Puppy Power Dog Training

02/17/2025

“Life is a succession of moments, to live each one is to succeed.”

Corita Kent

Photo Credit: Doris Weir Photography

02/17/2025

How Rose’s crate-training is going

02/16/2025

We got snowed in today so instead of going to play flyball we have a day off.

One of the things I like about working toward trick title is that it gives us a plan. Each trick title gives us a list of things to work toward. When I end up with a free day like today, instead of mindlessly scrolling social media (ok I DID do that for a bit while I had my tea but I don’t want to do it all day) I have that list I can go back to and see what I have done/still have left to do.

When I looked at the list for Zuko’s Novice title today, I decided to change some of the tricks I’d originally highlighted to do. In this case, my reasoning is purely based on what will make a more fun video for you guys to watch. But sometimes what happens is you start doing a trick and realize your dog isn’t really loving learning that trick. Or maybe you might have started using a prop that you thought would work and it’s not going to. Whatever the reason may be, the nice thing about these lists of tricks is there is a LOT of flexibility. It’s totally fine to cross some off that aren’t going to work for you and your dog, and then you get to pick something else 😊

If there’s anything I’ve learned by owning a lot of different breeds of dogs - it’s that they all have different strengths/enjoy doing different types of things. Actually even though Portia and Katara are both border collies, they both enjoy different kinds of tricks and that’s ok. Trick training should be fun for both parties. If you’re not both having fun training something; it’s totally cool to switch gears and pick something that you think would be more fun.

If you want to play along with us, join our Facebook group: Getting Tricky With It - Do More W Your Dog Spark Group - Waterloo Region. We’re also doing a FREE train-a-long over ZOOM this Tuesday at 8pm and the details will be in our group.

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day from Zuko!

02/14/2025

Happy Valentines Day from Rose!

02/14/2025

“To find your own way is to follow your bliss. This involves analysis, watching yourself and seeing where real deep bliss is – not the quick little excitement, but the real deep, life-filling bliss.” — Joseph Campbell

Photo Credit: .dog.photography

02/14/2025

For trick #4 Zuko learned “Bow Under a Magic Square”. He surprised me with how fast he figured it out so I had to try it again with Katara and she picked it up quick too! This is one of my favourite ways for building muscle memory for the “bow” position for a dog who doesn’t just naturally offer it with free shaping!

02/13/2025

asked how the littles are making out so I made a video of our setup for the littles :)

02/13/2025

Don’t give up hope, Kitty!!!!!!

02/13/2025

“You can’t get too much winter in the winter” Robert Frost

Photo Credit: Brown Photography

02/13/2025

The 3rd trick Zuko did for his Novice trick title was “Paws in a box”. For this trick you can use any box or a magic square. We used a magic square and turning it upside down made it the perfect height for him. You can make your own with PVC, but I bought these at a Do More With Your Dog workshop a long time ago. I’m pretty sure they sell them on their website still if you really want one. I taught this using shaping but you could also teach it using luring. I find Zuko really enjoys shaping games and it’s fun for me to watch him figure it out too 🙂

02/13/2025

Rose outlasted Darwin & Sully tonight.

02/12/2025

Say 🧀

02/12/2025

The 2nd trick we did for Zuko’s Novice title with Do More With Your Dog was “Send to Pedestal”. We used a Klimb from -9 Pet Products but you can use any raised bed to teach this trick.

Let me know in the comments if you try teaching it using the steps I showed in this video :)

02/11/2025

Thanks for taking such great care of our pups as always!

02/11/2025

Zuko’s working toward his Novice Trick title. The first trick we picked was 2 on/2off. For this trick they are supposed to have their front feet on the floor or a target with their rear feet on an elevated board or object. Zuko’s pretty tiny so we used the mini fitbone from for this exercise. You do NOT have to train a front foot target for this exercise, but I think it makes sense to train both of these things at the same time. As he gains more understanding, I will get pickier about how straight he’s standing but this was a great session for his first time trying it!!

02/11/2025

Today’s walk DTK.

02/08/2025