Canine Behavior Counseling, LLC Owner, Judy Rapp Moore

08/07/2026

Teresa has done an excellent job highlighting an important distinction in behavior work: stopping a behavior is not the same as changing the emotion driving it.

When a dog lunges, growls, barks, freezes, or tries to create distance, I want to know why. What is this dog feeling? What is happening with arousal, confidence, posture, distance and recovery?

A correction may interrupt what we see in the moment, but interruption does not necessarily create emotional safety or change how the dog feels about the situation.

We don’t just want a dog who behaves differently. We want a dog who feels differently.

I appreciate Teresa continuing to bring attention to this important conversation. If this perspective resonates with you, visit Canine Academy Behavior & Training and follow Teresa’s work. There is always value in supporting professionals who encourage us to look more deeply at the dog in front of us!

Your dog lunges at another dog on a walk. You give a hard correction—and for a moment, it looks like it worked.

The barking stops. The leash goes quiet.

But stopping the behavior in that moment isn’t the same as changing what caused it.

When you’re exhausted from difficult walks, a correction can feel like the only thing left to try. Most dog parents aren’t trying to frighten or hurt their dogs. They’re trying to regain control of a situation that feels overwhelming.

But research has repeatedly linked punishment-based and aversive training methods with increased stress, fear, and aggression—especially in dogs already struggling with fear, anxiety, or reactivity.

A reactive dog isn’t simply choosing to misbehave. Their nervous system is responding to something they believe they cannot safely handle. Adding a painful or frightening correction may stop the outward behavior while making the emotion underneath it even stronger.

Suppressing the reaction does not resolve the reason for it.
At Canine Academy Behavior & Training, we look at 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘳, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, and 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 and your dog navigate difficult situations more successfully.
If walks have become something you dread, you don’t have to keep struggling through them alone.

Visit https://canineacademybehavior.com/ to explore behavior support and find your path forward. 💛

08/07/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡....

I was sitting outside when this little bird flew into the window. It fell to the ground, righted itself and sat there for a while. I watched and waited. Eventually, it began to hop. Then it stretched its wings. And finally... it flew away. ❤️

I'm not usually one to write inspirational posts, but I couldn't help seeing a little of myself in that bird this morning.

This past year, there were many times when I wasn't entirely certain where my work was taking me. I was developing the Moore S.C.A.L.E.™, the Ethogram, the Social Communication Triangle and the other visual frameworks that eventually landed in The Space Between Dogs.

There were moments of tremendous clarity, and plenty of moments when I questioned whether I could translate what I had learned from observing thousands of dogs into something other people could actually use.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Sometimes you need to sit for a while. Sometimes you need to find your footing or say your prayers. And sometimes you simply need to stretch your wings again. Then... 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐟𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠. ❤️

For me, that bird was a reminder that good things often come after uncertainly. One of those good things was the Professional Teaching & Reference Bundle I created to help dog owners and professionals better understand canine social communication.

And seeing these resources now being used in 13 countries means more to me than I can adequately express. So, for a little while, I'm giving them away.

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏.

If you've ever wished you could better understand what dogs are saying before they react, or need a framework to better explain this concept, I hope these resources help you see them through a new lens.

🐾 Download your complimentary bundle here:
https://learn.caninebehaviorcounseling.com/professional-teaching-bundle

🙏𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐟𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠.

08/06/2026

Anyone providing canine behavior consultations or behavior-modification support would benefit from CARAT training. It will sharpen your assessment skills, deepen your understanding of each dog, and ultimately help you serve your clients more effectively.

You know every dog is different, but current assessment tools lump them into crude categories

▪ Traditional assessments use "big buckets" like "confident/fearful" or "aggressive/submissive"
▪ Two dogs get the same "highly distractible" score, but one is responding to scent, the other to visual stimuli
▪ You're missing the nuanced details that matter for training, placement, and success
▪ Your breeding program, rescue placements, or training plans need more precision

CARAT reveals the individual behind the behavior

CARAT takes you beyond the breed, beyond the genetics beyond the labels.

CARAT asks "Who is THIS dog?"

Whether you are a trainer, a behaviorist, a breeder, a veterinarian, in rescue/shelter work, or involved in service dog organizations, CARAT can open a new world of observation and understanding.

