Interviewwith

Grisha Stewart

18th March 2015

Welcome EveryoneThank you for joining us today and I would like to welcome Grisha Stewart as our special guest for today's chat interview.But first some housekeeping - PLEASE keep your questions for the last 15 minutes of this Interview and you might need to either like a comment made or refresh the page.****WelcomeGrisha****Grisha is a trainer and author, and also developed the training method called Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT). She is also launching an exciting new project that we will hear about today.Grisha is the owner and founder of Ahimsa Dog Training in Seattle. She was voted as Seattle's Top Dog Trainer by the readers of CityDog Magazine. Grisha presents seminars to dog trainers around the world.Grisha has been an active member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers since 2002 and a Certified Pet Dog Trainer since 2004. She is also a Certified Training Partner from the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior.You can learn more about Grisha and BAT by visiting any of the following links.BAT info website:http://empoweredanimals.com/Grisha's website:http://ahimsadogtraining.com/grisha-bio.htmlAnd her new project website:http://animalbuildingblocks.com/Like

About BATNEWS: Grisha's new DVD series is already on the bestseller list at Tawzer for all of 2014! Now instantly available in streaming format! What is BAT? BAT empowers animals to live with confidence and joy among humans. Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) is a training method for dogs who experience feaEMPOWEREDANIMALS.COMTop of FormLike Share Avery Canduand11 otherslike this. Grisha StewartThanksRobyn!18 hrsLike Grisha StewartI'm happy to be here.18 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfWelcomeGrishawe are a couple minutes early and we Thank you for being here.17 hrsLike Grisha StewartLook at us. So efficient!17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfWe have heard about a new projectGrishaplease share!17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartI'm very excited! It's an online school with a social community, almost like Facebook. The core of the school is the video lessons I have prepared.17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfWhat type of offerings will you have?17 hrsLike Grisha StewartThe membership gets students access to all of the video library. Right now there are maybe 30 posted but we recorded about 90 of them. 5-10 minute lessons on all kinds of things.17 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartLet me grab you a list of topics. Here is what we have already:https://animalbuildingblocks.com/member-library/

Member Video Library | Animal Building Blocks AcademyBuilding Blocks members get unlimited access to this...ANIMALBUILDINGBLOCKS.COM17 hrsLikeRemove Preview Grisha StewartPlay With Me! How & Why To Play With Your Pet 3 Useful Ways to Reduce Fear Building Confidence with Classical Conditioning BAT 2.0 for Reactivity: A Super-Quick Intro to Behavior Adjustment Training 5 Essential Rules for Tug Games Advan...See More17 hrsLike Grisha StewartSorry that's not showing up well. But you get the idea... it's a lot!17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfVery extensive Is this designed for trainers or will it benefit the average dog owner as well?17 hrsLike Grisha StewartIt is for both pet owners and professionals. The individual lessons are meant for pet owners but include topics that a lot of trainers don't actually know. But I also have other lessons in the site that are beneficial to trainers. We have in-depth courses on specific topics like BAT, Empowered Puppy Raising, and a class called Barking Mad (for frustration).

Pet owners are welcome in those as well.17 hrsLike Grisha StewartThe lessons are really aimed at pet owners. I want to help people with their pets. It's not just dogs, although that's the main focus. It's for all species.17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfThis is amazing I know sometimes I am at a loss as to how to help with a problem and this would be a huge resource.17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartWe have two kinds of memberships - the student membership is where you get the videos I mentioned above, the online community, and live Q&A's with me twice a week. And discounts on our other types of lessons and videos.

Pro members get all that but also a listing, a coupon code to give their own clients (free month of student membership), and a special Q&A on working with clients. Plus they earn CEUs.17 hrsUnlike2 Grisha StewartRight now about half the people signed up for memberships are pro members and half are student members. But we are just getting started. I assume over time we will get a lot more of the general pet-owning public, as the word gets out.17 hrsUnlike1 Robyn MetcalfI think many of my pet owners would love this site.17 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartHere's a video about the site:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahe8NV8g81Y

