The Quirky Dog

What are the Evils of Balanced Training?

On this episode, Scott and Jess talk about balanced training. They bring balance to the topic of balanced training.

Topics discussed include:

• Dog tip of the day
• What is balanced training?
• What is an aversive consequence?
• Is balanced training better than alternative training methods?
• The dog needs to listen in all circumstances
• Leash direction takes years of practice
• There are some situations where food creates more harm than good
• Check out the book Rough Love
• How can I make positive training work for me?
• You have to look at all sides of the training equation
• A trained dog has more freedom
• The more you work with your dog, the fewer corrections will be necessary
• You can contact the show by email at studio@thequirkydog.com
• More info on See Spot Sniff can be found at seespotsniff.com
• You can find Scott and Jess’s website at caninehealing.com
• More info on Scott and Jess’s free course at caninemindshift.com

Have you ever wondered why your dog behaves a certain way? Are there things you need help with or support? Join Scott and Jess Williams each week as they explore these and other topics

Considerations with Rescues

On this episode, Scott and Jess talk about the things you need to consider when bringing a rescue into your home. It’s important to know what to look for.

Topics discussed include:

• Dog tip of the day
• Don’t adopt a rescue just from a photo on the internet
• Go into getting a rescue with your eyes open
• A lot of rescues have been coming from the South and many have problems
• Many rescues have behavioral problems, health problems and may not have had the proper vaccines
• It’s important to do research on the rescue organization
• If you can, bring a dog trainer with you to evaluate the dog
• See if you can get any video of the dog with other dogs and kids
• Be honest about your situation and your family’s lifestyle
• If you have kids, don’t bring them with you when you initially meet the dog
• Don’t be afraid to return the dog if the dog has extreme behavioral problems
• Scott strongly advises not adopting multiple dogs that have come from the same home
• If you already have animals at home, you need to consider the temperament of the dogs
• If you already own a female dog, you may want to consider adopting a male
• You can contact the show by email at studio@thequirkydog.com
• More info on See Spot Sniff can be found at seespotsniff.com
• You can find Scott and Jess’s website at caninehealing.com
• More info on Scott and Jess’s free course at caninemindshift.com

Have you ever wondered why your dog behaves a certain way? Are there things you need help with or support? Join Scott and Jess Williams each week as they explore these and other topics.

Kickoff to 2020

On this episode, Scott and Jess welcome Dave Garofalo, the owner of Studio 21 Podcast Café and 2 Guys Smoke Shop. He is going to teach Scott and Jess how to smoke a cigar for this New Year’s special episode.

Topics discussed include:

• Dog tip of the day
• Dave gives some pointers on how to get ready to smoke a cigar
• Scott and Jess successfully cut their cigars
• Their world changes after they light their cigars
• Spend 10 minutes of quiet time with your dog
• Every Monday at 8PM, Scott and Jess do a dog meditation on their Canine Healing Facebook page
• Dave is thinking of getting a new dog
• Scott and Jess offer Dave some advice
• Dave asks about feeding raw food to dogs
• In the new year, address your dog’s weight problems
• You can contact the show by email at studio@thequirkydog.com
• More info on See Spot Sniff can be found at seespotsniff.com
• You can find Scott and Jess’s website at caninehealing.com
• More info on Scott and Jess’s free course at caninemindshift.com

Have you ever wondered why your dog behaves a certain way? Are there things you need help with or support? Join Scott and Jess Williams each week as they explore these and other topics.

Giving Back at Christmas

On this episode, Scott and Jess talk about giving back at Christmas. What can you give to dogs in need?

