Woof It Up Dog Training and Separation Anxiety

11/11/2025

As .monaco.torelli says “progress is a process”, and man do I feel that way with Boomer.

Over the last few months, our progress has been SLOW. In the last two weeks, Boomer’s progress has sky rocketed. I’ve been working on engagement especially when on walks.

Yesterday it was raining hard, no walk, so we stayed inside to train and have fun. He didn’t focus on the door ONCE!

He was SO focused on me. Wowza, what a wonderful day.

I started to be a bit silly (he loves this), and worked on engagement, by moving from one side and waiting for him to follow me and then move to the other side, and each time he moved with me.

It was such a wonderful session, that after the fun stuff, we started to work on engagement when walking on leash. He killed it. I’ll post that video soon.

11/07/2025

11/06/2025

Proud mama moment.

My kid is going to university to study to become a registered vet tech.

I’d love to say that she has dreamed of working with animals her entire life, but that is not the case.

All I thought I would do is stay at RBC until I retired.

Little did we know that in February 2018, when Rousey came home, how she would change all of our lives.

Rousey was the easiest puppy, adolescent, and adult dog. We are lucky to have her. She is my helper dog when I’m working with a client and their dog who has big feelings towards other dogs.

We loved on this dog and made her a big part of our lives. My day is revolved around her.

Without her, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing, and my daughter would not have two dogs, nor work in an emergency vet, veterinarian hospital nor wanna become a vet tech.

I am in New Brunswick because of her. I opened my business because of her.

I get to work with clients and their dogs daily and watch them thrive. Just like how I watch Rousey thrive.

Congrats Maddy and thank you Rousey for being the best damn dog!

puppy

11/05/2025

Today was all about sewing and hanging out with my former client turned friend.

I am always asking my clients to meet their dog’s needs and today I met my need of friendship, sewing and laughter.

And chicken fajitas, which she said were the best she ever had. Lol!

What did I sew? A jacket for my diesel. It turned out OK, a little too short under the chest, and a little too long across the chest. I don’t care. I enjoyed doing it although he can’t wear it.

What’s your version of a ‘rest day project’? I might need ideas for my next one!

11/04/2025

Please share Boomer.

He needs a home. Preferably one where his human will stay with him most of the day, take him for an hour or so walk a day, and cuddle the rest.

If you’re interested in meeting Boomer, you’ll likely have to go a couple of times so that he can get to know who you are.

He is at the Oromocto and Area SPCA

11/03/2025

Teach your dog a cue that means: put your nose to the ground and find food!

The skill “find it” can be used in multiple contexts and alleviates multiple pain points.

It’s so easy to teach and learn and once fluent, the benefits are huge. Start super easy by showing your dog a piece of food (for one quick second), say “find it” and toss the food close enough that your dog sees and/or hears the food. Your dog will likely come right back to you asking to play again. Repeat, but toss the food in the other direction, creating a nice pattern. Bonus is that you will get unprompted attention from your dog! It’s a win-win.

“Find It” might look like just tossing a treat for your dog to sniff out, but it’s a powerful cue , but it is a productive distraction.

Go step by step and go at their pace. I like to imagine it like school:
🎒 Kindergarten: treats right in front of them
📚 High school: scattered in grass or around the room, down a darkened hallway, a few pieces of food the same colour of a carpet - get creative
🎓 University: throwing a handful of food into leaves, tall grass or snow

Starting easy, building fluency, and watching that sniffer work! Because when dogs know how to use their nose to solve a puzzle, we see more confidence,

Small game. Big benefits. Let’s support those big feelings one “Find It” at a time.

Share a 👃 if your dog is building their skills one ‘Find It’ at a time.

10/31/2025

We don’t always see dogs at their best in shelters.

The Oromocto and Area SPCA is so awesome, it’s still hard on some dogs.

Boomer is one of those dogs that struggles at times. I have been working with him for a few months and we are making progress!!

As he doesn’t like to be handled as much, we have been working on me using a paper towel to wipe down his legs, and today I got to clean out some of the wax in his ears.

I am one of the lucky ones that boomer shows his true self too, but the best part of today’s time together is that he wanted to cuddle, and then he lied down for a nice massage.

What a gift.

bellyrubs

10/28/2025

No caption needed.

10/23/2025

Meet this big weirdo - Boomer!!!

Boomer is a 5-year-old, beautiful, and loving Shepherd/Lab mix that is so AMAZING, and he is SO weird - which I love! He has weird ears that touch each other and flop around while he walks. It is one of the highlights of my walks with him.

He has been at the Oromocto and Area SPCA for a few months, with little interest, and I can understand why. He doesn’t show well in his kennel; he is desperate to be with people and will bark and scream to get some love.

He LOVES people.

He would do so well in a home where his people are home most of the day, just being with him.

He loves to cuddle, be petted and once he forms a bond, wow, watch out - he will love you till the end of days.

I think in his previous life, he was a bomb sniffing dog. On our walks, he spends quite a bit of time sniffing cars from bumper to bumper.

The other thing he loves?

Sniffing (duh), peeing on things (duh - he is a male dog) and once he is done sniffing, he will flick the ground right into your face if you are standing at just the right angle. Ask me how I know!

If you want more info on Boomer or know someone who would love a loyal dog in their home, drop a dog emoji in the comments, and let’s start a conversation on Boomer!