Building Blocks Academy - Online School for Dogs, Cats, and Other AnimalsThe Building Blocks Academy (BBA) is a convenient...YOUTUBE.COM17 hrsUnlike1Remove Preview Grisha StewartWe have professional quality video, and it's ad-free, so people can learn without distraction17 hrsUnlike1 Robyn MetcalfWhat type of service will you be offering to rescues and sheltersGrisha17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartI have spoken with a lot of vets who are excited about it because I include lessons on cooperative care - like teaching your dog to put himself into position for a blood draw.17 hrsUnlike3 Grisha StewartThe lessons are all about LIFE with these animals, not obedience - although of course the training in there can be used for competition skills too.17 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartI am very keen on supporting shelters so I have a free Pro Membership for shelters and rescues around the world.17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartThat means they also get free 30-day student coupons for their adopters. I want animals to stay in their forever homes.17 hrsUnlike2 Grisha StewartShelters can apply here:https://animalbuildingblocks.com/rescue-application/

Free Pro Membership for Rescue and Shelters | Animal Building Blocks...ANIMALBUILDINGBLOCKS.COM17 hrsUnlike1Remove Preview Robyn MetcalfGrishaI love that I work at Petco and as a trainer that is my goal as well keeping animals in their homes forever.Why did you feel the need to take on this project?17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartSo effectively we are giving a free month of membership to all rescue dogs around the world, via the shelters.17 hrsLike2 Grisha StewartI came to realize that trainers need a sort of 'teaching assistant' to cover the things that are hard to cover in class. My hope is that with these lessons, the trainers can focus more on hands-on skills and the dogs will be more ready to learn, because the students are prepared.17 hrsUnlike3 Grisha StewartPlus there are lots of people around the world without positive trainers in their area. So I wanted to help them.17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartI have a strong emphasis on cooperative care and meeting the animals' needs. I think that's missing in a lot of schools, so this will supplement that.17 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartI'm really excited about the live video Q&As because it also gives me a chance to answer specific questions.17 hrsUnlike1 Robyn MetcalfGrishamany trainer's may feel that this will not benefit them and may worry about job security. Does this take the place of a hands on trainer?17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartDefinitely not! We are all about encouraging people to do hands-on work with a live trainer. I think it will make their job easier, because we answer the sort of questions clients email about or hang around after class to ask.17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartAnd we have videos to help set the dogs up for success in class, like this one:https://animalbuildingblocks.com/dog-training-class.../

What to Expect in a Dog Training Class | Animal Building Blocks AcademyThis video is full of tips to make your dog training class...ANIMALBUILDINGBLOCKS.COM17 hrsLikeRemove Preview Grisha StewartIn fact we have a whole category on help for classes:https://animalbuildingblocks.com/category/bb/training-class/Training Class Help | Animal Building Blocks AcademyThese video lessons will help you have a better experience in your dog training class.ANIMALBUILDINGBLOCKS.COM17 hrsLikeRemove Preview Robyn MetcalfGrishain your experience what is the most difficult issue owners face with their dogs.17 hrsLike Grisha StewartI run a training school in Seattle and we are giving coupon codes to all of our students. I'm really excited to see how this will improve their basic skill set.17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartWell the biggest issue, when they have it, is aggression, because it's so emotional and takes time to fix.17 hrsLike Grisha StewartI think the biggest issue that all people have with their dogs is not giving them the opportunity to meet all of their needs, and that comes out in a whole variety of behavior problems.17 hrsUnlike2 Grisha StewartWhen you really dig into it, almost all behavior issues come from that.17 hrsUnlike1 Robyn MetcalfGrishawill the tools on your site help with that? It too is a common issue that I encounter and I am not comfortable with that and we can not deal with that issue at Petco. Many trainers in my area use +P which makes it difficult for referrals.17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartOh definitely. I have a whole section of things that help with aggression. For the behavior problems, lots on that too, including an overview with an essential approach to problems:https://animalbuildingblocks.com/problem-solving-101/

Problem Solving 101 | Animal Building Blocks AcademyMostpet behavior problems can be solved with this...ANIMALBUILDINGBLOCKS.COM17 hrsLikeRemove Preview Grisha StewartAggression is my specialty so it's woven all the way through the site.17 hrsLike Grisha StewartI also have a video on how to choose a trainer, and how to deal with a trainer who recommends something that you disagree with.17 hrsLike1 Grisha Stewarthttps://animalbuildingblocks.com/conflicting-training.../

