Total Pet Training LLC.

There are so many pupdates to share for our Puppy Head Start students and so little time. Marty is staying for head start camp while his family is out of town and this was a must brag moment. Our home is full of a lot of smells and new experiences. Marty is very interested in the rabbits. He has decided p**p is better than rabbits but he still wants to play a bit too hard).

So why is this picture special? 1. Marty is wonderful in a covered crate but struggles to rest around other animals, even if he can hear them. 2. He created a gap in our barrier to see one of our most active rabbits and he settled on his own. He sometimes gets frustrated that he cannot play and barks (sharply and loudly). Here we were able to redirect him, and he tried a few different resting spots and is now sleeping calmly. 3. This is a good example of safe barriers and monitoring.

So excited to have Party Marty for Head Start board and train. Did you know that some of our Puppy Head Start teams are able to have a staycation while family travels? We have a long list of training goals, but thankfully I have help. They think puppies are exhausting but do enjoy having their little friend around.

PS: can you tell we use a lot of enrichment, play, and naps to help puppies learn?

Marty is back for another day of Puppy Head Start and he has figured out napping on vents is a great way to stay cool after a shopping spree . He treated himself to a new puppy kong and some fun toys from for his new rabbit friends.

So excited to welcome Marty to the Puppy Head Start program. He has earned the nicknames: yay sweet man! And good boy! He is here to work on some calm greeting, loose leash walking and basic life skills.

We are so excited to welcome Dora to our Puppy Head Start program. As a black bully mix she has a lot of stigma attached with our society, so we are working on confidence and life skills along with her awesome Mom working hard on skills at home.

Sorry TPT has been MIA, with rolling out canine functional assessments and soft launching one new service content is a bit behind. There is still May availability for DDA’s to help fill in the blanks with your dog’s behavior and a new service has been soft launched… adorable puppy for a hint ;)

EXCITING NEWS for dog guardians, fellow trainers veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals!

After months of hard work including numerous case studies, I am officially a licensed Dynamic Dog Practitioner and now offer Canine Functional Analysis!

A DD-CFA looks at not only behavior but gait, posture and activities of daily living to provide you and your dog’s veterinary team with a DETAILED report of what may be going on with your dog. For trainers and behavior consultants feeling stuck or suspecting discomfort this is a great way to get an assessment and report for veterinarians. For behavioral vets we provide assessments to the entire team and can be a great bridge for dogs that cannot be palpated or easily go into clinics. (This is not a medical diagnostic but will provide vet teams with extra information via photographic and video evidence in a short and easy to review format!)

See my website to schedule your FREE discovery zoom call today!

totalpetnc.com

Please share this and feel free to screen capture and share with ALL of your dog guardian friends and family. The holidays are always full of lost pets, injured pets and an inbox full of bite incidents. Prepare NOW!

The boys are hard at work trying to teach their dad the “drop it” cue over lunch. So far no success. What cues are your pups working on teaching you?

ID: tricolor dog and brown dog laying on wood floor looking up at man in chair eating lunch

When your senior had an amazing first day he might need some rest (dreaming of the fun they just had).

In all seriousness, physical health is so important to behavioral health. 3 of 5 of my cases tend to have missed pain. While in Snickers that means he may slow on walks or be more barky (but thankfully friendly and still social), in other cases we see sound sensitivity, weird phobias, hyperactivity, more reactivity, pulling on lead and even aggression. Finding a QUALIFIED professional to add to your regular vet team really makes a difference (shout out to who covers regular and integrative care).

How does this mix with training? Well, we work on out of context decompression, training at home stretches if recommended by the PT team and work on management as well as adjusting a training plan. Sometimes we even train the vet or rehab visit flow itself!

What have you noticed about your pup?

It is with a heavy heart I wanted to let our friends know earlier this month we said goodbye to Carter, aka The Kraken, aka sweet baby Bubba. He was a super complicated boy and a few weeks prior he was struggling to get comfortable, his gait was changing and we had exhausted all options for what his body could handle. His last day were were able to get him to a comfortable enough point for a flax cracker search (he LOVED them) and our wonderful vet team created a room full of blankets and comforters (he loved comforters) and he got to lick peanut butter off of a sofa, then got to come lay in my arms and crossed peacefully.

He was our entire life for over 4 years and this is an adjustment. We miss his big ridiculousness and heavy block head cuddles. I will still be sharing videos not yet published because he recovered farther than anyone had thought and even prior to passing when not distressed by discomfort he was mirroring his friend Snickers melting and flopping for love with friends nearby.