Topics discussed include:

• Dog tip of the day
• Scott and Jess share a list of items you can donate to your local dog shelter
• Try to stay local with your giving
• Double up your purchase at this time of year and donate half to a shelter
• Shelters can use all sorts of items: food, cleaning products, leashes, collars, etc.
• You can also volunteer your time or do a donation drive
• You can also spend some time just visiting the dogs at a shelter
• Depending on your profession, you may be able to volunteer your services
• It is also possible to sponsor an animal
• Fostering a rescue is another option for some people
• Train your own dog to make him a more upstanding citizen
• Christmas is not the perfect time to get a puppy
• Consider buying for dogs in need
• You can contact the show by email at studio@thequirkydog.com
• More info on See Spot Sniff can be found at seespotsniff.com
• You can find Scott and Jess’s website at caninehealing.com
• More info on Scott and Jess’s free course at caninemindshift.com

Have you ever wondered why your dog behaves a certain way? Are there things you need help with or support? Join Scott and Jess Williams each week as they explore these and other topics.

Alternative Therapies and Dogs

On this episode, Scott and Jess talk about dogs and alternative therapies. Are these therapies as effective as traditional medicine?

Topics discussed include:

• Dog tip of the day
• How can I use acupressure for my dog?
• Should I tap my dog with a magnetic hammer?
• More information on Tom Tam https://tongrenstation.com
• What is emotional freedom technique (EFT)?
• More information on EFT https://www.emofree.com
• Many vets have Eastern medicine veterinarians on staff
• Professional acupuncture can help some dogs
• With the guidance of a professional, some homeopathics can help
• Can CBD be helpful for dogs?
• Lasers are becoming more common for the treatment of dogs
• You can contact the show by email at studio@thequirkydog.com
• More info on See Spot Sniff can be found at seespotsniff.com
• You can find Scott and Jess’s website at caninehealing.com
• More info on Scott and Jess’s free course at caninemindshift.com

Have you ever wondered why your dog behaves a certain way? Are there things you need help with or support? Join Scott and Jess Williams each week as they explore these and other topics.

Traveling with Your Dog

On this episode, Scott and Jess talk about how to make traveling with your dog successful. They have all kinds of tips to insure a smooth journey.

Topics discussed include:

• Dog tip of the day
• You want to think about a microchip in case you and your dog get separated
• Make sure your dog’s vaccines are up to date
• If you are traveling to an area with a different climate, be sure you have the right vaccines
• Make sure you have your rabies certificates with you
• Make sure you have the right equipment for safely walking your dogs
• Having a second slip collar can make sense
• Condition your dog to riding in the car
• Scott and Jess believe that using a crate in the car is best
• Make sure you don’t leave your car windows open too much
• You can buy device to remotely check the temperature of your car
• It’s very helpful if you’ve trained your dog to go to the bathroom on command
• The pet areas are not the best place to head to at the rest stop
• Clean up after your dog!
• Be prepared for breakdowns and unexpected events – have a plan
• Be thoughtful about your dog’s food – bring the food your dog is used to
• You can contact the show by email at studio@thequirkydog.com
• More info on See Spot Sniff can be found at seespotsniff.com
• You can find Scott and Jess’s website at caninehealing.com
• More info on Scott and Jess’s free course at caninemindshift.com

Have you ever wondered why your dog behaves a certain way? Are there things you need help with or support? Join Scott and Jess Williams each week as they explore these and other topics.

 

Scott and Jess’s Origin Story

On this episode, Scott and Jess talk about how they got to where they are today. How did Canine Healing come into existence?

Topics discussed include:

• Dog tip of the day
• Scott recounts his time from birth through the current days
• He went from the Marines to CA where he bought a sailboat
• In 1988, he moved to CA “permanently”
• Scott’s been sober for 30 years
• Scott go into dogs as a hobby and something fun to do
• Around 2005, Scott started dog training
• Eventually, he returned to MA to care for a sick parent
• Jess hails from Illinois
• She had border collies from a young age
• Jess got involved in canine Frisbee at 7 years old
• She competed in the world finals
• Besides Frisbee, she dabbled in canine agility
• How did Jess end up doing canine entertainment?
• Jess was a psychology major focused on animal behavior
• Jess and Scott met at a conference in Wisconsin
• Scott was primarily focused on boarding and training
• Jess and Scott collaborated on a canine fitness class
• They later worked with a lot of dogs with aggression and anxiety issues
• Things shifted a bit – clients seemed less willing to put in the training effort and create structure for the dog
• They noticed a void in the industry and filled it with Canine Healing
• Canine Healing aims to help both the dog and the owner with anxiety issues
• You can contact the show by email at studio@thequirkydog.com
• More info on See Spot Sniff can be found at seespotsniff.com
• You can find Scott and Jess’s website at caninehealing.com
• More info on Scott and Jess’s free course at caninemindshift.com

Have you ever wondered why your dog behaves a certain way? Are there things you need help with or support? Join Scott and Jess Williams each week as they explore these and other topics.

