Posts in Pet Professional Advice
How To Write An Organized and Effective Dog Training Plan
How To Write An Organized and Effective Dog Training Plan

Just like any other professional, dog trainers need to have a solid plan in place in order to be successful. This means having a clear understanding of your goals, what you and your student need to do to achieve them, and how you will measure progress along the way. While every trainer's approach will be slightly different, there are some essential elements that should be included in every dog training plan. In this blog post, I'll share some tips on how to write an organized and successful training plan that your students can stick to. By following these guidelines, you can set yourself up for success and ensure that you're providing the best possible experience for your students and their dogs.

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Pet Professional Advice, Dog TrainingLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCdog training plan, dog training services, dog owner, dog training, dog trainer, dog trainers, certified dog trainers, certified dog trainer, organization, training plan, training plans, trainer tips, training tips, trainer advice, advice for dog trainers, helping students succeed, helping clients succeed, goals, goal tracking, scheduling, training sessions, teaching dog training, what dog trainers should know about human students, lauren tsao, spring cleaning your dog training, professional skills, professional skill set, pet professional, pet professionals, professional dog trainer, professional dog training
The First Steps To Managing Aggression in Dogs
The First Steps To Managing Aggression in Dogs

Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows that they are capable of exhibiting a wide range of emotions, from happiness and excitement to fear and aggression. Unfortunately, even the best-behaved dog may exhibit aggression under certain circumstances. If your dog is exhibiting aggressive behavior, it is important to take steps to manage the aggression in order to keep both your dog and those around him safe. The best-laid training plans start with the management of the dog’s undesirable behaviors to prevent further reinforcement. In this blog post, we'll discuss three strategies for managing aggressive behavior in dogs: using training equipment like muzzles, rearranging the environment for success, and preventing your dog from practicing undesirable behaviors.

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Dog Training, Behavioral, Pet Professional AdviceLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCdog behavior, dog on dog aggression, dog owner, dog trainers, dog human aggression, aggression, aggressive dog, threshold aggression, reactivity, reactive dog, leash reactivity, resource guarding, management, dog training, certified dog trainers, dog trainer, mississippi dog trainer, mississippi dog training, professional dog training, professional dog trainer
Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning for Aggressive Dogs
Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning for Aggressive Dogs

Dogs can become aggressive for a variety of reasons, whether it’s due to fear, insecurity, frustration, mistrust of strangers, or just a general lack of socialization. Whatever the reason may be, dog owners need to be aware of the signs of aggression in their dogs and how to properly (and safely) address it. One way to help an aggressive dog is through desensitization and counter-conditioning. In many cases, aggressive behaviors like lunging, barking, and growling can be decreased through a process called desensitization and counter-conditioning.

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Behavioral, Dog Training, Pet Professional AdviceLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCaggression, dog on dog aggression, dog human aggression, fear, fearful dog, anxious dog, barking at strangers, reactivity, leash reactivity, desensitization, counterconditioning, counter conditioning, dog behavior modification, aggressive dog, reactive dog, lunging, barking, growling, tips for dog aggression
Facing Judgement as a Dog Owner in a Judgmental World
Facing Judgement as a Dog Owner in a Judgmental World

Often when dog owners come in for training, they immediately expect us trainers and behavior consultants to judge them.

They will say things like:

"My dog sleeps on the bed. I know he isn't 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 to, but..."

"Sometimes I give my dog a treat just to give them a treat. I don't make them do anything to earn it. I know I am not 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 to, but..."

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Behavioral, Dog Training, Pet Professional AdviceLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCdog behavior, dog trainers, dogs, training dogs, dog trainer, dog training, behavior modfication, canine behavior, behavior consulting, behavior consultant, judgement, judgmental, social media, dog owner, dog owners, advice for dog owners, empathy, human dog relationship
Teamwork As A Trainer: Overcoming Negativity in Teams
Teamwork As A Trainer: Overcoming Negativity in Teams

We have finally reached the end of our Teamwork for Trainers series about the takeaway for pet professionals from the Ferrazzi’s book, “Leading Without Authority” (2020). The final chapters of the book included several gems about overcoming negativity within team settings, which is something all pet professionals will experience at some point in their careers; whether this is with students or other professionals. Gossip, negative remarks, and bringing down others is something everyone will fail victims to dishing out and receiving at some point throughout their career.

