Paws in Harmony Dog Training

08/21/2024

Gotta love the shepherds! Theia and Creed this week and last 🥰

08/14/2024

Susie and I went on a solo girls trip on the weekend!

We tried disc on Friday, entered a Rally Obedience trial on Saturday, and volunteered at an agility trial on Sunday.

She was the best girl and scored 200/200 on both of her rally runs Saturday. I’m so proud of her!

If you haven’t had the chance to check out CARO rally obedience, you really should! I’m so impressed with how the judges (and handlers) prioritized the dogs over ribbons and made sure everyone was having fun. They were also so accommodating for anxious and reactive dogs. It was a super positive atmosphere to trial in and I can’t wait to go again 😊

08/14/2024

Creed is so handsome 🐾

He had such a good session last week too!

08/14/2024

Watching dogs walk by is hard work!

Theia said her emotional support ball made it so much easier 🎾

What a good girl she was last week!

08/09/2024

Hope 🤍

A little four month old Springer! She is such a smarty pants and reminds me so much of my first dog growing up, Brittany 🥹

08/09/2024

Sarge here to give you all puppy fever 🖤😍

08/08/2024

Fear is the easiest things to condition in dogs and the hardest to resolve. Fear can come from many places, many of which we don't control. This infographic is my most downloaded and shared resource. In fact, many vets and Veterinary Behaviorists use this handout with their own clients! Link in first comment to grab your own copy.

08/06/2024

I’ve had a last minute spot open up in our puppy class starting tomorrow!

Also still have a spot open for rally class 🙂

07/31/2024

I feel confident in saying that nobody uses a prong or choke collar with the intent to harm their dog.

Most dog guardians do so either on the advice of someone they trust, someone they believe is an experienced professional, or as a last resort to in hopes it will help their dog.

The science is out there to support the evidence that, no matter the reason, they can physically harm a dog.

Emotional harm is even more likely.

Think of it like this:
A dog sees something that makes them nervous or scared.
They bark or lunge or growl.
The guardian gives a quick tug on the leash.
The dog stops barking/lunging/growling.
The guardian assumes "problem solved".
The dog, on the other hand, thinks "When I see a trigger, I get hurt."
So one of two things happens: the dog shuts down from learned helplessness, or the dog reacts bigger and worse than before. Which results in a bigger yank on the leash/collar, which hurts more.

*NOTE: The same happens emotionally when a leash or collar is yanked even when the collar isn't a prong or choke as well!*

IMPORTANT: You're still a good guardian if you have used these tools with your dog... AND you can learn the true effects of it, choose a trainer who can help you work with your dog to be calmer around those triggers, and keep your dog safe AND happy.

It takes longer, it's more work, and your dog (and your relationship with them) is worth it.🐕🐾

If you need someone to help you ditch the prong or choke collar with your dog, I'm happy to help! Please reach out, there is support for you both.

07/29/2024

Creed has big feelings about other dogs and absolutely ROCKED his session last week! 🥳

When working through reactivity, we always work at a distance the dog is comfortable with in order to build their confidence. Taking it slow is the quickest way to making progress!

Good boy, Creed!

07/29/2024

The best girl 💖

Theia has big feelings about other dogs, so we’re working on staying calm. She worked her little heart out during our last session and did so good!

07/29/2024

A couple spots left in each of the August group classes!

- Basic Skills
- Puppy Class
- Rally Obedience

All classes are taught with positive reinforcement training methods.

Description of each class under the individual images!

Message on Facebook or email [email protected] for more info or to sign up! 😊

07/17/2024

Elijah 🐶

We went for a drive to work on staying calm in parking lots. Such a handsome dude!

07/17/2024

Creed 🤎

The sweetest boy who has big feelings around other dogs. He was an old pro at session last week. His mom has worked so hard with him and it’s definitely paying off!

07/17/2024

Theia 👑

Doesn’t she have the sweetest, most gentle face? Theia has big feelings when she sees other dogs, so we’re working on remaining calm so that she can enjoy walks around town. She was such a good girl during her first session the other day!

07/17/2024

Which one makes the most sense: 🐾 forcing a behaviour from your dog 🐾 punishing them for choosing an undesired behaviour 🐾 or teaching them how to choose a more desirable behaviour? Read what YHDC thinks in this personally written article

07/11/2024

🐾 I’m making a list of people who offer dog sitting, grooming & walking in Yarmouth and Shelburne county so that I can have to refer clients to.

