Diamond in the Ruff Inc. CDBC, cpdt-ka

03/06/2025

THERAPY TEAM CERTIFICATION CLASS, **also, a great class for anyone looking for more training in social settings. Think of this as a second level to puppy class, "manners class" -

I've had a few spots open up for the class beginning this coming Sunday, March 9th at 6:00 p.m. .

If you're interested, please text me at 780-999-2001 to register.

02/12/2025

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR -

RUFF N' TUMBLE Puppy class beginning

March 9th

Sundays

5:00 p.m.

For 6 weeks

$325 +tax

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

Contact Colleen at [email protected] to register

THERAPY TEAM CERTIFICATION CLASS
Beginning

March 9th at 6:00 p.m.

Sundays

For 6 weeks

$349 +tax

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

Contact Colleen at [email protected] to register

It can be easier to get ahold of me via text at 780-999-2001. I apologize but I don't answer calls when I'm with clients.
If you leave a text message with your name and the class that we would like to register for, as well as your email address. I will send you a registration form ASAP.

01/16/2025

Why Dogs Don’t Work for Praise Alone (And Why They Shouldn’t Be Expected To)

Hey there, fellow dog lovers of Edmonton and beyond! 🐾 If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why your furry friend looks at you like you’ve just spoken in tongues when you say, “Good boy!” without offering a treat, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into why our canine companions don’t just work for praise alone—and why expecting them to is a bit, well, misguided.

No One Works for Free

Let’s keep it real: when was the last time you trudged into the office, coffee in hand, simply hoping for a pat on the back? (If your boss is reading this, I’m sure you’re doing a fantastic job to keep the team motivated.) But in all seriousness, just like humans need a little something extra to get the job done—be it a paycheck, a bonus, or the sweet taste of chocolate—our dogs also appreciate a little incentive.

Think about it: Would you go to work for free? Probably not. So why would we expect our dogs, who put in a hefty shift every time they fetch or follow a cue, to do it just for the thrill of, well, us?
It’s presumptuous, and maybe even a little arrogant to Think They’ll Do It “Just Because”

Let’s address the elephant in the room (or the Dory eyed mixed breed at your feet): it’s a tad arrogant to assume that our dogs should respond to our cues purely out of admiration for our awesomeness. Yes, we’re fabulous, but let’s not kid ourselves.
Dogs are not here simply to serve us—at least not without a little extra motivation. Just like humans, they have their own interests and desires. A wagging tail and an eager leap don’t mean they're straining to follow our every cue because they’re in awe of our greatness. It just means they might have an awesome treat waiting for them if they do, ..at least some of the time!

Motivation Isn’t Cheating

Now, let’s clear this up: using treats or toys as motivation isn’t cheating; it’s smart training. Think of it as a little barter system! They demonstrate their skills, and in return, we offer them something valuable (like that squeaky toy they go bananas for, or...are you sitting down?... A TREAT!!!😨) Everybody wins!

Making Every Day Count

Here’s the truth—dogs typically share their lives with us for about 12 to 15 years, and that's if we're extremely fortunate. That’s not just a number; it’s a beautiful journey we have the privilege to share with them. So why not make it as amazing as possible?

Look at your dog. Really look at them. They might seem like an adorable, furry ball of enthusiasm, but they deserve more than just our praise. They depend on us for everything—from food to playtime to love, and every adventure —and as their responsible humans, we have the joy (and responsibility) of enhancing their experience every single day.

They Deserve Their Own Journey, Too

Remember, dogs are not just here to make our lives better, although they certainly do that; they’re here to live their own unique journeys. They feel joy, excitement, and even a bit of "I just don't feel like it right now"..

So, let’s make a pact: let’s cherish the time we have with them, share those precious moments, and remember that motivation—be it praise AND treats, or toys—doesn’t diminish our bond. It enhances it. You’re not just their human; you’re their partner in fun, adventure, and lifelong tail-wagging happiness.

Let’s indulge our dogs a little..and sometimes A LOT❣️
Treat them like the royalty they are, and let’s help them shine in their own right. After all, isn’t that what being a responsible pet guardian is all about?
Happy dog training, dog playing, dog cuddling and dog bonding, Edmonton! 🐶✨

12/30/2024

Registration is now open for -

**All classes are held at the Britannia Youngstown Community League in West Edmonton.

RUFF 'N TUMBLE PUPPY CLASSES
Safe socialization, all problem solving, desensitization to scary things, EMERGENCY recall, 22 different cues and behaviors... and so much more..
Family friendly.
$325 +tax
Currently registering for 5:00 p.m., March 9th

THERAPY DOG / TEAM CERT. CLASSES
This class is for those wishing to pursue a Recognized Therapy Team Certification, AND for those looking for a well-rounded advanced level class. Bonding, learning, playing, advocating.
6 classes
$349 +tax
Currently registering for 6:00 p.m. March 9th

All of my classes have been updated in order to ensure they include the most current information.

