All Big Canines

04/14/2025

vote for Esperanza's Second Chance Sanctuary and share with all your friends

Each year MyGivingCircle gives away $500,000 in grants and donations. You can help Esperanza's Sanctuary by Voting today.

04/05/2025

Enrichment is all about meeting an animal’s physical, mental, and emotional needs. While it might look different for dogs and farm animals, it’s always about improving their quality of life.

For dogs, enrichment can go beyond shuffle mats and treats:

Let them sniff during walks (decompression walks)

Teach them a new trick or cue

Give them safe items to shred (like cardboard boxes)
Use scent-based games like hide-and-seek with treats or toys

Farm animals need enrichment too!

Goats love climbing and exploring, so raised platforms or obstacle courses are great

Pigs enjoy rooting, digging, and foraging – scatter food or provide dirt pits

Chickens love pecking, dust bathing, and hunting for bugs

Cows benefit from brushing stations or access to varied textures and spaces

Enrichment doesn’t have to be fancy – just thoughtful. Think beyond food and focus on letting animals express natural behaviors.

image is of button quail chick checking out a gerome pig toy placed on the floor of the brooder.

04/05/2025

https://events.humanitix.com/collage-art-for-desert-appreciators-and-aspiring-naturalists

Get Tickets on Humanitix - Collage Art for Desert Appreciators & Aspiring Naturalists hosted by Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park Association. Yucca West Park Store, 55922 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA 92284, USA. Sunday April 6th 2025. Find event information.

04/02/2025

04/01/2025

🌞🐾 Spring Break Special! 🐾🌞
What’s your favorite thing to teach your dog? Or… what’s been your biggest struggle? Let’s hear it in the comments! ⬇️⬇️
At A Esperanza's Second Chance Sanctuary , we offer private, personalized training and behavior programs designed to create calm, confident companions using kind, science-based methods. Whether you’ve got a rowdy pup who needs manners or a reactive dog who needs help feeling safe, we’ve got a program for you.
💥 Spring Break PROMO 💥
🎁 Book any 1:1 Training Program and receive a FREE Day Training Session to jumpstart your dog’s progress!
✨ Not sure where to start? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call so we can make sure we’re the right fit for you and your pup!
🚜 Also now offering Board & Train on a limited basis—1 family at a time in a cozy home on a working farm.
Your dog gets a structured retreat, and you get peace of mind.
💬 Vacation with a Purpose.
👇Tell us below:
🐶 What’s your dog’s biggest challenge or proudest trick?
Then head to allbigk9s.com/trainingandbehavior to learn more or book your spot!

Services we offer at All Big Canines. Southern California Dog Training and Behavior Solutions for the Real World. Humane, Effective, Up To Date, and FUN for dogs of all sizes. Outdoor training spaces, dog sports, canine performance.

03/28/2025

Here's looking at you IAABC-

Everyone should be in attendance including the ENTIRE board of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants 🙄 because they have A LOT to learn and unlearn.

Please see my upcoming webinar, where I discuss the recent IAABC activity and how it relates to their extensive borrowing of my LIFE model. Link to sign up below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_d7wuSQzmRmCB8c0poAfY2Q

03/25/2025

Struggling with your dog’s behavior or overwhelmed by puppy chaos?
You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own either.

At Esperanza’s Sanctuary, we offer compassionate, evidence-based support through group classes, 1:1 training, and customized board & train programs. Whether you’re dealing with reactivity, barking, biting, or just trying to build a solid foundation with your new pup—we’re here to help.
No costly consultations.
Book a FREE Discovery Call—so we can hear your story, understand your goals, and give honest guidance about how we can help (or refer you to someone who can).

No pressure. No commitment. Just support.
Let’s build a better life with your dog—together. https://discovery.allbigcanines.com/book-with-me-page

03/25/2025

🚨 URGENT: Help Protect Sky Valley from Inappropriate Development! 🚨
A public hearing is scheduled for March 31, 2025 to consider a General Plan Amendment (GPA240085) that would change one of our rural parcels from Rural Residential (R:RR) to Community Development: Low Density Residential (CD:LDR) — opening the door for a 58-lot housing subdivision along Ski Ridge Road.
This development threatens everything we love about Sky Valley — our rural character, environmental integrity, fragile infrastructure, and peaceful way of life. Here's why we're opposing it and asking YOU to speak up too:
❌ Our water infrastructure is failing — CVWD can’t meet current demand, and our aquifers are stressed.
❌ Our power grid is unreliable — we already have frequent blackouts and rising utility costs.
❌ No sidewalks, no services, no capacity — we lack the infrastructure to support mass housing.
❌ This isn’t low-income housing — it’s suburban sprawl in the wrong place, with no benefit to locals.
❌ We chose 5-acre zoning — to live simply, quietly, and independently in a rural setting.
❌ The parcel is near protected habitat under the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP).
❌ This sets a dangerous precedent for future sprawl and land use changes across our desert.
❌ The public notice was rushed and barely shared — a violation of the spirit of community engagement.
👉 We need better-planned, accessible low-income housing, not random subdivisions in conservation lands.
📢 WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Email your opposition NOW to: 📧 [email protected]
Attend the public hearing on March 31 at 1:30 PM in Riverside (register to speak remotely at least 24 hrs in advance): https://rivco.org/constituent-speaking-request
Share this post to spread the word.
💬 Feel free to copy, repost, and add your voice. Let the County know that Sky Valley is not for sale. We are a rural community — and we intend to stay that way.

