Bark n Wag 15 Minute Vet Talk

Cow Hug Therapy 

How The Animals at the Gentle Barn Taught Me about Life, Death, and Everything In Between. 

Autographed copy of the inspirational story of the compassionate and wise animals of the Gentle Barn and how they became a therapeutic salve for countless guests — and mentors for all of us in how to live and die In Cow Hug Therapy, Ellie Laks, founder of the Gentle Barn Foundation, shares the extraordinary journey that started with her first teacher, Buddha — not the religious figure, but a rescued miniature Hereford cow. One evening Buddha wrapped her neck around an exhausted and upset Laks and transferred a singular form of healing and comfort with an incredible impact. Understanding that this was something to be shared with others, Laks developed Cow Hug Therapy, a groundbreaking approach to emotional healing that has proved effective for trauma, illness, disabilities, addiction, grief, and stress. Cow Hug Therapy is a colorful and compelling narrative of the healing mavens of the barnyard through the years and their individual stories of being rescued from trauma and treated with love and respect. These animals have transformed lives and ignited breakthroughs, newfound purpose, and freedom, including for a young mother who lost her baby, a suicidal teenager, a wounded serviceman, an open-heart surgery patient, and many more. Media outlets including ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s TODAY show, and The Atlantic magazine have featured numerous stories of the hopeless beginning to thrive at the Gentle Barn. A testament to empathy and the mission to heal animals, people, and the planet, Cow Hug Therapy captures a remarkable journey of transformation and serves as a beacon of hope for all seeking healing and connection.

https://store.gentlebarn.org/products/autographed-copy-of-cow-hug-therapy-how-the-animals-at-the-gentle-barn-taught-me-about-life-death-and-everything-in-between

 

Make sure you buy this amazing book! 

“Putting animals and people together in a way that is healing for both” is the core mission of Shepherd’s Rest Goat and Sheep Rescue. Through the Animal Assisted Therapy Program, we believe we can create an impact that echoes in the lives of our clients far beyond the boundaries of the rescue.

Please visit https://www.shepherdsrestrescue.com

Cancer in dogs, the warning signs

Cancer is a heart-breaking condition that affects too many people around the world. Unfortunately, it also impacts our beloved canine companions.

As a dog owner, it’s very important to be aware of some of the signs of cancer in dogs – just as it’s essential to take heart from the fact that treatments for this disease are improving all the time.

Let’s take a closer look…

Cancer in dogs

Unfortunately, cancer is one of the most common illnesses in dogs. 50% of all dogs over the age of 10 are expected to be diagnosed with some form of cancer. This means that recognizing the warning signs is even more important when you have an aging hound on your hands.

By being vigilant, and providing age-appropriate exercise, a nutritious diet, and mental stimulation, you’re giving your dog the best shot at a long, active, and healthy life.

The most common types of dog cancer

Dogs and humans can actually develop the same forms of cancer. This list isn’t exhaustive, but it should give you a rough idea of the types of cancer that often affect our canine companions:

• Skin cancer
• Blood cancer
• Bone cancer
• Cancers of the immune system – such as lymphoma
• Abdominal cancers
• Cancer of the uterus
• Mammary (breast) cancer – mainly found in female dogs
• Testicular cancer
• Anal cancer

The causes of canine cancer

The causes of cancer are complex, and that applies to both humans and dogs. For this reason, there isn’t one definite cause. Cancer can be triggered by genetics, age, nutrition, and environmental factors.

Fortunately, animal experts agree that canine cancer isn’t caused by things like bumps and scrapes.

Here’s a look at some of the common causes of canine cancer:

1. Genetics

As with humans, genes that cause cancer can be inherited. This means if your dog’s parents developed cancer, your dog is at higher risk. Certain dog breeds are also more generically prone to certain illnesses, including cancer. Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and Rottweilers are considered at higher risk of developing cancer (and specific types of cancer) than other breeds,

2. Carcinogens

Carcinogens are harmful substances or features of the environment that can cause cancer. They include second-hand smoke, insecticides used in agriculture, certain viruses, air pollution, and UV rays from the sun.

Researchers have found that sun exposure is a significant factor in developing squamous cell carcinoma, a cancerous tumor that can be seen in almost every single domesticated pet breed. Animals with white fur or markings are more likely to develop this form of cancer.

