Return to Nature K9

02/16/2024

NATURE VS NURTURE

It’s very common for dog owners to downplay their dog’s aggression and label it as “protectiveness”. This misinterpretation of canine behavior makes owners feel better about their dog’s aggressive/reactive outbursts. “My dog loves me so much they are protecting me.”

In reality, when our dogs are “resource guarding” us or our home, it is not coming from a place of protectiveness or love, but rather a place of insecurity and fear combined with empowerment. If we want to humanize our dog’s emotional state in those moments, we would be better off categorizing their behavior as possessiveness. Possessive behaviors are rooted in fear and insecurity, not strength, confidence or a sense of safety. These possessive behaviors are a result of; a lack of leadership, a relationship that is not in balance, and a lot of underlying stress in the dog. If we allow our dogs to control our environment, they will.

Fence fighting/fence aggression, staring/barking out windows, rushing aggressively toward people/strangers entering our homes or outdoors, blasting out doors into the yard, lunging, jumping on, barking at people or dogs; these are simply a few examples of a dog who believes they have to control the environment. These dogs either don’t trust their owners to protect them or their owners have allowed these behaviors to persist. (What we allow, we train).

So often clients will tell me their dog wasn’t aggressive or “protective” when they got them, but those behaviors developed and worsened over time. Instead of asking what do we do to fix it, we should first be asking ourselves WHY our dogs are behaving this way. Where did this behavior come from, is it learned or genetic? (If they didn’t exhibit those behaviors before it’s not genetic). What has changed? What might we doing to create and reinforce those behaviors?

From the moment they meet us, our dogs are sizing us up. Do we represent strength, leadership and safety or do we represent weakness and uncertainty? Even the nicest, most submissive dog will climb in the hierarchy if they are allowed to. They simply aren’t equipped to handle that responsibility.

02/16/2024

01/31/2024

REACTIVITY STARTS AT HOME!

Often times dog owners create, encourage and reinforce explosive/reactive behaviors without even realizing it. Usually it starts the moment we get our dog/puppy. We allow them to excitedly rush/lunge toward us, dominantly jump up on us (demanding attention) and because we misinterpret this behavior as love we reward/encourage/reinforce it with affection - thereby teaching our dogs these behaviors are ok.

Remember, everything is connected in the mind of the dog. When working to rehabilitate and repattern dominant/reactive behaviors, we have to change the behavioral associations our dogs have with us, in the home, first. It’s very common for me to see dog owners allow their dogs to rush toward the front door (and at people coming into the home), stare/bark out windows at people or other dogs/animals, be explosive in the home and yard, stalk or chase small animals in the yard, excitedly move toward any moving object; including balls, leaves, even the stream of water from a garden hose - all of which reinforces over stimulated, excited, explosive, dominant and reactive behaviors.

Dogs exhibiting any of these behaviors are moving forward emotionally in a predatorial mindset. When allowed to practice these predatorial behaviors repeatedly, these behavioral patterns become deeply engrained and more powerful in the dog. Dogs who are allowed or encouraged to practice these behaviors in the home are going to practice the same behaviors on the walk.

If we want to stop these behaviors, we need to understand and acknowledge what we are doing to contribute to/create these behaviors to begin with. Repetition creates bad behavior just as it creates good behavior. Our dogs become what they are allowed to repeatedly practice. 🧡🧡

01/19/2024

YOU GET WHAT YOU PET!!

This is the most challenging concept for the majority of humans to understand, because it is counter intuitive for us.

The truth is we do not diminish or eliminate fear, anxiousness, insecurity or stress by love bombing our dogs, or by baby talking them, coddling them, constantly reassuring them, or smothering them with affection. In reality , the exact opposite is true.

We must remember that ANY time we touch our dogs, it reinforces whatever mindset they are in, in that moment. If your dog is feeling fearful, insecure, anxious, dominant or aggressive while you’re baby talking them and smothering them with unwarranted affection, you are going to amplify and exacerbate those emotions. Whenever we give affection either verbally or physically, use treats/food, we are REWARDING our dog’s current emotional and behavioral state, basically we’re telling them “I like this behavior, give me more of it”. This is essentially the methodology that’s used to “pattern” behavior in obedience training.

Think about this, have you ever seen the fearful dog at the vet’s office who is becoming more and more fearful/anxious with every stroke of affection its’ owner gives? This behavior amplifies with every visit to the vet. Why?? *Usually* it’s because the dog’s owner unintentionally created these behaviors and is reinforcing the fearful or anxious mind with every “it’s ok” or stroke of the fur. (This always gets me thinking about dogs who are being prescribed anti anxiety meds etc by vets - how much of those behaviors have been created by well intentioned, loving humans who simply don’t know better? 🤔 … that is another subject for another day though).

If we can learn to reward our dogs with affection only when they are in a calm/submissive mindset and we effectively communicate disagreement for behaviors we don’t like, many of these unwanted and unhealthy behaviors will diminish or disappear. To achieve this will require humans to truly understand canine behavior…for us to learn to understand what our dogs are actually thinking/feeling and for us to put their needs above our feelings.

THINK LIKE A DOG. 🧡

📸:

01/19/2024

BE THE LEADER YOUR DOG NEEDS 🧡

We are giving our dogs everything, except what they really need.

I’ve never met a dog owner who didn’t love their dog. If love were enough, why are so many people and dogs struggling in their relationship? Why are so many dogs stressed out, anxious, destructive, fearful, reactive or aggressive? Why are so many good dogs being surrendered to shelters, by owners who loved them?

When we provide our dogs with the leadership they would naturally get within a pack, when we show up as believable leaders from Day 1, we give our dogs the greatest gift of love they could ever want. Leadership is Love! 🧡

01/17/2024

01/17/2024

12/12/2023

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

It’s hard to believe this year is nearly over. I’m so grateful to everyone who decided they wanted a better relationship with their dog, and for the trust you’ve place in me. It’s been such a pleasure to help so many of you and to get to know you and your dogs. I hope you have a wonderful, stress free, joy filled holiday season.

If you are struggling with behavioral issues and are interested in booking a full day behavioral evaluation for your dog, or want to book one on one training sessions, I am currently accepting new clients for mid-late January 2024 as of today.

Currently, there is no additional availability for holiday boarding, boarding is booked through the New Year. Boarding space is limited and only available for clients who have invested in one on one behavioral training/education programs.

I’d love to help you get to a better place with your dog, to deepen your connection and relationship from a place understanding and respect.

Happy Holidays ❤️💚🤍

~ Barbara

12/09/2023

S A T E L L I T E 📡 🛰️

This boy has become a regular around here. He has come so far. It’s hard to remember what his life was like before, when he was human and dog aggressive. He is part of our family now. He does so well with my pack and is an absolute pleasure to have around. We love him so much.

If you are struggling with behavioral issues with your dog and you are willing to change your behavior and your relationship with them, anything is possible. can attest to that. His leadership skills have grown and he has become a much more confident leader in these past 7 months. Without his willingness to learn, change and grow, he and Satellite would still be struggling. 🧡🧡