Yikes Dogs

Bridging in dog-dog play! What is bridging? Bridging play is a technique used to help dogs learn how to play safely together. A human will facilitate and control play between two dogs who are learning each other's play styles. These two dogs are new friends and still getting used to each other. The bigger brown dog has some resource guarding tendencies over valuables (toys, treats, mom), and the little dachshund is more timid and just super tiny in comparison so close supervision is required to ensure that everyone is having a good time and feels safe. I'm sitting in between the two dogs in order to control the play and watching body language closely for any stress signals. The brown dog is handicapping herself (laying down, holding the toy gently) while I help the little dachshund bite and pull the toy. I stopped this interaction as soon as the bigger brown dog stood up to keep things safe. Short little moments like this are great for building trusting relationships between new dog friends! #yikesdogs #fearfree #dogplay #dogtrainer #positivereinforcement

We love our semi-private little beach days 🤗

Tuesday's puppy party!

Thursdays are always a beach party!! 🏖🌞

Tuesday summer fun buddies!! Sage's new nickname is slug 🤣

Rainy days means we get the whole beach to ourselves!

Compilation of some of the greetings I got over the last week 🥰 I haven't seen these friends in almost two months due to my injury! Clearly I was equally as happy to see each and every one of them, I missed them all so much!! 🥺💛

First adventures back after almost two months! We were lucky to have such beautiful weather 🥰💛

Ever wondered how to handle a long line? Want to give your dog more leash, but get frustrated with the tangling? Here are two methods to make things easier! . 20ft biothane leash custom made by @lifeleashyeg . Like, save and share this post to your friends with dogs who love their decompression walks!! . . . #yikesdogs #yegdogs #fearfree #yegdogparks #humane #dogwalker #dogtrainer #sherwoodparkdogs #edmontondogs #supportsmallbusinesses #longleash #decompressionwalk #reactivedog #biothaneleash

One of my favorite enrichment activities to do when the weather sucks! Scentwork! What are your favorite indoor activities to do with your dog? . . . #yikesdogs #yegdogs #fearfree #yegdogparks #humane #dogwalker #dogtrainer #sherwoodparkdogs #edmontondogs #supportsmallbusinesses

Snow much fun!!! ☃️ . . . #yikesdogs #yegdogs #fearfree #yegdogparks #decompressionwalk #reactivedog #dogwalker #dogtrainer #edmontondogs #supportsmallbusinesses

Something I see quite often is dogs who struggle to leave the dog park. I mean, I get it! The dog park is a super stimulating environment for most dogs so it makes sense that going home can be punishing to some. Your dog playing keep-away with you at the end of your park date can also be so frustrating and embarrassing! Here are a few tips to help curb this behavior. . Number 1, practice leashing up during your walk! If the leash means "fun's over", no wonder they want to extend their play time! This also gives you an opportunity to practice some skills for a few seconds while they're leashed up, such as a loose leash walk, a sit or down behavior, maybe a cute trick. Then release your dog back to play! You can see in this video I unclip the leash AND give a release word "you're free" to send Persephone back out to romp. . Number 2, keep it fun! Reward every single recall you practice during your walk, no matter how long it takes them to get to you. . If you're struggling with your dogs recall, my Unleashed Program is perfect for you! Send me a DM or check out my website yikesdogs.com 😎 . . . #yikesdogs #yegdogs #fearfree #yegdogparks #decompressionwalk #reactivedog #dogwalker #dogtrainer #edmontondogs #supportsmallbusinesses

Haaappy 2nd Birthday to Yikes! Dogs!!! I absolutely loved going through these old photos and seeing truly how far we've come since we started October 12th 2021. Some of you have been with me the whole way, and some have come along the way and I'm so grateful for every single experience we've had through the past 2 years. Running a small business has been the biggest challenge I've ever taken on and I've dealt with so much burn out trying to keep this going, and we've done it! Yikes! Dogs truly would not be where it is today without my AMAZING clients, fellow dog professionals and friends and family who have supported me through it all. We made it! Woohoo 2 years!! 🥳🥰🎂💛 . . . #yikesdogs #yegdogs #fearfree #yegdogparks #decompressionwalk #reactivedog #dogwalker #dogtrainer #edmontondogs #supportsmallbusinesses

We had such an amazing summer ☀️ . . . #yikesdogs #yegdogs #fearfree #yegdogparks #decompressionwalk #reactivedog #dogwalker #dogtrainer #edmontondogs #supportsmallbusinesses

August was so much fun! I absolutely love seeing all the pups making friends and exploring 🌞💛 . . . #yikesdogs #yegdogs #fearfree #yegdogparks #decompressionwalk #reactivedog #dogwalker #dogtrainer #edmontondogs #supportsmallbusinesses

Reactivity training done correctly should look BORING! The goal is for your pup to be able to see and be around things that would normally trigger them without any reactions. Working under threshold will allow your dog the ability to change their feelings about things they find scary or exciting, and make them positive or neutral using yummy treats and positive reinforcement. If you're working on reactivity and your dog isn't reacting, you're doing it right!! . I am still taking training clients if you are in need of some support 💛 send me an email to [email protected] . . . #yikesdogs #yegdogs #fearfree #yegdogparks #decompressionwalk #reactivedog #dogwalker #dogtrainer #edmontondogs #supportsmallbusinesses

Snow much fun! 🤩❄️ . . . #YikesDogs #FearFree #DogWalker #DogTrainer #YegDogs #YegDogParks #EdmontonDogs #PositiveReinforcement