3. Age

Sadly, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in dogs over the age of 10, with 50% of older dogs developing the disease and approximately one in four dogs passing from it. However, the reasons for this are largely speculated.

4. The environment

In humans, most cancers are related to environmental factors. This can include their diet, their exposure to UV light and various chemicals, and more. The same is likely true for canine cancer, too.

Reducing your dog’s exposure to environmental hazards – like smoke – is important in reducing their risk of developing cancer.

What could help prevent your dog from getting cancer?

One thing you could consider is spaying and neutering. Spaying or neutering your dog could prevent ovarian and testicular cancers from developing. Studies have also shown that spaying a female dog before her first or second heat may also help to reduce the risk of breast cancer developing. You should talk to your veterinarian about the best time for your dog to be spayed or neutered, according to their breed.

Keeping your dog’s mouth clean and healthy may also reduce the risk of oral cancer.

As well as trying to reduce your dog’s risk of cancer, you should educate yourself on the warning signs, so your veterinarian can catch and treat it early.

What are the warning signs of cancer in dogs?

Unfortunately, our four-pawed friends can’t tell us when something’s wrong. We need to be on the lookout for the warning signs of cancer and other diseases. The earlier it can be caught and treated, the better the outcomes tend to be.

If you notice one or more of these potential warning signs, reach out to your veterinarian:

1. Tumors, lumps, or unusual growths

Tumors are some of the most obvious signs of cancer, but not all tumors are cancerous. There are actually two types:

• Malignant tumors. This type is cancerous. They grow very quickly and spread around the bodily easily.
• Benign tumors. This type is not cancerous. They typically grow very slowly and don’t tend to spread around the body. Usually, benign tumors are harmless. Problems only occur if the tumor gets in the way of other body parts or organs.

You should also be on the lookout for swollen lymph nodes. Fortunately, they don’t cause pain, but they can be a sign of lymphoma – which is a form of cancer commonly found in breeds like Golden Retrievers.

Any unusual lumps or bumps on your dog should be examined by your vet – especially if their size, shape, or appearance changes.

2. Wounds that won’t heal

Just like with humans, any small wounds and lesions your dog gets should heal over time. If a wound doesn’t seem to be healing – e.g., if you don’t see signs of it scabbing over, or hair re-growing – you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. This can be a sign of cancer.

3. Abnormal bleeding

Bleeding is a red flag in general. But it’s especially concerning if you notice bloody eye discharge or bleeding from the nose – as this is a common sign of eye and skin cancers.

Unusual bleeding from your dog’s mouth is often the first sign of an oral tumor. It’s important to be extra vigilant for these, since they often go undetected.

Many owners believe bad breath and discharge from their dogs’ mouths are a normal part of aging. But they’re actually signs of a health problem, and you should always get your dog checked out by a veterinarian if you notice these signs.

4. Lameness

If your dog starts limping, slowing down, or putting more weight on a certain limb, this could be an early sign of bone cancer – although it could also just be a sign of joint stiffness.

To be on the safe side, arrange for a checkup with your veterinarian if you notice any issues with your dog’s movement.

5. Sudden weight loss or gain

Weight loss is frequently seen in dogs with cancer. Similarly, sudden weight gain in dogs can also be a sign of canine cancer. If you see any sudden changes in your dog’s weight you should contact your veterinarian right away.

6. Lethargy and lack of enthusiasm to exercise

As dogs get older, they naturally slow down and lose energy. It’s an unfortunate fact, but there are things you can do to help them keep their energy levels and mobility up.

Extreme lethargy, or a sudden, unexplained lack of energy, however, can be a sign of various conditions, including cancer.

If your dog suddenly loses interest in going for walks, stops greeting you at the door, or doesn’t want to play with their favorite toy, these are all red flags to investigate. Other warning signs include your dog sleeping too much or taking longer to respond to noises or commands.

7. Unusual bowel movements

If you’ve had your dog for years, you probably know what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to their toilet habits. Unusual stool can be the first sign of many different illnesses. Take a look at this guide to find out what your dog’s poo tells you.

In particular, you should be on the lookout for bloody or black, tarry stools, or diarrhea – these are often a sign of ulcers, but can sometimes indicate mast cell tumors.

What to do if your pet is showing warning signs

If you spot any signs that your dog might have cancer, it’s extremely important to contact your veterinarian straight away. They’ll be able to run a number of tests including X-rays, ultrasounds, and blood tests, to figure out what’s wrong.

Early detection greatly helps your dog’s chances of beating cancer. It can also make a major difference in treating various other issues that your dog may be dealing with.

The good news?

There’s no two ways about it, a cancer diagnosis is heartbreaking. But it doesn’t mean you should have to live in fear. Every single year, dogs are living longer and longer – which just goes to show how far pet care and veterinary medicine have advanced.

In fact, nowadays there are more options than ever. Treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are readily available. And, as we mentioned before, early detection greatly improves your dog’s chances of living a long, happy, healthy, and active life.

Think your dog is showing any of these common signs of cancer? It’s best to get in touch with your vet. And, if you’re not doing so already, annual visits to the vet are essential.

Our Mission

Shepherd’s Rest Goat and Sheep Rescue exists to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide sanctuary for goats and sheep in need, to educate the public about goats and sheep as therapy animals, to provide qualified animal assisted therapy, and to train others to provide qualified animal assisted therapy with sheep and goats adopted through our program.

 Our Promise

Shepherd’s Rest Goat and Sheep Rescue is committed to equal employment and volunteer opportunity without regard to age, ancestry, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status. This policy applies to all areas of employment and volunteer participation, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, termination, layoff, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Goat Yoga

We hold classes Spring through Fall at our picturesque 100-year-old farm located in Pickrell, Nebraska, just a 30 minute drive south of Lincoln.

Shepherd's Rest Goat & Sheep Rescue

426 West Cedar Road Pickrell, NE, 68422

402.580.5299 [email protected]

Leaving your beloved companion home while you’re at work or travelling is hard enough; finding a trustworthy pet sitter shouldn’t be. Faced with hectic schedules and long commutes—or even a pet who’s dealing with separation anxiety—more people are hiring professional sitters to ensure their animals’ health and happiness. But there’s a lot to consider when choosing a sitter.

Not only are they caring for valued family members, they’re coming into your home. They should be trustworthy, professional, knowledgeable and able to handle emergencies. And your pet should feel comfortable around them.

Here are some tips to help find that perfect sitter!

Start online

The internet (including neighborhood and community websites) is a great place to start. Professional pet-sitting associations such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International list members on their websites. Reading online reviews and even checking out candidates’ Facebook pages can help narrow down your search.

Seek firsthand recommendations

Check the bulletin boards at local stores or your veterinarian’s office for ads, then reach out to potential sitters for their references. You can also ask friends, relatives and neighbors for referrals. Or connect with your veterinarian and local humane societies, which may have employees who are part-time pet sitters. Just keep in mind that people with full-time jobs may not have the availability you need.

Prepare for the interview

Take some time to think through what you want to ask candidates before interviewing them via phone or video chat. Don’t be afraid to have a long conversation; you can get a good sense of someone’s personality and character that way. Here are some topics to consider:

THE BASICS

Find out how long they’ve been in business, what their level of experience is with your pets’ species and what their backup plan is if something prevents them from coming to your house.

FEES

There’s no point in moving forward if you can’t afford their services. At the same time, don’t just go with the cheapest rate; you want a qualified professional.

SERVICES

Ask what specific services they offer—are they comfortable administering medications? Do they have special training or certifications? Are they bonded and insured (which could protect you in certain situations, such as if your dog bites another person while on a walk with the sitter)?

It can also be helpful to pose one or two emergency scenarios to see how candidates respond: What would they do if the air conditioning breaks on a hot day or your pet starts vomiting?

Get ready for the meet-and-greet

Before you book a pet-sitting date, you and your pets should meet the candidate. This will allow you to get to know the person better, flesh out special instructions and observe how they interact with your animal. You may even want to ask a candidate to do a trial walk to see how they handle your dog.

Don’t forget to ask for credentials such as references and copies of their bonding and license. You might also want to get a criminal background check.

Accept that it might not work out

The best screening in the world may not prevent you from hiring the wrong person. But you can take some simple steps to help determine whether the person is doing their job.

For example:

• Ask your sitter to leave notes about each visit or share photos with you via text or email.
• If you have a doorbell camera, check whether your sitter comes at the agreed-upon times.
• Get a GPS for your dog’s collar to ensure they’re being walked every day.

Still not sure whether your sitter is up to snuff?

