Anything is Pawsable Dog Training and Behavior Therapy

07/06/2025

03/19/2024

02/24/2024

01/21/2024

12/11/2023

10/05/2023

BEWARE OF THE QUICK FIX!
There are no quick fixes when it comes to lasting, successful behaviour change, whether with ourselves or with our dogs.

Want to lose weight? The quick fix of diet pills, meal replacements or slimming machines may initially be successful, but is unlikely to last. Long term success will require effort, a change in mind set, being mindful of emotions, eating less or differently and exercising – there is no quick fix.

Want to get a qualification? Hard work, long hours, commitment and effort is the only way.

The same principle applies to bringing about a change in behaviour.

We live in a society where we want and expect quick fixes. Our lives are often so busy, stressful and complicated enough without having to even think about spending time and effort in trying to “fix” our dog’s problems.

Why not just use a shock collar, choke chain, spray bottle, shake can or send them off to a board and train facility to quickly sort them out without us having to put in any time or effort? What about a trainer that guarantees quick results? There are never any guarantees when it comes to behaviour.

Stay away from quick fixes – they usually come at a great cost. Yes, they may suppress that particular behaviour but it is likely to surface in another way and we won’t like that either.

Changing behaviour takes time, it requires understanding, consistency, patience and commitment, but the results of “fixing” something the right way, are worth it.

This quote by Wayne Muller sums this up perfectly “In the soil of the quick fix is the seed to a new problem….”

09/20/2023

Stop the pressure!

08/06/2023

Biggest pet peeve! Don’t punish a growl, lip raise or snarl! It is your dog communicating with you. LISTEN TO YOUR DOG!

We need our dogs to growl so we know when they are close to their limit. That they really need us to listen and things are getting serious.

They are never a warning we should seek to remove but one we should be glad to hear. Because that’s what’s going to prevent things from escalating further.

08/02/2023

We often feel to blame when our dog barks, maybe even embarrassed and responsible. But while some of our dog’s barking can indicate something needs addressing, it is often the most effective ways they can communicate.

Not to mention the fact that we have bred our dogs to bark for hundreds of years. To let us know when they’re down a hole, when they’ve found a missing person, when there’s an intruder or when our livestock are under threat.

For every other animal, vocalisations are just part of who they are, but for some reason dogs are expected to be silent. Which just makes little sense when they are the one animal we’ve always asked to speak up.