The Dog Talker LLC

Episode #15 of The Dog Training Unplugged Podcast is OUT: “ Dog Bites: It’s time to hear the dog’s side of the story!”
This episode is inspired by a recent case of a rescue biting a 6 yr old in the face. This happened just before I was set to have an Initial Consultation/ LEGS Assessment with the family….

As it happens,there is a new development in this case, which you can hear all about in this episode… so turn it on!!!

It’s estimated that around 4.5 million people are bitten by a dog in the US every year, most of these are children aged 5-9.

This episode is a great resource for dog families with smaller kids but equally so for anyone wanting to learn more about WHY dogs bite!

And….. there is a Special FREE GIFT to the listener.
Thank you listening. I hope this message reaches your soul!

Meet Missy & Chica. The two who used to have severe fights daily… 10 months ago… when the client first contacted me. Now, they run free in their home and yard with their ‘sister’, Tootsie. I still provide them with walks twice a week while the client walks Tootsie….❤️

I have trained hundreds of dogs in my 7 year career as a Professional Certified Dog Trainer and have had very few ‘ failures’. I have bonded with all the dogs I have met almost instantly and has had lots of fun in the training process using positive reinforcement and a clicker. I used to think that the clicker was the most amazing communication tool and the best and fastest way to connect and create trust between the dog and myself.

Nowadays, I use REAL communication. I TALK to dogs. I CONNECT with dogs on a whole other level. I SEE the dog in front of me, the WHOLE dog. I see their soul, their needs, their expression, their fears, anxieties. I HEAR their voice, even when they don’t ‘speak’. I see and FEEL their being…..

Because I take the time to meet them where they are. When I am with dogs, I am 100% PRESENT. I now UNDERSTAND them…. WHO they are and WHY they do what they do. I have an understanding of WHAT dogs need from us humans MORE than training….

Scrolling through Instagram, I can’t help but feel sorry for all these trainers who day in and day out seem to feel a need to produce a HUGE amount of training videos. Demonstrating their technical skills with a dog.
✋I want to shout from the rooftops: STOP the training!!! ✋

This case of these 3 dogs, Missy, Chica & Tootsie is one that forever has left the biggest imprint on my heart and soul.

And do you want to know what the BEST thing is about it?
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
I did VERY LITTLE TRAINING of these dogs. They still jump. They only Sit if you ask repeatedly. They know Touch but responding to it is not their main concern…. Or need.

Missy & Tootsie pull on a leash. They are both ‘ reactive’ when encountering other dogs, but working on all these issues was never a priority and it’s ok. Reacting is part of who they are.

But you know what matters? It’s the gratitude and joy in their eyes when they look at you. One SOUL to another.

You have to be thankful for small mercies🙏🙏🙏

On rainy day 3 of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Debby, rain has started to drip into my office but at least missing my desk and computer🙏

We’re just praying it won’t get worse overnight although it looks pretty much like day 3 will be the worst here where we live.

I pray the big heavy oak tree outside our bedroom, which is leaning our way, will stay in the ground until we can afford to have it taken down… which is not anytime soon🙏 🙏🙏

We pray we are not getting anymore hurricanes this year🙏🙏🙏

Still, we may live in a house that is more than 100 years old with LOTS that needs fixing ( and NO money to fix it), but we are grateful we have a roof over our heads and no flooding right here, apart from the usual pond in our back yard🙏🙏🙏

We pray that all those affected, and especially those hit harder than us, here in South Carolina, in Florida, Georgia, and wherever Debby is headed next ( WHEN she is done raining on us), will stay safe and get the help they need to restore their homes and flooded areas🙏🙏🙏

Stay SAFE everyone🙏🐶🙏❤️I try to remember that things could always be worse…. There is always someone somewhere worse off.

New tattoo❤️🇩🇰My history & heritage.

Does your dog suffer with noise phobia? Some dogs are mildly affected, some will bark at loud thunder and fireworks (like mine). Others are severely affected, panting, pacing, visibly scared. Don’t let your dog suffer as it can become worse over time if you don’t DO something.