Winter Activities to Do with Your Dog

On this episode, Scott and Jess talk about things you can do with your dog during the long winter months. They have a whole lot of ideas for you to try with your dog.

Topics discussed include:

• Dog tip of the day
• Scott and Jess talk about See Spot Sniff
• Nose work can be a good way to burn off energy
• It’s a fun activity for both dogs and owners
• Scott talks about training for bed bug detection
• Just how sensitive are dogs’ noses?
• Jess and Scott offer some tips to get started with nose work
• Treadmill work can be a great winter activity for your dog
• How can I get my dog stated on the treadmill?
• Dogs enjoy indoor swimming if you have the facilities or access to them
• Canine Fitness is also an option
• Retrieving in the snow is also fun for dogs
• You can contact the show by email at studio@thequirkydog.com
• More info on See Spot Sniff can be found at seespotsniff.com
• You can find Scott and Jess’s website at caninehealing.com
• More info on Scott and Jess’s free course at caninemindshift.com

Have you ever wondered why your dog behaves a certain way? Are there things you need help with or support? Join Scott and Jess Williams each week as they explore these and other topics.

How to Pick a Dog Trainer

On this episode, Scott and Jess talk about what you should consider when choosing your dog trainer. This is an important decision that you want to get right.

Topics discussed include:

• Dog tip of the day
• Before selecting a dog trainer, check the reviews online
• Try posting in local Facebook groups for recommendations
• The credentials of the trainer don’t necessarily matter – look for experience
• What about electronic collar training?
• You shouldn’t be pressured to sign a contract on the spot
• Don’t wait until your dog has problems to start training
• If you decide on a board and train program, make sure you tour the facility
• See how the person works with their own dog
• A good trainer does not offer guarantees
• Should I go to puppy classes and is that enough?
• You need to do some maintenance training over time
• Is there any value in Canine Good Citizen (CGC) classes?
• Make sure there is open communication with the trainer
• If you’re not seeing results after a month and you’ve done your homework, look for another trainer
• You can contact the show by email at studio@thequirkydog.com
• You can find Scott and Jess’s website at caninehealing.com
• More info on Scott and Jess’s free course at caninemindshift.com

Have you ever wondered why your dog behaves a certain way? Are there things you need help with or support? Join Scott and Jess Williams each week as they explore these and other topics.

Fear in Dogs

On this episode, Scott and Jess talk about fear in dogs. What causes your dog to be fearful and what can you do about it?

Topics discussed include:

• Dog tip of the day
• Fear can be genetic like noise sensitivity
• Service dogs need to be screened for fear issues
• Fear can be taught to your dog based on your actions and reactions
• Making a big deal out of things can reinforce your dog’s fears
• Fear and anxiety are two separate things that can be intertwined
• How you handle your dog’s fear can help improve the future behavior
• Younger dogs go through fear periods
• Don’t let the dog’s fear control their behavior
• Can prescription drugs help your dog with fear?
• If you don’t see results with your approach, try something else
• What is fear aggression?
• Fear is simply a distraction
• Tempering fear can be more productive than counterconditioning
• Jess and Scott talk about how they work through dogs’ fear of treadmills
• You can contact the show by email at studio@thequirkydog.com
• You can find Scott and Jess’s website at caninehealing.com
• More info on Scott and Jess’s free course at caninemindshift.com

Have you ever wondered why your dog behaves a certain way? Are there things you need help with or support? Join Scott and Jess Williams each week as they explore these and other topics.