Meet Dogs Halfway

09/26/2025

Your dog’s behavior is a direct reflection of your relationship.

The best-trained dogs are the ones who trust their humans.

Training isn’t about control, it’s about connection. A dog who feels safe and understood is far more willing to listen, learn, and cooperate.

Trust is built through:

💎 Consistency and clarity
👟 Meeting your dog’s needs (physical and emotional)
🧀 Reinforcing the behaviours you want to see
🚦 Respecting your dog’s boundaries

When trust comes first, training stops feeling like a battle — and starts feeling like teamwork.

09/26/2025

Absolutely true!

09/26/2025

Truly the core of what it means to meet dogs halfway.

Stopping or suppressing behaviours may seem like it will achieve everything we want but that truth is that it will not.

Behaviour happens for a reason. It is communication. It is telling us that there is something occurring that makes the dog feel they need to show that behaviour in that moment.

Stopping the behaviour might initially stop our 'problem' but it doesn't address that why, the underlying cause and how the dog is feeling. That is what we need to understand before attempting to change (not just stop) behaviour.

Is something scaring the dog?

Are they uncomfortable or in pain?

Are they hungry or thirsty?

Are they able to carry out natural and normal behaviours regularly?

Is their communication and body language observed and respected, so they don't feel the need to escalate their signalling?

Are they bored and need more stimulation in their environment?

Are they over-stimulated and need to learn how to switch off and rest?

These are a (non-exhaustive) points to consider when our dogs do something we find problematic - the why of behaviour is always the first thing we must think about.

09/25/2025

They drove from Louisiana to Los Angeles to adopt this pup! Wow! 👏👏👏

This couple was looking for a specific type of dog and they drove from Louisiana just to meet Tucker and ADOPTED him! Thank you for coming to Harbor Shelter and CONGRATULATIONS 🎉

Harbor Animal Shelter
957 N Gaffey Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 548-2632

Closed Monday
Tues - Fri 8am -5pm
Sat & Sun 11am -5pm

09/25/2025

When you see things from your dog’s perspective, the things you’re concerned with change.

We always want to do so much for our dogs, but the best thing we can do is to be present and enjoy every minute. Nothing will ever be better than time spent with their favourite people.

Because the happiest dogs I’ve ever met, have really had nothing at all. But in their eyes, because they had their person, they had everything.

09/17/2025

Dogs and babies cannot communicate effectively with each other. This sets both of them up to fail.

It isn't cute to let your baby crawl all over your dog.

If your dog licks your child, it doesn't mean they're giving them a kiss.

Just because your dog doesn't growl when your baby grabs its tail, it doesn't mean they enjoy it.

Most dogs don't enjoy most things that babies do to dogs.

Play it safe and closely monitor all interactions. Learn your dog's body language and intervene at the first, most subtle signs of discomfort.

Join my free body language course here: https://rescuedbytraining.com/product/intro-dog-communication/

and my self-paced Bringing Home Baby course here: https://rescuedbytraining.com/bringing-home-baby-course/

09/17/2025

❤️❤️❤️

09/14/2025

I put the link in the comments.

09/13/2025

Fascinating!

09/12/2025

Who knew! When it comes to medication for our dogs, the expertise a veterinary clinic provides can outweigh the lower prices at a remote pharmacy.

Please reconsider using chewy and outside pharmacies for veterinary prescriptions