You can HELP your dog feel safer by trying any of the following:

When it’s bad thunderstorms outside, close your blinds for your dog and either play some calming piano music, try a Thundershirt, or have your dog in a room with a Box fan turned on ( facing the wall, not your dog) to block out noises and visual stimuli from outside. If your dog prefers to hide in a dark room/closet/bathroom, let him.

If your dog suffers from severe noise phobia, talk to your veterinarian about medication during storms.

Even if your dog is only mildly affected, TALK to him and help him calm down.

Don’t forget: YOUR behavior and body language matters and affects your dog’s!!

URGENT HELP NEEDED FOR OREN!!!! 🙏🙏🙏If this family doesn’t find a new home, Oren will have to be put down, the family has been told by all the shelters they have reached out to - because no shelter will take him!!!!

Oren is a 5 yr old albino pit bull who desperately needs a new loving home.

The family who adopted him 2 months ago unfortunately can’t keep him as their 6 yr old son is terrified of him after Oren bit the son in the face ( minor puncture) last week, on the day they were supposed to have an initial Consultation with me ( my business, The Dog Talker). We sadly never got to have the consultation.

This case is such a sad case of the many misunderstandings happening in homes where dogs and kids live together. This family has another pitbul and a 2 yr old and 8 yr old child and Oren has been absolutely fine with them ( read the words from a foster family in the screenshot)

What initially triggered Oren to ‘go after the son’ was a day when the son had put on a scary Halloween mask and was chasing his siblings. This happened at the end of May after Oren had lived with them for 3 weeks. The son’s behavior caused Oren to jump on the son and “pin him down putting his mouth on the son’s arm” . After this incident, the son’s reaction anytime Oren comes near has been to scream and squeal, and the son has not been able to take his mom’s words to “ be calm and ignore” to heart.

Sadly, the bite in the face happened in the son’s room with no adults present (as they were each attending to their two other kids) - until the son was screaming.

Even though this bite incident could absolutely have been avoided if the family had only had a chance to work with me, my recommendation is that Oren finds a new home with no small kids.

Oren’s ‘mom’ is absolutely devastated and feels she has let her son down and is adamant she doesn’t want to let Oren down. She loves Oren ( see picture) and Oren is very attached to her and this has caused her to lose sleep at night and she can’t think about anything else but try to save Oren’s life.

I had offered to work with the family as I am confident I can help them navigate this difficult situation much better and keep everyone safe. She told me she had thought about it but she of course needs a guarantee that this would never happen again, which no dog ethical professional can (or should) ever give.

But the mom has offered a new family to pay for an Initial Consultation with The Dog Talker LLC ( worth $250) as long as this new family is willing to work with me.

This case saddens me to the core as it’s such an evident case of human behavior causing a dog to react…. Where a sweet, loving dog might have to give his life due to misunderstandings of what can trigger dogs to react.

This happens every day somewhere in a dog’s home.

It’s so important that families with kids educate themselves on dog behavior so they can teach their kids how to navigate around dogs - and to NEVER leave small kids alone unsupervised with a dog…..

If you, or someone you know, want to know more about Oren, you can contact me directly to get the family’s name and number.

The family wants Oren to go to a home with no small kids and it’s important that a new home can fulfill Oren’s needs and a new family will be willing to give Oren the love and help he needs, including:

👉A house with a fenced yard
👉Oren can NOT be crated or left alone all day as he possibly suffers from some Separation Anxiety and panics ( and will escape) in a crate!!
👉Be willing to pay for professional services to help Oren navigate life in a new home. The family will be willing to pay for a 2 hr Initial Consultation on Zoom with my business, The Dog Talker LLC to start the help Oren and a new family needs

The current family lives in the Charleston SC area.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SHARE TO SAVE OREN’S LIFE!!!!!

THANK YOU!!!🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️🐶

Episode 14: Navigating life with your dog in the trigger jungle called sub-divisions.

Unless you have a dog who was well socialized as a puppy, who loves other dogs and people and who seems to be the ‘friendly happy-go-lucky’ type of dog nearly all people dream of sharing their life with…..in other words the ‘perfect pet’...... you are likely to run into some behavior issues with your dog - if you are someone who is already living in, soon moving into, or dreaming of moving into one of the many sub-divisions that are being built in almost every city in the US and around the world.

