Dog Deeper

07/29/2023

My friends are rescuing two pitties today from a very bad situation. None of the shelters will take them. They need a temporary place to stay (even just a fenced yard). If you’re able to help at all please message me or Darin Wright. ❤️

05/20/2023

🐾HAPPY NATIONAL RESCUE DOG DAY! 🐾

Some of you might be surprised to know that I’m not anti-breeding, when it is done minimally and responsibly, which is sadly pretty rare. What most consider responsible breeding, though, simply isn’t, and there’s a lot about genetics, personality and health that are beyond what we’re able to control for. Remember that breed is a TERRIBLE predictor of personality and temperament.

I choose to rescue because there are still so many dogs in our country that need a home. In 2023 we still lack the policies and educational programs that are necessary to put an end to backyard and puppy mill breeding. It blows my mind that this is not the #1 priority of our shelter systems. Unpopular opinion: They should all be working to the bone to put themselves out of business. If I won the lottery, I wouldn’t “rescue all the dogs.” I would hire a team of lawyers to help me change legislation at the state and federal level. Why breeding of this ilk is still allowed is absolutely beyond my understanding.

So, yes, let’s celebrate National Rescue Dog Day, but let’s also not kid ourselves. We are the ones responsible for needing a National Rescue Dog Day in the first place. My dogs are my best friends. They have been my gateway drug to the more compassionate person you know today. They are my adventure companions. They are my source of laughter and amusement. I love them with every fiber of my being. DOGS DESERVE BETTER. Rescue, volunteer, but also keep talking about the real issues.

02/21/2023

“I accidentally punished my dog’s behavior with a wad of cotton.”

I’m always quick to tell clients that dog training and behavior modification aren’t rocket science. I want them to feel that the information is accessible and easy to understand (it is), but that isn’t always the full picture.

While the concepts can be made simple by a good teacher, the practice of training often has its pitfalls. This article shares one such example and why it might be helpful to reach out to a fear and force-free trainer when you feel stuck. Another pair of trained eyes on the process might just help you discover something you’ve been missing.

Positive punishment is more than shock collars and leash pops. A surprisingly small stimulus can cause it. Your learner will tell you if it happens.

12/23/2022

More helpful cold weather tips…
🥶🥶🥶

12/22/2022

I live in Chattanooga, TN, but even here we are about to see some nightly lows in the single digits. Brrrr 🥶! Here are a few infographics that can help you make the best decision for you pets. Remember, it’s not just about SIZE, but also the TYPE of coat your dog has. We took our dogs to see the holiday lights at Rock City last night, and even though it wasn’t too terribly cold, we chose to put them in sweaters (see comments for a photo!). ❄️

Over the years we’ve bought many different kinds of sweaters, but I really like fleece “sweatshirts”. What’s your favorite way to keep your dog cozy? 🔥

11/08/2022

Hey everyone! I've got TWO FREE dog behavior classes coming up next week that I would like to fill up. I'm working on improving my curriculum for future classes and my forthcoming video series. I'll be recording both classes for my internal use. There is a class on Thursday night from 7-8:30, and one on Saturday morning from 11-12:30. Both classes are at Play Wash Stay on the Southside of Chattanooga. Details on the Eventbrite page. Here are some topics we will be covering:

🐶 The history of the human-dog relationship.
🐶 The hierarchy of dog needs.
🐶 How dogs acquire new information and learn new behaviors.
🐶 What socialization is (and is not).
🐶 The most effective way to shape our dog’s interactions with us.
🐶 What causes fear and understanding the stress response.
🐶 Techniques for healing from trauma and negative experiences.
🐶 Best practices for training based on what we know about dogs today.
🐶 An opportunity to ask your own questions!

Thanks so much for your continued support and help getting the word out!!

Why is this class FREE? Nicole is working on developing new curriculum that will be applied to both in-person classes and a forthcoming video series. The classes will be recorded for her internal use to make improvements.

08/26/2022

📸 A few photos from tonight’s Yappy Hour at Play Wash Pint! We had a blast, and look at how cute that cake is!! Poppy approved, of course. Thanks for everyone who came out. A night watching pups make new friends and play is just what I needed! 🐕

08/25/2022

Enjoying our at 🐶 Thanks for the cake - Poppy approves!! 🎂

06/23/2022

A friendly reminder! Refill your prescriptions now!!

06/19/2022

FREE and open to the public! I’ve attended a couple canine first aid courses in my time and they were both incredibly helpful. I’m planning to check this one out, too, and get a refresher. You never know what new info is out there!

