Well Mannered Mutts

Well Mannered Mutts Balanced Dog Trainer
Located in Mirror AB, serving Lacombe County & Stettler County

12/28/2025

Cold days in Alberta call for indoor enrichment!

Merry Christmas to all of my amazing clients 🎄🐾This season, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for trusting me with...
12/24/2025

Merry Christmas to all of my amazing clients 🎄🐾

This season, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for trusting me with your dogs, for showing up even when training felt hard, for celebrating the small wins, and for committing to your dogs in a way that truly matters.

I’m endlessly grateful for the relationships built this year — not just with your dogs, but with you. Watching teams grow, bonds strengthen, and confidence build has been the greatest gift.

I hope your Christmas is filled with love, warmth, and a little extra dog hair on everything 🐶💛
Give your pups a big hug from me.

Sending so much love and gratitude,
Ashley & The WMM Hounds

12/24/2025

Personal space? What’s that?

Dog of the Month – Gus 🐾This month’s Dog of the Month is Gus, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.Gus came to us needing su...
12/24/2025

Dog of the Month – Gus 🐾

This month’s Dog of the Month is Gus, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.

Gus came to us needing support with reactivity at home, particularly around his space and outdoor environment. Our focus was on building clear communication, fair and consistent boundaries, and helping him feel more confident and regulated in his world. We thoughtfully layered in the e-collar to support that communication — ensuring it was clear, fair, and effective, without being harsh or negative. A huge priority was creating a positive relationship with both the tool and the handler using it.

Another key piece of Gus’s progress was giving him a job — because dogs without purpose will often invent their own. We introduced agility, stacking work, structured play, and nose work to give him healthy outlets for both his body and his brain.

Since finishing his sessions, I’ve received updates from his family… and he is doing AMAZING 👏🐶
That kind of success only happens when the work continues at home, and his humans have absolutely crushed it.

So proud of you, Gus. Keep shining, buddy 💛

12/23/2025

Extra enrichment for dogs for cold days in Alberta

🎄 A Little Christmas Gratitude Moment 🐾💛Christmas is a season of gratitude, reflection, and passing love forward — and t...
12/23/2025

🎄 A Little Christmas Gratitude Moment 🐾💛

Christmas is a season of gratitude, reflection, and passing love forward — and today I want to slow things down for a moment and bring that energy to the dogs who walk beside us every day.

As a dog trainer, I usually get called in when things feel hard. I hear about the struggles, the stress, the overwhelm — the behaviours that feel frustrating or exhausting. And that makes total sense… that’s when people reach out for help.

But what I don’t get to hear nearly enough is what you love about your dog. 💗

So let’s flip the script for a moment.

I want to start a gratitude thread — tell me something you’re grateful for when it comes to your dog.
Maybe it’s their goofy personality, their loyalty, their resilience, their cuddles, their growth, or the way they keep trying even when things feel hard.

Every dog has good in them — even the “difficult” ones (and sometimes especially those ones). And every handler deserves a moment to pause and acknowledge how far they’ve come together.

Drop it in the comments 👇
One thing. Big or small.

Let’s celebrate the dogs we’re lucky enough to learn from every single day 🐶💛

I’ll start by sharing what I’m grateful for about my own dogs in the comments, and I hope you’ll join in 💛

Christmas Tips for Success 🎅🎄🧑‍🎄The holidays are exciting… but for dogs, they can also be a lot. New people, new smells,...
12/22/2025

Christmas Tips for Success 🎅🎄🧑‍🎄

The holidays are exciting… but for dogs, they can also be a lot. New people, new smells, routine changes, food everywhere, and big emotions. A little planning goes a long way in keeping things calm, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.

Here are some simple Christmas tips to set your dog up for success 👇

✨Stick to Structure
Try to keep walks, feeding times, and downtime as close to normal as possible. Structure = security, especially during chaotic days.

✨Give Them an “Off Switch” Space
Set up a quiet spot (crate, bed, or room) where your dog can decompress away from guests and kids. Rest is not rude — it’s necessary.

✨Manage, Don’t Test
This is not the time to see “if they’re ready.” Leash indoors if needed, use gates, and advocate for your dog’s space. Management is smart, not failure.

✨Watch the Food
Dropped snacks, counter surfing, and well-meaning guests can cause problems fast. Remind everyone: no feeding without permission.

