Get Rid of Fear In All It's Forms!

I have been dog training a lot of fearful dogs lately.  It is very interesting how fear develops.  Some dogs are quite young and some are after some sort of attack by another dog.  Whatever the cause, there are things you can do to really alleviate fear in your dog if you notice this.

1. Use your peripheral vision and do not look at the dog when in a fearful state.  Dogs are companion animals and if we trust them, they will develop much stronger.  When your parents stared at you, what was going on?  Usually, you were in a lot of trouble.  Trust them and they will improve.

2.  Train them out of the fearful state.  Practice sits, stays, down and other commands so that can be the go to.  Always give them treats after success and they will remember that and it will help them to move forward.

3.  Feel their body - fear is powerful.  The fear that dogs have can be found in the body.  It is amazing to release that fear with massage.  I have a 2 year canine massage degree but you do not need that - just loving hands to help your dog relax.  Dogs respond to a light touch that is heavy on the skin.  If you can feel under your eye, you have a bone and muscle tissue there.  If you can push on the muscle tissue, you can feel how hard to touch your dog.

It is amazing what you can do with little effort to help your dog overcome his fear!

Ally Mae and Animal Communication - A Winning Combination!

This is my little sleeping puppy, Ally Mae.  She came to us in December as a foster puppy and after an hour, Rick decided she had to stay with us forever.  She is a delight in every way but there was a major problem that I had to over come.  She hated the kennel!  She was 6 months when she came to us so we are not sure as to why she did not like going in the kennel.  She would run and hide under the table and we would have to chase her any time we wanted to go some place.  It was very frustrating.

About 3 weeks ago, I decided I had had enough.  I am sure many people out there kind of forget our own powers with our dogs and children.  We kind of hope and pray they change but we don't do anything about it.  So I started a nice conversation with Ally Mae.  And it worked!

About 10 years ago, I had an interesting episode with a cat I took care of and since then I have taken classes and continued to excel in my animal communication skills.  I even list it on my website as a service I perform and I do get contacted to help people quite often.  It is really rewarding.

Back to Ally Mae.  I was in the living room and she was outside.  I just started calling her name in my mind.  I told her how much I loved her and how happy we were that she was our little puppy.  Then I told her that I was sad she did not like her kennel.  I told her it was so nice with the sheep skin and it is so nice to sleep in that kennel.  I said it was safe and nice and the perfect spot for her.  I told her that as she gets older, one day she won't need a kennel but I worry about her now when I leave and need to make sure she goes in a kennel.  I promised her I would not keep her there for long and I also promised to always give her a treat when she goes in.  I then ended it with another I love you.  I sat in that space of peace for a few moments.

I proceeded to get dressed and ready to go.  I had no idea what was going to happen but I was prepared for a chase again since it had happened so often.  I could not believe what miss Ally Mae did, she went right into our bedroom and into her kennel!  It was amazing.  I told her out loud what a sweet puppy she is and what a good girl.  Then I left.  Would you believe this has been going on for 3 weeks now.  As I prepare her treat, I always think of her and thank her for being so good and it works.  I don't even have to say go to your kennel, she just does.

I am pretty amazed by this, and so is my husband, Rick.  Now he is starting to believe in this "woo woo crap" as he calls it!  I just had to share this story with you!

Biting Puppies

I get a lot of phone calls about biting puppies.  Most people are using the old technique of yelling at their dogs or grabbing the dogs muzzle as they yell at them, or worse, hitting the dog.  I just got done with the biting puppy experience with my own 6 month puppy.  She was actually given up for adoption because she bit so much.  How did I solve it - very easy!

Puppies are experiencing a lot of pain as their new teeth grow in.  The best thing to do - give them lots of natural things to chew on.  Ally Mae, our puppy, just discovered a complete love affair with Marrow Bones which can be bought at a butcher shop.  She adores Elk Antlers and Deer Antlers as well as Buffalo Hides that take her days and days to chew.  When we first got her, I would keep Marrow Bones in my pocket because when I petted Ally Mae, she would bite.  She was not mean, she just did not know how to interact with me.  As soon as she bit, I would give her the Marrow Bone.  The other safe bet, is to have no reaction.  I don't want to turn into a squeaky toy for my pet.  She learns quite quickly that my hand is really boring but these wonderful chewy toys are great.

Common Sense training is what I do - fulfill the need of the puppy to chew and you have a winning combination.

14 Best Ways Your Pooch Tells You They Love You!

1. Looking into your Eyes

Did you know that oxytocin, a hormone that helps new mothers bond with their babies, is released when your pup stares into your eyes? When dogs are happy and feeling comfortable with their owner, they show you that gaze that confirms their love for you.

2. Leaning on you or Cuddling

Although leaning sometimes means dogs are feeling anxious or they are trying to tell you something, this act also shows affection. Dogs who cuddle with their owners, especially after eating their Bil-Jac dog food, are signifying love because besides eating, you are one of the most important things to them.

3. Lifting & Wiggling Eyebrows

As we know, facial expressions are a huge indicator of mood. Studies have shown that humans have just over 20 different facial expressions and dogs have over 100.

