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Yes, You are Learning as Much as Your Dog (and That’s Okay).

Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA CSAT

I love it when clients have ah-ha moments, even when they are ones I’ve heard a million times. One of my favorites is “You’re training me more than you’re training my dog.” I laugh along with folks when it comes up like they are the first person to say such a thing. Then I reassure them. Of course you’re learning a lot. You’re learning as much as your dog if not more. There’s no shame in that at all.

And …

Your dog’s behavior is not your fault. Just because you’re learning as much as your dog right now does not mean you are to blame for his misbehavior. First, you didn’t know what you didn’t know – and here you are now learning to do better. Second, your actions are not the only factor in play. There are lots of other things going on that contribute to your dog’s behavior. Third, most of the stuff you are doing is just fine and not harmful at all. This is especially important to remember in cases of aggressive dog behavior and dog separation anxiety. There’s way too much human shaming going on around these behavior syndromes. You aren’t loving your dog too much, or paying him too much attention (or too little). There is no evidence to back up old tropes that your persona as a leader counts for much either. There is some research that correlates harsh training methods with owner-directed aggression. But, even with that in mind let’s all take a breath. Lift that shame off your shoulders. You’re learning.

You do matter. Make no mistake. “Your dog’s behavior is not your fault” is not the same as “You are irrelevant.” Your actions definitely influence your dog’s behavior. In fact, we are counting on that. Our dogs look to us for guidance and feedback. When we play this right we can teach our dogs some pretty amazing things. And, in cases of aggression and separation anxiety we can influence their behavior and their feelings.  Let that sink in. How you set your dog up to succeed matters. How you behave matters. That information, for me, is so empowering. Heck yeah, I’m training you as much as I’m training your dog. I need you to know how important you are to make all this work. Without you fully engaged, I don’t have a chance at all for a successful outcome with your dog.

I’m one of those odd trainers who likes his human clients as much as I like their dogs. I’m also one of those trainers who trusts in the process of behavior change grounded in solid science. I know it works. And yet, every time I see it work I’m thrilled like it’s the very first time. I get my own ah-ha moments when I see the dog’s behavior change for the better, learning new patterns and coping skills. Just as thrilling (even more, maybe) are the times I see the light bulb turn on with my human clients. There are moments when you can tell they just “get it.” They reinforce their dog’s behavior before you can even point it out. They are routinely setting their dog up to succeed on their own. They are working the process because they, too, know how the process works.

“I’m learning more than the dog,” they say. “Absolutely,” I reply and think – Thank you. Thank you for your hard work. I’m so proud and so grateful. I’m not lying when I add this next bit. Sometimes (many times actually) I glance at their dog and I’d swear they are thinking the exact same thing. Thank you.

Michael Baugh teaches dog training in Houston TX. He specializes in aggressive dog training and dog separation anxiety training.

Separation Anxiety – There is Hope.

Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA

Separation Anxiety in dogs used to be thought of as an unfixable behavior issue. In fact, even today, many trainers shy away from taking Separation Anxiety cases. For far too long the success rate with these cases as been too low and the problem too daunting for most trainers.

All of that is changing.

Separation Anxiety is the name veterinarians and veterinary behaviorists assign to a syndrome of behaviors. Dogs who have Separation Anxiety do one of more of these things when left alone.

  • Bark, cry, whine, or howl.
  • Chew at door frames, walls, and window sills.
  • Dig at doors and walls.
  • Tear down blinds.
  • Lose control of their bladders and bowels.
  • Pant and drool.
  • Pace.

Starting this month (October) I will be accepting a number of Separation Anxiety clients to lead them through and program of care and training with a proven track record of success. It’s based in solid behavior science with all of the patience, compassion and attention to detail you are used to from me and the Michael’s Dogs Behavior Group.

Look for more details in a few weeks on social media and on MichaelsDogs.com .

Covid Pets and the Unexpected Fallout

Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA

Nineteen months ago, none of us really knew what was coming. Dog behaviorists and trainers predicted and increase in behavior problems from dog separation anxiety to puppy socialization issues to increased resource guarding. We got some of that right. We trainers also braced ourselves for a collapse in business. I had one other trainer working for me in April 2020. At the time I didn’t know whether or not we’d survive financially. In an interview with KTRH Radio in Houston I talked about how we were rebuilding our business model, just so we could make it. Some of our worries and associated predictions were well-founded. There were some increased (and interesting) behavior problems that cropped up. But we got another part completely wrong. Business was going to boom. In fact, we were about to be in over our heads with an increased demand for help.

