Naturally Canine - Behavior & Training

Happy spooky season, let's talk about why we LOVE muzzle training.

-it’s great for working on training to help dogs feel safer and more comfortable in the world, while keeping others safe

-it’s great for dogs to safely enjoy enriching activities without risk of bites.

-it’s great for emergencies. A dog in pain may be more likely to snap, so muzzle training can keep everyone safe.

-it’s great for dogs who have PICA or similar issues with compulsively picking up and ingesting things they shouldn’t

-it’s great for dogs who don’t love being rushed by strangers but are super duper cute, providing a mini stop sign for anyone who’s considering unsolicited face smooshes

There are also lots of kinds of muzzles that may work best for different face shapes or purposes. Bones here is wearing my dog Nina’s muzzle. It’s nylon (nice and bite proof) but has a treat hole for training, and lots of room to pant (Bones is showing this off quite nicely!) It’s also got allll the fun colors.

"Can I still tell my dog no?" I get asked this question a lot in my work. I believe it's misguided to banish a two letter word from the shared vocabulary with our dogs, but as Sarah has beautifully stated, it is a drop in the ocean of the communication and world we can build together.

Here’s the thing: I tell my dogs no. And I teach my clients how to communicate to their dogs when a behavior should not be repeated or continued. Pretending that’s not part of the equation is a mistake.

But it’s a drop in the ocean of the actual work.

The real skill, the true magic, is in the yes. Most people have no idea how to tell their dogs which behaviors should be repeated or continued in ways that actually matter; and that’s a vital skill to master. The vast majority of lasting behavior change comes from fulfilling the complex minds and bodies of the dogs in our care while crafting environments in which we can effectively apply our “yes” skills.

Adventuring with our dogs is what it’s all about. For many of my clients, this doesn’t come without hard work, and I’m so proud of every update I receive knowing how much went into sharing these special moments.

I’m forever grateful for the time I get to enjoy with my girls. We’re winding down from a few days spent at the beach, and a quick trip up to Maine. Enjoy their happy faces and a few recent client shares!