The Honest Puppy

12/02/2022

10/31/2022

Happy Halloween! 🎃👻

10/31/2022

Please feel free to print off and attach to your gate or door 🐶🐰🐱

10/28/2022

It’s the dog mom life for me!

Franks ✨ Internet Big Sister shared a post on Instagram: "Happy for y’all out there but Breck has other plans for me.". Follow their account to see 1062 posts.

10/26/2022

Halloween is fast approaching 🎃👻 Here are some tips for making it an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog!

09/17/2022

I couldn’t have said it better myself!

Reposted from Sometimes I look back at my pre dog training days and think “Ignorance is bliss”.
When I first started studying dogs and their behaviour, I was intrigued by all the things I had been ignorant to—as many dog owners are—for most of my life.
I was fascinated by the amount of information that could be learned from a tongue flick, the carriage of a tail, the position of the ears, a paw lift...even when and how sniffing occurs, and the way a dog positions their body.
Once you understand that every one of these behaviours is as intentional as the words we chose in conversation, you gain a little insight into a dog’s world. You gain the opportunity to bond with dogs and earn their trust. To feel that connection when they realize that you understand what they are trying to say.
It is both a blessing and a curse that this skill doesn’t have an off switch. That now that you know, you can’t unseen it.
The hardest thing about being a dog trainer is wanting to be the interpreter for every dog I see that is trying to communicate and is being misunderstood or ignored—whether it’s when I’m driving down the street or scrolling through Tik Tok.
As much as I wish I could fix this problem and break this language barrier for good, change happens by educating one owner and family at a time. Like everything in life, when we know better we do better. And we can’t know better unless we are taught better. This is why I take my role as a dog trainer and educator very seriously.
My job is not to teach owners how to get their dogs to do stuff—though that is a small part of it. My job is to teach owners so that they know better, and to help them so that they can do better.

07/24/2022

Foster pups come and go….
but the 3 legged ones are in your heart forever ❤️

07/18/2022

This is a flowchart build off of the previous post which can help you to decipher what type of dog professional you may need.

07/06/2022

QUITTING SO MUCH SITTING
Why asking dogs to sit all the time is not such a good idea
We may have been taught and truly believe that teaching our dogs to sit at our every cue is instilling good manners, it looks impressive, it demonstrates good obedience, teaches self-control, is incompatible to jumping up, running around or being reactive or over excited. Dogs are taught from puppies to sit before getting fed, going out a door, before being greeted, crossing the road etc. and this quickly becomes a habitual behaviour, but sometimes what we have been taught or always believed is the right way is not always what’s best for our dogs.
“Sit” is often the very first thing puppies are taught, whether we begin this at home or when going to puppy school. Just one session at puppy school may include up to 20 or even more “sits”. That’s a high intensity workout for a dog at any age, but puppies in their growing stage are particularly at risk due to their developing skeletal system. These sitting repetitions put excessive pressure on their growing muscles and joints which may lead to damage or injury that may only become apparent when they’re older.
Senior dogs may find it really painful to sit down and then get back up. Sitting puts pressure on the lower back, hips and supporting muscles. Certain breeds are just not designed to repeatedly sit.
There is nothing wrong with occasionally asking our dogs to sit and in some situations, it’s needed, but look at teaching alternative behaviours that are just as effective and won’t risk causing possible discomfort or pain. Wait, 4 paws on the floor, look at me or focus on me, hand touches or lie down are all behaviours that can replace repetitive sitting.

07/06/2022

Abby H | Dog Behaviour Consultant (.honest.puppy) added a video to their Instagram account: “There are lots of ways to train and raise dogs, in fact, the information available can be extremely…”

07/03/2022

One of the saddest parts of my job is the sheer volume of rehoming requests I get from dog owners. Several times a week I receive a call, message or email, and it is always the same - Do I “know somebody who wants a [6-18 months old] [highly energetic working dog]? The dog needs more activities than the family can provide.”
This week it has been a Heeler, a Lab and yesterday a Border Collie. Other weeks it is a German Shorthair pointer, a German Shepherd and a Goldendoodle. Or a Weimaraner, a Malinois, an Aussie, a Husky … you get the idea.
First - no, I likely do not know anybody who would be a good match for the dog. I have a list of people looking for dogs - currently it has zero names - and a list of people with high-energy breeds wanting to re-home their dogs. This list is very, very long.
Please do not get a puppy if you cannot meet the needs of his breed. The vast majority of dogs needs more than a full food bowl and a pat on the head. Especially during the first 2 years of a dog’s life, expect him to require DAILY training. Throughout the dog’s life you should plan on providing enrichment, mental stimulation and physical activities. You have work, errands to run, a family to take care off, TV shows to watch, books to read - but your dog only has YOU.
If you chose a working-bred dog, expect him to not be content with a 15 minute leash walk. Your dog needs more. He is only doing what he was bred to do - having a high energy level, intense desire to move and work, no quits.
If you want a beginner dog or a laid-back dog - there are plenty of lap dog breeds who have lower exercise needs (though they still need some!). There are plenty of adult or senior dogs in rescue. There are retired racing Greyhounds. There are shelters looking for volunteers and fosters - that way you can get your feet wet before committing to a certain breed.
If you get a puppy of a working breed, expect him to take up a big chunk of your time for many years to come!
Please don't first acquire and then rehome your dogs because of who they are - instead, invest time into researching your chosen breed upfront.

06/24/2022

When I tell my clients to “catch the good” behaviour instead of always focusing on the behaviours they don’t like, this is exactly what I mean 😂 be like Sheldon!

06/22/2022

This little guy has a history of being fearful with strangers and had a tough time accepting affection or playing with anyone that wasn’t his mom! In collaboration with Bob, from Unity Training and Behaviour, after a few sessions we’ve become good friends with Gord and he’s learning that strangers aren’t so bad. This was accomplished by giving Gord control over his environment and allowing him to make his own choices. Yay Gord!!

06/20/2022

Hi everyone! I am Abby, owner of The Honest Puppy. My passion for animal welfare & behaviour inspired me to start my own business helping our furry friends. I help tackle behavioural issues, puppy socialization & more while providing a unique educational experience for pet parents to set your dog up for success! If you have any questions or want to chat, please feel free to reach out at any time.