy, or adopted your dog in the throes of adolescence, the teenage months can be challenging. Come learn about what you might expect, ways to cope, and exercises to play with.

**As always, this webinar will be recorded!!**

Our webinars are FREE. Donations are optional. Visit https://www.everydogaustin.org/free-workshops to RSVP!

07/02/2024

Meet Every Dog Volunteer, Concelia!

Concelia started volunteering with us over a year and a half ago. She came to Every Dog to train her fear-reactive rescue and fell in love with the process. She's been with us ever since!

Concelia especially loves assisting in puppy classes (they are VERY cute), but she finds it most rewarding to work with folks with “stranger danger” dogs. She loves connecting with anxious and reactive dog owners, providing them with the support she wished she had during her own dog's reactivity journey.

She's been a part of our team for so long, we even remember her using a rock as a hammer to hang pictures on our wall just before the Community Center's opening day party. That's how the conference room pictures were hung!

Concelia’s favorite part of volunteering? Seeing the dogs thrive and forming lasting friendships. Same! Thank you, Concelia, for your incredible dedication 💙

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Have you ever considered volunteering with us? We have some openings and are looking for folks to assist in our group dog training classes. Volunteering includes:

- Setting up class materials like chairs, toys, and training supplies.
- Assisting with cleaning tasks to make sure the training space is ready.
- Greeting clients and welcoming them to class.
- Assisting with training exercises when needed - this sometimes means saying hi to adorable doggos!

No prior experience is necessary. This is a unique opportunity for those interested in dog training to learn and develop their skills in a supportive environment.

We have openings at our North and South locations. Most classes are held in the evenings or on weekends, allowing you to volunteer at a time that suits you. We ask for a 6-week commitment. You must be at least 18 years old!

Learn more/apply here: everydogaustin.org/join or email
[email protected] to apply.

07/01/2024

REMINDER! We will be closed on July 4th. We'll have no classes or Puppy Day School going on. We hope you have a great day!

If your dog has a hard time on the 4th of July, we have a post of tips here: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=985261736933008&set=a.267549722037550

06/29/2024

We are always thrilled to learn from amazing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) trainers and behavior experts!

Our free webinars help us reach many people who need support, and we strive to make dog training a more inclusive space. Representation among trainers and students is incredibly important to us.

In 2022, we added the BIPOC Speaker Series to our webinar program to highlight voices that are often underrepresented in dog behavior. These speakers are always paid for their time!

Learn more about the incredible speakers we've worked with in our BIPOC Speaker Series at everydogaustin.org/speakers. We record all of our webinars so you can jump in and start learning now!

06/26/2024

What to do when your partner or family isn’t on board with training?

There is SO MUCH to talk about here! We compiled some suggestions for you in the slides, but here are a few key points:

➡️ Figure out WHY they aren’t engaged. Without this, you can’t know how to change it!

➡️ Acknowledge and validate all the feelings- yours and theirs.

➡️ Find ways to make it easy and reward strongly- just like you would when training your dog!

➡️ Ask for help when needed.

What has worked for you to get your partner or family on board?

06/25/2024

July dog training classes in Austin are open for enrollment! Including:

🐾 Recalls (North) July 3
🐾 Leash Walking (North) July 6
🐾 Polite Greetings (North) - July 10
🐾 Recalls - (South) July 22

Please note WE ARE TAKING JULY 4TH OFF. We won't run any classes that day.

Sign up for our classes at everydogaustin.org/classes.

Just a friendly reminder that we offer financial assistance on all of our training services. You can request financial assistance on our website with a simple, easy form.

Stay tuned for the August classes coming up - including the next session of our Reactive Dog Virtual Class starting August 6th!

06/24/2024

We love this precious picture of Polite Greetings grad, Izzy! From her human "We learned so much and have already noticed a huge improvement in the way Izzy greets people (and how we guide her!). Eric was an AMAZING teacher and we can’t wait to take another class in the future! "

We're so glad to know you and Izzy! And she's indeed looking VERY polite 💙.

