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Brainy Dog
approach

Behavior changes, when needs are met.

Smiling brown dog photograph with a rose between his paws with forest in background. RidgeBack Dog breed.Individualized dog training Brainydog dot com_edited.jpg

and your dogs need.
 

What
you
want

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The Brainy Dog Approach is about:

 

You

Your dog

Your family

Your future goals and

Harmony for all the above

 

This all happens in your surroundings, your schedule, using techniques you are comfortable with.

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Your dog learns to listen to you.

Girl sitting on bed while scratching dogs chin

Not another trainer.

Your dog will see you as a guide that speaks human and dog. You'll hear me on the phone, and your dog will hear you in person.

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Telling me in words, what your dog is doing, puts you in the drivers seat and patterns, you to pay attention to what your dog is trying to communicate.

 

Enjoy the benefits.

By taking time to listen to and communicate with your dog, something amazing happens.

 

A connection is formed.

It's the same connection that looks like magic between dogs and a caring, skilled, intuitive dog trainer.

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What is that connection?

To me, connection is a way to describe what we humans want more of in life.

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We want to:

Deepen Love

Promote Peace

Practice Respect

Establish Understanding

Build Trust and

Enjoy Freedom of choice

Increase Happiness

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So do dogs.

 

Why is my dog doing that?

Why, is the best question we can ask.

Most of our dog's behaviors are adorable. They cause us to smile, laugh and give them whatever they want.

 

The rest of the behaviors, can be annoying, disruptive, confusing, dangerous and sometimes, cause us to curl up in a ball and cry.

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Once we stop, take a breath or three, figure out why they are doing what their doing; we can offer solutions to help them change.

 

What are they saying?

Two dogs wearing jackses looking at each other with ocean and ducks in background.

Behaviors stem from something going on inside their brain.

One way to learn what's going on up there is to interpret their behaviors.

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Behaviors can indicate a want, a need or something less evident.

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I want...

Dog bites handle of waggon full of toys to pull it across grassy yard. Jack Russell Terrier

Dogs can think of creative ways to say:

 

"I want that toy",

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"Walk now"

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or

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"I have your sock. Chase me!"
 

This type of communication stems from a desire to do something, a cognitive thought. No different than us asking a friend to go to a favorite restaurant for that special dish we love.

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I need...

Pug holds metal bowl in mouth while looking at someone.

Behaviors can also express needs.

 

"I'm hungry"

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"Sleep now"

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"I need water"

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"I'm cold"

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"I'm hot"

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and

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"Hey, open the door. I need to poo NOW!".

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These things to an extreme degree are needed to stay alive. Animals need them, we need them.

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Is it a want or a need?

Woman in winter clothing looks at shoes through window. Window shopping.

Wants and needs can be subjective.

I don't worry too much about defining wants from needs.

 

Just keep in mind, the things that dogs require to stay alive are the first in your mind when interpreting behavior.

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Something less evident.

Dog had confused look on her face. Puples looking toward nose on both sides. Husky Dog

What's wrong with me?

Our dogs may be displaying a less evident behavior in response to a symptom of something they don't understand.

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"Grrrr, there's that dog again"

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"Don't touch my back"

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"Step away from my food"

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"Don't bother me right now"

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"PLEASE! Don't leave me!!"

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"Sorry, I peed on the rug."  :(

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"WHAT IS THAT THING" ???

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Dogs may not understand the reason behind these thoughts. They are just communicating feelings.

 

Their feelings may come from symptoms of conditions they don't understand.

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Our job

Lady in casual fall clothing walking dog on a loose leash while talking on the phone.

Be your dog's best human friend.

Listen

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Think

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Be proactive

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Seek guidance

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Verify physical and mental health are balanced

 

then:

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Train to change bad habits into good ones.

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I'll guide you step-by-step.

It's up to us, to figure out what the behavior means to our dog, before we change a behavior that's bothering us.

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Other resources.

We'll also bring in other resources such as veterinarians, behaviorists and other practitioners to diagnose things we don't understand.

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Verifying mental and physical health is FIRST priority.

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Brainy Dog follows LIMA guidelines

Least
Intrusive
Minimally
Aversive

Learn more about L.I.M.A.

https://iaabc.org/lima/

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Hierarchy of Procedures for Humane and Effective Practice

https://iaabc.org/en/humane-hierarchy

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