Be Vulnerable, Stay Open

Looking back on where Jack was when we first brought him home until now, it’s night and day.

Jack was frustrated, his social and emotional needs weren’t met in the beginning which resulted in barking and lunging at anything and everything.

Jack was thirsty to learn.

I needed to listen, but in the beginning I didn’t know how.

I struggled with his separation related behaviors, his panic attacks in confinement areas, his barking and lunging on a leash at people, cars, trucks, other dogs, runners, bicyclists and I recognized he was struggling too.

I needed to find how to help him understand he’s safe when we didn’t speak the same language.

The first thing I did was discover his favorite things-FOOD! 😂

Food is important for any animal’s survival. You don’t have to teach another living being to like food (maybe the type of food ect).

What is necessary to understand is a more pleasurable food will for sure boost morale which in turn will encourage more motivation.

The power of food can change minds.

Then I began bringing his favorites everywhere I went with him.

This not only helped him engage with me, but I also recognized when I was wearing my treat pouch, I was also engaged with him too.

It was a physical reminder, I’m here for Jack and I want to teach him, much like when a person brings a briefcase to work or puts on a uniform.

We worked together in more distracting environments and together he built his toolbox of coping skills and increased his self control.

Not only did Jack learn the reward of something delicious coming his way when we saw another person, or even another dog, but he started to “see” me too.

Jack began checking in with me on his own because I consistently showed up for and stayed engaged with him.

The ongoing practice is a game changer for him.

He’s learned to change his mind about all the things I mentioned. We passed by a person walking their very excited dog while in the car and Jack watched without getting excited or barking and lunging.

We drive through the gate at JBLM and Jack is content with the window being rolled down and the gate guard and I sharing pleasantries and getting ID cards scanned.

These things did not happen in the beginning.

He changed because I changed.

I know it’s scary, but you can change too.

Bring the rewards.

Praise and reward for the behaviors you want.

Be consistent.

Take your time.

Look to set up for success always.

If a mistake happens, because it will, be kind to yourself and your dog.

You’re both learning together.

You will see the relationship unfold and your dog change too.

Get started: https://fourpawsandyoudogtraining.as.me/

STOP THAT! LEAVE IT! LEAVE IT! LEAVE IT!

Are you tired of being the referee with your dog and kids?

Do you just want to enjoy the time when your kids are playing amongst themselves and your dog is quietly joining them?

I bet this doesn’t last long.

You hear MOM or DAD! Fido stole my race car!! And now a chase ensues around your home. Your kids are crying, your dog is excited and you just want all of this to stop.

But you’re at a loss of what to do.

You adopted your dog from the rescue, you don’t know what your new family member went through before and you do want the best for Fido, but the constant refereeing has GOT. TO. STOP!

I completely understand.

The craziness is getting on your nerves.

All you want to do is enjoy your morning coffee with less drama.

Even though you may see Fido mirroring you and following you around to get his needs met, your kids can become the great equalizers.

Your children can also become those Fido seeks out for breakfast and dinner and to even be let out in the backyard for a potty break.

Your kids can also teach Fido news skills and be able to take some of the burden off of you.

How?

Get them involved with caretaking and training responsibilities in age appropriate ways.

Finding the motivation to jumpstart your kids involvement may be necessary if they haven’t had to do these things before.

Then as your kids see the enjoyment in spending time with Fido, the whole atmosphere of the home changes.

Here are some age-appropriate ways you can involve your kids as well as what they can learn by getting involved:

Children younger than 5 years old can help alert you to when the dog needs more fresh water. This can encourage your child in developing a sense of responsibility.

Young children can also help to stuff kongs or other puzzle toys. This not only encourages your child helpfulness, but it also develops your child’s fine motor skills of pinching small objects as well as hand eye coordinator of fitting the food or treats in a kong.

Scatter feeding is another way young children can be apart of the caretaking responsibilities. Not only does this teach children that dogs require food to survive, it also builds on your child’s gross motor skills of being able to raise arms and toss.