You can also join our Polite Greetings class at our North Austin location starting July 10! Learn more here: https://www.everydogaustin.org/north

06/21/2024

Namita DigheShetty from Pawsitive Cultr+ Dog Training & Enrichment hosted a fun webinar on teaching kids to interact with their dogs in safe ways. She goes over easy games they can play as a starting point for a good relationship. These strategies make sure both the dog and children stay safe! It's now available to stream for FREE on our website and Youtube channel:

How can we teach kids to interact with our dogs in a safe way? Easy games that are a great starting point for their relationship. Strategies on making sure b...

06/19/2024

Today is Juneteenth, and you may see some dog behavior folks posting about it.

What the heck does it have to do with dog training? Shouldn’t we just be posting about dogs?

As dog trainers, we work with humans. This means that whatever impacts the humans, impacts our work with them and their dogs. And systemic racism impacts so many people day in and day out, in all aspects of life- including dog training!

Juneteenth is also a great opportunity to learn more about the complex history of Black folks and dogs in the United States, and the many ways that slavery impacted (and still impacts) interactions today.

To learn more, check out the fabulous webinar Kassidi Jones (gingers-naps.com) did for us in 2022: https://youtu.be/0mXFaVs_Lt0?feature=shared

06/15/2024

Today is Dog Dad Day, and we want to wish a very happy Dog Dad Day to all you human dads caring for pups!

Whether you go on an adventure outside (stay cool!), attend a training session, or just cuddle at home, we hope every dog dad can do something special with their pups this weekend 💙

06/13/2024

We added two new webinars! These FREE workshops help you learn more about a variety of animal behavior topics. And of course, all of our webinars are recorded and available to watch later if you can't make it live.

RSVP at everydogaustin.org/free-workshops to join us for any or all of the events.

Wed June 26, 6 PM – 7 PM CDT
🐾 When Exercise ISN'T the Best: Surviving Your Dog's Exercise Restrictions (with Kelley Corson!)

Some of our dogs would like to get tons of exercise, with lots of running, hiking, or other athletic fun. But there are many circumstances where we just can't do that: they could be going through heart worm treatment, healing from an injury, dealing with structural health issues, or many other reasons. So what do you do with your high energy dog when you can't give them all the exercise they'd like? Learn more in this webinar!

Thurs July 11, 7 PM - 8 PM CDT
🐾 Surviving the Teenage Months with Your Dog! w/ (with Camilla Chu!)

Whether you've worked hard with your sweet puppy, or adopted your dog in the throes of adolescence, the teenage months can be challenging. Come learn about what you might expect, ways to cope, and exercises to play with.

Wed Aug 14, 6 PM - 7 PM CDT
🐾 NEWLY ADDED - Understanding Dog Body Language Using T.E.M.P. (with Aaron Jones)

Dogs don't speak human but their body can say millions of words. In this webinar you will gain a better understanding of reading a dogs body language through T.E.M.P. (Tail, Ears/Eyes, Mouth, and Posture).

Tues Sep 10, 6 PM - 7 PM CDT
🐾 NEWLY ADDED - Coping with Canines: Navigating Human Emotions with a Complex Dog (with Jess Adam)

When you love a complex or sensitive dog, chances are you’ve experienced some emotional ups and downs along the way. You’ll walk away from this Coping with Canines webinar with concrete tools and mindset shifts rooted in counseling and mental health theories, and a deep reassurance that you’re not alone in this experience.

06/12/2024

Come work with us! If you love people AND dogs and want to make a difference, a career with Every Dog is perfect for you. Right now we're hiring the following:

🐾 Dog Behavior Consultant

We're looking for a part or full-time skilled and experienced dog behavior consultant to help caregivers with dogs experiencing fear, anxiety, and aggression.

🐾 Class and Agility Trainer

Do you love teaching positive reinforcement group classes, from puppy kindergarten through advanced manners? Are you an agility fanatic who thrives on helping new folks try the sport? We're looking for YOU! Part or full-time welcome.

🐾 Marketing Intern

If you're all about social media, marketing, and DOGS- this could be a great fit for you! Help us with some summer marketing projects while you hone your skills and experience.

