Scratch and Sniff Canine Services - Dog Training in Guelph

02/04/2025

I'm SO surprised that there's still a spot open int he upcoming Sniffer Dogs class!

I've just run two back to back programs, so if you've been considering a spot you'd better grab one in this session. It won't be coming up in the following session!

If you want the perfect winter activity to do with your dog, this is it. Sniffing and searching is exhausting for your dog - and so much nicer for you when the alternative is yet another walk out in the dark, cold and ice!

Grab your spot, class starts February 20th! Check out the link in the bio.

01/29/2025

Living with dogs is wonderful... but it can also be VERY difficult when things don't go as planned!

I have a couple private training spots open now. If you need help iguring out how to best communicate with your new pup, or manage and train your reactive or aggressiv dog, please reach out!

I'd love to help you and your pooch get on the same page.

Email me or check out the website for more info, check out the link in the bio!

01/21/2025

I had so many requests for the current round of classes when registration opened in December, the same two will be running again starting in February!

Level One of both Sniffer Dogs and Agility!

The first Agility class has already filled (!!), so a second class will be opened on demand. Just shoot me an email!

Sniffer Dogs still has spots open, and you can book that through the website as usual.

Grab your spot, quick! Link in bio!

01/16/2025

I know just what you need... Come play with your dog!

Watch this page for an announcement about February classes!

12/21/2024

Tricks grads!
We missed Raven and Piper this class, so this video features Roxy and Cricket! They learned to bowl, take a selfie, play dead, sit pretty... and more!

12/21/2024

Happy holidays and have a wonderful new year!

12/12/2024

This is SO important!

At this point in time, most folks understand the link between pain and behavior. It’s logical: you don’t feel well, you have less patience and tolerance, you lash out or shut down or otherwise are not the best version of yourself. It makes sense that the same would be true for dogs.

But how do we know there is pain with animals who cannot verbalize that pain?

The short answer: we can’t know.

The longer answer: we also can’t know there ISN’T pain.

Meet Malus.

From puppyhood, he’s been a little spicy. But he’s a terrier, so that’s normal, right? He didn’t like having his feet handled. No biggie. And as he got older, he got a little reactive to other dogs - again, see “terrier” in the dictionary. And after he got neutered at 2.5 years old, his behavior spiraled - going after his housemates, aggression directed at his owners, even less tolerance for handling, increased fence fighting. But there’s some evidence of increased aggression after neutering, so maybe he just got unlucky.

For many folks, that explanation would’ve been enough. They would’ve worked on behavior modification, or just accepted a crate and rotate household, or managed the heck out of all of his triggers… or, honestly, would’ve ended up euthanizing him for his dangerous behavior.

Luckily, Malus’s mom is Katrina, who is essentially a terrier in a human body. She dug in.

Training, a veterinary behaviorist, consulting with other behavior experts, expensive testing - and then we got our first physical explanation: low zinc.

But even with a zinc supplement, his aggressive episodes remained unpredictable. Katrina had noticed some very, very intermittent lameness, foot chewing, butt/tail biting, so off they went to the first orthopedic specialist - one who cleared him orthopedically for all activities.

So they did physical therapy, and pain meds, and kept working on training.

But the weird, mild lameness continued, and so did visits to specialists. A neurologist who recommended an MRI, then more physical therapy for a possible psoas strain, different meds, another orthopedic/rehab specialist consultation, adjustments to physical therapy, a PEMF bed for home use, adjustments to behavior meds, consults with nationally respected trainers and behavior specialists, and finally - FINALLY - a recommendation to see a pain management specialist.

“I think he may have Tethered Cord Syndrome. I’m going to try different pain meds, but there’s a specialist in Massachusetts you should get in touch with.”

With the new meds on board, his behavior improved. He was brighter, happier, had fewer episodes of lameness, self mutilation, and aggression.

Yesterday, Malus had a dynamic MRI at Tufts, where Tethered Cord Syndrome was confirmed.

Today, he had surgery to relieve the adhesions to his spinal cord that have been causing him pain.

He was never “just being a terrier.” He was not acting out for no good reason. He didn’t need harsher training methods. He wasn’t aggressing for no reason.

He was in pain.

There are no words to adequately describe how thrilled I am for Katrina and Malus to have this diagnosis and surgery in their rear view mirror - it has been a long time coming. The strain on Katrina and Kevin’s emotions, time, resources, finances, and household over the last 5 years cannot be overstated. Most folks wouldn’t - and couldn’t - go to the lengths they did.

We can’t rule out pain. We can only rule out specific issues and diagnoses. For Malus, it took finding the right vet who had heard about this rarely diagnosed issue to connect them with the vet who could help.

To my clients I encourage to work with their veterinarian to try to find any physical explanations: Katrina and Malus are the reason why I will push you more if your primary care vet shrugs you off. It’s why I will push and push and push, especially if your commitment to training and management is excellent but we still are struggling to make progress. Malus is on my shoulder (sometimes literally), poking me with his nose, screeching in my ear to look harder.

If you’ve ever heard him, you know how hard that ✨ delightful ✨ noise is to ignore.

(PS - Here’s your sign to sign up for pet insurance.)

To learn more about Tethered Cord Syndrome:
https://vet.tufts.edu/news-events/news/breakthrough-surgical-procedure-relieves-dogs-chronic-pain

12/11/2024

11/29/2024

There's only a couple spots left in AGILITY CLASS starting in January!

Come join us for an indoor romp through obstacle courses and leave the snow outside. Hosted by

Book yourspot online, link in bio!

11/20/2024

Agility Class is starting in JANUARY!

Come join us for some low-pressure fun in Agility class. With minimal homework required, this class is the perfect way to get your dog out for some fun and a little run, without upping your January workload between classes.

Join us, book in through the website! Link in bio

11/16/2024

Only TWO spots left in January's Sniffer Dogs Level One!

Your dog's nose knows things you will never... uh... know. Better believe it!

This activity is great for staying cozy while engaging your dog's brain. Perfect for those days where a second walk just sounds like a rough time!

You just need to get yourself (and your dog) to class Thursday nights in Elora at , starting January 9th.

Book your spot online, link in bio!

11/12/2024

It's getting brisk!!

You can't train effectively with freezing cold hands. And unfortunately your dog doesn't stop needing training and support on walks just cuz the weather gets cold!

Why not pick up a few of these light mitts?

If you need additional dexterity just snip the very tip off the index finger and thumb so you can feel what you're getting out of your treat bag.

11/08/2024

Is your dog a SNIFFER dog?! No doubt she wants to be, if she's not already!
Join us at for Sniffer Dogs class, where we'll put your dog's nose to the test - sniffing out and alerting you to a special scent.
Starting in January, book your spot through the website! Link in bio.

11/08/2024

Agility is coming back, starting in January!
Hosted by , come hang out with us and teach your dog to take jumps and tunnels like a PRO!
Registration through the website, link in bio!

10/30/2024

CONGRATULATIONS to last week's graduates!!

In Agility One...
Maggie!
Ellie!
Maebe!

In Agility Two...
Coco!
Poppy!
Finnegan!

In Tricks...
Piper!
Finley!
Tilly!
Raven!

10/22/2024

ONE SPOT LEFT in Tricks Class - starting THURSDAY!!! Your dog wants to know more than just shake a paw, doesn't she?!
Registration link in bio... better book quick! Hosted by

10/18/2024

ONE SPOT LEFT in the Tricks class, starting Oct 24th at !

Grab it quick, the link to registration is in the bio