Here are some potential red flags to look for:

• Pee puddles, feces or vomit in the house.
• Untouched treats or toys you’ve left for the sitter to give to your pet during a visit.
• Failure to provide detailed reports of your pet’s behavior.

While it’s good to be cautious when starting with someone new, keep in mind that most people who choose pet-sitting as a career are animal lovers. Over time, a sitter can become a trusted friend to you and your pet!

For more information please contact Cat's Canines at [email protected] / 402-326-4595.

 

Founded in 2020 by a group of animal advocates in Lincoln, Nebraska, Brave Animal Rescue is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) volunteer-based animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing homeless kittens, cats, dogs, and puppies. By working with a network of volunteer advocates, foster caregivers, local veterinarians, and shelters, Brave Animal Rescue is able to help hundreds of animals every year by pulling animals from high-kill shelters, by working hands-on rescuing orphaned kittens, by aiding in local Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts, and by helping those who are no longer able to care for their pets. We provide these animals with care and temporary homes until we are able to place them in permanent homes. Brave also aims to serve as a resource to our community by providing information about pet ownership, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, and TNR.

The founders of Brave Animal Rescue are life-long animal advocates who have several years of experience working with other nonprofit animal groups throughout the Midwest. Through these experiences on the forefront of rescue, the founders quickly began to recognize a need in the community for a neonatal-focused rescue.  The vast majority of animals that are surrendered to animal shelters are under the age of 18 months old. According to The Humane Society of the United States, 80% of kittens are born outside. Without intervention, these kittens go on to procreate, get killed (by disease, vehicles, predators, etc.), or end up in shelters.  Unfortunately, kittens and puppies under 8 weeks old are the population most at-risk for being euthanized in shelters due to a lack of resources and foster homes. With a passion for newborn kittens and puppies, and drive to help the community, the founders of Brave Animal Rescue aim to end the cycle of unwanted companion animals through education, rescue, and spaying and neutering.

CONTACT

Brave Animal Rescue

PO Box 21864

Lincoln, NE 68542

EMAIL

[email protected]

WORK WITH ME

 

Cindy Myers Ambassador to Animals, Humans and Spirit

 

Welcome to YourEnergyHealer.com, your sanctuary for spiritual growth and healing. I’m Cindy Myers, a dedicated energy healer, intuitive guide, and passionate advocate for holistic wellness for you and your pets. Through my journey, I’ve been blessed to discover my calling in life—to assist others in navigating their own paths to healing and self-discovery.

 

At the heart of my practice, I am an experienced energy healer specializing in the ability to work with both humans and animals. I’m certified in the Emotion Code and Reiki, I earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Depth Psychology from the prestigious Pacifica Graduate Institute. It was during this time of advanced study that I developed one of my passions of interpreting dreams and obtained invaluable mentoring and skills coaching individuals. I have a long history of people naturally drawn to me sharing their fears and life challenges. Many are amazed that I transformed from an engineer working for the Navy before transitioning to a life on an alpaca farm and working as an intuitive energy healer and animal communicator. But it was because of those huge life transitions throughout my life that provide the real life experience to guide you in your own personal growth. My intuitive abilities enable me to connect deeply with individuals, see beyond their fears and provide supportive guidance as they explore their inner worlds and unlock their full potential. My approach is rooted in compassion, empathy, and a profound belief in the interconnectedness of all beings.

 

My mission at YourEnergyHealer.com is to offer a comprehensive range of personalized healing services designed to nurture the mind, body, and spirit of not only individuals but also their beloved pets and animals. Recognizing the deep bond between humans and animals, I am committed to extending healing and balance to your furry and feathered companions. Whether you’re seeking relief from physical ailments, emotional distress, or spiritual blockages for yourself or your animal friends, my goal is to facilitate a transformative experience that leads to profound and lasting change for all beings involved. By incorporating pets and animals into our healing journey, we honor the interconnectedness of all life and work towards holistic wellness for our entire family.

