Good Karma Dog Training

05/05/2026

In the study, anxious dogs were given the medicinal mushroom Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) at a dose of 1000 mg per 10 kg of body weight (about 100 mg/kg) once daily for 28 days. This intervention led to a ~62% reduction in anxiety scores, with dogs improving to the point where they were no longer statistically different from healthy controls.

For families who cannot source Lion’s Mane, research suggests probiotics may offer a powerful alternative.

A 2025 peer-reviewed study published in the journal Animals (MDPI) found the probiotic strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP815™ naturally produces GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter that helps calm the nervous system by regulating nerve activity. Unlike traditional calming supplements, LP815 works through the gut–brain axis to support more lasting, natural calming effects.

LP815 clinical results in dogs (after 4 weeks):
• Reduced fear- and noise-related aggression
• More restful, consistent sleep
• Improved mood and reduced reactivity
• Better energy and emotional balance
• Faster settling after owner departure

That’s why when developed her one-of-a-kind canine probiotic, she included Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP815™ in PRIMITIVE PROBIOTICS™—a science-driven approach to rebuilding and maintaining your dog’s microbiome using strains inspired by wild canids, healthy domestic dogs, and living soil.

If you want to explore a science-backed probiotic option for your dog, comment BETTERBELLY and we’ll DM you the link.

01/28/2026

01/10/2026

Border Collies vs Australian Shepherds

Today is Australian Shepherd day and as recently my Border Collie Beau was told he was categorically not a Border Collie and was definitely an Aussie I thought I would share the differences between the breeds.🐾

Both breeds are intelligent, athletic, strikingly beautiful, and often described as “a lot of dog.” They’re frequently grouped together, recommended for similar homes, and admired for their working ability.

But while they share a herding background and many overlapping traits, living with a Border Collie can feel very different from living with an Australian Shepherd.

If you’re choosing between the two — or already live with one and are curious about the differences — this post will help you understand where they align, where they diverge, and why those differences matter in day-to-day life.

At first glance, Border Collies and Australian Shepherds seem almost interchangeable to those who don't know. Medium-sized, energetic, clever, and bred to work closely with humans.

Both are herding dogs, developed to move livestock efficiently and respond quickly to human direction. But their histories shaped them in slightly different ways.

Border Collies were developed along the border regions of Scotland and England, bred almost exclusively for working ability. For generations, form followed function. The dogs that could read livestock, respond instantly to a handler’s cues, and work independently over large distances were the dogs bred forward.

Appearance mattered very little. What mattered was:

* Eye
* Stamina
* Trainability
* Problem-solving ability
* Responsiveness to pressure

This intense selection for work is still very evident in modern Border Collies, even those bred primarily as pets.

Despite the name, Australian Shepherds were actually developed in the United States, with ancestry linked to European herding dogs that worked alongside shepherds.

Aussies were bred to be versatile all-rounders:

* Herding livestock
* Guarding property
* Being adaptable farm companions
* Working in closer proximity to people

They needed to think independently but also remain socially flexible and resilient in busy environments.

Let’s talk about intelligence because both breeds are extremely smart, but not in the same way.

Border Collies are often described as the most intelligent dog breed but that intelligence can be intense.

They:

* Learn patterns extremely quickly
* Anticipate what’s about to happen
* Notice tiny changes in body language or routine
* Can become mentally overstimulated just as easily as physically under-stimulated

Many Border Collies don’t just learn behaviours — they analyse them. This is why they can appear almost psychic… and also why they can become anxious, reactive, or frustrated if their environment feels unpredictable or overwhelming.

Australian Shepherds are also highly intelligent, but their intelligence is often more social, adaptable and less intense.

They:

* Learn quickly but are less likely to obsess over detail
* Tend to cope better with change and novelty
* Are often more forgiving of handler mistakes
* Enjoy problem-solving, but don’t usually fixate on it

This can make Aussies feel slightly easier for some households.

Both breeds are energetic. Neither is a couch potato. But there’s a difference between high energy and relentless drive.

Border Collies are driven. Not just active - driven.

They don’t simply want to do something… they want to do something meaningful. They have a need to do and if you don't give them something to do they will find their own jobs, which you may not approve of.

Without appropriate outlets, that drive often shows up as:

* Obsessive ball fixation
* Herding children, cars, or bikes
* Inability to settle indoors
* Reactivity on walks
* Constant scanning of the environment

Many owners assume the solution is more exercise, but physical activity alone rarely satisfies a Border Collie. They need clarity, predictability, and appropriate mental work.

