To my valued clients, colleagues and friends.
Thank you for being part of my world in 2024 whether we worked together or had a conversation or you took one of our online courses.
Wishing you a wonderful 2025 🥳
#dogbehavior #dogsarefamily #dogsofinstagram
Leash “corrections” cause more problems than one may think.
I still see people being taught by trainers to use them, and I’m sorry if you’ve been led to believe it’s what you should be doing.
Please be aware of the consequences!
#dogbehavior #reactivedog #dogbehavior
Having hard and fast rules will take the guess work out of things with your dog which in turn reduces your stress! And, I don’t want you to feel guilty about these!
A common theme with my clients is the relief they tell me they feel when I let them know that they don’t have to go to dog parks if it’s not a good experience for them.
I’m not saying don’t go to dog parks if they are a good experience for your dog as well as yourself, but as I mention, they can be risky depending on who is there!
The next one is on leash greetings . This is one that I’m confident stating we should avoid them to the best of our ability.
I’m going be sharing some other hard and fast rules that you can implement and let go of feeling guilty about them!
#dogparks #dogtraining #dogbehavior
🐕 Dogs do the best they can with what they are given and the situations they are put in.
Dogs ARE animals, so when put in situations to fend for themselves they may bark, lunge and bite!
As a society, it’s our responsibility when we bring them into our world to:
- advocate for space when they need it
- protect them as best as we can in situations they may feel threatened
- set hard and fast rules and boundaries for the humans interacting with them
- create as much safety and security as possible
So, if you don’t like their behaviour, let’s work together to find out why they are doing what they are doing.
🛑 Let’s STOP just trying to STOP behaviour.
*follow for more insight into dog behaviour
#dogbehavior #dogsofinstagram #reactivedog
Lily Allen Returns Puppy For Eating Passports
Look, this isn’t a legitimate case of a mismatched and incompatible adoption.
This is an example of humans thinking animals are mail order “things” that when they are inconvenient, they return them.
This isn’t ok, and I’m glad it was brought to light so we can discuss it.
⭐️Please share my FREE Adoption: Before & After course so we can help spread awareness about realistic expectations for what to expect.
#lilyallen #dogadoption #dogsofinstagram
Want to know when the most effective time is to train with your reactive dog?
💚I call it the “Green Zone”.
The learning zone.
Your dog can observe a trigger and we are not seeing an elevation of emotions through body language and behavior.
Where can you work with your dog so that they are in the “Green Zone”?
⚓️ The Compass Program for Reactivity covers this concept so if you’d like more info head to my website to sign up!
#dogreactivity #dogbehaviour #dogtraining
Real talk!
Despite working on the tent with Penelope, she was anxious!
This could mean any or all of these things:
- the environment was creating stress, new place
- we needed to spend more time IN the tent at home and actually sleep in it
- she was having a not so great day
- she could sense action outside the tent and couldn’t see what was going on and didn’t like it
- she was over tired
- she just doesn’t like it
No guarantees our dogs will like something just because we spent time training and working on it.
#dogtraining #dogtrainingrealities #dogsarenotrobots
Expanding the conversation from yesterday regarding off leash…
It’s ok if your dog isn’t quite ready!
#dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #englishbullterrier #dogbehavior
➡️There is NO 100 percent guaranteed recall.
❌ It doesn’t exist.
No matter what “collar” someone is trying to sell you, it will fail (& comes with side effects you won’t be warned about)
Know the risks.
Be aware and prepared for the “what ifs”.
Risks:
- wildlife chasing, predatory genetics can override any and all training. Also wildlife sometimes (when feeling threatened, are predatory, injured or with babies) can go after dogs
- dog attacks, they happen.
- spooked dogs that go on the lam.
- vehicles/traffic
Off leash should be a well thought out decision with a plan for what if’s and training throughout the excursion.
And if you aren’t prepared to do this, you shouldn’t be letting your dog off leash.
#offleash #dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #northvandogs #vancouverdogs
Control is a funny word and concept when you think about it.
The illusion of control is a tendency to overestimate how much control you have over the outcome of uncontrollable events. And when it comes to our dogs we CANNOT control all outcomes, despite what trainers and manufacturers of products will have you believe.
For many humans, we tend to exert “control” over our dogs when we are feeling powerless in other areas of our lives.
Know that the more you try to control the outcome of your dog’s behaviour, the more you will damage their esteem and confidence. And THAT leads to behaviour problems.
I urge you to look at your relationship and their behaviour through the lens of a partnership and that of a teacher. Empowering your dog will lead to them making better choices, I promise :)
#controlfreak #dogtraining #dogbehavior #reactivedog
If you’re struggling with your dogs reactivity, just remember:
➡️ It’s not fun for them either. It’s taxing emotionally and physically.
➡️ Unpredictability and inconsistency kills progress.
➡️ Piecing together online advice isn’t an effective plan.
➡️ You need to discuss serious fear and aggression with your vet before working with a trainer to rule out medical issues.
➡️ Anxiety IS a medical issue.
****
📩 Reach out to learn how we can work together!
#dogbehavior #dogreactivity #virtualdogtraining
Many times compulsive licking is attributed to allergies.
Did you know that this can also be a sign of:
- anxiety and stress
- pain!
Licking is often an attempt to soothe.
Dogs that are sore, in pain or are stressed/anxious may lick and chew an area as it results in the release of oxytocin and dopamine (it feels good). We then can see hotspots and sores. Often times we treat the sores and think everything will be just fine but if you haven’t treated the underlying issue, this will continue.
Does your dog obsessively lick themself?
#dogsofinstagram #igdogs #dogbehavior #dogtraining #dogbehaviour #nkrthvandogs #dogsofbritishcolumbia
