by Kate LaSala | Oct 4, 2021 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Resource Guarding, Separation Anxiety
Let me first start this post with my standard disclaimer: I AM NOT A VET. But as a trainer who specializes in fear, aggression, reactivity and separation anxiety, I have a lot of clients who benefit greatly from anti-anxiety medication to help them live...
by Kate LaSala | Sep 20, 2021 | Dog Training
Humans seem to love the word NO when it comes to interacting with their dogs. And they’re surprised and a little confused when I tell clients “No isn’t a behavior.” “But I want him to stop doing {fill in the blank} so I tell him...
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 26, 2021 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Resource Guarding
I commonly have clients write on their intake form or tell me during our initial consult that they think their dog is “protecting them.” Maybe their dog barks at, growls or bites strangers so people jump to the conclusion their dog is guarding...
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 28, 2021 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
I have a request and it may seem weird, but please stop having people try to hand feed your fearful dog. Nearly every client that comes to me with a dog who is afraid of strangers tells me at one point they’ve tried to get people to hand feed their dog. ...
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 | 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...
