Decompression Isn’t Just Sniffing
Decompression Isn't Just SniffingI hike my dogs so that they can go for an extended time using their bodies however feels good to them. They run and jump and crash through the bush, carry sticks, collect pine cones, walk beside me, chase each other, and swim in...
Relaxation Protocol
Relaxation ProtocolRelaxation protocols will help your dog navigate many aspects of life, especially when what we want goes against their instincts. These protocols will teach your dog to relax and in place when you move about the house, when a visitor arrives, and...
Talk To Your Dog
Have you had a trainer tell you not to talk to your dog so much? Or maybe you have seen a meme floating around recently telling people not to talk to their dogs?  Sometimes I agree. If you are training focus or verbal cues, you likely don't want to clutter things...
That Dog Isn’t Friendly, They Are Obnoxious
That Dog Isn't Friendly, They Are ObnoxiousA story about a person who walks the same tails that I walk. They have three large dogs: they call one a "Pitbull cross", the other two "Boxer mixes". The dogs are 80 -120lbs and have big blocky heads. And they ARE...
Stress Bucket
How Full Is Your Dog's Bucket?When a dog's Stress Bucket overflows, they can have big reactions to seemingly little things. As the saying goes, this is a case of 'the straw that broke the camels back'. If the bucket is full, even a drop can cause it to spill. When...
Benefits Of Stationing
Benefits Of StationingNervous dog? Excitable Dog? Reactive Dog? Stationing is when we ask our dog to get onto a thing and stay there for a period of time. Typically we ask for four paws up, but this can be done with two paws up, a down, a sit, or whatever is most...
‘Choice’ Moments and ‘No Choice’ Moments
'Choice' Moments and 'No Choice' MomentsDogs do, or should, have 'Choice' moments and 'No Choice' moments. Both are important. 'Choice' moments are when we ask our dog to do something, and they can say 'No'. An example is when working with a reactive or...
What Are Your Dog’s L.E.G.S?
What Are Your Dog's L.E.G.S? It's actually not all about how you raise them. Dogs come with a set of built in characteristics based on their genetic history. Breed or type tendencies will of course vary from dog to dog, but due to the long history of breeding...
Pattern Games
A fun new course for excited, distractible, and reactive dogs!
Good Training Practices
When training, it is important to always consider confidence.  If our dog is confident, we can build drive, speed, and enthusiasm. If our dog looses confidence, our performance will slow down and become less reliable. Begin and end each session with easy...
Potty Training Your Puppy
Potty Training Your PuppyTraining your puppy to eliminate outdoors can be a very quick process, or can take weeks and even months.  Each puppy develops and learns at their own pace. Be patient while they learn. When your puppy eliminates, it feels good. If your puppy...
Safety Gear for Large Reactive Dogs
Gear for Powerful DogsIf you have a dog who is prone to reactivity or aggression, you must be able to hold your dog back and pull them away if things go sideways adn you have a big reaction. The gear we choose can make all the difference. Moderate Pullers can use a...
Grieving The Dog You Wanted
Grieving The Dog You WantedMost people adopt or purchase a dog with a lifestyle in mind, maybe a hiking buddy, a family pet for current or future children, an agility superstar, or maybe even as a therapy dog. Sometimes we get a dog who can't participate in those...
Look-At-That Game
Look At That Game The Look-At-That game was popularized by Leslie McDevitt in her Control Unleashed program.  The basics of the game: Mark (say 'yes' or click) when your dog looks at a stimulus such as a dog, person, car, skateboard, or whatever gets your dog...
Where to Buy Toys!
Where to Buy Toys?I have a lot of fun toys for the dogs and students ask where to find them. Of course check your local pet supply stores, and of course there is Amazon, here are my favourite Canadian websites. Cutesy, fluffy, tuggy ones that last:Â ...
