I would like to talk about a case I worked on recently and what we did for this dog that seemed to be helping make huge improvements. If your dog is reactive at windows or fence lines to cars pulling up to your house or guests arriving than I hope that this article and instructions helps you work through your dog's reactivity. If you get stuck at any point or feel your case might be different than this particular situation consider signing up for the coaching program level and I can help build a systematic approach that fits your circumstances. First things first we did an assessment and initial consultation to start building a program. Virtually, I watched as the pet parents set up a situation where they pulled a car into to the driveway. The dog went 0-60 barking to the front door. Then continued to leap at the door barking continuously. We confirmed that it was indeed the car that was triggering the barking hysterics by asking if there was any vehicle that could come up the driveway without triggering the dog. It didn't matter if it was the dog's family vehicle or a stranger he had the same reaction for both. The dogs reaction would change when greeting the person after the car was parked but the reaction the vehicle remained consistent. Once I felt we had a good understanding of the dog's trigger and the reactions were predictable. We could move to the second step of implementing management. I want to pause here to mention that this particular dog and pet parents were already doing a phenomenal job of meeting this dogs needs and offering quality enrichment. They did lots of nose work games, fetch, and trick training. They took hikes and walks when they could and had already worked really hard to overcome his reactivity around people when out and about. The problem was now only at home. Management to reduce all reactions to cars will look different for your home but this family got really creative! We implemented a plan to avoid having people drive up their driveway unannounced. They are lucky enough to not get many visitors anyways so it was easy for them to just plan accordingly when guests were coming over. We found that being spontaneous about how guests arrived had some positive benefits of avoiding the barking outburst but also keeping this dog from getting into a rut. In a sense making him work through his coping skills when presented with novelty. This was done by taking the dogs for a walk and meeting the guest at the bottom of the driveway then walking up together. Taking this dog out back on leash to potty while a car pulled up to the front of the house. Putting him in a car and driving him down the driveway to meet the guest and driving back together. The end goal was to avoid any reactive behavior by making the vehicles arrival look dramatically different than it had in the past. This effectively broke the behavior contingency that previously generated the unwanted barking fit. With the reactivity and behavior rehearsal under control through management we can start to re-introduce the original trigger through systematic training set ups. For these training sessions you will need a helper willing to be on the phone with you and drive up the driveway. If you are looking for a helper you might be surprised by the responses you get if you just ask around. Don't be shy. I have seen local facebook groups supply people with plenty of willing helpers. Or maybe a 16 year old is looking for some extra cash and you can pay them a small sum to help you for an hour. For this particular training protocol we don't use treats. I do recommend recording your sessions. Not only can KAS give you feedback on your session but you can review the footage and use it to prepare your next training session. Training sessions will consist of a number of repetitions looped together. (This process is called looping, go figure.) Each rep is a single trial of the car approaching and retreating. Here is the template we used for 1 rep in our 10-15 rep training session. Car begins driving up driveway up to 15 MPH [⏱️START TIMER] Car stops 15 feet after Marker 1 Pause for 10 seconds Car reverses down drive Car reaches the base. [⏱️ STOP TIMER] Take a 1-3 min break. Remember to not rely on the dog's behavior to dictate how long the brake is. You can wait for a subtle let down but if that doesn’t happen within 3 minutes keep going. (Underlined text means it changed rep to rep. Continuing with the theme of spontaneity.) You will see we mentioned marker 1. During our assessment phase the pet parents placed markers on the driveway at vital points. In dog training lingo these markers are known as Thresholds. Our goal is to move them back all the way to the house. To move them you will want to re-assess their locations once a week or every two weeks. The dog determines where markers are placed, NOT YOU! During assessments you will have the vehicle approach at a slow speed or speed you feel is comfortable for your dog. You want to be able to tell the vehicle to stop precisely when needed so if they are going too fast you might trip past threshold. The driver could get out and mark the point in the driveway where you said stop instead of where the vehicle stopped to avoid putting the marker too far. A poorly placed marker could dampen your progress and may be one of the issues with the protocol. The dog is in charge of where those markers are placed! While preforming an assessment you will watch your dog closely for any sign of alert or reaction. In this dog's case he would twitch his ears, then throw his head up and look around the room, if you looked closely his eyes were wide and showing some white. Following this signal he would explode into barking. We placed the markers and stopped the car where his ears flicked. Marker 