Radiant Canines Positive Dog Training

Dear Wisconsin friends and past clients…looking for something fun to do with your dogs? The Dog Lady has a super fun class coming up!!

🎉🎪K9 Circus class is coming!

Nothing but FUN 🥳
🎆Tricks
🎆Tunnels
🎆Hoops
🎆Jumps

💥Wednesday, February 28th at 7pm💥
Harmony Pet Clinic
1208 Dolphin Ct
Waukesha, WI

✔️the comments for the link to register

I love using the Vital Essentials freeze dried food nibs as training treats...this is a GREAT deal! Ends today (11/30) so don't wait!

The best BOGO deal of the year for your pet's holiday meal and treats is here!

Use promo code CYBERDEAL at checkout. Shop now: https://shop.veraw.com/

Offer is good for:

☑️ Dog Food
☑️ Dog Treats
☑️ Cat Treats

Sale runs through 11:59pm on November 30th. Limit one offer per household with a maximum of 12 items per order. The free product is of equal or lesser value.

Pardon some of the language, but this a great explanation on doggie adolescence!

My puppy’s a teenage dirtbag, baby!

He doesn’t listen to my recall, lately!

Cause he’s just a teenage dirtbag, baby!

Yeah! What do I dooOOOoooo?!!??!?

Right, now that I’ve got that out my system, let’s talk about adolescent dogs. As you can see, Rack Pack dog Max has left puppyhood behind and entered into the dreaded teenage phase. Yes, even I, a dog trainer, can’t escape this part of doggy development. It is a trial by fire with trials ranging from:

✔️dogs forgetting what their name is
✔️ suddenly developing an interest in everything other than their owner
✔️ Seemingly discovering what their ancestors were bred to do and practicing it. A lot.
✔️ Testing every boundary you have put into place
✔️ Apparently losing everything you’ve ever taught them in some mental black hole.

The list goes on. I can feel you nodding along emphatically. I’m willing to bet you called your teenage dog a di****ad already at least once today. I won’t even get started on the Kevin & Perry-esque tantrums that can occur when an adolescent dog gets frustrated. Jesus.

Now, I hear you think with mounting horror… ‘What’s the reason for it? How do I stop it?’

The answer: gin and an exorcist.

Ok, I’m joking about the exorcist but you will likely need the gin, preferably a bottle.

Let’s talk about the whys.

Canine adolescence and canine puberty are two distinct things. Adolescence, while varying across breeds, tends to expand from 1 to 2 years of age. Puberty, on the other hand can start from 6-9months of age in males and 6-16months of age in females. It’s important to remember that these are all natural parts of a dog’s development into maturity. The adolescent phase is very much a ‘coming of age’ where young dogs naturally start to peel away from their family. This increasing need for independence goes a long way to explaining why your puppy is starting to seek more in their environment.

During adolescence there are a lot of changes going on in your dog’s body. Their brains are going through developmental changes, some parts maturing faster than others, leaving these young canines sensitive to punishment, easily frustrated and unable to fully process the emotions they feel. Top that with the raging s*x hormones of puberty, you have a melting pot of teenage woe. I think we all had a goth phase at some point. Better hide the eye liner from your teenage dog!

So, what can we do?

⭐️ Firstly, you can’t stop this. Not even neutering will stop this and can in fact cause more trouble for your dog. This is a natural process that mammals go through, and as personal survivors of our own adolescence, I think we can offer some understanding about it.

⭐️ Have some empathy and patience, which I know is asking a lot, but try to remember being in their place.

⭐️ Ensure you have a solid bond in your dog’s puppyhood and work to maintain that relationship during adolescence. Offer comfort and reassurance, be a safe space and train your dog with clear boundaries positivity.

⭐️ Manage them during times of training back slides. It can seem counter intuitive to take the foot off the accelerator when training a young dog, but during the teenage phase, doing exactly that will help prevent too much frustration or reinforcing behaviours you don’t like. This can mean going back to using a long line, for example.

