Erika LessaFeb 21 minHEAL: MY ORIGIN STORYSo many people ask me how I found my way in this work. I definitely did not start out with the goal of helping aggressive and other...
Erika LessaAug 9, 20213 minAn Unregulated Industry: Navigating the world of dog training and its many providers.Because the training and behavior industry is unregulated, there are no restrictions around who can call themselves trainers,...
Erika LessaAug 5, 20213 minEMOTION DOESN'T CAUSE BEHAVIOR. IT IS A BEHAVIOR.Treated as such, it can be examined, measured, and it can be changed. A behavior is caused by some change in the environment. There are...
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free CertifiedApr 4, 20219 minAversive Stimulation and Confrontational Training Methods: Know more. Do better.Aversive stimulation and confrontational training are defined as any stimulation used in response to a behavior that instigates avoidance...
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free CertifiedJan 11, 20213 minWeeeeee're baaaaaaaack.Happy New Year, Friends. We have been on a little social media break and using it to do some personal and professional development. We...
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free CertifiedFeb 14, 20204 minI know how to punish a dog.I know how to apply punishment to reduce or lessen any given behavior. I know how to hit, kick, and yell. We all do, actually. I also...
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free CertifiedDec 4, 20194 minAssaultI saw a video of a man who calls himself a dog trainer (I can not be that generous as to assign him that title). He walked up from behind...
Erika LessaNov 5, 20193 min1999 called. They would like their structured walks back.A well-trained dog should walk by our side, right? Well, it’s 2019 and I am here to tell you that we know a lot more about walking our...
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free CertifiedAug 7, 20194 minWHYI am sitting across from a woman. She is propped up toward the edge of the couch, slightly hunched, leaning forward, seemingly defeated....
Erika Lessa, dip. CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free CertifiedDec 26, 20175 minThat puppy is not your dog.Ok, hang on. It is your dog. But it’s not the final iteration of the dog you will be spending your days feeding, scratching, and calling...