by Kate LaSala | Apr 25, 2022 | Dog Training, Dogs and Babies and Kids, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
Behavior is never random. Often clients will come to me saying their dog has bitten “unprovoked” or “out of the blue.” Bites happen fast, so it can seem like they happen out of the blue but when we dig into it, we uncover that the dog was...
by Kate LaSala | Apr 18, 2022 | Dog Training, Dogs and Babies and Kids, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
You want to know what makes me weep? When I see people, often well-meaning but grossly mistaken, telling others that their fearful dog “just needs love” to get better. This is akin to telling someone with a fractured leg that they just need love to heal...
by Kate LaSala | Jan 31, 2022 | Dog Training, Dogs and Babies and Kids, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
FEAR IS NOT DISOBEDIENCE. Yes, I’m screaming. If I could reach my rooftop I’d scream this from there. As someone who specializes in fear and aggression cases, so often I come across clients who are frustrated with their dog “not...
by Kate LaSala | Jan 24, 2022 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” -Maya Angelou This is Bandit. He was my first dog as an adult, long before I was a certified and highly credentialed trainer and behavior consultant. While he wasn’t the...
by Kate LaSala | Nov 22, 2021 | Dog Training, Dogs and Babies and Kids, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Pet Loss & Grieving, Rescue Dogs
During this week of Thanksgiving and Barbo’s recent medical situation, I’m reflecting on the many things I’m thankful for and that includes all of you. Today I am thankful for dogs, not just my own, but all of my clients, that I get to know...
by Kate LaSala | Aug 2, 2021 | Dog Training, Dogs and Babies and Kids, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
If your dog could talk, he’d have a lot of requests. And I bet you’d be a little surprised at how simple some of those things are. So I’m here, begging you on his behalf. And I hope you’ll listen. 9 Requests, From Me, On Behalf Of...
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 21, 2021 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
There’s a lot of euphemisms in dog training, mostly trying to smooth over things that don’t sit well with us. Aversive trainers and electric fence companies will tell you the shock collar is “just a vibration like your cell phone.”...
by Kate LaSala | Apr 19, 2021 | Dog Training, Resource Guarding
In my continuing Resource Guarding Series, I’ve already covered prevention, what not to do and some myths. Today I’m talking about some of the training options available. It’s important to note here that all this training here was done by a...
by Kate LaSala | Jan 26, 2021 | Dog Training, Separation Anxiety
When your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, it is completely normal to want to do everything you can to help give them relief and try to help them. A quick internet search will turn up a wealth of recommendations for seemingly quick fixes however for...
