Wander Paws

09/26/2024

We’re going to try sharing more of the success stories we see with dogs overcoming fear and anxiety❤️

Clark just turned 3 yesterday (make sure to send him some love!), and he celebrated by running off-leash with his friends for the first time in months!

A few months ago, Clark was full of energy, frolicking in the woods with his pals. However, he started showing significant fear and anxiety both during walks and at home. As Clark and his mum worked through the root causes of his anxiety, on the walks we scaled back his off-leash time and traded in some long lead time.

We’ve been following Clark’s cues and paying close attention to his body language and all signs were pointing towards wanting to venture off the leash and run with his friends again. Words can’t really express how much it warmed my heart to see Clark running freely again in the woods again yesterday.

Healing takes time. If you’re facing anxiety—whether for yourself or your dog—remember to be patient. Small steps and a little grace go a long way. Clark is truly an inspiration, and we’re thrilled to share his journey!

05/21/2024

It’s been almost 6 months without Zoe’s sparkle and she is still just as much a piece of my heart❤️

Grief is one of the toughest of all life’s lessons. My journey with dogs AND grief revolved so much around Zoe for almost 15 years, id be lying if I said it hasn’t left me feeling a little uncertain about who I am without her and what this business is without her.

I’ve been quiet lately and honoring my past while becoming curious about the future. This has been a time of introspection and I’m finding solace in the woods with the dogs🐾🍃

I’m not certain what the next chapter for WanderPaws is, but I’m excited to find out and I know it’ll be special with Zoe’s sparkle leading the way✨

04/27/2024

The love is mutual here at WP🥰

We had to say farewell to another one of our pack members, JP this week. This sweet guy has been hiking with us for 4+ years and we’re going to miss him so much!

Don’t worry, JP will hopefully be back for a guest visit now and again 💛
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03/26/2024

Have you met JP!??

This guy is one of the coolest dudes around and we are so thankful to have had almost 4 years of hiking with JP! He is 9 human years old and you wouldn’t know it!

JP loves swimming with his friends & he gets along with all the other dogs so well❤️

Shout out to his mum&dad for always leaving post hike kong treat filled with peas & other fresh foods! We love to see the pack eating well 😍
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03/01/2024

Here’s a pic of Gus cheesin’ & wishin’ all the paw pals of the universe to have lovely weekend!
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02/28/2024

If you’ve been a part of the WanderPaws community for a while, you likely recognize Joe & Nero!

These two have been a part of the WP pack since the beginning taking great photos & videos or joining the paw pals for a hike! Joe .media has been in the background scenes and it’s time we’ve brought him to the forefront and start building his own WanderPaws pack walk.

Joe & Nero will be taking a smaller crew on Fridays for those dogs on the waitlist for the bigger group hikes or dogs who may need a little more guidance on an adventure hike.

Get in touch today to set up your consultation! These spots won’t last long!!!

And don’t forget to follow .nora_ for great content of Joe’s fur family!

02/21/2024

One of the best parts of owning a dog training & walking business is that I can literally put myself in the shoes of all my clients.

You have a problem with your dog?
Leash pulling? Barking? Recall? Reactivity? Separation anxiety? I’ve been there, too!

The embarrassment of your dog jumping and barking at someone when they come to your door. The anxious feeling when your dog lunges at another.
Ohhh, yes I’ve been there. It sucks🙈

I understand what you’re going through!! And I’m here to help😌
We’re all learning ( sometimes the hard way) and GROWING. I can tell you for sure that you’re not alone. And your struggles do not have to be forever.
You can build a more balanced life with your dog, too💕💕
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📸 .media

02/20/2024

February sometimes brings on the winter blues, but you know what it’s a really good time for?!
TRAINING practice!! 😎

While you’re stuck inside a little more, come up with a 3-5 minute training practice plan you can stick to a few times a day. Training can feel daunting but all you really need is a consistent 10-15 minutes a day and you’re going to be noticing leaps and bounds of improvement!