🚨 URGENTE: ¡Ayúdanos a proteger Sky Valley del desarrollo inapropiado! 🚨
Se ha programado una audiencia pública para el 31 de marzo de 2025 para considerar una enmienda al Plan General (GPA240085) que propone cambiar una parcela de nuestra comunidad de Residencial Rural (R:RR) a Desarrollo Comunitario: Residencial de Baja Densidad (CD:LDR) — lo que permitiría una subdivisión de 58 viviendas unifamiliares a lo largo de Ski Ridge Road.
Este proyecto amenaza todo lo que valoramos en Sky Valley: nuestro carácter rural, el equilibrio ecológico, la infraestructura ya sobrecargada y nuestra forma de vida tranquila. Aquí te explicamos por qué nos oponemos y cómo puedes alzar tu voz:
❌ Nuestra infraestructura de agua está fallando — CVWD no puede cubrir la demanda actual, y nuestros acuíferos están en riesgo.
❌ El sistema eléctrico es inestable — ya sufrimos apagones frecuentes y el aumento de tarifas por el exceso de carga.
❌ No tenemos banquetas, servicios ni capacidad — no contamos con la infraestructura para albergar más viviendas.
❌ Esto NO es vivienda asequible — es expansión urbana mal ubicada, sin beneficio para los residentes locales.
❌ Elegimos vivir con lotes de mínimo 5 acres — por la paz, el espacio abierto y la autosuficiencia.
❌ La parcela está cerca de hábitats protegidos según el Plan de Conservación de Hábitats Múltiples del Valle de Coachella (CVMSHCP).
❌ Esto crea un precedente peligroso para futuras modificaciones de uso de suelo en todo el desierto.
❌ La notificación pública fue apresurada y casi no se compartió — lo cual viola el espíritu de participación comunitaria.
👉 Lo que necesitamos es vivienda asequible bien planificada y en lugares accesibles, NO desarrollos masivos en zonas rurales protegidas.
📢 ¿QUÉ PUEDES HACER?
Envía tu oposición por correo electrónico AHORA a: 📧 [email protected]
Participa en la audiencia pública el 31 de marzo a la 1:30 PM en Riverside (regístrate para hablar de forma remota al menos 24 horas antes): https://rivco.org/constituent-speaking-request
Comparte esta publicación para que más personas se enteren.
💬 Puedes copiar, compartir o modificar este mensaje con tus propias palabras. Que el Condado sepa que Sky Valley no está en venta. Somos una comunidad rural — y queremos seguir siéndolo.

03/20/2025

The IAABC’s Hypocrisy: How They Silence Professionals While Pretending to Promote Inclusivity The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) presents itself as an ethical, professional organization supporting behavior consultants and trainers. But behind the polished image lies a pattern of tone policing, silencing dissent, and even plagiarizing the work of real industry leaders. My Experience With the IAABC's Hypocrisy
Once upon a time, I dared to speak up against racism and xenophobia in the industry. I wasn’t attacking people—I was pointing out harmful behaviors that were being platformed at major conferences. Instead of addressing the issue, IAABC leadership put me into a "disciplinary meeting" with Dottie and Robyn, where I was told that calling out racism and xenophobia was an "ethics and code of conduct violation." I had to sit there and explain what xenophobia even was—not as an abstract concept, but as someone directly impacted by it. The people sitting in judgment over me had no idea what tone policing was. Imagine having to teach white women in leadership positions why it's unethical to silence marginalized voices instead of addressing the real problem. IAABC’s Fake Commitment to “Expression”
Not long after, IAABC launched a social media campaign about how they “support members expressing themselves.” But the reality? Any member who raised concerns about the organization's decisions was muted, removed, or accused of ‘soapboxing.’

Dissent was not allowed.
Accountability was ignored.
Membership dollars were taken, but voices were silenced. Stealing From Real Industry Experts
Now, IAABC is desperately trying to remain relevant while blatantly ripping off Dr. Eduardo Fernandez’s published work, LIFE. If you read their latest self-published "work," it’s clear they attempted to rebrand, rewrite, and repackage his intellectual property (badly, I might add).

