Spicy Paws Dog Training

06/17/2026

Cooperative Care Training

When I say I have BEEN THROUGH IT with these dogs, I mean it sincerely.

One of the hardest parts of that journey was knowing Dolly needed more help than we could reasonably give her.

One thing she would have benefited greatly from me knowing about sooner was cooperative care training.

By the end of her life, she had a diagnosed thyroid condition and advanced arthritis. Both require a high level of support and a fair amount of body handling, which Dolly understandably wasn't a fan of likely due, at least in part, to those conditions.

The vet was also terrifying for her.

We tried medication to help her cope, but she "broke through" all of them and ultimately required full injectable sedation for even basic veterinary care. That meant our options for treating her medical conditions were severely limited. It made everything about caring for Dolly and managing her behavior as she aged that much harder.

Had I known about cooperative care training when we got her at seven years old, maybe we could have changed that story for her.

But like I've been saying when you know better, you do better.

I used to say all the time, "I wish I had Dolly as a puppy because she was so smart, almost too smart for her own good, and just imagine what I could have done with that."

The universe apparently heard me and said, "Your wish is my command, but let's add some extra spice," and gave me Kora and Maze to humble me. 🫠 Funny how that happens.

Thankfully, I did have them from puppyhood, and I've been able to help them in ways I couldn't help Dolly.

One of those ways is cooperative care training so they can have agency and feel safe during veterinary and grooming procedures. This is especially important for fearful dogs.

Should I have started some of it sooner? Yea, Probably.

But when you're trying to put out twenty fires at once, you pick and choose what's most relevant in the moment.

Right now, a chin rest behavior is incredibly important for both Kora and Maze. It helps them feel safer during physical exams and body handling because their current strategy is to either run away and hide or, in Maze's case, attempt to crawl directly into my skin.

Neither option is ideal when you're dealing with a CCL injury and concerns about spinal issues.

We're also working through Kora's nail-trimming trauma.

Our first plan was a scratch board, which can be fantastic for some dogs. Unfortunately, Kora got a little too enthusiastic and nearly quicked herself, which was very much the opposite of our goal.

So we pivoted.

Now we're working on some games and gradual training exercises to see if that's more her speed. It's still a work in progress, but thankfully her nails are fairly thin, and regular walking does a decent job of keeping them manageable.

Lastly, we're revisiting restraint training.

This is something I had already conditioned when they were younger, but without practice it has deteriorated a bit. There will inevitably be situations where they need to be held still for their own safety or medical care, and I don't want that experience to feel scary or threatening.

All of these skills help ensure they don't end up where Dolly did—where veterinary care became increasingly inaccessible because of fear.

They're both young. They're both large. And statistically, there's a pretty good chance they'll require significant support at some point in their lives.

I want them prepared for that.

If you have a dog who is fearful at the vet, please do something about it.

Talk to your veterinarian about whether medication may be appropriate. Seek out a Fear Free veterinarian. Reach out and let's start working on cooperative care skills. If needed, consult with a veterinary behaviorist.

The problem rarely fixes itself, and every bad experience has the potential to make the next one harder.

06/16/2026

Cooperative Care training can do wonders for helping your dog through these visits! I mentioned Kora learning a "chin rest" to help her but there is soo much more as well! Upcoming post about cooperative care coming soon!

06/15/2026

Let’s talk fruits and vegetables! 🥕🥬

With it being summer, I was reminded of one of my favorite low-cost, low-calorie enrichment treats: VEGETABLES!

Now… full transparency, my girls are bougie. They won’t touch fruits or veggies unless it's to destroy them while I’m actively trying to grow them in the yard of course 🫠

So this one slips my mind sometimes. My sister’s dogs though? They LOVE veggies and get them regularly as enrichment!

Here’s an easy, budget-friendly idea to try at home 👇

DIY Veggie Chews

• Grab some dog-safe bone broth
• Add carrots or celery
• Give them a quick dip
• Freeze them
• Serve as a safe, healthy, chews

DIY Veggie Shreds:
• Get a head of cabbage or lettuce
• Give it to your shredder outside and let them go to town!
• Monitor how much your dog consumes to avoid GI upset!

Chews can get pricey, and let’s be honest… some are advertised as “long-lasting” and are gone in 30 seconds 🙄

This is a great alternative to test with your dog! And the perfect use for extra garden items!

