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The water hit my skin before I even realized what had happened. I was standing at the stove, distracted for just a second, when hot water splashed up onto my arm. It wasn’t a serious burn—but my body didn’t know that yet. My heart raced. My breath caught. And suddenly, I wasn’t in my kitchen anymore. In an instant, I was 14 years old again—walking door to door collecting paper route payments. I remember the weight of the coin pouch at my side. I remember the knock. And I reme

Resource guarding is one of those topics that often brings up fear, confusion, or strong opinions. But at its core, it’s really about communication, emotion, and safety. Tonight, my own 6-year-old dog gave me a great reminder of that. She was happily chewing on a bone when I looked at her and spoke to her. In response, she grumbled softly and moved away with her bone. She wasn’t being “bad.” She wasn’t being “dominant.” She was simply communicating discomfort. What I did next

How Positive Training & a High-Tryptophan Diet Support Your Dog’s Emotional Health When dogs struggle with behavior — reactivity, anxiety, impulsivity, frustration, or aggression — it’s easy to focus only on what we see on the outside. But real, lasting behavior change doesn’t begin with obedience alone. It begins inside the body and brain. At Behav-N-Dogs, we focus on helping dogs feel safer, calmer, and more regulated at a nervous-system level. One of the most important int

By Rachael Haddan, Certified Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant Behav-N-Dogs Pet Services LLC What would happen if your dog improved by just 1% every single day? At first, that sounds small—almost insignificant. But here’s the powerful truth: A 1% improvement each day compounds. Over one year (365 days), that consistency results in nearly a 37-times improvement overall. Mathematically: 1.01³⁶⁵ ≈ 37 That principle—small, intentional progress repeated consistently—is the foundat

🧠 Train the Brain, Change the Behavior   At Behav-N-Dogs, we don’t train commands in isolation — we train the brain.   If your dog struggles with reactivity, fear, impulsivity, anxiety, or big emotional outbursts, it’s not because they’re stubborn or trying to be difficult.   👉 It’s because specific emotional systems and neurochemicals are running the show.   The good news? The brain is changeable.   And concept training games are one of the most powerful, science-backed wa

The Behav-N-Dogs Science of Learning, Neurotransmitters, and Calm Behavior   When dogs struggle with reactivity, anxiety, impulsivity, or focus, it’s easy to assume the problem is stubbornness, lack of training, or disobedience.   At Behav-N-Dogs, we know something different is happening.   Behavior challenges are often brain-state challenges.   Real, lasting behavior change doesn’t come from forcing obedience — it comes from changing how the brain processes information. Thro

Why Stress Matters in Dog Behavior   And How Behavior Modification Helps Dogs Feel Better and Behave Better   By Rachael Haddan, Behav-N-Dogs Pet Services LLC   When dogs struggle with behavior problems, it can feel confusing and frustrating. Barking, growling, lunging, hiding, freezing, or snapping can look like “bad behavior.”   But, these behaviors are not about being stubborn or naughty.   They are signs of stress.   To help dogs improve their behavior, we first need

Understanding the Brain’s “Low Road” and “High Road” — and How Counter-Conditioning Builds Emotional Resilience   Fear, anxiety, and reactivity in dogs aren’t signs of stubbornness or “bad behavior.” They are the result of how the brain processes perceived threats.   Understanding why a dog reacts allows us to train more effectively — and more compassionately.   Let’s explore the brain’s two fear pathways, often referred to as the low road and the high road, and how counter-c

When a dog “won’t listen,” “overreacts,” or seems unable to focus, it’s rarely about stubbornness or defiance.   More often, it’s about brain state. In this post, we’ll explore how the RAS shapes your dog’s ability to focus, stay calm, and make good choices — and why true behavior change doesn’t come from pushing harder, but from training smarter. By learning how to support the brain’s natural learning zone, you can reduce reactivity, build emotional stability, and create las

Behav-N-Dogs Pet Services Top 5 Tips for Making Play More Fun Helping Dogs Discover the Joy of Play Play is one of the most powerful tools we have as trainers and dog guardians. It strengthens the bond between you and your dog, builds motivation, boosts confidence, supports recall and proximity, and—honestly—it just makes life more fun! Not all dogs know how to play right away, and that’s OK. Many need to learn how to enjoy toys, tug, or chase games. With

Hi there! Here are Behav-N-Dogs’ top recommended items to support your dog’s training success and daily enrichment. These are tools and products I personally use and recommend for clients. Training & Enrichment Essentials Kong Extremes: https://amzn.to/4nbZeO2 Snuffle mats 1. https://a.co/d/h38V434 2. https://a.co/d/ekSg5ZV Lick mats 1. https://a.co/d/haHdpuL 2. https://a.co/d/0xA5JnO 20–50 ft Long Line for recall training and enrichment w

🧠 How Punishment Affects Your Dog’s Brain Why Positive, Science-Based Training Builds Trust & Long-Term Success Behav-N-Dogs Pet Services | Pueblo County, CO Rachael Haddan, Certified Dog Trainer & Behavior Specialist 💡 Overview When dogs show aggression, reactivity, or fear, it’s tempting to think they’re being “stubborn” or “defiant.” But behavior is communication — and how we respond shapes the way their brain learns and feels. Punishment-based methods (like shock collar

How to Use DMT (Distraction, Marker, Treat) to Help Your Dog Stay Calm and Confident If your dog becomes anxious, fearful, or overexcited...

🐾 Applying Martin Seligman’s PERMA Model to Enhance Dog Well-Being and Behavior 🐾 By Rachael Haddan, Certified Dog Trainer & Behavior...

Rachael Haddan Behav-N-Dogs seasoned expert is thrilled to share her compassionate and tailored approach to pet care with you. Her one-on-one dog training and behavior modification sessions, priced between $98 and $298 per hour, are designed to meet your dog’s unique needs. Rachael uses her extensive experience to help you deepen your bond with your furry friend through personalized coaching that addresses specific behavioral challenges. In addition to training, Rachael offer

Welcome to Behav-N-Dogs! I’m Rachael Haddan, and I’m here to provide a compassionate and supportive approach to pet care that prioritizes...