Australian Shepherds are energetic and athletic, but often have a slightly better off-switch.

They:

* Enjoy long walks, hikes, and activities
* Tend to settle more easily once their needs are met
* Often cope better with rest days
* Are less likely to self-assign jobs out of frustration

That doesn’t mean Aussies are low maintenance — far from it — but their energy can feel more balanced for many homes.

Sensitivity and Emotional Processing is one of the biggest and most overlooked differences between the two breeds.

Border Collies are incredibly sensitive dogs.

They:

* Read human emotion exceptionally well
* Are deeply affected by tension, frustration, or inconsistency
* Often struggle with harsh training methods
* Can internalise pressure rather than bounce back from it

This sensitivity is part of what makes them such incredible working partners but it also means they require thoughtful, emotionally aware handling.

A stressed Border Collie doesn’t usually switch off… they spiral.

Australian Shepherds are sensitive too, but often more emotionally resilient.

They:

* Tend to recover more quickly from mistakes
* Are usually more tolerant of environmental pressure
* Can cope better with busy households or social settings
* Often show clearer external stress signals rather than internalising

This doesn’t mean they don’t need kind, force-free training — they absolutely do — but they may cope better with the imperfections of everyday life.

Herding Style and Behaviour Challenges are probably where the biggest differences lie.

Because both are herding breeds, many owners experience similar challenges — but the style of those challenges can differ.

Border Collies use 'eye' — an intense, fixed stare to control movement.

In pet homes, this often translates to:

* Fixating on moving objects (cars, runners, bikes)
* Freezing or stalking behaviours
* Sudden lunging after periods of stillness
* Difficulty disengaging once focused

These behaviours aren’t “bad habits” — they’re expressions of deeply ingrained instinct.

Australian Shepherds tend to herd in a more upright, loose-eyed style.

This can show up as:

* Circling or chasing movement
* Barking while herding
* Body blocking rather than stalking
* Less intense fixation, more active control

Both breeds are highly trainable, but they thrive under different training approaches.

Border Collies need:

* Clear criteria
* Consistent handling
* Calm, precise communication
* Thoughtful progression

They can become stressed by:

* Repetition without purpose
* Over-arousal games
* Inconsistent rules
* High-pressure environments

They love clarity and patterns and are great at repeating.

Australian Shepherds often respond well to:

* Variety
* Play-based learning
* Short, engaging sessions
* A balance of structure and flexibility

They like to think the training is led by them so using shaping so they think it is all their idea can be useful. They are less likely to want to repeat behaviours.

Border Collies often:

* Bond very closely to one or two people
* Prefer familiar dogs and environments
* Are selective about social interaction
* Enjoy parallel play rather than chaotic group play

They don’t need lots of dog friends — they need safe, predictable relationships.

Australian Shepherds are often:

* More socially confident
* More tolerant of novelty
* Happier greeting people and dogs
* Better suited to busy homes or social settings

Again, this varies by individual — but the trend is common.

Choose a Border Collie if you:

* Enjoy structure and routine
* Love training and skill development
* Are happy to adapt your environment to your dog
* Appreciate sensitivity and depth

Choose an Australian Shepherd if you:

* Want a highly active but slightly more flexible companion
* Have a busy or social household
* Enjoy variety and play in training
* Need a dog who can roll with change

Final Thoughts

Border Collies and Australian Shepherds may look similar on paper, but living with them can feel very different.

Understanding those differences doesn’t just help you choose the right breed it helps you support the dog you already have in a way that truly meets their needs.

Because when a herding dog feels understood, supported, and guided… that’s when they truly thrive 🐾

Thank you The Dog Sports Performance Coach, Kat Farrants for your picture on the right of Meme the Aussie next to my Border Collie Beau on the left.

11/22/2025

They said no dog could make that run.
Balto didn’t just make it — he became the hero of a frozen world.

In the winter of 1925, the remote town of Nome, Alaska was trapped under ice and fear. A deadly diphtheria outbreak was spreading fast, children were dying, and the town’s tiny supply of antitoxin was gone. The nearest medicine was 674 miles away, across frozen tundra and hurricane-strength blizzards.

Planes couldn’t fly.
Ships couldn’t move.
The temperature was –60°F.

So Alaska turned to the one force that never failed them:
sled dogs.

What followed became known as the Great Race of Mercy — a relay of mushers and dogs pushing through darkness, ice, and storms powerful enough to kill a grown man within minutes.

