Model SITIzen Canine

23/07/2025

I get terrible road rage. I don’t know why. I am not an as***le driver but man, anyone who has been in the car with me or regularly voiceclips with me will have heard me swear like a sailor because of a slow driver (honestly, driving 10-15 km under the speed limit has me blow up) or because someone doesn’t indicate.

It was just the other day I said to a friend “I wish it was legal to just rear end people to get them to hurry the F up.” Id get a bullbar installed on my car asap.

Except it is not legal. And the reason I do NOT give in to my frustrations is because im afraid of the consequences.

- injury to another person
- Insurance won’t cover it
- Cost and damage to my car
- An assault charge
- Potentially getting arrested
- Or potentially someone beating me up

Also id be too much of a p***y to actually do it.

Now is bad that Im afraid of the consequences? I don’t think so.
Does that mean I fear everything else in life? And I live in a constant state of anxiety? No.

Now lets stop pretending that all reactive dogs are reactive because of anxiety. Plenty of dogs are reactive because they have gotten away with sh*tty behaviour time and time again and it feels good, it gives them an adrenaline rush. A dopamine hit.
Some dogs are so freaking leash frustrated they act out (especially those dogs that ate fine off leash with other dogs).

My honest opinion? I don’t think its bad at all that a dog may be afraid of a consequence if that stops a behaviour.

There is so much talk about “the dog doesn’t do it because he is worried about the consequence/correction.”

In some cases I don’t think thats a bad thing at all. Some things are off the table ever. And if you try it; be ready for a repercussion.

Does that repercussion mean abuse? Of course not.
Do we do that for a behaviour the dog has no idea was off the table? Absolutely not.
Do we teach the dog what we want instead? Yes.
Do I mind that the dog thinks twice about doing something because they didn’t like the consequence? No. That means the correction was effective and doesn’t need to be repeated.

The main message: remember that not all behaviour is because of “fear and anxiety”.
And a normal dose of caution (because I think fear is almost too big of a word) is not the end of you and your dog’s relationship. If anything it will solidify it because your dog figured out you are not a doormat.

22/07/2025

Message!!!!!!

You don’t need to dominate your dog.
You need to lead them out of chaos and into calm.

Most dogs that “misbehave” aren’t trying to be defiant…
They’re overwhelmed, overstimulated, or unclear. Maybe, bottom line— they just don’t know any better because we as owners haven’t done our job to the fullest.

Clarity is what helps a dog exhale.
Structure is what helps them trust.
And your calm presence? That’s what changes everything.

21/07/2025

Atlas and Kara are here for the week brushing up on their skills!

21/07/2025

A sugar chinned sweet boy Zeusy

21/07/2025

To change behavior you have to be consistent in changing your OWN behavior and reactions going forward. If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always had. Change starts with you as an owner. Being true to yourself and who you show your dog you are is Paramount. 

The hardest part of training isn’t teaching the dog the new thing to do.

It’s helping them relearn who you are.

And that takes time, patience, belief in yourself and a whole lot of follow-through.

21/07/2025

Thor working hard at learning the language of the ecollar this afternoon!

21/07/2025

Mr Jeter enjoying the sunshine today!

21/07/2025

Mr Zeus crushed his weekend at home! Super proud of him. Mom and family kept up on structure and showing him that the new things hes been learning here now apply at home.