Freeform Dog Training

04/18/2025

03/15/2025

Something trainers see often is owners adding more dogs before they are ready. Getting a second or third dog isn't going to magically make everything better. It's just going to add more work.

Your dog doesn't need a buddy, it needs an owner that is attentive to their training needs. All the doggie daycare and playdates in the world won't make up for an owner who's unwilling to step it up.

Why do I say this? I see it happen over and over again. Typically it ends up with one of the dogs being rehomed.

Focus on training your current dog(s). Make them great, then consider getting another dog. Remember; adding more pack members will change the dynamic. Whether it's a foster, a dog you're watching for a friend or a dog you're adopting for yourself. It's important that there is clear communication with every single dog so that when you add more, everything doesn't go haywire.

I've also seen a trend in people acquiring animals in order to avoid dealing with personal issues. I recommend reflecting on if this is you or not.

You gotta heal first before you can help. It's part of self care.

03/14/2025

03/14/2025

Love this for any situation

This girl is learning to respect the Place command regardless of the activity going on in the house…there are children in the house and there have been incidents.

Small children are scary to dogs. They have explosive behaviour, they run and jump and shriek. It’s all part of being a kid. We try our best to keep kids safe and informed but sometimes dogs get in the middle of things and they can knock kids down unintentionally or they can nip at them or worse- they can bite.

When a dog gets aroused or reactive by this type of activity, it’s extremely important to have strong control.

You don’t just punish a dog into listening and expect the dog to be truly changed.

You must build trust through repeat exposure to the heightened energy. We do this by training them to ignore that energy and to understand their position in thr home when the busyness begins. We send them to Place and there they shall remain until we release them from that “job.”

Make Place sacred and safe. Make it the most valuable place to be.

If your dog is too crazy in the house, start there. If you need help, reach out.

🐾❤️👊

03/14/2025

The winters nearly over going to miss hiding the treats in the snow, not the cold hands but the fun of watching them find some of their own breakfast. The weather is getting better and time to get everything freshened up

02/28/2025

After a rough winter (it’s not over yet) things have kind of let slide ( entirely my fault i hate winter) it’s showing in many ways lots of little cracks appearing in their training and behaviours. So today marks a return to what weve done before time to wind it back right to the beginning, it’s great practice for me anyway.

02/28/2025

Sometimes you want them to bark

02/25/2025

Out on the lake a foot of ice means we could walk miles, but it was time for a roll and scratch. Ice huts out behind the dogs it’s like a little village in winter

02/21/2025

Minus 20 outside so we are having some down time watching you tube doggywood channel, this is the only time my dogs ever take any notice of the tv

02/21/2025

Success she is a princess and sometimes it’s hard for her to get over certain obstacles, but a bit of coaching then play and she’s up, queen of the snow hill and an extremely happy little girl.

02/09/2025

Recall recall recall practice practice practice, different reward than normal he loves for me to kick the snow, it’s not all about treats and it was just a bit of fun to warm our feet up