Dog Training by Dee

04/29/2025

The original post can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16NsKcYsCJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

“Girl Scout Troop 10069 Juniors recently earned their Bronze Award with the goal of raising awareness about Pet Friendly businesses in Leonardtown. They created a map of Leonardtown to highlight ‘Pet Friendly Patios’, walking paths, and waste stations. They also created decals for businesses to display on their doors. We hope this map helps you plan out your next visit to Leonardtown with your furry friend.”

Thank you to Girl Scout Troop 10069 for this excellent resource for the community! Take your pup with you on some fun adventures this spring and summer in Leonardtown!

Disclaimer: Only if your dog also enjoys being out and about around people, dogs, kids, and loud noises, and is not a disruption. If not, let them enjoy their quiet time at home or we can build their confidence or help them work towards Canine Good Citizen to become a dog you feel comfortable taking more places!

03/06/2025

02/13/2025

It’s worth the read, but the main point of it is the psychology behind why some people turn to aversive training and how abusive trainers still exist despite the damage they do. They feel if the behavior is so bad that it requires their dog to be shocked and yanked on, the issue is clearly their dog and not them. But those methods still are not addressing the underlying emotions to ultimately change behavior long-term.

When dog owners fail to address their dog's behaviour problems despite their best efforts or often because of a lack of effort, they're relieved when they consult a trainer who recommends using aversive tools such as e-collars or prong collars. I've often wondered why this is. Is it because it convinces them that the problem isn't their fault? Indeed, if a problem is so severe that it can only be resolved using such tools by an experienced trainer, it can't possibly be the owner’s responsibility.

To better understand why this might be the case, one must consider the psychology of a dog owner who may feel overwhelmed by their dog's behavioural problems. How much does an owner’s emotional state impact their willingness to accept these methods?

When a professional trainer recommends an aversive tool, it often validates the owner's belief that the dog's behaviour is particularly challenging or severe. This can shift the perception of responsibility away from the owner; it stands to reason that if a problem can only be addressed using an aversive tool or technique due to the severity of the issue, it can't be down to the owner's potential lack of skill, effort, or consistency in training. This belief helps alleviate feelings of guilt or failure, providing much-needed psychological relief.

Owners facing behavioural problems often feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and emotionally drained. They may have tried positive reinforcement-based or even mildly aversive methods without seeing significant improvement. Aversive tools are usually marketed as providing quick and effective solutions. The promise of faster results can appeal to an owner in crisis, especially if they feel they’ve exhausted all other options.

Naturally, when the trainer they have consulted recommends an aversive tool, owners may assume that this professional, whom they are no doubt paying handsomely, has unique expertise and access to specialised methods. This reinforces the idea that the behaviour problem is beyond the capabilities of a mere dog owner to solve. Owners feel reassured that they’re doing the right thing by deferring to someone who appears confident and experienced, even if the methods are aversive.

Using aversive tools can help externalise the problem. It can shift the focus from the owner’s role in shaping the dog’s behaviour to its inherent problem. Owners may find comfort in believing that the issue results from the dog’s temperament, breed, or specific challenges that require strong measures rather than considering how their actions or inaction may have contributed to the situation.

Almost all dog owners and many "Professional" trainers lack knowledge about the potential risks and long-term effects of aversive tools or simply ignore them. Trainers who recommend these tools focus almost entirely on their short-term effectiveness while downplaying or failing to mention their drawbacks. This selective presentation can make aversive tools seem like the logical solution, especially to an owner desperate for change.

When owners feel they are failing, they may see the recommendation of aversive tools as a validation of their struggles and a pathway to resolving the issue. However, this mindset can often stem from desperation, a lack of education about alternative methods, and a desire to shift responsibility.

Providing owners with information, advice, support, and realistic expectations can help steer them toward more humane and effective training methods.

Our goal should be to help owners develop the skills and confidence to manage their dog’s problem behaviour in the short term and achieve an effective long-term resolution by tackling the underlying cause rather than the outward symptom.

09/26/2024

Looking for a hiking partner? Take a shelter dog out for the day!

09/19/2024

https://wtop.com/gallery/matt-about-town/talk-to-me-goose-meet-the-capital-region-dogs-who-work-behind-the-scenes-to-keep-canada-geese-off-the-national-mall/

WTOP’s Matt Kaufax meets a small army of dogs working behind the scenes to keep some of D.C.’s most iconic locations bird-free.

