When should you intervene?
⚠️ Well, I tell most clients to intervene any time you feel that things might be going south.
But if you see all of the above characteristics you probably don’t need to.
Although the last characteristic of healthy dog play that I like to see is the ability to default.
By this, I mean that each dog can read the body language of the other and act accordingly.
In this video, Chessi (champagne dog) got still a few times which indicates to Lyla (the black dog) that she needs to back off a little. 🐕
Lyla was able to default to what Chessi was communicating and they were able to continue playing together.
Dogs that can’t default or are missing another dog’s communication signals will likely overwhelm their play mate and it could lead to an argument.
It is important to understand how dogs communicate to one another and to people so you can advocate for your dog when needed.
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#yycdogs #dogmom #dogtraining #calgarydogs #dogtrainingtipsandadvice #yycdogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogplay #dogsplaying #healthydogplay #dogowners #silverlabrador #bordercollie #happydogs #dogbodylaunguage #howdogstalk #herdydog
Day #12 of the 12 Days of Enrichment: DOG SPORTS!
I absolutely love playing the sport of Agility with Lyla. We have so much fun together. Chessi is a nut and can’t get enough of dock diving. Both are challenging sports in their own ways but we mostly do it to enjoy each other!
Dog sports are just another great way to provide some fun and excitement for your dog! I’ve shown you so many ways to keep your dog’s mind and body working. So go out and find something you and your dog love!
Lastly, related to meeting our dog’s needs, that’s individual for each dog. Meeting Lyla’s needs looks different to meeting Chessi’s needs. Find out what your dog needs from you and they will return the favour.
#reqctivedog #dogs #yycdogs #calgarydogs #flyingpotato #agility #bordercollie #colliesofinstagram #teamwork #partnership #paws #dogtrainer #certifieddogtrainer #havefun #newthings #challengeyourself #pushyourlimits #everyday #dogsports #dockdiving #dock #coonhound #amstaff #bully #waterdog #waterdogsofinstagram
Day #9 of the 12 Days of Enrichment: FLIRT POLE. Does your dog chase bunnies? Squirrels? Birds? Against contrary belief, engaging in behaviours that tap into your dogs prey drive doesn’t actually make the animal chasing worse- it actually reduces it! Prey drive is something that is driven innately, a need that comes from within your dog. If they don’t satisfy that need, it often comes out in ways that we consider to be undesirable. If we provide our dogs with outlets to stalk, eye and chase something that moves in a way we like, it’s less likely that they will feel the need to run after the neighbourhood friends.
If you pair a fulfilled pretty drive with predation substitute training. You’ll be passing those bunnies with a breeze.
Check out my video
Check out my pinned post of my girls calmly watching a new friend!
Follow for more training tips ⭐️
#silverlab #silverlabrador #silverlabsofinstagram #amstaff #amstafflove #coonhound #bluetickcoonhound #prey #preydrive #engage #naturalbehaviour #letdogsbedogs #chase #stalk #predatory #training #dogmom #calgary #yycdogs #alberta #getoutside #snowfall #winter #itsbeginningtolookalotlikechristmas #enrichment #enrichmentfordogs
Day 6 of the 12 Days of Enrichment! CHEWING!
Did you know chewing isn’t just for puppies? Chewing is a really great stress reliever for adult dogs and often a need for them too.
We have non edible chew toys like Kongs and wood root chews. We also have edible long lasting chews like Bully sticks, yak chews and raw bones.
As well as being a natural calming aid, engaging in daily chewing helps keep our dog’s teeth clean too!
Lyla is enjoying a 6 inch Thick Braided Bulky stick from @bullybunches
Follow for more great training tips! ⭐️
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Day #3 of the 12 Days of Enrichment- PUZZLE TOYS! 🧩
Puzzle toys can be great ways to engage our dogs’ brain and enhance their problem solving abilities! Puzzle toys are ideal for gentle dogs that are strategic thinkers. Puzzle toys can also build confidence in dogs that are shy or nervous.
Puzzle toys may not be super ideal for the “bull in a china shop dogs” that will throw them across the floor or flip them. I have one of each type, so Chessi doesn’t get puzzle toys like these very often 😂
#buildingconfidence #yycdogs #fearfreedogtraining #positivedogtraining #behaviourchange #behaviourmodification #listentoyourdog #calgary #yycdogs #doglover #dogtrainer #certifieddogtrainer #reactivedogs #reactivedogtraining #collies #herdingdog #colliesofinstagram #mentalenrichment #problemsolving #slowfeeder #dogs #canine #calgarydogsofinstagram #canadiandogs #puzzle #puzzletoys #fun
📣 ANNOUNCEMENT, ANNOUNCEMENT, ANNOUNCEMENT 📣
Attention all fur-parents, dog lovers and canine enthusiasts!! Myself and Shannon of North Range Dogs are collaborating to bring you The Recall Masterclass!
