Ep. 21: L.E.G.S.: Looking at the Whole Dog

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Megan Arey, AAS, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator Owner & Trainer recently earned her license as a Family Dog Mediator through Kim Brophey’s course, L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology! Megan is passionate about educating dog parents about not just the behaviors that we see as disruptive but about how to be successful with them as we look to understand the whole dog that we have in front of us. In this podcast, Megan will take you through L.E.G.S; what that is and why it is so important to look at when we are evaluating our dogs. So today, let’s meet our dogs where they are, love them for who they are, and recognize all that they bring in their unique ways to interact with us in our world.

The Dog Owners Guide Podcast: L.E.G.S.: Looking at the Whole Dog

Topics discussed in this episode:

  • What is Family Dog Mediation?
  • The importance of L.E.G.S. and why you need to know about it when training your dog
  • Why behavior problems aren’t about dog training
  • Going in-depth into our understanding of L.E.G.S.
  • Deep dive into the pros and cons of each category of dog breeds
  • Living with dogs and gaining education to understand them more

Resources and Links:

  • Visit our Inspire K-9’s website & see the most up-to-date class schedules.
  • Join our Inspire K-9’s Facebook group today!  We’d love to have you!
  • Learn more about Kim Brophey’s course for families.

Ep 20: Check Those Feelings

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Megan Arey, AAS, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator Owner & Trainer talks with you today about how to check your dog’s feelings! Yes, dogs do have feelings and emotions that science has proven are a motivator that influences their behaviors. She will give you tips and tricks to help you retrain your dog’s responses to certain triggers in its environment. Megan urges all dog guardians to invest time and gain knowledge in understanding your dog so that you can have the best relationship to help cultivate a safe and trusting learning environment to help your dog survive living in our crazy human world!

The Dog Owners Guide Podcast: Check Those Feelings

Topics discussed in this episode:

  • How to use a dog’s feelings to your advantage when it comes to behavior
  • The science behind behaviors
  • The difference between operant conditioning and classical conditioning
  • Involuntary vs. voluntary responses
  • Tips for retraining your dog’s feelings about a situation or thing through classical conditioning

Resources and Links:

  • Visit our Inspire K-9’s website & see the most up-to-date class schedules.
  • Join our Inspire K-9’s Facebook group today!  We’d love to have you!

Mike Shikashio’s Workshop:

To learn more about Mike and what he does, visit his website AgressiveDog.com

This workshop will run on October 29th and 30th, 2022 from 9 am-5 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Lunch IS included! The ticket cost is just $300.00! We are so excited for you to join us for this AMAZING opportunity!!

Ep 19: What Is Really Happening When Your Dog “Checks Out”?

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Megan Arey, AAS, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator Owner & Trainer talks today about what is REALLY going on when your dog “checks out” during training! Megan will deep dive into why our dogs do this and what we can do to help them. If your dog tends to wander during your training classes, you’re not alone! This episode will help you learn how to stay consistent in reinforcement so you can set your dog up for long-term success!

 

 

The Dog Owners Guide Podcast: What Is Really Happening When Your Dog “Checks Out”?

Topics discussed in this episode:

  • The factors that can feed into your dog “checking out”
  • Reinforcement and why it’s so important
  • Centering Behavior on core motor skills to set your dog up for success
  • What it looks like when your dog is checking out
  • Tips on helping you stay consistent in reinforcing your dog

Resources and Links:

  • Visit our Inspire K-9’s website & see the most up-to-date class schedules.
  • Join our Inspire K-9’s Facebook group today!  We’d love to have you!

Mike Shikashio’s Workshop:

To learn more about Mike and what he does, visit his website AgressiveDog.com

This workshop will run from 9 am-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Lunch IS included! The ticket cost is just $300.00! We are so excited for you to join us for this AMAZING opportunity!!

Click here to reserve your spot OR you can email us at: info@inspirek9s.com for more information!

