Imagine a walk where your reactive or hyper-energetic dog isn’t frantically pulling in every direction. Instead, they are given a chance to slow down, sniff, and relax (=decompress). A decompression walk is a slow, stress-free stroll in a low-trigger area. Unlike typical neighborhood walks, where things can get frantic, a decompression walk space is chosen intentionally. It’s a quiet green area without anyContinue readingDecompression walks: a great tool for reactive and hyper-energy dogs (and for all the urban dogs too)

trigger stacking in dogs: what it is and how to prevent anxiety overload Reactive dogs can get triggered by things happening around them. A “trigger” is anything that spikes your dog’s barking, lunging, fear, or other big feelings. For some dogs, triggers might be other dogs on leash, people dressed a certain way, or anything else that sets them off. When training reactiveContinue readingWorking with reactive dogs: trigger stacking and why it matters.

Many people say “My dog is too stubborn to ride in the car,” but dogs aren’t being stubborn for no reason. Dogs love to explore new places and often enjoy joining us on trips—so if they’re refusing, there’s usually something behind it. Here are the real reasons your dog might resist car rides—and what you can do about them. 1. fear and anxietyContinue readingwhy your dog might refuse car rides (hint: it’s not stubbornness)

You can’t fix a dog’s behavior problems if their basic needs aren’t met. It sounds simple enough. But how do you know what their needs are and how to meet them? … Continue readingThe first step to solving dog behavior issues

There are a few reasons why a dog can show aggression (growling, barking, snapping, and lounging) towards its pet parent, but the most common cause is resource guarding or, in other terms, possession aggression. This type of aggression happens when the dog is guarding their food bowl, a chew treat, a favorite toy, a dog bed, a couch, or a favorite human. InContinue readingResource guarding or a sudden aggression towards the pet owner.