The indoor training will be a great low distraction zone to get confident for when you’re hitting the trails where there will no doubt be more distractions. But *BONUS* the trails are quieter now, so this is the time to get out and put those practice training sessions to the test and slowly build up tolerance for when things get busy outdoors again.

A clear & consistent plan with ALL handlers of the dog goes a long way. We’re here to help 💛

12/12/2023

Saying bye for now to sweet Zoe on Friday♥️
She’s been my sidekick for 14+ years and if not with me, she was hanging out with papa who she loves so much.

There’s nothing I could do or say to sum up the gift of Zoe’s presence. She’s always walked through the world so elegantly. She’s wise, gentle; and kind. Sometimes I swear she trained herself and maybe even is part human😌, she is the goodest girl.

I love to believe that she was sent to my family and I to support us in the lifelong challenge of grieving the loss of our mother.
She got me up and going on hard & dark days and helped me through the long and grueling rollercoaster that is grief.

I remember first realizing in my 20’s that I was struggling with depression, and had been for many years but didn’t have the education to know it was my mental health. Walking in nature with Zoe was often the only thing that made me feel like I could face another day. Zoe was a gift and the medicine I needed to find the courage to heal.

Fast forward almost 15 years, and I now have turned being in nature and working with dogs into my life and career. I have worked hard to build a beautiful life and though there will always be tough times, sweet Zoe guided me towards a much more abundant and peaceful life. She’s always been my therapy dog and a comfort to friends, family, and clients I supported in my past career of supporting adults with intellectual disabilities.

I’m going to miss best friend, but it’s time for her spirit to find a new adventure. WanderPaws exists because of Zoe and her legacy will live on through all the other dogs who get to adventure with their friends because of Zoe and her pals who created Waggytails, now known as WanderPaws.

Send Zoe some love to carry her into a graceful exit of this universe and onto her next chapter. She’ll forever be remembered as my first soulmate and the best adventure buddy I could have ever asked for! Love you forever Zozo♥️

09/28/2023

Happy 4th birthday to our very own Finnegan!!!!🎈🎉🥳

This buddy had a rough start in Texas but now he’s living every dogs dream of hiking in the woods all day every day with all his favorite frens.

Even though he is a pain in the butt sometimes, we love him just the same and he has certainly mastered those sooky boy puppy eyes for when he is a naughty boy 😛

Finn loves hard, plays hard and certainly came with his challenges, but I’ve learned so much from our adventure together so far and together we continue to grow ♥️

09/21/2023

09/08/2023

Dogs saved my life.

My mother passed away when I was five & there was a lot of other grief in my life from a young age. I didn’t realize then how much grief would stick with me throughout my life, and only years later uncovered the repercussions of what heartbreak does to a little girl.

I always felt like a piece of me was missing.
I would have sleepovers at my aunt & uncles regularly who had 2 dogs and that’s when my love of dogs really found me.

I didn’t own a dog until I was 25 (my sweet Zoe💜) and I’m not kidding when I say it felt like I had found my soulmate.
Suddenly I felt a little less alone in the world and it was as if the puzzle pieces of me started to come together and make a little more sense with Zoe by my side.

She got me out on days when I just wanted to hide under the pillow covers. She taught me about unconditional love, and how to be brave even when you are feeling a little scared.

Fast forward almost 15 years later and because of my girl Zoe, I now get to spend my career learning through dogs.

The way dogs show up in their environment with fresh eyes & 100% presence daily is a lesson to us all.
There’s a lot of things we can find wrong with the world, but there’s also a lot of good if you open your eyes and explore the magic 🧚

I am endlessly grateful to Zoe, my other dog Finn, and my little cat Leon (who thinks he’s a dog.)
They bring so much joy to my life and I’m so lucky that I get to learn how to find the joy in daily life from own fur children and so many other fur children I’m lucky enough to walk, train, and spend time with.

