Pawsitive Change Dog Training

23/06/2025

When you travel with your dog, what are your must have supplies? My dogs basically have a doggy diaper bag (or two). It includes:

1. Food toys (toppl, lickimats, and pb to go in them)
2. Treats and treat pouch
3. Food, medications (if applicable) and bowls
4. Toys/chews
5. Harnesses, fixed length leashes and longlines (15-20' fixed length leash for more freedom to explore or to use as a tie out while supervised).
6. Favorite blanket
7. Crates
8. Collars with current and legible ID tags

Does this creat a lot of dog luggage? Yes, yes it does. But some things that may seem 'extra' like my dog's favorite blanket, lickimat and chews and toys can make a big difference to help my dog feel at home in a hotel or other new place.

Anything on your list I didn't include?

Pic from an adventure to the Oregon coast earlier this summer. Don't worry, there is a treat bag hidden under that flannel around my waist.

21/06/2025

Last week I shared a post from a local veterinarian's office cautioning you to watch out for cheatgrass. Here is a great page from the Montana W**d Control Association with a number of photographs to help you identify this grass so that you and your dog can avoid it.
https://www.mtweed.org/weed_id/cheatgrass/

One crucial skill to help your dog stay away from hazards is a reliable recall! I can help with that. www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

QUICK IDENTIFICATION At emergence, brown-green leaves that turn yellow to reddish-brown at maturity Small, soft hairs covering the entire body of the plant Height from 6 to 24 inches W**d […]

19/06/2025

Very interesting!

WHY DO DOGS TILT THEIR HEADS?

Some dogs have a really adorable way of tilting their heads to the side when we speak to them or when they hear certain types of sounds.

It’s thought that dogs that are more social are more likely to perform a head tilt to encourage and engage our interaction, but the most likely scientific reasons are to improve the accuracy of sight, hearing and interpretation.

Tilting the head changes the shape of the ear canal and positions the ears for a more accurate determination of sound direction. Head tilts are also seen when dogs focus on specific frequencies and tones in a person’s voice.

Their muzzle gets in the way, especially when looking at something in front of them. Tilting allows them to see around the muzzle and get a clearer picture.

We may not realise it, but dogs notice our facial expressions and may tilt to get a better view of our face and interpret any expressive cues.

Some other reasons are to obtain and process more information when they find something curious or interesting or simply because it’s a behaviour that has been rewarded with attention so the action will be repeated.

Head tilting with no apparent trigger, may be due to a health problem like an ear infection or vestibular issues which requires a vet check.

Interestingly, in human body language, we subconsciously perceive another person to be a good listener, be more empathetic, more trustworthy and are more drawn to that person if they tilt their head whilst engaging with us. Maybe dogs have instinctively known this all along - after all they are the true experts when it comes to communicating through body language !

17/06/2025

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16/06/2025

Taffy Pupdate

I love to hear from clients months and sometimes even years after we've completed a training program. Taffy's mom has kept in touch after our initial training program in 2023. Taffy was a particularly fearful rescue. I'm so happy that her mom has continued to apply the skills she learned in lessons to new situations and behaviors. Taffy is so lucky to have found her.

The great thing about training is that you learn skills and how to communicate clearly with your dog. This will serve you and your dog well for the rest of their life. It is a knowledge base you will be able to use with future dogs and even family/friend's dogs too.

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

13/06/2025

Ugh cheatgrass can do a lot of damage! It burrows into your dog’s skin and continues to travel through soft tissue. They can easily be missed between toes and in ears, mouths and even nostrils. It likes to grow in recently disturbed areas and out competes native grasses as it seeds early. Learn to identify the plant to keep your dog away from patches, pull it up in your own yard, and do body checks after walks.

CHEATGRASS ALERT! We have treated several dogs this week for cheatgrass removal. Check your dogs’ ears, feet, inside lips after every walk. I’ll post a video tonight.

12/06/2025

The thermometer has climbed quickly this year here in Montana. Know the signs to look for and how to respond to heat related illnesses in your dog.

Like many things, prevention is the preferred approach.
Choose when and where to walk your dog to avoid the peak heat/sun hours.
Have plenty of water available all day.
Limit your dog’s yard time during the heat of the day and make sure they have shade areas.
Offer water play to those who enjoy it.

07/06/2025

Such a great visual to drive home this reminder!

It can be tempting in our training to skip the little steps.

It’s great to have faith in our dogs but if we stick to small steps, it’s so much clearer to them what we want.

The result is getting to the end goal faster with a much more solid behaviour.

05/06/2025

“Awwww he loves the baby, he’s kissing the baby” OR is it a “kiss to dismiss”?

Thank you Family Paws Parent Education for important information about this often misinterpreted behavior.

31/05/2025

THANK YOU Trick Woofs!

A dog rolling over to show its belly is at its root a “please stop” behavior. NOT a request for attention. Yes, some individuals learn it leads to belly rubs (and ask for them that way) but if a dog you don’t know well does this, do not assume it’s a pet request. Usually their face and eyes will be tense and they will be still. Whereas the pet requester will be wiggly and have soft features and likely an open mouth.

Body language all depends on the dog and the context. Licks, jumping, belly rubs can be ways to both increase and decrease distance, your dog inviting you for more contact.

With our own dogs, we can stay curious and experiment. Only we know them best. For dogs that don’t know us as well, we can take note and move with more caution.

Often bites happen during these confusing signals, when dogs are misread. It doesn’t mean your dogs love means go away but that we can gain the knowledge to open up conversations with every furry friend.

Still confused? My body language bundle is just $1 and includes breakdowns of these more confusing behaviours. Comment 🐶 and I’ll DM you the link.

29/05/2025

27/05/2025

Tuesday Tips: