by Kate LaSala | Sep 30, 2024 | Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Dog Training, Rescue Dogs
If I asked most dog guardians if they liked their dog, they’d quickly reply something like “Of course, I love my dog!” But loving your dog isn’t the same as liking your dog. Love and like are different psychological experiences, so...
by Kate LaSala | Oct 30, 2023 | Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Dog Training, Dogs and Babies and Kids, Rescue Dogs
With Halloween this week and Christmas right around the corner, it’s a good time to remind people that Scared Dogs Aren’t Funny. Social media posts, usually videos, of clearly scared dogs and people laughing at them make me sad. Dogs startling at lawn...
by Kate LaSala | Sep 11, 2023 | Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Dog Training, Rescue Dogs
A few times a year I get called in on cases of two female housemates having aggression issues. Often these dogs have lived together for a while, with sort of normal, predictable fights over resources like food, toys, resting spots or attention. But then the fights get...
by Kate LaSala | Aug 28, 2023 | Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Dog Training, Dogs and Babies and Kids, 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 | May 1, 2023 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
Full disclosure, I have a strong bias against big dogs playing with and living with small dogs. There, I said it. Sure, many big and small dogs successfully do play or live together, but for me, the risk of something going wrong, just isn’t worth it. Many...