Scaredy Dog Training

13/05/2025

If you've ever wondered why your dog is barking - again! - you're not alone. Barking is one of the most common forms of canine communication, but not all barks mean the same thing. Understanding the different types of barking and the body language that goes with them can help you respond more effectively and reduce the overall barking.

Read the full blog here:

22/03/2025

Stormy often finds treasures on walks to take home with us. We've found balls, shoes, etc. Today's rare find was a chunk of asphalt 😂

21/03/2025

New 5 star review on Google. Thanks Rhonda!!

20/03/2025

Here's a throwback video (Stormy was so cute!) This is the process I use when first mat training a dog. Mat training teaches your dog to go to a designated mat and relax on cue, creating a safe, predictable spot for them to settle. It’s a powerful tool for managing anxiety, reducing reactivity, and promoting calm behavior in different environments. The first step is to make the mat a good place to be and lure your dog into lying on it. Any time your dog does a calming behavior (sits down, lies down, sniffs the mat, sighs), give her a treat. Easy enough!

Here is the first mat training session with puppy Stormy (she was so small!) She didn't know how to lie down on cue yet, so I'm luring her with a treat and t...

20/03/2025

🚨 FLASH SALE – THIS WEEKEND ONLY! 🚨
FREE CONSULTATION with the purchase of any training package!

If your dog’s behavior is causing stress, frustration, or embarrassment, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

🐾 Does your dog bark, lunge, or snap at others?
🐾 Struggle with fear, anxiety, or aggression?
🐾 Make daily life harder than it should be?

Now’s the time to take the first step! Book by Sunday night and your consultation ($200 value) is FREE with any training package.

📅 Sale ends Sunday at midnight
📅 Consultation must be scheduled before March 31

Spots are limited—DM me now to grab yours!

15/03/2025

New blog post and video up!

05/03/2025

Treats are often used as an easy training reward, but they’re not the only way to reinforce good behavior. Some dogs aren’t highly food-motivated, some are on special diets, and others get so excited about treats that they struggle to focus. That’s where alternative rewards—like toys and real-life rewards—come in.

Read full blog here: https://scaredydoglv.podia.com/blog/rewards-besides-treats

17/02/2025

Using a flirt pole to manage prey drive

I recently had a client whose shepherd was going after rabbits, to the point where she would take off after a rabbit and be gone for hours until finally giving up and returning home. This is an easy fix - I recommended walking her dog on a leash instead of loose. (We live in a rural area, a lot of owners let their dogs roam. Don't even get me started.) However, she had a problem behavior that wasn't as easy to fix - she had recently been going after smaller dogs in addition to rabbits. As I mentioned, there are a lot of loose dogs in the area so this isn't something that's easy to prevent. For this kind of prey drive training, I recommended working with a flirt pole...

Read more here:

01/12/2024

I was walking Stormy the other day when a neighbor pulled over, rolled down the window, and attempted a conversation with me. Her dog was in the backseat barking at us which, accompanied by my neighbor's occasional yelling at her dog to be quiet, made conversing very difficult. I told her, "He's fine, just let him bark." She looked me dead in the eye, said "It's NOT fine", and carried on alternatively conversing/yelling until she gave up and said she'd text me later.

In behavioral science, the definition of positive punishment is adding an undesirable consequence (yelling) after an unwanted behavior (barking) to decrease the chance that the behavior (barking) will happen again. The very definition of training using punishment includes a change in the behavior. Did her dog stop barking at us when the owner yelled at him? No. If there is no behavior change, it's not training. I wouldn't go so far as to call it abuse, but it's certainly mean-spirited, ineffective, and completely unnecessary. So what's a girl to do? Seriously, just let the dog bark. He wasn't hurting anything - he was literally doing what humanity had spent millenia breeding him to do, alert his owner to a nearby stranger. If their house gets broken into at night and the dog doesn't bark, I bet she'll be really mad!

I get it, it's frustrating. I catch myself doing it too. Briar has recently been diagnosed with Cushing's disease, which makes him hungry constantly. And when he's hungry, he cries. Constantly. Is it obnoxious? Absolutely! Is yelling at him going to make him less hungry? Of course not. (Especially since he's deaf anyway.) All I'm doing is working myself up over it. When I catch myself getting mad over it, I breathe, let it go, and put on my noise-cancelling headphones. Seriously, those things are worth their weight in gold.

Now, I'm not saying excessive barking is okay. What I'm saying is that there is a reason dogs bark and it's up to the owner to determine if that reason is valid or not. Whether it's a valid reason (being hungry) or not (barking at friendly strangers), THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, NOT THE BARKING ITSELF. The best way to get Briar to stop whining? Feed him. Give him his meds as prescribed. Solve the problem he's complaining about. The best way to stop dogs from barking at strangers? Teach them that strangers are friends. Or train them "speak" and "hush". Or give them the physical and mental exercise they're lacking. The barking is just a symptom - figure out why they're barking and solve the problem. And in the meantime, just let the dog bark.

*I do not own the comic, but it certainly fits!

02/11/2024

Not every dog is the same, and not every walk is either! A walk shouldn't always be in formal heel position (although training walks are excellent mental exercise and important for teaching self-control). Maybe your dog prefers to run and get some energy out, or explore and observe the environment. There are several different "types" of walks. Here are a few:

An exercise walk, like a jog or run, helps dogs burn energy, stay fit, and improve cardiovascular health. It’s especially beneficial for high-energy breeds, reducing stress and destructive behaviors. Many types of dogs were bred to run all day, like huskies and herding dogs, and regular exercise walks provides the exercise they need to stay happy and healthy.

