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 15, 2024 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Separation Anxiety
Professional licensure is not required to call yourself a dog trainer in the US. If you’ve been around here a bit, you may have noticed a strong theme of transparency in my posts and on social media and you may have picked up on that already. Not only...
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 | Aug 7, 2023 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs, Separation Anxiety
Today I’m recapping a (slightly late) mid-year review of my top 5 most visited posts from this year, so far: Is Your Reactive Dog Fearful, Aggressive, Excited Or Frustrated? Sociability and Social Maturity In Dogs 5 Myths About Shock Collars Train Manners And...
by Kate LaSala | Jul 17, 2023 | Dog Training, Puppy Training, Resource Guarding
I’ve written in the past about resource guarding prevention, and what to do if you have a puppy or a new dog who doesn’t resource guard and how to help teach them that people approaching is good, not threatening. You can see that post and videos...
by Kate LaSala | Apr 17, 2023 | Dog Training, Puppy Training, Rescue Dogs, Separation Anxiety
As someone who focuses on fear cases, I have a disproportionate amount of people who view their dog’s fear issues as behavior “problems” that need “fixing” instead of recognizing that fear is not disobedience. The more I was...
by Kate LaSala | Apr 3, 2023 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Puppy Training, Rescue Dogs
Much like the lack of transparency in dog training, there’s also a lack of transparency in sheltering and rescue organizations. In 2018 eight prominent animal welfare organizations and foundations released a joint mission statement regarding...
by Kate LaSala | Dec 26, 2022 | Dog Training
2022 was a hard year for many, including my own family losing Mr. Barbo in August. 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...
by Kate LaSala | Sep 12, 2022 | Dog Training, Rescue Dogs
So you’ve brought home a new rescue dog (or are preparing to do so)! Congratulations on your new addition! I bet you’re excited to show off your new bundle of joy to everyone! And that’s understandable! But first, let’s look at some important...
by Kate LaSala | Jan 17, 2022 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Rescue Dogs
Today marks what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday. We lost a great champion for animals – not just shelter dogs and cats but primates, birds and zoo animals. Betty White advocated for better zoo conditions, protecting endangered species...