Living with a fearful dog can be hard. Concentrating all your resources on the well-being of a dog who struggles to adapt to your busy world can often lead to mental exhaustion, emotional burnout, physical stress, financial hardship, and even strained relationships. While compassion fatigue is widely accepted as a serious issue in the human […]
Force is Never the Answer When Training Your Dog
Modern dog training takes time, patience, and force-free methods. I made the mistake of watching a video clip the other day on social media that featured a dog trainer speaking to an enthralled audience. She had a commanding presence and spoke with great authority while using what appeared to be an audience member’s dog to […]
The Best Equipment For Walking Your Fearful Dog
Safety on walks, including the best equipment to keep your XO Dog safe and secure, is a concern for everyone who lives with a fearful dog. My rule of thumb is to have two points of connection anytime you and your furry friend venture forth. This “belt and suspender” approach ensures that if one piece […]
The 5 M’s Of Working With Fearful Dogs – Part 3
This is Part 3 of a 4-part blog series about working with fearful dogs. I encourage you to read Part 1 and Part 2 before proceeding with this post. Modification Your eXtraOrdinary Dog has been given a clean bill of health (or is under veterinary care to address health issues) and you have successfully managed […]
The 5 M’s of Working with Fearful Dogs – Part 2
Management Once your eXtraOrdinary Dog has had a thorough physical exam to rule out underlying illnesses that could cause or contribute to fear-based behaviors, management is the next step in the quest to provide the best quality of life possible. Set Your Dog Up to Succeed Every time your dog practices any behavior, it allows […]