A training walk focuses on building essential walking skills, like heeling and managing leash reactivity. This type of walk helps dogs learn self-control, focus, and responsiveness to their handler, even in distracting environments.

A sniff-fari, where a dog sets the pace and direction and is allowed to explore the environment freely, has several mental and emotional benefits. This kind of walk promotes natural behaviors, like sniffing, exploring, and decision-making. This can reduce stress, provide mental enrichment, and help meet a dogs sensory needs without the pressure to interact with people or the environment.

A social dog walk provides dogs with safe opportunities to meet other dogs and practice social skills in a controlled setting, but without social pressure to interact with the other dogs or people. This is often a good way to introduce dogs for the first time.

If all of the walks with your dog look the same, try mixing it up to give your dog a variety of fun experiences. If your dog pulls and drags you on leash, try a training walk with treats, or scatter feeding on a walk to encourage your dog to sniff around. If your dog prefers to explore and pays no attention to you at all, try a fast-paced exercise walk or practice training eye contact instead.

28/10/2024

I recently had a new doggie client with a bad phobia of unknown objects, to the point where the dog wouldn’t approach the owner if she was holding something, even after the owner put the object down. I asked the owner if the dog was fed his meals out of a bowl. “Of course,” the owner replied. What a waste, I thought! This is the perfect opportunity to show the dog that objects can be opportunities!

Luckily this dog is very food motivated, so I told the owner to buy a hollow toy that can be stuffed with food. Fill the toy with high-value food the dog doesn’t usually get and put the toy near the bowl with his usual meal. The dog was wary of the new toy; he approached the bowl hesitantly, but ate his meal. After he finished eating, he smelled the food in the toy. He warily approached the toy… and discovered a pork chop! It was love at first sight. After that first great experience, we only fed him from that toy for a while. We got it up to the point where the dog got excited when the owner was holding the toy. And then we repeated the process.

This time, we chose a big mixing bowl. We filled his toy with his usual food and put shredded chicken in the bowl on the floor nearby. Same process – the dog ate his meal and then eyed the bowl suspiciously. Eventually he built up the courage to approach the bowl and eat the chicken, and the process went quicker this time. Then we began feeding his meals out of either his food toy or that particular bowl. When the dog got excited when the owner picked up the bowl, we moved on.
This time we chose a shoebox. Same process, only quicker.

Then we began feeding him out of a small garbage can tipped on its side. Then we stacked plastic containers with food hidden in between them and let him explore the tower, tear it apart, and get all the treats inside. We placed a closed umbrella on the floor and hid bits of pork chop in between the folds, and eventually opened the umbrella, placed it upside down on the floor, and put the food inside. By this time, the dog was no longer afraid of new objects on the floor and very quickly acclimated to the owner picking up objects. This dog still has a way to go (he has a number of issues we’re addressing), but he’s well on his way to mastering his fear of unknown objects!

28/10/2024

Daylight savings time is coming up! Are your dogs ready?

Dogs are creatures of habit, and changes in their daily routine can sometimes be stressful for them. Whether it’s a new work schedule, a move to a new home, or any other significant change, it’s important to help your dog adjust smoothly. Here are some tips and strategies to ease the transition for your furry friend.

Dogs rely on predictable routines for a sense of security and stability. When their routine is disrupted, they may experience anxiety or stress, leading to changes in behavior such as:

- Increased barking or whining
- Destructive behavior (chewing, digging)
- Changes in appetite
- Increased clinginess or withdrawal
- House training accidents

Recognizing these signs early can help you take steps to minimize your dog’s discomfort.

Tips for Helping Your Dog Adjust

1. Gradual Transition: If possible, make changes gradually. For example, if you’re changing your work schedule, start adjusting your dog’s feeding, walking, and playtime routine slowly over a few weeks. This helps them acclimate to the new schedule bit by bit.

2. Maintain Key Elements of Routine: Even if your schedule changes, try to keep some key elements of your dog’s routine the same. Regular feeding times, walks, and play sessions provide a sense of continuity and stability.

3. Create a Safe Space: Ensure your dog has a comfortable, safe space where they can retreat when feeling stressed. This could be a favorite bed, a crate, or a quiet room.

4. Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation: Engage your dog in activities that provide both mental and physical stimulation. Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and regular exercise can help reduce anxiety and prevent boredom.

5. Positive Reinforcement: Reward your dog with treats, praise, and affection when they handle changes well. Positive reinforcement can help them associate new routines with positive experiences.

6. Stick to a Feeding Schedule: Dogs are particularly sensitive to changes in their feeding schedule. Try to keep feeding times consistent to provide a sense of predictability.

7. Spend Quality Time Together: Make sure to spend quality time with your dog each day. This can help reassure them that despite changes, your bond remains strong.

8. Consider Calming Aids: If your dog is particularly anxious, consider using calming aids such as pheromone diffusers, anxiety wraps, or natural supplements. Consult with your veterinarian before using any new products.

9. Professional Help: If your dog is having a difficult time adjusting, consider seeking help from a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. They can provide personalized strategies and support.

Changes in routine are inevitable, but with patience and care, you can help your dog adjust smoothly. By providing stability, positive reinforcement, and plenty of love, you can ease their anxiety and ensure they remain happy and healthy during transitions. Remember, every dog is different, so it may take some time to find the best approach for your furry friend.