Not all stress is created equal. This chart shows how a dog's ability to perform a behavior can be influenced by both eustress ("good" stress often related to arousal due to excitement and anticipation) and distress ("bad" stress often related to fear or anxiety). When experiencing eustress, there is an ideal peak performance level where the dog can perform a behavior quickly and with sharp focus. However, higher levels of eustress can also cause the dog's behavior performan

I can empathize with pet parents who may be thinking "I am all for positive reinforcement, but what am I supposed to do when my dog is doing something I don’t want her to do?!" A simple effective solution is to choose a positive, friendly noise that you can use to get your dog’s attention, called a positive interrupter. Teach your dog that whenever you make that noise, she should stop what she’s doing and redirect her attention to you. COMMON QUESTIONS: Why shouldn’t I say