FURst Aid is a series of free events for animal lovers. You learn practical first aid skills from experts at the Oregon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine to help care for your furry friends in crisis.

06/19/2022

Happy Dog Dad’s Day to all those fur daddies out there! Enjoy this article by my friend, and owner of Howl Chattanooga, Dana Shavin . She’s a brilliant writer and oh so funny. 🐶💕🐶💕

My dad and I had a running joke about my dogs. Actually, he had a joke, and my dogs and I were the butt of it. It went like this: Me (introducing him to my newest dog): This is [insert name]. He’s a cross between a lab and a Great Dane/a hound and a golden ... [Read more...]

06/09/2022

Wonderful advice! YOU are your dog’s advocate!

Many of us have been in the situation at some point where we don't feel comfortable with the way we are being told to handle our dog, or the situation our dog is being put in.

It can be very hard to stand up for yourself and your dog, especially when you are paying a professional. You can feel like you're overreacting or that it's necessary for the greater good. But the truth is that if it feels wrong, it probably is.

Here is your reminder, and your permission to:
‍👉Ask questions
‍👉Leave the lesson
‍👉Find another trainer

Sometimes, it is hard to do this in the moment, and many of us have experienced that uncomfortable freeze when you can’t find your voice – and if this happens, don’t beat yourself up. Give yourself time to unpack the situation and if you feel able, talk to the trainer after the fact.

06/08/2022

Help Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary get a Tennessee license plate in production! They need 1000 residents to sign up. Cost is $35 per plate. Production can take 6-12 months depending on how quickly they can meet the commitment.

Click on the Old Friends post to access the link to sign up! We love our senior dogs!!

Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary is so excited to be getting our own specialty license plate for Tennessee residents! Please read the below notes carefully before completing your form: • We must have at least 1,000 sign-ups to move forward with production. • If you would like an OFSDS specialty ...

06/03/2022

TRAINING CLIENTS (I NEED YOUR HELP!):

What do you consider to be the MOST important thing I’ve taught you?

05/25/2022

Has your dog started jumping up on people (seemingly) out of the blue? There’s a lot going on between 6-18 months. If you find your dog starting a new behavior (even accidents in the house!) remember to go back to the basics. Perfecting a behavior often means revisiting training throughout a dog’s life.

Read to learn more!

Ever wondered why a puppy's behavior seems erratic during adolescence, which occurs between six months and 18 months of age?

The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.

During canine adolescence, s*x hormones are changing which effects the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to modulate sensory processing and subsequent behavior.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control.

So what does this mean? This could mean that your dog, who used to come when called, suddenly cannot. This could mean that your dog, who didn't jump up on guests, suddenly does. Your dog that walked nicely on leash is now pulling. Or perhaps it seems like some days your dog responds to behaviors you ask of them, and some days they don't, without any rhyme or reason.

We also see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, frustration and impatience sometimes cause us to act unpredictably.

This adds to your puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for puppies to adjust.

By understanding this we can gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we can help create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best selves.

05/20/2022

🐶HAPPY NATIONAL RESCUE DOG DAY!!🐶

Let’s see those rescue puppers!

*Pictured are Monte, Skye, and Roxy. Roxy passed June of 2020 and we still miss her every single day. Monte and Skye love to hike. This picture was taken at Mount Falcon Park, just outside of Denver, Colorado in 2015. Those are some very happy faces!

05/13/2022

Great article out today in the New York Times! Are we paying attention to our dog’s cues and body language? What are they trying to communicate to us?

Remember, for the most part, dogs are non-verbal and communicate through body language and vocalizations. So, if we want to know how our dogs are feeling, we have to pay attention to their more subtle cues. Stress is often communicated in behaviors done out of context:

🌈 Shaking off (when they’re not wet)
🌈 Panting (when they’re not how or thirsty)
🌈 Yawning (when they’re not tired)
🌈 Rolling onto their back (when not looking for a belly rub)
🌈 Lifting a paw (when not pointing or asking for a shake)

“Ultimately, dogs understand us far better than we understand them, Dr. Johnston said. Over thousands of years of domestication, they’ve become “really good at reading our emotions,” she said, but “I don’t think that it’s worked as much in the other direction.” To do right by our beloved canines, we really need to get to know them — and their weird little cues. I realize now that Ozzy has been communicating his needs to us pretty clearly but that we just haven’t been receptive — and now that we’re paying more attention, he’s become much better behaved.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/12/well/dog-behavior.html

Dogs are “really good at reading our emotions,” says one expert. But we’re not so good at reading theirs.