4. Acting Very Excited when You Come Home

One of the best feelings we get from our best friends is the way they greet us when we walk through the front door after being gone for a few hours. You know your dogs love you when they cannot contain their excitement, and they can’t stop wagging or jumping for joy!

5. Bringing You His/Her Favorite Toy

When your dog brings you their favorite toy, it doesn’t always mean that they want to play. Dogs have basically evolved from wolves and this gesture confirms that your pup views you as his or her pack leader. Offering you his or her favorite toy is a leap of trust and shows just how much they love you.

6. Sleeping in Your Room

Start paying attention to your dog’s favorite places to sleep around the house. Does your pup like to cuddle on the couch in the living room? Or will you find them in your bed tucked under the sheets? Even if you forbid your best friend from sleeping anywhere but their crate, if you ever do happen to find them sprawled out like a king or queen in your bed, they absolutely love you with their entire heart, so you cannot get too upset.

7. Sleeping Right Next to You

Similar to cuddling on the couch, when our dogs snuggle up next to us in the evening for a long night’s rest, they show us how much they love us. Not only do our pups help reduce anxiety, but they also make us feel safer, calmer, warm, cozy, and more comfortable.

8. Wagging Their Tail or Smiling at You

Dogs use their tails to communicate their happiness to us. They use their tails as a guide for walkingand swimming, as well as a way to communicate when approaching other humans and dogs. According to an article from Animal Planet, "We can't talk to dogs so we don't know if they think about the tail wag and then do it, or if it just occurs due to the neurochemical effects of a certain state of mind," says Lisa Radosta D.V.M. and owner of Florida Veterinary Behavior Service.

9. Following You Around

Dogs show their love by following their owners around. Dogs love us unconditionally and experts say this behavior is typically seen as a sense of security.

10. Licking Your Face

Dogs lick human faces for a number of reasons but the most common is to show their love because in a wolf pack, cubs greet their elders with this gesture. Licking faces is done by puppies more often than more mature dogs. They want you to know that they are not a threat and they wish to groom or please you!

11. Jumping Up on You

Jumping dogs are often unwanted, especially by guests who enter your home. But when your dog jumps on you, they really just want to lick your face and say “I love you”.

12. Staying Close-By When You’re Sick or Sad

Dogs can sense when we feel sick or sad. Learn 5 things dogs can sense and remember that your pup is always there for you, especially during hard times.

13. A Little Bit of Rough Play

A little bit of roughhousing just shows that our dogs have affection and love for us. Just don’t let their play routine get too rough!

14. They Sense if We Love Them Back

Our best friends can truly feel if we love them or not and when they know we do, they usually love us back even more. We can show them by building a stronger bond with one another and allowing them to participate in their favorite activities with us!  There are very few things that are as special as the love we share with our dogs.

National Love Your Pet Day

February is known as the month of love, and while the 14th may be a time to tell those on two feet how much they mean to us, dog devotees can celebrate ‘puppy love’ in the truest sense during a day set aside as a virtual Valentine to the friendships we form with the members of our fur family.

Although February 20th has been marked as a date to show appreciation for our pals with fur, fins or feathers, all pets parents know that every day is National Love Your Pet Day. In fact, in a recent survey conducted by VetIQ more than 80 percent of those queried revealed that their canine or cat companion receives more smooches than their significant other.

From treats and toys to taking photos of Rover to remember the day, what will you and your barking buddy do to celebrate National Love Your Pet Day? Let us know in the comments section below!

The Best Letter I Have Received This Week!

Hello and welcome to my blog!  This is my first real post and I hope to share with you insights into what I do for animals on my blog.  I work as a dog trainer, canine massage therapist, animal communicator and pet care professional.  My main goal in life is to help people connect with their animals.  All of my services are 100% satisfaction guaranteed - you have nothing to loose except your dog's bad behavior!

For the past few months, I have been teaching Canine Massage classes at Pet Supplies Plus in Crystal, MN.  They have a very nice Community Room which is great to have classes there.  I teach people the basics in how they can give their own dog a relaxing massage.  What is interesting about a Canine Massage is that if it is done right, you not only alleviate the physical pain but you can really work on mental issues and rehabilitate the dog.  Especially any fear based issues can be gone.

A few weeks ago, I had a very scared Greyhound in class.  I showed this student how to specifically work on the tail.  Dogs really carry their fear in the tail.  By pearling the tail, we can help get this out.  I showed this student how to work all of the dogs area, which she seemed to really like, but especially the tail.

Here is the letter I received:  "Thank you so much, Lisa, for the Canine Massage class.  The dog I brought, Trist, was adopted this last week.  She was a foster dog.  I did all of the techniques you taught me many times a day and she came out of her shell.  I will for sure go back to your class any time you teach it.  It was incredible!  Thanks, again!"

You can not believe how rewarding this is for me.  I love teaching people massage and to hear how this can help a dog owner is so wonderful.

If you would like to take a class from me, the next time I am teaching is March 12th in Crystal, MN.

Thank you and remember - hug your dog!