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This class offers 3 in person group sessions and 1 virtual Q&A/ Check in! Two indoor sessions and 1 outdoor to apply your skills in the real world!
🗓️ When?: Nov 9th, 16th, 23rd and Dec 2nd.
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What do I mean by our dogs needs aren’t met? If we aren’t regularly meeting our dogs’ needs by providing sufficient physical and mental stimulation, it is much more likely that our dogs are going to run through that open door.
Let’s face it, the outside world is a REALLY fun place to be. If our dog’s aren’t allotted enough time to spend outside of the home, outside of the home becomes an even more desirable place.
There’s definitely training that is also involved in teaching our dogs that an open door is no big deal but #meetingyourdogsneeds is a great place to start.
Reach out to start your training journey with us!
#meetyourdogsneeds #management #dogtraining #yycdogs #doormanners #silverlab #coonhound #amstaffofinstagram #bordercollie #bordercolliesofinstagram #fearfreedogtraining #rplus #partner
This is a real life example of why door manners are so important! Toby, one of our neighbourhood dog friends was walking right past the house as I cued them through the door. Waiting outside of the door for me is just as important as waiting inside. If you are looking to brush up on some skills before you winter, shoot me a message!
#doormanners #yycdogs #dogtraining #safety #certfieddogtrainer #certifiedgoodgirl #walks #bordercollie #amstaff #silverlab #coonhound
This is my first session conditioning Chessi to a Head Halti. Chessi understands the premise of loose lead walking but she can struggle in new places and can be a little impulsive. Let’s be honest, walking a hound mix on a leash can be difficult to say the least. They are not built for leashes. She is a very strong girl and having a few different tools in the toolbox for some instances can be essential. It is extremely important to me for Chessi to be comfortable in the Halti. The nose is a sensitive area for our dogs and having something wrap around it can feel very unnatural. I am watching her throughout all of my sessions for indicators of stress. If for some reason Chessi is unable to feel comfortable in the Halti, i am willing to ditch it.
Excuse the chatting in the background, sometimes we must multi task. 😂 Train the dog and listen to the hubby.
Stay tuned for step 2!
#shaping #dogtraining #yycdogs #certifieddogtrainer #headhalter #Halti #dogwalking #coonhound #silverlab #amstaff #calgary #calgarydogs
We’ve spent most of the summer sharing our yard with the neighbourhood bunnies. Almost every time we go out for a walk, one is hanging out on our lawn. 🐰
Initially, my first thought was “Ugh, what a pain” 😒 but it’s actually strengthened their abilities to co exist with them.
The Predatory Sequence is as follows: Orient, Stalk, Creep, Chase, Grab bite, Kill bite, Possess, Disect and Consume. Many canines don’t actually engage in the full predatory sequence because of selective breeding and domestication. Each dogs predatory sequence may look a little different. Some dogs, including my own, if left to their own devices would engage in the first 5 sections of the sequence. They have both had opportunities to kill and consume small prey such as mice, but they are more interested in stalking and chasing them. I am personally fine with my dogs mousing when in wooded areas as they are able to drop prey out of their mouth when asked, and generally don’t make much attempt to consume.
With rabbits and squirrels though, I don’t want them chasing or grabbing them, therefore I provide an an outlet for the chase portion of the prey sequence (throwing the treat) after they have eyed the bunny and they get to munch down on the treat. This actually strengthens the behaviour of the orientation and stalking. Allowing our dogs to perform certain parts of the predatory sequence will be inherently reinforcing. The more they practice the orient and stalk, the more it is reinforced which means you will see more of it.
Since rabbits and squirrels are everywhere in my neighbourhood, I personally much prefer Chessi and Lyla to stalk with their eyes, rather than actively chase them and pull me down in the process.
#predatorysequence #predatorandprey #functionaldogtraining #yycdogs
Have you ever wondered neighbourhood leash walks can look like with a Certified Dog Trainer? Check this out! #yycdogs #yycdogtrainer #certifieddogtrainer #dogwalks #bordercolliesofinstagram #silverlabsofinstagram #silverlab #coonhound #amstaff #furbabies #calgarydogs #dogtraining
I am back with my girls! Some snuffle ball time for Lyla for her evening activity on this smokey day. Thankyou to Auntie Edna's Snufflers for creating this amazing enrichment toy!