Carter taught me how much more this “training” thing is than a click and a treat, it isn’t training, it is life skills and life isn’t a transaction, it’s a relationship (and we of course still love food in our relationships and NEVER use fear or pain) but the depth is so much more. He taught me about invisible pain and I am now working towards a certification in gait analysis to help more teams.

To our friends and supporters around the world: thank you! Thank you for loving him as we was. It brings peace knowing what was learned with Carter has helped and will continue to help dogs and their guardians around the world.

Rest east my special boy

You know you are a rabbit mom when you take the dogs to the vet, see pretty roses and think: oh my bunnies would love those…how delicious 🤣🐰🤣

Help! If you have been helped by the awesome whole picture content of then your vote would mean the world to me!

Vote for the name: Rebecca Gridley

When it comes to looking at the whole picture, I’m a rare (and thorough find) and would love votes to continue to get the word out. You can vote by copying this text: https://www.sniffspot.com/blog/dog-trainers/contest?utm_source=trainer_contest

Anxiety on Car Rides: For 10+ years Beefy was anxious on car rides: drooling, wrinkled face, pacing, whining, and trying to climb in the front seat. Short of sedation, I couldn't crack the case...until we started understanding his pain. It turns out he was sensitive to the vibrations while the car was moving and this grew his anxiety about even being around the car.

The fix?
In addition to working with a rehab vet, like other client teams, Beefy found relief by adding an orthopedic bed to his riding area. For the first time EVER in our 10 years together he laid down for a long car ride and took a nap. It is important to remember that car rides don't feel the same for everyone. The orthopedic mattress in this case made more change faster than years of attempting to counter condition.
We went with the Big Barker on recommendation of our rehab vet:

https://bit.ly/3TxwRvO

Finish out your weekend with a little treat for yourself! You deserve it!

Total Pet Training LLC. offers initial consultations that can help you get new perspectives on your behavior goals and actionable steps to achieve them.

Book yours today!

totalpetnc.com

Who feels me on this? My dog Beefy is spreading his shine, even at the vet’s office! 🤣

ID: purple sequin background and photo of blue yoga mat on medium brown lvp with beige tufts of dog hair

Is your resolution to work towards behavior goals with your dog? Don't put off getting started, invest in an initial consultation with a whole picture, force free pro that comes recommended by veterinary behaviorists!

Book your initial consultation here: totalpetnc.com

When you finally setup a mega Freework for the crew. It took so much self restraint for the dogs to stay on the sofa for setup because they love joining the buns 🤣

ID: two dogs on a lowered sofa with three rabbits in an open concept room floored with gym and yoga mats, step up stations, a ramp to the sofa, herbs under cups, herb stuffed balls, tunnels, grapevine chews, noise toys and potty boxes with hay

When you have a super senior it is important to explore a variety of modalities. We have seen increased pain with Beefy (through his movements but also behavioral changes) so in addition to pain meds trials we are using other therapies more regularly. Here we have our Assisi (for arthritis pain), Canine Equine Red Light Therapy for some sore muscles, and Calmer Canine for some of his evening cognitive behaviors

ID: brown dog on tan sofa covered in PEMF and Ref light pads and loops

Whole picture behavior moment:

My husband got home from out of town a few hours ago. Carter began to lick a foreleg and started to try to counter surf. So what’s the deal?

After redirecting and getting to a stopping point (I was doing food prep) it was time to think. WHY was he so uncomfortable and restless? Could he need some closer passive presence and connection?

YES!

Turns out he wanted proximity to Joe and me and to be covered in his blanket.

The point is this. Take a beat, observe, and find the root cause. The answer may be so simple.

**Integrative care**
While I was baking Carter some snacks I noticed he was doing an odd leg movement. He readjusted and started chewing his hind feet to visual redness. Thankfully I had learned about the pad years ago while looking for ways to help Carter. It is a pretty passive way to heal and recommended by our rehab and integrative vets.

When looking to help with behavior health and comfort matter and looking outside the basics can really help. Carter relaxed after having the pad and a snug blanket applied.

Howl-o-Ween is just 5 days away. Here are some great and commonly forgotten tips!

Want to learn how to put these into action? Extended consultations are on special ( $45 for 45 minutes) through October 31st. You can book your consultation here: totalpetnc.com

How my pittie handles cool mornings 🤣. Who else has a pup already asking to get blankies?

ID: brown sofa with white pad on one side. Black and white pitbull balled up under a blue bunny fleece blanket sleeping.