✨Exercise Before Events
A fulfilled dog is a calmer dog. Get some movement or enrichment in before guests arrive so they’re not bursting with energy.

✨Mental Work Counts Too
Snuffle mats, lick mats, chews, place work, or short training sessions help burn energy without adding more stimulation.

✨Lower Expectations
Your dog doesn’t need to be perfect. Calm, safe, and regulated is the goal — not Pinterest-level obedience.

✨Advocate Loudly, Love Softly
Protect your dog’s boundaries, even if it feels awkward. You’re their voice.

Wishing you a calm, cozy, and successful Christmas with your dogs! The best gift you can give them is safety, clarity, and trust ❤️💚🤍

Those core memory moments 🥹💗This was back when Marley had just started in our Stay & Play program—two years ago already....
12/22/2025

Those core memory moments 🥹💗

This was back when Marley had just started in our Stay & Play program—two years ago already.
Not much has changed since then… these two are still just as inseparable and just as in love.

Some bonds only get better with time ✨🐾
Sammi Asuchak

12/21/2025

Don’t throw out your scraps 🎄🐾
DIY feeder edition.

Tonight’s dinner came courtesy of an old Christmas ornament box, some wrapping paper, and a few cardboard rolls—and the dogs were thrilled.

Sniffing, shredding, problem-solving, and working for their meal instead of eating it out of the same old dish = peak enrichment 🙌
Same food. Different delivery. Bigger payoff.

You don’t need fancy gear to meet your dog’s needs—sometimes the best enrichment is already headed for the recycling bin.

♻️ DIY enrichment
🧠 Work the brain
🐶 Happy, satisfied dogs

Freezing temps keeping us indoors again today ❄️…but you won’t hear these “victims” complaining. 😌8 dogs.Worked individu...
12/20/2025

Freezing temps keeping us indoors again today ❄️
…but you won’t hear these “victims” complaining. 😌

8 dogs.
Worked individually.
Getting one-on-one time from their favourite auntie (& mama) while doing all their favourite jobs. 🥰

Enrichment, structure, engagement, and a whole lot of love—because great training doesn’t stop when winter shows up.

Hope all of these beautiful babies enjoyed their day and have the best sleeps tonight. I know my 3 will be sawing logs once we finish up 🐾

Wishing you an amazing, joyful weekend! Tell your dog(s) i said hello 👋🏻

🐾 ENRICHMENT HOUR 🐾Our WMM Enrichment Hour is designed for dogs—especially high-drive dogs—who need a structured outlet ...
12/19/2025

🐾 ENRICHMENT HOUR 🐾

Our WMM Enrichment Hour is designed for dogs—especially high-drive dogs—who need a structured outlet that channels their energy into productive, meaningful work.

This program focuses on building clarity, confidence, impulse control, and regulation through guided activities that engage both the mind and body in a calm, controlled environment.

📍Location:
• Alix Community Resource Centre

🗓 Upcoming Dates:
• December 28 - FULLY BOOKED
• January 24
• February 14
• February 28

⏰ Session Times:
• First session begins at 11:00 AM
• Final session concludes at 6:00 PM

💰 $40 per dog
⏱ 1-hour sessions

Program Structure:
• We book two dogs per session, working separately on different activities
• There is no dog-to-dog interaction during work
• All activities are trainer-led, intentional, and tailored to the individual dog
• Handlers must remain with their dog for the duration of the session

Enrichment Stations May Include:
• Agility – confidence building, focus, and impulse control
• Stacking work – body awareness, direction, and calm under pressure
• Slatmill – structured outlet for drive, endurance, and regulation
• Scent games & enrichment – problem solving, nose work, and appropriate mental fatigue

⚠️ Important Information & Preparation:
• If your dog is reactive, please mention this when messaging to book so appropriate accommodations can be made
• No flexi leashes, please
• BYOT – bring enough high-value treats for the full session (a treat pouch or bag is recommended)
• All spots must be pre-booked and paid for at the time of booking. This is not a drop-in class.

This is not free play.
This is structured, purposeful enrichment designed to support balanced, fulfilled dogs.

We’re pleased to have Kayla from Happy Hounds Hideawayassisting during Enrichment Hour to help ensure sessions run smoothly and dogs are set up for success.

Message WMM to book your spot.
Spaces are limited.

Address

Calgary, AB
T0B3C0

Telephone

+14033040856

Website

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