Simply Canine - Coaching and Education Services

08/01/2022

Big news!
Group classes will run in September!
Saturday mornings. Intro level (All ages).
$250 for 7 weeks. Msg today to get on list!

05/22/2022

At one time in our lives, we’ve all experienced fear, whether it’s through being in a truly dangerous situation such as a road traffic collision or as a child afraid of the dark and we can all remember how that felt. Fear is fundamental to the survival of all mammals and without the ability to f...

05/17/2022

May long weekend is fast approaching in Canada.
Please be prepared for fireworks all weekend long as many municipalities permit them over the entire weekend.

Here are some tips:

> aim to complete any walks with your dog before dusk sets in
> leave your dog at home if you are going to watch a firework show
> get potty breaks completed early and if needing to go out after dark, use the yard and keep your dog on leash even in a fenced area
> use noise cancelling tools like a BOX FAN and white noise. These work better than tv or radio.
> head to the basement to watch a movie with your dog
> have some yummy things for your pup to chew on to keep them distracted
> have some delicious treats to do some counter-conditioning with. Every time a boom goes, feed your dog the treats.
> absolutely do not hesitate to contact your vet to discuss your dogs stress level and decide whether medication could be valuable.
> don’t be afraid to soothe and comfort them. You cannot reinforce the fear.

There is NOTHING wrong with giving your dog the tools and supports they need to manage through a stressful situation.

04/08/2022

This has nothing to do with a marketing ploy or trying to use jargon that stimulates action.
This is not about my bottom line.

This is about you and your dog.
As my specialty is working with fearful/anxious/reactive/aggressive dogs I am often faced with calls and intakes with human clients who have met the end of their ropes.
They are exasperated with their dogs Behaviour: frustrated, saddened, emotional, and feel like there’s no hope.

These are all normal feelings. Caring for a dog who may pose a risk to safety, or impede the households quality of life is a challenge. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Alternately, you may be feeling pure sadness and pain knowing your dog is struggling so much. You may want to be doing better for him/her but have no clue how to make that happen. You may watch them daily feeling heartbreak as they try to navigate the confusing world.

Most of my calls are with people in one of these states.

And believe me when I say it breaks my own heart when I have to ask you for time. Time for me to understand everything about the situation. Time for me to understand your dog, the environment, and the best options for you all. And then I ask for more time…more time so I can educate you. Time to put strategies in place for safety. Time to put strategies in place for management. Time to help your dog begin to heal, for your relationship to begin to heal.

Many times it has taken the dog months or years to become who they are in front of us today. Many times the dog has been through trauma. Many times what the dog needs is what the guardian feels they can’t give - more time.

But change doesn’t happen overnight. Your dog is likely not emotionally committed to a resolution as they won’t view the situation the same way. They are just trying to survive. Time is necessary.
I want my clients to feel hopeful there’s a future of success, but to aim for it on a realistic timeline.
It takes time to help a dog overcome their hurdles.

So please, if you are having struggles with anything that resembles fear, anxiety, reactivity, or aggressiveness - seek help early. Don’t wait. Don’t try to Google resolutions.
Call a qualified professional.
If you wait until you cannot take it anymore, you’ll need to somehow muster the strength to find the ability to give more time. And this is when dogs get rehomed, surrendered, or even euthanized.
Canine coaches, trainers, etc are not miracle workers. We find areas where improvement can be made and we coach you how to make them.

Time will be needed.
So don’t wait. Please. And not because of a sale. But because it’s truly in your best interest for you and your dog to not delay the support.
Your dog needs your strength and patience during the therapeutic process.
Get started early for your best possible chance at success.

04/05/2022

I often get calls from clients who are exasperated because they have done all the military obedience possible and still have some challenges with their dog.

What’s missing?

A relationship. Trust. Security. Bonding.

We absolutely without a doubt know, scientifically, that relationships matter. Just like humans, a dog needs to feel connection.

You can send your child to all the top tier schools and they can get top grades. But there’s going to be something missing in their life that they struggle with for years if they just aren’t hugged enough or don’t find positive relationships with family and friends throughout the years.

Relationships matter.
Aim to develop fun, happy, trusting relationships with your dog before worrying about their obedience.

It will make a tremendous difference with their behaviour when they can trust you.

04/05/2022

While under the name Positive Paw K9s for canine coaching this award was won!
Second year in a row voted “best dog training” for East Gwillimbury 🥳🎉🥰

03/17/2022

1:1 coaching to help you and your dog build overcome hurdles and challenges.
We encourage a high level of guardian involvement.

Specializing in reactivity and fearfulness.

All coaching done in home.

Certified Professional Dog Trainer.

03/16/2022

Blog # 2
What is the most important thing to teach your dog?

https://www.simplycanine.ca/blog/sunshine-and-play-what-every-dog-needs

A few months ago on my page I asked the age old question “what is the most important thing you should teach a dog?”. The answers included recalls, walking on leash, welcoming guests politely, and not jumping, among other pretty staple responses. This question is probably one of the most...