As always, every dog is an individual. Some will savor it, some will look at you like you’ve offended their ancestors 😂
But if your dog loves veggies, this one is absolutely worth a try!

💡 Spicy Paws tip: Always supervise chews and introduce new foods slowly. If you’re unsure whether a veggie is dog-safe, double-check before offering.

Want more easy enrichment ideas like this? You know where to find me 🐾🔥

Ps. Excuse the video quality, she sent me the video through text and it doesn't upload well.

06/14/2026

Dog behavior problems are a common source of stress for owners, yet the psychological mechanisms underlying this distress remain poorly understood. This cross-sectional study online survey examines relationships among dog behavioral characteristics, caregiver guilt, burden, psychological outcomes, s...

06/13/2026

Where You Get Your Puppy Matters
Part 6: Final Thoughts

Behavior struggles come with more than just the behaviors.

They come with judgment from other people. The "you should have done this" comments. The assumptions that you're somehow a bad owner because your dog isn't perfect. The belief that every problem is your fault or that your dog is simply a "bad dog."

This is one of the reasons I don't share my behavior clients publicly.

Behavior struggles also come with people judging you if you make the REALLY HARD decision to rehome, surrender, or humanely euthanize a dog because you can no longer safely meet their needs.

Because you should just "stick it out."

"I would never give up on a dog."

"A dog is a lifetime commitment."

"They just need training."

The reality is that life is rarely that simple.

Behavior problems also come with significant financial costs.

Studies have shown that anywhere from 30–80% of dogs seen by veterinarians for behavior concerns have an underlying medical component. Since dogs can't tell us what's wrong, finding those answers can take time, extensive diagnostics, and a substantial amount of money. Even when you do find the answer, it doesn't mean all of the behavioral fallout simply disappears.

We currently have over $5,000 in veterinary bills in 2026 alone, and we're nowhere near done. Maze will likely need an MRI, which will add several thousand dollars more.

None of this is routine care.

The only reason these medical issues are even being investigated is because I'm a behavior consultant and recognized the behavioral signs that suggested pain. To most people, both girls looked completely "fine".

Behavior problems often come with additional training costs as well.

Basic obedience training doesn't fix reactivity, fear, aggression, separation anxiety, pica, or many other behavioral challenges. These issues can take months or years to work through. They often require lifestyle changes, management strategies, professional support, and a level of commitment that many people never anticipated when they brought home a puppy.

If you have the capacity—both mentally and financially—to take on those challenges, then by all means, ignore this entire series.

But if you're bringing a puppy into your life hoping they will grow into a happy, stable adult dog, please stack the odds in your favor. Choose an ethical breeder or an ethical rescue organization whenever possible.

And if you've already found yourself with a puppy that isn't what you expected, you're not alone.

Reach out.

Let's talk, make a plan, and get you moving in the right direction. Behavior problems rarely fix themselves, but with the right support, they can improve!

The goal of this series was never to shame anyone for where their dog came from.

It was to help people understand that sometimes the deck is stacked long before a puppy ever comes home—and that understanding those factors can save both dogs and their people a lot of heartbreak.

06/12/2026

Where You Get Your Puppy Matters
Part 5: Maze

When we brought Maze home, she had worms and Giardia because, why not? Thankfully, our other dogs didn't catch it.

She was also pretty fearful right from the start, but lucky for her, that's apparently just what we do here.

Maze did miss a lot of proper socialization out in the world because of being sick but otherwise she doesn't have the extensive list of contributing factors like Kora. And just know I was heavily invested into training and behavior when we got her.

She is an anxious girl out in the world, but it's nothing the average owner would likely find concerning. My partner can walk her without it stressing me out and I don't feel that same way about Kora. They don't get walked together.

For the most part, she's exactly what you'd imagine from a Great Dane.

Except her communication style is growling.

She wants to play? Growls.
She's hungry? Growls.
You stopped petting her before she was ready? Growls.
You pet her in the wrong spot? Growls.
She wants to go outside? Growls.
If she doesn't like something? Growls.

This is her baseline.

We've worked on skills to replace some of those behaviors. They work well when she's able to think.

And she's typically a pretty relaxed dog overall when home and while I can understand why all that growling might sound concerning to some people and should, it's largely a non-issue for *US*. Now if I punished or ignored those growls, we'd be having a different discussion.