In this episode I talk about how important it is to understand your dog’s 4 L.E.G.S.® (Learning, Environment, Genetics & Self) and WHY your dog reacts to certain triggers or stressors and HOW you can best help your dog navigate life in a sub-division.

Sub-divisions are especially tricky to navigate for so many dog breeds and they desperately need your help. This episode sheds light on the many difficulties our dogs find themselves faced with in these tight-knit communities and HOW to help make life easier for your dog.

Thank you for listening with an open mind, heart, and soul,

Vivi MJ

Sticking together much? ❤️❤️😍😍🐶🐶

These two boys are 2days away from ‘shedding’ their ‘spring coat’….. bath and trim BADLY needed!!!

Dogs bark. Dogs growl. Dogs bite.....and dogs do so many other NORMAL dog behaviors. It’s time to STOP the labelling and demonizing of dogs.
Think about how often humans REACT to things.... stressors and triggers, just like dogs.
Our dogs are living as captive species in our modern homes. We have completely handicapped them. They are 100% dependent on us for everything. They don’t have FREE movement or choice in what happens to them or their bodies.
Imagine for a moment if that was YOU.
Take the time to stop and listen to your dog’s concerns when he barks. If your dog has snapped or growled at someone, don’t punish him. Take the time to figure out WHY he did what he did. If you don’t know how, seek the help of a Licensed or Certified Family Dog Mediator®. 
Most ‘reactive’ and ‘aggressive’ behaviors in dogs happen as a result of something that has happened to the dog in the past, in the environment.....typically because of human behavior, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations of their body language.
Never punish a growl! Your dog has a valid reason. Figure out what that is and help him feel safer next time.
 
Thank you for listening with an open mind, heart, and soul,
Vivi MJ
# umbrella framework

The Dog Training Unplugged Podcast | Vivi Myslik Jorgensen, LFDM-T, KPA CTP It's a new dawn. It's time for change. It's time to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves. In this podcast, Vivi MJ, a Professional Dog Trainer & Licensed Family Dog Mediator®, takes you on a journey to help raise awareness of the state of our...

A little photoshoot to celebrate our new logo and one of our new brand colors in connection with our 6th birthday earlier this month (April 9th).

These past 6 years have been filled with ups and downs and I’m not gonna lie- that in the past year and a half, I have been close to giving up and closing my business.

To survive as an entrepreneur and small business owner, you have to wear so many hats and be able to be good at marketing, selling, administrative duties, creating cool videos and be all over social media, etc. on top of working with clients and their dogs, losing sleep worrying about how to pay bills and continue to breathe.

As someone who takes great pride in all that I have achieved as a dog professional, and who cannot possibly imagine doing anything else other than continuing to improve the lives of dogs and their humans, I am also too aware of my limitations (especially having found my purpose so late in life). I am turning 57 next month, and physically, I am feeling the aches of getting older every day when I sometimes can hardly walk ( due to pains in my feet and legs) but even if I have to crawl, I will still show up to meet my dogs’ ( and clients’ dogs) needs every day!

Sadly, it seems that the general public are attracted to cool, young men and women who demonstrate how they can CONTROL a dog’s behavior and that dog training businesses who are ‘veteran owned’ almost automatically attract clients regardless of whether the trainers have invested in educating themselves on dog behavior, have any certifications, or any understanding of the harm they are actually doing to dogs in the name of training.

I am someone who has invested a LOT of $$$ on education about dogs ( including my pension from my home country, Denmark), and this is one of the reasons why I cannot give up.

But the main reason is dogs and their welfare. This is why I will continue to speak the TRUTH about dogs and educate the public on what your dog needs MORE than training.

Dogs, who by the way, do NOT need to be CONTROLLED - but UNDERSTOOD… just like you!

Understanding changes everything.

The Dog Talker is Charleston’s Leading Dog Aggression & Dog Behavior Expert for a reason.

We don’t just TRAIN dogs. We TRANSFORM lives, wholeheartedly. Our education, approach & expertise is one paw ABOVE the rest…..

👉Because we start at point CERO = Getting an understanding of your dog’s reasoning behind a behavior. If you don’t take the time to understand BEFORE you intervene, how much are you really helping?