Balto wasn’t the biggest dog.
Wasn’t the fastest.
And definitely wasn’t the one anyone expected to lead the final, most dangerous leg of the journey.

In fact, Balto was considered “average” — a dependable but unremarkable Siberian husky who usually ran in middle positions, not at the front. The Superstar of the kennel was another dog named Togo, who led his team on an unbelievable 260-mile stretch that historians still call the greatest feat in sled dog history.

But when the last leg came, musher Gunnar Kaasen made a bold choice.
He put Balto at the front.
Because Balto, more than any dog he’d ever seen, had a sense of direction like a compass wired to the earth.

And the final run?
It needed a dog who could find the way when visibility dropped to zero.

Late on the night of February 1, 1925, Kaasen and Balto’s team set off into a storm so violent it erased the horizon. Wind slashed like knives. Snow blinded them. The trail markers vanished. Men had died in better conditions.

And yet Balto ran.

At one point, Kaasen couldn’t see the lead dogs at all — the storm was that thick. He yelled into the darkness, praying they were still alive, still running.
Balto never hesitated.
He forged ahead, trusting something deeper than sight.

Then disaster struck.

A hurricane-force gust flipped the sled, launching the antitoxin into the snow. Kaasen clawed through the darkness, panicked, numb, desperately searching for that one small box — the box the entire town depended on.

He found it.
Barely.
If he hadn’t, the run would’ve been for nothing.

He repacked the sled with shaking hands, reattached the dogs, and whispered to Balto,
“Go.”

And Balto went.

Through the night.
Through the winds.
Through the kind of cold that shatters bone and freezes air in your lungs.

When they reached Nome at 5:30 a.m., both Kaasen and Balto were coated in ice. The dogs’ sides heaved with exhaustion. The medicine — frozen to the sled — was delivered.

They had saved the town.

A crowd gathered, stunned. Someone asked how they made it.
Kaasen pointed at the little black dog in front.
“Balto led the whole way.”

Balto became a global hero overnight. Newspapers celebrated him. Children sent letters. The mayor of New York held a parade in his honor. A statue was raised in Central Park, where it still stands today.

But Balto didn’t care about fame.
He cared about doing the job he was born to do — running into storms and never giving up.

He spent his later years touring, then living peacefully at the Cleveland Zoo, where he was loved and visited by schoolchildren who grew up on the legend of the brave sled dog who saved a town.

When he passed away in 1933, his body was preserved and placed in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History — not as a trophy, but as a tribute.

Balto wasn’t the fastest.
He wasn’t the strongest.
But when the world needed a hero, he ran into the storm.

And he didn’t stop until the children of Nome had hope again. ❄️🐾

11/21/2025

08/08/2025

Small signals.
Big meanings.
These movements and behaviors aren’t random.
They've been carefully chosen and deliberately used by your dog and they're being used to avoid confrontation, deescalate or steer clear of something they feel uneasy about .
They might sense just a little pressure or conflict...so they offer a signal to say, “We’re all good here.”

Growling is a clear signal they can give...but it's risky.
Way before the growl are all these little signals they can give.
It's communication and it's natural....but we can be "offended" when we realise they are aiming them at us.

Instead of taking it personally, we can ask ourselves....
Why do they feel the need to use them?
That question is an opportunity to support our dogs better

Some signals serve a double duty.
A tail lowering, perhaps tucking? Often fear.....but it can also act as appeasement.
A lowered head? Maybe appeasement, maybe fear.
Context matters.

They can be incredibly subtle.
Tricky to spot....but we owe it to our dogs to look a little deeper at why they are behaving the way they are.

It is all communication.

06/23/2025

06/11/2025

A groundbreaking study from Sweden’s Linköping University has confirmed what dog lovers have long suspected: the bond between dogs and humans is deeply biological. The key? Oxytocin — the hormone responsible for love and trust.

As wolves evolved into domesticated companions over thousands of years, dogs became genetically tuned to this hormone. Those with specific oxytocin receptor variants are more likely to seek human help, show affection, and thrive in modern environments.

But today, scientists say we’re entering a third wave of domestication — one shaped not by survival or status, but by empathy and adaptability.

Modern service dogs are at the forefront of this transformation. Unlike their ancestors bred for guarding or herding, these dogs are biologically and behaviorally wired to be calm, social, and deeply attuned to humans — even from puppyhood.

This new evolution is reshaping canine genetics in real time. As our cities grow and lifestyles change, so too must our dogs — not just in behavior, but in biology.

➡️ The future of dogs isn’t just about how they look. It’s about how they feel.