The Weekly High Five 🐾

One Quick Win 🙏 One Video to Watch 👀 One Post I Loved

Hey Reader,
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December is here, which means cold weather walks, dogs who still pull like sled dogs, and Christmas dinner prep that's about to cover every counter in your house.

Speaking of which, if your dog counter surfs now, they're going to be a nightmare when that holiday meal is resting on the counter.
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This week I'm sharing how to stop the stealing before Christmas chaos hits, revealing the real reasons dogs pull on walks, and showing you how to level up that basic towel enrichment game.

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One Quick Win 🙏

This week's Quick Win focuses on "Kitchen Boundary Mat":

1. Place a specific mat or bed just outside your kitchen entrance.
2. While you're cooking, guide your dog to the mat and immediately reward them for staying there.
3. If they leave the mat, stop what you're doing. No attention, no cooking, nothing.
4. The moment they return to the mat, resume cooking and toss them a piece of dog safe food.
5. Practice this every single time you're in the kitchen for the next three weeks before holiday cooking ramps up.

This teaches an incompatible behavior. Your dog can't be counter surfing if they're on their mat. With Christmas roasts resting and cookie platters everywhere during the holidays, this one skill saves you so much stress. Start now so it's automatic by Christmas.

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One Video To Watch 👀

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Think your dog pulls because they're stubborn or dominant? In this week's video, I break down the real reasons dogs pull on walks, and most of them have nothing to do with bad behavior!

From natural instincts and breed tendencies to anxiety and lack of training, pulling happens for specific reasons.
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Learn why some breeds are hardwired to pull, discover how socialization affects walking behavior, and find out when pulling might actually signal a health issue. Understanding the "why" is the first step to fixing it.

One Social Post I Loved 🧡

Think you've mastered the towel enrichment game? This week's post shows how to take rolling treats in a towel to the next level with a technique that makes it way more challenging for your dog!

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I love when trainers show us how to increase difficulty on games we already know. The basic towel roll is great, but dogs figure it out quickly.

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This upgraded version requires more problem solving and keeps them busy longer. Perfect for those cold days when outdoor exercise is limited and you need serious mental stimulation indoors.

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December brings unique challenges. Shorter outdoor time means we need better indoor enrichment. Holiday cooking means more temptation for counter surfing dogs.
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And cold weather walks still require loose leash skills even when dogs are excited about the crisp air.
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Small preparations now, like teaching kitchen boundaries and understanding why your dog pulls, make Christmas gatherings easier for both of you.

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Questions about counter surfing, leash pulling, or winter enrichment? Hit reply. I'm here to help you navigate the December holidays!

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Here's to safe kitchens and better walks!
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Pam,
CPDT-KA
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PS. Need personalized help with counter surfing or holiday behavior challenges? Let's work together, virtually or in person! >> Click here to book your Free 15 Min Call with Me​
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