Canine Behavior Counseling, LLC Owner, Judy Rapp Moore

04/25/2025

This topic: "When Can I Stop Rewarding My Dog?" comes up often, and I honestly used to feel a bit of frustration when asked this. However, as I have grown, I now see this question as a gift!

Read more my blog post to see why and THANK YOU for being here!
https://caninebehaviorcounseling.com/when-can-i-stop-rewarding-my-dog/

04/18/2025

🐾 GOOD NEWS! BEAR IS HOME! 🐾

After a stressful search grid, we have the best news, Bear has returned safely to the A&C Soda Shop, where his family was waiting with hamburger!

A HUGE shoutout to my German Shepherd, Drake, who convinced me that Bear did not leave the area. 🐕💪 Drake worked hard along the busy roads, checking each road and giving me that look like, “Nothing here, Mom,” before moving on. His "no scent" marker is really helpful.

Drake finally picked up a strong scent in a nearby yard, through a fence less than 100 yards from the shop. It gave us hope that Bear was close and would stay near—and thank goodness, he did! So relieved he stayed off Cottage Road. 🙏

Welcome back, Bear! ❤️🐾

04/17/2025

Please keep an eye out for Bear and share his post! He may be hanging around the A&C Soda Shop as that’s where he ran off from.

** UPDATE 4/18/25 ** Bear is home!!!

***4/17/25*** LOST DOG IN SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE

Bear is a 1yr old 20lb Pomsky missing since 4/16/25 from Cottage Road in South Portland, ME. He has brown fur and is microchipped and wearing a collar. He was spotted in Cape Elizabeth line near Rosemont and the Cookie Jar. Bear is a shy guy but is very friendly towards other dogs. If you see Bear, please call Joe immediately at (207) 956-4065.

Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland

04/16/2025

KIENO Dog Behavior Conference 2025 Sneak Peak!

04/14/2025

Exciting News! 🎤🐾
I'm thrilled to announce that I’ll be speaking at the KIENO Conference 2025, alongside the brilliant Dr. Holly Tett!

KIENO: The Dog Behavior Conference is all about deepening our understanding of dogs through kindness, love, and connection—values I’m deeply passionate about. 🐶💛

If you're someone who wants to better support your dog, this is the event for you. I can't wait to connect, learn, and share with so many incredible people in this space.

Register Here to join me:https://judy.kienoconference.com/

See you there!

04/13/2025

🚨 Facebook LIVE Alert! 🚨

Hey everyone! I’m super excited to be joining Separation Anxiety In Dogs Decoded with Ness Jones tonight for an exclusive Q&A session where we’ll be diving into Decoding Reactivity and Aggression in our dogs 🐾🔥

📅 Tonight at 7 PM EST
🎥 Join us LIVE by clicking the link below!
💬 Bring your questions – we’re going deep into real solutions!

PLUS – when you sign up, you’ll get access to Ness’s thoughtfully laid-out Decoding & Aggression Course, giving you the flexibility to watch each Summit speaker anytime that works for you!

Don’t miss it! Let’s help our pups thrive 💛👇
https://www.decodingyourcanine.com/?affiliate=ZyTAmB

04/06/2025

🎙️ Podcast Alert: I am excited to be a Guest Speaker for the Decoding Reactivity & Aggression Summit! 🐾

Does your dog bark, lunge, or growl in social situations? These reactions often come from fear and insecurity, not true aggression. Maybe you want to prevent your puppy from becoming reactive?

In this podcast with expert Host: Ness Jones, I’ll dive into The Role of Resilience, Exposure, and Socialization in Reactivity. I will explain how building social confidence helps dogs become more resilient—able to bounce back from stress, stay calm under pressure, and handle unfamiliar situations without overreacting.

💪 A resilient dog can:

Navigate busy environments with less stress

Meet new dogs without fear or aggression

Adapt to change more easily

Stay more balanced emotionally over time

Through positive exposure and social experiences, dogs learn how to stay calm and collected instead of reactive. The more confidence they build, the better they handle rude people and dogs.

🐶 Whether your dog is already struggling with reactivity or you're hoping to prevent it—this summit is for you.

📅 Don’t miss out—register now for the Decoding Reactivity & Aggression Summit which starts on April 13th!

REGISTER HERE:https://www.decodingyourcanine.com/?affiliate=ZyTAmB

Does your dog have behavioral issues? We help dogs and their owners with private dog training sessions, online dog training classes, seminars, and more.

04/02/2025

📅 Mark Your Calendars – May 17th! 🐾

Are you new to tracking or want to read your dog better? This workshop is perfect for you! 🐶✨

Join us for an exciting and educational experience that will enhance your bond with your dog and improve your tracking skills. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this workshop is a must-attend!

📍 Date: May 17th
📍 Who Should Attend? Anyone new to tracking or eager to learn more about reading their dog’s behavior.

🔥 This is a favorite workshop for dog lovers—don’t miss out! Help us spread the word and share with your friends!

Email Kathy to register: [email protected]

03/31/2025

I believe our dogs are deeply attuned to our energy and instinctively pick up on our emotions and body language. My German Shepherd, Jade, has an incredible ability to sense even the subtlest shifts in my mood, tone, and posture. When I am calm and centered, she reflects that peace, settling into a relaxed state. But if I’m anxious or stressed, she responds immediately—leaning into me, making direct eye contact, as if offering a desire for connection. Her sensitivity has been a powerful reminder of how deeply our emotions impact our dogs, creating a beautiful feedback loop of awareness and understanding.

