In Stride Pet Dog Training LLC

02/07/2025

So important 💖🐶🐾🙌

Here's your quick tip for the day! I have posted on this before, but many people remain uninformed about how to select a dog trainer. For those who don't know, dog training is an unregulated business.

That means, anyone can legally call himself or herself a dog trainer and make virtually any claim to fame they want and get away with it. In addition to calling themselves anything from a "behavioral therapist" to a "master trainer," they can legally function as a psychiatrist for your dog!

I have posted extensively on dog trainer qualifications, and will likely continue to post on that, but not today. Today's post is about dog trainer and behavior consultation fees. They vary widely and regionally, and are MOSTLY UNRELATED to trainer qualifications.

That's right. Let me repeat that. Dog trainer fees are often unrelated to qualifications and quality of services. In fact, what often occurs, is that trainers who are less qualified, or even totally unqualified, even dangerous, charge MORE to give the impression that their services are more valuable!

One more thing. Do not hire the first trainer who responds to your inquiry - unless that trainer is so genuinely and uniquely qualified that you don't need to do any comparison shopping.

But beware! The trainers and "behaviorists" who sound the greatest and make the greatest claims may not be the best choice. You've got to know what to ask, what to look for, what legitimate qualifications are, and what the standards are for best practice.

Beware of gimmicks, such as package deals and upselling, guarantees (It's unethical for a trainer to offer guarantees.), and fancy websites. Look for real qualifications, look for methods and tools used, look for facts, not fluff. Beware of sales talk. Beware of cookie-cutter approaches.

Private training lessons can range from about $50 to more than $200 an hour. Group lessons are less expensive than private lessons, but a good group class with a qualified instructor will provide individual attention and tailoring of the program for you and your dog. Find out what you get exactly for your class fee. Questions answered outside of class, written instructions?

In a perfect world, and in most imperfect other industries, you get what you pay for. Not so in dog training. However, know that the fees charged for dog training by qualified, ethical trainers are based on the trainer's education and experience. Fees charged by unqualified or lesser qualified trainers are generally very high to give the illusion of better quality.

It's a minefield out there! You must do your homework to find a genuinely qualified trainer or behavior consultant. Don't just take someone's word for it that they are an expert!

Finding a dog trainer is a bit like finding a good, or at least, a better quality, healthier dog food. You must learn to read the label. You can be very deceived if you don't know how to read the label! What you don't know CAN hurt AND COST you AND YOUR DOG ~ A LOT!

Cindy Ludwig, M.A. (Adult Education), B.S., R.N.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
Owner, Canine Connection LLC
Voted Best Springfield, Missouri Dog Trainer

02/07/2025

Great tips and safety information for the upcoming holiday 💖🐶🐾😉

02/07/2025

Yes! 💖🐶🐾😉

Ever notice your dog glancing sideways while keeping their head still? A big clue is that you can see the whites around their eyes.

That “whale eye” is a big signal that they’re uncomfortable.

If your child is having big feelings, running around like a Tasmanian Devil, or banging on the drums andd you spot this look — it’s time for a break.

Your dog’s face says a lot… even if their mouth stays shut. I can help.

02/07/2025

Kiss to dismiss. Such important information 💖🐶🐾🙌

02/07/2025

Great information 💖🐶🐾🙌

It's brewing.
Bubbling and they're trying to tell you.
Reactivity isn't always explosive.
It builds.
Yes.... it may end with barking, lunges, screeches and growls, but that is often because we may have missed those little tell tale signs.

These are only some of the more common signals dogs can give.
There are plenty more... and they can happen in the blink of an eye.

That slight lowering of the head?
Did their mouth clamp shut?
Their tail bristle right out?

They are all signs they may be struggling to cope and they need your help.

Reactivity is nuanced and highly individual....but I hope this chart may give some clarity to those little "Hmmm why did you do that ?" moments.

Noticing these is half the "battle"

01/07/2025

Great information 💖🐶🐾🙌

Tuesday Tips: Door Darting Prevention

More pets are lost around the 4th of July then at any other time of year. Even if your dog isn't known to be a door darter, with random explosions they could get startled. Add guests, adult beverages and the distraction of a BBQ and you could have a lost dog on your hands. Take some time to prepare and prevent this common issue.

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

01/07/2025

So very true and important to understand 💖🐶🐾😉

Unless your dog has been professionally trained as a protection dog, in most cases, the dog isn’t protecting their person out of loyalty or love. They’re reacting out of fear.

If that dog is protecting anyone, it's themselves. They're uncomfortable with the situation and communicating this. "Stranger danger"—fear of unfamiliar people—is a much more likely explanation than guarding.

This often stems from a lack of proper socialization, especially during the critical early months of a dog's life. More often than not, a dog labeled as protective is actually overwhelmed, fearful, or frustrated—not being heroic.

Read more in my post and reach out for professional help. Complex behavior issues don't just go away on their own.

https://rescuedbytraining.com/2025/06/30/is-your-dog-protecting-you/

01/07/2025

So dangerous! Be careful out there! 🐾🐶😬💔

💧💚 Blue green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, is a type of bacteria that can be found in both fresh and saltwater. Unfortunately, it poses a significant risk to human and animal health, making it crucial to know where and when it is found and how to spot it.

🌊 Blue green algae is most commonly found in bodies of water with high levels of nutrients, such as lakes and ponds. In BC, it is most prevalent during the summer months, between June and October. It can also be found in slow-moving rivers and streams.

🚫 The risk posed by blue green algae comes from the toxins it produces, which can cause serious health issues in humans and animals. In dogs, for example, it can lead to seizures, vomiting, and liver damage. It can even be fatal in some cases.

👀 So, how do you spot blue green algae? It can look like green, blue-green, or brown scum on the surface of the water. It can also manifest as individual clumps or as a greenish-brown or greenish-blue discolouration of the water. If you see any of these signs, it is important to stay away from the water and to keep your pets away as well.

🤔 What can you do to reduce the risk of exposure to blue green algae? One of the best things you can do is to be aware of the areas where it is commonly found. The ASPCA recommends avoiding swimming in or drinking from bodies of water that have visible algal blooms. If you do come into contact with blue green algae, it is important to rinse off with clean water as soon as possible.

👩‍⚕️ If you suspect that you or your pet have been exposed to blue green algae, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. As mentioned earlier, the toxins produced by blue green algae can be very dangerous and can even be fatal.

01/07/2025

Great information 💖🐾🐶🙌

01/07/2025

Yes 💖🐶🐾😉

It can be tempting in our training to skip the little steps.

It’s great to have faith in our dogs but if we stick to small steps, it’s so much clearer to them what we want.

The result is getting to the end goal faster with a much more solid behaviour.