Hello, Fellow Dog Lovers!
You know what they say...April showers bring May flowers! Here in Atlanta, we've actually been lucky to have some beautiful weather these last few weeks. This weekend, I'll be leaving the States and heading up to Ontario, Canada to do my Inside Your Dog's Mind seminar. I hope to see many of you there!
In this edition of the Positively Newsletter, you'll find great training tips for reactive dogs, some guidance for bringing home a new dog, and more. As always, throughout this newsletter you'll find exclusive content and training tips that you won't find anywhere else. Hope you enjoy!
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Positively Contributor and VSPDT dog trainer Renée Erdman gives some helpful tips for anyone with a leash reactive dog.
One of the most common behavior issues seen with our companion canines is leash reactivity: lunging, barking, snapping and shenanigans that look like a circus act and can embarrass the heck out of us. It may limit where you can take your dog, who you can interact with, and in general cause you anxiety and stress.
First, one must determine whether the reactivity is caused by fear or if it’s frustration. Both can look identical. If it’s fear, (or if you don’t know) then please contact a force-free behaviour consultant that works with fearful dogs. If it’s frustration, here are some tips to help...
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""Best experience I could have imagined! I already feel I got my tuition's worth from this week’s Primer Intensive alone. Thank you so much for such a POSITIVE experience!" -Laura, Current VSA Student
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If you've been considering making dog training a career or would like to enhance what you're able to offer as a dog walker, shelter worker, groomer or pet service provider, the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior was designed just for you! Whether you're a dog training novice or if you've been training for some time already, this comprehensive 6-month program will prepare you for a successful career as a dog trainer.
"I set out to create a school with the hope of designing the most well-rounded, exciting dog training curriculum out there," says founder Victoria Stilwell of the Academy, "and based on the feedback we're getting from students, we've achieved exactly that."
As a VSA student, you'll have the opportunity to: - Train with Victoria live and in person
- Study under a hand-picked mentor in your home area
- Learn about dog training, communicating with people, and the business side of training from world-class faculty
- Work hands-on with dogs in a variety of real-world environments
- Receive constant support from Victoria, fellow students, your mentor, and VSA faculty
One of the unique aspects of the VSA experience is that you only need to travel twice during the whole course, and you're never away from home and work for more than one week at a time. The rest of the course takes place in your own hometown and includes valuable time with our industry-leading mentor program.
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"I am honored to be a mentor trainer for one of the students in the very first academy class. Victoria, you're doing it right. In the past, I've been a mentor trainer for another organization - you're "positively" ahead of the game." -Silvia Golz, VSA Mentor
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Positively Contributor and VSPDT Amy Weeks of Amy's Canine Kindergarten talks about her firsthand experience with Greyhounds and whether they're the right dog for you. April is National Greyhound Adoption month! As an experienced Greyhound owner, I will be the first to tell you that there is a lot to celebrate about this breed.
Most people have heard the adage, Greyhounds are giant couch potatoes. I can attest that there is a lot of truth to this statement. This breed doesn’t require the amount of exercise that many assume it would. They are sprinters on the track, not long distance runners, and that makes all the difference. A couple of outings a day, perhaps to run at an enclosed park or a long walk around the neighborhood, is plenty of exercise for most of these dogs. When they use the term “retired Greyhound”, they mean it!
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Positively Contributor Lucy Bennett of Good Dogs & Co. discusses a few things that reactive dog owners want the public to know.
Barring heavy rain or freak Georgia snow storms, my dog Topher and I take walks nearly every day. At local parks, around our neighborhood, and the occasional hiking trail, we mark up the miles and enjoy the great outdoors. Usually these walks are uneventful.
Then there's that walk. About once a month, it happens: an off-leash running towards us seemingly from nowhere, their owner many, many yards away. In the moment I wonder if this will be the day my dog becomes public enemy number one. If I cannot keep this off-leash dog far enough away—while also controlling my own dog as he reacts (quite strongly)—this may be the day my dog bites another dog. Or worse, another person, should the scenario escalate.
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Dogs learn about the world they live in through their experiences (both good and bad) and, since life always has some sort of new experience in store, it’s important to put your dog in a position to have a positive learning experience with whatever you're introducing her to.
While this is true for all dogs, it’s especially true for dogs that tend to be worried or cautious when experiencing new things, as well as for dogs that have had a less-than-stellar experience with something and are going to be introduced to it again.
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Victoria's UK Dog Bite Prevention and Behaviour Conference is coming to the UK in just a few short months! We're anticipating a third-straight sold out event this year, so grab your spot now! Anyone is welcome to attend: it's open to both pet professionals and the general public.
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We're having a pre-summer blowout in the Positively Store this month! All apparel will be 20% off this weekend in celebration of Mother's Day.
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Dale has been training dogs for over 10 years. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a graduate of Animal Behavior College. She has extensive experience in teaching and training adults (human) and is an excellent communicator, both very important qualities in the person who will be teaching YOU how to train your dog. Her unique combination of skills and experience, combined with the use of positive reinforcement techniques, make her a great dog trainer. Need a dog behavior expert in the Chesapeake, VA area? Get in touch with Dale today: CALL DALE:
757.389.5359
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Victoria was featured in the Huffington Post, where she discussed her recent UK-based show, Dogs Might Fly, and what it really takes to be a canine pilot.
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| It is up to you to set up your newly adopted dog to succeed in every situation. Don't expect him to be welcoming and happy with 8 people over for a dinner party the day of adoption. Don't expect him to know where to eliminate, or what not to chew on. Consider confining him for the first few weeks until you get to know him better. If you keep your expectations low, you will inevitably be setting your rescue up to succeed much more than if you expect too much.
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