Robynn Harris, CCFT, The Wandering Shepherd

It is going to be HOT this weekend in the PNW. It will be best for dogs and humans to stay indoors and/or seek cooling stations to stay safe. Check in on your friends, neighbors, and other loved ones!
~RH

Summer heat safety tips for dogs OverviewSummer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with our dogs. While many of us love soaking up the sun, we need to be mindful of making sure our canine friends do not overheat. Overheating can result in a life-threatening emergency called heatstroke, caused by prolonged exposure to hot or....

Share this information with all your friends so we can end this type of cruelty disguised as “training.” You and your dog should be having FUN during training!
~RH

Today I met with a new behavior consultation client who had spent thousands of dollars on other trainers in an effort to address her dog's behavior issues. Unfortunately, the interventions those trainers used had not been successful, which is why she reached out to me.

One of the more alarming techniques she described was a trainer's method for teaching attention: throwing water balloons at the dog.

Let's be clear: just because a trainer has initials after their name—or even holds a certification—this does not necessarily mean they have a solid education in modern, evidence-based dog training.

Some certifications from reputable organizations require applicants to document training hours and pass a written examination. While certification can demonstrate commitment to the profession, it does not automatically indicate extensive education in learning theory, behavior, or effective training practices. As consumers, it's important to understand what a trainer's credentials actually represent.

So why is throwing water balloons at a dog a poor way to teach attention?

1. It teaches avoidance, not engagement.

When a dog pays attention because it is trying to avoid being startled, splashed, or hit, the dog's focus is on the potential threat—not on learning that paying attention to the handler is rewarding.

In this case, the dog was already fearful and anxious. Adding startling events to the training plan was unlikely to improve either the dog's confidence or its relationship with the handler.

2. It can damage trust.

A healthy training relationship depends on the dog viewing the handler as a source of safety, guidance, and reinforcement. If the handler is unexpectedly throwing objects at the dog, the dog may become wary of the very person it should be able to trust.

3. It can create unintended associations.

Dogs learn from everything happening around them. If a water balloon lands near a child, another dog, a bicycle, or a visitor, the dog may associate the unpleasant experience with that person or object rather than with its own behavior.

The result can be increased fear, reactivity, or aggression.

And in this case, the dog was already reactive and displaying aggressive behavior.

4. It suppresses behavior without teaching an alternative.

Stopping a behavior is not the same as teaching a skill.

Effective attention training teaches the dog what to do—orient toward the handler, respond to its name, make eye contact, or voluntarily check in.

5. It can increase stress and arousal.

Repeated startling experiences can elevate stress levels, making learning more difficult and potentially worsening existing behavior problems.

6. There are far better ways to build attention.

Attention can be developed by:

• Reinforcing voluntary check-ins
• Rewarding eye contact
• Playing attention games
• Teaching a strong name response
• Using clicker, aka marker training
• Building value for staying connected to the handler in distracting environments

For example, every time your dog glances at you during a walk, you can mark that behavior ("Yes!" or a click) and reinforce it. Over time, the dog learns that paying attention to you predicts good things and becomes a habit.

Modern dog training views attention as something to be built through reinforcement and engagement, not forced through startling or aversive techniques. The result is typically a dog that is more confident, more engaged, and more reliable.

Before hiring a trainer, ask where they received their education. Ask what their certifications actually mean. Ask about the methods they use and why they use them.

And if any trainer—regardless of credentials—suggests throwing water balloons at your dog to teach attention, that's a good sign it's time to ask for a refund and find another trainer.

Cindy Ludwig, MA, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Owner, Canine Connection LLC Willard, MO

I love seeing my students “out in the wild!” I ran into Axel last week at our mutual veterinary clinic. It was super wonderful to pet him and get some love while I was waiting for my cat to recover from the surgery suite. 💜🎉 All is great for both companion animals!
~RH

Hmmm, maybe no need to sound an “alarm” but you certainly want to work, very hard, at not getting bit by ticks! Avoid tick prone areas, ensure your pets are getting tick protection medications from their vets, and consider using permethrin on your clothes. I speak from personal experience - you do not want to risk a life shattering Lyme disease infection. 😢
~RH

Multnomah County health officials announced they have documented a higher-than-normal number of ticks at Powell Butte Nature Park this year, but they stressed there is no cause for alarm. https://bit.ly/49Lbe5f

BE YOUR DOG’S ADVOCATE AT ALL TIMES!
~Rh

For a very long time the grooming industry has celebrated a groomer's ability to finish a groom from beginning to end, even better if the dog looks beautiful into the bargain.