 

It wasn’t until into my adulthood that I discovered I was an empath also known as a highly sensitive person or sensate intuitive. I struggled through my teens and young adulthood with terrible anxiety and depression. It was hard to get through day-to-day activities, especially through high school. I often think of those years as my “dark years.” I was in deep pain that I didn’t understand and didn’t have the language to describe. It wasn’t until fairly recently that I realized that not only was I suffering with my own anxiety and depression, but as an empath, I was picking up and absorbing all that teenaged angst of my classmates. I dreaded facing school each day. I somewhat grew out of this intense anxiety as I entered the workforce, I still battled anxiety. I knew something wasn’t right but I had no idea where to begin figuring it out. Finally, I found my own mentor and guide. I learned to meditate and spirit guides began appearing. I began to understand my intuition and what it meant to be an empath. Instead of fearing it, I thought it would be incredible if I could use this “gift” to benefit others. Working with clients as part of my Master’s Degree Curriculum honed my listening skills. It was discovering alpacas that trained me to become an animal communicator. I’ve since incorporated using alpacas to teach animal communication classes.

 

Because of those hard emotional times, it has become another mission of my life and practice to help others dealing with anxiety and depression. I found so many are also empathic intuitive individuals that don’t realize how empathic they are. After a few simple questions, I help you to discover if you are an empath and what that means to you. And then the next level of work begins in providing you tools in handling that fact. It is actually possible and very doable to turn the challenges of being an empath into a superpower. But it is very important to learn how to protect yourself and how to be an empath.

 

I encourage you to go explore my services and events on this site. I tailor our sessions to your needs. I’m guided in those sessions not only by my spirit guides but I’m listening with my third ear to your higher self in knowing how best to support you. When you choose a service, you will receive a link to my online calendar. Select a time and provide me a good phone number to reach you and I’ll call you at the appointed time. I do almost all my sessions over the phone for you or your pets. If you reside outside the United States, please let me know and we can use other methods to connect. I have clients all over the country and world.

 

Explore my events page too and you will find regularly scheduled Group Online Healing Circles where I provide you a guided meditation that promotes physical and emotional healing. You will also grow your authentic self during these impactful sessions. I also teach various course from dream workshops where you learn how to interpret your dreams, learn how to connect with your spirit guides, learn how to communicate with animals and much more.

 

I also write blogs regularly and you can read what my thoughts are on all these vast subjects of intuitive listening.

 

I’m so appreciative that I have combined all my passions in this business. I’ve taken my joy in writing and art to create several books which you can check out on my books page. I don’t think I’ve had more fun than when I wrote and illustrated the toddler books. In all my books, I fold in important life lessons. In my memoir, I wrote about how I came to living on my alpaca farm in Oregon and how animals provided me many life lessons that make me a better “two-legged” (that’s how they see us humans). My second book, 5 Steps to Animal Communication, provides you simple techniques to practice to develop your own intuitive skills with your pet(s). I incorporated lessons I learned working with children when I was studying to be a therapist to create my children’s books. You can explore all my books on this website.

  SERVICES OFFERED

 

– Energy Healing Sessions: Harness the power of universal energy to promote healing and balance. I like to say I’m a one-stop-shop providing wellbeing services for you and your pets. I invite you to explore both my animal and human services pages. If you have questions, I welcome your questions. Just reach out using my contact form and I’ll get back to you quickly.

 

– Healing Circles/Meditation and Mindfulness Training: Learn techniques to calm your mind, reduce stress, and enhance spiritual awareness.

 

– Your Energy Healer Courses: Join our community for events focused on spiritual development and holistic wellness.

 

I always ask you when we begin our sessions with, “How can I help you today?”

 

What you receive is:

• Personalized Care: Every session is tailored to meet your unique needs and goals.

• Experienced Practitioner: Benefit from years of experience and ongoing learning in the field of energy healing.

• Supportive Community: Join a community of like-minded individuals on their journey to wellness.
• Holistic Approach: Embrace a comprehensive path to healing that addresses your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

  JOIN OUR JOURNEY

 

If you’re ready to embark on a transformative journey towards holistic health and spiritual awakening, I invite you to explore the services and resources available at YourEnergyHealer.com. Together, we can unlock your healing potential and pave the way to a more balanced, joyful, and fulfilling life.

 

Thank you for choosing YourEnergyHealer.com as your guide on this incredible journey. I look forward to supporting you in your healing and spiritual growth.

