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You are here: Home / Archives for Behavior

Psychic Readings For Dogs: I Want To Believe

March 20, 2017 by Fanna Easter

My Experience With Pet Psychic Readings

Animal Communication
Monkey Business/Adobe Stock

Whether or not you believe in the supernatural, pet psychic readings are certainly an interesting topic. After polling pet owners on their supernatural beliefs, I found results were split right down the middle. I’m from south Louisiana and our culture strongly believes in supernatural powers and psychic abilities. While I mostly believe in science-based principles, sometimes I encounter tiny gray areas that allow supernatural power to seep in. Here’s my experience with psychic readings for my dogs. (It just might leave you scratching your head!)

Why I Turned to a Pet Psychic

Many years ago, I shared my home with an extremely aggressive dog. Since he was a young puppy, he was troubled, but had made tremendous strides during his adolescent years. Just when we had reached our dog training goals, he regressed.

After exhausting several veterinary behaviorists and fellow dog trainers for advice, a very good friend of mine recommended a pet physic reading. Honestly, if this recommendation had been from someone else, I would’ve scoffed at the idea. However, this person is world-renowned in animal behavior, is extremely accomplished in the pet industry and had great results from a recent psychic reading for her dog. Hum, could this work?

During the Psychic Reading

After waiting three weeks for an opening, I finally got on the phone with my friend’s highly recommended pet psychic. She was extremely pleasant, but kept small talk to a minimum and asked very few questions. Within 30 seconds of our call, she asked if I was calling about a big fluffy dog to which I answered yes. She said he’s a smart boy, but he suffered from really bad headaches. It’s important to note, I never reveled my dog’s gender during our call. I felt goosebumps run down my spine.

The psychic told me my dog’s exact age, gender and described him completely. She also mentioned specifics about his personality that no one knew except for me and my husband. She said my dog had an issue with his neck, and that was causing his headaches. We were advised to find a good chiropractic veterinarian and have his neck adjusted in a specific spot. After writing down the exact adjustment location, she said, “Hang on a minute, your little dog is so sad.” How did she know I had another dog?

Apparently Stella, my Miniature Bull Terrier, was sad about our recent move. We had moved into our new home about six weeks ago. To help Stella through this adjustment period, the psychic said she would talk to Stella and explain our move was for the best. As I waited on the phone for a few minutes, I could hear Stella’s tail wagging underneath my desk. After a few closing pleasantries, we ended our call.

After Our Psychic Call

During our entire conversation, I took notes. After hanging up, I sat and cried. Honestly, I was shocked how accurate the animal communicator was about my dogs’ conditions. Stella was a different dog after my conversation with the pet psychic; she was back to her old self and played for hours. I found an amazing veterinary chiropractor and scheduled an adjustment for Santiago, my large Bouvier. As you guessed it, his painful area was exactly where the psychic recommended. While Santiago’s aggression never really went away, regular chiropractic adjustments sure helped.

Before pointing to social media or the Internet as hints during our psychic reading, I wasn’t on social media at the time. I had used rescue dogs as demo dogs in articles and videos back then, so it was impossible for the pet communicator to know specifics about my dogs. Trust me, I didn’t say much during our conversation, as I was too busy taking notes.

Other Dog Experts’ Encounters

Over the years, several dog behavior experts confided in me about their personal experiences with pet psychics and animal communicators. Some called because their dogs acted oddly during conformation shows, refused to jump or climb over certain agility equipment, had mysterious illnesses, or had recurring pains that vets were unable to detect. Regardless of the reason, most dog behavior experts were very satisfied with their pet psychic reading results. While this is an unconventional subject, it’s certainly interesting and food for thought if you really want to know what your dog is thinking. 

Have you consulted a pet psychic? If so, what was the outcome?

Filed Under: Behavior, Clients, Training Tagged With: animal medium psychic, are pet communicator real, are pet mediums real, are pet psychics real, dog training, Dog Training Tips, medium for deceased pet, pet medium, pet medium talk to decease pet, pet psychic after death, psychic reading pets, psychic readings dogs

Dogs Find Choices Very Rewarding

March 3, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Choice Dog Training

Easiest Way to Train a Dog
alexei_tm/Adobe Stock

As with everything in life, trends appear, stick around or rapidly disappear. Lately, a new dog training trend focuses on giving dogs choices during the training process. This “trend” puzzles me a bit because choices should be a part of all dog training. Dogs deserve choices, and sometimes dogs find choices more rewarding than food. Below, we show you the easiest way to train a dog through choices.