1. When working through a desensitization protocol such as this it's important to remember to take days off! Rest is critical for learning. It can be tempting to push your dog every day even multiple times a day but please resist the urge to do this. More is not necessarily better. Your dog needs to fully recover from the stress of the training session. A well designed protocol will have you thinking that your dog is fine because they seem so calm during training set ups. However, just because they are not reacting does not mean they are not experiencing stress. Learning itself is stressful so I encourage you to leave space for your dog to learn and rest. On that note you also want to not push your dog each and every day. We want to toggle the difficulty of each session so that the dog doesn't begin to predict a pattern. Since we live in the real world where random things happen, people drive different vehicles and at different speeds. We want your dog to be prepared and resilient in diversity. Training at the exact same time of day, with the same vehicle, same speed, and windows closed you might be able to get the car to the house but the moment you have a guest try to drive to the house the training will fall apart. The dog learned the pattern for that particular situation and did not generalize the skill. This is another reason why it's so important to change the distance to be easy, medium, hard and in unpredictable order. Change the speed of the vehicle slightly. Then tie in other variables. For this particular case we needed to tie in working with the window open and closed. We got a very different reaction depending on how much the dog could hear the gravel in the drive way. There are so many personalized factors that go into a case like this so if you are struggling to build your own training program we can help you at the coaching level. I hope that this gave you some ideas about how to reduce reactions in your dog to cars pulling up to your house.

A: We have put together four base programs. All are designed to serve remote and local clients alike. With discounts for additional sessions included in the Maintenance, Education, and Coaching programs. If you are looking for help with manners, puppy training, or want to work on tricks, enrichment, or sports then the Education Program will suit you best. The Education program includes customized training assignments that are specifically designed to help you reach your training goals. Assignments are based on your feedback and consistency to complete them. If your dog is struggling with a more challenging behavior and you are looking to modify it I recommend the Coaching Program. This is where we meet live regularly as well as we work through a personalized training plan with regular assignments. This program helps us get to the bottom of behaviors like separation anxiety or other anxiety related issues. This is also ideal for working through aggression cases. Both of these programs offer discounts for additional services and sessions in person. They include a video sharing folder for saving recorded behavior or training sessions. You can receive direct feedback on your execution of assignments or your pet’s behavior. The low cost of the maintenance program tends to attract people but it also includes a lot less. This is ideal for animals who have already been working on a training program and need to back down because life is getting in the way or they feel confident to work solo for a while. The maintenance level does not include any training assignments but you can still receive feedback on the training that you are doing. We will continue to monitor your progress and let you know if we see something come up that is concerning. Our goal is to maintain behavior both yours and your animals for the long term. We don’t want to see all the hard work go to waste. The supporting program is for those who want to be a part of the KAS community and have access to the paid content. They want to support our project animals, but they don’t have any real need for a personalized training program. They are just here to support. Kind Animal Services says thank you! Hopefully, this helps you think about the different programs and realize that just because we have moved to this monthly program system does not mean that anything has changed. You are still receiving the same service we offered before only now we don’t have to manage each individual program and when it ends. You are in control to start, change, or stop your program at any time!

A: There is no way to know before the journey begins how long it will take, with an infinite number of detours, road blocks, hills, and valleys that lay before you. It’s usually recommended to enjoy the journey. The honest answer is we don’t know. Each dog, family, and situation is different. There is not a one size fits all training approach just like there is no life lived twice. Animal training and behavior modification is a journey. KAS is here to be your guide to look out for possible roadblocks and give you the tools to side step them. This is why we chose to move to a subscription based business model so that you can control what base program best fits your current needs and the commitment is month to month for as long as you need. Traditionally, before the monthly programs we would set up packages of 4 weeks. We would like to encourage you to think in terms of months instead of days or weeks. Training and behavior change takes time. Doctors didn’t get their education and expertise overnight; it took years of education. We did the math for you. In order for your dog to receive the equivalent of a high school education (12 years of education for humans) it would take about 2 years of education for your dog.

