Woof It Up Dog Training and Separation Anxiety

08/22/2024

Do you ask your dog for consent?

I do! Rousey loves to be scratched on her eyelids and paws. She is an odd one, that is for sure!

In this video, I ask her, "Do you want me to itch you?" (By the way, this is what I used to say to my kids when they were younger. It's a long story, and I know it is not proper grammar.)

I had been scratching her eye for about one minute before I started recording, so in the end, I guess she was done until she asked me to scratch her paw. The cue for this one is, "Do you want me to clean your feet? " HAHA, I guess I am a weird one too.

Anyhoo, ask your dog before you touch, pet, kiss or hug your dog. Once you start to ask, you will be surprised by their answer.

Dogs do not always want to be touched, kissed, picked up, petted, hugged, etc. Most dogs tolerate these things, but dogs tell us if we are willing to listen.

08/21/2024

Let's have some fun!

Most of my friends, peers and clients know that for me FUN is one of the most important thing to me.

I am a game-based trainer that uses pattern games to help both ends of the leash learn.

Why be boring when you can have fun and fun when learning - is the PERFECT combo.

Do you agree?

08/20/2024

When skills taught transfer to other contexts!

Well, well, well - this one was a surprise for sure.

Marnie is working with me on a number of things, and one is working on a relaxation protocol so she can rest there when guests come over and while her family is at mealtime. She is totally ROCKING it!

During an outside training session with Miss Marnie, her mom and I were talking and Marnie just lied down on the grass! This is NOT usual for her and to double the excitement, she ignored the neighbourhood cat. Both of these behaviours are not usual for her!

Well done Marnie!

08/19/2024

Welcome Sasha!

Miss Sasha is working with us to not body slam guests, not pull on her leash while walking and just overall basic manners.

Between meeting her species-typical needs, a bit of management at the beginning and some skills - she is going to be a bigger rock star than she already is.

I have a soft spot for pitties and pitty mixes and so looking forward to all the things Sasha will learn.

08/15/2024

Who Let The Dogs Out?

Remember this song? Ha ha - Diesel really loves it and knows the words. Just joking.

I have this on page to remind you there is more to life for your dog than training!

Relationship building is half the battle to a content dog. Of course, meeting their needs is just as important, but man, I love the silly relationship I have with both my dogs.

What silly and weird things do you do with your dog(s)?

08/14/2024

Yep - this is 100% true.

Dog training is not a cookie cutter approach type of industry.

Every dog and human are different, and we as dog trainers and behavioural consultants need to be quick thinkers, creative problem solvers and figure out ways to address the needs of both human and non-human learners. To name just a few!

In order to do so, experience is one thing, but continued education is also important. The two go hand and hand.

When you work with me, you will get the best of my ability to help you live a life with your dog that is enjoyable, fun and peaceful.

Reach out - I would love to work with you.

08/13/2024

This is just for fun - no other reason.

Enjoy.

08/12/2024

Welcome Goose!

Look at this glorious Standard Poodle - Goose. He is one amazing dog with A LOT of personality.

We are helping him with recall, give him skills needed when he is a bit afraid of new dogs and how to be on a mat when people come over.

So far, he is rocking it!

08/08/2024

This is enrichment - do you agree?

👉 I am meeting their needs with this awesome scent work game - finding frogs. A bonus - the mental stimulation in this one activity is off the charts!

👉 Each time we have a delivery of wood, there is always, and I mean always a frog or two under the pile.

👉 As I am moving wood that I placed against the house (apparently it is a no no - lol), I moved it all to about 5' from the house and it took me a bit longer as they dogs were checking under each piece of wood - just in case there was a frog!

Both of my dogs are very curious and this makes them, and frankly me super happy!

What out of the box enrichment do you do to meet your dogs needs?

I'd love to know!

08/07/2024

All dogs are great!

Every dog, no matter their size, breed, or background, has the ability to shine.

With love, training, and a bit of patience, your amazing dog can achieve amazing things.

Tell me more of what makes your dog great!