My continued education is to benefit my clients success, and is represented in all Private in-home, Group, and Virtual Training and Behavioral options that I offer.

For more information and registration, please contact Colleen either by text at 780-999-2001 (your name, the option you're interested in, how best to reach you)

Or via email at [email protected]

12/09/2024

,🔊🎉NEW🔊🎉

Service Dog GROUP prep classes!!

The Group Service Dog prep classes that I'm offering for owner trained service dogs are all encompassing.

Everything will be covered in these classes for both ends of the leash.

The reason I developed these classes is to make owner trained service dog support, more affordable, and much more accessible.

Dogs are assessed based on many factors but generally speaking, *Temperament* (behaviorally well suited for the tasks, and socially tolerant of all types of situations, people and dogs).
*Obedience* (able to perform general and more advanced obedience cues in public, under distraction).
*Manners* (I'm not sure I love that word but I think it most aptly describes a dog that does well in public environments).
*Tasks* We will also work on specific tasks for each individual participant.
*Bonding* learning how to navigate this relationship through effective, fun and positive methods.

*ADVOCACY*..for both the client and their support Pawtner.

I take personal privacy very seriously and at no time is anyone required to share with the group, their specific reasons for requiring a service dog.
I do however find that *Group* classes serve another very important, but rarely addressed purpose...
Our Group format offers a safe, like minded, community atmosphere conducive to camaraderie and encouragement.

The first 2025 series, begins on January 12th at 6:10 p.m. and will run weekly for 8 consecutive weeks.

These classes will be small, only six participants/series.

Classes are held at the Britannia Youngstown Community League in West Edmonton.

Families are welcome to attend, to support the participant and to encourage and foster community.

The cost for this 8-week course is $580 plus tax.

Please contact Colleen via text message or WhatsApp at
780 999-2001 to register.

Only 4 spots left!!

12/08/2024

I'm back!

January is just around the corner and I am feverishly planning for the best training year yet!

More tips, more education, more blogs, and more training options.

If you are or have been a client with DITR, you know my thoughts and feelings on the role of mental stimulation, associations and pairings, as a part of every dog's life.

Throughout 2025, I'll be sharing different recipes, sturdy and fun interactive toys, how, where and why I use them in a variety of learning scenarios.

Here's a "Just because" recipe that my dogs will be enjoying later today.

What is a "just because" recipe?

Well, it might be,
just because I'd like to take a long bath,

just because I'll be out on my tractor,

just because I have to wash the floors,

OR ..just because they're all so dang cute when they enjoy these goodies.

All of the recipes that I create to stuff multiple different kinds of toys, are healthy, not terribly calorically dense, are long-lasting, and... more than a little palatable. Just ask my crew.

This recipe includes some "tummy tamers". I'll add probiotics and a little pumpkin if I see any loose stool from any of my dogs. Usually for Pud (Bud).

You'll see that I use pork lung, pork tenderloin and beef lung as the main meat protein in my recipes, as well as beef bone broth powder. Please be careful using bone broths for human consumption as they often contain onions. You can substitute the meat protein and bone broth for anything that your dog does well with. One of the dogs in this house (Pud again lol) has allergies to other meat proteins so those are the two that I stick to.

Today's toy is one of my all-time favorites and can be found locally and online.

On to the recipe -

11/09/2024

Whatever you do...

Don't laugh!!!!

And for GAWDS sake, don't watch it over and over and over and O V E R 🤣😂

1.1M likes, 3631 comments. “Replying to Smurf?? Here yall go”

11/01/2024

Our NEW 2025 SCHEDULE is HERE

REACH NEW HEIGHTS!

Introducing our 2025 Service Dog Group Classes Schedule.

Eligible for a service dog but uncertain about next steps?

Our supportive Group Training Series, guided by Colleen McCarvill CDBC, FDM, CPDT-KA, empowers you and your dog with certification-ready expertise.

This 8 week Group class begins on
Wednesday, January 8th at 6:00 p.m. in West Edmonton.

Contact us - (text only) at 780 999-2001
to register. Space is limited to 8 teams

10/29/2024

Tik Tok videos never gets much attention when posted here. I will try to include a link for reference for my rant....

There is a video however, circulating around about a photographer hired to capture two Cane Corsos.

She was lucky to escape with the injuries that she sustained, a bite to the arm with other attempted bites that did not, thank goodness, results in anything more serious.

It was her quick thinking that saved her from a much more serious outcome.

I know that many people are reluctant to talk about breeds when an incident ends up in the media. I'm not a fan of that reluctance to disclose, if certain of the dogs description and even possibly the breed when known.

Why?

How does that help anyone or any breed?

