BP Canine

11/24/2023

If you think positive reinforcement doesn't work for your dog, or that they are not motivated for food around triggers, it's time to consider whether the situations you are putting them in are doable for them at all.

When your dog is over threshold, they're basically offline. That means that any skills or positive associations you are trying to build will bounce off them instead of sinking in.

When your dog is under threshold and at an appropriate intensity with their trigger, they can actually hear you. In this place, the skills and associations sink into their brain instead of ricocheting back.

Remember that threshold is a moving target, and may change over the course of the day or the session. Keep sessions short and try to end when your dog is still in a place to learn. 🧠 🍗

09/28/2023

This beauty is looking for her forever family. I’ve had so many great people message just the timing hasn’t been right.

Send me an email

[email protected] for an application form.

Share so we can find this sweet girl her very own forever family 💜

07/31/2023

Lexie’s puppies just over 3 weeks! 💜 first day outside!!☀️🥰 Swiss Peaks Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs

07/25/2023

Dog training using treats is not bribing a dog to do what you want. It’s about the dog’s response to food as a motivator to learn, and how it helps them overcome things that may make them afraid or give them anxiety. This article explains the impact of using food to train your dog and how it raises the dopamine levels in their brain. This plays a huge role in positive reinforcement and rewards based learning. 😊

To truly comprehend why food is powerful, you must first understand the influence it has on the dog’s brain.

Food has the power to not only enhance a dog’s ability to learn but also to help a dog overcome fear or anxiety by raising the levels of dopamine in the brain and stimulating the desire to seek or move towards the food reward. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a major role in reward-driven learning and helps regulate movement and emotional responses.

https://positively.com/dog-training/positive-training/using-food-in-training/

06/22/2023

Always a pleasure to spend time with this handsome guy! Introduced the backpack to Vegas during our last training session! Christina Zenetzis

🐕‍🦺 A dog carrying a backpack has many benefits.

🐾It helps with muscle conditioning, and the extra weight can make a 30 minute walk feel like an hour of work!

🐾Doggos also like to have a purpose, and a backpack does just that! There’s a task at hand they switch into work mode which makes them feel happier and stimulates their mind.

🐾It can help them focus and be less distracted on walks. This helps reduce leash pulling and can help dogs that easily get triggered by certain things in their environment on walks.

🐾They can help carry things on a hike!

06/10/2023

05/31/2023

Age hits dogs far sooner than humans. But, just like us, they can suffer from conditions like dementia - or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction.

04/28/2023

This is amazing news!

Dogs all over England are smiling today. As of Feb 1st 2024 remote electric (shock) collars will be banned in England. Thank you to everyone who campaigned for 10 years to get this done! The dogs thank you!
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media-centre/2023/april/cruel-electric-shock-collars-banned-in-england/

04/10/2023

Showing that you're alpha to your dog is a flawed approach to dog behavior. Learn more about how to build a better relationship with your dog.

04/10/2023

Considering a new addition to your home? It's never too early to begin considering how to set your new family member up for success as they learn to navigate living within our customs and expectations. Teaching them what TO do is easier, and helps to avoid having to later undo what not to do!

https://positively.com/contributors/puppy-proofing/

03/31/2023

Beneficial effects of environmental enrichment early in life have been shown across many species, including dogs and humans. Early enrichment can be protective against age related decline later in life.

As pets age, their mobility and cognitive function decline, impacting their quality of life. Some pet parents think that activity isn't as important for older pets. That is not true. "Use it, or lose it" as they say. Especially with seniors, it is critical to find ways of keeping them engaged despite their physical capabilities changing. Puzzles are one of my favorite tools for this.

🌟 Studies show the effects of aging can be slowed down by mental and physical stimulation. How can you work it into your pet's daily routine?

Learn more about cognitive dysfunction here: https://drjudymorgan.com/blogs/blog/cognitive-dysfunction-syndrome?_pos=1&_sid=541985271&_ss=r

03/30/2023

Parce que qu'un établissement certifié ANIMA-Québec atteste que:

🐈‍⬛ L’animal est bien traité
🐈 Le lieu de garde est propre et sécuritaire
🐩 L’animal profite d’un programme d’exercice adapté à ses besoins
🐈 La santé de l’animal est suivie par un médecin vétérinaire
🐕 L’éleveur ou le gardien priorisent le bien-être de l’animal
🐩 Une bonne relation entre l'éleveur et futur propriétaire est assurée
🐈‍⬛ Et plus encore!

https://www.animaquebec.com/
Because an ANIMA-Québec certified establishment certifies that:

🐈‍⬛ The animal is well treated
🐈 The place of care is clean and safe
🐩 The animal benefits from an exercise program adapted to its needs
🐈 The health of the animal is monitored by a veterinarian
🐕 The breeder or caretaker prioritizes animal welfare
🐩 A good relationship between the breeder and future owner is ensured
🐈‍⬛ And more!

https://www.animaquebec.com/

03/21/2023

It’s so easy to assume a dog is being agressive or mean by their reaction of showing teeth, growling, barking. This doesn’t always mean they are being agressive. It’s often their way of expressing they aren’t comfortable with a situation. Don’t get mad at them or force them into situations they aren’t okay with yet, as this can make it worse and escalate the next time. It’s best to take a few steps back and work with your dog to build their confidence.

03/21/2023

A very important part of training your dog, is not letting them practice bad behaviours! And this can be done through managing your dogs environment.

Are you using management to its fullest advantage? Management differs from training since it doesn’t actually teach a productive alternative but prevents a dog from practicing an undesirable behavior and earning its related reinforcement which serves to strengthen it.

https://positively.com/victorias-blog/the-power-of-management/

03/14/2023

Enrichment and brain games are an important part of your dogs routine to stimulate them mentally! Some other ideas are food dispensing toys and slow feeders that can be a part of their breakfast or dinner routine.

Here's a quick way to give your dog a bit of indoor enrichment using items you may already have! Do take care that whatever items you use, they are safe and not choking hazards for your particular breed type.

03/14/2023

Getting a new puppy can be exciting, but don’t let the anticipation of your new arrival cloud your judgment.

Learn why it's important to double-check the credibility of a potential breeder here: http://ow.ly/UHwu50N9Obi
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L'arrivée d'un nouveau membre dans votre famille peut être une expérience passionnante, mais ne laissez pas l'anticipation de l'arrivée d'un nouveau compagnon obscurcir votre jugement.
Découvrez ici pourquoi il est important de vérifier la crédibilité d’un éleveur : http://ow.ly/wGGY50N9Obg

03/13/2023

This is a good example of a dog’s perspective when greeting a new person they have never met before.

You wouldn't walk up to someone you've never met before & start touching them would you?

So please don't do it to dogs you've never met before either.

At the very least it's an uninvited invasion of personal space, but many dogs, especially Romanian & foreign rescue dogs are not comfortable with people they don't know and don't want to be touched.

Even if they wander over to sniff you, it still doesn't necessarily mean they want you to touch them, sniffing is how they gather information about you, much like us having a conversation. I've seen many a dog approach for a sniff and then dart out of the way when a hand comes towards them.

Even the often believed correct approach of holding out the back of your hand can appear threatening to a nervous or fearful dog.

Of course some dogs are super sociable and do want a ruffle and a fuss, but unless a dog is practically mobbing you with a full body wag, just wait and see how that dog feels about you before even thinking about interacting with them, and never walk up and stroke a dog that is laying down quietly minding their own business.