That goes for human as well as animal behavior.

👉And because our expertise includes special training and education in BOTH Applied Ethology AND Psychology.

👉Because we’re both Certified and Licensed.

👉And because….Our innovative practical solutions have helped resolve serious behavior issues, like dog-dog aggression (multiple dog households) and resource guarding where dog training had failed, and where the clients were at the end of their tether.

These clients are in a much better place today. Because they were committed and because of our transformative & revolutionary approach that has:

Very little to do with TRAINING, NOTHING to do with OBEDIENCE but EVERYTHING to do with:

Understanding your dog’s WHY
The human-canine relationship
Welfare
Meeting your dog’s needs
REAL Communication
Safe, Predictable Patterns
Giving your dog FREE will and choice

And last but not least, our own Umbrella Framework, Dog Training Unplugged.

🫵If you’re ready to be our next success story, and you want us to completely TRANSFORM your life with your dog, you really cannot afford to not contact us today!🫵🐶

🫵🐶We’re not your average dog trainer.

In fact, our innovative practical solutions have helped resolve serious behavior issues, like dog-dog aggression (multiple dog households) and resource guarding where dog training had failed, and where the clients were at the end of their tether.

These clients are in a much better place today. Because they were committed and because of our transformative & revolutionary approach that has:

Very LITTLE to do with TRAINING, NOTHING to do with OBEDIENCE but EVERYTHING to do with:

👉Understanding your dog’s WHY
👉The human-canine relationship
👉Welfare
👉Meeting your dog’s needs
👉REAL Communication
👉Safe, Predictable Patterns
👉Giving your dog FREE will and choice

If you’re ready to start a new journey that leads to complete transformation and a BETTER life with your dog,

CONTACT US TODAY!

Our education, expertise & approach is a PAW above the rest!
#

Want better dog behavior?

It starts with YOU! Yes YOU. Not your dog…. YOU.

YOU have to be willing to change YOUR behavior.

It’s all about YOU.

It’s that simple.

If YOU are committed to helping your dog, wanting the best for your dog.

Then forget TRAINING!

Start at point CERO…. Understanding.

WE help you with that.

WE help you TRANSFORM your relationship and life with your dog - wholeheartedly.

By making small adjustments to how you perceive, communicate, and interact with your dog - you will witness how everything changes immediately

The moment YOU change & commit.

Are you ready for TRANSFORMATION?

Then book a FREE 30 mins call today.

We only make ONE promise - IF YOU go the extra mile for your dog, we help TRANSFORM your life together!

Change starts the moment YOU commit. Your dog is already committed.

Yesterday, I received the BEST news ever in my career - as I arrived at the client I have been working with for 6 months - a case that seemed almost impossible at the beginning.

This is the short version of the history for this case:

Testimonial: Chica & Missy in a better place.

This client came to me 6 months ago. They had 3 female pit mixes, where 2 of them had been in daily fights, partly due to improper initial introduction, and many other variables. The clients were two older sisters who, due to health issues, were not able to meet the dogs' needs, nor able to navigate this very difficult situation.

This case was one of the most severe cases I have worked with and the odds were really stacked against the dogs and the clients. There were too many red flags and I told the client on the phone the first time we spoke that there was no guarantee these 3 dogs could stay together.

The client wanted to try whatever she could. This video shows the progress 6 months later.

WELFARE first ALWAYS!!!

NOTE: This case would likely never have had the successful outcome (or, it would have taken a LOT LONGER) if we had not done all we did to meet the dogs’ needs BEFORE any kind of training!!

This is an example of how differently we Family Dog Mediators approach a case like this, compared to a Dog Trainer - and how it makes ALL the difference.

This client first invested in one of my Behavior Programs, which included 7 in-home sessions. During the first 6 sessions (they still have 1 left), we did NOT do any actual TRAINING or BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. We implemented a lot of MANAGEMENT, as much enrichment as possible, and new patterns.

From the start, the two dogs who were fighting (Missy & Chica) were tethered (with their own bed- and with lots of breaks of course) when indoors. They took turns in going outside to play in the yard with Tootsie (10 yr old Pitbull, whom they both love) and would only get occasional walks because of the clients' age, health issues, and the strength of the dogs on walks (pulling, etc.)