Answer: KAS has never met an untrainable animal. With that being said there have been cases that have really stumped us but we don’t give up. If we feel that progress is not being made because of our lack of knowledge we have been known to extend services and packages at no cost to you in order to get to the bottom of a behavior problem. We reserve the right to decide if and when your case calls for such intervention. KAS promises to never leave you dead in the water no matter the behavior issue you are struggling with. We believe that there is an answer and we are determined to find a solution and help you achieve results at our expense if necessary. We are here to learn and grow with you. Together no mountain is too high to climb. It sometimes just requires stepping back, reassessing the route, getting creative, and putting in the leg work to get to the top.

Here is a concept that you may know but I want you to really feel it deep down. Your success at changing your animal's behavior relies on your ability to move forward with your training in a non-linear fashion. It's so easy for us to think about learning as starting at the beginning (unable to preform the skill) and then achieving the end goal. What happened in the middle? We often as human choose to ignore all the little failures, challenges, frustration, disappointment, tedious practice, that came along for the ride. The tendency is to focus only on the successful milestones. Up, up, up, like climbing stairs. Take this concept right now wad it up and huck it in your nearest wastebasket. It's time we examined what the learning process actually looks like. For starters we can't do something that we don't know how to do. I will steel the line "ask yes questions" a horse trainer I know of says. I love this idea. Sometimes in the beginning progress will feel like a huge mountain to climb, the gradual slope at the base will feel like you aren’t really gaining altitude. You have to crawl before you can walk. Embracing easy practice and even day's off is as important to success as pushing to overcome the next milestone. You must practice consistently all the different elements at all the different levels that the animal can say "yes, I can" to. Now here is where people get really stuck. They feel that they should make their animal's training more and more challenging! Then what happens when the behavior hits a ceiling? Everyone becomes frustrated. Training protocols designed to continually become more difficult will max out at some point. Why? Because the learner eventually says forget it! Losing isn't very reinforcing. Our brains start to look elsewhere for that reinforcer and when it finds something else it stops trying to shoot for the moon. I see this most often when clients are trying to teach the animal to "stay". They keep asking for more and more duration. At some point the learners says I have stayed put long enough I'm going else where. Successful stay training usually incorporates many and random, 2 second stays as well as 30 min stays (and not all in one sitting). The ideal training plan includes as much variety of challenge as it can. Keeps the animal guessing; they never know if it's going to be a tough training session or an easy win day. Slowly over time we then want to increase the challenge on our tough session and keep easy sessions where they are. You will see that the distance between the challenge and the easy day's will begin to grow. This would be a well designed training plan. So when you are designing your training process and figuring out how to get your goal behavior remember that learning isn't linear. There will be bad days and regressions are expected, but also keep things fun and spontaneous with easy win and lessons where you push the learner just beyond their current ability level. If you are prepared for this wild journey and all it's hills and valleys then you are ready to take on your animals most challenging behaviors. Of course this should go without saying reach out if you need more help and be safe! Kind Animal Services offers customized training protocols that will carefully walk you through the stages and keep your training momentum moving in the right direction. We can help you climb back up when regressions inevitably happen, and celebrate with you when you achieve new (metaphorical) heights in your progress.

