Aimee's Pet Care

08/27/2026

08/24/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19Rf1f61vd/

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1UvU7AeREz/

08/23/2026

We tend to notice the behavior first.

The chewing.
The digging.
The barking.
The pacing.
The fence fighting.
The dog who just cannot seem to settle.

And naturally, we want it to stop.

But before asking, “How do I stop this?” ask:

“What is my dog getting from this?”

Because behavior serves a purpose.

Sometimes chewing releases tension.
Digging gives a dog an outlet.
Barking creates distance or releases frustration.
Pacing gives anxious or overstimulated energy somewhere to go.
Fence fighting can become an incredibly reinforcing cycle of arousal.

To us, it looks like the problem.

To the dog, it may actually be the thing providing relief.

That doesn’t mean we simply allow unhealthy behavior because there’s a reason behind it. It means changing behavior requires more than interrupting the symptom.

We have to look underneath it.

Does this dog need more structure?
More rest?
A healthier outlet?
Clearer boundaries?
More opportunities to use their brain?
Confidence building?
Practice settling after excitement?
A better understanding of what we do want them to do?

Sometimes we become so focused on taking an unwanted behavior away that we forget to give the dog something healthier to replace it with.

And if the underlying need is still there, dogs are pretty good at finding another outlet.

Observe the behavior. Understand its function. Then teach a better way to find relief.

We’re not just trying to create a dog who stops doing something… We’re teaching them how to navigate those feelings differently.

08/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/193PW53MLM/

08/22/2026

Human-to-animal communication is the key. Anyone can learn to be present, aware, receptive, and skilled in learning how to use nonverbal and verbal communication. Animals are definitely NOT less intelligent than humans. In fact, they are much more attuned and present than most humans. This looks like one resource that can impart this important life skill:
https://learn.whitfordequestrian.com/withu-page-7346?mcp_token=eyjwawqiojiymzg4otewmdk3njgzmjisinnpzci6ntu2mjmwnzy4lcjheci6ijdjm2fjn2fkmdnmmmy3y2m1mtjkzdrjy2e4nzgzmtnkiiwidhmioje3nzizntc0mjesimv4cci6mtc3ndc3njyymx0.daeeytc-enittgoz0wso68qrm8ajrsaeyvel5oyglei&fbclid=IwT01FWAT2o-5wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHmLVAspYrX74yli_o-Ulqo1l5D9paygKpkF16QM-77M_IPeT9Le7hAdLlyh1_aem_uZrmmSXw8-9L0BiDHEKNyQ

You’ve seen quick fixes fall apart. The pressure, the dominance, the endless retraining - none of it lasts. Learn how to create trust that does.