Mikayla Vodon Canine Specialist

11/11/2024

Does your dog have resource guarding issues?

You should be able to take anything away from your dog no matter the object.

I’m constantly doing this with my own dogs.
You’ll see in the video that I’m demonstrating a proper drop it command.

(Oakley is currently in heat atm so she’s a little bit hormonal. I do have to make my voice a little more stern than I usually would).

Keeva has never had any issues giving up anything. Bones, Toys, any kind of food she’ll spit it right out of her mouth. If I ask her.
(A Labrador dropping food no one will believe me with this)😅

Oakley however has had resource guarding issues in the past..the first couple of days of getting her I gave her a pigs ear and she snapped at me when I was practicing taking it away.
Being only 5 months old I wanted to nip that in the butt right away.

A year later I’ve had no issues with taking anything away from her now.

No I don’t mess around my dogs bowls while they’re eating their meals, but I occasionally forget to add a chicken foot from time to time and add it beside their dish while they’re still eating. No issues.

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Tips For A Dog With Resource Guarding

1. Hand feeding, This Prevents any possibility of your dog guarding their bowl.

2. Allow your dog to eat in peace, don’t pull your dogs food bowl away while they’re eating.

3. Pick up any/ all potential objects your dog will guard and put them away. Out of sight, out of mind.

4. Have a short leash on them so you can safely remove them away from any object they have.

5. Trade and Swap out a higher reward to give to your dog

6. Teaching “Drop it” or “Out” command, this is non-negotiable

7. Do NOT.. I Repeat DO NOT invade your dog’s personal space like petting them, lifting their head out of the dish, playing with their food while they’re eating. Just. Dont.
This will make things worse!!!

8. Throwing treats near your dog every time you walk past them while they’re chewing something, this allows you to have a positive encounter every time you approach them.

9. If you have multiple dogs, feed them in separate areas.

10. Have your dog in a wait command, walk towards the bowl put a little bit of food in there release them “Okay” now you can have the food.
WALK AWAY until your dog is done, come back to the bowl and repeat this process.

10/30/2024

How consistent are you with your dog?

10/21/2024

10/11/2024

Jax after our first training session.
Tired little man🥰

10/06/2024

One Thing That isn’t discussed enough is Nail Health/Care

How long is too long?

In the photos below, demonstrate “too long”.

You can see how the nail is pushing back on the toes, creating a very unnatural and uncomfortable way to hold the foot and to walk!

The best way to describe this is like … wearing heels every day, every waking hour!
Your foot would be sore and painful!

It changes the dog’s posture on how they walk, it can give them joint issues when they’re older.

Generally a good start is to have your dogs nails maintained once a month- or every 4 weeks!

If your dog absolutely HATES getting their nails done by ANYONE!!
You can also try a board and attaching sandpaper onto the placement so your pup can file their nails themselves or even taking them on regular pavement walks.

**Photos Down Below**
Before and Afters

09/06/2024

Thank you my lovely clients who voted for me!
Didn’t even realize this was going on I very much appreciate your support!!🥰🐶

Side note if I had a Nickle every time someone spelt my name wrong I’d be rich😏

07/09/2024

Well said!!

06/26/2024

I know I posted this a couple months ago but thought I’d write something again on how IMPORTANT it is to constantly touch your dog all over. For reasons like this, the girls and I went away on a little day trip to Calgary and we stopped off at a local dog park.

The girls were having a blast running in and out of the water, back into the bushes to chase one another. I didn’t realize until after we left I wanted to get a photo of them on the bridge.
Oakley sat funny with her back leg extended, that’s when I noticed her leg was bleeding.

We walked back to my vehicle and I put her in the back trunk area so I could analyze her leg and clean it. At moments like this I’m happy I’m so prepared and always have a First Aid Kit on me.

I wasn’t really sure at first how she was going to react as she’s never had an injury before but she allowed me to clean it properly and laid down for me the entire time, even at times keeping her leg up for me so I could bandage it properly.

Knowing that she could trust me to help her injury with no issues because I’m constantly touching her body every day. I stayed calm and told her what a good girl she is while she waged her tail during the process.

Handling your dog allows them to be prepared in situations like this. Making sure you’re being a responsible dog owner and helping them in the long run. I would definitely recommend anyone that has a fur baby to take a Canine First Aid Course so you know how to handle situations like this. Even if you can’t physically go to a CFAC in person because of your scheduling there are options online you can take.

PSA: Oakley is doing just fine, I cleaned her leg last night and again this morning the healing process has already begun.
It wasn’t deep enough that I thought she needed to go to the vet to get stitches.
Just keeping the injury clean and taking it easy.

06/21/2024

Very tired girl after our first time scenting this morning. This is all very new to the both of us, I always want to make sure any activity we do is a fun positive experience and building her confidence up.

~Side Note~
Never get frustrated with your dog especially when they’re learning something new..
They’re not being stubborn they just don’t understand what you’re ask of them to do.
Doesn’t matter if it’s a new trick or a “stay”
Be patient and watch for your dogs signs when you think they’re ready to stop.🥰

06/17/2024

Oakley 7 Month Update

06/15/2024

Very happy we decided to participate in the 9th annual dog walk in support of the Medicine Hat Woman’s Shelter.❤️

06/14/2024

Little Oakley Update!

Very proud of this little girl with the decision she made this evening. While I was just coming home from work. The front door wasn’t completely shut and the wind caught the door while my mom was upstairs.
Oakley heard a vehicle beep and thought it was me getting home.

She walked out the front door and stood on the grass while people walked by with their dog and a little girl riding on the street with her bike.
She just observed the action passing by, didn’t move off the front lawn or bark at anyone.
Came back inside when my mom called her in.

I’m so happy with the training that’s paying off with her, Not quite a year old.
Still lots of learning to come🥰🐶

06/11/2024

Just a little heads up. Anyone who takes their dog on the Saratoga off leash path. There is a Beaver located by the bridge and it was pretty aggressive trying to get to Keeva while she was in the water this evening.

Most likely trying to protect its home, but still just keep your eyes peeled if you have your dog in the water.
Startled me for sure.. very thankful at times like this my dogs have proper recall came out of the water right away I’m sure if she was in the water any longer the beaver would’ve gone after her.

06/10/2024

Very proud of how far Amanda and Ryan have come with Miss. Lyla. Only required 2 sessions, now it’s just modification and practice at this point.
Good job guys!!