Resources

local resources

Private Dog Park Rental

Giving your dog the opportunity to run free is an important aspect of welfare and mental wellbeing for a dog. This can be difficult to provide in a city environment and especially with a dog that has behavior challenges. Renting someone’s yard can be one way of achieving this. https://www.sniffspot.com/

Local Positive Training Non-Profit Organization

Promoting Force-Free Positive Training offering classes, answering questions, providing a wealth of free resources grounded in positive training approach in DC/NOVA area, including webinars (Rockville, MD) https://yourdogsfriend.org/

local Veterinary Behaviorists

Maryland-Virginia Veterinary Behavior Consulting

Dr. Marsha Reich, DVM, DACVB
301-384-3900
Board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. In-home consults.

Behavior Solutions

Dr. Leslie Sinn, DVM, DACVB, CPDT-KA
Ashburn, VA, or in-home for VA residents.
http://www.behaviorsolutions.guru/

lsinndvm@gmail.com
540-454-9081
Board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, as well as a certified trainer.

Animal Behavior Wellness Center - Fairfax, VA

Amy L. Pike, DVM, DACVB, IAABC-CABC – Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
http://www.abwellnesscenter.com
info@abwellnesscenter.com
1-888-438-0788, ext. 1
Owned and operated by Dr. Amy L. Pike, Board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

Friendship Behavior Specialists at Friendship Hospital for Animals

Dr. Meaghan Ropski, DVM, DACVB
http://www.friendshiphospital.com
behavior@friendshiphospital.com
202-567-2092 (Email is faster for making appointments.)
Board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. In-office appointments at Friendship Animal Hospital in northwest DC, Monday – Thursday; email to schedule.

On-Line Behavioral Resources

The Muzzle Up Project: https://muzzleupproject.com/resources/
Everything About the Fearful Dogs: https://fearfuldogs.com/
Working with Deaf Dogs: http://www.deafdogs.org/
Working with Blind Dogs: https://blinddogtraining.com/
Working with Reactive Dogs: http://careforreactivedogs.com/
Fear Free Pets – Vet Visits/Find a Vet: https://fearfreepets.com/
Kikopup – positive training: https://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup/videos

Relationship between kids and dogs

Living with Kids and Dogs: https://colleenpelar.com/livingwithkidsanddogs/
Family Paws Parent Education: https://www.familypaws.com/
Doggone Safe: https://www.doggonesafe.com/

The Science & Theory

Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive (LIMA)

Professional trainers and behavior consultants aim to follow the least intrusive and minimally aversive approach to change behavior. Read more about it here. It is a guide to change behavior with the welfare of the animal in mind:

https://www.ccpdt.org/about-us/least-intrusive-minimally-aversive-lima-effective-behavior-intervention-policy/

Humane Hierarchy

The humane hierarchy guides animal professionals in making ethical and effective decisions regarding animal training and behavior modification following a structure where the most humane methods are explored first. https://iaabc.org/en/humane-hierarchy

Position Statements by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)

Humane Dog Training: https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AVSAB-Humane-Dog-Training-Position-Statement-2021.pdf
Dominance: https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Dominance_Position_Statement-download.pdf
Puppy Socialization: https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Puppy-Socialization-Position-Statement-FINAL.pdf

What was your dog bred to do?

Knowing what your dog was bred to do (genetic selection) can help you set your dog up for success. Even with a mixed breed, if you know what type of dogs is part of the mix, this can give you clues to the motivations and behavior preferences for that particular dog. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/