Changing Feelings Always Comes First

Macie and her family came to Four Paws & You at a time when the family was uncertain about her future.

Macie’s early puppy experiences were mostly great.

Fun and loving home.

The family wanted the best for her.

They absolutely love her.

Unfortunately for Macie, she had a couple of negative interactions with people which contributed to her fear of those who are strangers to her.

Macie’s fear at the veterinarian’s office labeled her an “aggressive” dog by another pet professional.

Macie is only about 5 months old.

I met Macie shortly after this experience.

We met outside since the transitional experience of someone new coming into the home would have been triggering for Macie.

To make it easier for her, I suggested for my client to slowly make her way up the street (I waited about a block and a half away).

As Macie was able to disengage from seeing me and offer attention towards her guardian on her own, they moved closer.

Macie and her guardian remained engaged and I tossed some super high value rewards away from me, so it didn’t encourage Macie to get closer rather it encouraged her to move away.

After several rounds, Macie grew comfortable with me.

Macie greeted me by sniffing my pant legs.

I tossed some treats away, so Macie didn’t feel trapped if a wave of fear came over her when the new to her person was still there.

After a few more rounds, Macie grew even more comfortable with me and chose to brush up against me with a relaxed body.

I tossed some more treats.

She came back, sat in front of me and she gently took a treat from my hand.

I gained her trust and she felt secure with our greetings.

Not only was this real time unfamiliar greeting practice for Macie, but her family too.

As you can see, before any practice on teaching Macie behavior cues or replacement behaviors for unwanted ones, I first had to help Macie gain trust I wouldn’t threaten or scare her in any way.

Once she felt secure, we proceeded only as quickly as Macie was comfortable with at each stage.

Macie made huge gains over the last several weeks.

The family is united on ensuring they maintain their management as well as continuing to help Macie change her conditioned emotional responses through playing the Engage/Disengage game, open bar/closed bar, mat work, and she’s even striving in areas of self control by waiting at doors and having all four on the floor.

Their work is not over.

They are now on a path of long lasting and effective behavior change.

I know they will continue to have success on their journey together.

Crate Training is Your Dog’s Life Skill

I’m a proponent of being prepared and prepare dogs for emergency situations and other life changes impacting their lives and I encourage all my clients to do the same.

One major life change is a move.

Many of my clients are fellow military families.

Moving from duty station to another happens regularly. Every 2-3 years!

Sometimes the moves occur within driving distance.

Many times, families like us, receive orders to move overseas.

Places like Germany, the UK, Italy, Japan, Korea and the list of countries goes on that receive American families everyday.

Those families also include their pets!

Most likely, your pet will be required to fly in a crate in cargo since airlines are now less likely to accept ESA in the cabin.

Since moving is inevitable for many of us, preparing and teaching your dog to enjoy his crate is of utmost important!

If you’re lucky, knowing there is a time frame of when you’ll be in one location over another, then it’s time for crate training sooner than later!

Gradually exposing your dog to a crate will be worth his weight in yummy treats since doing so will make traveling less stressful and more relaxed for your dog.

Many of my clients are always preparing for their family’s life changes, regardless of their dogs ever needing these skills.

Crate training is also important for our world’s changing climate and the propensity for natural disasters like wildfires or severe weather.

Quickly moving out of an area to a safe place can be aided by your dog happily jumping into a crate so you can evacuate without chaos.

You never know!

Some tips!

  1. Use super duper high value rewards and pair those with the crate.
  2. Allow your dog to freely explore the crate area on his own. Mark and reward when he does.
  3. Help your dog to habituate to the sound and experience of the crate door squeaky sound of the springs to the sound of rubbing metal and plastic of the poles of the gate.
  4. Slowly build up your dog’s crate bit by bit only as your dog is showing comfortability in the previous step should you move to the next one.
  5. The more time you have before you move and the frequency of practice (for short bits of time) the better your dog will see the crate as a safe space.

Not sure where to start?

Set up your call and we can discuss: https://fourpawsandyoudogtraining.as.me/

Sneak Peak!

Do you want a sneak peak into one of my training sessions?

Here’s a little smattering of my favorite toys and enrichment activities you can do with and for your dog which will add another outlet in guiding your dog towards some relaxation!

First, meals don’t need to happen in a bowl.

You can feed meals in a variety of ways which gets your dog thinking, doing something fun and productive and even slows down those Hoover dogs!

Using a snuffle mat (see below) have all sorts of nooks you can hide food in which encourages your dog to forage.

If your dog enjoys a bit more of a challenge like Jack, up-cycle those empty egg cartons into a puzzle feeder and place your dog’s meals in them.

Foraging Fun!

Watch the fun your dog’s have when they are finding all the bits!

Other great options of adding in some enriching activities your dog can do with you are using your broom and make it into a jumping pole.

Place it flat on the ground and encourage your dog to step over it.

As your dog is comfortable, you slowly raise it up off the ground.

Even encourage your dog to crawl underneath it!

Try them out and share what your favorite enrichment activity is to do with your dog!