Canine Complex & Friends

08/26/2025

Happy National Dog Day!!❤️❤️
Tell us what fun thing you did with your dog today

08/25/2025

08/25/2025

Do you have a dog who barks obsessively and uncontrollably at every dog they see, but when they are able to get close to another dog they become friendly and even seem to want to play? Reactivity in dogs can be frustrating and difficult to resolve. First of all, barking at other dogs is not bad behavior, and doesn’t necessarily need to be “fixed”. Barking is actually one of the ways dogs communicate and is very natural. When barking is extreme and uncontrollable, however, it is a sign of anxiety and stress, and yes, even fear. Barking in this case is a distance creating signal. It’s telling another dog or person to stay away. So why do some dogs bark uncontrollably at a distance but suddenly become friendly and playful when they get right up to another dog? There can be several reasons. The seemingly friendly, playful behavior can actually be appeasement, ie “ I’m not a threat so please don’t hurt me.” It can be a response to feeling bullied, or forced to engage with another dog. One really interesting possibility is that your reactive dog actually has become confused by unnatural body language from other dogs in a world where play and engagement is forced by humans in ways that are totally unnatural to a canine, or conversely, suppressed by humans in ways that are unnatural to a canine. When we at CCF Are working with highly reactive dogs, we try to use other dogs who model excellent natural body language and behavior to facilitate safe meetings and eventually safe neutrality. When choosing a trainer or dog professional to work with your dog find someone who has extensive knowledge of canine Ethology. Avoid trainers who work from experience alone without having actual education. At CCF knowing and understanding canine Ethology is paramount.

We can help you in your struggle with reactivity. We can start you and your dog on your journey to calm, safe interactions.
Reach out for info on Reactivity classes and private lessons.
Your Journey begins at CCF

positivepet.net

https://www.positivepet.net/apply

08/24/2025

Caption this moment 🤣

08/24/2025

I just love this video!! This is Mandy!❤️. On the other side of the gate Hank, a big black Pitty mix, is hanging out. Mandy, is very stressed by big black Pitties. She believes the hype that big black Pitties are dangerous (Mandy you need a mirror) 🤷🏼‍♀️
What we are seeing is quite complex. Mandy is expressing her stress about Hank the Pitties presence. Next Mandy’s human is keeping the leash loose and not being pulled around by Mandy ( this took months for the human to master. It’s not easy). Finally Mandy is choosing to return to the safety of her human. Don’t we all just want to feel safe!!
If your dog has big feelings about other dogs or people, we CAN help!!! Reach out for info, for an eval. Or to register for a class

Positivepet.net

https://www.positivepet.net/apply

08/24/2025

A couple weeks ago I made a post about Harry, the Bernese Mountain dog and his incredible achievements that myself and his humans at one time thought impossible. A couple weeks ago Harry had a breakthrough and was able to put his feet into a baby pool. Just two weeks later he blew us all away again. Two pools, two hoops, no safety mat, no hesitations! I’m in awe at this boys resilience.
Do you have a dog who is literally terrified of his world? We can help!! Contact us!!

Positivepet.net

https://www.positivepet.net/apply

And then let’s congratulate Harry and his humans, our latest Student of Honor and Merit!!

08/24/2025

Had an incredible week of classes!! So many achievements. At CCF we use the most cutting edge methods shared by the top dog professionals in the World. We are Trauma Informed, and trained in Canine Ethology ie natural dog behavior. If you want to learn to communicate with your dog through his own natural body language, and you want to work with your dog without coercion and manipulation, and you want to be the source of your dogs safety and support… contact us!! We are here to help you and your dog become another success story!

Positive pet.net

https://www.positivepet.net/apply

08/23/2025

Caption this! 😂

08/19/2025

Another picture that doesn’t really look like much. Here is Peach, a chihuahua x yorkie mix. She came to me as a very fearful, very reactive girl. She could not be near any people or dogs without barking and lunging. Peach is in my Small fearful dog class. We run this class like a Social Cues class. That means the dogs are off leash during the class with a lot of opportunity to navigate interactions with other dogs and people in the class on their own. For the last few months Peach has been venturing further and further away from her human. She has been cautious approaching other dogs and has never yet approached another person. Until yesterday!! What you don’t see in this picture is that I am sitting behind Peach, and her human is on the other end of the room 20 ft away. Peach had been gradually getting closer and closer to me throughout the duration of the class until she finally got to my feet, asked for a treat and then laid down next to me. For Peach this is the equivalent of climbing Mt Everest!! And all achieved with nothing but patience and positive support. Way to Go Peach and Human Debbie!! You are this weeks Student of Honor and Merit❤️❤️❤️

For information or to register for a Fearful Dog or Social Cues class

https://www.positivepet.net/apply

08/17/2025

Did you know that black dogs are less likely to get adopted from shelters and rescues? Let's work together to change this stigma. Please share pictures and videos of your black dogs being amazing!

03/03/2025

Hello Friends of CCF. It has been quite a while since I’ve been able to post some good news here, but today is the day!! I am back in business!! I am working out of My Lil Pawdise at 384 Twin City Highway. Hours are somewhat limited but I am offering my cutting edge, welfare first, trauma informed classes for Fearful dogs, and High Arousal Dogs, as well as private lessons for highly reactive and or aggressive dogs. I also will be teaching my three tiered Natural Puppy classes, and our highly renowned Social Cues classes. In addition I have added Scent for Emotional Regulation. This is going to be an absolutely amazing class full of fun things for your dogs to sniff. Please contact me via Email at [email protected], or by phone or text 716-868-9376 to schedule an evaluation to determine eligibility for any of these group or private lessons. Also visit the website at www.positivepet.com. The website is in the process of being updated so please be patient. But I can promise you 2025 is going to be the best year yet at CCF
Ps there are plans in the works to offer classes at other locations as well. Stay tuned for details