Canine Brains & Games, LLC

09/27/2022

We care about everyone’s safety and we don’t want anyone to risk life or limb trying to bring their dogs to school. All Brevard County public schools have closed due to heavy rains and possible flooding from Hurricane Ian.

As with other daycare and training facilities in our area, we’ve made the decision to close Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and cancel Day School and classes this week. Day School students will receive an email with rescheduled dates. All classes will be extended by one week. A separate email will be sent to our class students.

Thank you for your understanding! Please EMAIL us if you have any questions. [email protected]

07/05/2022

PRIVATE SESSIONS AND CLASSES ARE CANCELLED FOR THIS WEEK 7/5 & 7/6 AND WILL RESUME NEXT WEEK.

06/06/2022

Tonight June 6th there is a power outage at Triangle Shopping center so all group classes are canceled this evening.

04/07/2022

PLEASE nominate us in the Best of Brevard PETS category! There is no training category, but our day school could "fit" under the day care category.

https://floridatoday.secondstreetapp.com/2022-Best-of-Brevard/?itm_campaign=2022%20Best%20of%20Brevard%20&itm_medium=con&itm_source=secondStreet

03/11/2022

This is an excellent post about socialization for puppies. So many behavioral issues could be prevented if we gave pups a proper start in life.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=580829099243274&id=270757606917093

Socialization... it's probably not what you think it is.

Dogs go through a critical period of development that lasts roughly from 3 weeks-16 weeks of age. In this time, they're forming ideas and opinions about the world around them; good and bad. They're developing social bonds, and learning how their behaviour impacts other living creatures.

A dog that has a quality socialization program is one that will reach its fullest genetic potential.

Socialization is about giving them the tools and outlook on life to navigate through our society with minimal stress to themselves and others... now to my point.

If your entire plan for socializing your puppy is taking it to puppy classes, puppy play parties or the dog beach, you are GOING to have problems. Unfortunately, the idea that puppy-puppy or puppy-dog interactions constitute 'socialization' has been continually force fed to well-meaning, but misinformed pet professionals.

Either two things will come of such a plan...

1. Your puppy meets the wrong dog and has a bad experience. Bad experiences are just as bad as no experiences. A bad experience during the critical period can result in lasting negative impressions and behavioural problems; namely, fear and aggression.
2. Your dog has a positive experience. And that positive experience creates a positive value for other dogs. And their positive value out-competes the puppy's value in you. Doesn't sound that bad?

As it stands, the second problem is waaaay more common than the first. Right now, the issues associated with an extreme positive value in other dogs is taking up probably 70-80% of my workload. What issues are they, you ask?

- Inconsistent Recalls
- Poor Leash Walking Skills
- Reactivity (sometimes eventuating into aggression)
- What many refer to as 'selective deafness'; *Fido is perfect when it's just us, but as soon as he sees another dog...*

Just to name a few. And the thing is, most owners see all that 👆 as the problem. When in fact, it's just the various symptoms of the real problem; a poorly structured socialization program that's resulted in their dogs developing a TONNE of value in other dogs, and comparatively little in them. The owner. The one that feeds, walks, plays and loves them.

And the thing is, it's not the owner's fault. It's my own industry's. Other trainers. Well-known, well-read sciency-folk. And I don't know why other people aren't seeing the correlation. I very rarely see behavioural cases that stem from a LACK of experience, but that overwhelming stem from an extremely skewed socialization picture.

I'm sure the word 'socialization' is the problem too. It implies *social* experiences and interactions. When really we can broadly divide 'socialization' into social and environmental experiences. And of the 'social' experiences, MOST should entail NO direct interaction.

While a lot is missing from most owner's socialization programs, that's probably the biggest thing; they've never given value to themselves, particularly in the presence of other dogs. A huge part of what I do with my personal dogs is to take them around other controlled dogs, and pay them for looking at me. In their head, they're learning that other dogs are good (socialization), and that when they're around, I'm going to pay them really good stuff. Here, I'm giving myself value. I'm building the puppy's engagement in me.

Thus, what often becomes a distraction and a constant thorn in the side of obedience and manners, now becomes a cue to focus on me.

The graph below is an example of a (not very detailed) socialization plan. The exact percentages will differ between puppies a great deal, but the main point to note is that MEETING OTHER DOGS and MEETING PEOPLE constitute a tiny fraction of the whole shebang. And that ratio will stay relatively consistent across the board.

I'm not offering nor recommending any puppy classes anymore, with the exception of . I'm now offering private lesson programs which I've found to be infinitely more successful in preparing puppies for life. If you're after a class environment, I'd also recommend you check out . And for online training purposes (for my remote followers) check out by

02/27/2022

We're having so much fun at Mardi Paws in the Park! We love when our students visit!

02/22/2022

Join us at the event this Sunday February 27th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Our trainers will be available to answer your basic training questions, provide handling tips, and talk with you about our services! We'll also have FREE treat samples, p**p bags, Mardi gras beads, and other giveaway items while supplies last!
This happy husky will be raffled off and all proceeds will be donated to Space Coast Therapy Dogs! $1.00/ticket

02/02/2022

Important information for all new dog owners!

Diane Whitney ©2022

01/08/2022

Stop by Pet Supermarket today from 11am - 2pm and meet out trainers Gabbie & Marek!

01/06/2022

Read through to the end before jumping to conclusions!
“Adopt don’t stop” pits two kinds of dog lovers against each other. It also lumps reputable breeders together with backyard breeders and puppy mills."

Adopt Don’t Shop Movement is Toxic. Pits two kinds of dog lovers against each other. Camp Verde. Cottonwood. Sedona. Arizona.

12/03/2021

It's a busy day at our Enrichment Day School program! It's a special day for Merlyn, the (black) standard poodle (being handled by his favorite trainer Nikki). He's learning color differentiation and it's his birthday! He's one year old today! Sissy ( ) is learning to step up with Abbie, Gabbie is working with Rio ( ) on being attentive around distractions, Sailor (white ) and Marek work on impulse control, while Allie and Baker ( ) practice wait on the low platform! Day School training is always a fun!