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- a blog about canine behavior science, empathy, and guardianship -
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified
Feb 14, 20204 min read
I know how to punish a dog.
I know how to apply punishment to reduce or lessen any given behavior. I know how to hit, kick, and yell. We all do, actually. I also...
426 views
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified
Dec 4, 20194 min read
Assault
I saw a video of a man who calls himself a dog trainer (I can not be that generous as to assign him that title). He walked up from behind...
1,266 views
Erika Lessa
Nov 5, 20193 min read
1999 called. They would like their structured walks back.
A well-trained dog should walk by our side, right? Well, it’s 2019 and I am here to tell you that we know a lot more about walking our...
613 views
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified
Aug 7, 20194 min read
WHY
I am sitting across from a woman. She is propped up toward the edge of the couch, slightly hunched, leaning forward, seemingly defeated....
109 views
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified
Dec 26, 20175 min read
That puppy is not your dog.
Ok, hang on. It is your dog. But it’s not the final iteration of the dog you will be spending your days feeding, scratching, and calling...
293 views
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified
Dec 20, 20174 min read
The Ethical Handling of Dogs with Behavior Challenges
I am working with a dog who was afraid to come out of his yard or step into the street. He even stopped accompanying his owner to the...
246 views
Erika Lessa
Dec 11, 20171 min read
How much is that doggy... gonna cost me?
Good morning, fellow dog-obsessed friends. We know our pets are priceless. There is absolutely no way one can put a dollar amount on how...
55 views
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified
Aug 22, 20173 min read
Resource Guarding - It's mine.
Most people have encountered a dog that protects his possessions. This behavior is called “resource guarding” and is actually quite...
1,190 views
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified
Aug 22, 20173 min read
Obesity - Killing them with kindness.
Ushering my dog out of the veterinary hospital after the removal of a large, but non-threatening, lipoma, I was stopped in my tracks....
37 views
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified
Aug 22, 20173 min read
Listening to your dog means watching their language.
We have been thinking about the all-important topic of canine body language and how much we miss. As verbally-centric creatures, many...
196 views
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