Leadership.
Leadership is a noun AND a verb. It's an approach, a state of being, and an energy. Embodying, representing, and stepping up through this space of leadership is a challenge for many, and is an ingredient often lacking in a lot of human-canine dynamics. Not because we're "doing life wrong", but because we're telling ourselves a different story (damn you, negative self talk...and thank you, negative self talk, for revealing what needs to be tended to). Most of us are showing up through our fear, worry, anxiety, wounding, and with extra baggage.
Unknowingly conditioning behaviors.
More often than not, we’re conditioning the behaviors we’re struggling with unknowingly.
The 7th Big Human Thing that Contributes to the Big Dog Things
The 7 Big Human Things that Contribute to the Big Dog Things
“Training the Whole Dog”
“Speaking to the whole picture, the whole scenario, and the whole dog is how we're able to get the results we get when it comes to *behavior*. Shining a spotlight on all of the contributing ingredients that contribute to, influence, impact... even birth behavior.”
The Circle of Trust.
Building your “Circle of Trust” to raise a healthy, balanced, well-taken-care-of dog.
The 6th Big Human Thing that contributes to the Big Dog Things
How we cope with all of this and the tactics we've developed to do so will also show up through dog training.
The 5th Big Human Thing that Contributes to the Big Dog Things
Worry, fear, and anxiety: the 3 Stooges; and how and why this impacts our relationship with our dogs.
#4 of the 6 Big Human Things that Contribute to the Big Dog Things.
Blocks, denials, defenses, and resistance.
One or more of these 4 often show up in behavioral training, and there are several reasons why.
#3 Big Human Thing that Contributes to the Big Dog Things
In our ongoing series of moving through the "7 Big Human Things that Contribute to Dog Things", here is Big Thing #3: Insecurities, Shame, Guilt, and Level of Confidence.
Big Human Thing #2: Attachment Style.
Human attachment style and how it impacts the relationship with our dogs.
The 7 Big Human Things that Contribute to the Big Dog Things
What started out as “6” became the 7 Big Human Things that Contribute to the Big Dog Things. Who we are, what we do, what we don’t do, how we feel… it all matters.
One of *the* most important behavioral influencers.
Of all of the behavioral influencers we have as social animals, the feeling of *safety* is the most important.
Understanding the Excitement Spectrum
Much like a wagging tail doesn't always mean a "friendly" dog, an overly aroused, overly excited, super juiced and jacked up dog doesn't always mean a "happy" dog.
The Power of Opposites
Whenever we have excess or lack, it creates an imbalance.
Understanding the concept of “countering” in dog training is important, and here’s why.
Intuition and Instinct in Dog Training
Intuition: a deep knowing or feeling not based on "logic" or "proof", and transcends "conscious reasoning".
Instinct: an innate, natural genius or inherent ability to respond in a specific way without logic or complex reasoning.
The difference between the two is feeling and response. Feeling and knowing, and acting based on that feeling and knowing without question.
A wagging tail doesn’t always mean a friendly dog…
Dogs are always sharing information. Every body part is communicating what their emotional state is (how they feel about any given moment, set of circumstances, who's around them, etc.), as well as their state of mind (level of arousal, excitement, and - most of all - *intensity*).
Let them Sniff…
A question we often field in regards to sniffing on structured walks is whether or not this is "allowed" and, if so, "when"?