07/17/2023

We are celebrating today because we have exciting news! WanderPaws has a brand new website, packed with helpful resources and tips & tricks to train your dogs. Head over to our new website at wanderpaws.ca to learn more and browse our services.⁣⁠
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Don't forget to share the news with your fellow dog lovers!

06/12/2023

“Stay” is one of the most important commands to teach your dog but it can be harder to master so you want to make sure you're doing it correctly! ⁣
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To teach stay, start by having your dog in a basic command they are already familiar with. Face them and extend your hand towards them with an open palm and say "stay" then take one step back. If your dog stays put, reward them with a treat. ⁣
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Gradually increase the distance, continuing to walk back to them and rewarding them every few seconds. If they do break the stay command, walk them back to the same starting point and repeat the command "stay". After they begin holding stay for a longer duration, you can increase the distance you walk away from them.
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Try not to reward with physical affection because that often encourages the dog to come and be with you. Once they're holding stay for longer, you can build on their duration & distraction by moving sideways – treat them, then walk backwards - treat them, move away and then closer to reward them. ⁣
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You can also turn this cue into a "wait" for things like stopping at crosswalks & greeting a dog.⁣
Send us a DM if you have any questions!

06/09/2023

Let's talk about basic obedience training - sit, stay, down and recall. As a dog owner, basic obedience training not only helps create a well-behaved dog, but it also helps establish a stronger bond between you and your pet by: ⁣⁠
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1. Improving communication - When you train your dog you provide information to them which enhances communication and lets them know what you want them to repeat.⁣⁠
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2. Providing mental stimulation - Training exercises helps keep your dog's mind active and healthy. Trust us, they love to be put to work and challenged! ⁣⁠
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3. Putting safety first - Working on training regularly with your dog is going to help you feel more confident and in control when you find yourself in a situation where you need them to obey to keep them safe.⁣⁠
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Short and frequent sessions are going to have you connecting with your dog better and feeling more in control - which is great! When teaching basic commands, you want to focus on 3 things: speed, duration and distance. Speed first - quick short holds and releases from the command. Then start increasing the duration (the amount of time your dog holds the command). After you’ve nailed these two, you can challenge them by asking the command when you’re not right in front of them. ⁣⁠
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Only after you’ve nailed all of these should you add distractions. ⁣⁠
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Happy training!

05/18/2023

PSA: It's tick season! These pesky little buggers are here to stay, but fear not, we've got some tips for you to keep your dogs safe! ⁠⁣⁠
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1. Make sure to check your dog for ticks after every walk, hike or outdoor activity by running your hands through their fur. Get into a regular routine of brushing them and pay especially close attention to their ears, neck, belly and paws as well as warm, moist spots. ⁠⁣⁠
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2. Consult with your vet to choose the right tick prevention product for your dog. These products can come in the form of collars, topical solutions or oral medications. They work by killing or repelling ticks, preventing them from attaching to your dog. The unfortunate problem with oral & topical medications for ticks is that there are a whole lot of chemicals in them. We love using tick prevention collars, diatomaceous earth and Atlantik spray! ⁠⁣⁠
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3. Make sure to regularly mow your lawn and keep it free of debris to discourage ticks from thriving. ⁠⁣⁠
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4. If you find a tick on your dog, use tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out. Do not twist or jerk the tick as this can cause the head to break off and remain in the skin. After removing the tick, clean the area with rubbing alcohol. Don't forget to save the tick, so you can take it to your vet and they can check if it is a lyme infected tick! ⁠⁣⁠
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5. If your dog is a swimmer, consider taking them for a dip. Ticks can detach in water IF they have not yet burrowed. ⁠⁣⁠
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Stay vigilant and keep your dog protected from ticks this season!

