Wayward Dogs Training

05/15/2025

Such a great rant

05/02/2025

Please

We get our puppies vaccinated on time because we love them and we want to lessen the likelihood of infectious diseases that can cause illness, suffering and even death. Why then, don't people get their dog the vaccination against fear, anxiety, stress, panic and phobia?

Isn't emotional suffering and potential euthanasia enough of a reason to protect puppies as any other infectious disease?

Just like vaccinations, the timing of socialization is critical. You can't do it later. It has to be done before 14 weeks in most breeds.

Not only is the exposure important, but the nature of the exposure. Positive exposures put value in the emotional piggy bank and negative ones withdraw value.

There is no reason to avoid socialization if done well and safely, but there are lots of negative consequences to waiting to expose your pup to the world.

Give your puppy the best of both worlds—protection and preparation for a happy, confident future!

02/13/2025

Better a day too soon than a minute too late

04/05/2024

ADOLESCENCE:
As dogs go through adolescence, it’s safe to say things turn a little topsy-turvy! 🙃

If you’re currently at this stage and feeling like you’ve taken one step forward and two steps back, don’t panic! During this stage of life, there’s a lot going on in their busy little brains.

Here are three facts about the adolescent brain 🧠👇

1. The inhibitory neurons of the amygdala that help to dampen down emotional responses don’t fully mature until the END of adolescence.

2. Communication between the frontal cortex and amygdala, which is essential for skills training, decreases during adolescence.

3. Extinction memory is impaired during adolescence, so if your dog has a bad experience it’s much more likely to lead to a ‘hard wired’ fear memory.

Have patience and compassion as you support and guide your dog through this vulnerable period of brain development.

01/24/2024

So true!

Friday Funny 🤣🤣