I do court case expert witness assessments and testimonies, and while it does happen that dog breeds/mixes one would never expect, can be the "perpetrators", our cultural bias too often influences our better judgment.

I would love to know how disrespecting breed specificities and predispositions, do anything but support ethical breeding and responsible ownership.

The number of Corsos (yep, I actually stated a breed of dog), that I have seen in aggression cases where the owners are literally, completely illiterate when it comes to their breed, is astounding.

What has happened to us? What causes us to believe that we are being politically correct when contributing to the ignorance of the general population when it comes to breed predispositions, potentials and possibilities?

How has it become our mission to deny rather than respect those potentials?

Are we setting the public up for success? Are we setting those breeds up to succeed?

The biggest culprits in the decision to create breed specific legislation, are those that continually advise socializing their clearly high potential 'antisocial" dog breeds (notice I didn't say "evil"), with other dogs.

My border collie would very likely nip at geese, ducks and sheep. Is he evil? Nope! He's a shmello. I just don't put him in situations that make me uncomfortable while I watch what he was bred for, transpire. I provide him with other outlets. As it turned out, my baby doll sheep, herded my border collie. I may be kicked out of ethology programs offered worldwide...lol

These culprits also include those that think they are doing the breed "a solid" by denying breed specifics and potential leanings. WHY?!?!

Back to the story that's been circulating about the photographer that was bitten.

This photographer was set up to fail. The dogs were also set up to fail but of course, the photographer.... was the recipient of the ignorance.

Had she not made a few quick decisions in the moment, she would have been much more seriously hurt.

Why did this story send me in an absolute tale spin?

A few FACTS below -

FACT - PEOPLE THAT PURCHASE PARTICULAR BREEDS FOR STATUS, WITHOUT THE PROPER RESEARCH, SET EVERYONE, INCLUDING THAT DOG, UP FOR FAILURE!!!

FACT - AN EDUCATED TRAINER WILL NEVER TRY TO ENGAGE WITH YOUR DOG WHEN THEY ENTER YOUR HOME.
REGARDLESS OF THE KIND OF CASE THEY ARE DEALING WITH OR THE AGE OR BREED OF THE DOG. THEY ACTUALLY RESPECT BOUNDARIES. THIS DOES NOT MAKE THEM WORTHY OF THE TITLE OF WIMPY OR FEARFUL. ON THE CONTRARY, THEY ARE RESPECTING YOUR DOGS BOUNDARIES.

FACT - IF YOUR VETERINARIAN IS WARY OF A DOG THAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS NERVOUS OR AS A BITE RISK, PLEASE DO NOT CRITICIZE YOUR VET. LIKE YOUR EDUCATED AND CREDENTIALED TRAINER, VETERINARIANS ARE NOT MADE OF RUBBER.

FACT - IF YOUR DOG DOES NOT WANT TO BE TOUCHED, PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT A PROFESSIONAL THAT DEALS WITH DOGS ON A DAILY BASIS, TO SOMEHOW "FIX" YOUR DOG BY DISRESPECTING THEIR BOUNDARIES.

FACT - IF A PROFESSIONAL DOES NOT RESPECT YOUR DOG'S BOUNDARIES, YOU REALLY NEED TO FIND ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL.

FACT - THOSE OF US THAT SPECIALIZE IN BEHAVIOR CHALLENGES WILL NEVER SET YOUR DOGS UP TO FAIL. WE WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO START AND FINISH YOUR TRAINING IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS YOUR DOG TO FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE AND DOES NOT ELICIT THE BEHAVIOR THAT CAUSED YOU TO MAKE THE PHONE CALL TO THAT PROFESSIONAL.

SORRY BUT......

D U H!!!!!

FACT - DOGS ARE NOT STATUS SYMBOLS. ALL POTENTIAL DOG GUARDIANS MUST DO THEIR RESEARCH TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCED AND WELL EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE THE BEST LIFE POSSIBLE TO THE DOG THAT THEY CHOOSE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

SQUARE PEGS/ROUND HOLES..
NEVER A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS!!!!

FACT - I USE VOICE TO TEXT AND THE MISSION OF VOICE TO TEXT IS TO COMPLETELY OBLITERATE ANY REPUTATION I MIGHT HAVE GARNERED OVER THE PAST 40 PLUS YEARS.

IF YOU SEE THE WORD P***S, VOICE TO TEXT HAS INFILTRATED THIS ENTIRE POST.

I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR THE OBVIOUS DEBT THAT VOICE TO TEXT HAS DECIDED I AM RESPONSIBLE TO PAY.

PICTURE ENTIRELY FOR ATTENTION TO THIS POST.
***search TikTok for "photographer bitten by Cane Corso" to understand my inability to stifle my rant.

In closing...

If you call a professional, any professional that deals with dogs, and you describe your dog as a potential bite risk or a dog that feels uncomfortable with new humans or new surroundings, please understand that, your trainer, your groomer and any other professional dealing with your dog, will and absolutely should respect the boundaries that you have just described.