We're committed to being a great organization to work for (and with), and work hard to provide fair wages and benefits to our team members. Learn more and apply here: https://www.everydogaustin.org/careers

06/11/2024

Meet Every Dog Trainer, Olivia!

Olivia joined Every Dog in August 2023 but started her journey in dog training in 2020. When her sweet dog (aptly named Sweetie) began showing signs of reactivity, Olivia wanted to learn how to help her manage her reactive behavior. This unlocked her passion for training.

While working at DogBoy's Dog Ranch in Pflugerville, she delved into dog training, enrolling in the Karen Pryor Program and earning her CPDT certification.

Now, Olivia specializes in reactivity, tricks, and puppy socialization. She lives with her two amazing pups: Sweetie, a 7-year-old Black Lab, and Dobbs, a 17-year-old Pug/mini American shepherd mix (who recently graduated from our Nosework class!!)

Outside of training, Olivia enjoys hiking around Austin with her dogs, binge-watching TV shows, and chilling with friends.

You can follow her on Instagram !

06/10/2024

Max Sandí Equilibrio Canino hosted a wonderful webinar in Spanish all about on-leash reactivity in dogs! Many families have reactive dogs - including Spanish speakers - and we're so happy we had the opportunity to facilitate this talk.

You can watch the webinar IN SPANISH here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tINygt7zuZs

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Descubre estrategias efectivas y prácticas para transformar paseos estresantes en momentos de conexión y calma con tu perro. El webinar se centrará en técnicas basadas en el respeto mutuo y la comprensión del comportamiento canino, garantizando un enfoque ético y compasivo en todo momento. Aprender, crecer y disfrutar de una relación más armoniosa con tu perro!

Vea el webinar EN ESPAÑOL aquí: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tINygt7zuZs

Únete a nosotros en este webinar en donde exploraremos cómo rehabilitar a tu perro de la reactividad con correa, de una manera completamente libre de dolor y...

06/06/2024

Alright y’all, the 4th of July is coming up: which means fireworks, BBQs, and (in many cases) a week of terror for dogs.

Some preparation can save you a LOT of heartache!

1- make a safe spot where your dog can relax/hide.

2- keep your dog at home instead of taking them to parties or fireworks where they might flee!!

We know you want to bring Fluffy to your friend’s party, but they’re much more likely to escape from a new environment.

3- watch for unsafe foods! One of the most dangerous parts of July 4th is actually the BBQ, not the fireworks.

With so many people (including kids!) walking around with food or leaving it on tempting tables, it’s very easy for dogs to grab something they shouldn’t.

This might include foods that are toxic to dogs, or major choking or blockage hazards like chicken bones or corn cobs.

4- update your microchip! A microchip isn’t a GPS device (though putting on your dog’s GPS collar is a great idea!) A microchip just stores your contact information in case someone finds your pup- so make sure the information is updated!

5- talk to your veterinarian. If your dog struggles with fireworks and is extremely fearful, medication can help!

What are your July 4th plans to help keep your dog feeling safe?

06/04/2024

Look at that smile! Good job graduating Puppy Kindergarten, Merida - you did amazingly! 🎉

06/03/2024

Reminder that our new Virtual Reactive Dog Training Class starts next week on June 11!

We know how hard it can be when your dog barks, lunges, or snarls at other dogs (or people, or bicycles!) when out on walks. We're here to help.

In this virtual class we'll go through:
- what causes reactivity
- leash handling and management skills
- ways to help your dog stay calm instead of reacting
- realistic strategies for helping your reactive dog!
This course is virtual and held over Zoom. Internet access and a device with a camera and microphone are required for participation.

Financial assistance is available! Learn more and sign up here: https://www.everydogaustin.org/classes/reactive-dog-class-(virtual)

05/31/2024

Bond Dog Training hosted a GREAT webinar with us all about Service Dogs! We learned so much. Including:

- There is NO LEGAL CERTIFICATION required for service dogs
- The difference between service dogs, emotional support dogs, and therapy dogs
- Many folks also choose to train their service dog with the help of a private trainer or on their own.
- Service dogs can be trained for a TON of different tasks- which is why you'll see lots of different breeds and sizes

Plus so much more! You can watch the webinar NOW here:

What a service dog actually is, how and where to get (or train) one, and what a service dog needs to help their person and go into public places.Sarah Bond, ...