08/06/2024

Friends and family have likely said:

- Let him bark it out. He will get over it. He is JUST a dog

- Put him in the crate, he won't destroy anything then

- You baby him too much

- Give him some clothing

And here are so more, you might have heard:

- Give him something to chew, lick or a kong with food in it

- It's because you let him sleep on the bed, be on the furniture

- Be the alpha

- Try one of those products to keep him feel calm

Well, none of these 'tricks' or put downs work. It is a hard road to helping your dog feel safe when home alone.

There is one way and only one way to help your dog. - Gradual Exposure training with a qualified and certified Separation Anxiety trainer.

Does your dog need help to feel safe and content when home alone? Reach out - I can help you get your life back!

08/05/2024

Happy New Brunswick Day!

Hope you can spend time with family and friends in this glorious province!

08/04/2024

Well that’s a wrap for sewing lessons.. for now!!! Thanks Tammy for the 8 sessions of fun and learning. You are an awesome teacher and I learned so many new things. Piviting Studio

Another beautiful sewing project finished.

07/31/2024

🐾 Dog training is a journey, not a destination!

Learning isn't linear with us nor with our dogs, and I believe in celebrating the small wins, being patient through the setbacks (which there will be!), and enjoy the process of learning and growing together.

Having an end goal is great, but I recommend to enjoy the process. I love when a dog that is learning a new skill, we click & reward small approximations and then one day - WHAM - they get it!

My favourite aha moment with dogs in with the engage/disengage game - when a dog looks at something and reorients back to their human. It is the best feeling ever!

07/30/2024

When dogs are afraid to be home alone, they show all kinds of stressed body language, and this dog (which is not a client dog) looks stressed!

Ears forward closed tight mouth, fixated at the window (maybe looking for her human?!?) I wish I could see more of her body - but this will have to do!

These are some signs we look for when helping a dog feel safe and content while home alone. But these are not all the signs!

Such as, and not limited to:

-Howling, Whining or Crying
-Scratching at the door or window (trying to get to you)
-Destruction
-Soiling (when your dog doesn't do this unless you are gone)
-Pacing, drooling
-Hyper Attachment
- Shaking

If your dog is displaying any one of these behaviours when you are not home, reach out, as a Separation Anxiety Behaviour Consultant, through training I can help you get your life back and not feel guilty when you want to leave! Most importantly, your dog will feel safe and content while home alone.

07/29/2024

Welcome Duke!

Duke is here with us to teach him that not everyone wants to say hi, to not eat things off the ground and to engage with his awesome human while out on a walk.

This is my time working with a Greyhound, and boy of boy - I am in love with this breed. He is smart, so lovable and at 7 years of age, he wants to continue to learn.

Welcome to team Woof It Up Duke!

07/26/2024

Do you have trouble giving your dog medication?

If your dog doesn't have dairy allergies, get some shredded cheese, put the pill into it, roll the cheese into a ball, and feed it.

I do ask her if you want your meds, and she and, of course, Diesel come running. His is much smaller because, well, he isn't the one who needs the pill.

Make pill-taking fun! There are loads more creative ways to deliver meds, but I always think, start easy and see if your dog will take it.

07/25/2024

Bath time made easy!

Love how easy it is to bathe both my dogs. Rousey will jump into the bath and Diesel needs a 'boost'.

She doesn't need a lick mat to stay in the bath, I just think she likes it - so why not?

Does you dog jump in the bath so easily?

07/24/2024

Treating fear with fear. Doesn't make sense to me.

Here are some common reasons:

Damages Trust:
Training with fear can break the bond of trust between you and your dog. They should see you as a source of love and security, not something to be afraid of.

Behavioural Issues:
Fear-based training can lead to anxiety, aggression, and other problematic behaviours. It doesn't teach them what to do, only what not to do.

Short-Term Fix:
Fear might temporarily stop a behavior, but it doesn't address the root cause. Positive reinforcement teaches lasting, desired behaviours.

