The Gibsons Dogrunner

02/04/2025

🐾 All-Inclusive Training & Behavior Modification Package – $1,099 CAD! 🐾

(Regular: $1,250 – Value: $1,740!)

🚀 Save $641 CAD! (From 12 sessions, 4 are FREE!)

📌 What’s Included?
✅ 12 private training sessions (adjustable length)
✅ Comprehensive assessment (FREE – $218 value!)
✅ 3 from 12 FREE training sessions ($435 value!)
✅ Customized training plan & support
✅ Online sessions available if needed

⏳ Must be used within 4 months from the first assessment or consultation (unless mutually agreed otherwise)

💳 Payment Plan Available!
➡️ $199 before the first meeting
➡️ $450 before the first training session
➡️ $450 before the 7th session

✨ Who is this for?
🐕 Dogs with reactivity (toward dogs, people, or situations)
🐕 Dogs struggling with aggression (dog-to-dog, dog-to-human, or in the home)
🐕 Dogs with high prey drive & chasing behavior
🐕 Resource guarding
🐕 Fearful behavior
🐕 Leash pulling + reactivity combo
🐕 Panic issues or severe noise sensitivity

📅 Spots are limited!

Go to my website and book a FREE Discovery Call to discuss your dog's needs OR submit the intake form and book your first session right away!

🔗 Link in bio: www.thegibsonsdogrunner.ca

🐾 Helping dogs & their humans live their best lives!

02/03/2025

🐾 All-Inclusive Training
& Behavior Modification Package

$1,099 CAD! 🐾

(Regular: $1,250 – Value: $1,740!)

🚀 Save $641 CAD! (From 12 sessions, 4 are FREE!)

📌 What’s Included?
✅ 12 private training sessions (adjustable length)
✅ Comprehensive assessment FREE
✅ 3 from 12 FREE training sessions ($435 value!)
✅ Customized training plan & support
✅ Online sessions are available if needed

⏳ Must be used within 4 months from the first assessment or consultation (unless mutually agreed otherwise)

💳 Payment Plan Available!
➡️ $199 before the first meeting
➡️ $450 before the first training session
➡️ $450 before the 7th session

✨ Who is this for?
🐕 Dogs with reactivity (toward dogs, people, or situations)
🐕 Dogs struggling with aggression (dog-to-dog, dog-to-human, or in the home)
🐕 Dogs with high prey drive & chasing behavior
🐕 Resource guarding
🐕 Fearful behavior
🐕 Leash pulling + reactivity combo
🐕 Panic issues or severe noise sensitivity

📅 Spots are limited!

Go to my website and book a FREE Discovery Call to discuss your dog's needs OR submit the intake form and book your first session right away!

🔗 Link in bio or www.thegibsonsdogrunner.ca

Book a free 15 min discovery call here
https://calendly.com/thegibsonsdogrunner/discovery-call

🐾 Helping dogs & their humans live their best lives!

01/31/2025

🌟 Thank You for Your Kind Words, Joanie! 🌟

A huge thank you to Joanie (Joe’s mom) for this lovely review!

"Krisztina at The Gibsons Dogrunner has been extremely helpful training my 1 1/2-year-old terrier. She has helped with barking and anxiety. Krisztina is very easy to work with and gives excellent notes to refer to. I highly recommend her."

Helping Joe and Joanie has been such a joy! If you’ve worked with me and found our training sessions helpful, I’d truly appreciate your review. It helps more dog parents find the support they need!

🐾 Leave a review on Google: The Gibsons Dogrunner https://g.page/r/CWuwg39dP9BCEBM/review (link in bio too!)
🐾 Or send me your review via email or text, and I’ll share it on Instagram and my website!

Your feedback means the world to me and helps more dogs and their humans get the right training support. 💙

01/31/2025

✨ Love my posts & free training tips? 🐶💡
Want more FREE handouts? 📄🎉

💬 Drop a comment! What training or behavior topics do you want to see next? I’ll cover them in upcoming posts! ⬇️🐕

👋 Hi, I’m Krisztina, the dog trainer & behavior consultant behind The Gibsons Dogrunner! 🐾 With science-based, positive methods, I help dogs and their humans build strong, trusting relationships. Whether it's puppy training, reactivity, leash skills, or behavior modification, I tailor my approach to each dog. 🏡🐶

📚 I have extensive certifications & ongoing education in reward-based training (BAT, PST, Family Dog Mediation) and love sharing free resources on my website! You’ll find downloadable handouts, training tips, and blogs covering real-life problem-solving—check them out! 💡🐕