This became evident as I was walking Drake and Jade this am. While walking in the mist, and not appreciating Drake's need to pull me to the many new smells rising up, I was simply moving through the paces. Until, Jade cut me off, literally stepping in front of my forward path, coming to a stop and looking at me in the eye. At that moment I realized I had been in my own head and not present at all!

I smiled at her and sighed deeply with a clear awareness of what she was telling me. So, thankful for her sensible, sensitive nature, and her social confidence to step in, literally, and communicate her intentions loud and clear!

If you tend to move through life with anxious energy, consider how your dog may be mirroring you. A sensitive dog might absorb that tension, while a more confident one may model calmness, or a passive dog might choose to disengage. As we step into the fresh energy of spring and begin walking our dogs more, it’s worth reflecting on our own emotional well being first.

03/26/2025

I wrote this blog after meeting two reactive dogs who recently bit someone. In one case, a dog bit a child on the hand. After meeting the dog, it was clear he was environmentally worried, yet, social with people and kids. However, he bit when the child was banging a toy on a metal can—this dog is highly sensitive to sound!

In another case, a dog bit a familiar dog walker who had known him for months. This dog was environmentally confident, but shy with people, although he would approach and sit near both familiar and unfamiliar people. However, he was extremely sensitive to touch, including his harness, which likely triggered the bite.

Not all bites and reactive behavior stem from aggression—some are a reaction to a dog’s specific sensitivities. Understanding these sensitivities is key to preventing incidents and better supporting our dogs. Read on to learn more...

Recognizing and addressing your dog's unique social needs is crucial for their well-being and successful integration into social settings. Rather than exposing your puppy, adolescent, or rescue dog to overwhelming and potentially stressful environments like dog parks, busy daycare centers, or large....

03/21/2025

Should you punish your dog for growling or snarling at an approaching dog?

The short answer is NO, you shouldn’t punish or scold your dog for growling or showing it's teeth when another dog approaches.

Dogs communicate with body language, and showing teeth is often an appropriate "warning" signal rather than an act of aggression. It’s your dog's way of saying, "I'm uncomfortable, back off."

Punishing your dog for communicating his intentions, will not make your dog more tolerant. It will increase their stress and likely lead to reactivity or real aggressive like biting.

Instead of punishing, try to understand the reason behind the behavior. Is your dog scared, anxious, or feeling overwhelmed? Set your dog up for success and do not take him where off leash dogs can rush him. Speak up and let others know your dog is not interested in greeting. Always Support your dog by being available to them and continue purposeful exposure with the goal of reducing your dogs stress.

This series of four photos highlights the increasing warning signs from this Border Collie. He is clearly and thoughtfully signaling Jade to move away. Showing teeth is not aggression—it’s a communication tool dogs use to express discomfort.

Jade was more persistent than usual in her desire to investigate, but the Border Collie’s signals were clear. To prevent escalation, I called Jade away, as she was not respecting the BC’s need for space. Recognizing and responding appropriately to these cues helps reduce conflict and keeps all dogs safe.

03/18/2025

"Caption this first photo please? 🐶✨"

I’ve worked so hard to help Jade feel more comfortable around kids—starting with early exposure and building up to real socialization. And guess what? It’s paying off! No barking this spring, just happy toy engagement! Proud of my girl! 💛

What’s a training milestone you’re proud of? Share below! ⬇️

03/18/2025

Take some time and have fun with your dog! Bonus: Carolyn Furhur is excellent!

March 15, 2025, Saturday 10 am to 1:00 pm
INTRODUCTION TO AGILITY WORKSHOP
What do I need to get started? How do I introduce my dog to this? Proper introduction is critical – it sets the tone for the rest of your agility career!
Not just for beginners - also for dogs who need more confidence on certain obstacles or their general performance. Lots of fun and great learning for everyone.
NORTH STAR DOG TRAINING SCHOOL, SOMERVILLE
[email protected] to register or call Kathy 207-691-2332

03/02/2025

🎉 Big shout-out to Jade for earning her FIRST AKC obedience title this weekend! 🏅 She rocked the Beginner Novice B class with an amazing score of 198 out of 200 and took 3rd place in Novice B out of 8 dogs! 🐾

This girl is the definition of dedication and joy. She's so willing, so focused, and just an absolute blast to work with! 💖

A huge thank you to her incredible breeders Suzanne Clothier and Gail Bauer for bringing this superstar into the world! 🌟 Keep shining, Jade!

02/28/2025

Does your dog become fearful or reactive in social situations? It’s important to understand that traditional socialization methods might not always be the solution.

For some dogs, these approaches can unintentionally increase anxiety, leading to more reactivity.

I hope this brief explanation clears up some confusion for those with fearful dogs.

To be notified of my upcoming Podcast on this topic, subscribe to my Newsletter!

Please share!

Does your dog need socialization or exposure? Avoid forcing socialization on an anxious dog, as this can lead to reactivity. Instead, focus on controlled exposure to people and dogs, allowing the dog to observe from a safe distance. Over time, this gradual approach may help build confidence without....

02/25/2025

Can you tell who is who? Jade has filled out as a 3 year old.😍