Pawsitive Reactions: Positive Dog Training and More

20/07/2025

Some of my articles are having a moment on the WDJ page. Here is one.

I love the photo that they chose for this one. This dog looks like he has seen some things, doesn't he? 😂

When your dog is acting weird it will be due to a behavioral or medical issue. In either case it shouldn't be ignored.

19/07/2025

This came from the group, For the Love of Chow Chows . Clearly as a rewards-based dog professional, I support this information. It's written specifically for chow chows, but it can apply to any independent breed and all dogs respond to rewards-based training.

Professor Chow Foo-Foo on Training tips
“Ah, dear humans, welcome. I am Professor Chow Foo-Foo, and as a member of the noble and independent Chow breed, I shall impart to you the sacred knowledge of training one of my kind. Listen well, for you are not raising an ordinary dog—but a creature of elegance, intellect, and deep loyalty.”

⸻

🧠 1. Understand Our Mindset

“We are not Labradors. We are thinkers. Philosophers. Sovereigns of our own mind.”

• Chows are independent and cat-like. Don’t expect instant obedience.
• We respect consistency, fairness, and calm authority—not yelling or harsh discipline.

⸻

🐾 2. Begin Training Early and Gently

“A young Chow is clay—still dignified clay, mind you, but moldable.”

• Start socialization between 8–14 weeks old.
• Introduce them to new people, dogs, sounds, places.
• Use positive reinforcement—treats, gentle praise, and patience.

⸻

🎓 3. Respect Must Be Earned

“We do not serve. We partner. And we remember everything.”

• Be firm but respectful. Never dominate; instead, guide.
• Build trust through routine and kindness. We value those who treat us like equals.

⸻

🍖 4. Motivation Must Be Worthy

“Would you work for stale crackers? Neither will I.”

• Find what your Chow values: high-value treats, walks, play.
• Short, varied training sessions (5–10 minutes) keep us engaged.

⸻

🦴 5. Socialize, But Don’t Force Friendship

“We are polite nobles, not social butterflies.”

• Chows are naturally aloof with strangers.
• Allow polite greetings, but never force affection or overexpose us to chaos.

⸻

🏰 6. Territory is Sacred

“My home is my fortress, and I am its guardian.”

• Teach boundaries early: who can enter the home, how to behave on walks, etc.
• Crate training can help us feel secure when young.

⸻

🚫 7. No Harsh Corrections

“You hit me once, I will never forget. Nor will I trust again.”

• A Chow never forgets mistreatment.
• Gentle redirection, not punishment, works best.

⸻

💡 8. Keep It Interesting

“Repetition is the enemy of engagement.”

• Use food puzzles, change environments, and rotate commands.
• Engage our minds as well as our muscles.

⸻

🧴 9. Grooming is Bonding

“Yes, I am glorious. Help me maintain my magnificence.”

• Brush regularly with patience and praise.
• Use grooming time to build positive touch tolerance and trust.

⸻

🐾 Final Thoughts from the Professor:

“To raise a Chow Chow well is to earn the respect of an ancient, lion-hearted spirit. We are loyal, protective, dignified companions—if you meet us where we are. Train with kindness, lead with calm, and love us for what we are—not what you wish us to be.”

The professor bows slightly, then pads away with the air of a scholar and the majesty of a lion.

18/07/2025

Reality Check, Part 2. Do you have realistic expectations for your dog's lives? Link in thee comments for an article on this subject.

Photo of my perfect Kenzo on his sniffari in 2020.

17/07/2025

From the archives. This is an important bit of information. Would you leave your small children to be looked after like this? I sure hope not! Then don't leave your dogs alone with this level of "care". It's scary for them.

16/07/2025

From the archives, please do NOT ever play with lasers with your dog. Their mental health depends on you knowing what can cause severe damage and this is way up there.

“But my dog plays with a laser pointer, and he’s fine!”

I’m going to tell a story.

