by Kate LaSala | Feb 19, 2024 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
This might surprise you, but I think teaching a dog to sit is one of the the skills your dog really doesn’t need. Now hold on, hear me out before you hate me. It might be convenient but it’s not essential. It’s not a life or death skill, like...
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 29, 2024 | Dog Training, Puppy Training
stub·born adjective having or showing dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so. “He only comes when he wants to!” “This breed is so stubborn and...
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 There’s a lot of bad, often wrong, outdated, information that is widely...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 | Jan 1, 2024 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs, Separation Anxiety
Happy New Year! With the start of the new year, I want to wish you a great year and hope that all your struggles of last year become your great victories of this new year. How can we help that happen? Here’s 6 ways to succeed with your dog in 2024! Stop...
by Kate LaSala | Dec 18, 2023 | Dog Training
2023 was a challenge for many in various ways. I’ve had clients struggling with separation anxiety, and other fearful or aggressive situations: dogs biting children, resource guarders, dogs who don’t like to be touched, dogs who growl at or who are...
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 | 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...