 

Warmest regards,

Cindy Myers

How to Manage a Dog Lunging on Leash By Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT Updated: Sep 22, 2021 | 5 Minutes How to Manage a Dog Lunging on Leash – American Kennel Club

•  

Do you dread taking your dog for a walk because they lunge at other dogs, other people, or objects like cars or skateboards? Maybe they bark or growl too. Walking an out-of-control dog is both physically and emotionally exhausting. It’s tempting to avoid walks altogether, but then your dog isn’t getting the mental stimulation and physical exercise they need. So, what do you do? Read on for tips to manage and improve your dog’s lunging behavior.

Understand Why Dogs Lunge

Dog experts often label dogs who lunge and bark during walks as “leash reactive.” A reactive dog is one who becomes overly aroused by normal situations, and a leash reactive dog is one who behaves that way on leash. But what causes this behavior? There are three possible motivations for lunging. The least likely is aggression. Although rare, some dogs truly want to do harm. Fear is a far more common motivator. Using the “I’ll get it before it gets me” strategy, dogs lunge to try to make the feared person, dog, or other object go away. Finally, your dog might be excited to approach the person, dog, or object, but because the leash is preventing that, they become frustrated and lose emotional control.

You need to take all these motivations seriously, but it’s important to understand which one is driving your dog. For example, if your dog is frustrated, lessons in emotional self-control come in handy. If your dog is fearful, building self-confidence is key. However, regardless of the reason for the lunging, some of the basic management tools and treatments are the same.

Manage Your Dog’s Behavior

It’s important to prevent your dog from lunging because every time they do, they’re practicing the behavior and developing a self-reinforcing habit. And the firmer the habit, the harder it will be to change. But how do you prevent lunging? First, never punish your dog for this behavior. You will only exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object which will strengthen their fear or jack up their frustration.

Second, use the correct equipment for walking. A buckle collar can put a lot of pressure on your dog’s throat when they lunge. A front-clip harness is a better choice. It will put the pressure on your dog’s chest and help turn them back toward you when they spring forward. A head halter (also called a head harness) is another option for a leash-reactive dog. It loops around your dog’s nose and allows you to control their head like the reins of a horse. However, many dogs need help adjusting to a halter and they can damage their necks if they hit the end of the leash with too much force. To prevent that, you can clip one leash to their buckle collar and another to their halter, so the collar leash takes the force during lunges and the halter leash gently turns your dog’s head.

Finally, be proactive. Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any triggers (the people, dogs, or objects that cause the lunging to occur). That might be late at night or with the sunrise. Also choose the quietest route. And always be on the lookout for triggers so you can keep your dog far enough away that they don’t react. That might mean taking evasive action like crossing the street or making a 180-degree turn. If you can distract your dog before they notice the trigger, even better. Constantly monitor the environment and your dog’s body language so you can predict lunging before it occurs and act accordingly.

Change Your Dog’s Emotional Response

Management will prevent your dog from practicing lunging, but it won’t improve their behavior or ease their emotional state. For that, try desensitization and counterconditioning. This technique will change your dog’s emotional response from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

The trick is to get your dog in the presence of their trigger but far enough away they don’t react. This is known as below-threshold intensity. That could be 10 feet, or it could be 40. And different triggers might have different distances. Once you have your dog below threshold, pair the trigger with high-value rewards they would do anything for, like strips of meat, cubes of cheese, or a chance to play with their favorite toy. You want your dog to build a positive association between the wonderful goodies and the trigger.

Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, “I saw it, now where’s my treat?” This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.

Try your best to control the environment during this process. You don’t want a dog or stranger sneaking up and putting your dog over threshold. Instead, enlist the assistance of friends so you can coordinate a training plan using them or their dogs as the trigger. You can also try positioning your dog at a set distance from a pathway or street so you can predict passersby but control how far your dog is from them.

Teach Your Dog an Incompatible Alternative Behavior

You can also teach your dog to perform a behavior that is incompatible with lunging. For example, they can’t lunge towards another dog and turn to look at you at the same time. If you heavily reward this alternative behavior, your dog will eventually choose to do it in place of lunging even when their trigger is close by. Some great choices include “Watch me” (where your dog looks at your face), “Touch” (where your dog targets something with their nose), or “Find it” (where you drop treats at your feet for your dog to find). These are easy to teach and easy for your dog to do even when they are emotionally aroused. And more importantly, they redirect your dog’s gaze from the trigger to you.

