Canine Minds and Manners Professional Dog Training

05/21/2024

So many sweet graduates from Calgary and Kelowna locations.

05/04/2024

A couple of besties just showed up! Panza and Rocco. So happy to hang with these two.

04/06/2024

02/24/2024

Sun dog

02/20/2024

Resist the urge to tell your dog off for growling.

Growling is a perfectly normal behaviour and is nothing else but a dog’s way of communicating that they are not happy about something.

If a dog is trying to make the effort to say “you are making me uncomfortable”, why do we tell them off?? Because growling is deemed an undesired behaviour. No one wants a growly dog.

But what’s even less desirable is a dog who will skip any warning signs and go straight for a bite. Bites are super undesirable, trust me.

So if your dog growls, in any situation, stop and think what is making them uncomfortable. Is it physical touch? Is it someone’s getting in their personal space? Is another dog getting too close? Is someone threatening their resources? …

Respect and appreciate the growl. If you do, your dog won’t feel the need to escalate the behaviour beyond the growl. They will learn you got their back and you stop any uncomfortable situation. You got their back.

But if you do continue to tell your dog off for growling, and / or if you continue to create situations where your dog cannot effectively communicate, or if they are not listened to, they WILL escalate their behaviour.

Respect the growl.

Resist the urge to punish it.

Appreciate the warning.

02/20/2024

It’s bone day! 🦴 Every Tuesday is your chance to stock up on Dave’s small smoked bones!

02/20/2024

🚫 Myth: “Coyotes lure dogs back to their pack!”
✅ Fact: The false belief that coyotes intentionally lure dogs back to their packs is based on misunderstanding rather than scientific evidence.

We've all heard variations of the myth suggesting that cunning coyotes deliberately lure unsuspecting dogs back to their pack for an ambush. While coyotes are intelligent animals, there's no evidence to support the idea of premeditated luring.

Coyotes generally target smaller wild prey such as rodents and rabbits. Small dogs can sometimes be viewed as prey, underscoring the importance of never leaving them unattended outdoors. Larger dogs can be perceived as competition or threats, and coyotes will defend themselves and their families.

In many reported cases of dogs being “lured” by coyotes, it is often a result of the dog's own curiosity. Off-leash dogs may follow or investigate a coyote out of their own volition, which may cause the coyote to retreat closer to other family members for safety. If threatened, coyotes will defend their lives and their family against intruders, just like many other species.❗ Remember to never let companion animals approach wild animals or go off leash in wildlife habitat.

Coyotes, like most wild animals, want to avoid physical confrontation that could result in injuries—so they may engage in various intimidation tactics to prompt your dog to leave an area, such as bluff charges or displaying threatening body language. These "threat displays" aim to scare the dog away without resorting to physical contact. However, if the dog persists or confronts the coyote, the situation may escalate.

🐶🐺 View our “Dogs and Coyotes: What You Need To Know” brochure: http://tinyurl.com/a93mtrfh

Thank you for practicing responsible animal guardianship!



📷 Sheryl Hester,

02/10/2024

https://edinburghholisticdogs.co.uk/pain-and-behaviour-why-a-15-minute-vet-check-is-not-enough/?mibextid=2JQ9oc&fbclid=IwAR0PeVxD5OqkXA2Z05BNhUD8AjU58GVpND8NkNUUmbGYxXTcltRAdAXwxzA

At the moment a Vet telling an owner their dog is physically fine after less than 15 minutes, it's a behaviour problem is nothing more than a false sense of security. It delays finding out about any potential pain or discomfort until the condition has severely progressed. ‘It is almost impossible ...

01/30/2024

Don’t disappoint your favorite furry friend!! Pick up their favorite smoked bones and make them happy!
Save 40% on small, smoked Dave’s bones EVERY Tuesday!

01/24/2024

01/11/2024

Because puppies make us smile! Happy Thursday everyone!

01/10/2024

If you’re friends with a pet owner, dog walker, or maybe even just someone who’s a fan of clicking the ‘share’ button, you’ve likely seen the post below. It states that coyotes are actively mating, and that they become more aggressive at this time of year. Further, it implies that coyotes ...

01/10/2024

A few spots left in the Jan 17th puppy class.

12/27/2023

Just because a dog behaves differently for a dog trainer, doesn't mean the behaviour change is healthy or new learning.

It can mean that the dog is hiding how they feel because they are intimidated through force.

Force-based training can have profound negative effects on dogs who are reacting with anxiety and fear. Just like humans, dogs experience a physiological and emotional response when faced with fear-inducing situations. When subjected to forceful training methods that suppress their natural fear responses, dogs can suffer significant harm to their well-being.

Forcing a reactive and fearful dog to confront their fears without the ability to escape or protect themselves creates a distressing internal environment. The dog's physiological systems may be thrown into disarray. Their digestive system may slow down, leading to gastrointestinal issues. Their immune system may become compromised, making them more susceptible to illnesses. The dog's entire physiology can be disrupted as their body tries to cope with the overwhelming stress.

Moreover, force-based training can have detrimental effects on the dog's mental and emotional state. By inhibiting their natural fear responses, these methods prevent the dog from expressing their anxiety and seeking safety. This can lead to heightened levels of anxiety, increased fear, and a sense of helplessness. The dog's brain may even shut down as a protective mechanism, as they are unable to defend themselves or find an escape route.

In essence, force-based training exacerbates the turmoil experienced by dogs who are already reacting with anxiety and fear. It perpetuates a cycle of distress, hindering their ability to cope, learn, and overcome their fears in a healthy manner. This approach disregards the dog's emotional well-being and can have long-lasting negative consequences on their behaviour, trust, and overall quality of life.

It is essential to prioritise compassionate and ethical training methods for dogs with anxiety and fear-based reactions. By providing a safe and supportive environment, employing positive reinforcement, and allowing dogs to express their emotions and seek comfort, we can help them build confidence, develop coping mechanisms, and ultimately work towards overcoming their fears in a healthier and more sustainable way.

Learn how to do this with Canine Principles here: https://www.canineprinciples.com/course/online-dog-course-reactive-scared-dog

12/27/2023

Our "Canid Mythbusters" Resource has 5 key facts that untangle 5 common myths about coyotes. Our Canid Mythbuster feature today is:
🚫 #2 "coyotes lure domestic dogs"

For more on our Canid Mythbusters and other coexistence resources head to: https://www.coyotewatchcanada.com/site/downloadable-content

12/24/2023

Happy Holidays to all!

12/08/2023

Sometimes, you just have to laugh.

12/06/2023

🎀Holiday Season Campaign - Keeping kids and dogs safe🎀
https://doggonesafe.com/Holiday-Season-Campaign

12/06/2023

I can say from experience that this is in fact 100% true.

Haha

12/06/2023

11/29/2023

Ok go ahead and tell me why dogs on furniture is wrong because they will try to dominate me. LOL not.

11/18/2023

It's that time of year. Be cautious as to what you are adding to your home to decorate for the holidays.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas🎄
Please be careful with our furry friends ♥️