🎉 Congratulations to Our Agility Graduates! 🎉
What an incredible journey it’s been watching these teams build confidence, speed, and teamwork! Every dog and handler has put in the work—and it shows! 🏆🐾
Agility isn’t just about speed; it’s about connection, problem-solving, and having FUN with your dog. Keep practicing, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the game together!
👏 A huge shoutout to all our graduates—this is just the beginning!
Who’s ready for the next challenge? 🚀🐶
If agility is something you and your dog are ready to try we have classes starting
Sun Apr 6 @ 10:15am
Thu Apr 24 @ 7:15pm
Link to register in the comments below
or message us for more info
Teaching Agility Weaves: The Art of Precision & Speed! 🐾🏆
Weaving through poles might look effortless when you watch a seasoned agility dog fly through a course, but behind that smooth performance is a lot of training, patience, and the right approach!
There are many ways to teach weave poles, and the best method depends on your dog’s learning style. Some popular approaches include:
➡️ Channel Weaves – Starts with poles spread apart to create an open path, then gradually narrows as the dog learns the weaving motion.
➡️ 2x2 Method – Begins with just two poles, teaching dogs to find the correct entry and build independence before adding more.
➡️ Weave Guides & Gates – Helps shape the weaving pattern while reinforcing muscle memory.
🔑 The key to successful weaves? Consistency, proper reinforcement, and lots of patience!
This team has worked incredibly hard on their weave training, and today, they nailed their first straight 4!
Huge congrats to Kim Hutt-Archer on this milestone! 🎉👏
Want to teach your dog this impressive skill and more? Join our upcoming Agility Foundations class! 🏅
📅 Agility Foundations Start Dates:
📍 Thu, Mar 6 @ 6:00 PM
📍 Sun, Apr 6 @ 10:15 AM
📍 Thu, Apr 24 @ 7:15 PM
Ready to get started? Link to register in the comments! 🔗🐶💨
🚀 The Collar Grab Game – Stop the Keep-Away Before It Starts! 🚀
Teaching your dog to come when called is crucial—but what happens when they don’t? If you’ve ever tried to grab your dog’s collar, only for them to dodge just out of reach, you know how frustrating (and sometimes dangerous) that can be.
That’s why we play the Collar Grab Game! 🎯 This simple exercise teaches your dog to not only allow you to grab their collar but to actually move toward you when you reach for it.
🐾 How to Play:
✅ Hold a treat in your usual reward hand 🍖
✅ With the other hand, reach for your dog's collar. Hold the collar—but don’t pull!
✅ Hold the reward on your body, under the height of your dog’s chin. (For most dogs, this is between your knees.)
✅ Wait for your dog to move forward and take the treat.
✅ Release & repeat!
❌ What NOT to do:
❌ Pulling on the collar triggers your dog’s opposition reflex—meaning they instinctively pull away.
🔧 Troubleshooting:
*Dog backs away? Start on leash, reward small hand movements toward the collar.
*Dog gets bitey? Reduce repetitions—mix in fun, easy cues like Name Game to build comfort.
Why This Matters:
A dog that willingly moves toward you when you grab their collar is a dog you can catch when it matters most!
.............
🐾 Want a better recall AND a dog that comes close enough to catch?
Our Basic Manners class covers all the essentials, including recall, engagement, and handling skills.
📍 Thu, Mar 6 @ 7:15 PM
📍 Sun, Mar 30 @ 9:00 AM
Or try our Agility Foundation classes:
📅 Thu Mar 6 @ 6pm
📅 Sun Mar 30 @ 10:15am
We also offer all levels of Agility, Train It All, and specialty workshops. Comprehensive puppy and behavioral programs, and 1on1 sessions also available.
Message to enroll!
📍 Location: 3327 Wallace Road, South Mountain, Ontario
🏆 Agility Contacts – Building Safe & Reliable Performance! 🏆
In agility, every piece of contact equipment has a yellow section—this is called the contact zone. For a run to be fault-free, the dog must place at least one toe in this area. The goal? Prevent dogs from jumping off too early and risking injury.
Over the years, trainers have used many different methods to teach reliable contacts. After 25 years of agility training, I’ve found this approach to be the most effective, efficient, and consistent.
✨ How We Train Contacts ✨
🔹 We start with a low A-frame, building confidence before gradually raising it to full height.
🔹 Many dogs naturally jump off before the contact, just like how they might leap off stairs a few steps early—it’s simply easier.
🔹 To help shape proper contact behavior, we use:
✅ Stride regulators – PVC bars placed across the A-frame to guide the dog’s movement.
✅ Jump bumps – Small bumps on the ground to influence stride length and landing.
Each dog is different, so we adjust these tools as needed. Sometimes one stride regulator is enough, other times we use both stride regulators and jump bumps to help the dog consistently hit the center of the contact at all speeds and handler positions.
💡 Consistency is Key 💡
Since dogs can only perform so many A-frames before fatigue sets in, fine-tuning contact behavior takes patience and repetition.