⭐️ Take days off and select some quieter walks for your dog to have a chance to decompress and not become over stimulated. Some days your dog might just be randomly fearful or finding it hard to regulate their emotions. Going to quieter places, or a quiet day at home will prevent bad experiences for you both.

So, with this knowledge in hand, you have my understanding and sympathy when your teenaged dog acts up. It’s ok to get annoyed or loose your cool, it’s a frustrating time for everyone, but hopefully this post will have given you some clarity as to the why it is happening. It isn’t just you, and your dog isn’t doing it to spite or dominate.

Now, may the odds ever be in your favour… and don’t forget about the gin!

Heads up! I know a lot of people feed their pets this or use it for training! Freshpet recall! https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall/freshpet-june-2022/

Freshpet Dog Food Recall of June 2022 | DogFoodAdvisor Complete details of the Freshpet Dog Food recall of June 2022 as reported by the editors of The Dog Food Advisor.

Sitting at my computer doing some work and I look over and see this. “I always feel like somebody’s watching me!“ Do you remember that song? 😂🥰

18 inches and counting for us here in Wetmore, CO! At least the dogs are having fun. 😳☺️

Hope you all get extra doggie snuggles today! You deserve it! ❤️🐶❤️

Brilliant words from a brilliant colleague!

Stop the 77 Dog bite prevention video for families everywhere. 77% of dog bites come from a friend's dog or the family's very own dog. We want to change that number. Pl...

Meet the lovely Laila! This absolutely adorable and super smart girl is my second Colorado client (loving this state!) I had the honor to meet her and her wonderful family on Sunday. She's got some pretty high anxiety and isn't always comfortable with the resident toddler, so we discussed ways to "hear" better what she is saying to avoid her continued discomfort as well as how to make her feel better and calmer overall. Welcome to the Radiant Canines family Laila!

Friday was a great day as I had my first official Colorado client! Felt so good to get back to training again. This adorable little mop of a dog is named Koda, and he's pretty scared of new people, especially men, so we discussed ways to help him feel better and learn that the world isn't so scary. Welcome to the Radiant Canines family sweet boy!

Sniffing is so important!

Shake it…shake it off…

A recent study by two researchers in France looked at sniffing, pulse rate, and leash length on walks. Sixty-one dogs were taken on three separate walks, five minutes each walk, once with a 1.5m leash, once with a 5m leash, and once without a leash at all (walk order was randomized for each dog). Off-leash dogs sniffed the most, more than 3x as long as the dogs on short leashes. Dogs on long leashes spent nearly as much time as unleashed dogs sniffing, almost 3x as long as dogs on short leashes.

This study also found that sniffing resulted in lowered pulse rates, and the more intensely they sniffed, the more their pulse rates lowered. Pulse rate was also lowered when dogs “shook off” during walks on all leash lengths. The “shake off” behavior was often seen when the dog’s pulse rate was particularly high.

Read more about it below!
http://www.dogfieldstudy.com/node/1

https://thebark.com/content/dog-walks-sniffing-shaking-and-pulse-rate

What else can we learn about dogs from their walking behavior? Take your best friend on a Sniffari and see what you observe!

How’s your Sunday going? Me, I’m stuck under 130 pounds of bullmastiff 😂😳😜

I am always saying that dog's "say" a lot. No, they aren't actually "talking" in the way we do (if only!), but yes, they have a pretty diverse and complex language. Learn to listen to what they have to say by studying their body language!

Wise words!!!

When a toddler keeps grabbing our favourite ornament we put it on a higher shelf.

When we have a baby crawling around we keep bleach out of low cupboards or put locks on the door.

When dogs chew peoples things or eat out of the bin, they are often told off and the ornament and bin stay in the same place so they can just get told off all over again.

When a child cries we comfort them, we may give them an ice cream so they dont find the thunderstorm so scary.