EP 18: Quick Tips on Babies, Kids, and Dogs

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Megan Arey, AAS, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator Owner & Trainer talks today about babies, kids, and dogs and how to set them up for success in every situation! Joining Megan for this episode are her own two boys, LB and Charlie! They give you an inside perspective of a child as to what they have learned about dogs and how to be respectful of their boundaries. This is a great episode for your own children to listen to so they can learn alongside them. Megan also talks about some helpful tips to help set up your home for success as you prepare your dog for a new baby and tips for kids and dogs as they grow. This episode is one the whole family can enjoy, and we are so excited to help you set both your kids and dogs up for long-term success!

The Dog Owners Guide Podcast: Quick Tips on Babies, Kids, and Dogs

We discuss topics such as:

LB and Charlie discuss:
  • How they say “Hi” to a dog
  • Why they don’t approach dogs they don’t know
  • What to do when you see a service or working dog
  • Tips on petting dogs
  • Feeding dogs
  • What they want other kids to know who may be starting out in training
  • Wagging tails and what they can really mean
Other topics:
  • Setting up your home when you’re expecting
  • What to do when you bring your baby home for the first time
  • Helping kids learn how to respect your dog’s boundaries
  • How you can involve your kids in training your dog

Resources and Links:

  • Visit our Inspire K-9’s website & see the most up-to-date class schedules.
  • Join our Inspire K-9’s Facebook group today!  We’d love to have you!
  • For more information or fun games to play with dogs and kids, visit the Miss Behavior Training website.

Mike Shikashio’s Workshop:

To learn more about Mike and what he does, visit his website AgressiveDog.com

This workshop will run from 9 am-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Lunch IS included! The ticket cost is just $300.00! We are so excited for you to join us for this AMAZING opportunity!!

Click here to reserve your spot OR you can email us at: info@inspirek9s.com for more information!

EP 17: Canine Teenagers: Socializing Dog to Dog

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Megan Arey, AAS, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator Owner & Trainer talks today about Canine adolescents!

Do you ever wonder what happened to that perfect little puppy you brought home, or do you have an adolescent dog that you’re not sure how to socialize? If you’ve answered yes, then you’re in the right place today because we’re going to talk about all the changes your puppy will go through and how to find the right dogs to socialize with. Megan talks through some helpful tips to help you navigate this stage of your puppy’s life so we can make sure that we’re setting them up to be the most successful dog that they can be, once they’ve worked through this adolescent stage. If this is something you struggle with, then this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

The Dog Owners Guide Podcast: Canine Teenagers: Socializing Dog to Dog

We discuss topics such as:

  • Last impacts of negative play experiences during adolescents
  • Setting your puppy up for success
  • Why other dogs may start to treat your dog differently as they grow into adolescents
  • When your young adolescent puppy starts to test the boundaries of appropriateness when interacting with other dogs
  • Finding appropriate play dogs
  • Avoiding the wrong playmates
  • Tips on preventing your adolescent dog from making poor decisions during play

Resources and Links:

Visit our Inspire K-9’s website & see the most up-to-date class schedules.

Join our Inspire K-9’s Facebook group today!  We’d love to have you!

Mike Shikashio’s Workshop:

To learn more about Mike and what he does, visit his website AgressiveDog.com

This workshop will run from 9 am-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Lunch IS included! The ticket cost is just $300.00! We are so excited for you to join us for this AMAZING opportunity!!

Click here to reserve your spot OR you can email us at: info@inspirek9s.com for more information!

EP 16: Dog Trainers Round Table: How To Choose the Right Dog Trainer

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Megan Arey, AAS, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator Owner & Trainer talks again with Laura Gendron, owner of Miss Behavior Training & Louise Daigle, owner of Red Pointy Dog Training in their third, Dog Trainer Round Table episodes. Laura is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, & holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and an Associate’s degree in Animal Science. She worked as a Veterinary Technician for 10 years and offers Virtual Coaching and Training for you and your family dog. Louise graduated from UNH in 2012 with a degree in Applied Animal Science. From there she went on to work at the New Hampshire SPCA where she trained shelter dogs and taught a wide array of classes. A few years later she began work at the Lakes Region Humane Society creating a Behavior Rehabilitation Program where they take in dogs with undesirable behaviors, train them, and find them homes. Her work involved assessing each dog and creating a behavior modification plan for their specific needs. Louise now runs Red Pointy Dog Training full time with her fiancée, Jake, and offers a wide array of services to the community. Join them today as they talk about what to look for when you’re searching for a dog trainer, the questions to ask, and the red flags to look for so you can find the best one to fit your learning style, your dog’s personality, your goals, and needs. There is a trainer out there to fit every dog and human team to reach your goals and help your dog become the best version of themselves!

