Kindred Spirit Dog Training

05/15/2026

How do you pick up a dog? It can make a difference in your dog's safety and comfort, and how cooperative they are when you're picking them up.

02/24/2026

02/24/2026

Have you ever had to apologize to a friend for your dog hu***ng their leg?
Well, I have! On many occasions...😅

So, why does mounting (hu***ng) happen?

Mounting is a normal behavior performed by male and female dogs and cats 🐶🐱 (and other animals, but that's not what we're talking about today!)

Sometimes, mounting can be sexual in nature. If it is, neutering will generally resolve the behavior if done early.

Mounting is rarely a dominance issue. A pet mounting a human is not attempting to display dominance.

⭐ Most often, mounting happens when a pet is experiencing over-arousal (excitement), anxiety, or stress. If your pet mounts other pets or humans, have you noticed it's usually when they're wound up, or a lot is going on around them?

Puppies also mount as a play behavior. You may also see adult dogs hump briefly during play, but it's often not appreciated by other dogs.

02/24/2026

02/24/2026

In case you needed to hear any of these today...💙

We often hear from clients things like:
"She's the perfect dog aside from X"
"He's not like this at home."
"She never did this before."

Sometimes it can be hard to see beyond the behavior we are concerned about.

So it's important to remember that...
▪ Your pet isn't "bad" for having behavioral problems.
▪ You're not a bad pet owner for having a pet with behavioral problems.
▪ You can do everything "right" and still not have a "perfect" pet.
▪ It's normal to feel stress and frustration when your pet is struggling behaviorally.

02/22/2026

Because everyone needs a dose of positivity! 💙

What is your favorite thing about your behaviorally complex pet that not a lot of people get to see?

I'll go first: My cat, who has a history of aggressive behavior towards people, now requests to be picked up and snuggled. He's a darn good snuggler, too! 🐱

02/11/2026

Dog Breed Stereotypes 🐶

No dog should ever face judgment due to their breed or breed mix. Every dog is an individual.
With that being said, knowing a dog's breed can help us understand potential predispositions!

Every breed is different and will have different needs, which can be broken down into rather basic categories:
▪ expected energy levels
▪ behavior patterns, especially with poor breeding practices
▪ personality traits

Take an Australian Cattle Dog, for example. We know this breed was bred to herd cattle. Generally speaking, we can assume this breed will have a good amount of energy and drive to work, and may show herding tendencies in their interactions with animals and humans. These generalities can vary within the breed, with some ACDs being extremely high-energy and high-drive, and others seeming "lazy" or "undriven" in comparison.

No dog is inherently "good" or "bad" because of their breed (and we are firm advocates that there are no "bad" dogs). This includes herding breeds, hunting breeds, bully breeds, and everything big, small, or in between!

02/08/2026

No one enjoys walking with a dog who constantly pulls. It's unpleasant and can be dangerous. Learn how to teach your dog loose-leash walking.

02/08/2026

What to expect: Veterinary Behavior Treatment Plans 🐶 🐱 🐰 🐴

Seeking behavioral help for your pet can feel overwhelming. Let's simplify what a Behavior Health Assessment with Dr. Valli can look like...

▪ Diagnoses and risk factors, and treatment options
▪ Possible discussions regarding the use of medications, supplements, or advised medical follow-up
▪Recommendations and focuses for behavior modification and management

Our goal for you, coming away from the Behavior Health Assessment, is to provide you with a comprehensive "game plan" moving forward with your pet.

While behavioral challenges can differ, the Behavior Health Assessment with Dr. Valli will be used to guide your initial few months of treatment until we see your pet again, and we'll continue on that track until their behavior stabilizes enough for us to transfer care back to your primary vet.

06/23/2024

As a pet guardian or professional, it can be difficult to measure improvement once the pet starts medication.

Medications, both daily and fast acting, can help improve behaviors. Here’s what you should watch for: