AYM Puppy Training

AYM Puppy Training Muskoka's In-home, Private Puppy Training

Happy Friday ya'll! What are your plans for this beautiful summer weekend!? ☀️•••••                                     ...
08/23/2024

Happy Friday ya'll!

What are your plans for this beautiful summer weekend!? ☀️





This is something we often hear, “my dog is so spoiled because I feed her everything I eat” or “I never leave my dog alo...
08/20/2024

This is something we often hear, “my dog is so spoiled because I feed her everything I eat” or “I never leave my dog alone because he doesn’t like it”.

At AYM we are FIRM believers that every dog should be spoiled ROTTEN! But spoiling them in some ways may actually be negatively affecting their quality of life.




Reading canine body language is not easy but will make a world of a difference in your dog's socialization training. Swi...
08/18/2024

Reading canine body language is not easy but will make a world of a difference in your dog's socialization training.

Swipe to see subtle differences in Soup's body language that spoke volumes! The picture on the left is during his last visit and the picture on the right is during his very first visit! We all know dogs can't speak our language so it is important to acknowledge and understand the ways they CAN communicate.

If you haven't read Soup's story from his mom's perspective, check out our 2nd most recent post. Soup came to AYM Puppy Training for our Private Socialization Program. When I first met Soup he was very nervous and unsure of myself (and any other strangers), these feelings manifested into barking. Soup would rarely take treats from me and was consistently on high alert for his mom, he didn't have the confidence to be on his own. During our time together, Soup learned to take treats from me (he is a BIG hot dog fan 😋), learned to enjoy new environments, and most importantly he gained courage and confidence away from his mom. By the end of our program, Soup would take me on runs away from his mom, exploring and conquering every object he could jump on, passing people and dogs without blinking an eye!

Helping Soup grow into the brave, confident dog he is has been such an amazing experience. It is such an honor to get to help pups and the people that love them. 🤎






We get it... sometimes it doesn't feel like it. Every puppy owner has experienced the feeling of "when does it end!?". T...
08/16/2024

We get it... sometimes it doesn't feel like it.

Every puppy owner has experienced the feeling of "when does it end!?". There is an end... promise!

If you put a strong effort into consistent training with your puppy, using methods that work best for them, you will reach a point in their adolescence where you can step back and appreciate all your hard work.

This age can vary for each dog, maybe it's 10 months, maybe it's 2 years. Breed, lifestyle, genetics, and routine can all play a role in this development and the frustrating part is that you won't know that age until you reach out!

It's easy to give up when things get tough but you (and your dog!) are going to be grateful you pushed through.

FULL SOUP STORY BELOW! 🥫🤎🥹"When Soup came into my life he struggled with his confidence in new places and around new peo...
08/14/2024

FULL SOUP STORY BELOW! 🥫🤎🥹

"When Soup came into my life he struggled with his confidence in new places and around new people. He was just a little guy in a big, scary world. He was fearful outside the house and was quickly developing attachment issues. I was blindly trying to socialize him and expose him to knew things and unknowingly was pushing him way past his threshold. His anxiety had begun to morph into reactivity and both him and I were becoming overwhelmed. I knew we needed help so I began our search for a trainer. We were fortunate enough to come across AYM Puppy Training.
Brittany patiently gained Soup’s trust and adapted her program to suit his specific needs. Although Soup is naturally apprehensive of strangers I was surprised to see that they easily became fast-friends. It was important for me to work with someone who utilized positive reinforcement. Brittany went above and beyond in this regard, and not only rewarded him with fantastic treats put also with a great deal of empathy, patience and understanding. She helped me set realistic expectations of Soup and taught me how to advocate for his boundaries.
I am proud to say, he can now walk past people and dogs on the street without a care and only occasionally pauses at a suspicious gardener. Where he used to flinch at every loud noise outside he can confidently trot past a busy park or big garbage truck without a second thought. We are now working on bringing him into dog friendly stores and at each new challenge he is blowing me away with his progress.
Not only was Soup ecstatic to learn with his new friend, I also looked forward to each session. They provided an opportunity to share his progress and discuss the difficulties we were still having. Before, without anyone to guide me and collaborate with, I was becoming discouraged and frustrated with both myself and Soup. Now, with Brittany’s teachings, everything feels a bit less daunting and Soup’s confidence is growing every day"

Soup and his mom were an absolute dream to work with! It is inspiring to see owners who are so extremely passionate about their dog's happiness and well-being. 🤎

More on Soup coming soon!

This handsome boy needs no introduction... RAMBO! Look at those eyes 🤯Sir Rambo is enrolled in our Puppy Foundation Prog...
08/04/2024

This handsome boy needs no introduction... RAMBO! Look at those eyes 🤯

Sir Rambo is enrolled in our Puppy Foundation Program, his parents know he is going to be a big boy so manners and socialization is EXTRA important. 🤓





Coffees tasting extra good this morning because it's Friiiiiiday! 🥳•••••
08/02/2024

Coffees tasting extra good this morning because it's Friiiiiiday! 🥳






The most distinguished little lady there ever was! Welcome Lou Lou! 🤎This little doll is enrolled in our Puppy Foundatio...
07/31/2024

The most distinguished little lady there ever was!

Welcome Lou Lou! 🤎

This little doll is enrolled in our Puppy Foundation Program and is HARD at work building those foundations! 🤓





At AYM, we crate train! 🫡There are plenty of owners who are hesitant to crate train and this just comes down to them not...
07/28/2024

At AYM, we crate train! 🫡

There are plenty of owners who are hesitant to crate train and this just comes down to them not knowing all of the benefits!

To put it simply, there are no cons to crate training!





To us, every day is National Dog Photography Day! You'll never regret taking too many photos of your fur baby. 🤎•••••   ...
07/26/2024

To us, every day is National Dog Photography Day!

You'll never regret taking too many photos of your fur baby. 🤎





Are you ready to bring a dog into your life? We get it, puppies are incredibly adorable and give so much love and happin...
07/24/2024

Are you ready to bring a dog into your life?

We get it, puppies are incredibly adorable and give so much love and happiness to the people in their lives.

Puppies (and adult dogs) are ALOT of work and money! It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement and idea of having a dog but this is not a decision that anyone should rush into.

A new puppy means sleepless nights, monthly vet visits, cleaning up accidents inside, vigorous training, and a whole new routine!





07/22/2024

WE LOVE DOG PARKS! But not in the way you may think...

Dog parks are dangerous and unpredictable, we do not recommend ANYONE bring their dog into dog parks. However, they can be an extremely valuable tool!

Waffles' and I frequent the dog park to work on his reactivity. Working outside of a dog park allows us to see, hear and smell dogs at a controllable distance. The dogs run free in the fenced area and we can move closer and further as needed. We are always VERY mindful of any dogs entering and exiting the park and ensure we give extra space if they are unleashed.

Waffles' has made fantastic progress at the dog park, we started approx 200m back and have been able to make our way right up to the fence! This kiddo is so fun to work with and is so motivated to work and learn!





What do you and your dog love to do in the summer!? 📲Darla is always up for a hike! We're trying to introduce her to swi...
07/20/2024

What do you and your dog love to do in the summer!? 📲

Darla is always up for a hike! We're trying to introduce her to swimming and dock jumping, she's coming around but much prefers her paws in the dirt. 🌊

Take advantage of the summer while it's still here! ☀️





Contrary to popular belief, this is not a polar bear!Teddy is a Great Pyrenees who came to AYM for our Positive Grooming...
07/18/2024

Contrary to popular belief, this is not a polar bear!

Teddy is a Great Pyrenees who came to AYM for our Positive Grooming Program!

Great Pyrenees are bred for livestock guarding and are often extremely difficult to handle because of this. Teddy is not your typical Great Pyrenees, he greets you with a wagging tail, asks for head scratches and is generally a lovely boy! But his anxiety gets the best of him when his owners try to do normal grooming procedures like nail trims or brushing.

We're hoping to teach him these procedures don't have to be anxiety-inducing!





Why do some dogs try to take your fingers off when they take treats!? There are a couple reasons that apply to most dogs...
07/16/2024

Why do some dogs try to take your fingers off when they take treats!? There are a couple reasons that apply to most dogs.

1. They're excited to get that reward!
2. They haven't learned bite inhibition with humans.
3. They think you're going to take it away.

Despite popular belief, saying "gennnntle" while giving a dog a treat does not teach them how to actually take the treat from your hand without using their teeth. Remember, dogs don't know what words mean until we give them a meaning!

Presenting a treat to a dog's nose and then quickly taking it away because you think they are going to chomp on your hand is only teaching them to move quicker! They will start to anticipate your hand jerking back with the treat so they will move quicker and bite harder to try and get the treat.

So, how do you teach them to take a treat gently? I don't encourage owners to teach a "gentle" command because this should be a habit for dogs, we don't want to tell them "gentle" every time we feed them something! Offer the treat in a nearly closed hand, just enough so they can lick the treat but can't actually grab it. Initially, they are going to use their teeth to try and grab that treat (you may want to wear gloves!), keep your hand stationary and wait for them to use their tongue/lips to grab the treat. As soon as you feel that release of teeth on your hand, open your hand and release the treat!

The goal is to teach them that tongue/lip movement receives a treat and grabbing with their teeth does not!





Sometimes we just need a lazy Sunday with our dogs...😜•••••
07/14/2024

Sometimes we just need a lazy Sunday with our dogs...😜





Saturday, July 13th, Tuffy's will be hosting their Grand Opening! 🥳We'll be there from 10am-12pm with a table full of fr...
07/12/2024

Saturday, July 13th, Tuffy's will be hosting their Grand Opening! 🥳

We'll be there from 10am-12pm with a table full of free goodies for your fur babies! What a great opportunity for training and socialization! 😉

We're looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and meeting some new ones as well! 🎉

Check out for more details on this incredible event!





It's like he was born for this hat... Join us in congratulating this little fella on finishing his Puppy Foundation Prog...
07/10/2024

It's like he was born for this hat...

Join us in congratulating this little fella on finishing his Puppy Foundation Program! He lives a spoiled life with a mom who wants to make sure he is a happy, well rounded puppy.

So proud of you Milo! 🤎





07/08/2024

A little serotonin boost from Waffles on this sunny Monday ☀️

Excited to see some new and old *furry* faces this week! 🐶

We’re filming a “week in the life” this week, stay tuned to see some behind the scenes! 🤭

A release word or cue is used to communicate to your dog that they are allowed to move from a certain position. While si...
07/03/2024

A release word or cue is used to communicate to your dog that they are allowed to move from a certain position.

While simple to teach, a release cue is very beneficial for multiple reasons! Primarily, it helps keep your dog safe. No bolting out of cars as soon as the door is open, no running through open front doors, no falling out of "heel" to approach someone.

Additionally, it helps you communicate more clearly with your dog. You can use the release cue to let your dog know it is ok to say hello to someone, this also helps with calm greetings!

Does your dog know a release word or cue!?





Happy Canada Day! Mya was such a tolerant little pup. This hat didn't last long but she tolerated it long enough just fo...
07/01/2024

Happy Canada Day!

Mya was such a tolerant little pup. This hat didn't last long but she tolerated it long enough just for me get a good laugh in. 🤎

Enjoy your long weekend!





06/30/2024

We are so excited to share this post with everyone!

Samson has a very special spot in our hearts. We've been with him since he first came home. During our Puppy Foundation Program, we acknowledged some behaviors that were not desirable, particularly around meeting new people or people entering the home. This was discussed with his owners and a plan was created to hopefully stop these behaviours from worsening. But, as we all know, life happens and Samson's parents got busy and his socialization training fell to the side.

A few weeks after the completion of the Puppy Foundation Program, Samson's owners reached out with some concerns. The unwanted behaviors had worsened and Samson was reactive to people entering his home. He would bark and cower and be generally anxious with people in the home. As a large breed, black dog, this can be very intimidating for guests.

At around 6 months of age, Samson enrolled in the Private Socialization Program. We had weekly lessons where we tackled new environments such as parking lots, parks, stores or school yards.

During the initial lesson, Samson and I started in the parking lot and were able to advance into a store. For the most part, Samson did really well but did become uncomfortable when people would approach. He would communicate this with a bark or growl. Samson's space was respected and we ensured no one came into his little bubble.

Fast forward 5 weeks and Samson is a new dog. Samson can explore new settings with confidence and is able to calmly watch people and dogs move around him. We are able to pass dogs and people without any reaction. Samson is even comfortable with people approaching him. His personality has blossomed and this once-nervous puppy is able to play and bounce in public settings.

Because Samson has become more comfortable with people outside of his home, this has naturally affected his comfort with people in the home. His owners have noted a significant improvement in his reactions and anxiety level with guests.

We are so proud of Samson and are so happy to see him turning into a brave, confident puppy. We are looking forward to continuing to work with this big man!

Exciting Announcement! 🎉We are so proud to announce our Loose Leash Program. Many owners struggle with leash walking and...
06/26/2024

Exciting Announcement! 🎉

We are so proud to announce our Loose Leash Program. Many owners struggle with leash walking and often resort to tools to stop the dog from pulling but let's be honest... they rarely work!

Our goal is to teach dogs how to walk appropriately on a leash without the use of any tool so you can clip on their collar and leash and head out the door.

To learn more about our techniques or any of our programs, please visit www.aympuppytraining.ca or send us a message!





What a bittersweet post! 🥺Atlas recently graduated from our Puppy Foundation Program! He has been such a fun and impress...
06/24/2024

What a bittersweet post! 🥺

Atlas recently graduated from our Puppy Foundation Program! He has been such a fun and impressive boy to work with. During our last visit, he really blew us away by showing off how relaxed he can be when faced with distractions. Don't even get us started about his amazing recall!

Atlas' struggled with anxiety before starting this structured program and his owners have noticed a significant improvement, talk about a win for everyone!

As impressed as we are with Atlas, he of course still has room to learn and grow. We always aim for progress, not perfection! After excelling in the Puppy Foundation Program, we can only imagine what else he is capable of.

When owners are dedicated to their dog's learning, everyone benefits!

Congratulations Atty! 🥳





Dog parents have one common goal, to give their dog the best life possible. 🤎While this may mean something different to ...
06/22/2024

Dog parents have one common goal, to give their dog the best life possible. 🤎

While this may mean something different to each owner and dog, there are a few common factors that effect every dog. 🐶

Swipe to read 5 easy ways you can improve your dog's life. ➡️





A dog that really needs no introduction... Soup! 🥫This handsome boy came to us for our Private Socialization Program. Be...
06/20/2024

A dog that really needs no introduction... Soup! 🥫

This handsome boy came to us for our Private Socialization Program.

Being a little dog in a big world can be scary! Soup is learning to handle things like dogs and people with bravery. He is also learning how to be his best, most confident self away from his mom!

He always tries his best and he is in it to win it! 🎉





Is your workplace pet friendly!? June 17-21 is Take Your Pet To Work Week! 🗄Spending the day in a new environment can be...
06/16/2024

Is your workplace pet friendly!? June 17-21 is Take Your Pet To Work Week! 🗄

Spending the day in a new environment can be very fun and exciting or very scary and anxiety-inducing for some dogs. Each dog is different and you know them best, consider if they would truly enjoy the experience! 🤎

Enjoy some extra time with your pups this week! 🐶





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