05/15/2023

If you're looking to train your dog this summer, a good dog trainer can help, but not all dog trainers are created equal! ⁠⁣⁠
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Here are three tips to help choose the right dog trainer for you and your pup! ⁠⁣⁠
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1. Do your research - The best place to start is by asking for recommendations from friends and family! Next, look-up local trainers online, read reviews and check-out their social media/website to gain insight on their training philosophy and style.⁠⁣⁠
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2. Reach-out and ask about their training methods - We recommend choosing a trainer that primarily uses positive reinforcement methods, as research shows that these methods are more effective and have long-lasting results. It's also important that their training methods align with your lifestyle and personal beliefs. ⁠⁣⁠
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3. Look for continued support - Training is an ongoing process and a good trainer should be able to support your pet throughout their life. Be sure to better understand what support the trainer offers after your pup is finished regular training sessions. ⁠⁣⁠
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Happy training!

07/27/2022

Where do you want to be during a heatwave? 🥵
We know where we want to be!
Right here at the lake with our fur friends 😎

07/11/2022

Introducing our newest pack leader Ashleigh! She’ll be building a group walk on Tuesdays and is available for some private walks as well!

Ash (she/her) has dedicated herself to her dogs for the last 11 years. She is currently pursuing an Applied Human Nutrition degree at Mount Saint Vincent university, with an unofficial minor in all things dog.

Adopting her first dog, Finnegan, at 19 she soon discovered she was dealing with a traumatized, reactive, but loving pup and dedicated herself to making sure he was able to live the best life he was able to. This meant many hours dedicated to training, confidence building, and relationship bonding all given to ensure he was able to thrive as best he could. The improvement in Finn with the work that was put in drove Ashleigh to continuously research and learn how to give dogs the best skills for them to live as happy and confident dogs. Though she sadly lost Finnegan in November 2021 she’s now raising a puppy named Pasha and the skills she’s learned from Finn are helping her to raise a happy, confident, and intelligent 7 (almost 8) month old pup!

Her love of animals isn’t just for her own pups though, she’s the go to person for friends and family to help take care of their four legged children, whether it’s for an afternoon play, overnight visit, or just an easy walk to give some peace and quiet to tired pet parents.

When she isn’t doing school work or working with pups, you can find her reading fiction, baking, or doing anything (other than sports) to get outside.

05/31/2022

Summer is here (okay it’s still spring but we’re close enough….) and with that comes busy schedules and hot dogs!

We’re here to help make sure your fur babies get to dip their toes in the water while you’re at work…. Or patio drinking, to each their own😝

We’ve got a new group walk opening on Tuesday’s with our amazing walker Ashleigh, and still a few spots open with Kristy on Mondays to Friday! Get in touch to reserve a spot for your pup!

05/29/2022

The team behind Wander Paws 🐾 ❤️

I couldn’t do it without these ladies.
I couldn’t ask for a better team.
There have been many others who have supported me in building this business dream a reality (too many to name, but you know who you are!!!!)
Thank you to my amazing friend network, my family, and to an awesome community always there to support and provide advice anytime I’ve needed it.
Thank you from the bottom of my ❤️

04/10/2022

Wander Paws will be closed this week aside from private walks with our amazing walker Juliet!

We will miss our fur friends and will be eager to get back on the trails Monday, April 18th!

📸 .pets

04/01/2022

What is it with dogs and sticks?!

Sticks remind your pup of a bone since they're similar in size and shape. Their wooden spongy-like texture is perfect for sinking teeth in and gnawing on. They love to forage and find treasures, and sticks are readily available. Sticks feel like a reward for the conquest of traipsing through the woods!

We feel stick play is perfectly fine as long as the dog is not eating them (sticks can splinter dogs mouths), or running quickly through the woods with one in mouth! We assist our dogs in making wise decisions while also letting them be dogs.

If the dogs bear teeth when playing tug with another dog on the stick, we end the game and guide the dogs to focus on another element of our nature walks!

04/01/2022

It’s Friday! And you know what that means?!

More time for cuddles & snaxx for the doggos in our life!!
I’m here to advocate for them😋

03/29/2022

We have so much to learn from dogs. The way they live in the present moment is what true balance and gratitude are all about. The present is where we create a fulfilling & meaningful existence.
📸 .pets
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