Whats Really True? How to Handle Conflicting Advice | Animal Building...ANIMALBUILDINGBLOCKS.COM17 hrsLike1Remove Preview Grisha StewartI hope it's okay that I'm sharing specific links? The videos will work for people who are members. The orange ones just need a free sample sign-up, which is fast.17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfGrishahow do you feel about trainers who say that BAT is not effective in that it puts the dog in a situation it is already not comfortable in?17 hrsLike2 Grisha StewartI'm excited about the groups as well. We have staff to help guide the conversation - kind of like Facebook but it's all one consistent system and we have all of the video lessons to refer to at our fingertips. And no ads for 'custom t-shirts' or dog toys over on the side.17 hrsLike1 Claire RatcliffeVery interested in that answer, I feel sometimes it risky to wait for the dog to do the calming signal as the risk is that they will go straight to the fight response...17 hrsLike1 Grisha Stewartit's kind of hilarious as a question because with BAT we don't "put" the dog anywhere. We are all about letting the dog lead to where they are comfortable, and the human's role is to keep them from getting too close.17 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartWith the older BAT we did walk the dog forward (if they were willing). But now we are very aware of making sure it is the dog's idea to move forward. And if they are bee-lining, then they're too close so we stop them or call them away.17 hrsLike1 Claire RatcliffeThat makes sense, need to be aware of the dogs body language17 hrsLike Grisha StewartIf you are at a point where you think the dog is about to bark, then you would not wait,Claire. That's when the management skills come in. We can use what I call Mark and Move or you just call the dog away.17 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartTotally. And your own body language too.17 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartSo many of us accidentally lead the dog in closer. It's very tempting because we are a goal-driven species. But if you really slow it down and move at the dog's pace, you find you are farther away at first and make better, more long-lasting progress.17 hrsLike1 Robyn MetcalfGrishait is my experience there are few "aggressive" dogs but what the owners are seeing aggression where it is actually fear. What are common misconceptions in regards to aggression?17 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartYes, definitely, that's a common misconception. Even when they are lunging in, it is a way to say "GO AWAY"17 hrsLike Grisha StewartOther misconceptions - the dog is being 'dominant' or needs to be corrected.17 hrsLike Grisha StewartIf it goes okay sometimes and not okay at other times, the dog is seen as unpredictable or crazy. But there are ways to be able to predict better, by learning body language.17 hrsLike Grisha StewartThat it is something abnormal.... not so. It's just too strong of a response to a need for space, usually because the smaller ones didn't work. Now they skip the small behavior and go right for the obvious stuff, which we call aggression.17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartAnother misconception, that such a thing as an 'aggressive dog' exists. The behavior is aggressive, usually an aggressive *display* rather than actual intent to do harm. But the dog is not aggressive, unless 100% of the time he goes around growling and snarling. It's situational.17 hrsLike Grisha StewartOne more and I'll stop - another misconception is that correcting a growl with a leash or yelling or squirting is actually useful. In the short term, it may indeed shut the dog up. But that's like taking the batteries out of your smoke alarm. When there's really a fire you are in big trouble. Now you have a silent dog who will bite out of the blue.17 hrsUnlike5 Robyn MetcalfGrishaif I had a dollar for everyone who said their "puppy" was aggressive? I mean at 3 or 4 months I do not really feel that is possible. Most are afraid and this can be worked through. I currently have several small dogs who "rule the roost" so to speak that are very aggressive towards new people in the home etc. What do you advise for dogs like that?17 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartThat's a lot of question in that little space.17 hrsUnlike1 Robyn Metcalflol17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartResource guarding (aggressive display to keep their stuff) is possible in a young dog, and that's about when it can show up. Most puppies are just biting to play. But fortunately puppies are very trainable and can be shown that trading stuff is fun and that we have no need to use our teeth on people for that.17 hrsUnlike3 Claire RatcliffeMy friends pup showed resourceguarding from 4 months but trading helped and the pup who is now 10 months has no further problems with resource guarding.17 hrsEditedLike1 Grisha StewartI can only barely touch on the what to do with the several small dogs. But I can tell you 1. I will have a video on training multiple dogs at the same time, 2. I'll have one on visitors in the home, and 3. I'll have several general ones on barking/growling.17 hrsUnlike2 Grisha Stewart17 hrsLike Claire RatcliffeDo you think an aggressive dog can be cured?17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfIf a dog has bitten and a certified behaviorist is not available are their tools on the website that would help the owners manage resource guardingGrisha?17 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartAs a short fix - it helps to meet people outside, go for a walk around the block, and and have them go inside first. If the dogs are trained to DO something inside (like going to rugs), then have them do that at first and reward the behavior heavily.17 hrsUnlike1 Robyn MetcalfWhew that is what we did it is actually 1 dog in 3 different homes.17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartCure is a strong word - human therapy doesn't cure people, but it gives them coping skills and changes their outlook, so the depression symptoms are gone, for example. So in that sense, yes.

