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!

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!