A month ago, I was re-assessing how this case could ever be resolved with just 1 session left. I prepared the clients ( 2 elderly sisters) that the prognosis going forward was likely one of tethering for many more months, and was even contemplating telling them that they would likely have to re-home Missy (the youngest and latest addition to the family).

I knew that without meeting these dogs' needs daily, success was a dim hope. Then, I came up with a proposal for the clients:

I would offer a Walk & Train package for 1 month where we could combine walks for both dogs and training.

We are now at the point where they have two sessions of Walk & Train left (they've had 10 already) and I am confident the clients will be able to continue with hiring a dog walker (which is cheaper of course) to give the dogs 2-3 walks a week, so we continue to meet this important need for Chica & Missy.

The point to this story is: Training is NOT the most important need a dog has. WELFARE + meeting your dog's other needs are MORE important!!!

Yes, we did teach Missy some basic skills like Sit, Down, Bed, Stay. Does she perform them well? Not really, because that was not my focus in this behavior case. Chica learned Touch very well but her attention span and health issues (due to past abuse, fractured skull, broken bones, and seizures) were such that it would have been unethical and inhumane (IMO) to persistantly try to 'train' her. There was no need.

The overall goal for this case was for the dogs to navigate life BETTER together and give the clients tools to help facilitate this.

Is there still room for progress and work? Absolutely. But I now feel more confident that these clients are much better equipped to live their life with all three dogs.

Watch the video and judge for yourself.

Chica & Missy in a better place This client came to me 6 months ago. They had 3 female pit mixes, where 2 of them had been in daily fights, partly due to improper initial introduction, and ...

Sorry folks, you’ll have to live with my obsessive logo disorder ( or whatever label it would be called🥸🤓) but I had to make it a Schnauzer!!!

This is both in honor of my first Schnauzer, and first dog, Rufus, who lives in heaven ….. and in honor of my first American Schnauzer, Milo, whom I took to the vet today and got some sad news…. He has pancreatitis and has to be on a special diet for the rest of his life🥲

Do you walk your dog?

Or is it too stressful and embarrassing because your dog acts like a maniac any time he sees another dog or person?

Here’s your chance to get help for this issue- at an affordable price AND with the chance of winning great prices!

Did you know that the reasons behind reactivity are not necessarily what you think or have been told?

The thing is, if you don’t understand the real reason why your dog is struggling, HOW can things improve and HOW can you help?

So many people think the magical fix is sending their dog off to a Board & Train to get training.

The main problems with that solution is that:
👉Without first understanding WHY, you won’t know the HOW
👉Pain or other health issues are more often than not an underlying factor in aggression cases
👉Human behavior, routine, lack of mental and physical stimulation, stressors, etc. are other variables that affect a dog’s welfare and behavior
👉Lack of choice and free movement is often a factor
👉Depending on the breed, your dog’s DNA may reveal why your dog reacts so strongly
👉Not feeling safe is a factor in the majority of cases

The list could go on. The bottom line is that your dog needs to learn from YOU ( his family) and if the underlying reasons WHY are not understood or addressed, more harm than good can be done to your dog.

At The Dog Talker, we dig DEEP into the WHY and show you how making small adjustments to the home environment and teaching YOU how to help your dog - will greatly improve your current situation.

Check out our Monthly Behavior Challenge Package or our Dog Life Navigation Packages (and take advantage of our 6% birthday discount this month).

Links are in the bio.

The rough edges of the soul.

Dogs come with as many rough edges, emotional (sometimes physical) scars, unique 4 L.E.GS.® (=Learning, Environment, Genetics, Self) and baggage as humans do.

To help them we must first understand them.

Our new look ( logo) represents the idea that nothing is linear and clearcut. We all come with suffering and fears on some level and to reach in to the SOUL, we must first UNPLUG.

Life with your dog is a journey and here at TDT (The Dog Talker), that journey starts with ‘unplugging’ dog training and your EGO

- to get to the RAW, naked, wounded surface underneath

-and start help for your dog at point CERO.