Waterdogs K9 Center

04/06/2024

Benji is looking for a new home.
Through no fault of his own or his owners he will need to move on as his characteristics just aren't working out with his current people...
Benji completed a full behavioral board and train with me back in 2022.
He is a typical bulldog personality...very over the top in his reactions. He goes from 0-100 real quick when put in the wrong situation.
He is dog reactive and selective with people.
He has had great experiences with both, when properly introduced. He will be a strict management dog not suited for homes with young children or very busy social lives.
He knows all his commands, and is crate trained and E-Collar trained. I have had him with some of my dogs but will always need guiding corrections and structure in his life.
HE IS NOT FOR SOFT PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE WITH SETTING BOUNDARIES.
He is up to date on vaccines and has been neutured.
He also has IVDD a spine issue, you can see it in his movement and it may affect him more as he ages.
Right now though, he is rocket fast and mobile.
Benji was born Dec 31, 2019
His owners are not in a rush to rehome him and we will be doing strict screening on finding him the right home.
Again don't let his cuteness fool you, this dog will need a lot of guidance and management in his life, but can and has been hugely successful in the right environment

04/04/2024

Thank you for being my Waterdogs family for the past decade.
It is a bittersweet moment to announce, that I will be watching the sunset from a different space in the future.
I have had the absolute honor of getting to know you and your dogs over the past decade. You have helped me grow, and celebrate and mourn and kept me going through it all...
You are my family. You have taught me so much
I am starting the next chapter in my life... it's exciting and terrifying all at once.
I will still be in touch with everyone. I will still be offering virtual training and consulting for all... but I will not be operating in person anymore in Ontario.

It has been a tough decision to make... I hope it's the right one. My heart feels it's time to start over... still doing what I love after some much needed time off.
I'm going to have some "me" time... some time to breathe... and maybe even get my own dogs trained for a change...lol. I'll have some time on my hands.
I can't say for sure how much.

I'm going to miss you all so much... please stay in touch 😭
This is not goodbye...
This is thank you... for trusting me with your dog and becoming part of my WaterdogsK9 family...
You made me brave enough to turn the page...

12/11/2023

This year...instead of buying ANOTHER toy for your dog... consider donating to a great rescue like this one.
My blind dog Hera was the first dog they helped save... and now she has an amazing life.
Not all rescues are the same... so choose who you help... but help if you can.

12/06/2023

RESCUE IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR POOR BEHAVIOR...
When I first meet with a client I ask... please tell me a bit about your dog and what you'd like help with...
First words often out of people's mouths are.. it's a rescue.
OK, so tell me what's going on?
Well my dog doesn't listen
They bark at everything
They jump all over my guests
And they pull me all over the place on walks...
I'm always stumped as to why people think that telling me the dog is a rescue makes any difference to those behaviors. Or why should that dog get treated any different than a dog that wasn't "a rescue" when it comes to building better behaviors...
The dog in the picture here is my "rescue" ... Hera
I've owned her for just over a year... she's 9.
She is a Belgian Malinois
If you don't know the breed... the quick explanation is a strong, intelligent breed created to bite... but also a total crackhead of the dog world... they are not pets.
When Hera came to live here she immediately learned the rules...
You can not pull on leash...
You can not jump on people...
You can not bark incessantly
And much more...
She had to follow the same rules as everyone else here... she was very rude and pushy
I did not let her get away with undesirable behaviors...
I trained her, I corrected her and I gave her boundaries.
I did not allow her to blurr lines in the beginning because she came from a sh*tty situation.
I did not feel sorry for her...
She did not feel sorry for her...
I guess I should mention one more thing about this pushy malinois...
SHE IS TOTALLY BLIND.
She was surrendered to be euthanized because she went blind... nice people huh?
We took her because we know the breed
We took her because if she ended up in the wrong person's hands who felt sorry for her, that pushy behavior would become dangerous.
She lives a great life here...
She is happy...
She also very clearly understands what the rules are... and respects them even when she has physical limitations.
I've adapted her training to accommodate her differences but I have not adapted the rules.
She has no idea that she was rescued...and doesn't care she's blind... she still wants to be a Malinois and do Mali things.
Rescued dogs learn and operate the same as any other dogs... yes they may have some baggage to unpack... but it shouldn't give them a hall pass to wreak havoc on our lives
It's up to us to stay consistent...
Don't feel sorry for them... if anything... they were smart and strong enough to survive...

12/06/2023

Can you help find these dogs a home
https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=843383604500290&id=100064859737324&set=a.723400749831910&mibextid=Nif5oz

We need YOUR help in finding a home for these three dogs!

