Autumn Adventures with Your Dog! 🍂🐾

As we step into March and embrace the cooler weather, it’s the perfect time to take our dogs out for walks and enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery. With the vibrant fall colors, like those at Orange Botanic Gardens, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to snap some amazing photos of your furry friends! 📸 I'll be capturing plenty of cute moments at The Haven with puppies and dogs over the coming months, so make sure to stay connected with us on social media for all the adorable updates!

Understanding Triggers & Trigger Stacking in Dogs 🧠

Many of my clients come to me with dogs who are fearful or reactive to specific things in their environment. These stressors are often called triggers, and understanding them is key to helping your dog feel more relaxed and secure. 

What are triggers?

Triggers are things that cause your dog fear, stress, or anxiety. They can include:

• Loud noises 🎶

• Other dogs 🐕

• Strangers 🚶‍♂️

• Busy roads 🚗

• Vet visits 🏥

• Children 👶

• Changes at home (e.g., new people or routines) 🏡 

When a dog is repeatedly exposed to triggers, they can experience trigger stacking, which leads to heightened stress and anxiety (FAS—Fear, Anxiety, Stress). The more triggers your dog faces, the greater the risk of reactivity and aggression. 

Managing Triggers: The Key to a Calm Dog During moments of stress, dogs' adrenaline and cortisol levels rise, making it difficult for them to focus or learn. This means it's not the right time to teach your dog new behaviors. Instead, focus on preventing triggers when possible and reducing their intensity when unavoidable. 

Here are some helpful tips:

• Know Your Dog’s Body Language: Watch for signs of stress and fear. Check out this video to help you recognize those signs!

• Manage the Environment: Avoid or block triggers when you can. For example, you might change direction when approaching another dog or close blinds to block your dog from seeing passing dogs.

• Teach Alternative Behaviors: Reinforce calm behaviors before your dog encounters triggers. For example, walking away from triggers or offering a treat to distract your dog when they feel anxious.

By encouraging your dog’s Seeking System—their natural drive for exploration and curiosity—we can shift their focus from fear to fun! Activities like sniffing, nose work, and positive training all activate the Seeking System and help reduce stress. 🧠

In addition to behavioral training, one of my greatest passions is providing fun and enriching activities for dogs. These activities are a fantastic way to engage your dog’s brain and build a stronger bond with them. Here are some activities I offer at my unique facility:

• Scent Work: This natural activity taps into your dog’s instinct to explore, encouraging them to find scents, toys, or even follow a trail. A fun and engaging challenge for all dogs! 🕵️‍♂️

• Free Work: This activity lets your dog explore at their own pace, helping reset their nervous system and build confidence—perfect for fearful, overstimulated, or older dogs.

• Canine Adventure Course: Think agility without the pressure! This course includes tractor tires, climbing platforms, and more—perfect for dogs of all ages and sizes.

• Dog Parkour: A great way to build fitness and confidence, this activity teaches your dog to jump, weave, and climb over/under/through obstacles.
  

Trick Classes: Did you know I’m a certified trick dog instructor? Tricks are great for confidence-building and mental stimulation, and they’re so much fun! 🎩🐾

Did you know that Rottweilers are an ancient breed that dates back to the Roman Empire? They were used for herding and guarding livestock and even carried money safely around their necks—earning them the nickname “The Butcher’s Dog of Rottweil.” 💪🐾

Cheers, Debi and Memphis