Working with fearful dogs is based on consistency and predictability. Environment plays a huge role and can easily exacerbate fear. The animal shelter environment is very difficult as everything there is different for the dog. That’s why it’s even more fulfilling to watch a transformation dogs can go through in there.

Punishment is unavoidable. It’s a naturally occurring phenomenon but it’s not the most effective way of changing behaviour. Rather than leave it to chance of what our learner will do, let’s take responsibility for teaching the behaviours that will work functionally for us both.

When your dog is coming to you because he gets a treat for it, you can quickly start to see him not only having relaxed body posture but he can also start running towards you. He starts to give you more and not just enough to get by. In my opinion, in the long run, it’s a more effective way of training.

To understand our dogs better, it’s important to start recognising their body language. It’s a skill that can be developed through observation.

Many dogs need to wear a buster collar (a cone) at least once in their lifetime. It’s very common to see a dog not wanting to wear it. It doesn’t have to stay this way though! After training, you get a dog that as soon as you get the buster collar out, he runs towards it and puts his head through! Now that’s a party trick right there!

Stay safe and enjoy your interactions with your dog that will keep your spirits high in this difficult time for many. The benefits you’ll get by influencing your dog’s behaviour is just a bonus.

Learning takes time. For us, humans and for the animals that we are teaching alike. While working with owners and their dogs, it’s not just the dog that needs to develop a new habit, it’s also the caregiver. When we expect too much from ourselves we can easily get discouraged. If you never used treats with your dog – it’s going to take time for you to build a habit around it. You might not see the change in your dog immediately but have you made the sustainable change in you first? It’s easy to blame the dog but for him creating a new habit can be equally challenging as it is for you.

Testing out many reinforcement strategies, going at your dogs’ pace and changing the environment of the training session gives your dog the biggest chance of succeeding in the training.

It's ok to have a feeling of not being good enough. Let it be, accept it and most importantly LET IT GO. Find something positive in your life, something that you are grateful for like a dog wagging his tail or asking to be petted. And then you can see the previous situation in a different light. Expecting too much from myself isn't fair. Letting myself learn will be.

Zoo animal trainers do extraordinary things with animals they care for. They are able to train voluntary blood draws, coming back to enclosure after being freed and many other husbandry behaviours. If they can do that with wild animals, I’m sure we can do that with companion animals too.

We often think that when we give choice to our dogs, they just won’t do anything that we would like them to do. But from my experience, the more choice you give them, the more likely they will be to spend time with you.