Can Playing Games Help My Dog's Focus?

How can I get my dog involved in a game?  This week Tara and Laura discuss the importance of playing games to help build focus and motivation from your dog.  They give multiple examples of simple games to play with your dog at home or in public settings.  Even if your dog doesn’t know how to play, that doesn’t mean you can’t try to get them engaged and do something fun and engaging with them that is outside of your normal structured work.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

This week's episode is an encore performance with Courtney Leigh who works to bring awareness to the horrible natures of puppymills and runs the events held here in the Austin area for Puppymill Awareness Day and more.Marks your calendars!Puppymill Awareness Day is Sunday, September 28th from 9am - 12pm at the Centennial Plaza in Round Rock.Boots and Bling is Thursday, October 30th at 7pm at The Driskill Hotel in Austin.Be sure to check out their website at pmadtx.org to stay up to date on all their upcoming events.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

What does it mean for a dog to have omega syndrome?  This week Tara and Laura break down the concept of omega syndrome and how owners can cause it.  They explain the behaviors associated with it and the extremes in reactions that occur with a dog that has omega syndrome.  Many people may not realize they are causing this to happen, so it is important to know how you may be contributing to the wrong behavior.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Can it really happen to your dog?  This week Tara and Laura were excited to welcome Sara to come and talk about her dog, Duck.  They reminisced on the journey Sara and Duck went through to help with Duck’s aggression and reactivity and the incredible progress they both made as a team.  Sara discussed the struggles when Duck unexpectedly lost her sight at a young age, the adjustments made, and how continuing their work helped them both through the change.  Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

How do you know what your dog really thinks of you?  This week Tara and Laura explain how a dog owner can tell if your dog actually enjoys being with them or not.  Many owners think their dog doesn’t love them because they aren’t overly affectionate, but there are other ways to know if your dog wants to be with you.  Every dog is different and knowing how to understand their body language is imperative.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Can a stay and train fix your dog’s behavior?  This week Tara and Laura work to explain why a stay and train may not be the best option if your dog is showing aggression.  They caution owners on believing a “guarantee” for behavior changes and explain how teaching obedience in these programs is completely different than eliminating an aggression issue.  They break down each type of aggression to detail why it may or may not be able to be appropriately worked with in a stay and train program.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

How should dogs and children interact?  This week Tara and Laura address the important topic of educating children about how they should interact with dogs.  There are so many videos, news stories, and bad experiences with dogs and kids that could have easily been avoided with proper interactions and getting involved before something happens.  They explain how it is the adult’s responsibility to protect not just the child, but the dog as well.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

This week, Tara and Laura were honored to welcome their sound editor, Lisa, to talk about her journey and experience with dogs.  They discussed how she started using service dogs and her background training her service dogs, as well as others.  The idea that every dog can teach you something new is a huge theme, and this was true for Lisa who came from a background of using force tools and is learning how to better communicate and protect her pack members now.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Is your dog trying to tell you something?  This week Tara and Laura explain what it means for a dog to “nope out” of a job or something you had planned for them.  They break down the signs to watch for when asking your dog to do something and how you can be sure to listen to them before they get too frustrated.  Knowing your dog, being able to read their body language, and not being selfish and forcing them to do something they don’t enjoy anymore is paramount in keeping your dog happy and healthy.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

How different is a differently-abled dog?  This week Tara and Laura address differently-abled dogs, the myths that surround these dogs, and simple ways to help train them.  They discuss personal experiences with their own dogs and debunk some of the stigmas against these dogs.  Differently-abled never means disabled.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman