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Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC, is a certified dog trainer and parrot behavior consultant. Additionally, she is a certified parrot behavior consultant.
Teaching a dog to sit and wait calmly at the door:
Part Two: We began teaching Willow (the adolescent dog) that jumping isn’t what gets the exciting door to open. Sitting calmly - that magically gets the door to open to all of the wonders outside.
Willow was struggling when I first tried teaching this at the door so I began the concept of waiting on my client’s back porch where Willow could focus. Then I moved it to the front door. What a smart girl she is!
05/28/2026
This is Winnie. Isn’t she precious? She is a 3 year old Australia. labradoodle. I love her beautiful brown eyes, her youthful spirit, and the feel of her fur as she pushes her body into mine for full body rubs. She is a sweetheart through and through.
Winnie shares her home with two human parents and a two-month-old human baby sister. As can often happen for even the most gentle, laid-back dog companions, living with a baby can create stress for everyone.
I am so glad Winnie’s parents are pro-active in bringing me on board to support them in planning for increased safety, less stress and more harmony for everyone.
Families like hers are why I invest the time into my own learning growth as a licensed Family Paws Parent Education parent educator. It is such important, fulfilling work to be able to help growing families in this way.
Are you an expecting parent, or parent of a newborn, toddler or young child? I’d love to be of help to your family too!
Their dog pulling on a leash is a complaint of many dog guardians.
The problem can begin as soon as they are out the front door, tethered to each other by a taught line.
The reality is…the problem with their loose leash walking actually often begins INSIDE the home. From the moment the harness and leash come out.
Laura is a new dog training client. One of the behavior issues she wants to address is how her dogs lose her when she takes them for a walk…beginning right outside.
I asked her to show me what it looks like when she brings out her dogs’ leashes. She gave me permission to take and share the video.
THIS is what I saw. And THIS is where we need to begin.
Not on the sidewalk.
Not just outside the door.
At the point of her opening that closet door to pull out the harness.
Because THIS is where the problem truly begins.
05/12/2026
THREE of my early considerations in working on a dog (or pet parrot) behavior case:
When I receive a call for a dog or bird behavior assessment, there is a lot that I delve into with my client. I want to learn as much as I can about potential distant and immediate factors that can be contributing to the frequency and intensity of the behavior (s).
These are typically among my early considerations moving forward:
Is there anything physiologically going on with the pet?
What changes can be made to support safety?
What changes can be made to lower stress?
If you are frustrated when your dog gets over stimulated and can not turn off when out in the community, your dog training plan will benefit by including this…
just relaxing with your dog and watching the world go by.
You more than likely will need to begin teaching your dog to settle and relax at home, and then in a much less stimulating place. Give yourself whatever distance you need from what is going on, in order to help your dog succeed.
Learning how to turn off and settle is a behavior skill just like learning to sit or come when called. It needs LOTS of practice.
The benefits of spending time teaching your dog to settle are huge.
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