Maze's response in the pool video, though, wasn't a deliberate choice with intent behind it. It was a physiological response to overwhelming stress.

This is why I said it's "typically referred to" as redirected aggression, but that label doesn't really tell the whole story. And can cause people to address it in ways that aren't beneficial.

For a little human comparison:

Imagine you're walking through a haunted house. You've already had a few scares, but you're braving it out.

You've got this.

Then, as you're leaving, the chainsaw starts.

Maybe you hold it together, keep walking, and breathe a sigh of relief once you're outside.

Maybe you run.

Maybe you push the person in front of you out of the way.

Maybe you grab someone and use them as a shield.

Whatever your reaction, we wouldn't call those things aggression, even if they looked aggressive.

We'd acknowledge that in that moment you weren't thinking clearly, you might apologize afterward, and we'd move on because we know it wasn't actually about us.

Maze is the over-the-top person who grabs, screams, pushes, AND runs out of there.

That is who she has always been. Thankfully most days Maze's stress is controlled and she doesn't reach that level of arousal. That day had layering factors including her 3rd voluntary dip in an ice cold pool.

It's important that Kora knows when Maze has that response, I'll handle it which is what prevents them both from escalating.

There are a lot of factors involved when we're talking about behavior, but when the foundation is already shakey, things can go south quickly.

Disclaimer: Behavior is the study of one. Every dog is an individual with their own experiences and learning history, just because a behavior sounds the same doesn't mean it should be dealt with the same for your dog. When I talk about my girls, it is not training advice. If you need help, please reach out and let's talk!

Last thing I will leave you with for this post is there was a very interesting study done in February about the connection between Giardia, early-life experiences and severe behavioral problems. It was a very small study but it aligns with my experience both personally and professionally. **caveat: I have my own thoughts on the small details of the study but the overall concept is spot on! ** I will leave a link for it in the comments.

06/11/2026

I thought it'd be nice to take a break from the heavy stuff to celebrate what's going right (in case anyone was questioning my life choices... which, honestly, fair 😂).

Both girls are now being seen by great Fear Free veterinarians who use low-stress handling. This is incredibly important for preventing further deterioration of their behavior around veterinary care. They are both over 100 lbs, and being able to receive proper medical care is critical for their long-term health. Dolly was a big lesson in that.

Maze was recently seen by the chiropractor. I don't usually bring treats for her because I know she typically won't eat, and I don't want to keep offering food when I know she'll decline it.

The chiropractor did scatter some mini Milk-Bones on a platform at the beginning of the appointment, though. As usual, Maze wouldn't touch them.

Before anyone says, "Yeah, because they're Milk-Bones," they are actually one of Maze's favorite treats. And she doesn't get them very often. She's a weird one.

Anyway, after the chiropractor stepped out to talk with the doctor about medication, Maze had a change of heart. She started eating the treats and even went so far as to take one from a vet tech she'd met on previous visits.(nuance here, this isn't training advice) She then followed it up with a "down" to ask for more.

She clearly felt some level of relief, even if we're not all the way there yet.

Kora then had to go in yesterday for an adjustment to her brace. This was her third visit to My Pet's Brace, which is about an hour drive for us. She's been doing great with the car rides and has been slowly warming up to the staff.

Yesterday came with a whole list of wins:

• She didn't yell at the stuffed dog in the lobby like she usually does. She did yell at the receptionist, who materialized out of thin air in Kora's world, but she redirected quickly, so I'm still counting it as a win.

• She held her fancy new chin-rest behavior while my partner refitted her brace after the adjustments. I thought I had three more months before we'd need it so we weren't this advanced yet. I've been using access to the pool as a reward for duration of the chin rest during exciting situations, not for body handling yet. Apparently, according to Kora, this was brilliant. Work smarter, not harder.

• She actually relaxed!!

And I don't mean she laid down while panting excessively and staring at me. I mean she genuinely relaxed. In this picture she's pretty comfortable, but by the end of the appointment she was under my chair, snoozing on her side. The appointments are typically about an hour long, so this is a huge deal and has been great practice.

• The doctor was happy with the improvement in her muscle tone and movement. Which means we're still on track to avoid surgery.

Now, I will say that the brace office isn't the same as a veterinary office in terms of pressure and stress, but this is still a massive win for her.

Progress over perfection. ❤️

06/10/2026

06/08/2026

They have their days!