Older children can also take on a caretaking role too. Older children can be responsible for cleaning bowls and toys. Also, older children can practice training cues. Older children can also be responsible for Fido’s walks as long as Fido is comfortable seeing other people, dogs and experiencing trucks go by.

Shadow relaxing with his human bros!

Learning how to become more effective communicators can really fine tune how they relate to another and build their confidence in teaching another something new.

🤔 Now, since you know your kids best, how you can motivate your kids to take an active role? 🤔

Neighborly Dogs

Just this past weekend on a long run, I heard birds (not crows lol) chirping.

The days are getting longer.

While I’m still waiting on some warmer temperatures, I know they are right around the corner.

Living in a new community, I’m also looking to ensure I keep the peace with my neighbors.

There is one neighbor to the right of us who has a gorgeous garden and he’s getting himself ready for his growing season.

Jack and Bernie are not quite used to him, yet.

They love spending time outside, but with the noises and people and their dogs milling around, us together are working on them being more comfortable when our neighbors are enjoying their space too.

Here are some tips on creating a safe and fun space for your dogs in your backyard regardless how much space you have to work with this spring and summer.

  1. Create an elimination spot. How?

Bring your dog out to the same spot every time. Bring your dog out on a leash and walk them over to the area. When your dog eliminates, loads of praise and reward.

After they are done, then they can have some free time outside. If your dogs are anything like Jack and Bernie, they love sun bathing!

  1. Create an area where your dogs can have a place to dig. I know, you don’t want your dogs digging, but let’s face it. Digging is a natural behavior, so work with them and give them a chance to practice what they were born to do.

You can bury bones and such which will encourage your dog to hang out in the pit rather than finding wonderful things in your garden bed

Bernie loved his digging pit in OK. This is another project on my husband’s to do list 🙂

  1. A fence is great! A privacy fence is better.

As a renter, I don’t have the privilege of altering my own space. We did choose a home with a privacy fence. Privacy fences work not only to keep people from looking in and gaining access to our space, but it also prevents Jack and Bernie to have direct visual of everything going on the other side of the fence.

If you don’t have a privacy fence, you can can create one that doesn’t permanently alter the structures of the home you may be renting or temporarily staying in. One client used bamboo which even extended the height of the fence. This is great for her dog that was a bit of a jumper!

Bamboo for a fence visual barrier and height extender!
  1. Practice Recall with your dog.

Start when its a low distracting environment. Always making it fun when your dogs trot their way back to you.

Remember don’t be the party pooper and end their fun of being outside when they come back to you. You want to be the party too, so keep it fun and work on slow transitions back into the home. This can be as simple as a couple of rounds of hide n’ seek with you outside. Slowly transitioning the game inside with finishing up with them on some settling activities.

  1. Practice a Positive Interrupter like “whoopsie”. This is just like any cue. This is a great way for your dogs to learn how to self manage their discomfort or over arousal. When your dog learns that “whoopsie” means something great, you will be able to interrupt your dog’s behavior without you getting frustrated too.

Saying “whoopsie” and when your dog learned this is a great thing for him, your dog is more likely to come to you and stop what he’s doing instead.

Also, you saying “whoopsie” is more fun for you too. Way more fun than saying “no”.

When you say “no”, there is nothing you are saying for your dog to differently. Saying “no” only gets you frustrated.

You repeat yourself, your dog continues.

You say “no” several more times, you start getting upset.

In turn, your dog is more reluctant to return to you. Which then continues this cycle of your frustration and your dog avoiding you.

Saying “whoopsie” when followed with your dog being rewarded for responding, you’re teaching your dog to do something different!

Your yard is an extension of your home and creating boundaries for your dog gives them a clear idea of what is expected.

Enjoy the start of spring and make your outside space as relaxing as your family room for you and your pooches 🙂

Bernie enjoying the sun and his stuffie 😂