03/15/2022

Emotions and Intellect are not the same thing.
You can have emotional responses to certain things and be super smart.
No correlation.

This matters when we discuss how to best help dogs struggling with fear, anxiety, or reactivity.
The solution to helping these dogs is not teach them more skills/obedience.

Imagine having a fear of needles and being told “but you know how to math!! Just think of 2+2!!”

If you have a dog with fear or reactivity you do not have an untrained dog. Don’t blame yourself.

When suffering with fear, anxiety, or reactivity the logical part of the brain is shut down. Going into “sit, down, stay” mode isn’t addressing the underlying emotions.

Our goal is to help our dog feel better. Not just look better.

03/09/2022

Simply Canine is blogging!
Check out our first one

https://www.simplycanine.ca/blog/blankcanvaspuppy

“If it was as simple as following a recipe, us canine professionals would be long out of a job.”

03/04/2022

I may be the only one, but I struggle with the idea of using free and natural play as a reinforcement for “good behaviour”.

Play has so many positive values to a relationship and a life - why are we offering it contingent on performing for us?

Play with your dog the way they like to play. Watch them for signals. Roll with it.
Allow it to take its natural path.

You will enhance your relationship, which is FAR more important than getting behaviour.

03/04/2022

It’s time to change the dialogue.
It’s time to commit to loving our dogs unconditionally.

Control is damaging to all relationships including the one between you and your dog.

Instead look for ways you can give value to their life. Look for ways you can connect. Look for ways you can help your dog navigate life.

02/02/2022

Veterinarian Behaviourists are the doggy psychiatrists of the canine world. They are dual certified as full veterinarians and behaviourists.

Their updated position statement makes it clear - humane and ethical treatment is NECESSARY for the emotional health and well being of a dog.

Dog training is an unregulated industry and those who are proponents of “balanced” training or use of aversives are just heavily uneducated.

Trainers must be held more accountable for their education.

https://avsab.org/resources/position-statements/

These position statements were developed through the cooperation of the members of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) and reflect the opinion of this association on a variety of topics related to the field of animal behavior. If you would like to order color copies, click on....

02/02/2022

Looking to add your family? Avoid CONFIRMATION BIAS! Avoid finding all the excuses possible to make your life fit a certain breed, or promising yourself you’ll make certain changes to help it work. Don’t look for reasons how you can make things work in order to justify that breed.
Instead - find the breed that already, and honestly, fits your life.

It can be an exciting time selecting a new furry companion.
But whether it’s your first dog, or your 10th, there are some critical conversations that need to take place in order to best select which dog you should consider.
Whether the dog comes as a puppy from the breeder or a rescue from a shelter; what their genetic influence is matters a great deal as to whether you and your new dog will have a positive life together going forward.

That husky or German shepherd puppy may be oh so fluffy and and heart melting squirming around with their litter mates.
But bring him home to a house that is gone 10 hours a day with kids in sports and only time for a quick outing around the block every day will be sure to catapult you into a world of destruction and nuisance behaviours as a way to fill their boredom. These dogs aren’t designed to relax 7 days a week and be satisfied.

That super cute Toy Poodle in the shelter you think would be perfect size for your condo life? Maybe think twice, if you live a very social life with dinner parties weekly and lots of visitors. They can naturally become very vocal at strangers in their home, it’s what the lap dogs have been bred for - being little alarm systems. They aren’t being bad, simply doing their job. But their job may make your dinner parties stressful for you and your pup.

How about those beautiful Greyhounds, sleek and regal? Well, they are fabulous partners to have, but maybe not so much if you have a house full of young kids running around. Sight hounds tend to be more reserved and not appreciate their space invaded. You may find yourself dealing with reactivity, simply due to the characteristics of the breed.

It’s not just a matter of reading a breed description online and thinking you can make the necessary changes to make it work. Don’t rely on massive overhauls to your life and routine in order to justify that fluffy pup you’re so aesthetically drawn to.
Instead, spend the time considering what type of dog is most equipped to match your life based on breed characteristics.

Training is not going to override thousands of years of selective breeding practices in one single lifespan. You’re not going to train your Border Collie to become a couch dog. However, if you provide the necessary outlets and exercise he needs daily; he will be more than happy to curl up with you for a movie and relaxing time.

The traits in our modern dogs have been part of their evolution for generations after generations. It’s not going away.

It’s not fair to put a dog into an environment they are not evolutionarily equipped for and then call them bad dogs.

Spend the time. Consider the core needs and requirements of the dog, and don’t get wrapped up in just their look. Select a breed that makes sense for your life and your home, and you can feel confident that you will be better off, evading “Behaviour problems” that present due to insufficient environments.