South Paw Doggie Daycare & Training Center

04/14/2026

Just a reminder!
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BE GRATEFUL FOR THE GROWL

Not all growling is a sign that a dog is unhappy. Some growls may be part of a particular play style, seeking attention, from frustration, excitement or other reasons. They may all sound a little different and may be unique to that particular dog.

This post is about the early warning growls.

When a dog growls, especially when it’s directed at us, it’s natural for us to feel offended, insulted or perhaps even angry.

Surely dogs need to learn not to growl - growling is bad, it’s unacceptable, a problem that needs to be stopped or punished so a dog learns that it’s wrong, disrespectful and unacceptable, right?

This couldn’t be further from the truth! A dog that growls has just provided us with very valuable information.

In their way, they have just told us how they feel about a situation in a non-violent way without escalating to a bite.

Dogs use growling in an attempt to avoid having to resort to biting, not to initiate it. They could just as easily not have even bothered to growl and gone straight to a bite.

A dog that growls is trying to communicate how they feel. Ignoring or punishing only suppresses this communication. Punishment increases fear, anxiety and stress.

A dog that bites without the warning of a growl is a far more serious problem than a dog that growls but doesn’t bite.

Look for any other early warning signals that may precede a growl. Learn to recognize body language and any specific situations that trigger it.

Be grateful for the gift of a growl – it’s clear communication that we need to acknowledge, understand and respect.

A growl allows us to intervene, advocate and prevent escalation.

04/12/2026

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I used to watch dog owners do everything "right" — treats ready, calm voice, patient approach — and still see their dog fall apart.

The missing piece? They were working *over* threshold without realising it.

Desensitisation isn't just about exposing your dog to scary things. It's about exposing them at the right intensity, for the right duration, and reading the subtle signs that tell you when to push forward — and when to back off.

Emotion changes first. Behaviour follows. And if you skip that part, you're not building confidence — you're just hoping for the best.

I've put together an infographic that breaks the whole process down visually — threshold, progression, stress signals, and how counter-conditioning fits into the picture.

Save it. It's one of those resources you'll come back to. 🙌

And if you want me to walk you through it properly, I made a full video on desensitisation and counter-conditioning 👇
🎥 https://youtu.be/Vza6suguWaA

04/07/2026

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🐾 The Look at That Game

If your dog gets easily distracted, excited, or even a little scared by things on walks—like other dogs, the mailman, or even a person in a hat—the "Look At That" (LAT) Game is a total game-changer.

Invented by the brilliant Leslie McDevitt, this technique helps change your dog’s emotional response from "Oh no, a trigger!" to "Oh look, a treat is coming!" It’s all about building confidence and focus while staying under threshold.

I’ve put together a video walkthrough to show you exactly how to implement this, including some pro tips on distance and timing to make sure you and your pup succeed.

Watch the full tutorial here: 🎥 https://youtu.be/V5uNPIrrk2E

Learn more from the creator:
To dive deeper into the world of Control Unleashed, visit Leslie’s official site:
🌐 http://www.controlunleashed.net/

Have you tried the LAT game with your dog? Let me know how it’s going in the comments! 👇

04/03/2026

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Mark your calendars!

Kingwood Branch Library and Harris County Pets are partnering up for an adoption event on April 11!

In an effort to assist in the care of unhoused pets, please consider donating one or more of the following. Please note that no cash donations will be accepted.

Materials can be dropped off at the reference desk downstairs. Thank you for your support.

03/25/2026

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TRIGGER STACKING
We’ve all had those days when nothing seems to go right—one frustration after another builds up, leaving us feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and on edge.

Our patience runs out and it might take a relatively small thing to push us over the edge and snap.

To others, this probably looks like a complete over reaction, out of character behaviour or that there’s something wrong with us, but the reality is very different.

That reaction isn’t really about a single moment—it’s the result of everything that came before it. It’s the accumulation of stress, pressure, and small challenges that have been quietly building up beneath the surface. On another day, under different circumstances, we might have responded calmly and without issue at all.

This is an important perspective shift, because it reminds us that behaviour doesn’t happen in isolation. What we see in that one moment is often just the visible outcome of a much longer, largely unseen process.