How Choice Dog Training Works

Dogs should be allowed to make choices during training sessions and in life. At first, this concept scares most pet owners and a few dog trainers alike. However, giving dogs choices actually speeds up training when dogs learn they’re able to control their environment.

Making choices in situations is super empowering, and giving dogs the ability to make their own teaches them to trust their pet owners completely. As humans, we must honor our dog’s choice and not push the issue. This is where pet owners become concerned and confused, as they’re envisioning dogs walking across kitchen countertops or running freely through the neighborhood. Nope, you’ve envisioned the pendulum swinging too far.

Instead, you reward your dog for making the right choice, which increases the likelihood that your dog’s certain behavior will happen again.

Giving Your Dog a Choice

Participation is a huge choice that most dogs don’t enjoy. Many dogs don’t have a choice, and are forced to participate during vet visits or petting from strangers. Some dogs dislike having their nails trimmed, and will growl whenever someone reaches for or touches their feet.

Example: Dog Dislikes Nail Trims

The first step is to acknowledge whether or not your dog is worried about nail trims. Then, teach your dog that touching his feet and trimming his nails make hot dogs appear when he chooses to participate.

Sit on the floor with diced up hot dogs in your lap. Click and reward your dog for walking up to you. Yes, hot dogs are encouraging your dog to walk over to you, but we want to reward dogs for choosing to walk toward us.

Reward your dog a couple of times for walking over to and standing near you, then reach toward his paw, but don’t touch it. If your dog pulls his paw away, sit still and return your hand back into your lap. It’s no big deal. At first, your dog might look a bit confused because this might be the first time he’s given a choice.

Some dogs may back away, and that’s fine. If your dog chooses to walk away, at anytime, honor your dog’s choice. Wait a few seconds, and reward him when he chooses to walk toward you again. Remember, you’re holding something he wants (hot dogs).

Reach for his paw again. Click/treat when he chooses to stand still (doesn’t move backwards or pulls foot away from you). Practice 2-3 times, and then end the session. Continue to practice slowly until your dog allows you to touch his paw and eventually trim his nails.

Honoring Your Dog’s Choices

When pet owners honor their dog’s choice, something magical happens. Dogs learn that they’re able to stop something scary without becoming aggressive. Also, they learn that their pet owner won’t force the issue. This is empowerment at its finest, and it will positively change your dog’s behavior.

Forcing a dog to comply gets you nowhere and actually stops the learning process. This type of dog training has nothing to do with “everybody wins a trophy” phenomena. Instead, it’s based on learning principles, consequences and scientific data.

Choice dog training is the easiest way to train a dog, so why not use it?

Filed Under: Behavior, Dogs, Training Tagged With: choice dog training, dog trainer tips, dog training, Dog Training Tips, easiest way to train a dog, give your dog choices, how to teach a dog, how to train a dog, tips for training your dog

Can Hemp CBD Oil Reduce Anxiety In Dogs?

February 15, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Hemp CBD Oil for Dogs

CBD Oil for Dogs
ringele/Adobe Stock

As a dog trainer who works closely with reactive dogs, I’m often asked if hemp oil reduces dog anxiety. Before jumping into the benefits of hemp CBD oil for dogs, let’s first discuss reactivity in dogs.

Anxiety in Dogs

Dogs react in the form of growling, barking, lunging, snapping or biting because they’re fearful. Anxiety emerges when dogs constantly predict something scary will happen, as it has in the past. When a dog’s anxious, he’s likely to overreact to a situation because he’s already highly aroused. When anxiety is reduced, reactivity is usually reduced as well, but can fire back up within seconds. Dog anxiety is a vicious cycle, and it’s exhausting.