CARAT will fine tune your assessments, your behavior modification & training plans, improve your selection of suitable dogs for a given task, sharpen your breeding program’s focus on desired traits, and help find the best possible job/task/home for an individual dog.

Join us September 13th and find out why those who know CARAT say, “CARAT changes everything!”

And if you register now, before August 23rd, you can save $50 with the Early Bird Dog Pricing!
🔗 https://relationshipcenteredtraining.thinkific.com/courses/intro-to-carat-sept-2026

07/30/2026

Sometimes the best news is what you don’t find. ❤️

Yesterday, Jade had a needle scope and PRP performed by Dr. Bush at PVESC to finally answer the question I’ve been asking for nearly two years. Is it her hip or knee causing her to be sore at night?

The biggest surprise? No OCD lesion was found! What a relief!😅

What they did find was a 20% partial ACL tear (which I saw happen as she jumped up on a rock wall) and some thickening of the meniscus—but thankfully no meniscal tear either!

Unlike Drake, whose injured leg showed 80% ACL tear and obvious muscle atrophy before his TPLO, Jade’s muscles are beautifully symmetrical. She completely trusts her knee. She runs, accelerates, tracks, swims, and keeps me active. The only clue has been her shortened stride after she’s done too much.

Now, instead of wondering what’s causing her discomfort, I can focus on supporting the knee she has—helping reduce inflammation, build stability, and explore a more holistic approach alongside the PRP to give her every opportunity to succeed.

Why did I wait? I have been focusing on building her tolerance for handling. She has had dozens of friends and strangers pet her over the last 2 years. They hadn’t known they were helping me build her confidence for this procedure. Which I knew would com one day.

Throughout this process of 7 different specialist putting their hands on her, she has remained tolerant. No shaking, growling or avoiding the staff. They were accommodating to let me hold her as they put her IV in. She was a champ and they spoke to her for a bit, which set her up for success as they led her down the hall.

As she snuggles in my lap this morning, I finally have answers. 2 weeks of recovery and a specialized healing plan for Jade ❤️

07/28/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚 STILL 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮?

Yesterday's walk reminded me why I developed the Moore S.C.A.L.E.™.

I had just dropped Ollie's long line to let him enjoy a freshly baled hay field when I heard someone shouting to my left. Without even turning around, I called Ollie back and hurried forward to pick up his leash. The house sat some 75 yards away and I had never seen a dog there before.

When I looked to my left, I saw a beautiful young Field Golden Retriever running toward us. Fortunately, Drake and Jade intercepted him before he reached Ollie, who is highly reactive in these situations.

The first thing I noticed wasn't his breed or how fast he was running. It was his posture. His head and tail were high and not moving. Immediately I knew he was approaching from the right side of the Moore S.C.A.L.E.™—a dog feeling confident, assertive, and prepared to control the interaction IF NECESSARY.

How far to the right became clear within seconds. I was dealing with a +3 Greeter on the SCALE.

Drake politely moved away after smelling him. The Golden froze while being sniffed by two large German Shepherds. That moment of stillness told me he wasn't fearful. He was confidence mixed with caution—a dog prepared to stand his ground if challenged.

I was in new territory as I do not take my Shepherds places where they can be rushed, but I do know where they sit on The Moore S.C.A.L.E™ which tells me what I needed to know.

Jade calmly continued on with Drake while the Golden redirected toward me. At that moment, Ollie went from rapid barking to full on threatening barking.

As Ollie's threatening display increased, I loosened his 15-foot line instead of tightening it. I trusted the Golden had enough social awareness not to enter directly into Ollie's space. He stopped about ten feet away and just stared at Ollie.

As I waited for the golden to move away, Jade returned and stepped between Ollie and the approaching dog. She wasn't aggressive. She simply blocked access with a tall stance near the Golden.

As I took this opportunity and called Ollie toward the open field, the Golden briefly snarled at Jade. Jade dropped her toy and stood perfectly still. I've never seen her respond that way before. She didn't escalate. She didn't retreat. She simply waited.

Within seconds, the Golden turned away, gave a full-body shake-off, and started back toward his owner, who was still calling him. I could hear the exasperation in her voice as she apologized.

I suspect her Golden had never seen a dog in this field before and found it quite exciting to see his own kind. If Ollie had not been present, the encounter would have had much less drama.

Jade calmly picked up her toy, looked directly at me, and I smiled. "Good girl. Let's Hustle" as I moved farther into the field.