I routinely see dogs who showed aggression to people who no...See More17 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartSounds good Robyn17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfGrishaI have a customer going home to Ohio will she be able to use your website and the videos to further help Charley? Who by the way is a havanese and has biten.17 hrsLike Grisha StewartYes, definitely. Depending on her skill level, it's still a good idea that she find an actual trainer out there. But the site will give her a better foundation of trust for Charley17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfCharley is resource guarding and has a history of that left unchecked until he bit than it became a problem of course.17 hrsLike Grisha StewartResource guarding is the easiest kind of aggression to address, so that's good.17 hrsEditedLike1 Grisha StewartWe do have a video on that. It's not posted yet, but it has been filmed.17 hrsLike Claire RatcliffeWish I had that!17 hrsLike Grisha StewartSpecifically on resource guarding I mean17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfSo you this is an ongoing projectGrishawith new videos being offered? How often will new videos be posted?17 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartIt's easy because it's very specific about triggers.17 hrsLike2 Grisha StewartIn a way, we have 2 new videos every week because I have the live Q&A sessions that are being recorded. We don't have a set number of how many new official videos per week, but we will definitely have new videos as we go. We have a suggestion box for our students to give us new ideas on topics.17 hrsLike Grisha StewartAnd like I said, we have a ton of new videos on their way, in the editing room as we speak.17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfGrishaSo if you see a number of people with the same type of training issue you might do video to help with that particular issue?17 hrsLike Grisha StewartI am also planning on adding some specific topics useful for shelters, like "whether or not to rehome your pet" and such things.17 hrsUnlike5 Grisha StewartGood questionRobyn- definitely. I want to keep things fresh and also address the issues people are having.17 hrsUnlike3 Grisha StewartI started Ahimsa Dog Training in Seattle 12 years ago with hundreds of clients each week. So I tried to pick the topics that were most common for all of them.17 hrsLike Grisha StewartI also asked my staff for more ideas and queried other trainers too.17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfLOL might I request a video on "guarding" behavior Ie: perimeter guardingGrishamy female American Bulldog is my nemisis.17 hrsUnlike2 Grisha StewartSo I think the first batch covers a lot of the most common issues.17 hrsLike Robyn Metcalf***Floor is open*** Anyone have questions for Grisha?17 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartGood topic. We cover that in some different ways, like the one on playdates, how to have guests, general barking issues, and of course the big series on BAT (but that's an online course)17 hrsLike Grisha StewartI've noted your request Robyn.17 hrsUnlike1 Robyn MetcalfI will pop your other group and post there with some specifics.17 hrsEditedUnlike2 Grisha StewartAnd we do have a discussion group on Reactivity in the Animal Building Blocks Academy as well17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfAmyorClairedo you have questions?17 hrsLike Grisha StewartWow it's already been 50 minutes.17 hrsLike1 Robyn MetcalfGrishais membership on a monthly basis or is it yearly subscription? Do you offer discounts to trainers who refer clients to the site?17 hrsLike Claire RatcliffeWhats your definition of reactivity as opposed to your definition of aggression?17 hrsUnlike2 Grisha StewartI use a definition I snagged from Patricia McConnell - basically reactivity is over-reactivity to a stimulus. So it is a response from fear, frustration, even intent to do harm (aggression) that is stronger than what would be expected for that species in that situation.17 hrsLike3 Amy LewisAre your resources based on your BAT model?17 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfSoGrishateaching a dog to be less reactive can help it live a happier life even if it is aggressive?17 hrsLike2 Grisha StewartMost of the site is about regular life with dogs, not reactivity. So that part isn't based on BAT. I also have videos explaining how to do counterconditoning (with more controllability than is generally done) and other ways of addressing fear.17 hrsUnlike2 Grisha StewartBut the general BAT philosophy of empowering animals to meet their own needs, and reducing stress, that's all throughout.17 hrsUnlike2 Grisha StewartRobyn - it depends on how you teach them to be less reactive. If the lesson to the dog is "there is no reason to overreact," then that's good for the animal. They're more healthy and live longer, plus (if I could guess based on body language) generally happier.