Differences Between Hemp, Marijuana and CBD Oil

With the recent popularity of legalized marijuana, the differences between hemp, marijuana and CBD (cannabidiol) is stirring up some consumer confusion. Hemp oil and cannabis oil both contain CBD, yet they have differing amounts of THC—the psychoactive property of marijuana (Hemp CBD vs Cannabis CBD: What’s The Difference, ND). It’s important to note that cannabis CBD is illegal in most states. However, hemp CBD oil can be easily found online.

RELATED: When Giving Coconut Oil to Your Dog, Always Listen

Hemp CBD Oil for Dogs With Anxiety

As for reducing anxiety, hemp CBD oil for dogs is showing some promise. Research is slow, but personal testimonials find hemp CBD oil beneficial for dogs. When clients contact me about their reactive dogs, I recommend a thorough veterinary exam to rule out any health issues first. I also recommend them to ask their veterinarians about hemp CBD oil for dogs. In the past, hemp CBD oil has reduced dog anxiety, but it’s not a cure-all. It works well with additional pharmaceuticals taken for dog anxiety.

Does Your Dog Need Hemp Oil?

Hemp oil for dogs provides numerous health benefits while reducing seizures, anxiety and pain. While some pet owners incorrectly assume hemp CBD oil for dogs is a behavioral crutch, it’s a natural product that provides dogs relief from anxiety. In most cases, clients have noticed minor positive changes in their dogs’ behavior. When changing dog behavior, any positive changes are considered progress—even slight ones.

Filed Under: Behavior, Resources

Should You Look Your Dog In The Eyes?

February 10, 2017 by Fanna Easter

The Truth About Dog Eye Contact

Dog Eye Contact
Alexander/Adobe Stock

With so many opinions and misinformation about dog eye contact, it’s understandable why people wonder what eye contact means to a dog. Eye contact happens naturally; it’s part of normal body language. However, staring is considered rude and it’s scary to most dogs. Learn the difference between making eye contact with and staring at your dog, and how your dog perceives both.

Making Eye Contact With Your Dog vs. Staring at Your Dog

Dogs and their humans will make eye contact several times a day. It’s normal and natural behavior. Many dogs will make eye contact with their owners when it’s dinner time, treats are nearby or someone is ringing the doorbell. Likewise, some pet owners will look directly at their dog’s face when calling them over for a quick game of tug, when arriving home from work or when relaxing on the sofa at night.

This type of eye contact is fleeting. You and your dog make eye contact, then you both immediately look away and focus on another task. Polite eye contact lasts 1-2 seconds and moves fluidly with other friendly body language.

Staring is different, and considered rude to dogs. When a person stares into another dog’s eyes, the dog perceives it as a threat. Think about it this way: If someone stares at you, you’d wonder why this person was staring at you or assume the person was upset. When people stare, their bodies freeze in place with still arms, yet their heads follow the dog or person they’re staring at while they move away. This body posture not only freaks you out, but dogs too.

What Happens When You Stare at a Dog

Dogs will likely move away from a threat. If they catch someone staring at them, they’ll try to disengage from the person staring. Some dogs will:

  • Look away from a staring person
  • Slowly slink away
  • Yawn
  • Hold up a front paw
  • Shake it off (looks like he’s shaking water off his coat

If this happens, the person unintentionally staring at the dog should turn sideways and look away from the worried dog. Intimidation teaches a dog that a person is unpredictable and scary. It’s tough learning from someone who’s intimidating, and it’s unfair to force a dog to learn this way. Remember, staring is considered rude in both the human and canine world. 🙂

Dog Eye Contact Dominance is a Myth

There’s no such thing as dominance between dogs and humans. If someone mentions staring at a dog to show dominance, explain that this outdated dog myth was dispelled by the person who wrote it. Staring at a dog won’t teach him you’re dominant; he’ll just think you’re being rude. While 90% of dogs will disengage from a person staring—they don’t want trouble—the other 10% will likely engage. Remember, dogs don’t need to be dominated. Dogs need someone to positively teach them polite manners instead.

Filed Under: Behavior Tagged With: does staring at dog work, dog eye contact dominance, make eye contact with dog, should you look into your dog's eyes, staring at dog, start into a dog's eyes, why does my dog avoid eye contact, why will my dog not look me in the eyes

Dog Massage Tips For Anxious Dogs

January 27, 2017 by Fanna Easter

How to Massage a Dog With Anxiety

Dog With Anxiety
reezabrat/iStock

Living with an anxious dog is tough; you literally feel like the world is going to harm you. As a dog trainer, my heart hurts for dogs with anxiety because I completely understand the “tug” of your conscious mind fighting the “pull” of your panicking mind. Massage is a wonderful tool that will calm an anxious dog. When trying to massage a dog with anxiety, it’s important to teach your dog that massage is harmless, and touch is actually relaxing.

Introduce Touch First

Most dogs with anxiety flinch or step away when someone reaches out to touch them. Anxious dogs are scared, and usually move away from fast movement, which includes hands reaching out to pet them. These dogs have learned that people will try to reach out and touch them even if they don’t want to be touched. Think about it this way: If you’re scared of spiders and one tries to reach out and touch you, that’s scary!

It’s important to teach your anxious dog that hands make good things happen. Instead of reaching out to your dog, play a game of “touch.” The “touch” game teaches a dog to walk over and touch your hand. Choices are super rewarding for dogs, and “touch” gives dogs choices. If they want a treat, they can walk over and touch a person’s hand. If not, that’s OK too. Giving dogs with anxiety choices is paramount.

Now, slowly reach toward your dog (but don’t touch her yet). As you extend your hand out 1-2 feet from your body, say “yes” and toss her a treat. Continue to practice, slowly increasing the distance between your hand and her body. Once your dog will stand still and actually walk toward your extended hand, it’s time to touch her.

Start with your fingertips first, and reward her as you’re touching her. Say “yes” and give her super yummy treats. Continue practicing until she’s comfortable with hands touching and petting her.

RELATED: What Is Calming Dog Food and Should You Use It?

Start Where She’s Most Comfortable

When sitting down in a chair or on the floor, your dog will likely walk over and present her head or butt for petting. This is the area she’s most comfortable for a massage. Place both hands on the area and slowly move one hand a couple of inches up and slowly slide along her body. Your other hand should remain in the same spot.

If your dog presents her face for petting, then start with slow hand slides along the side of her neck (move over ear, neck, shoulder). For your dog’s behind, place your massage (moving) hand on your dog’s side (where the ribs end, and on the side of the spine). Move your massage hand toward you (move over midsection, hind legs, rump).

Be Conscious of Your Hand Movement

Keep strokes short, slow and gentle. Apply just enough pressure to move your dog’s skin, but not muscle. When your dog is comfortable, take longer strokes. When stroking, place your entire hand on your dog with your palm touching her. Keep your fingers together, and stroke with your entire hand. Be conscious of your hand movement and refrain from pushing inward (you’ll see your dog’s body move the opposite way).

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Allow your dog to decide when the massage is over. [/perfectpullquote]

Take a deep breath in as you stroke her side, and exhale as you lift your massage hand up to continue another stroke. Breathing will create a constant rhythm, which is important for relaxation.

Let Your Dog End the Massage

Allow your dog to decide when the massage is over. In the beginning, your anxious dog will walk away after a few seconds or minutes. Slowly, she’ll learn to enjoy massages and will stick around longer though. Now, if your dog becomes a massage junkie, end the massage once your dog has relaxed. Then, pat yourself on the back for teaching your dog with anxiety that massages are wonderful.

Goal of Massaging a Dog With Anxiety

Massage goals are different when massaging a dog with anxiety. Your main goal is to relax your anxious dog instead of releasing muscle tension or giving your dog an entire body massage. Relaxing massages teach a dog with anxiety that hands make good things happen. Remember to always use slow strokes to promote relaxation and to take deep breaths. It may seem odd, but dogs do respond when pet owners take deep breaths, and they’ll likely take one shortly after you do.

Breathe deep in through the nose, and slowly exhale out through the mouth.

Filed Under: Behavior, Health, Resources Tagged With: calm a nervous dog, calm an excited dog, dog massage, dog massage anxiety, how to massage an anxious dog, massage nervous dog, tips for calming a nervous dog

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Dog Training Nation is a dog training blog for pet owners and dog lovers. We cover a range of topics from puppy socialization tips to dog aggression to dog health. It is our hope you share our content to make the world a better place for dogs.

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