Hinders Learning:
Dogs learn best in a positive environment. Fear and stress inhibit their ability to understand and retain new commands.

Ethical Concerns:
Dogs deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. Using fear is not only ineffective but also cruel.

Creates Fearful Dogs:
A dog trained with fear is more likely to become fearful, affecting their overall well-being and quality of life.

If you have a dog with big feelings, reach out, and I can show you a better way, easier, kinder and you will find you have way more fun.

07/23/2024

Do you have a confident dog?

I certainly do. Rousey, my almost 7 year old boxer absolutely LOVES new things. LOVES them. She will investigate pretty much anything, go down 30' cliffs and will swim in high waves. Dive over and under fallen trees, jump on high rocks - you name it, she is game!

How did she turn out this way? I believe from a very young age (like 4 months old), we had her in nature, swimming, go down small cliffs, letting her go where she wanted to sniff, play and run in the woods.

Why this photo? She can sleep almost anywhere without issues, and when we had to bring our outdoor daybed into the house for a few days, I put her bed up there. She immediately checked it out and slept there, all night. HAHA.

What a funny girl and I love her so much.

07/22/2024

Welcome Olive! Look at this cutie!

You may be small, but you are mighty! I love working with little dogs. I view them as 100-pound dogs, as they need to learn, too!

Miss Olive is a tad vocal when she sees people and other dogs, so we are teaching her the skills she needs to navigate the world.

07/20/2024

Yeah!!

☀️🐶We’re dog friendly!!! 🐶☀️ Come down to the lighthouse for a day of dog treats and tricks for training your pups with !!

07/19/2024

is giving me a seat at the table!

If you have dog training questions, on July 20th from 3-6pm, I will be located on their patio - so come for some food and drinks and ask away!

I would love to chat with you.

07/18/2024

Do you have a dog with big feelings?

I certainly do. Long story short - Diesel's big feelings towards other dogs is HUGE and although he has significant skills to navigate the world, including disengaging from dogs (barking, running, etc), a flight cue ala and super awesome food, we do pretty well.

He always wears a No Dogs vest that I buy and recommend by an Etsy vendor - Give a Dog A Home.

I also have a long line for him so he has more agency on walks, but this is a skill that us humans need to learn! How to hold the leash and how to gather up the leash efficiently and quickly.

However, if they get into his grill, I can't keep him by my side (as all protocols and management can fail), I have an air horn and citronella spray so THAT I FEEL more CONFIDENT.

If you have a dog with big feelings, I would love to help!

07/16/2024

Continuing Education!

Like most ethical dog trainers, continuing education is part of our life, and I am so proud and happy to rejoin - the Enhanced Program.

The owners of , who wrote the amazing book Canine Enrichment for the Real World, have a program called Dog Trainer Mentors, Enrichment & Business Growth that has been priceless for me. The first six-month program helped me immensely, and I KNOW the second six-month program will as well.

As dog training is an unregulated industry, anyone can slap a Dog Trainer on a business card and market their services. This is so sad, especially for those of us who took the time and money to become certified and continue with our education.

Always look for a certified trainer, that doesn't use aversive methods or items (because we don't have to!).

Reach out to me for help with any of your dog's undesirable behaviours.

07/15/2024

400 Followers! Yeah!

Thanks to all of you for following me in my little corner of the internet!

I love to share fun videos, food-related content, quotes about the dogs I am working with, tips on how to fill your dog's cup, and tips/tricks.

I am a simple gal, who loves to spread joy and have a need to help - which fills my cup! I love watching dogs big feelings reduce as I give the skills needed for both ends of the leash to navigate the outside world.

Thanks for following!

07/13/2024

For those that know, you do not even have to watch to the end. Omg. I totally remember this. Ouch.

07/13/2024

Come in for Demo Day on Hydration!

Friday 2-5pm
Saturday 11am-2pm
Sunday 11am-2pm

07/10/2024

The great team at at 1055 Prospect Street on July 13th from 12-4pm will be having me again.

I will be there to answer any dog training questions you have.

Hope to see you there.