April Pawz

In my previous post, we talked about the "Correction Trap"—that frustrating cycle where you feel like all you're saying is "No." But what do you do once you realize you're in it? I learned the answer years ago, not from a dog trainer, but from a Veterinarian I worked for while I was a Vet Tech. I’ve always been someone who gets overwhelmed or distracted easily. In the high-stakes environment of a vet clinic, being distracted can be dangerous. When I would start to spiral or lose my focus, my...

In the world of professional Canine Handling , we have a saying: "What gets rewarded, gets repeated." ​It sounds simple, right? But I’ve lived the alternative, and I know exactly how it feels to be on the other end of a "lead" that only knows how to yank. ​Recently, in a company I worked for, it felt like every time I turned around, there was a new order. New rules, new demands, and always a threat attached: If it isn’t done exactly like this, there will be disciplinary action.  When your...

We’ve all been there. You feel like a broken record. "No." "Stop." "Don't do that." "Why is this still not done?" Whether you are on the training field or in the office, there comes a point where you realize you are correcting 90% of the time and leading 10% of the time. I know this feeling well because I’ve lived it. Recently, I worked for a company where the "lead" was always tight. Every day felt like a barrage of new orders, each one tied to the threat of disciplinary action. When you...