Positive reinforcement or behaviour savvy people!

If anyone is interested in walking, I’m willing to work with a couple people on how to handle tricky or reactive dogs, body language, etc. It would be a good opportunity for a student or someone who wants to spend extra time with dogs!

Feel free to share so I can get a good list going!

07/09/2024

Basic skills class, rally class & bonus foot targeting with the donut 🍩🐶

Next round starting up in August. Message if you’d like to be added to the list!

07/09/2024

If anyone is looking for a great groomer!

07/05/2024

Two of the three pups I got to play with yesterday, Anna and Holly 😍

06/24/2024

We’re already entering our last week of June classes!

I’ll be starting a list for our next round, which will take place in August.

I’ll be offering our regular classes:
- Basic skills class
- Puppy class
- Rally obedience class (CARO)

I’m also open to running one day sessions on specific subjects (loose leash, recall, better vet visits) if there is enough interest.

Located on Forbes Point (between East Pubnico & Woods Harbour) but willing to travel to Shelburne and possibly Yarmouth with enough interest!

06/20/2024

This week and last week’s rally lesson! We worked on some CARO signs, sits, downs, heeling, pivots, fronts & fading the lure.

These two are doing amazing! Check out Dixie’s focus 🤩

06/20/2024

SERVICE UPDATE 🔔

In addition to private coaching and group classes, I’m excited to now be offering DAY training!

Day training vs private coaching?

Day training - kind of like a board and train, but you get to keep your dog at home! I come to you and work with your dog myself, then show you how to continue and upkeep the skills they have learned during their time spent with me.

Day training is great if you have limited time, don’t want to do the work yourself, or want to see quicker progress.

Private coaching - I work directly with you and teach you the skills needed to work with your own dog.

Private coaching is great if you want to be directly involved in the training process, learn about body language, safety and management, how to navigate behavioural problems, leash handling skills, etc.

Send me a message if you’d like to get started!

06/19/2024

Monday night fun! 🐶

06/14/2024

Little photo dump from our classes this week!

06/05/2024

Atticus 🤎🩵 a great big ball of floof!

06/04/2024

Rosetta 🌹 the happiest, wiggly girl!

05/31/2024

A couple spots opened up for our rally class starting next week!!

It’s SO much fun and great for relationship building too ☺️

I'm SO EXCITED about offering this new service! No experience needed at all!

What is Rally Obedience? A dog sport that combines traditional obedience with a fun and interactive twist. Dogs and their handlers navigate a course consisting of various signs that indicate different exercises to perform.

The workshop will give you an overview of the sport and all of the information needed to get started.

Drop-in classes give you the opportunity to practice skills in a group environment.

If you've ever wanted to get into dog sports, this is a really great opportunity! Whether you just want something fun to do at home, or if you want to compete.

The workshop and drop-ins will be working at the novice level and following CARO rules and regulations, but will also give you the skills necessary to trial with CKC if that interests you.

All done through positive, fear free methods.

Do you have an anxious or reactive dog? The workshop has you covered. You'll learn everything needed to work with your dog from home. CARO has the option of trialing virtually if in person trials aren't a good fit.

You can learn more about CARO here: https://www.canadianrallyo.ca/page/What_is_Rally_Obedience

Dates: June 5, 12, 19, 26 (Wednesday evenings)

Message me on Facebook or email [email protected] to sign up! 🙂

05/21/2024

Upcoming classes for June:

🐶 Info for each class under the individual images. Send me a message with your questions or if you’d like to be added to the list!

💬 If you’ve messaged me already and haven’t heard back, please message again!

📝 All classes are followed up with individual written summaries and things to work on outside of class.

Classes will be small and take place outdoors with lots of space 😊

05/08/2024

💕 Willow 💕

The sweetest golden doodle puppy ever. Such a little smarty pants too. She was already offering sits and paws when I got there!

Like a typical puppy, Willow is enthusiastic and likes to jump up, chew and chase the cats. We worked on some fun skills, such as polite greetings, stays and place.

Her parents were so good about implementing the training plan, and I can’t wait to hear about her progress!

🌟 If you’re looking for some private training or to be added to the list of June group classes, send me a message!