🐕 Meet Parker
50-pound, non-intact male German Shepherd/Lab mix.

🐕Meet Fred
40-pound, intact Black Lab mix

🐕Meet Rufus
75-pound, intact Japanese Tosa

Contact Bylaw
📥 [email protected]
📱 705-484-5374 ext 292

Learn more about each dog and how to adopt on our animal services page.
🔗 www.ramara.ca/animalservices

11/04/2023

Are you a past or current client?
We'd like to invite you to register for our structured social and environmental exposure event.
Saturday Nov 18th from 9-11
This event will be in a huge indoor event center, there will be tons of space so that we can all safely participate.
Open to dogs of all ages and stages of training. All clients must prepay and register no later than Friday Nov 17th at 3pm. Text me or email me for registration
1 dog per human
See you there!

10/24/2023

Say hi to Buddy... the newest addition to my crazy family. Buddy is 8 years old and was put up.on kijiji. I found him and made him mine. So far, he seems very sweet...but you never know the dog you have until you spend at 3 months together
He will not have all the rights and privileges my other dogs have yet...
Even though I do this as a professional, I will not put myself or him in possible jeopardy by rushing into letting him sleep in my bed and letting him run free. So far he's been an angel... but we are still "just dating "
I see so many people making the mistake of trusting an animal too quick... as cute and floofy as he is... he still has 42 sharp edges. I can't wait to show Buddy's progress with you

10/08/2023

So you think using a harness is good for your dog?
Not at all
Teaching them how to properly walk is much safer

https://fb.watch/nyoWDlilGH/?mibextid=6aamW6

07/24/2023

We will be doing a nail trim day Saturday July 29th at our Orillia location from 12-2.
You can send us a message or email us at [email protected]
To confirm your spot. 25.00 cash
3 Royce Ave Unit 9

07/10/2023

People...
Why is your company called Waterdogs K9 Center ?
Me...

07/08/2023

Are you "that person" who yells...
It's ok they're friendly as your dog charges up to someone else?
How many times have you started the car to convince your dog you're "going for a ride " just to get them caught abd safely home?
Have you checked out our new programs?
Give your dog the gift of freedom with our
REALLY RELIABLE RECALL class.

07/06/2023

Do you have one or 2 specific issues you'd like to improve on with your dog?
Are you traveling for summer and need to board your dog?
We have the solution
Introducing our mini Board and train programs
1 WEEK LEASH MANNERS
Have your dog walking like a dream
2 WEEK RELIABLE RECALL
Give your dog the gift of off leash freedom.
Come back to a better behaved dog
Emails us
[email protected]
For more info

07/05/2023

We are now offering a few new programs...
Really Reliable Recall
4 weeks, 4 lessons different locations
Leash manners
Build the best walk with your dog
4 weeks, 4 lessons
Dogs can not be reactive.
Class size is limited
Email us for registration
[email protected]

06/22/2023

Dear Jack...
I think I've just started to process losing you too... it wasn't supposed to be so soon. I just couldn't bring myself to write your goodbye until now...
You were my sassy old man, my zero effs given, my teacher, Koby's protector, my right hand man for rehabilitating thousands of dogs over our years together... my irreplaceable Roo 💔
The hole in my heart is so deep, it will never be full again.
Thank you for everything you did...
For me, for us, for Waterdogs...
I know you've found Koby already... you guys stick together now and forever.
I'll see you on the other side...
Jack... my rock, my heart...the end of an Era... you will be missed

06/20/2023

Pilot needs a home.
He is a 2.5 y/o lab x poodle mix.
Crate trained, off leash trained, social with dogs, good with cars, great environmental exposure, used to bots, bikes, planes, gunfire etc
Does not do great in very busy crowds and meeting new people... he will warm up eventually, but he is muzzle trained to help him through those situations.
If interested in Pilot, please send me an email [email protected]

04/28/2023

We had to say a sudden and tragic goodbye last night to Waterdogs founding family member Koby 💔
Anyone that had the pleasure of meeting Koby over the last decade understood how much he loved.
Please have patience over the next few days as we all learn to adjust to life without him.
It is now my responsibility to show every dog in my care the love that Koby did on a daily basis... I owe it to him... and them.
I'll love you forever my boy

04/26/2023

Yes there are prevention options... but a lot of times the long term neurological effects are way worse than a simple insect bite.
Do your research.