Dogs are no different and a behaviour that seems completely out of character or happens “out of the blue” is often caused by “trigger stacking”.

A trigger may be anything that increases a dog’s stress levels and has a negative impact on their emotional, mental or physical state.

These may be small things that we may not even notice or seem insignificant to us, but they are all adding to an increasing “stack” of events that may culminate in out of character behaviour.

Things like less rest or sleep, over stimulation, excitement, loud noises, weather changes, thunder, other dogs, changes in routine, vet visits, grooming, nail trims, visitors, strangers, pain or discomfort etc, may all be fine if spaced apart or isolated, but not enough time in between these events can quickly cause a stack of triggers.

When stress levels reach a certain point, the next stressful event, however small, may cause a reaction that is completely unexpected.

Instead of just focusing on a particular behaviour and seeing it as a problem that needs to be fixed, take a step back, look at the bigger picture, look at events, circumstances or environmental factors that may have played a role in causing it.

Being aware of potential stressors and allowing dogs enough time to decompress, relax and unwind for a few days, often makes all the difference between “normal behaviour” and a behaviour that seems completely out of character.

03/20/2026

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It’s such a simple concept… but almost nobody actually does it.

If your dog goes crazy when someone comes to the front door, they don’t need punishment — they need practice.

And the way you practice makes all the difference 👇

The key is to have the same person come to your door several times in a row.

Why this works:
Each repetition is a little less exciting.

Which means:
• Your dog can actually think
• You can guide the behavior you want (Sit, Stay, Go to Bed)
• You can reward success instead of reacting to chaos

But here’s what most people do instead…

Every knock = a different person
Every time = full excitement
Every time = your dog rehearses losing their mind

No plan. No progress.

Good training isn’t about managing your dog when you’re busy, stressed, and they’re overwhelmed.

It’s about setting up intentional practice where your dog can actually succeed.

👉 Make it easier
👉 Repeat it
👉 Reward it

That’s how behavior changes.

If you want a clear, step-by-step plan for this (and dozens of other common issues), check out our Behavior Problems Compendium — it’s currently 75% off for a few more days:

https://dunbar.info/mar26bpc

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

03/10/2026

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Send a message to learn more

03/10/2026

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Mark your calendars!

Kingwood Branch Library and Harris County Pets are partnering up for an adoption event on April 11!

In an effort to assist in the care of unhoused pets, please consider donating one or more of the following. Please note that no cash donations will be accepted.

Materials can be dropped off at the reference desk downstairs. Thank you for your support.

03/10/2026

Interesting information on how scent interacts with the environment.
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Send a message to learn more

01/21/2026

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Send a message to learn more

12/10/2025

Walking and jogging a dog have become so normalized that they are often the first activities that come to mind when we think about exercising a dog.

These forms of exercise are widely accepted as the "standard," to the point that some pet parents feel judged or criticized if they don't walk their dog every single day.

There's often an unspoken expectation that if you live with a dog, daily walks or jogs are non-negotiable. However, this mindset doesn't take into account that walks and jogs aren't always feasible for every dog or their person.

For some dogs, walks may not even be physically possible, especially for older dogs, dogs with mobility issues, or those suffering from physical disabilities.

Weather conditions such as extreme heat, cold, or rain can make outdoor walks unsafe or uncomfortable.

Some dogs have allergies that make outdoor activity challenging, or they may become overwhelmed by certain environmental stimuli such as noise, traffic, or other dogs.

And let's not forget that some dogs may have mental health concerns, like anxiety or fear, which can make walks a stressful experience for them rather than a fun outing.

Fortunately, there are a wide range of alternative activities that can offer both physical and mental stimulation, allowing dogs to burn off energy and stay healthy, without the need for daily walks or jogs.

Let’s focus on expanding our definition of what constitutes "exercise" for dogs so that we can create a more inclusive and understanding environment for pet parents, recognizing that every dog has unique needs and capabilities.

At the end of the day, it's about finding what works best for your dog and ensuring they stay happy, healthy, and mentally stimulated - whether that involves daily walks, or a mix of alternative activities!

We wrote an entire book about this called Canine Enrichment For The Real World. If you need ideas, you can get this book off Dogwise, Amazon, or Audible!