🐶 In this video, Pounce is just starting her contact training, and this is a great example of a solid contact performance! Now, we’ll put in the reps to make sure she stays reliable through all the challenges we introduce.
📣 Agility trainers—what’s your favorite way to teach contacts?
Let’s talk in the comments! ⬇️
🐾 The #1 Skill Every Dog Needs: A Reliable Recall 🐾
Having a dog that sits when you say sit is great—but teaching sit before come can actually work against you.
Most people bring their puppy home and teach them to sit right away. It’s adorable, it’s an easy trick to show off, and it feels like progress. But what’s even more important? Teaching your dog to come when called.
Even with something as simple as a name game, many owners say their dog’s name and then move toward the dog to reward them—accidentally reinforcing the idea that not coming is what gets the treat.
Now, imagine this:
📏 Your dog is 15 feet away.
📢 You call them—and they sit.
🤨 You repeat the cue, a little more firmly.
😟 Now your tone sounds a little scary, and your dog, remembering that sitting has earned them rewards in the past, stays put.
Just like that, your recall is falling apart before it ever really got started.
So what’s the fix?
The very first thing I teach a puppy is to move toward me:
✅ I take a step back.
✅ I reward low at my ankles to prevent jumping.
✅ The step back creates motion, building a natural drive toward me.
This simple habit lays the foundation for a strong recall—something every dog owner needs and wants.
💬 What’s your biggest recall challenge with your dog? Drop it in the comments! ⬇️🐶🚀
Walking down Main Street
What to Do When Your Dog Gets Overwhelmed on a Walk
One of my private clients asked a great question that I think many of you can relate to:
"We walked by a house, and a little dog came outside barking. My dog got really scared and anxious. The rest of the walk, he was excited, pulling, sniffing everything. What strategy should I use to diffuse this situation so it doesn’t carry on through the rest of the walk?"
This is such a common scenario. Sometimes, it’s triggered by something obvious—like a barking dog—or it might feel like your dog reacts for no clear reason.
When this happens, your dog’s reaction could look like pulling, sniffing, or even jumping and biting at you.
The big question is: What can you do in the moment to help?
Here’s the reality:
You can’t always control your environment on a walk. For some dogs, I recommend temporarily pausing walks and focusing on controlled exposure in more manageable settings.
But if you’re already out and something unexpected happens, it’s a great opportunity to use ODR (Observe Don’t React).
💡 Pro Tip: Practice ODR regularly on calm walks so that when something does happen, you and your dog naturally fall into a behavior chain that helps you both stay grounded.
Here’s how ODR works:
1️⃣ Stop Walking.
If your dog is overwhelmed, pause and stand still. Give them a moment to decompress and observe. Avoid asking for anything at first—patience 🙂 here is vital.
2️⃣ Wait for Connection.
Pay attention to your dog. Are they still fixated on the environment, or do they check in with you? Once they willingly connect with you, that’s your signal they’re ready to engage.
3️⃣ Work Through Some Cues.
Start with simple cues like the Name Game or Collar Grab Game. Once your dog is responsive, progress to more challenging behaviours like sit, heel, or stay.
This approach helps shift your dog’s mindset from reactive to thoughtful. Once they’re calm and focused, you can continue y
Agility Foundation classes:
📅 Thu Mar 6 @ 6pm
📅 Sun Mar 30 @ 10:15am
If you're not ready for agility, start with our Basic Manners class covering all the essentials, including recall, engagement, and handling skills.
📍 Thu, Mar 6 @ 7:15 PM
📍 Sun, Mar 30 @ 9:00 AM
We also offer all levels of Agility, Train It All, and specialty workshops. Comprehensive puppy and behavioral programs, and 1on1 sessions also available.
Message to enroll!
📍 Location: 3327 Wallace Road, South Mountain, Ontario
🐾 Tackling Leash Balking in Puppies 🐾
Teaching a puppy to walk on a leash doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a process that starts with foundational games to help them understand what’s expected. One of our favorite games introduces the idea that pressure on the leash means “come into my space.”
The opposite of this, where the puppy resists or pulls against the leash, is called balking.
Many puppies naturally experience something called opposition reflex when they feel leash pressure for the first time—it’s completely normal! But if it’s not addressed, it can quickly lead to habits you’ll want to avoid.
What We Teach Instead:
Leash pressure = move toward me! This sets the groundwork for great leash manners and prevents pulling in the future.
Before You Start:
Play some Name Game with your puppy. This builds excitement about coming to you and makes learning more fun!
How to Start the Game:
🐾 Start in a safe, comfortable environment where your puppy feels secure.
🐾 Apply gentle pressure to the leash.
🐾 Be patient—resistance at first is normal! Keep the pressure steady.
🐾 The moment your puppy relaxes or moves toward you, reward them with lots of praise and a treat.
With just a few repetitions, your puppy will start associating leash pressure with coming toward you. In the video, you’ll see how quickly Peak picked up on the game!
