Bindi's Dog Blog
Bindi's Dog Blog
My goal for Bindi's Dog Blog is to share all the things that Bindi wished I had known earlier in our journey together, with the dog enthusiasts, pet professionals, dog owners, and members of the community. She has taught me so many things throughout her life, but her biggest accomplishment so far is showing me just how wrong I was about my dog training methods and philosophy. Today, I'd like to say that I am much more enlightened and knowledgeable, but as any good trainer knows - there is always room for improvement.
Connection with Kelsey Vlog Posts
Connection with Kelsey Vlog Posts
Connection with Kelsey
Connection with Kelsey
January, April, September, & December 2020
View the playlist for tips and updates from Kelsey to help with the a few dog training challenges faced during the first year of the pandemic....[Learn More]
Training Demos Vlog Posts
Training Demos Vlog Posts
Bonus Training Videos & Demos
Bonus Training Videos & Demos
2019 - Present
View the playlist for a few of our public training videos and demonstrations. This is a small sample of the dozens of videos available in our FOCUS on Dogs Membership.
Educational & Inspirational Blog Posts
Educational & Inspirational Blog Posts
Outing with the Girls: Part 3
Outing with the Girls: Part 3
February 3rd, 2021
I love my dogs so much, but sometimes I don't really like them all that much. It's ok to say that. Give yourself permission to not like your dog(s) sometimes. Relationships take work. Sometimes you have good days and sometimes you have bad days. ...[Read More]
Outing with the Girls: Part 2
Outing with the Girls: Part 2
February 3rd, 2021
Our outing at Champoeg State Park started off like any other trip there with the girls. Bindi and Katia were frolicking around in the grass, happy to be out of the house. It had just been raining for multiple days straight (no surprise for January in the Pacific Northwest) ...[Read More]
Outing with the Girls: Part 1
Outing with the Girls: Part 1
February 3rd, 2021
Until recently, we had four resident dogs in the house. Then, suddenly, there were only two. These two wonderful, loyal, sweet, playful, sassy, guardy, snuggly, obsessive, opinionated, grumpy, happy, energetic, and lazy, bitchy girls. I love them. ...[Read More]
Question #3: Is the dog giving consent?
Question #3: Is the dog giving consent?
June 5, 2019
How often do you let people touch you without giving them consent? How often do you let people touch your children without giving consent? How often do you let people touch your stuff without giving consent? How often do you let people touch your dog without giving consent? How often does your dog let people touch them without giving consent? ...[Read More]
Question #2: Is the dog comfortable?
Question #2: Is the dog comfortable?
June 5, 2019
Let’s talk about stress. In these blog posts, I tend to over simplify many concepts to make the information more accessible to more people. Also, this blog is not designed to be a study of the science, but more of a general guide to help others not make all the same mistakes that I did when I didn’t know what I know now ...[Read More]
Question #1: Is the dog calm?
Question #1: Is the dog calm?
June 5, 2019
When asking questions, we need to actually wait for the answers. Often, when working with animals, we focus so much on “commands” and “obedience” and “subordinance” that we completely forget to ask permission. No one, human or animal, should be forced to do something against their will, especially when they could just as easily be taught how to participate willingly ...[Read More]
Want to vs Have to: Part 2 AKA Body Handling
Want to vs Have to: Part 2 AKA Body Handling
February 27, 2019
What is body handling and why is it important? Body handling is being able to touch the dog all over, sometimes in slightly invasive or uncomfortable ways, to do various procedures like nail trims, vet exams, blood draws, baths, wiping muddy paws, restraining for grooming, etc ...[Read More]
Want to vs Have to: Part 1
Want to vs Have to: Part 1
February 27, 2019
I can be a bit of a homebody. I enjoy my own space and find it exceptionally relaxing to watch the dogs play through my window or sit in my garden while the kitties play underfoot. Being in a house full of animals though, means that there is constant chaos and dirt everywhere, all the time ...[Read More]
Stand Up! Teaching Positions
Stand Up! Teaching Positions
February 23, 2019
So, as I mentioned in the previous Stand Up! blog post, I learned a more effective way to teach Bindi how to go into the various positions I asked for, without correction, punishment, or physical pressure. This post will cover how to teach dogs new positions ...[Read More]
Stand Up! My Crossover Story
Stand Up! My Crossover Story
February 23, 2019
My passion for working with dogs began while raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. As a puppy raiser, I was required to go to weekly classes with the group leader and other raisers to learn all about training and raising these puppies. At the time, Guide Dogs used “traditional” training methods ...[Read More]
Bringing Home Bindi
Bringing Home Bindi
February 22, 2019
It was February of 2010, just a few days before my birthday, and I was checking in with the dog rescue group while they were setting up their kennels for an adoption event at Petco, my workplace at the time. The rescue owner smiles at me and says “Kelsey, I have your next puppy” ...[Read More]