🌟 Support Local! 🌟
I’m not chasing global fame—I’m here to help as many local dog owners as possible in Sunshine Coast, BC! 🌊💙 Your likes, comments & shares help more dog owners discover positive training. 🐾

🔗 Find free handouts, blogs & services on my website! Link in bio! 🔗

🔁 Spread the word! Tag a friend who needs training tips! 🐶📲

🐕in the photo Misty, the 6 months old heeler×pittie mix

01/31/2025

🐶 Is Your Reactive Dog Hyper-Focused on You When You Have Treats? 👀🐾

They stare at your hand instead of noticing their surroundings? I can help with this! ✅

🔥 Why does this happen?

Many reactive dogs are unintentionally taught to avoid looking at triggers—which can be a helpful management tool, but it won’t teach them that the “thing” is safe.

❌ The problem?
🚨 When dogs deliberately avoid looking, everything feels like it appears suddenly and too close—triggering barking or lunging to keep “scary or unpredictable things” away.

This is a common foundational issue, especially in herding breeds.

🐑 Herding Breeds & Reactivity

Did you know that working Border Collies first learn to walk around sheep without herding them? 🐕‍🦺🐑 They look but don’t react!

Many reactive dogs miss this foundation—they don’t learn how to observe calmly. Instead, their sensitivity to sudden changes and their need for control fuel their reactivity.

✨ Meet Willow! ✨ (📸 in the photo)

🐾 1.5-year-old Australian Shepherd
🔹 Reacts to dogs, people, moving objects & wildlife
🔹Noise-sensitive (common in herding breeds)
🔹 Under-socialized as a puppy
🔹 Naturally anxious & fearful since puppyhood (genetics played a role)
🔹 Reactivity is already a learned emotional response 😟

Willow has every major reason for reactivity, making her case complex—but not hopeless!

💡 Reactivity isn’t just about training—it’s about emotions! 🔥
Every reactive dog needs a tailored approach to feel safer & calmer.

📩 Not sure how to help your dog?
I offer hands-on, one-on-one reactive dog training
🏆 Customized solutions for your dog & your lifestyle!

📬 DM me to start today!

01/30/2025

🐾 Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricky Tricks! 🏆

Yesterday, we had a casual walk with Tricky in a moderately calm neighborhood. 🏡🚶‍♂️

🐶 Before: His owners reported reactivity to any dog, even at far distances. He also reacted to oddly shaped humans (big hats, bags, carts, etc.). At 12 years old, and as a Jack Russell Terrier, Tricky likely struggled with this his whole life—his natural quick arousal made it even harder to stay calm.

🐶 Now, just a few weeks later:
✨ With management + Engage/Disengage training, Tricky no longer reacts to distant dogs or oddly shaped humans!
✨ His dad stuck to the training, avoiding dogs when needed, managing tricky moments, and distracting him when he started fixating. At first, he was skeptical if training would work—now, he’s a believer!
✨ On our walk, we passed a knowingly reactive pup across a wide road. Tricky’s dad fed & praised him, keeping him calmly walking at his side!
✨ Even with suddenly appearing human surprises, Tricky looked, then automatically reoriented to his dad for help & treats—no stiffness, no fixating, just calm disengagement!

👏 Incredible progress in just a few weeks!
Proof that even at 12 years old, Tricky is learning new (non-reactive) tricks! 🐾💪

01/29/2025

🐶🐶✨ "The Treat Lady" – Is Using Food in Training a Problem? 🍖🎾

I often hear, "You're like a Treat Fairy!" 🧚‍♀️ Clients wonder if using so many treats is okay. Short answer? Yes! 🎉

🍗 Luring vs. Rewarding – What's the Difference?

➡️ Luring: Showing the treat to guide a behavior.
➡️ Rewarding: Giving the treat after the behavior is performed.

🔄 How to Transition from Luring to Rewarding?
✔️ Start by luring, then fade the lure (use just a hand signal).
✔️ Reward after they complete the behavior.
✔️ Gradually reduce treat frequency but keep occasional rewards to maintain motivation.

🍖 When is Luring Still Okay?