But if the way is to suppress the reaction with a threat of violence or a leash correction, then no, that's just more stress.17 hrsUnlike3 Grisha StewartHaving a flood of cortisol in your body is really bad for you, long term. So that's one of the reasons I aim to help animals (and their people) relax.16 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartSide note - just approved a request to add a new shelter member to our site.16 hrsEditedUnlike4 Yvette van SchrevenI saw you have a special deal for shelters. I am a volunteer with a shelter and would like to learn how to give new owners a good start with their new dog. As you know new owners are very excited about their new family member and are not very focused on listening. I am still struggling to find a few clear helpful pointers to make life easier for family and dog.16 hrsLike1 Robyn MetcalfThat is helpful informationGrishait is exactly what my girl is doing overreacting. With your help I will get her to not react to everyone walking through the door of Petco.16 hrsUnlike2 Grisha StewartYes - in that moment of adoption it's hard to learn anything at all. So if you can give them a resource that they can look into when they have a clear head, then that will help!16 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartYou could even require that they view certain ones before they get to have the animal, if you had that kind of leeway at your shelter.16 hrsUnlike1 Robyn MetcalfYvettewhen we have store partner adoptions I call them a week after adoption and ask how everything is going and then again a couple weeks later.16 hrsUnlike2 Grisha StewartRobyn - "Find It" is such a useful skill. Get her in the habit of coming in and searching.16 hrsUnlike1 Yvette van SchrevenWould there be a video on your website available to show to the new family?16 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartI have a category for rescue dogs:https://animalbuildingblocks.com/category/bb/rescue-dogs/Rescue Dogs - Online Video Lessons | Animal Building Blocks AcademyCheck out these online video lessons on dog training and care. They are especially useful for rescue and shelter dogs.ANIMALBUILDINGBLOCKS.COM16 hrsUnlike4Remove Preview Robyn MetcalfWe will be winding up the interview in a few minutes does anyone have any further questions forGrisha?16 hrsUnlike1 Grisha StewartThere are several videos that we've shot that will help, like introducing dogs to a new home, for example.16 hrsUnlike2 Grisha StewartI will add something to the list that's very shelter-specific, like "the first 24 hours with your rescue pet"16 hrsUnlike4 Robyn MetcalfThat is a huge problem just bringing a new dog into the home without proper introductions. That shelters and rescues to not teach "how" is frustrating.16 hrsLike2 Grisha StewartYes. I'm hoping that having people watch the video first will really help. And since shelters get coupons to give away for a free month, they can have people watch any video on the site.16 hrsLike Grisha StewartI also have one about bringing home a (human) baby16 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfGrishaI have several customers bringing home new babies in the next several months and are concerned.16 hrsLike Grisha StewartGood that they are concerned now instead of waiting until AFTER.16 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartThey can actually do something now.16 hrsLike Grisha StewartThe baby video is shot and is being edited now, so it should be on the site in the next few weeks.16 hrsLike Robyn MetcalfExactly! I will refer them to your site.Grishait has been an absolute pleasure to conduct the interview do you have anything to add in closing?16 hrsLike1 Grisha StewartWe have our official launch party April 1 so we will at least have the current videos all finalized (some of them are missing background footage so I'm just talking the whole time) and we hope to have more topics as well.

People can register now but it's still officially pre-launch.16 hrsLike2 Grisha StewartIf you liked this idea could you like our Facebook site?https://www.facebook.com/animalbuildingblocksAnimal Building Blocks AcademySchool 218 Likes

Like Page 16 hrsLike2Remove Preview Grisha StewartAnd here is the link for the party - I'm doing a live video overview of how to use the site:https://www.facebook.com/events/1541443482783574/

JoinBuilding Blocks Academy Website Launch Party1 April at 12:00 in PDTBuilding Blocks Academy website59 people are going16 hrsLike2Remove Preview Grisha StewartThanks so much for having me! I really appreciate the opportunity to get the word out there. I'm really excited about the school.

https://animalbuildingblocks.com/help-us-spread-the-word/

Help Us Spread the Word | Animal Building Blocks AcademyWe've all seen the animal out there who's caretaker...ANIMALBUILDINGBLOCKS.COM16 hrsLike3Remove Preview Grisha StewartThanks everybody and good luck with the dogs you asked me about.16 hrsLike1 Robyn MetcalfAnd with that our interview withGrisha Stewartis complete it has been a rewarding hour and I highly recommend the above sites to everyone! Thank You Grisha!!!16 hrsUnlike7 Ellie HainesReally excited about this, I have shared it with friends and lots of rescue contacts already. Hopefully there will be lots of people joining, it is a great idea.14 hrsLike3 Jason CurrieHeyGrishathanks so much for sharing your work !Bottom of Form

For more interviews go to www.moderndoggroup.com

Sign up to our monthly newsletter at http://eepurl.com/bfxBW9