The term desensitization gets said a lot in the animal training world, but when you ask someone about what they are doing or what a desensitization protocol should look like, they don't know. Desensitization sure does sound nice. We know it is taking a fear, anxiety, or unknown stimulus and familiarizing the animal with it so that it no longer solicits a fear response. It can be done as a preventative or a means to work through existing fear. When you see animal trainers, primarily horse and dog trainers, "desensitizing" the animal to a piece of equipment or handling, they usually have the animal in a situation where there is no choice; the animal is exposed to the stimuli typically at high intensity, meaning lots of exposure. The animal is forced to endure the exposure consistently or frequently with almost no breaks. This is done until the animal gives in, gives up, relaxes, calms down, stops fighting, and becomes what appears to the trainer and their audience as having accepted the stimulus successfully. This high-intensity exposure to a stimulus is not desensitization but refers to another procedure known as flooding. You are flooding the animal with high-intensity exposure to the thing until the magical moment of shutdown or learned helplessness occurs in the animal. Learned helplessness is when the animal appears to have calmed down and accepted the stimulus, but in reality, they have found a place in their mind to lock themselves up and pretend that the thing doesn't exist. They are physically present, but mentally, they have left the situation. No animal should not have to go through this. There can be instances where this flooding technique can be done very carefully and kindly, but that's beyond the scope of this article. If exposure to something isn't proper desensitization, then let's discuss what is. Desensitization is a specific protocol designed to systematically introduce a potentially or already learned fearful stimulus, such as being left alone (separation anxiety), in micro and intentional amounts so that it does not trigger any fear response, anxiety, or negative emotions. We call this hypothetical line where an animal shows an aversive amount of stress to something, which is the animal's Threshold. Proper systematic desensitization does not step over that Threshold. The hardest part about desensitization is the feeling you are not getting anywhere. It can be tough to see the overall growth and improvement when looking at it every day under a microscope. So keep this in mind because it feels slower than trying to get a result through other forms of training. However, it is the most effective way to get lasting results. To implement an effective desensitization protocol, it can be helpful to record data along the way so that you can look at your progress with a much broader view. Additionally, recording your data from training sessions allows you to look at the results more analytically and keep your protocol on track if you see a regression creeping up. Regressions are normal. Finally, you have the hard facts to look back on and see what is working and what is not working or might be slowing down your progress. So we know that a desensitization protocol will stay under the Threshold now, but another common problem I see with trainers is that they always push every session to the threshold mark. Okay, so in theory, we want to push frequently to the Threshold. But, also, the more practice we have, the faster we reach our goal, right? No! That's not how it works at all. So for some reasons, I'm not going to get too lost in the weeds describing for you this idea of being pushy and always trying for the maximum amount of exposure each session turns out it's not helpful. Pushing too hard too fast to rush through a protocol can have the opposite effect. It can sensitize the animal, making them more hyper-aware or anxious about the stimulus you are attempting to desensitize. There is a real risk of sensitization when executing a desensitization protocol incorrectly. To avoid this, we want to ensure that your protocol has a variety of levels of intensity with each rehearsal. This means you might not expose the animal to the stimuli some days. Where on other days, you will tickle the underbelly of Threshold. Even still, you might land somewhere in the middle during another exposure session. This process of desensitization can be a challenging concept for pet parents. As I mentioned in the beginning, this process can feel painfully slow when in reality, you are cruising right along. I recommend hiring a professional to help you design your protocol, look at your data, and keep you on track. Even as a professional who provides this service for others, I like to call a colleague if and when I need help with desensitization. The extra set of eyes and cheerleading are worth it. Remember, with all training protocols; this is a live animal we are dealing with and learning is not linear. Just like if there is something you are afraid of or had trauma around, you are not likely to overcome the distress on some therapist's timeline. Ultimately it takes time to heal, on your time. Slow is the new fast, and well worth it to achieve a true relaxation in the face of a previously fear inducing thing.