Dogs Who Bite – Rehoming and Behavioural Euthanasia
Rehoming or Euthanizing Dogs with Serious Bite Historiesehavioural Euthanasia is a difficult topic. The topic evokes strong emotional responses in many of us, and rightly so. Choosing to end an animal’s life when they are ‘perfectly healthy’ is never an easy decision,...
Muzzle Up!
Muzzle Up!Muzzles can be used for many reasons. Certainly, if your dog is a bite risk to yourself, other people, or animals, consider a muzzle.  I love to muzzle train my dogs in case of emergency. If your dog has a serious injury requiring veterinary care, the vet...
Requirements for a Mentally Balanced Dog
I am often called to a home to see a dog with behaviour problems of one sort or another: Anxiety, reactivity, aggression, destructive or annoying behaviours.  Often, even though their owner is trying, the dog's basic needs are not being met.  When a dog's needs...
Covid-19 Protocols
Lisa and I are doing our best to keep up with the latest government regulations and best practice regulations. Our COVID-19 class and lesson protocol document is attached. Please let us know if you have any questions. Masks are required at all indoor and outdoor group...
Let’s Talk About Resource Guarding
I attempted to make a video showing you how to handle a dog who growls, lip curls or otherwise threatens you when you try to take their bone or toy. I’ve worked hard on Riker’s resource guarding and he was such a good boy! He was tense and a little anxious, but did...
Obedience or Counter Conditioning – What Does Your Dog Need?
If you have a dog classified as 'reactive' or 'aggressive', you probably are either working on better obedience or on a counter conditioning program. Obedience training programs This program helps you keep your dog's attention as you pass other dogs, as children run...
High Value Treats?
We use food in training for many reasons: Reinforcement drives behaviour & most dogs love eating so food is an easy reinforcer. Food allows us to reward quickly and many times in a minute. The more reps we can get in, the faster we and our dogs will learn. But Can...
Problem Behaviour: Jumping on People
"Off! OFF! OFF! For God's sake Fido, OFF!" Sound familiar? It is embarrassing when our dog jumps on a visitor or on a person walking the trail. When you first brought Fido home, you probably weren't envisioning explaining muddy paw prints on a neighbour's jeans or...
Food Toys and Recipies
Food Toys and Puzzles Food toys and puzzles come in many varieties and have different purposes. There are: Snufflers Bat 'Em Arounders Puzzlers Chewers and Lickers Snufflers Snufflers are food toys such as snuffle mats/balls and are typically used with kibble or...
Changing Bad Habits – A Case Study
What does your pup/dog do that you wish they didn't do?  Much of dog or puppy training is helping them set good habits. To a dog, squirrel chasing is a fun activity, but in the human world this can be an annoying and dangerous habit. Barking at the mail delivery...
Your End of the Leash – Anxiety and Owning a Reactive Dog
When you have an anxious or reactive dog you might have people tell you that your nervousness or [random personal quality] is the problem or a part of the reason your dog misbehaves. These often unsolicited opinions are usually well meaning. After all, that person is...
Set You and Your Dog Up For Success
Wouldn't it be nice to have a dog who can sit or lie quietly while another dog passes. Do you wish your dog could at least walk by another dog without more than passing interest.  Why do so many of us struggle with this skill? Puppy Socialization (Please contact me...
Rules For Fast & Reliable RECALL
Training a dog to come when called, no matter what the distraction takes time but can be super fun for you both. Recall is one of my favourite things to train. Grab some awesome treats and toys, a long line and your dog, and lets train! If your dog is taking off,...
Reactive Dogs – Punishment won’t Fix It
The key to fixing reactivity is to keep your dog under threshold most of the time. 'Under threshold' means that the dog is not so upset that they are barking/lunging/panicking/attacking. When a dog does go over threshold we need to get then out of that situation,...
Dogs and Exercise – Part 1: Fetch
We all know dogs need walks and exercise. Certain breeds need more than others, younger dogs need more than seniors, and we need to be careful about how we exercise puppies. Fetch - the Good, the Bad, and the Way I Play Many dogs love a good game of fetch. I love...