Making Tracks Adventures for Dogs

06/26/2024

The doodle days of summer ☀️

02/29/2024

Is it spring yet??? I'm ready for it to be... but I'm pretty sure tomorrow is gonna look a lot different.. Oh well🤷‍♀️

12/31/2022

11/19/2022

Hi I'm Mercedes, owner and exclusive walker for Making Tracks!

I started this journey in February of 2014 after leaving a career in retail operations. Though I loved my job, I always struggled to leave my dog Jovi (3rd picture) at home all day. Having an absolute love for the outdoors, dogs and helping people, it became very clear it was time for me to step out of my comfort zone and into a new adventure in life.

I didn't have a lot of knowledge or experience with dogs, so I started by taking training programs with Jovi and working in local dog daycares. As I grew my knowledge, my business did too and walking soon became my full time joy!

Jovi the original inspiration, crossed the rainbow bridge unexpectedly in 2016. Bonita my black dog then 5 years old (4th pic) joined me soon after and greatly helped heal my heart and move forward. A year later Dottie (5th pic) a playful and silly 10 month old joined the family,and brought us so much joy and laughter! They have both taught me so much about life, presence, patience and understanding that everyone has different wants and needs in life.

Thank you for letting me share my story, and inspiration behind it all! And a huge thanks to my clients and dog friends who have joined us through the last 8 almost 9 years, I love you all!

Mercedes, Bonita and Dottie ❤️

11/08/2022

A cold day out with this hearty crew! 40 mins did just perfect in this -23 weather! Thank goodness for they are quickly becoming the preferred boot for the crew!

04/27/2022

So much YASSSSSS to this!!! I adore her perspective!

“When can I get rid of using treats in training?”

Why does there have to be an end to it?

Help me understand.

✅ Straight up - using food works to reward behaviour you like so that it is offered more often, is carrying treats that big of a pain in the ass?

✅ It makes them happy, is that not reason enough to keep rewarding them for doing things you like?

✅ I promise you’re still “in control” of them if you’ve done enough efficient training when the treats aren’t present, but why not keep reinforcing them when they offer good behaviour with something they like?

✅ I love my job but would you do things you don’t naturally want to do (like work) for FREE? Food is like money to dogs, it builds incentive!

Personally, I choose to reward for life.

Because frankly, I’ve got nothing to prove, it makes him happy, and ultimately that makes me happy.

Sometimes a “reward” can be in the form of tossing a stick, letting Cedar off leash, changing my walking pace to running, letting him chase a squirrel, playing tug, etc. but generally, this boy likes his food (just like me 😉) & what gets rewarded —- gets repeated! So reward we do!

I’m all about rewarding him for offering behaviours I like, and those rewards don’t have an expiry date!

I challenge you to drop the “when can I stop using treats” agenda and instead consider, “how can I make walks more fun?”.

Life can be tough some days. We could all use a little more fun. I really think we need to drop the ego’s in dog training, stop aiming to gain so much control OVER them to prove something about ourselves. Have FUN with them. Your relationship will prosper!

11/30/2021

Welcome to the pack Tiger! You are a sweet boy and aced your first day!! So happy for you to join us!

11/29/2021

We did it!!! We've been working on this!! Also we are accepting new clients at this time, so if you are wanting your pup to get in with a new friend crew, now is the time!!!
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11/16/2021

Lola, welcome to the pack!!! You're super cute and very well behaved...you've already started making friends!!!

11/16/2021

We practice our sit stays....it helps with impulse control!!! We keep practicing cause we wanna keep getting better!!! The better I get with this, the better I walk nice on leash, which means I'm getting closer to being off-leash!! It builds my brain and the connection I have with my walker, plus it's fun!!

10/07/2021

Welcome to the pack Clover!!! This wild woman is sweet and energetic she's gonna be a great addition to the crew!!! We are so happy to have you!!

10/07/2021

Im back to work (for a over a week now!) And finally getting around to posting! It's been a great week, and very evident that fall is coming! We have lots of room for new pack members so be sure to tell your pals with pups!!

10/05/2021

I took a vacation, 10 days!!! The first real one (longer than a few days) in a real long time!!! I gotta say it feels great to spend time away from my usual routine and reconnect with my family. It's been hard since my parents moved to the furthest east coast (10 years ago) and my brother now living on the furthest west coast for just over a year now, but we did it!! I was also very fortunate to catchup with some old Calgary pals, that are now on the island. Heres a few pics from our time adventuring the west coast of this beautiful country of ours. If you've never been to the island, GO!!! Its crazy beautiful and you won't regret it!!!

With all that said its nice to be back with my girls and back with my pals and packs! I missed you all!!

09/17/2021

Hogan we are going to miss you SOO MUCH!!!! You have been an amazing pal to all the group's and especially my personal dog Dottie!! Plus you always put up with new puppies!!! We know your life in Vancouver is going to be amazing and your new pack will be stoked to have you as a new best friend. So long my friend, until we meet again!!
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09/13/2021

Welcome to the pack Isla!! You are sweet and get along great with other dogs!! We are more than happy to have this new sweetheart join us in her journey into the big world of dog walks and group plays!
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08/26/2021

Happy National dog day!!

08/20/2021

We had great week! Patience practice, was our focus and as you can see we nailed it!! But we won't be letting up on practice...it's always a work in progress. Finding the peace in the practice of patience isn't easy but when achieved feels like magic!

08/09/2021

Welcome Russel! You aced your first day in group!!!!

06/29/2021

Early start today for this crew! Shaded swims are the best!!

06/07/2021

Welcome Abigail!!!! You rocked your first day!!

03/12/2021

Welcome to the pack Loyd!! We are so excited to have you join us I can't wait for all the fun adventures we will have!

03/12/2021

We had a great week, as shown in reverse lol. Practicing all sorts of skills with our & . Welcome to the pack Loyd we are excited for all the adventures we will go on!

02/22/2021

Working on skills, Dottie says the old dogs the old guys are rusty! Working on impluse control!

02/04/2021

It only takes one......lol

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01/28/2021

So much YASSSSSS!!! Annika speaks the truth here. Please people just be considerate! And follow her at .dog and she is amazing!

01/26/2021

When days don't go the way we envision them it doesn't mean we can't adapt and work with what we have to make it the best we can in that moment. That's how we learn through trial, and lots of days that may mean "failure" from the vision we had but the lesson is what I'm truly greatful for...Today I paired up 2 regular pack dogs and 2 new young dogs, one is still very shy around others and struggles to have them in her space....so the lesson is we take more time and give her more space..the other dog did great and I will continue his journey toward joining a full pack.I would not have known that, if I hadn't have tried..growth through trial!