And don't get me wrong, completing a groom is absolutely the goal of any groomer, including myself - but not at the expense of a positive emotional experience for the dog.

It's true that I've come to believe that completion isn't always the best measure of success.

👉 Sometimes a dog arrives feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or even unwell.

👉 Sometimes they have a history of difficult grooming and/or handling experiences.

👉 And sometimes, they're simply having a bad day.

In those moments when we are faced with a dog who is not in the right frame of mind for strenuous activities and physical harassment, success looks more like getting the essentials done with minimal stress.

A skilled groomer isn't someone who can force a dog through grooming tasks regardless of how the dog feels.

A skilled groomer (to me) is someone who can recognise, acknowledge and, RESPECT, when a dog is struggling then ADAPT their plan REGARDLESS of what a person might think.

It's about prioritising the dog's EMOTIONAL wellbeing and experience.

Every 👏 single 👏 time 👏!

Because every grooming appointment is teaching the dog something.

They're either learning:

✔️ I am safe

✔️ My communication is respected

✔️ Good things happen during grooming

OR, they are learning the exact opposite.

Some of my proudest appointments haven't resulted in a complete groom but instead resulted in a dog leaving more relaxed than when they arrived.

Sometimes success is stopping a task BEFORE trust is lost.

I believe we should be celebrating good communication more, improved welfare and the building of trust between groomer and dog - all of which are mandatory for long-lasting, positive grooming sessions.

Because the way a dog perceives grooming is more important than being able to style a dog to breed standard.

💜🎉

Why I chose to work with dogs using reinforcement-based methods rather than purposefully aversive or punitive methods.

For me, it comes down to effectiveness, welfare, and the kind of relationship I want to help build between dogs, people and the environment.

When I say "purposefully aversive," I'm talking about methods that intentionally rely on discomfort, intimidation, fear, or unpleasant consequences to change behaviour.

It's important to recognise that aversive is not always black and white. Some dogs may find wearing a lead aversive. Some dogs may find waiting a few extra seconds for a treat frustrating or aversive. Life contains things dogs won't always enjoy.

The difference is intent.

In reinforcement-based training, the goal is not to deliberately make a dog uncomfortable in order to achieve compliance. Instead, the focus is on teaching the behaviours we want, helping the dog make good choices, and setting them up for success.

Another common response is, "Let's see you do that with a real problem dog."

The reality is that there is now more than enough evidence, case studies, and publicly available content showing that reinforcement-based methods are being used successfully with dogs displaying severe fear, aggression, reactivity, resource guarding, and other challenging behaviours.

These aren't hypothetical examples, they are happening every day, with different breeds with varying struggles.

That doesn't mean reinforcement training is easy. It doesn't mean it's quick. It doesn't mean trainers/behaviourists simply hand out treats and hope for the best.

Good reinforcement-based training or behaviour support requires skill, timing, observation, management, collaboration and an understanding of behaviour, communication, safety and trust.

I chose this approach because I believe supporting change should be about teaching, not suppressing. About building trust, not relying on fear. About creating lasting behaviour change while protecting the dog's emotional wellbeing.

Every professional has a choice in how they work and every guardian has a choice in who they use.

The dog is the one who has no choice!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE pet nicknames! We have a cat whose “real” name is Finn, but we call him Noodle. 😜🤣

What nicknames have you burdened your pets with?

~RH

It probably isn't the name on their vet records 😹

Scientists say the strange nicknames many people give their pets may be rooted in the same kinds of language patterns used in baby talk, family jokes, and playful speech. Researchers have found that pet names often evolve through rhymes, repeated sounds, puns, and affectionate nonsense words.

Experts say these nicknames can help strengthen social bonds and reflect the increasingly important role pets play in family life. In many cases, the names become part of a household's own private language — even if no one else understands how "Bella" somehow became "Beefy Noodles."