The Dog Owners Guide Podcast: Dog Trainers Round Table: How To Choose the Right Dog Trainer

We discuss topics such as:

  • What to look for when looking for a dog trainer on social media
  • What to look for on a dog trainers’ website
  • The different types of certifications for dog trainers
  • The importance of filling out the behavior forms on your dog trainer’s website
  • Questions to ask when talking with a prospective dog trainer
  • The big RED FLAGS to look for
  • The things that are worth looking for in a dog trainer

Resources and Links:

Visit our Inspire K-9’s website & see the most up-to-date class schedules.

Join our Inspire K-9’s Facebook group today!  We’d love to have you!

Red Pointy Dog Training with Louise Daigle- Visit their website here.

Miss Behavior Training: Visit their website here.

Ep 15: How can we help our fearful or reactive dogs? It’s all about knowing thresholds and desensitization!

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Megan Arey, AAS, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator Owner & Trainer talks today about fear, reactivity, thresholds, and desensitization!  Do you have a fearful or reactive dog?  Most dogs have these reactions at some point in their life and today Megan goes in-depth on each type of reaction and how we can help our dogs in these situations, so they have a successful outcome. Megan talks about common triggers that elicit these reactions, ways to manage them, and why your relationship with your dog is so important in the process of helping them overcome their fears and the way they respond to these triggers. If this is something you struggle with, with your dog, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

 

 

The Dog Owners Guide Podcast: How can we help our fearful or reactive dogs?  It’s all about knowing thresholds and desensitization!

We discuss topics such as:

  • What are the reasons behind your dog’s reactions?
  • Conflict based, fear-based, predatory, and territorial reactions
  • Idiopathic reactions and what is important to consider when your dog has this response
  • Common triggers that can initiate these reactions and how to identify them
  • Management tools to use until you can get into a trainer for help
  • Biting
  • Over-reactivity and threshold points
  • Why your relationship with your dog is so important
  • Timeouts and how to use them

Resources and Links:

Visit our Inspire K-9’s website & see the most up-to-date class schedules.

Join our Inspire K-9’s Facebook group today!  We’d love to have you!

Check out Jean Donaldson’s book, Culture Clash: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding the Relationship Between Humans and Domestic Dogs

 

EP 14: What is the Lima Hierarchy?

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Megan Arey, AAS, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator Owner & Trainer talks today about the Lima Hierarchy!  Have you ever heard of it before?  Well, most people haven’t.  According to the CCPDT website, “LIMA describes a trainer or behavior consultant who uses the least intrusive, minimally aversive strategy out of a set of humane and effective tactics likely to succeed in achieving a training or behavior change objective. LIMA adherence also requires consultants to be adequately educated and skilled in order to ensure that the least intrusive and aversive procedure is used.” So come join Megan today as she teaches you her approach to training and deep dives into each level of the pyramid to give you real-life examples and how to help your dog achieve the desired behavior by giving them alternative skills to respond appropriately in all situations.

 

The Dog Owners Guide Podcast: What is the Lima Hierarchy?

