Canines In The Pines

17/01/2024

14/10/2023

BEWARE OF THE QUICK FIX!
There are no quick fixes when it comes to lasting, successful behaviour change, whether with ourselves or with our dogs.

Want to lose weight? The quick fix of diet pills, meal replacements or slimming machines may initially be successful, but is unlikely to last. Long term success will require effort, a change in mind set, being mindful of emotions, eating less or differently and exercising – there is no quick fix.

Want to get a qualification? Hard work, long hours, commitment and effort is the only way.

The same principle applies to bringing about a change in behaviour.

We live in a society where we want and expect quick fixes. Our lives are often so busy, stressful and complicated enough without having to even think about spending time and effort in trying to “fix” our dog’s problems.

Why not just use a shock collar, choke chain, spray bottle, shake can or send them off to a board and train facility to quickly sort them out without us having to put in any time or effort? What about a trainer that guarantees quick results? There are never any guarantees when it comes to behaviour.

Stay away from quick fixes – they usually come at a great cost. Yes, they may suppress that particular behaviour but it is likely to surface in another way and we won’t like that either.

Changing behaviour takes time, it requires understanding, consistency, patience and commitment, but the results of “fixing” something the right way, are worth it.

This quote by Wayne Muller sums this up perfectly “In the soil of the quick fix is the seed to a new problem….”

01/01/2023

Unfortunately, New Year’s Eve and 4th of July are not as exciting for many of our furry friends or their owners as it is for most people. However, properly exposing your dog to a variety of noises and practicing neutrality to things like fireworks, can help prevent unnecessary anxiety in your dog and reduce stress for you. Seek out knowledgeable trainers in your area if your pup suffers from anxiety during these times as they may be able to help.

01/01/2023

Here is your friendly reminder to go check your yards and fields for firework remnants, especially if you have animals that might consume the leftover pieces. In addition to the copious amounts of carboard, I picked up plastic, wood chunks, and foil that fell from the fireworks my neighbors set off last night. This is only a small handful of what I picked up.

30/12/2022

30/12/2022

Christmas 2022

20/12/2022

Amazing visual representation of what a dog smells, or as I like to say, the many books they read, at any given time.

A fun visual representation of what your dog sees (smells) every day. Look at how noisy it is and how many tracks there are intertwining. The different animals, people, and dogs movement in just one area. The snow lets us humans see the history of this area and what animals and people have passed through. A dog will smell this every day and know who and what animals have passed through. Smellavision!!!!

Dogs are incredible.

Imagine tracking and detection dogs needing to filter out all this noise and track a single scent down. Amazing!

(Note this is a fun representation, not accurate)