I frequently get push back when I explain to pet parents that we will be working together remotely. So I thought it was worth explaining some of the cool and unique advantages to working with a trainer virtually. For this article I want to point out that there are of course benefits to attending local and in person classes with your dog for the social aspect and opportunity to work around distractions in a controlled environment. In-person classes can be a beautiful thing for puppy socialization groups in clean and safe facilities. Outside of these experiences you and your dog gain by physically showing up to class, virtual behavior modification takes the cake when it comes to building lasting behavior change. We are beginning to see more and more virtual trainers in the industry. However, the majority are Separation Anxiety (SA) experts because particularly for SA cases it does no good to have someone come to your home just so you can all leave again. If you want to be working on lengthening the dogs alone time it would be totally pointless to have the trainer in person trying to spy on your dog through a window. With today's technology and everyone having access to a video device it just makes sense to work with your trainer through video. Okay, but what about my crazy hyper dog that jumps on guests. Wouldn't it be helpful if the trainer came over and taught them not to jump? Yes, and no. Your trainer can come over to your house or work in class with you on how to teach your dog not to jump on them . Then what happens when someone new enters the picture? Likely, your dog will resort to jumping on the new person again? Why? --Well this is the thing about behavior, and particularly dogs. They're not good at generalizing. What they learn in one location or with one individual will not apply to the next situation. Animals are very keen on picking up clues in their environment, when you change the environment the behavior is at risk of deteriorating. In comes virtual training with KAS. Through daily communication, training assignments, and weekly video consultations you are given the tools to actually change the dogs response to greeting new people in your real life environment (or achieving what ever goal you have in mind). The protocol is custom designed to suit you, your animal, and your unique environment. Another way to think about it is that your end goal isn't to teach your dog to not jump on the trainer or even more specifically not jump on the trainer at the training facility. Your goal is likely to teach the dog to not jump on people who come over to your house in general. (This is just one example.) The secret to lasting behavior change is in the environment. Virtual training happens in the real life environment where the animal spends most of their time. Additionally, you and members of the family are the ones the animal learns to listen and respond to. So again, as the trainer I could come over to your house spend an hour training you and spend time working directly with your animal but when I leave you will have the same problem you had before I got there. Of course I would do my best to teach you what to do to make progress but how much of that will you absorb and turn into action once I'm gone? I found through my years of teaching in-person classes that accountability of training the dog at home was low. Through remote consulting I'm in contact with pet parents almost daily. Helping to keep you the pet parent accountable for your animal's success. For years I worked under this in-person model offering privates in people's homes to group classes at my own training facility. But time and time again clients came up short and failed to get the the final results they where hoping to achieve. Fast forward to now. I can now help anyone around the world with methods that actually lead to successful resolutions for behaviors previously labeled too challenging or too difficult to resolve. Behaviors that cause many animals to be re-homed or neglected because the pet parents give up after trying "all the things". This brings me to another reason for moving to virtual offerings. That is behavior help is now accessible to so many more people. Those that live in rural areas or don't have a local animal trainer they approve of, can access the same amazing services as those locally to me. Here is my promise to you: "I will make the commitment to you and your pet, if you will make it too." If you sign up for the virtual behavior modification packages and things don't go to plan and you still want to meet in person. If I agree that in person could be useful for your particular case I we can discuss setting up an in person consultation. I hope this article has helped you understand the value to virtual training, consulting and behavior modification. If you have any question on the topic or you are still not convinced a virtual program will work for your case please reach out to heytrainer@kindanimalservices.com. Every case is unique and one size most definitely will not fit all.

Puzzle feeders and foraging enrichment toys are a great way to provide mental and physical stimulation for dogs, as well as a way to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. These toys challenge dogs to think and work for their food, which can be especially beneficial for those who are fed a diet of dry kibble. The benefits of feeding your dog in a puzzle toy are numerous. Puzzle feeders can help to slow down fast eaters, promoting better digestion and reducing the risk of bloating and other digestive issues. They can also help to prevent obesity by providing a more controlled and measured amount of food, as well as encouraging dogs to use their brains and bodies to work for their meals. Foraging enrichment toys, on the other hand, provide dogs with the opportunity to search for and find their food, which can be a natural and satisfying activity for them. Foraging can help to stimulate a dog's senses, including their sense of smell, sight, and hearing, and can also provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when they are successful at finding their food. In terms of frequency, it's important to consider the specific needs of your dog. Some dogs may enjoy puzzle feeders and foraging toys every day, while others may only need them a few times a week. It's important to observe your dog's behavior and interests, and to adjust the frequency accordingly. Foraging can provide numerous benefits to canines, including mental and physical stimulation, the opportunity to use their natural instincts, and a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. There are many different types of foraging opportunities that pet parents can provide their dogs, including: Puzzle feeders: These toys require dogs to solve a puzzle or challenge in order to access their food. Snuffle mats: These mats are made of fabric or rubber and have a variety of pockets and crevices that dogs can search through to find hidden treats. Food dispensing toys: These toys, such as Kongs or Busy Buddies, allow dogs to work for their food by rolling, bouncing, or tossing the toy around. Scavenger hunts: Pet parents can hide treats or toys around the house or yard and encourage their dog to search for them. Burying toys: Dogs can enjoy digging and searching for toys that have been buried in the yard or in a sandbox. Foraging boxes: These boxes are filled with a variety of objects, such as balls, toys, or treats, that dogs can search through to find hidden rewards. Overall, puzzle feeders and foraging enrichment toys can be a great way to provide mental and physical stimulation for dogs and to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. By offering a variety of foraging opportunities, pet parents can help to keep their dogs happy and engaged, while also helping to support their natural instincts and behaviors.