This isn’t just unethical—it’s a glaring example of how IAABC profits from the work of real experts while simultaneously silencing those who challenge their questionable practices. Who Has IAABC Really Protected?
Let’s not forget:

IAABC has consistently given free passes to abusive trainers and unethical behavior consultants.
They have engaged in racism, xenophobia, classism, and ableism while calling themselves inclusive.
They have attempted to silence not just “disgruntled members,” but amazing professionals who are actively working to make the industry better. The people they’ve hurt aren’t just names on a list. They’re trainers, consultants, and advocates who dedicate their lives to improving the welfare of animals and people. And the IAABC tried to erase them. The Industry Deserves Better
If you’re still supporting the IAABC, ask yourself: Do they actually represent your values? Are they truly ethical? Or are they just another organization clinging to power while shutting down anyone who dares to demand better?

The truth is, we don’t need them—and they know it. That’s why they’re scrambling to rebrand, steal, and suppress.

Let’s hold them accountable. Let’s demand a better industry. And let’s stop giving credibility to an organization that has spent years proving it doesn’t deserve it.

03/19/2025

Aversive Training is NOT Animal Welfare
The argument that “we save lives, and without these tools, dogs would die” is a straw man fallacy—a weak excuse used to justify outdated, harmful practices. A straw man fallacy occurs when someone misrepresents an argument to make it easier to attack. In this case, the claim falsely suggests that the only alternative to using aversives is euthanasia, completely ignoring the science-backed, ethical training methods that work better and set dogs and adopters up for success.
If your rescue or shelter still relies on pain, fear, or intimidation in 2025, you are choosing to harm animals instead of learning better methods. Period.

This is NOT an Attack on Pet Owners
Let’s be clear: this conversation is not about shaming pet owners. If you’ve used these tools, you are not the problem—the problem is the industry that misleads you into thinking they are necessary. As professionals, our job is to meet you where you are, support you in making changes, and help you feel comfortable and confident in what and how you are teaching your dog.
The goal is to ensure that aversive tools have no place in your life with your dog—not because of guilt or shame, but because you have been given the knowledge, skills, and resources to thrive without them.

A Lack of Education is No Longer an Excuse
We know better. Modern animal welfare organizations have access to:

Evidence-based, positive reinforcement training methods
Fear-free handling and behavior modification techniques
Community support programs that prevent relinquishment
Resources that help adopters keep pets in their homes
Using and promoting aversive methods is not just unnecessary—it actively causes harm. It leads to:

Increased fear, anxiety, and aggression in dogs
Higher return rates to shelters due to worsened behavior
Broken trust between dogs and their adopters
More dogs suffering, being abandoned, or euthanized.

True Animal Welfare Organizations Do Better

A real animal welfare organization will:
✔️ Reject aversive training tools and techniques
✔️ Educate adopters and fosters on humane, effective training
✔️ Advocate for evidence-based behavior solutions
✔️ Support pet owners so aversives never become necessary

In 2025, shelters and rescues that still use and promote abusive training methods must be held accountable. Doing harm in the name of "saving lives" is still doing harm. The
animals who have already endured neglect, trauma, and stress deserve better. They deserve compassion, science-based care, and a chance at a safe and stable life—not more suffering at the hands of those who claim to protect them.

It’s time to raise the standards. Any organization still clinging to outdated, harmful methods is not a true animal welfare group—they are part of the problem.

03/15/2025

California Doodle Rescue since you lack ethics GIVE THEM THEIR DOG BACK NOW. Absolutely Abhorrent behavior.
You may not be aware, but your organization is likely engaging in actions that violate multiple California laws regarding lost pets, ownership rights, and proper rescue conduct. If a dog is found wandering the streets, it is considered lost property rather than abandoned. As a rescue, you do not have the legal authority to classify the dog as an "owner surrender" without the owner's documented consent. If the rightful owners are actively searching for their pet and have not relinquished ownership, withholding the dog and listing it for adoption could constitute theft (Penal Code § 487) and conversion (Civil Code § 3336).Additionally, if your rescue is collecting donations for the dog’s care while knowingly withholding it from the rightful owner, this could amount to fraudulent misrepresentation (Civil Code § 1572) and false pretenses (Penal Code § 484), both of which carry serious legal implications. California law also requires finders of lost property, including pets, to make reasonable efforts to locate the owner under Civil Code § 2080-2080.1. Failure to do so or refusing to return the pet to a documented owner could be considered unlawful detention of property.Furthermore, Los Angeles County has specific regulations regarding the care and rehoming of stray animals. Los Angeles County Code § 10.36.010 mandates that stray dogs must be held for a minimum period before being made available for adoption. Unlike municipal shelters, private rescues do not have the authority to bypass these hold requirements without proper surrender documentation. If you did not check for a microchip, file a "found" report, or allow the owner the opportunity to reclaim their pet, you may be in violation of these county laws.Additionally, if your organization is collecting donations for the dog while misrepresenting its status—particularly if the dog’s rightful owner has come forward—this could constitute misuse of charitable funds, fraud, and potential violations of Penal Code § 597.1 related to animal neglect. The legal consequences of such actions can include civil lawsuits for damages, as well as potential law enforcement involvement for property theft or fraud.To avoid legal repercussions, we urge you to immediately review the dog's ownership status and return the pet to the rightful owner. Failing to do so could result in further legal action, including a formal demand letter, police report, or civil suit. Please take this matter seriously and respond promptly to resolve this situation ethically and lawfully.