05/30/2024

Join us for "Dog Friendly Games for Kids" - our new FREE webinar next Wednesday, June 5, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM CDT! Teach kids to interact with dogs safely with Namita DigheShetty from Pawsitive Cultr+ Dog Training & Enrichment!

How can we teach kids to interact with our dogs in a safe way? Easy games are a great starting point for the dog/kid relationship. Learn strategies on making sure both the dog and the children are safe while having fun.

**As always, this webinar will be recorded!!**

Our webinars are FREE. Donations are optional. RSVP here:

How can we teach kids to interact with our dogs in a safe way? Easy games that are a great starting point for their relationship. Strategies on making sure both the dog and the children are safe. Speaker: Namita DigheShetty FREE event, donations optional!

05/29/2024

June dog training classes in Austin are open for enrollment! Including:

🐾 Nosework (South) June 3
🐾 Nosework (North) June 6
🐾 Reactive Dogs (ONLINE) June 11
🐾 Fearful Dogs (South) June 19
🐾 Leash Walking (South) June 19

Plus our ongoing adult and puppy agility classes! Check out our classes at https://www.everydogaustin.org/classes

Just a friendly reminder that we offer financial assistance on all of our training services. You can request financial assistance on our website with a simple, easy form.

Stay tuned for all the July classes coming up!

05/28/2024

Meet Every Dog Volunteer, Chris!

Drawn to our mission to provide accessible dog training to families in ATX, Chris started volunteering with us over the last year, regularly assisting in classes with trainers, Eric and Lana.

In addition to volunteering, Chris enrolled her dog, Mellow, in agility classes with Olivia. Mellow is naturally shy, but she thrived under Olivia's instruction!

Chris' favorite part of volunteering is working with positive reinforcement trainers and having the opportunity to help dog parents bring out the best in their pups. It's very rewarding, and the dogs are always super cute!

THANK YOU, Chris! We're so glad to know you and grateful for all you do for dogs in Austin!

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Have you ever considered volunteering with us? We have some openings and are looking for folks to assist in our group dog training classes. Volunteering includes:

- Setting up class materials like chairs, toys, and training supplies.
- Assisting with cleaning tasks to make sure the training space is ready.
- Greeting clients and welcoming them to class.
- Assisting with training exercises when needed - this sometimes means saying hi to adorable doggos!

No prior experience is necessary. This is a unique opportunity for those interested in dog training to learn and develop their skills in a supportive environment.

We have openings at our North and South locations. Most classes are held in the evenings or on weekends, allowing you to volunteer at a time that suits you. We ask for a 6-week commitment. You must be at least 18 years old!

Follow the link in our bio to learn more or email
[email protected] to apply.

05/27/2024

Recall tips! This is one of our most common complaints, but there are great ways to build an awesome “come” cue!

⏱ Practice recalls OFTEN, especially when you can immediately let your dog go back to the fun stuff! Make it a game!

🍕Use high-value food rewards for recall (at least some of the time). Think chicken, cheese, etc

🔥 Avoid burning out your recall by only using it when “bad” things will happen. If you only call your dog to leave fun places or to do things they dislike, they’re going to stop coming!

😏 Be sneaky about treats! To avoid dogs who only come when they know you have treats, try carrying something good in a different pocket, wrapped up, or otherwise hidden. When you ask your dog to come and magically make good stuff appear, they think “it’s always worth coming when called, even if I don’t see the treat bag!”

🚨 If you aren’t sure if your dog will come when called, DON’T let them off leash in areas without a secure fence! You can practice using fenced in areas or on a long-line (a 15+ foot leash) until your dog’s recall is more reliable.

⚠️ As always, FOLLOW LEASH LAWS. Even if your dog has the perfect recall, please leash your dogs when required. This is for safety, and has a huge impact on other dogs/owners whose dogs might not appreciate another pup coming to say hi. Leash your dog whenever you’re not in a designated off-leash area.