Once the Golden left, Ollie never looked back. Within moments he was happily running through the field again. This was a win as his recovery was stronger than normal!

Every dog in this interaction communicated something different.
Drake chose avoidance over conflict. Jade initially created space instead of escalating. Then became the Rule Setter when she saw the golden was causing Ollie such discomfort. The Golden communicated confidence long before he growled.

Ollie communicated that he needed help.

The Moore S.C.A.L.E.™ has taught me that behavior makes much more sense when we first understand emotion. When we learn to read emotional posture—not just behavior—we make better decisions for every dog involved.

Want to become better at reading the dogs around you? Download my free Dog Greeting Decoder and learn the body language cues that reveal a dog's emotional state before behavior escalates. I'll place the link in the comments.

07/18/2026

🐾Comfort Before Compliance

A recent client reminded me of something that has become one of the guiding principles of my work and should be for all dog guardians.

When a dog suddenly stops wanting to jump onto the couch, bed, or into the car, our first instinct is often to start training. We call them, encourage them, lure them with treats, or wonder why they're suddenly being stubborn.

🐾🐾Before asking a dog to perform a behavior, we should first ask, "How does this dog feel about the environment?"

Pain, orthopedic injuries, neurological conditions, medication side effects, and other medical changes can all affect a dog's willingness to jump or climb. What appears to be disobedience may actually be discomfort.

Once medical concerns have been evaluated, I don't immediately focus on teaching the behavior. Instead, I begin observing emotional comfort.

Does the dog approach willingly?

Do they hesitate?

Do they quietly move away when touched?

Do they choose to stay, or do they leave as soon as the food is gone?

These small observations tell us far more than whether the dog can perform the behavior. They tell us how the dog "feels".

This philosophy is woven throughout by book, The Space Between Dogs. My goal isn't simply to change behavior—it's to better understand the emotional experience driving that behavior.

Sometimes the most important question isn't, "Will my dog do the behavior?" It's, "How does my dog feel about doing the behavior?"

Because, comfort should always come before compliance.

For more on this.......

I'll be exploring this topic in much greater depth during my upcoming interview with AVAIYA's Emotional Environment: Healing & Preventing Dog Chronic Illness Series, where we'll discuss "Why Emotional Comfort Matters for Every Dog" and why recognizing it can change the way we care for our dogs.

The episode airs in August, and I'll share the details as soon as it's released. I hope you'll join me!

07/13/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐠?

My answer is 𝐧𝐨... and it has very little to do with the teeth. Most people immediately notice the snarl. I notice the body orientation.

🐾 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭, 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠'𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥.

This dog isn't approaching Drake to say hello. He's walking 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 him. That immediately tells me he has no interest in greeting another dog.

👀 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭, 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝.

As he passes, he turns his head toward Drake and curls his lip. He's communicating: "𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟𝐟." Not, "Come meet me." Not, "I'd like to play." Simply, "Please give me space."

The teeth aren't the first message. They're simply emphasizing the message that was already there.

This dog is demonstrating exactly what healthy social communication looks like—clearly communicating his intentions before conflict has a chance to occur.

The mistake isn't the dog's communication. The mistake is when we ignore the other dog's social intent and encourage our dogs to continue the greeting anyway.

𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨. And that's perfectly okay.

Think about it this way.

Imagine you're outside working in your yard when your neighbor walks by. You have a choice. You might set down your tools, walk toward them with direct eye contact, smile, wave, and stop to chat.

Or...

You might simply look up, say, "Hey," and go right back to what you were doing. Neither response is rude. They're simply different levels of social engagement.

Dogs make those same choices every day. This dog had already made his choice. He wanted to continue walking—not stop for a greeting.

The more we learn to recognize these early conversations, the fewer reactive outbursts, fights, and bites we'll see.

❤️ 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬, 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬.

07/09/2026

𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥? 🤷‍♀️😂

When you’re away visiting family, but still need your daily check-in with 𝐉𝐚𝐝𝐞. ❤️

My protector. My shadow. My constant companion.

Pretty sure she’s thinking…

“Mom… I can see you. I can hear you. But I have serious concerns about why you’re inside that tiny box instead of here with me.” 😂🐾

Technology may change, but a German Shepherd’s loyalty never does.❤️