Even advanced dogs sometimes need luring in tough situations:
✅ High distractions (new places, new dogs, noises) 🏙️
✅ High emotions (fear, over-arousal, anxiety) 😵‍💫
✅ Complex tasks or new skills 🧠
✅ Puppies still learning the world 🐶

🍽️ Using Treats Wisely & Keeping a Balanced Diet

✔️ Use part of their regular food (about 30%) as training treats—kibbles work great!
✔️ Soft or raw food on a Licki Mat counts as part of meals—reduce their main food by ~20% to balance calories.
✔️ Using different kibbles as training treats keeps calories in check while maintaining good nutrition.
✔️ If your dog gets overexcited with high-value treats, switch to a lower-value treat to keep focus without overstimulation.

🧠 But My Dog is "Too Smart" and Only Works for Food!

Great! 🎉 We don’t work for free—neither do dogs. Food isn’t just a bribe—it’s:
✔️ A learning tool 🏆
✔️ A way to assess emotional state ❤️
✔️ A stress reliever & arousal regulator 🌊

Using balanced rewards keeps training fun, effective, and fair! 🙌

What’s your dog’s favorite treat for training? 🍖👇 Drop it in the comments! ⬇️

01/27/2025

🐺 Is Your Dog Really Trying to Be the "Alpha"? Think Again! 🐶❌
For years, we've been told that we need to be the "pack leader" and dominate our dogs to earn their respect. But what if I told you... that’s all a myth? 🤯

🔬 Science has debunked the "alpha dog" theory, and even the scientist who first promoted it admitted he was wrong! 😲

💡 In this blog, you'll discover:
✅ Where the alpha myth came from (hint: it started with wolves 🐺)
✅ Why dogs are NOT trying to dominate you 🚫
✅ How positive reinforcement training works better than outdated force-based methods 🎯
✅ What real experts now say about canine behavior 🧐

🐕 Your dog isn’t challenging you—they just need clear communication and fair training! 🏆

👇 Read the full blog and start training with science, not myths! 👇

For years, dog owners have been told that they need to be the alpha or pack leader to establish control over their dogs. The idea that dogs must be dominated, forced into submission, or made to respect a strict hierarchy has been widely promoted in traditional dog training.But where did this dominan...

01/26/2025

🐾 Alfie’s Training Update – Special Guest Edition! 🐾

We’ve started teaching Alfie to ignore a dog playing in the distance. Instead of chasing or stealing toys, he’s learning that staying with his dad is the best choice—because his dad will play with him and give him treats! 🎾🍖

Today, his brother Calvin joined us! 🐶💛 While Alfie worked, Calvin enjoyed tug and fetch with his mom—getting lots of love and rewards!

🔍 What We’re Working On

Alfie tends to steal sticks or balls from other dogs 🏴‍☠️. He doesn’t resource guard with humans (he’ll drop toys immediately when asked), but if another dog tries to take an item back, he may guard it with growling.

His training plan includes:
✅ Management & prevention to set him up for success 🛑
✅ Impulse control cues like "leave it" & "drop it" 🎾
✅ Teaching disengagement from toys & moving objects 🏀
✅ Desensitization & counter-conditioning to other dogs approaching 🐕

💡 Resource guarding this specialized is easy to avoid at home, but that’s exactly why training should start before the behavior generalizes to different items, locations, and situations. Prevention is key!

🌊 Why Does This Happen?
✔️ Likely triggered by social insecurity & stress in dog parks & beaches
✔️ Calvin, being older & mellow, never challenges him—reinforcing the habit

💙 Alfie is otherwise a super mellow, calm dog—just with a bit of food enthusiasm (which, let’s be honest, is pretty cute! 😄).

01/25/2025

🐾 Australian Shepherd Spotlight: Meet Willow! 🐾

This is Willow, a 1.5-year-old Australian Shepherd, navigating the world with a sensitive soul. ❤️ Like many herding breeds, Willow is highly aware of movement—whether it’s dogs, wildlife, or even everyday objects. Combined with noise sensitivity, this means her environment can feel overwhelming at times.

Through structured training, management, and positive reinforcement, we’re helping Willow build confidence, find calmness, and learn that the world isn’t as scary as it seems. 🌿🐕

🔹 Reactivity is not a choice—it’s an emotional response.
🔹 Support, not suppression—helping dogs feel safe rather than just stopping behaviors.
🔹 Small steps, big progress—every success counts!

Working with sensitive dogs takes time, but watching them grow into more confident, relaxed companions is worth every effort. 🌟

Do you have a reactive or noise-sensitive dog? Let’s talk about ways to help them feel more at ease! 💙🐶

01/23/2025

🐾 Stop the Chase! Let Your Dog Sniff! 🐾

Is your dog constantly on the go outside? 🚀 Always pulling ahead, unable to slow down? Some dogs stay in a state of flight or search—never stopping, always searching, chasing, and moving forward as an attempt to self-soothe.

