Often when we look at or make plans for behavior modification with our dogs the focus is on management and gradual exposure to stressors that allow the dog to practice alternate coping skills below threshold working to change the dog’s…
Happy 10 to Tom!
I don’t know about you but I find it both very heart warming and very nerve wrecking when a dog reaches double digits. Tom has now officially hit the big 1 0 and as the vet mentioned at his last…
Practice saying, “No.”
What phrase have I said more than any other phrase in the past week? “No, but thank you so much for asking!” Can anyone guess the question my response is answering? If you guessed, “Can I pet your dog?” You’re…
Scents of the Season
If any kind of weather is timed to remind that fall is right around the corner, the weather we’ve had here this week is it. Cooler, breezy, and full of smells the dogs are enthralled by. Often season changes prompt…
Happy 5!
Happy 5th Birthday, Zora! She had a good birthday week with fun walks, friends, snacks and a stuffed octopus nearly as big as her! Here’s hoping for a year where it’s really fun to be 5!
What’s It Like to be a Service Dog?
Many times when people think about the job of a service dog, their focus is, understandably, on the needs of the person with disability. What many folks don’t consider, initially, is what it’s like for a dog to be a…
The Magic of Space & Time
Frequently, it feels, we are all so often rushing, rushing, rushing. And with that rushing, putting pressure on those around us, including our dogs, to hurry up and be who we need them to be. We give small credit to…
Do You Train Service Dogs?
Every so often I’ll receive an inquiry from a person about whether or not Maplewood Dog will help them train their service dog. To begin, let’s start with a few clarifying definitions: Service Animal: In the USA, a service animal…
“Get It” vs “Find It” cues
“Get It” and “Find It” cues can be incredibly helpful for teaching dogs about when a reward is coming and how it will be delivered. Differentiating between the two types of cues, also gives your dog a wealth of information…
Into the Abyss
Imagine you’re on a hike with a friend. It’s your first time on this mountain. You and your friend are hiking along and the trail now brings you to a cliff. Your friend keeps walking toward it, you slow down…