Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA The biggest challenge in dog training these days is us. We humans are stressed out. Life is coming at us (coming for us) from all directions. Work pressure is endemic. Social media is a constant mirror to our perceived inadequacies. It’s an election year. This summer the U.S. Surgeon General […] The post Dog Training Under Pressure appeared first on Michael's Dogs Behavior Group ..read more

  Michael Baugh CDBC It will stop you in your tracks, a dog hunkered over a prized item, snarling and growling. Worse if it’s our own dog. It’s even more frightening if the dog launches off the item to charge and bite us. They do that sometimes. Most of us have heard the term “resource […] The post Dog Resource Guarding – a Simple Technique to Diffuse the Bomb appeared first on Michael's Dogs Behavior Group ..read more

Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA There is a very good chance that we will have to pick up and do somewhere with our dog at a moment’s notice. This is most likely to occur in hurricane season. But life is full of variables. It could happen at any time. We may have to stay with our […] The post Preparing our Dogs for Emergencies – Teaching Emotional Resilience appeared first on Michael's Dogs Behavior Group ..read more

  Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA Who will care for my dog when I’m traveling? Most of you know, Tim and I travel a lot. So, it’s a question we’ve had to ask ourselves often. We found some good options. But, there is no single best option. As with many important questions regarding our dogs, the answer is frequently: “it depends.” Charlie (R) with his bestie at his godparents’ house. Friends and family are my first go-to. The key is to choose someone who shares your values as a dog guardian. Think this through. Be clear. For example, we never let our dog outside unattended, even in our fenced ..read more

  Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA A lot of folks are traveling with their dogs this summer. Travel can be stressful for our dogs (for us too). This is especially true for those of us who have dogs with underlying emotional challenges. Here are some things to consider: Pack for your dog like you would for yourself. Remember their medications, food, bowls, collars and ID, kennel or travel crate, bedding, etc. Set up a quiet space for alone time where you are staying. We may go to see family and there may be many people and other animals there. Give your dog a break from all the activity. Avoid ..read more

  Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA I held the door at the emergency vet clinic for a man and a young girl. They were leaving. She had been crying. The girl was eight or nine. The man, probably her father, rested his hand lightly on the girl’s shoulder. “Thanks,” he mumbled softly. The girl clutched a collar to her chest, red with a bone-shaped tag. She looked up at me and said nothing. It was late afternoon, late June. They drifted past me, into the parking lot and the searing South Texas heat. Their dog was unconscious when they brought him in. It was heat stroke, also called hyperthermia. Th ..read more

  Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA We planned Charlie’s first plane ride to Arizona for May. Then, we cancelled it. Then, the storm hit and off we went. This is the photoessay story of his big adventure. Spoiler alert: Charlie did fine and absolutely loved Sedona. But, like any big event with a dog, it took planning. I followed my three rules: Train reliable and predictable patterns of behavior. For Charlie’s trip this included getting in and out of a small carrier on cue. Set your dog up to succeed. We trained daily, primarily so we had a solid working relationship that I hoped would withsta ..read more

  Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA The best way to train your dog is to stop thinking about it as training. That might sound weird at first. I teach people how to train their dogs. Right? Yes, I do. I’ve also learned over the years that what we call training is really about much more than teaching our dogs routines and tricks. Our dogs are always learning. We are too. Our dogs and we are also constantly teaching each other. I used the words always and constantly with intention. Sure, training sessions are great (let’s build some skills together). But, let’s also remember that the learning and ..read more

  Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA Working with aggressive dogs demands attention to detail. We are setting our dog up to succeed, protecting him from known triggers, and keeping people safe around him. That’s a lot right there. We are also teaching our dog new skills and new patterns of behavior. We’d like our dog to learn better ways to relate to people, dogs, or other stressful situations. Whew! Okay, let’s get started. I love teaching this stuff, seeing dogs become more confident and relaxed. Even more, I love seeing people change how they think about and interact with their dogs. The proc ..read more

  Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA Living with a dog who has aggressive behavior can be hard. There are all kinds of emotions involved: human emotions and dog emotions. Taking on the project of helping a dog change his behavior feels complicated sometimes. It’s a process. There are details. We have to work at it. All the while, there’s the risk our dog will act out, maybe even bite. How do we get through the hard times of aggressive dog training, especially the early days when we are just getting started? Depend on your trainer. If you aren’t working with a trainer, hire one. Choose someone wh ..read more