ABA, or applied behavior analysis, is a scientific approach to understanding and modifying behavior. It is based on the principle that behavior is a result of the interaction between an individual and their environment. By studying the antecedent (what happens before the behavior), behavior, and consequence (what happens after the behavior), we can better understand why a behavior is occurring and how to change it. ABA has been widely used in the field of psychology to treat individuals with developmental disabilities, but it has also been applied to the training and behavior modification of animals, including pets. This approach can be incredibly helpful for pet owners who are struggling with behavior problems in their animals, such as aggression, separation anxiety, or house-training issues. One of the key benefits of ABA is that it is a very systematic and data-driven approach. By collecting and analyzing data on the antecedent, behavior, and consequence, we can get a clear picture of what is happening and what is most effective in changing the behavior. This means that we can be more precise in our intervention, rather than just guessing or trying different techniques and hoping for the best. One way that the ABCs can help pet owners address behavior problems in their pets is by allowing them to identify the triggers for a particular behavior and then modify the antecedent to prevent the behavior from occurring. For example, if a dog is exhibiting aggressive behavior when strangers come to the door, the owner could work on training the dog to sit and stay before the doorbell rings, rather than trying to correct the aggressive behavior after it has already occurred. There are many situations in which it is wise to get professional help from an animal behavior consultant. If you are dealing with a serious behavior problem that is causing harm to yourself, your pet, or others, it is important to seek the help of a trained professional. An animal behavior consultant can help you develop a customized plan to address the problem and provide ongoing support and guidance as you work to modify your pet's behavior. In conclusion, ABA is a valuable tool for understanding and modifying animal behavior. By using the ABCs to identify and address the antecedent, behavior, and consequence, pet owners can effectively address behavior problems and improve their relationship with their pets. When dealing with serious behavior issues, it is important to seek the help of a trained professional to ensure that the problem is addressed in a safe and effective way.

As an animal behavior professional, I often see the importance of play and peer socialization in puppy development firsthand. Not only is play important for the physical development of puppies, but it also plays a crucial role in their mental and emotional development as well. Puppies, much like human children, learn important social skills through play. When puppies play with their littermates or other dogs, they learn how to communicate, solve problems, and assert themselves in a social group. These skills are essential for puppies as they grow into adult dogs and interact with a variety of people and animals. Play also helps puppies develop important cognitive skills. When puppies play with toys or engage in interactive play with humans, they are learning how to think and problem-solve. This type of play helps to stimulate their brains and can lead to better learning and memory retention later in life. In addition to the cognitive benefits of play, it is also important for puppies' emotional development. Play allows puppies to express their natural instincts and helps to reduce stress and anxiety. It is a healthy outlet for puppies to release their energy and have fun, which can lead to a more well-adjusted and happy dog as they grow into adulthood. Just like human children, puppies need the opportunity to play and socialize with their peers in order to reach their full potential. Without these crucial experiences, puppies may struggle with socialization and communication as they grow older. It is important for puppy owners to provide opportunities for play and socialization early on in their puppy's life to ensure they grow into well-adjusted and confident adult dogs. In conclusion, the importance of play and peer socialization in puppy development cannot be overstated. Not only is play essential for physical development, but it also plays a crucial role in cognitive and emotional development as well. By providing opportunities for play and socialization, puppy owners can help their puppies grow into confident and well-adjusted adult dogs.