When a dog barks out of fear they often have their lead yanked and are shouted at. If we give them food we are told we are rewarding for bad behaviour. If they cry they are often ignored.

Humans make mistakes on a regular basis and tell themselves it's ok, mistakes happen.

If dogs make mistakes they are often called stupid, bad, naughty.

Humans never behave appropriately and politely 100% of the time.

Dogs are, on the whole, way more polite than people but often get shouted at for not behaving more human.

Humans struggle to change behaviours of their own that they dont like and spend most of there lives seeking ways to manage their emotions and change how they act.

Dogs as a species have way less behaviour issues than humans but dogs are expected to change their behaviour in 1 session with a trainer.

Humans are one of the most aggressive animals on the planet. They manipulate each other, abuse each other and physically hurt each other regularly.

Dogs are way less aggressive than people as a species. You are way more likely to get hurt or killed by another human. Infact it is more likely that a child will get killed by thier own parents than a dog. And yet we muzzle dogs just for the way they look.

No, dogs are not humans and shouldnt be treated as such. But they do feel happiness, sadness, fear, excitement, love, pain. They do think and have a sense of self.

New laws are being looked at in spain to try and change the way we see animals. Spain is often seen to be behind the times in the way they think of animals and sentience. And I agree, these laws are essential in starting to change the way people think.

But I see puppy farms and dogs with awful health issues being bred for the sole purpose of money. I see dogs seen as accessories more than thinking feeling members of the family. I see people putting their material objects way higher up on the list than their dogs welfare. I see people putting hugely high expectations on their dogs and still using punishment to 'teach' them. It is not just one country that needs to reassess the way they look at dogs.

We choose to have dogs in our lives. They do not choose to have us. Relationships are not made in Disney land. They can be hard, frustrating, emotional, and require compromise and sacrifice. But dogs deserve more from the human race than they are being given. They need us to see them as they really are and not how the human ego shapes them.

If you need support please join our community at

www.thedoggeeks.co.uk

Merry Christmas!

My dear Radiant Canines friends, family, clients...I have some big news to share. My husband and I and our 3 dogs are relocating to Colorado! We received an offer we just couldn't refuse. My husband's new job is in Pueblo, but we will be living to the west (about 40 minutes), in the foothills of the mountains (don't know exactly where yet). I'm super excited, but also very sad to leave. It's been an honor and a privilege to serve the Southeastern Wisconsin community. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have had your support. I've met some of the most amazing people and dogs over the years here and I will miss you all! If you still need help in the future, I will still be available via email and/or online as well. Thank you again!! Sincerely, Robin.

And in case you forgot (and serve these things)...no onions, chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, or anything with xylitol (sometimes now called "birch sugar")! Oh...and no raw dough if you are making bread or rolls (the yeast in the raw dough can cause swelling and pain!). My dogs will likely get a little nibble of cooked turkey (no skin or bones, of course), and some unsweeted cranberry! Maybe some mashed potatoes before adding the butter and milk too ;)

Keep your pooch away from these Turkey Day treats this Thanksgiving!

Imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery! My wonderful client shared this photo with me of her and her young daughter who wanted to be just like “Miss Robin” and wear a f***y pack treat pouch (with treats, of course) as they took their pup for a walk this morning. My heart is full! ❤️🐾🥰
(photo shared with permission)

Finished off training sessions with Roxie today and presented her with her graduation certificate. She is such a good girl, and a total love bug. Her hu-mom snapped this picture of us. I’ll miss your cuddles sweetheart!

Training, and especially behavioral modification, is not a perfect journey. There’s great days, and bad days, triumphs and pitfalls. It’s important to know that this is totally normal. The journey isn’t always easy, but you can get there!

I've been a busy lady lately and have met some fantastic folks and their wonderful dogs and puppies. Here's just a smidgen of the cuties I've had the pleasure of working with lately. Welcome to the Radiant Canines family!!! I just adore you all 🥰

Halloween will be here soon! Great tips to help your dog through what is for many, a very scary time!