by Kate LaSala | Aug 9, 2021 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Rescue Dogs, Separation Anxiety
One of the most common myths I encounter, from clients, other “trainers” and even some vets, is that separation anxiety is not treatable or that dogs can’t recover from it. This is completely untrue. Myself and other qualified, certified...
by Kate LaSala | Jul 19, 2021 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Separation Anxiety
TV trainers have done a lot of damage over the last couple of decades, and one of those things is pushing the idea that a “calm” dog is the ideal state we want to achieve for our dogs all the time. I like calm dogs when they’re seniors and...
by Kate LaSala | Jul 12, 2021 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
Often clients will tell me all about their dog’s issues and then say something like “But, he’s fine at the vet. He doesn’t try to bite or growl or do anything. He just stands there.” Thinking the dog is “fine” in those...
by Kate LaSala | Jul 5, 2021 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
It can be exhausting and emotional living with a fearful dog. Whether your dog is struggling with stranger danger, separation anxiety, resource guarding or any other fear based behavioral issue, as much as you love your dog, on some days I’m sure...
by Kate LaSala | Jun 7, 2021 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Rescue Dogs, Separation Anxiety
When I have my initial consult with separation anxiety clients, most, if not all of them, have some misguided understanding or belief about separation anxiety. And with all the widely found information online and given from friends, it’s easy to see why...
by Kate LaSala | May 31, 2021 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs, Resource Guarding
Behavior suppression is NOT the same as behavior modification. What do I mean? Well, here’s a good analogy I use with clients. If you break your arm and are crying, I might be able to slap you around enough to get you to stop crying. Just stopping the...
by Kate LaSala | Jan 13, 2020 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Separation Anxiety
THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF 2024. The new post is located here. This is now an archival post. If you’ve been around here a bit, you may have noticed a strong theme of transparency in my posts and on social media. For those who may have missed it, dog...
by Kate LaSala | Dec 30, 2019 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation
(This post was updated June 15, 2021. Original post was December 20, 2019) This past week a news story about a real service dog being attacked at mall in NJ by two unleashed dogs who were owned by a kiosk owner at the mall, initially claiming they too were service...
by Kate LaSala | Nov 25, 2019 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Rescue Dogs
In my previous post cautioning about aversive dog training “boot camps” I touched on the long-lasting negative effects that often happen. I wanted to share the story of a dog I worked with, named Noelle. I worked with Noelle after she was sent to a 6 week...
by Kate LaSala | Nov 18, 2019 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Puppy Training, Rescue Dogs
Very often I get contacted by potential clients who are debating whether to use my private services or send the dog off to “boot camp.” I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound very fun to me. When I hear “boot camp” it...
