by Kate LaSala | Feb 12, 2024 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
This Valentine’s Day week, I am resharing one my popular posts about how to truly love a fearful dog. Often well-meaning but mistaken people tell others that fearful dogs “just need love” to get better. This is like telling someone with a fractured...
by Kate LaSala | Feb 5, 2024 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs, Separation Anxiety
Displacement behaviors are normal behaviors that are performed out of context and they can indicate if a dog is conflicted or anxious. I talk about them when I’m reviewing dog body language with clients, especially for fearful dogs or with my separation...
by Kate LaSala | Jan 22, 2024 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Resource Guarding, Separation Anxiety
Once again, 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 always ask clients about their dog’s medical history and I’m always...
by Kate LaSala | Jan 8, 2024 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
I believe all my clients are well intentioned, even if they have been misguided or given bad information. It’s a symptom of this unregulated industry we call dog training. There’s a lot of bad, often wrong, outdated, information that is widely...
by Kate LaSala | Dec 11, 2023 | Dog Training, Rescue Dogs
Can it be? It sure can be! Last month marked 4 years that I’ve been writing weekly blog content (except for a few weeks I took off!) and sharing it with you all. And a huge variety of topics, though some, like fear and aggression, separation anxiety,...
by Kate LaSala | Nov 6, 2023 | Dog Training, Dogs and Babies and Kids, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
Today I’m thrilled to share that my new self-paced course, Bringing Home Baby: Preparing Dog and Family For A New Human Baby, is now available! This has been many months in the making and I am so excited to be able to finally share it with you. This...
by Kate LaSala | Oct 23, 2023 | Dog Training, Rescue Dogs, Separation Anxiety
I’m here, as a highly credentialed, multi-certified behavior consultant who specializes in fear, aggression and anxiety cases, to give you permission to spoil your dog. Go ahead. Give them treats for free. That’s right, don’t make them sit...
by Kate LaSala | Oct 16, 2023 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
You’re looking to bring a new dog into your home, and you are understandably excited. I want your first interaction to go as smoothly as possible and that means debunking some old ideas about how to meet or interact with a dog. The old adage, “you...
by Kate LaSala | Oct 9, 2023 | Dog Training, Pet Loss & Grieving
Many of my friends with human kids love to say “don’t blink” meaning that if you blink you will miss your kids growing up and they will be gone, off on their own. This sentiment resonated with me even more for our dogs, who are with us for...
by Kate LaSala | Oct 2, 2023 | Dog Training, Dogs and Babies and Kids, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
During certain times of the year, I see an increase in community social media groups with postings from parents offering their child as a dog walker and it makes me cringe when I see it. And during my family dog consults I get asked about when kids can walk the family...