05/09/2024

Lmao this is so accurate🤣 I always warn about the regression during adolescence- the dreaded “teenager phase”. And I especially caution against fading out reinforcers, especially for things like recall and leashing walking during this time as this is the time when you lose the most value so you need to make yourself be especially valuable and you can’t do that if you stop being rewarding!

04/27/2024

Be careful about where you purchase your Seresto collars from- if the deal is too good to be true, it is! You get what you pay for! But around here in Southern Maryland, flea and tick protection is worth every penny because the cost to your dog’s life if they actually get sick is far worse. I wish they made Seresto collars for humans😂 I swear I get more ticks than my dog. Buy from your veterinarian or local pet supply stores, not online retailers.

03/21/2024

This is the “subtle” body language of humans that dogs often perceive as extremely threatening and react to, getting labeled as “dramatic”, or “unpredictable”, or “dangerous”. And this is where sometimes just having the outside perspective of an expert observing your interactions with your dog can make a huge difference in whether your dog’s behavior gets worse or improves. Sometimes all I ask someone to do is stand up normal when they ask their dog to respond to a cue. The dog can hear you, you don’t need to lean down closer to them😂 and often that lean over them shuts them down and the dog guardian feels the dog is being “stubborn” or “disobedient” when really the dog is feeling extremely uncomfortable in the moment and seeking relief.

Our goal is to prevent, treat and effectively manage behavior problems in companion animals to enhance and strengthen the human-animal bond. If you have any questions about your pet’s behavior please contact us.

01/21/2024

They definitely voiced everything I’ve been feeling this week. Behavior change doesn’t happen in a single session, especially when it’s been occurring for months or years. And especially if YOU don’t change your own behavior. If the only time you use treats with your dog is when you are required to have them for our session, of course your dog isn’t going to do anything for you and listens perfectly for me. If your dog is counter surfing but they still have unsupervised access to counters, of course they’re going to keep repeating the behavior. If you only do 1 or 2 of the things I ask you to do and try something else because your neighbor’s brother or your friend’s pet sitter suggested it, of course you’re not going to get the same results. It’s confusing for the dog and frustrating and makes things worse.

INDUSTRY STRUGGLES!

It not very often I write about things from my/our point of view, as my focus is always the dog.

However, many reputable Trainers and Behaviourists are currently at breaking point.

We are an increasingly becoming an industry that's become a punchbag for the emotional frustrations of the human.

An industry where the expectations are increasingly unfair, unreasonable, or unrealistic.

An industry where once a professional is booked we are instantly expected to override trauma, arousal, health issues, pain, and just get the desired outcome asap.

An industry where we are blamed if the dog doesn't fit the vision the human had for that dog.

An industry where picking and choosing what advice is followed from the professional, which is inevitably going to lead to lack of progress, means WE get the blame!

LET ME BE CLEAR!

In every industry there are the good, the mediocre, and the down right terrible.

If you feel the professional is offering unethical, poor, abusive advice 1000% challenge that with every inch of your breath. Advocating for your dog will always have my respect.

BUT........

Please understand, for many of us, we only want what is best for your dog. We want to get the best version of your dog possible BUT as compassionately and ethically as possible.

It may not be what your vision was, the end goal you had in your head , but no one ethical would promise you that anyway, behaviour is generally far to complex to make such promises.

PLEASE remember though, YOU purchased your dog, NOT us!

We are not to blame, we are not miracle workers, we just want to work with you, help you learn what your dog needs are, what they can and can't cope with, learn as many pieces of your dogs puzzle as possible.

We are here to help, but paying for our services does not mean we can be blamed for your dog not being the vision you had hoped for.

It requires both sides to work together, implement changes, be dedicated, honest trusting and REALISTIC!

REMEMBER we want your dog to be the best version they can be, we want them to have loving, happy homes, relationships, and experiences, we want them to succeed, we want YOU to succeed!

We welcome open and honest dialogue, we know change can be tough, and no journey is smooth and easy going but we are here for you, so please be respectful, be fair, be committed, be accountable and be KIND.

We hurt, we struggle, we are HUMAN.