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Dog Training, Pet Professional AdviceLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCdog trainers, dog trainer, certified dog trainers, pet professionals, pet profession, pet professional, overcoming negativity, dog training, professional skill set, professional, professional skills, professionals, professional dog trainer, professional dog training, teamwork, team, work together, working with clients, working with students
Teamwork As A Trainer: Importance of Co-Development
Teamwork As A Trainer: Importance of Co-Development

As we near the end of this blog series, as I was reading in Ferrazzi’s book, “Leading Without Authority” (2020) we are following for this series, I wondered when we would reach the topic of positive reinforcement. Any experienced animal trainers know how important reinforcing desired behavior is, but they also know about the positive effects on psychology in both animals and humans. And finally, that chapter has come!

Photo Credit: https://puppyhero.com/breed/nova-scotia-duck-tolling-retriever

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Dog Training, Pet Professional AdviceLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCleadership, teamwork, team, co-development, employees, boss, bosses, leader, leaders, dog trainers, dog trainer, pet professional, pet professionals, professional skills, professional skill set, professional dog trainer, professional, work together, group, working with students, working with clients, clients, students, education
Teamwork As A Trainer: Collaboration Success In Training
Teamwork As A Trainer: Collaboration Success In Training

Life, however, doesn’t just give us people we agree with, and sometimes there will be a good reason for us to need to peacefully collaborate with people whose ethical stances are different from our own. Even in professional debates and conversations at conferences, there is a chance for each person to input their opinion into the conversation for review by the group.

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Dog Training, Pet Professional AdviceLauren Tsaodog trainers, professional, teamwork, team, leader, leaders, leadership, success, successful, successful trainer, collaboration, vets, pet professionals, pet professional, professional skills, professionals, professional dog trainer, professional dog training, professional skill set, students, working with students, work together, working with clients, behaviorists, pet profession, career
Teamwork As A Trainer: Building Trust As A Dog Trainer
Teamwork As A Trainer: Building Trust As A Dog Trainer

As professional animal trainers, trust is a colossal part of our job whether we are aware of it or not. We need the trust of the animal so, we can function as a team with the animal and we aren’t injured. However, we also need the trust of the human-side of the equation. The animal’s owner must trust in our opinion, expertise, and ability to provide the results they are asking for in a humane and effective way.

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Dog Training, Pet Professional AdviceLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCpet professionals, pet profession, pet professional, vets, behaviorists, dog trainers, trust, team, teamwork, education, professional, professional skills, professionals, professional dog trainer, professional dog training, professional skill set, clients, working with clients, students, work together, working with students, collaboration
Teamwork As A Trainer: Knowing Your Broader Team
Teamwork As A Trainer: Knowing Your Broader Team

The dog’s owner, vet, vet behaviorist, doggie daycare, pet sitter, and anyone else interacting with the animal on a semi-usual basis is on our broader team. We must consider if what they are doing is working for us or against us and how we can extend what Ferrazzi describes as “care, concern, commitment, and camaraderie” to everyone on our broader team to accomplish our common goal; a happy, healthy animal the owner can live with (Ferrazzi, 2020).

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Dog Training, Pet Professional AdviceLauren Tsaotrainer advice, trainer tips, professional, professional dog trainer, leadership, teamwork, team, relationship, professionals, professional skills, working with students, work together, working with clients, students, clients, vets, behaviorists, professional skill set, professional dog training, pet professionals, pet profession, pet professional
Training Like A Pro: The Importance of Basics
Training Like A Pro: The Importance of Basics

With my training students, I have found many come to classes or private sessions after attempting to follow step-by-step guides, DVDs, or YouTube videos on how to train a dog.

They are often frustrated that the dog in these books or videos isn't like *their* dog. That dog is already well-trained, a different breed, more focused, or just simply *better* in some way than their own dog…

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Dog Training, Pet Professional AdviceLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCdog training, dog trainers, dog behavior, dog trainer, basics, obedience, training, training tips, positive training, training methodology, team, teamwork, professional, professional skills, professionals, pet professional, pet professionals, pet profession, certified dog trainers