As a professional dog trainer and behaviorist, one of the most common issues I encounter with my clients is anxiety in dogs. Anxiety in dogs can manifest in a variety of ways and can be caused by a range of factors, so it's important for pet owners to be able to recognize the signs and take steps to address it. First, let's take a look at what anxiety looks like in dogs. Some common signs of anxiety include panting or pacing, trembling or shaking, excessive barking or whining, whimpering or howling, escaping or trying to hide, destructive behavior such as chewing or digging, loss of appetite or changes in bowel movements, restlessness or difficulty sleeping, and aggression towards people or other animals. It's important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other medical or behavioral issues, so it's always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian or a professional dog trainer or behaviorist to determine the cause of your dog's behavior. So, how do we address anxiety in dogs? The first step is to identify the cause of the anxiety. Common causes of anxiety in dogs include separation anxiety, fear of loud noises (such as thunderstorms or fireworks), and fear of unfamiliar people or environments. Once the cause has been identified, a treatment plan can be developed to address the anxiety. This may include providing your dog with a safe and secure environment, gradually exposing your dog to the things that cause them anxiety in a controlled and safe environment using positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise, and using training and behavior modification techniques such as relaxation exercises and socialization training to help your dog learn to cope with anxiety. Natural remedies such as pheromone diffusers or calming supplements can also be helpful in reducing anxiety in your dog. The role of veterinary medicine in dealing with anxiety related behavior problems is crucial. Your veterinarian can help you determine the cause of your dog's anxiety and recommend treatment options, including medication if necessary. It's important to work closely with your veterinarian to ensure that any treatment plan is appropriate for your dog and their specific needs. As a professional dog trainer and behaviorist, I strongly encourage all pet owners to consider working with a reputable and experienced animal services provider such as Kind Animal Services (KAS) to address anxiety related behavior problems in their dogs. At KAS, our team of trained professionals is dedicated to helping you and your dog overcome anxiety and live a happier, healthier life. We offer a range of services including training, behavior modification, and support to help you and your dog navigate anxiety and other behavioral issues. If your dog is struggling with anxiety or other behavior problems, don't hesitate to reach out to us at KAS. We are here to help you and your furry friend succeed. Together, we can help your dog lead a happier and more relaxed life.

In response to the many comments to this Original Poster about training the a dog instead of rehoming it. I felt that it was important to put some information out there. And I wrote: I hope this OMG adorable dog has found a lovely home willing to cater to her needs. I want to comment for community education on one massive misconception about training - And I quote from OP: "...not getting this issue trained out of her fast enough." Behavior modification has nothing to do with getting rid of behavior and certainly does not train a behavior out of an animal. In fact, that's an oxymoron. If training is to teach and 'getting rid of is to remove a behavior... Then you consider that we never fully unlearn something that is learned... It's not possible to train a behavior away. Now, this isn't to throw shame on the Original Poster! On the contrary, finding the dog a better home to suit her needs is THE BEST thing you can do for the dog and the family. Please be mindful. Training is not the end-all answer. Be wary of anyone saying they can train a behavior out of a dog or even fix a dog's behavior. Behavior modification takes time, consistency, understanding, and patience. The most successful behavior modification is observed when the appropriate environmental changes occur with the dog's welfare in mind. Unfortunately, many training techniques practiced by professionals in the dog training industry do nothing more than suppress the behavior and exhaust the dog. Please don't fall for the TRAINING WILL FIX IT trap. I was so shocked by the number of people who bashed this Poster saying how they shouldn't have got a puppy and that they were irresponsible. Some puppies are more challenging to rase than others. Sometimes the puppy you hoped would be a good fit for your family doesn't feel the same about living there. I noticed some comments about how rehoming was punishing to the dog! This is so flat out miss-informed. The dog will be effected by the new environment but the fact is the dog can no longer stay in the current environment. In it’s current environment it poses a risk to the family's small children. It's easier to re-home the dog than try to educate the children, yourself, and the dog how to coexist. My message is that although even I offer consulting that can solve some very challenging situations including this one successfully we should not discredit the most powerful tool in behavior change. That is environmental change.