Canine Experience, LLC

04/06/2025

Yeeeeeeessssss. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat those that aren't in a position to retaliate or reciprocate.
This is actual science, folks. Make sure the trainer you hire gets that, too.

Science is showing us that dogs are as emotionally capable as we are.
They are equally as emotionally fragile.
In these times of broken information - and methods which shun facts and findings - dogs need someone who can help them to live in this human focused environment with kindness, empathy and ethics.
Dogs need to be kept safe from both intentional and unintentional harm.
Be on the right side of history.

19/05/2025

Ever have those moments when dog doesn't do personal space? Truthfully, I love it.

24/04/2025

I know it's been a minute since I posted, but Ned and I have been busy! As the weather starts warming up, and we muck out of the "mud season", I look forward seeing more of your faces and squishing more noses! ❤️
Don't forget to talk to your dogs! They're listening!

11/12/2024

Better to train correctly than quickly!

THE PERILS OF PUNISHMENT

It’s easy to stop or suppress a behaviour by using punishment, force or pain and say that it really works, so why even bother to do it differently?

Punishment based methods may well “fix” the behaviour quickly, are far easier, require far less effort, less knowledge, less education, or even just be based on traditional belief, but these methods come at a great cost - destroying trust, creating insecurity, fear, anxiety, provoking aggression, causing dogs to shut down or feel helpless and prevent dogs from learning an alternative, more acceptable behaviour.

There is so much modern, scientific evidence to support force free, positive reinforcement methods as being the most effective and successful way to modify behaviour.

There is nothing admirable, ethical or intelligent in physically or emotionally forcing any sentient being to comply.

Take the time and make a commitment to understand and learn about positive, force free, science-based methods.

18/09/2024

Because of a couple of smarty-dogs that have moved out of training, I have a couple of SDIT (service dog in training) openings! Bring me your untrained masses! 😍

18/09/2024

Great news! Ive got a couple of openings for Service Dogs in Training! I also offer Behavior consults, as always!
If you've got the need, I'd love to help! 😁 Www.caninexp.com

18/09/2024

This is a fabulous discussion that needs to be had more often!

One might argue that passive cruelty or neglect tend to manifest from convenience or function. For example, professional groomers or dog trainers may be motivated by a need or desire to get results at whatever cost to the pet. Economically, they may be motivated by profit and the need for expeditious business transactions. These practices may include pinning down a dog to trim his nails or applying physical punishment, such as a leash jerk, to prevent a dog from pulling on the leash.

01/09/2024

Love this.

Be better humans!

01/09/2024

Anyone need a new bestie? 😍

Senior dogs losing their senior humans break our hearts. Jem is a sweetheart of a dog who, at 9 yrs old, does not require a ton of exercise and gets along well with other dogs and cats. This sweet, medium size, well behaved girl sits nice to put on harness, walks well on leash and, after losing her human dad, just wants a home where she can love and be loved. In danger of being relinquished to a shelter next week, we had to step in so, to meet Jem in her Denver area foster home, please apply to adopt her at mountainpetrescue.org

29/08/2024

It's not just me! The cool kids don't use aversives either! 😉

From casual observation, we know that aversive punishment/corrections do not always work as intended, as evidence by their continued use. Therefore, the words 'aversive' and 'punishment' are not necessarily synonymous. 'Aversive' is defined by its NATURE, but in the behavioral sciences, 'punishment', 'reinforcement', and 'training' are defined by their EFFECT on behavior. Consequently, we have aversive stimuli that do not act as punishment to reduce and eventually eliminate misbehavior, and the need for further punishment, i.e., aversive NON-punishment. This of course begs the questions, is there such a thing as a NON-AVERSIVE punishment, i.e., a pleasant stimulus that reduces and eventually eliminates misbehavior and non-compliance? In a word: Yup! This is what lure-reward training brought to the world of dog training in the 80s.
https://www.dunbaracademy.com/pages/dog-blog-non-aversive-punishment

29/08/2024

Guys, this is the guy you want for pet portraits! He is phenomenal!!

29/08/2024

I know, I know. I am driving it home... Dog friends, if your trainer can't train without force, do they even understand how the teach/learn dynamic works? Can you really trust someone that uses outdated and scientifically ineffective methods to help you shape the relationship you have with your dog?

Let me know if you need help finding a trainer that gets it. Id love to help!

Talk to your dogs. They're listening!!

It's a good day to re-share this message. I think shock collars should be banned because of the risks to dogs, and I'm not the only one. Back in 2018, the European College of Veterinary Clinical Ethology published a review of the evidence on the use of shock collars in dog training. They looked at the research on shock collars, bark collars, and collars used with fencing, and concluded that they would like to see a Europe-wide ban on the sale and use of electronic collars. "There is no credible evidence to justify e-collar use and the use of spray collars or electronic fences for dogs. On the contrary, there are many reasons to never use these devices. Better training options exist, with proven efficacy and low risk." You can read a summary of the study on my blog, and that will also take you to the original paper if you'd like to read it: https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2018/06/study-outlines-reasons-to-ban.html