03/03/2025

Want to learn how we integrate animals into sustainable farming? Visit esperanzassanctuary.com or drop your questions below!👇

POLL: What’s one thing you’d like to learn about regenerative farming?
Options: Soil Health / Animal Integration / Water Conservation / All of the Above

03/01/2025

⚠️ Red Flags in Business Practices: How to Spot Manipulative Tactics ⚠️

As a business committed to transparency, ethics, and real value, it’s important to take a moment to discuss the red flags that can indicate when companies aren’t operating in good faith. Unfortunately, some businesses, particularly in emerging or trending markets, use manipulative tactics to deceive potential clients, riding the wave of established practices without offering any true innovation.

One common tactic is rebranding existing services as "new" or "groundbreaking." These businesses often present themselves as leaders in their field by "introducing" services that have been around for years. For example, estate planning for pets, including pet trusts, is a well-established service already offered by legal professionals, veterinary social workers, and others in the industry. When a business claims they’re the first to offer such services or that they’ve "revolutionized" them, it’s often a red flag. This approach is typically used to capitalize on a trend without providing any genuine innovation.

Another troubling behavior is mocking or belittling legitimate industry discussions and criticisms. When a company or individual responds to professional feedback by resorting to insults, sarcasm, or deflection, it’s a sign that they may not be open to transparency or improvement. Instead of engaging in meaningful conversation about their practices, these businesses often dismiss others’ concerns with condescending remarks. This toxic behavior discourages open dialogue and undermines the integrity of the industry as a whole.

A major issue with these tactics is that they not only mislead clients, but they also harm the credibility of professionals who are truly doing the work to improve their industries. By positioning themselves as “revolutionary” while dismissing valid critique, these companies contribute to a culture of elitism and exclusion rather than fostering collaboration and genuine progress.

So why is this problematic? It creates a competitive landscape where consumers are misinformed and are drawn in by flashy promises rather than real expertise. It also encourages a “get-rich-quick” mentality where companies are more interested in profiting from trends than actually providing value. This undermines businesses that are truly working to make meaningful contributions in their field and harms the reputation of the industry as a whole.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

1. Do Your Research: Look into the history and credentials of businesses claiming to offer something “new” or “innovative.” If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

2. Ask the Tough Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask for specifics. How is their approach different from what’s already been established? What tangible results have they produced?

3. Look for Transparency: Ethical businesses should be willing to engage in honest conversations, not dismiss concerns with sarcasm or insults.

4. Trust Experienced Professionals: The professionals who have been doing the work for years often have the experience, knowledge, and true passion for their fields.

At Esperanza's Second Chance Sanctuary , we believe in transparency, integrity, and continuous improvement. Our mission is to provide reliable, high-quality services that are grounded in years of experience and proven methods, not flashy marketing tactics. We are committed to engaging with our clients and the broader industry in a way that fosters collaboration and growth, and we always welcome feedback to improve our offerings.

Let’s work together to build a community where businesses prioritize genuine value over trendy buzzwords and manipulative marketing!

02/28/2025

02/25/2025

Drivers on the I-10 freeway near Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs are greeted with a bold billboard demanding accountability from Riverside County officials Jeff Van Wagenen and Manny Perez over the county’s handling of animal services. The sign, paid for by "concerned citizens of Coachella Val...

02/07/2025

"I Thought We Were Out of Options – Until We Found Esperanza's"
I hired two trainers before, and while we made progress, something was still missing. Our last trainer finally said, "You need a behavior consultant for this," and recommended Esperanza’s dog training program. That’s when we met Tabitha—and from the very first moment, we felt heard.

At first, I thought things would never get better. But week by week, we saw changes. Now, five months later, I can’t believe I ever considered giving our dog back. We still have quirky moments, but now we know how to handle them before they turn into a big issue.If you feel like you’re out of options, don’t give up yet. The free phone call with Esperanza’s was the best decision we made. It could be for you too.

➡️ Visit Esperanza's to learn more! Www.esperanzassanctuary.com

Who are we:A 501c3 non profit sanctuary created to provide a second chance home for dogs and farm animals in the Coachella Valley that can benefit persons with physical and psychological disabilities and children going through traumatic experiences by providing different forms of therapy, education,...