MARTINGALE COLLARS
Designed to Prevent Escape - NOT Designed to Stop Pulling

Martingale collars are one of the most misunderstood pieces of dog equipment. Some people think they're training collars. Others think they're a safer version of a choke chain. Neither is entirely accurate.

Martingale collars were originally developed for dogs whose necks are larger than their heads - Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, and other sighthounds. These dogs can easily back out of a standard buckle collar because there is little difference between the circumference of their head and neck.

A Martingale collar consists of a larger collar loop and a smaller control loop attached to the leash. When the dog pulls backward, the control loop tightens, causing the collar to snug up enough to prevent escape. Unlike a choke chain, a properly fitted Martingale has a stopping point and cannot continue tightening indefinitely.

Martingales can be useful for:

✔ Sighthounds and other narrow-headed breeds
✔ Dogs with a history of backing out of collars
✔ Newly adopted dogs who may be frightened or unpredictable in new environments
✔ Some fearful dogs who are at risk of escaping during walks

What martingales are NOT designed for:

Pulling on leash

A Martingale collar does not teach loose-leash walking. If a dog regularly pulls, lunges, or throws its weight against the leash, the collar repeatedly tightens around the neck. This may create discomfort without actually teaching the dog what you want it to do instead.

For chronic pullers, a well-fitted harness combined with training is a better option.

Powerful, broad-headed breeds

Many bully breeds, including pit bull-type dogs, have heads and necks that are similar in circumference. Because they are not typically escape artists due to head shape, they often gain little benefit from a Martingale's escape-prevention design.

In addition, strong dogs that hit the end of the leash with force can create significant pressure on their necks when wearing any collar, including a Martingale.

Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds

Dogs such as Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Pugs can already be prone to breathing difficulties because of their anatomy. Repeated pressure on the neck and airway is generally something we want to minimize whenever possible.

For many of these dogs, a properly fitted harness may be a safer and more comfortable choice.

Martingales should also never be left on unsupervised dogs.

Because they tighten, they can become caught on fencing, crate bars, furniture, or another dog's jaw during play. For this reason, martingales are best reserved for supervised walks and training sessions.

The most important thing to remember is that a Martingale collar is an escape-prevention tool, not a training method.

The best equipment is the equipment that safely fits the dog in front of you and supports your training goals. For some dogs, that's a martingale. For others, it may be a flat collar, harness, or another piece of equipment.

Equipment can help keep dogs safe. Training teaches them how to navigate the world. Just remember, Martingales are NOT a solution for pulling on leash. If a trainer wants to put a Martingale on your dog, ask why.

Cindy Ludwig, MA, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Owner, Canine Connection LLC
Willard, Missouri USA

Your best friends need you to advocate for them.
~RH

🎆 The 4th of July is just around the corner! 🎆

If your pet is frightened by fireworks, "just getting through it" is not a good plan. Every year that a pet experiences severe fear and anxiety, that fear can become more deeply ingrained.

🐾 If your pet is traumatized by fireworks, work with your veterinarian to find the right medication plan. NOW is the time to have that discussion—not July 3rd.

🐾 If your pet hasn't been seen recently, your veterinarian may require an exam before prescribing sedatives or anti-anxiety medications. NOW is the time to schedule that appointment.

🐾 Every pet responds differently to medication. A trial run is important to determine the right medication, the right dose, and the right timing—before the fireworks start. NOW is the time to do those trials.

🐾 For many pets, it is far kinder and more effective to keep them mildly sedated or anxiety-controlled throughout the peak fireworks period rather than allowing them to cycle repeatedly between panic and recovery. NOW is the time to find the sweet spot for your pet's treatment plan.

Don't wait until the fireworks are already booming. Give your pet the gift of a calmer, safer holiday.

📞 Call your veterinarian today to make a plan.

After getting checked out by Dr Mandi at Healing Arts Animal Care Pippin came in to the classroom to learn a few fitness techniques to build up his hind end muscles a bit more.

He is almost constantly in motion, which helps keep him moving on walks, jogs, and runs. Fitness is about a lot more than just forward motion though! We’re going to work on slowing down a bit to focus on targeted exercises because everyone who meets him wants him “to live as long as possible, in as little pain as possible.” (That’s my emphasized goal for all my fitness clients.)

This is pretty important for such the amazing therapy dog that he is.

~RH