By some estimates pet ownership increased during the pandemic by more than 40-percent. People who had never had dogs before got dogs or puppies. People who had one or more dogs got a second or a third. By mid 2021 the trend was so apparent it became a meme (apparently air fryers sales did well too). At first glance this may look like great news. We all want to see more cats and dogs adopted – and that was happening. But as with many good things in life, there was a flip side.

As early as Fall 2020 veterinary practices were becoming overwhelmed. All of these new dogs and cats needed medical care. Scheduling a standard vaccination appointment for tomorrow or the next day was off the table. The wait time became a week or two or more. Wait times for emergency care (unless your pet was critical) increased to as much as 8 hours. Even in normal times veterinary medicine is considered an at-risk profession with a higher-than-typical suicide rate (physicians and other caring professions are similarly at risk). Now, with the added cases and little time in the day to catch their breath, veterinarians are burning out. Many are leaving the profession or shifting specialties. Others are dying. Not One More Vet (NOMV) is an organization founded to help keep veterinarians healthy, alive, and in the profession they love. NOMV and your own personal vet will always appreciate your kindness and support.

Dog trainers and behavior consultants were caught in the storm of demand as well. We here at The Behavior Group had to adapt quickly. What started as a two person operation in March 2020 is now a five person operation. (See: Inside Michael’s Dogs – How We Survived 2020). We did well, but one of our trainers got buried under a huge caseload. She had to step away for  break and then eventually left the group. While this person is doing exceptionally well now, other trainers have reportedly left the profession permanently. The ones who remain have full schedules with no openings for 2 to 3 months.

If you’re tempted to roll your eyes at my complaints about being too busy, I get it. Fair enough. The real problem goes beyond just that, though. None of this is happening in a vacuum. Veterinarians and we trainers are all tasked with helping people who, themselves, are under unprecedented pressure. This was literally the subject of my last newsletter. Life is hard right now. The real problem is a toxic blend of more dogs, more demand, and a client base that is hurting more than ever. I’m hearing about the fallout from my friends, fellow trainers, and vets. I’m also seeing it on social media. A well-respected trainer with more than 20-years experience recently posted that they’d considered closing their doors and quitting the profession. But why?

“What people don’t see, or hear, or read,” They wrote, “is what we take on every single day. The hysterical voicemails, the impossible cases that are immediate emergencies, the rude comments, the pressure of social media, the incessant demand for attention right away. The texts at 11pm [demanding]  response or [they will write] a negative review. People truly have no idea. It is not playing with puppies all day.” 

Some people are, frankly, thoughtless and unkind. Another trainer put it in the form of a meme (left). “People are feral since the lockdown, I swear.”

Please do not misinterpret this is a cry for help. It is more of a peek behind the curtain – a look at how the sausage is made – choose your favorite metaphor. Covid puppies. Covid pets. This unexpected fallout. These are all our issues to take on as trainers and behavior consultants and as veterinary professionals. We know self-care. More importantly we know that caring for each other is even more powerful and essential.

I’m not claiming to have figured all this out. But, here is what we are doing in our group. A few months ago we brought on Stephen Kelly as our Client Care Lead. His role is to support our clients and our trainers, both. Stephen can help you with anything from rescheduling an appointment to fixing a typo on your email address in our files. He helps the trainers by assisting you as well, so they can focus on the thing they love – teaching and training. All of us work hard to communicate our process and what we have to offer (I think we set the standard in client learning and support).

We also clearly communicate our boundaries. Boundaries in our group are so important. It’s why we have a clear cancellation polity (this actually helps you plan better, too). We have boundaries around when we accept texts – not just from clients but from each other. This clarity about boundaries lets you know when you will have our full attention. We take days off. These days are do-not-enter zones for recharging our emotional and intellectual batteries. They are so important to us. But, don’t underestimate how important they are to you as well. A rested trainer is smarter, more creative in their teaching and training, and more empathetic.

Empathy. So much of our work is about standing with you as you navigate the path of learning with your dog (it is sometimes a difficult winding path). I’ve been here. I am here with you now. That’s empathy. First Aid Arts posted a Vimeo video with Brené Brown in which she says, “I find Empathy to be infinite. I think it gives back tenfold what you put out. It’s sustaining” There interviewer, named Travis, then jumps in and says, “If you’ve done the work and you have your boundaries you could tread that water forever.” Brown responds, “Okay so, Empathy. I’m quoting Travis here. Empathy. If you’ve done your work and set your boundaries you can tread that water forever. Amen!”

I’ll second that. Amen, indeed.

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Michael Baugh teaches dog training in Houston, TX. He leads Michael’s Dogs Behavior Group – and amazingly talented team of people-care professionals.