Whichever behavior you choose, make sure your dog loves to do it. Start training in a quiet environment without distractions and pile on the treats. This will show your dog how easy it is to get rewarded for the new task. Next, build distractions into your training. Then add the trigger at a below-threshold distance. When your dog looks at the trigger, ask for the replacement behavior. Shower them with treats when they obey. Finally, ask for the new behavior while slowly moving closer and closer to the trigger. If your dog reverts to lunging, you’ve moved too far, too fast. Eventually, rather than lunging, your dog will see the trigger as a cue to do the new behavior and earn a reward.

Know When to Get Help

For some dogs, you might be able to work through these techniques on your own and achieve great success in a matter of weeks. For other dogs, it’s advisable to get help from an animal behaviorist or a professional dog trainer with leash reactivity experience. Your dog might also benefit from a consult with a veterinary behaviorist. If your dog is too worked up to learn, medication can control their arousal levels during training allowing them to make more progress.

Lunging on leash can usually be modified into more polite and acceptable behavior. At the very least, you can minimize your dog’s outbursts with good management. It takes patience and dedication to your dog and the training protocols, but walks can eventually be stress-free for both you and your dog.

 

Mission K9 Rescue primarily has Contract Working Dogs (CWDs) available for placement. These incredible canines perform the same vital tasks as Military Working Dogs (MWDs) but are not owned by the Government.

We also occasionally place MWDs and retired police dogs for adoption, but it’s unpredictable when they may become available. We rescue these dedicated canines as we become aware of them and work diligently to find suitable placements afterward. 

We’ve opted not to post photos of available dogs to avoid mismatches and save everyone valuable time. Instead, we review your application thoroughly and send you pictures of dogs that suit your situation, if any. This process helps us ensure our dogs find their forever homes with the right families and that the adoption process runs smoothly. 

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Whether you're potty training a new pup or struggling with positive reinforcement, you might want to consult a qualified dog trainer and/or enroll your pooch in a class.

“A lot of people say ‘I know how to teach a dog to sit. Why would I go to a class?’ And it's so much more than that,” says Lindsay Hamrick, director of shelter outreach and engagement at the Humane Society of the United States and a certified professional dog trainer herself. She advises dog owners to “reach out for help anytime they don't know what to do.” 

Animal behavior websites can vary greatly in quality, Hamrick adds, but dog trainers can too—so here are some tips to get you started! 

Starting the search

Start your search for a dog trainer at the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, which makes locating a qualified dog trainer near you as simple as plugging in your zip code. You might also try searching "canine behaviorist" and "dog behavior consultant."

Making a match

Contact potential dog trainers to see if they’d be a good fit. Trainers’ websites typically describe their expertise, allow you to submit a form explaining the concerns you have about your dog’s behaviors and give you an idea of the cost. It’s also important to determine if they have the bandwidth to work with you.

Good dog trainers “know what they can and can't handle,” Hamrick says. Some don't work with aggression cases, for example, and focus solely on obedience training or non-aggression behavioral challenges.

  Setting realistic expectations

Remember that dog trainers aren’t miracle workers, and behavior change takes time. “If you are talking to a trainer and they think they can fix your issue in a 30-minute television show … you should find somebody else,” Hamrick says.

However, while a single session may not solve the challenges completely, we know that access to behavioral support can be pricey unless you have a low-cost option in your community. One consultation can still be helpful in identifying the root causes of your dog’s behavior and some initial ways to help them choose new behaviors.

And just like when you were in school, homework matters.

“If you only practice during those training sessions, it's not going to stick,” says Jessica Simpson, a senior companion animals public policy specialist for the HSUS. A consistent approach is necessary to help dogs generalize the new behavior from the classroom to the home.  

Virtual training

Online dog training options have exploded in COVID’s wake. It's possible for dog trainers to size up a dog’s issues through virtual chats with the owner and videos of the dog’s behavior. After an initial video consultation, trainers can give the owners homework and then watch videos tracking the dog’s progress. GoodPup is a great online program for those looking for this approach.  

Red flags

Ideally, you’ll find an affordable, certified dog trainer who’s knowledgeable about your dog’s issues, practices humane techniques and is available either in person or online. But if the training sparks concern, you can simply leave.  

“If you don't feel good, then remove your dog,” Hamrick says. “If you go to a local obedience class, and the trainer is yanking on leashes or making your dog scared, if your dog is not excited to go to class, then you absolutely have the right to cancel and remove them. You will do more damage by trying to be nice and stay.” BY JAMES HETTINGER