We discuss topics such as:

  • What is the Lima Hierarchy?
  • Are you positive? How does changing your approach benefit your dogs’ behavior?
  • Where to start on the pyramid and why it’s important
  • What do nutrition, wellness, and medical issues have to do with training?
  • The next tier…how the environment can affect behavior and what we can do to manage it
  • My favorite! Positive Reinforcement Training!
  • Help with differential reinforcement
  • The difference between negative reinforcement and negative punishment
  • Positive punishment and why it should not be used
  • Why the pyramid is helpful in preventing learned helplessness

Resources and Links:

  • Visit our Inspire K-9’s website & see the most up-to-date class schedules.
  • Join our Inspire K-9’s Facebook group today!  We’d love to have you!
  • Learn more about the Lima Hierarchy here!
  • Miss Behavior Training: Visit their website here.

EP 13: Lessons from the Dog Trainers Round Table: What Are My Options for Dog Training Classes?

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Megan Arey, AAS, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator Owner & Trainer talks again with Laura Gendron, owner of Miss Behavior Training & Louise Daigle, owner of Red Pointy Dog Training in our first of many, Dog Trainer Round Table episodes.  Laura is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, & holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and an Associate’s degree in Animal Science.  She worked as a Veterinary Technician for 10 years and offers Virtual Coaching and Training for you and your family dog. Louise graduated from UNH in 2012 with a degree in Applied Animal Science. From there she went on to work at the New Hampshire SPCA where she trained shelter dogs and taught a wide array of classes. A few years later she began work at the Lakes Region Humane Society creating a Behavior Rehabilitation Program where they take in dogs with undesirable behaviors, train them, and find them homes. Her work involved assessing each dog and creating a behavior modification plan for their specific needs. Louise now runs Red Pointy Dog Training full time with her fiancée, Jake, and offers a wide array of services to the community.  Join them today as they talk about the different dog training options out there and how to find the best one to fit your learning style, your dog’s personality, your goals, and needs.  There is a trainer and training style out there to fit every dog and human team to reach your goals and help your dog become the best version of themselves!  If you’ve ever wondered if there’s something out there that would fit your needs, you won’t want to miss this episode!

 

 

The Dog Owners Guide Podcast: Lessons from the Dog Trainers Round Table: What Are My Options for Dog Training Classes?

We discuss topics such as:

  • Quick tips for dog owners that they should either ask or pay attention to when they’re going and exploring a dog training service or dog coaching service.
  • The different types of dog training services.
  • Pros and cons of group classes.
  • Pros and cons of one-on-one/private training.
  • Pros and cons of virtual training.
  • Pros and cons of day or In-Home Training with transfer sessions.
  • Where to start with finding the best fit for you and your dog.

Resources and Links:

Visit our Inspire K-9’s website & see the most up-to-date class schedules.

Red Pointy Dog Training with Louise Daigle- Visit their website here.

Miss Behavior Training: Visit their website here.

Join our Inspire K-9’s Facebook group today!  We’d love to have you!

Ep 12: Impacting The Next Generation Through 4H and Dog Training!

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Join us in today’s episode as Megan Arey, AAS, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator Owner, and Trainer talks with two of her 4H students, Katie and Rissa, about dog training at a young age. Learn how they got into the dog world, what they like about training and working with their dogs and how anyone, at any age, can do this and get involved.  This episode will be one to make you laugh, learn about how the next generation can be involved in dog sports and give you the inspiration to try something new, even if you’re not good at it initially.  So come join them today! You’ll be so glad you did!

 

We discuss topics such as:

  • One thing they wish they had known before they started working with their dogs that they want others to know before they get one.
  • Get to know the dogs they are training and what they love most about their dogs.
  • What made them want to continue diving more into dog training and the sparks that ignited that passion.
  • Their favorite memory of their dogs.
  • What they have accomplished with their dogs that they never thought they could.
  • Their advice and encouragement to other children or young adults who may be thinking about diving into working with their own dogs.
  • Learn what their dogs’ favorite things to do would be “if” they could talk!
  • The doors and opportunities that have opened for them since starting 4H and dog training.
  • Learn their biggest takeaways from today’s episode.

Resources and Links:

If your child would like to become involved with 4H in your area but you aren’t sure where to get started, visit their website here.

If you’re interested in classes or learning more about Inspire K9’s please visit our website here.

Join our Inspire K-9’s Facebook group today!  We’d love to have you!