Monday Myth or Misconception?? 🤔
Let's talk about Dominance!! 🥊
This is a hot topic when it comes to dogs, and there is SO MUCH incorrect info out there!!
Lots of dog guardians have been shamed and blamed for their dog having access to things like the bed or couch or jumping on people, and it's all in the name of *dominance*
This video just touches on the main points, but dominant behaviors are just a group of pushy or potentially threatening behaviors that dogs display - and it can be completely normal!
Sometimes, this behavior can be inappropriate or from a place of fear/trauma and should be addressed, but sometimes it's just dogs being dogs! Understanding canine body language is the key 🔑
Do you want more examples of this? Let us know in the comments!
Stay tuned for next week 💥
#dogtraining #fraservalley #dogs #funtraining
Hiking Buddies 🌳🐾
Valen and I went out to the #chilliwackcommunityforest a few days ago and had a blast!
Among the physical benefits of hiking with your pet, have you thought of any of these additional benefits?
Sniffing...releases happy hormones in the brain and relieves stress, increases confidence and curiosity, and is a naturally reinforcing behavior for dogs 🐕
Jumping on stuff...easy skill to move off the trail for other people and dogs, good for building our dogs balance and problem solving skills, and builds our dogs' body awareness and confidence 💪
Exploring...sniffing, digging, running, searching, watching, and checking out new things are all skills our dogs are built for! Practicing exploration also helps grow confidence around new objects/people/places, and fights off fear and uncertainty 😄
Snacks...dogs may find new places over-stimulating in the beginning, but I still bring food to reward any skills we practice. "Catch" or "Find it" are easy ways to *enhance* the value of a treat in these situations. Treats in motion are more exciting! 👏
Obedience...a good mental workout, keeps our dog engaged with us, and helps proof our skills in more exciting environments! We don't do this for long when out in nature, maybe 3 minutes at a time. We're mainly out on a trail for FUN 🎉
Enjoying eachothers company...life gets busy! Try and remember why we wanted a dog in the first place! Take a deep breath, provide snacks and a pat on the head, and reconnect with your pup 🐶
Do you get out in nature with your furry pal? Drop us a comment if you do!
#dogtraining #explore #chilliwack #dogs
Teach your dog 🐕 AWESOME recall!!
Recall is a BIG ask of our dogs - leave something you want to sniff, eat, check-out, etc. and come back to me.
And oftentimes, we expect our recall to work out on a trail or in busy parks (like this one) without practicing in our own backyard first!!
There are many ways to build skills for total off-leash freedom, and this fun game builds your dog's engagement AND their recall skills! Nice!
Get excited with your dog and try this game out! Grab some high-value treats and practice moving around and recalling your pup. TIP: The quieter the environment and the higher the value of your food reward, the easier this game will be! 👍
There are other variations to this game and different reward methods you can use. Mister Zeffo sure had fun with this one - give it a try! 🎉
Be sure to share your videos and TAG STC so we can share it 😁 #dogtraining #dogs #fun #treats
STC Training Walks with Nala and Gus!
Nala took over to tell you guys about her training walk from today 😁 🐕
Both these pups struggle with noise sensitivity, fear of objects, people, and dogs, and are working on improving their leash walking skills since their owner is waiting on surgery.
Both pups are very energetic and love training, so lots of progress has been made. They've even managed to get rid of their pinch collars and have become more accustomed to busy stores like Home Depot!
If you think training walks would be a good option for you, please reach out to STC Chilliwack to learn more! We also have a link in our bio 😊
#trainingwalks #trainingtips #boxers #dogtrainer #pets #funtraining #dogs
Holidays with our pets! 🎁
There are many tips and tricks for handling the holiday season with our dogs, but this is just a short clip going over the basics!
Ideally, we want our dogs to feel safe, comfortable and happy.
If at any point your dog's body language begins to seem stressed or over-stimulated, try and change the environment so they might feel more comfortable. Watch for excessive panting/drooling/pacing, avoidant/hiding behavior, "whale-eye," or tail tucking. If you notice any one of these signs, err on the side of caution.
Here are some ideas of management strategies:
🛌 Bring your dog's bed with them to friends' and family's houses
🐾 Practice setting your dog up behind a baby gate or in another room in case they need a break
🐕 Bring some toys and treats if you suspect they might be nervous or uncertain of all the commotion
✨️ Prepare to sacrifice some time with your friends and family to help your dog feel comfortable
ShadyTreeCanines is available to help set you and your dog up for success this holiday season! Let us know if you would like some advice, and we can set up a short virtual call or an in-person training session. Happy Holidays! 🎄 🎁
