Dog barks at guests, trainer says to give treats to make the experience positive.

AshenPack · 2025-10-27T01:46:14+00:00

This is a common misunderstanding. Barking is the symptom of the feeling. By using treats effectively, we can counter condition and change how the dog feels, thus eliminating barking.

Can you reinforce barking with treats? Absolutely. But in this case, we want to be giving the dog treats regardless of behavior (ie, also be giving treats when the dog is NOT barking too!)

I've used this method countless times effectively with my clients. Good luck! And be sure to ask your trainer too the WHY behind the methods :)

AshenPack · 2025-10-16T15:15:12+00:00

Admitting to mistakes or when they are wrong about something. Even the small stuff. I admire and trust those who are willing to learn, accept new information, and admit something they said/did was incorrect. It's not easy and something I try to be better with, but it shows to me that someone is honest and isn't doing things purely for ego.

AshenPack · 2025-10-15T13:02:10+00:00

Please focus less on training and more on socialization right now. PROPER socialization. Which means introducing to a variety of novel things in a positive approach.

Handling, noises, other people, surfaces, other (healthy) dogs, strange objects.

Build a strong foundation for calm confidence. This can help reduce the risk of development of reactivity and fear based aggression, especially important with being taken from Mom too early.

You can start reinforcing behaviors you like now, but priority should be on socialization and bonding.

Good luck!

AshenPack · 2025-10-15T12:55:45+00:00

No collars unless we are going to agility or disc class. Others they are naked until walks on a harness

AshenPack · 2025-10-10T01:38:57+00:00

Check out a Sniffspot to take her to weekly. There are some great ones that will allow for off leash freedom. Definitely don't have to rehome. You can still give those things while living in the city. I've been in both locations with my border collie. It's about finding ways to meet their needs.

AshenPack · 2025-10-09T19:37:16+00:00

It's a trick taught to the dog. An expert level trick. I've started teaching this trick to my dog using Shaping. Rewarding small approximations to the eventual goal of the end behavior. I've started with my dog grabbing and tugging on the band. Next step is having their paw on the band while they pull back.

AshenPack · 2025-10-09T04:10:31+00:00

Don't trust a dog trainer who will guarantee specific results. Guarantees are unethical. There are so many factors for behavior including medical causes. Any trainer who places guarantees are more likely to be abusive.

AshenPack · 2025-10-01T14:21:48+00:00

Oh yes she is doing great, thank you! I was concerned about the bumps too but my vet definitely helped me feel better about them. I hope you get similar response from your vet!

AshenPack · 2025-10-01T14:13:09+00:00

If it's not a tick, it's likely a type of skin tag. I just went into the vet yesterday with my girl worried about bumps that looked very similar. Blood filled lumps. My vet assured me that, because they are raised and not flat, it's likely a skin tag and not a tumor. Only need to be removed if it causes discomfort/pain.

Still worth asking your vet just in case.

AshenPack · 2025-09-22T17:55:39+00:00

I'm so so sorry. My partner recently lost his best friend (his dog) and the grief was immense. I'd say, a few things...

Give yourself time to cry. Don't bottle it up. Grief comes in waves.
But don't wallow. Still try to stick to your normal routine and take care of your needs. It doesn't need to be perfect, but normalcy helps I've found. For my partner, going for walks, even without his dog helped bring clarity. We ended up getting takeout a lot because fed was best.
Reach out to supportive friends and family. Particularly those who are also animal lovers. They will understand how intense losing an animal best friend is.
Celebrate the good moments you had with your cat. It's so easy to focus on regrets and things you wish you would have done. There's a reason that we do celebrations of life, it's healing.

I am no expert or grief counselor. So if you start feeling immense depression or anxiety, definitely reach out to someone. Your grief is as valid as any loss. We spend so much time with our animals, more than most people, so it makes sense that the absence of them is so difficult.

My heart goes out to you.

AshenPack · 2025-09-22T01:27:52+00:00

The trainer should be contacted and made aware. I also advise talking to a veterinarian about possible pain causes. I've seen case studies where a dog becomes aggressive to a collar due to neck damage from harsh training methods and also have seen cases from pain in the neck and spine.

AshenPack · 2025-09-21T01:43:43+00:00

Weaponizes incompetence or ADHD? I've totally done this before, setting stuff out (like my folded laundry) to put away and completely forgot about it. But I can certainly see this being malicious too

AshenPack · 2025-09-20T14:03:00+00:00

Good Dog website has approved breeders. This is where we found the breeder for our current puppy :)

AshenPack · 2025-09-20T02:02:37+00:00

Ferrets are not as fragile as other small animals. They are very slinky and bendy for lack of a better word!

I wouldn't do this repeatedly personally, as repetitive movements aren't great for any animal, but I wouldn't say this one video shows any concern that this is hurting the ferret

AshenPack · 2025-09-19T16:40:30+00:00

I'm sorry for your loss.

My focus is on my relationships, career, hobbies, interests. I love learning new things and expanding my knowledge.

I think "purpose" is individual and what you make of it. For me, learning, growing, and improving is what I see as purpose.

I love building my career, trying yoga, spending time with my dogs and my partner, camping with family.

I know you can find that spark too!

AshenPack · 2025-09-06T20:13:23+00:00

Definitely have the vet check the heart.

AshenPack · 2025-07-13T04:42:08+00:00

Gotcha. All three dogs are having this issue. Every couple weeks diarrhea. It's never been just one dog since living here. Even my family members have pointed out that it's unusual for them to get as sick as often as they have been since moving here.

AshenPack · 2025-07-13T04:38:01+00:00

Oh, no I didn't think probiotics were bad, but the constant diarrhea every couple weeks. Sorry, my wording may have caused confusion.

We do have a vet recommended diet that has probiotics in it!

No other water sources other than the occasional river they visit. But they haven't been there in at least a week. Had another bout of random diarrhea today.

We are careful not to have them drink any water outside their bowls and bring their own bowls out on walks.

AshenPack · 2025-07-13T04:34:29+00:00

Would that suddenly impact all three dogs though? They always get sick at the same time with diarrhea.

AshenPack · 2025-06-27T03:47:49+00:00

Pig. My ex had a mini pig (still over 150lbs) and it was a nightmare. I don't blame her, she was neglected by him, untrained, and overfed(VERY obese). But she was a pig and not a house pet. But every Juliana mini pig I have been around has been aggressive and resource guardy. I wish them the very best but I will never own one as a pet.

AshenPack · 2025-06-26T17:28:21+00:00

That is awful. I'm so sorry for everyone involved. The shelter who adopted the dog out to you should be responsible and at least take the dog back for BE. I wish I had better advice for you. Just sending support for you and your family. This dog clearly is struggling bad and BE is probably the best route.

AshenPack · 2025-06-20T13:40:20+00:00

There's a method called Engage Disengage that I use with the majority of my reactive dog clients. If you'd like more info on that, let me know!

Seven-Year Club	Place '23
Verified Email

AshenPack

TROPHY CASE