Karen Shirk’s Post

Whoa! What's that?? 👀 Our Early Socialization project breaks activities up into categories aimed at building foundational skills that your pups will need to succeed in their working life. Through various environmental enrichment practices, you can introduce your pups to: 👣 Surfaces: Working dogs need to be comfortable walking over different types of surfaces such as grates and uneven pavements. 🚦 Sounds: With so many different noises in the world, it is critical that our puppies are exposed to age-appropriate sounds and noises to prepare them to be confident and to quickly recover from sudden and loud noises. 🚗 Motion: Occasionally, working dogs come across surfaces that move such as a loose floorboards or riding an escalator. 🎎 Novel Objects are objects that puppies have never seen before and are new to them. Working dogs often come across unusual looking objects and need to be able to be comfortable working around new objects. Learn more in our free Early Soc program here: https://lnkd.in/gG9wz3Kh #workingdog #journal #education #guidedog #assistancedog #servicedog #policedog #militarydog #puppy #dogbreeder #dogbreeding #breedingprogram #puppyraising #dogbehavior #dogtraining #dogslearn #puppytraining #ift #behaviorassessment #puppytest

Discover how to foster safe, empathetic relationships between children and dogs in our latest blog post. Learn expert techniques for teaching kids about dog body language and respecting canine boundaries to prevent bites and promote mutual respect. This guide is packed with practical strategies and resources to help parents create safer, more understanding interactions. Click here to read more and ensure your child and dog form a respectful, loving bond! https://wix.to/koyZPog #BiancasDogTraining #LearnToSpeakDog #RespectfulRelationships #LeadByExample #UnderstandDogSignals #SafeInteractions #RealFriendship #CanineCommunication #KidsAndDogs #RespectBoundaries #TeachConsent #SocialMediaMyths #HappyDogsHappyKids Throughout this blog post, you will find valuable graphics and PDF resources crafted by some of the top trainers and consultants in the field of canine behaviour. These materials are designed to provide practical guidance and deepen your understanding of fostering respectful and safe interactions between children and dogs. A special thank you to Jen Shryock at Family Paws, and Michelle at Pooch Parenting for their invaluable contributions. Additionally, we appreciate the insightful illustrations by Lili Chin, whose work can be found at Doggy Drawings, created in collaboration with Grisha Stewart and Eileen and Dogs. These visuals effectively illustrate dog body language and safe interaction practices. We also recognize Doggone Safe, co-founded by Niki Tudge and supported by the Pet Professional Guild, for their dedication to promoting safety between children and dogs through education and resources. These experts provide a wealth of knowledge that helps us raise awareness and teach the next generation how to interact with dogs respectfully and safely. I encourage all readers to check out their brilliant work and explore the various programs they offer to gain further insights into creating harmonious relationships between children and our canine companions. All the contributors and resources mentioned are listed in the references section at the end of this post, allowing readers to access and explore their extensive works and programs further easily.

🌟 Part 2 of the enlightening series is here, and it's all about Navigating Employment and Clientele with your furry companion by your side. 🐶 Join us as we delve into the challenges, triumphs, and invaluable lessons learned along the way. From confronting discrimination in the workplace to advocating for inclusivity and diversity, we're breaking down barriers and paving the way for a brighter future in education. 💼✨ Ready to dive in? Click below to read the full blog and discover how educators with service dogs are making a difference in the teaching profession! 📚 #TeachingWithServiceDogs #InclusiveEducation #DiversityAndInclusion #ServiceDogAwareness #EducationAdvocacy #Empowerment #Accessibility #InspirationalJourney

As the sun is out, children are drawn to outdoor activities. Outdoor play can help children: ✅ Build resilience ✅ Increases their attention span ✅ Improve their problem-solving But remember, safety first! ⚠️ Ensure all hazards are addressed, creating a secure environment for them to play in. 📖 Read our blog for more tips on fostering outdoor play: https://lnkd.in/eekJe4uM #WeCareMore #Schools #SchoolLeaders

Some furry friends can do much more than sit or stay — service dogs are specially trained to assist people with disabilities. But how do you know if you qualify for a service dog? We’re sharing the answer to this and other questions you might have, just in time for International Assistance Dog Week. Discover what a #ServiceDog can do for you or someone you love: https://bit.ly/4fygyKt #PositiveImpact

Some furry friends can do much more than sit or stay — service dogs are specially trained to assist people with disabilities. But how do you know if you qualify for a service dog? We’re sharing the answer to this and other questions you might have, just in time for International Assistance Dog Week. Discover what a #ServiceDog can do for you or someone you love: https://bit.ly/3A3Revy. #PositiveImpact

Some furry friends can do much more than sit or stay — service dogs are specially trained to assist people with disabilities. But how do you know if you qualify for a service dog? We’re sharing the answer to this and other questions you might have, just in time for International Assistance Dog Week. Discover what a #ServiceDog can do for you or someone you love: https://bit.ly/3SB6nes. #PositiveImpact

Some furry friends can do much more than sit or stay — service dogs are specially trained to assist people with disabilities. But how do you know if you qualify for a service dog? We’re sharing the answer to this and other questions you might have, just in time for International Assistance Dog Week. Discover what a #ServiceDog can do for you or someone you love: https://bit.ly/4fBEcWs #PositiveImpact

Subscribe to my blog to get puppy and dog training tips. #puppytrainingtips #dogtrainingtips #iamdogsmart https://lnkd.in/epD6vjgy

Some furry friends can do much more than sit or stay — service dogs are specially trained to assist people with disabilities. But how do you know if you qualify for a service dog? We’re sharing the answer to this and other questions you might have, just in time for International Assistance Dog Week. Discover what a #ServiceDog can do for you or someone you love: https://bit.ly/4dbLHBU. #PositiveImpact