Years ago, I evaluated fairly young (under two) dog for their problems with light fixation. It was very severe- the glint of a ring off the floor, a camera flash, and so much more. Any flicker on a surface sent the dog into a frenzy.

Months prior, they played with their dog with a laser pointer. After one session, the dog paced and whined for over an hour after they put it away. After two sessions, the dog began light chasing, causing severe damage to their carpet, and they realized the huge mistake they made.

We set up some lessons. And days before their first lesson, they called to cancel. The dog had chased the reflection of car headlights across their living room and went straight through their large picture window. The dog did not survive its injuries.

The story is one that has haunted me for years, and while it’s the most extreme incident stemming from laser pointer play I’ve personally seen, it’s not remotely the only dog I’ve seen with severe issues from it.

In the wrong dog, playing with a laser pointer, flashlight, etc., can trigger behavioral problems shockingly fast in only a small handful of sessions.

“But my dog loves it!”

Your dog may love it, but make no mistake, that is a matter of luck and nothing else. There is no lack of great toys out there to play with your dog that don’t carry such extreme risk.

If I handed you a box of 100 dog treats, and said “your dog will love 99 of these treats, but one of them could cost him his life”, would you still give one to your dog?

Please do not expose your dog to laser lights or similar devices for play.

15/07/2025

What is written here cannot be overstated. "Influencers" are not experts, regardless of whether they present themselves as such. Quality credentials and supporting modern science backed methods is what dog parents should look for. Your dog trusts you to have his/her back. Do so please.

Here’s your reminder that just because someone has thousands of followers on tik tok, just because someone has the confidence, just because someone has an awesome social media presence… doesn’t mean they know what they’re talking about (she says… using her social media presence. Believe me, I see the irony.)

Just saw a very “tik tok famous” trainer make statements like “limit your affection towards your reactive dog so you don’t feed into his energy”, recommend kneeing a dog in the chest if they jump up on them, and recommend collars that choke or use other forms of pain to train pretty much every dog she works with.

Her only experience as far as I can tell is time spent as a veterinary technician. No training in applied behavior analysis, no training in ethology, no mentoring under other experienced trainers.

When you see trainers making claims on social media or in real life, ask them for the science. Ask them to back their statements up with proof. Ask them what their credentials and training are. The advice this person is giving is damaging to the human/dog relationship and can really make behavior problems worse or cause them.

Take everything you read on the internet with a grain of salt (except for what I post, take that as gospel. JK JK!)

Always think critically. And if it feels wrong to do to your dog…. It probably is.

14/07/2025

From the archives, forever important.

Everyone deserves to walk in public without being intruded upon. Americans should be ashamed to find out that this is truly a US specific action. In the majority of European countries, this simply does not happen. Asking such a question would be equivalent to asking to touch someone's human child.

There are so many reasons the answer might be no to a person wanting to engage in physical contact. And an explanation isn’t always necessary.

Only the handler knows what’s right for them and their dog at that time.

#

13/07/2025

Any Yinzer who follows my page knows that this weekend is Picklesburg. I LOVE Picklesburg and maybe you do too, but guess what? Your dogs do NOT love Picklesburg nor do they have any desire to attend events like this that are not only held when it's 90 plus degrees out but in the city in the blazing sun on concrete or asphalt pavement with hundreds or thousands of people in close quarters, some of whom are reaching out to touch them without so much as a "can I buy you dinner?" first request, like they are entitled to grope any sentient being at their first urge. Let me tell you how *I* would respond if it were me being subjected to such intrusions and sensory overload; there would be a need for bail money, trust me on this. So why are *you* expecting your dog to be okay with such????? Give your dog a break please. Leave them at home in the AC with some enrichment and reconnect with them when you are home, smelling of brine. They will thank you for this gift, trust me. Link for why you should never take them to these types of events in the comments.

13/07/2025

From the archives, a really good educational video that is worth resharing.