This respect of boundaries does NOT mean that your chosen professional is afraid (although what kind of idiot would not be afraid to work with a dog with a bite history when they know, through actual experience, the damage that a biting dog can deliver...

Have any of my clients actually done the C.A.L.M. protocol?

I'm not even kidding when I tell you, as soon as I hit send on this post, I will be gathering my critters in order to participate in a completely selfish C.A.L.M.

Namaste

10/23/2024

A new FAVORITE interactive, food stuffable dog toy for every kind of chewer!!

📢 YIPETOR (I purchased mine on Amazon.ca)

There are a few versions on Amazon, but be careful. Make sure it's the YIPETOR.

Of course I tested this toy with all five of my dogs and even the girls, oOcean and Lyric, we're unable to infiltrate the rubber. They did however, have a ton of fun!!

My dogs are currently on a pork and beef diet to try to resolve some allergy issues with one of the dogs in my house, an English cream golden retriever, Pud/Bud.

I've been testing out a ton of recipes, (The booklet that comes with the toy actually has some good ideas in it, though I can't use them with the food sensitivities in my home).

I usually "clean roast", no seasoning, pork tenderloin once per week to add to my recipes for stuffing their interactive toys.

I also use a bone broth that I've found to have the cleanest ingredient profile. Simply Bone broth powder, from grass-fed, non-GMO beef. My dogs love it. I add the broth from the roasted pork tenderloin and use this as my base for many of my recipes.

I often just add a slice of pork tenderloin and cover it with bone broth and then pop it into the freezer in either this toy, or my other favorite by Westpaw (pictured).

My clients know how much I love food stuffable interactive dog toys to add to the enrichment in all my,... and your, critters lives. I'm always searching for sturdy, creative, enjoyable toys to add a little something special to their days.

I also like to be in control of the foods and liquids that go into their enrichment. I'm not a big fan of the squeeze tubes of fake cheese and fake peanut butter that cost you an arm and a leg, and have sketchy ingredients.

I love the idea of simple, healthy ingredients that I can control the caloric density of, and I know they will benefit from and enjoy.

A toy that stimulates as many of a dog's senses as possible. Sight, can they see what's inside, Scent.. that's an easy one, Sound, toys with things rolling around inside, is there tactile enjoyment, can they squeeze it, chew on it, and last but certainly not least, safety and challenge. Is the toy safe and challenging enough but not so challenging as to create the kind of frustration that causes them to "give up".

Anyway, I just wanted to share this toy as it has become another valuable part of my dogs daily joy.
It's not an inexpensive toy but I believe It's worth the price and one you will never have to replace.

Someone asked me to do another video with Amigo my cockatoo, showing all of my dogs current favorite interactive toys with recipes to accompany each.

I plan to do that within the next week or so.

If you want to see more, please give this a like and a follow, maybe even a share?

HAPPY STUFFING....
.ya, I said that🤪🐾

10/18/2024

Door greetings 🧡🐾

with Jas Deol and Diamond in the Ruff Inc.

10/05/2024

This girly ❤️❤️

Photos in comments❣️🐾

Alberta Homeward Hound https://www.albertahomewardhound.com/

If I didn't already have 5 of my own, this girl would most definitely come home with me. I'm OBSESSED with this young, bright, beautiful...silly creature.

I had so much fun working with Tia on her door greetings, and will be continuing to fine-tune her walking skills with her amazing foster mom.

Tia is one smart cookie 🍪

Meet Adoptable Tia
Breed: Little black v***n
Approx Birthday: November 2023
Gender: Female
Weight: 45lbs
Hello everyone, I’m Tia and I am a smarty pants as I am eager to learn! I am the perfect student for any family who wants to continue my training.
I am very loving, playful and mischievous. I am house trained, crate trained at night but working on daytime crate training. I am also working on not being reactive on walks. I’ll get it tho, hopefully we can work on this together!
I can be quite vocal but my foster family is hoping I’ll learn sign language so I can tell them what I want a little more quiet. I am working on my manners too as well as learning place when people come over!
Likes: I love to play with foster sister. I am a champion at destroying “indestructible” doggy toys. I love playing fetch, and also laying in the sun. I really listen good to my four year old foster sister who teaches me a lot. And to be quite honest, I love my people. I also love walking, but I’m still working on proper walking.
Dislikes: Being alone, I’m working on it tho. I’m just worried my people will never come back.
Activity level : medium
Dogs: Yes
Cats: unknown
Kids: Yes, I really listen to my 4 year old human foster sister who is trying to teach me all kinds of tricks. She’s fun to play and learn with!

If you're interested in giving this beautiful girl a forever home, please contact Alberta Homeward Hound.

https://www.albertahomewardhound.com/