Starting early with these simple lessons can transform walks into a joyful experience for both you and your pup. 🐶✨
Does your puppy balk on the leash? What’s worked for you? Share your tips (and photos!) in the comments! 🐾
If walking your dog has become a challenge message us for more info on our new 4 week intensive Loose Leash Walking course starting Tue Feb 4 @ 7:15pm.
The Crate Training Debate: Why I’m All In 🐾
There’s a lot of debate about whether or not to crate train a puppy.
I’ll be honest—I can’t imagine not crate training! Here’s why:
🔹 Teaches Self-Control: Crate training helps your puppy learn they can’t always have everything they see—a critical skill for coming when called and walking nicely on leash.
🔹 Gives You a Break: Let’s face it, puppies are adorable but exhausting. The first two weeks, it might feel manageable to follow them around constantly, but that level of supervision gets old fast. Crate training allows you to reclaim a bit of your life—whether it’s reading a book, watching TV, or just scrolling Facebook.
How I Crate Train My Puppies:
1️⃣ Start with Rewards: Every time Wicca goes into the crate or X-pen, she gets rewarded. I have a handful of kibble ready, and as I set her down in the crate, I release the kibble in front of her.
2️⃣ Next Step: After a few days, I notice she’s starting to look for the kibble instead of turning back out of the crate. That’s when I up the challenge:
I place her just outside the crate door, giving her the choice to go in on her own.
When she makes the right choice, she’s rewarded with a handful of kibble.
3️⃣ Mistakes Happen: In this video, you’ll see Wicca go the wrong way on her second attempt. No big deal—I simply pick her up and reset, pointing her toward the crate. When she makes the right choice, she’s rewarded!
If she had kept making the wrong choice, I would have gone back a step and placed her directly in the crate again.
Why This Works:
Crate training gives your puppy opportunities to figure out how to earn rewards, but it’s important not to let them fail too many times in a row—frustration doesn’t help anyone.
How is crate training going for you?
Has your puppy started to settle in their crate or X-pen?
Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your experiences! 🐶✨
📅 Upcomi
Mastering the Sit-Stay: Treat Placement Matters 🐾
When it comes to teaching behaviours like a solid sit-stay, treat placement can make or break your training success.
Check out this video of Allison working with Turbo on his sit-stay 👇
Notice how Turbo naturally reaches for the food when she goes to reward him. Instead of giving him the treat immediately, Allison pauses until Turbo chooses to settle back into position. Then she rewards by gently pushing the treat into his mouth—avoiding rewarding the reaching behaviour altogether.
The dog pulling back is not required but at the beginning it helps us see what action is being rewarded.
Why Treat Placement Matters
If you’ve been struggling with what I call the “short game” of stays, treat placement is probably be the culprit.
Here’s what typically happens:
You offer the treat slightly away from the dog’s mouth.
The dog reaches forward to get it.
Over time, this reaching behaviour becomes a habit.
It might not seem like a big deal at first, but eventually, your dog starts anticipating the reward. They’ll break their position or stand for the treat as soon as you move toward them—eliminating the concept of staying altogether.
Pro Tip:
From the very beginning, reward in a way that ensures your dog doesn’t move forward. Push the treat gently into their mouth while they remain still. This helps them understand that staying in position is part of the game, even for little puppies.
Start small, be consistent, and watch your dog’s sit-stay transform!
Thank you Alison and Turbo for playing in the video.
Do you have a stay story or tips to share? Drop them in the comments! 🐶
Agility!
Struggling with Focus, Impulse Control, or Basic Manners?
Whether you’re looking to build a solid foundation for agility or just want a well-mannered companion, we’ve got the perfect class to help you get there!
🏆 Now Enrolling – 6 weeks of classes
** AGILITY FOUNDATIONS (For teams NEW to agility)
📅 Thursday, March 6 @ 6:00 PM
📅 Sunday, March 30 @ 10:15 AM
** BASIC MANNERS (Focus, impulse control, leash walking, no jumping, obedience basics)
📅 Thursday, March 6 @ 7:15 PM
📅 Sunday, March 30 @ 9:00 AM
📍 Location: 3327 Wallace Road, South Mountain, Ontario
📩 Message us to secure your spot—spaces are limited!
Video 4: Indoor Scent Work 🕵️♂️🐕
When the weather outside is frightful, give your dog’s incredible nose a workout with scent games!
Start by building value for a box:
🐾 Toss some treats into the box and let your dog find them.
🐾 Add multiple boxes—now your dog has to figure out which box holds the treats.
🐾 Level up by hiding treats around a room and having your dog sniff them out.
✨ Pro Tip: This game doubles as a great way to feed your dog their dinner while keeping them entertained!
Benefits:
🌟 Searching for hidden items burns mental energy and is a fantastic way to tire out your dog indoors without braving the cold.
🎁 Bonus: Share a video of you playing this game in the comments, and you’ll be entered into a draw for a winter-themed biothane leash!
Give it a go, share your progress, and stay tuned—we’ll announce the winner of the leash draw on New Year’s Day!
Agility Facility, Dog Training, Behavior Modification and Members Dog Park. Group classes and 1on1 programs. 
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