Downward Dog Canine Transformation offers the only dog behavior service of its kind in the Louisville area. The Downward Dog approach is based on the application of dog psychology to rehabilitate canine behavior issues and challenges. The foundation of the dog psychology approach rests in the belief that dogs are happier and healthier when humans learn to understand and communicate with them as dogs, rather than as humans. And when behavior issues arise with a dog, the key to unlocking those challenges can be best resolved through an understanding of how the dog relates to the world around him. Downward Dog focuses on the training or rehabilitation of dogs, while training humans in the process. This is different than traditional training. Traditional obedience training is based on the goal of having the dog perform a behavior in response to a command. This may be achieved with the use of physical and sound reinforcement, leash training, treats, clickers, and a variety of tools and strategies. Obedience training is a terrific thing for any dog owner and their dogs and it serves as an effective compliment to psychology-based rehabilitation. Obedience training is not, however, necessary as a pre-requisite to the application of psychology-based training or rehabilitation. The Downward Dog services are a home based. Problem behavior in the home is best assessed in the home where multiple influences (human, dog, environmental, etc.) can be observed. The goal is to identify the behavior(s) that the client wishes to change, identify the source of the behavior, and determine the human, canine and environmental adjustments that need to take place. Regardless of the specific issue(s) and training or rehabilitation plan, every dog needs a home that provides him/her with meaningful exercise, structure, and affection – in that order. What that looks like varies from home to home and dog to dog.