This go-go-go behavior often comes with:
🔹 High arousal & anxiety
🔹 Strong chasing/hunting tendencies
🔹 Difficulty pausing to take in the environment

🌿 Slow is Good! 🌿
Teaching your dog to pause, look around, and sniff slower helps regulate their emotions and lowers stress levels. It teaches them that stopping is safe.

🎯 Try the Find It! Game 🎯
🐾 Drop tiny treats in the grass and let your dog sniff them out
🌳 Stick treats into tree bark or on rocks and guide your dog to find them
🐕 Encourage sniffing—it naturally lowers heart rate, calms the mind, and provides mental stimulation!

✨ Sniffing isn’t just enrichment; it helps dogs gather information about their surroundings, making them feel safer and more in control.

🐶 Stop the chase—let them sniff!

01/23/2025

🐾 How to Train a FAST Recall! 🚀🐶

Want a faster and more reliable recall? Try incorporating chase into your training! 🏃‍♂️💨

🔹 Small dog? Let them chase you! Call their name, say your recall cue, and RUN! When they catch up—🎉 reward!
🔹 Big dog? Maybe don’t let them chase you (especially if you have kids at home! 😉). Instead, make them chase the food! 🍖✨

💡 How? When your dog comes to you, roll the treat behind you instead of handing it over! This adds an extra fun challenge—your dog gets rewarded with movement! 🎯🐕💨

🐕‍🦺 Chase = Engagement
🏃‍♀️ Movement = Motivation
🥎 Rolling food = More fun

Try it out and let me know how it goes! ⬇️ Does your dog love chasing food?

01/23/2025

🐶 From Fearful Puppy to Confident Companion – Willow’s Barking Journey! 🎯

I had a video consultation with a client and her dog Willow, a Lagotto Romagnolo, who was one of my puppy trainees three years ago. 🐾

As a puppy, Willow was extremely fearful, but thanks to her owner’s patience and dedication, she has come a long way! Now, as an adult, she’s generally doing well, but her owner noticed some barking behaviors and decided to proactively work on them before they become more frequent.

🔹 Why Do Dogs Bark?

Barking is a natural form of communication, and dogs bark for many different reasons. Over time, barking can also become a learned habit that’s reinforced by the environment.

The most common reasons dogs bark at home include:
🐕 Fear & Guarding – Some dogs bark when they feel uneasy about strangers or when they’re protecting their home.
🐾 Alert Barking – Certain breeds, especially watchdogs and herding breeds, naturally bark to signal movement or changes in their environment.
🐶 Excitement & Attention-Seeking – Dogs sometimes bark simply because they want to interact or get attention.
🎾 Boredom & Fun – Many dogs bark when they have excess energy or when they’re entertaining themselves.

For dogs like Willow, who had an extremely fearful start in life, barking can be a mix of habit, communication, and self-soothing. Understanding the underlying reason is key to deciding how to approach it.

🔹 About the Lagotto Romagnolo

This rare and ancient breed originated in Italy and was originally used as a water retriever. Over time, they became best known for their truffle-hunting skills, thanks to their incredible sense of smell and strong work ethic. While they are affectionate and highly trainable, Lagottos are also very alert dogs—meaning they can be prone to barking at sounds, movements, and changes in their surroundings.

🔔 Does your dog bark at home? Stay tuned! Next time, I’ll share some tips on how to manage barking at home and help your dog feel more at ease. 🏡🐾

01/23/2025

🐾 Does Your Tiny Dog Run Away from You? Try This Recall Exercise! 🎯

Do you struggle with your small dog dodging your hands or running off instead of coming to you? Here’s a fun recall game that strengthens their response to “Come” while also helping desensitize them to your reach, touch, and leash handling!

🔹 Prep:

✔ Treats (small & high-value)
✔ Light, short training leash on the dog

🔹 Step 1: Call & Reward with Movement

🐶 Get your dog’s attention and say “Come!”
🐶 Make a lasso-like hand movement as an extra cue
🐶 As they start coming toward you, roll a treat slightly behind you

🔹 Step 2: Calm Leash Handling

🐶 While they eat the treat, slowly and calmly pick up the leash
🐶 Keep the leash loose—avoid pulling, leaning, or reaching toward them
🐶 Instead, step slightly away to make it feel natural and rewarding

🔹 Step 3: Add Gentle Walking (After a Few Days)

🐶 Show a second treat after picking up the leash
🐶 Lure them to walk a few steps with you before rewarding

🐕‍🦺 This game makes recall fun and helps your tiny dog feel safe and confident when you reach toward them!

💡 Pro Tip: Small dogs often feel pressure when we reach toward them! This exercise teaches them that your hand movements predict good things instead of something to avoid.

👉 Try it and let me know how your pup does! Tag a friend with a small dog who needs better recall! 🐶💙

01/23/2025

https://www.dogmeetsbaby.expert/post/five-tips-for-families-with-dogs-and-soon-to-be-mobile-children

01/21/2025

Today’s Session was with Wyatt, the 8-month-old German Shepherd!

Just like other adolescent dogs, frustration, uncertainty, and lack of impulse control can create behaviors humans don’t like.
_____________________________________________________
🐕 What to Do?

✅ Meet their needs! 🏃‍♂️ Daily exercise, training, play & mental stimulation.
✅ Reward calm behavior! 💤 Praise & treat when they relax.
✅ Use clear cues! 📣 “Let’s play” / “All done” to start & end attention times.
✅ Redirect energy! 🦴 Chew toys, snuffle mats, and enrichment activities.
✅ Stay consistent! ⏳ Behavior may temporarily worsen before improving. (Extinction Burst)
_____________________________________________________

🚫 What NOT to Do?

❌ Do NOT punish! (yelling, pushing, spraying water etc).
❌ Do NOT react to demand behaviors! (barking, jumping, whining).
❌ Do NOT reinforce bad behavior! Giving attention = reward.
❌ Do NOT ignore their needs! Lack of outlets leads to frustration.
_____________________________________________________

🧐 Not sure if it’s frustration, fear, confusion, or separation anxiety?
🔎 If your dog is barking, jumping, biting, or struggling, I can help analyze their behavior and give the right management, prevention, and training solutions.

📍 Message me for a session! 📨
📸 Featuring Wyatt, the 8-month-old GSD! 🐶🔥

Let me know if you'd like any changes! 🚀

01/18/2025

🐶 Meet Alfie! 🎾✨

This 9-month-old Husky-Malamute-Golden mix is a bundle of energy—but surprisingly super calm for his age! 😍💛

🐾 Alfie’s Training Goals:
🔹 Resource Guarding – Only with unknown dogs, mainly over sticks or balls. No issues with people.
🔹 Destructive at Home – Likely boredom & attention-seeking rather than separation-related.
🔹 Mental Stimulation Needed – Gets plenty of physical exercise, but not enough mental work, so we’re adding that to his routine!
🔹 Crate & Alone Time Training – Helping him feel comfortable when needed.

✨ Alfie is friendly with just a hint of uncertainty in new environments, but overall, he’s doing great! Excited to work with this good boy 🐕💙

01/17/2025

🚀 CALL OFF THE CHASE: Turning the Chase Into Teamwork! 🐕💨

Does your dog go wild for squirrels, birds, or bikes? 🐿️🚴‍♂️
Instead of saying "No! Stop!"—teach them what TO do instead! 🎯🐾

💡 Why Predation Substitute Training (PST) Works:
✅ Teaches impulse control without force or punishment 🎁
✅ Channels their natural instincts into fun, safe games 🎾
✅ Strengthens your bond through teamwork & trust 🤝

🔹 HOW TO GET STARTED:
🎯 Leash (2-3m) & Long Line (5-20m) – for safe practice
🍖 High-value treats & toys – motivation is key!
🦮 Well-fitted harness – for comfort & safety
🧩 Snuffle mat & lickable treats – keep sessions engaging

⚡️ PRO TRAINING TIPS:
🔹 Keep sessions short (1-3 min per game) ⏳
🔹 Train 5 days/week & give 2 rest days 💤
🔹 Practice in different locations for real-world success 🌎

🚨 Predation is NOT disobedience—it’s natural!
With the right training, your dog can enjoy more freedom on walks while staying under control! 🏞️🐕

✨ I am a certified instructor of Predation Substitute Training™ by Simone Mueller, and I can help you turn chasing into teamwork! 🏆🐾

🐾 Cairo is back! While we continue supervising his reactivity training, it's clear that chase drive adds to his arousal. These next 4 sessions will focus on Predation Substitute Training to help him regulate his excitement while keeping him engaged. 🏹🐾

💬 Tag a friend whose dog loves the chase & let’s get started!👇