For Dog's Sake

12/22/2025

11/07/2025

Consider this scenario: A Chihuahua spins beautifully to the left but struggles going right, moving stiffly and losing rhythm. The handler assumes the dog is being difficult or needs more practice. But what if the real question isn't "Why won't you spin right?" but rather "Can you spin right?"

This shift from accusation to assessment changes everything.

I've learned that our dogs cannot speak to us with words to tell us they are sore, uncomfortable, out of balance, or just feeling "off." But their bodies can and do tell us immense amounts—if we know how to look.

The dog's body is what the dog drives to work, so to speak. Body, mind, and emotions are inextricably linked. When we ignore the physical reality of the individual dog in front of us, we're essentially asking them to perform tasks that may be uncomfortable, difficult, or even impossible for their particular body or abilities.

Think of it this way: if someone asked you to touch your toes and you couldn't reach them, would you want them to assume you're being stubborn? Or would you prefer they recognize that your individual flexibility, back health, and body proportions all play a role in what you can comfortably achieve?

When I first developed the functional approach to canine assessment back in 1995, sports medicine for dogs was a new field. Veterinarians focused on obvious injuries, but the subtle signs of discomfort, muscular imbalances, or limited range of motion were largely overlooked. Trainers worked on the assumption that if a dog wasn’t limping or arthritic, they could do anything asked of them.

We know better now.

Learning to read physical communications transforms training from a transactional approach into a respectful assessment. Instead of increasing pressure when a dog "won't" perform, we first evaluate whether they truly "can" perform—and if not, what we might do to help them succeed.

This approach is where humane training begins: when our expectations match reality rather than wishful thinking.

🔗 Learn to Understand the Physical Dog, starting November 2nd.
➡ https://relationshipcenteredtraining.thinkific.com/courses/understanding-the-physical-dog-november-2025

10/23/2025

This is explained so perfectly! I recently met with a student who's previous trainer advised a certain piece of equipment because it would "correct" their dog as a mother dog corrects their puppies. My explanation why that equipment was not helping was not as eloquent!

"...but dogs give their offspring corrections, so why can't we?"

This is one of the most baffling arguments to punishment based training I've heard.

Aside from the fact we aren't dog mums let's look even further at this argument.

Dogs react in the moment. They may tell their offspring off for trying to grab their food, because their survival instinct says they need it. They may tell their offspring off for biting too hard in play, because it is hurting them. What they aren't doing is telling their offspring off for not walking nicely on a lead, or some other complex training need that we as humans have. They aren't putting their offspring in a situation they know they will struggle (face to face with another dog) and preparing to "correct" them if they show fear. They're not TRAINING their puppies to be good puppies for their new homes. They're just reacting and responding to what is in front of them.

Plus, mum dogs can't use the same positive reinforcement methods we can. They can't carry a bag of treats in their mouths and give them a treat every time they do something great. They don't have those capabilities. But we do. We have a lot more intelligent gadgets at our disposal and maybe if mum dogs had opposable thumbs to open up a treat bag and dish them out, they would? That's a strange visualisation 😆

Point is, we aren't living in the moment. We aren't afraid our dogs are taking our food away. We aren't being physically hurt when our dog barks. So comparing what we do with what mum dogs do is unfair comparisons. Dogs also sniff each others bums to say hi but I don't see anyone advocating that we do that to make friends with our dogs in our lives? Again, a strange visualisation 🤪 What we are trying to achieve is complex behaviour change or meaningless (to the dog) training for the most part.

Dogs deserve the right to be treated with respect when teaching them often very complex things that WE want them to do to make life easier on US. We have the brains to plan, execute complex scenarios, and break things down into manageable chunks. Nothing we are teaching needs to be as immediate as a dog mum protecting their food. We can do better than using their limited choices as an excuse to hurt dogs 🐾💜

09/13/2024

Update: It's official, their name from this day forward will be.....
JET!
Thanks to Ellen Consdorf for the suggestion.

My new decoy dog. Taking name suggestions!
I'm thinking maybe Clyde? Idk. Boy or Girl? I have Violet the pug already on the team, so maybe equal opportunity? 😊 What do you think?

02/14/2024

Happy Valentine's Day from Rebecca,Tindra & Jacx!
Enjoy this day with your loved ones!

02/08/2024

Update: Delayed start- New Dates are February 28 - April 3rd. Space is still available!

Would you like your dog to be a Canine Good Citizen? Wouldn't we all? But I mean officially? The AKC CGC test is a ten item test that certifies your dog and tells the world that he or she is a Canine Good Citizen. It's a great benchmark for any good dog to achieve and a great first step if you are thinking of doing therapy work with your dog in nursing homes, schools, hospitals, libraries, etc. Interested in making your dog an AKC Canine Good Citizen? I'm teaching a CGC Prep class beginning Wednesday, February 14th at 7:45 PM at MSPCA Angell West in Waltham. There are still a few seats available! The sign up link is here:

02/07/2024

EXTENDED HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!🥳

Happy 2024 to new, old, and existing clients and your pups! As a thank you for your continued support of my small business...please enjoy a promotional discount of 10% off of all programs and services, when you book by March 1st. *excluding the 30 minute phone and zoom check-ins* which are a new offering this year! Just mention the New Year Discount when booking. Appointment doesn't need to be before March, just booked by then. 😀

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas to all!

07/28/2023