BC Dog Training & Behavior Modification

My dog had a panic attack today.

She shook, she couldn’t breathe. In her panic, she turned on herself — fighting me, fighting the air, fighting the terror that lives inside her now. She didn’t know who I was in that moment. She looked at me with eyes full of fear — the kind of fear that only comes from trauma.

She was just trying to survive.

This isn’t something she’ll just move on from.
Trauma doesn’t disappear.
Abuse lasts a lifetime.

You might forget what you did. She won’t.
And every time she flinches, hides, or panics, I’ll remember too.

But know this — I will never give up on her.
I will never abandon her.

No matter how much fear she carries, I will carry her through it.

Ernie. Ernest. Ern Bern. He’s sweet, goofy, super smart, d***y, squishy, uncoordinated and absolutely one of a kind.

Ernie quickly stole my heart and became one of the very few dogs who “in another life” would be mine.

One of (literally) thousands of dogs I’ve been blessed to work with, but one who has changed me in the some of the biggest ways. Ernie reminds me why I became a dog trainer. It’s for the dogs who have been forgotten about, the dogs who have just been surviving, the dogs who have bounced from shelter to shelter, the dogs who are just expected to cope with the insanity of living in the human world.

Ernie is not an “easy” dog. He can’t go to just any home. But in the right home, with the right people, I promise you he will be your best friend. He’s certainly become one of mine ❤️

We know, we know—we’ve mentioned it before, but it’s officially Train Your Dog Month, and this is important stuff! 🐾

The PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, the UK’s largest annual assessment of pet wellbeing, reveals worrying trends about dog training. The last report shows how aversive tools and techniques are harming, not helping, our dogs.

It highlights the importance of positive, reward-based training, which helps dogs feel safer and more secure, and calls for better education on humane and effective training methods.

As the PDSA says: ‘An issue that may be contributing to confrontational behaviour and poor welfare in dogs is the use of aversive training methods.

This is such important info so please give it a share!

Read the full report here 👇
https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/pdsa-animal-wellbeing-report/paw-report-2024

My dearest Mabel, Betty, Dorothy and Forrest,

These last few weeks together have been life changing. I can’t even put into words how much love and joy you have given me. I have been so blessed to get to know you and watch you grow.

🐾 Mabel, you are the definition of small but mighty. You are tiny but have the spunkiest little spirit. Your little warthog zoomies have reminded me how to truly laugh. I love you.
🐾 Betty, you are the sweetest cuddle bug and so so smart. You have kept me on my toes, but you have truly given me so much love. I love you.
🐾 Dorothy, you truly show what salty and sweet is. You are so wild, fun and silly, but so sweet and loving. You are the first to cuddle up for nap time and you always make sure that your face is tucked somewhere cozy, even if it’s your sister’s armpit. I love you.
🐾 Forrest, my adventurous little dude. You have absolutely lived up to your name, always exploring the world around you. You eat everything in sight and definitely taste first, think about it later. I’ve spent more time trying to figure out where you got whatever’s in your mouth than I care to admit, but I’ve loved every single second of it. I love you.

My little puppies, it has been my absolute pleasure to care for you. Now it’s time for you to find your furever homes ❤️