Dog Box Training School

24/07/2026

I'm happy to be quoted in this piece from The Farmer's Dog Digest about why you should never punish your dog for growling. You can read it via the link in the comments.

24/07/2026

No animal should be used for sport or our amusement — especially at the risk of their own health. Dog racing, horse racing, rodeos.. All awful.

24/07/2026

Studies on dogs, primates, and rodents show that even mild hyperthermia affects the prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain responsible for impulse control, decision‑making, and behavioural inhibition.

When body temperature rises by 1–2°C, the brain:

🔘processes information more slowly

🔘becomes more reactive to movement

🔘loses fine motor control

🔘struggles with inhibition

Heat alters the nervous system’s ability to regulate arousal

References:
Hall, E. J., Carter, A. J., & Bradshaw, J. W. S. (1999).
Effects of mild hyperthermia on working dogs.
Journal of Comparative Physiology B.

Bruchim, Y., et al. (2017).
Heat stress and the canine nervous system.
Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

Kiyatkin, E. A. (2019).
Brain hyperthermia and behavioural inhibition.

24/07/2026

"Dogs could tell the difference just in smell between someone when they were at baseline and when they were stressed." That was Dr. Catherine Reeve of Mount Saint Vincent University and Epic Tails Canine Adventures talking to Kristi Benson and I about some very cool research that she did on dogs. Don't you think it's amazing that dogs can do this?! Listen to the conversation to find out how they set up the experiment and what it was like for the dogs who took part. You can listen wherever you get your podcasts, watch on Youtube, or do both and read a transcript on my website (link in bio).

24/07/2026

30/06/2026

What would be possible if you let go of the "dominance" idea?

Your dog is pulling on leash to get where they want to go and because they walk faster than you. Your cat is swatting at you because it is uncomfortable for them to be petted.

Attributing behaviors to dominance or a power struggle can lead to interventions that make these behaviors worse, not better.

You could release a power struggle. You could meet your pet where they are. You could keep your pet feeling safe. You could see your pet as a learner instead of a social climber. You could both enjoy each other more.

The stories we tell ourselves about why our pets behave the ways they do are powerful. If dominance based thinking is stressing you out, remember, holding on to the idea of "dominance" isn't required to change your pet's behavior. So why not try something different?

30/06/2026

TLDNR: Even if your puppy would never dream of resource guarding, make sure you do the anti-resource guarding protocols in Puppy Culture and With Open Arms (links in comments). They are are emotionally foundational for your puppy, and technically foundational for you.

🦴❤️🦴❤️🦴❤️🦴

A question came up in the With Open Arms student discussion group about puppies that pick up things such as twigs and leaves in their mouths on walks, and how to get those things out of their mouths. Re-posting my answer, here.

Every puppy, ever, is going to play "keep away" and, while the behavior springs from a different well than resource guarding, the solution begins with the same protocols.

Here is my post:

Have you watched/been doing the resource guarding exchanges in the course? Although the behavior is not resource guarding but, rather, a playful behavior, the anti-resource guarding protocols are emotionally foundational for your puppy, and technically foundational for you.

When my puppy or dog has something I don't want them to have, I say "trade" and then put an enormously great treat right in front of their face. When they drop the thing to take the food, I remove the thing and give another treat. VERY IMPORTANT when you say "trade" the treat should not be visible. It should be hidden, preferably in your hand behind your back. (the technique is demonstrated by me and Jean Donaldson in the resource guarding protocol which is why I say it's technically foundational).

Eventually, when you say "trade" your puppy will have an involuntary response to the word "trade" and his mouth will just open and the stuff will drop out. But you have to be very careful about the timing, make sure you get "trade" out loud and clear before presenting the treat, or it will just become a lure and he won't do it if you don't have treats...like in an emergency situation when he's picked up something dangerous.

All that having been said, I spend a good part of the first months of my puppies' lives with my hand down their throats, pulling something out that they should not have. There's going to be situations that come up before the time "trade" is perfected when you also do not have a treat handy and need to get something out of the puppy's mouth NOW. I just pry open my puppies' mouths when this happens.

But the situation you describe is easily manageable by having VERY HIGH VALUE treats on hand when you walk your puppy. If there is no food in the world that is better than a game of keep away, use a high value toy. And you don't need to worry about spoiling your dog or teaching him that if he picks up stuff he'll get a treat. I've just never had that be an issue.

30/06/2026

[BREAKING] Fuel prices will decrease from midnight. 93 petrol goes down by R2,01 per litre and 95 grade by R1,96 per litre. Diesel is expected to cost between R3,14 and R3,59 less per litre. Tune in to , channel

30/06/2026

"It's not the dogs, it's the people!"

How many times have you heard this? Perhaps you've even said it yourself after watching a frustrating training session unfold.

But here's the truth that fifty years of professional work has taught me: it is the dogs. And it is the people. And—most critically—it's how that specific dog and that specific person interact together.

When a new client walks through your door with their dog, you're not seeing two separate entities. You're witnessing a third creation: the relationship itself. This dynamic, living thing has its own patterns, its own strengths, its own breakdowns. And unless you can accurately assess what's happening in that relationship, your training plans will be built on guesswork rather than understanding.

Most professionals receive excellent education in learning theory, ethology, and training techniques. We learn about operant conditioning, classical conditioning, reinforcement schedules. We study canine body language and behavior modification protocols. All essential knowledge.

But here's what typically doesn't get taught: how to systematically assess the relationship dynamics between a specific dog and a specific handler. Without this crucial skill, we're left making educated guesses about why things aren't working, why the dog responds beautifully for us but not for the owner, why progress stalls despite technically correct training.

Does this feel familiar?

Read more at the Blog:
🔗 https://suzanneclothier.com/beyond-its-the-people-relationship-dynamics/

12/12/2025