More reasons to be concerned about popular flea and tick products for dogs and cats. https://hemopet.org/more-concerning-news-regarding-flea-and-tick-products-for-companion-dogs-and-cats/

04/23/2023

Hey you guys!!!
I'm excited to tell everyone about my most amazing friend who's now offering spectacular services to people in the Oro, Barrie, Elmvale areas... because ... well I'm not in that area anymore, and i want all of my amazing clients to still get great service. She would one of the only people I would ever trust with my own dogs... and yours
Please pm me for her contact info
Castlekeep Irish Wolfhounds

04/11/2023

We're hiring
Have you always wanted to work with dogs?
We are currently hiring for part time kennel attendant position.
Must have reliable transportation and be available 9am Mon-Frihttps://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=644467797691999&id=100063863537688&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=6aamW6

04/03/2023

WE ARE HIRING
We are currently looking for a part time kennel attendant.
The right candidate must have reliable and consistent transportation, be able to work flexible hours Mon-Fri, starting at 9am, be willing to clean, scrub, potty dogs, assist with exercising dogs on the property, help with socialization of puppies and much more.
This job will be approx 3 hours a day to start, with the opportunity for a training apprenticeship. If I see you've got what it takes, I would love to bring you on as a trainer someday.
If you're interested in unlimited potential opportunities in the dog industry, this is a great opportunity.
Send me an email and tell me all about why you think you're the perfect candidate
[email protected]

03/22/2023

The pups are ready for their new people.
All pups are CKC registered, chipped and started potty training.
Vaccinated and dewormed
Both parents have all genetic health clearances and working titles.
If interested in owning one of these beautiful working line German Shepherds, please pm me and I will send you an application

03/13/2023

Why I won't work with dogs on drugs...

There seems to be a huge increase of dogs on drugs.
No, I'm not talking flea and tick meds... that's another post.
I'm talking prozac, trazodone etc...
The mind altering pharmaceuticals
As a trainer, I've made a decision to not work with a dog while they are on drugs
Here's why
A dog can not tell us that drug makes it stomach hurt.
A dog can not tell us that it's vision has become blurry
A dog can not tell us that the medication makes it feel depressed or full of rage.

But most of all a dog can not tell us who they really are and what is the root cause of their problems when they are medicated.
Obviously, with the above mentioned meds, there is some anxiety involved, but what is the cause of that anxiety?

Most times, it's either one of 2 things
Genetics... breeding weak nerve dogs to weak nerve.
Often as a result of people breeding for money or a certain color... BEWARE
As there is not one hint of consideration gone into the overall temperament of the parents.
Or that dog has been plucked off the streets in some foreign land, where it was considered a nuisance, and run off by humans and shipped across the planet to some poor family who thought love could save everything.

Or, reason number 2...
The human has created a mental hot mess of a dog by not letting it be a dog.
Fluffy doesn't like loud noises?
Let's get mad at the fireworks
Fluffy doesn't like it's 150.00 bag of dog food?
Let's order them some take out
Fluffy doesn't like to be left alone?
Let's quit our job... I kid you not, this happens.

Putting dogs on anxiety meds is something I never even heard of 15 years ago.
A dog was respected for its strengths and weaknesses, it's ability to communicate in an instant it's like or dislikes of a person, place or thing.
Now... that's not ok
Fluffy has to like everything and everyone all. the.time.
NO

As trainers, we need to be able to read a dogs true body language.
We need to see how a dog reacts under perceived pressure, and more so how it recovers to be able to help at all.
Medications block all of that from happening, because they put your dog in an altered mental state.

Imagine having social anxiety and your most trusted friend/advocate putting you in a straight jacket and throwing you into a mosh pit...just so they could enjoy the concert
How would that make you feel?
Yeah...

I understand owners are desperate to stop seeing their dog live in an anxious state.
They are trying to help...
But why not learn how to help through training, engagement, biological fulfillment and avodcation rather than
Medication?

I'm not saying some dogs don't show improvement on medication.
But I am saying that that number should be minimal... like 1%

In today's world, drugging your dog seems like the first thing to do rather than the last.
That needs to change.

So before you reach for that magic bottle, get in touch with an experienced private trainer.
They won't wear a white lab coat or carry an rx pad... but they will be able to give your dog the opportunity to show you who they really are and what they really need... and if after you've followed their explicit instructions on how to proceed, your dog didn't improve...
Then, and only then grab those meds

02/27/2023

We're working on potty training and individually socializing each pup...these young pups will eventually go to new owners with a great start in life
Still accepting applications for potential owners

02/19/2023

Puppies are available to suitable homes. Now accepting applications on the Heavy Weight litter.
Hurricane x Ludek
Quelly VD Daelenberghutte BH
X
Ludek VD Brandachschneise IPO 3
Hips, elbows abd spines cleared OFA
DOB Jan 25, 2023

02/10/2023

If you're dog doesn't have a rock solid recall, don't let it off leash...
Ecollars save lives, by teaching a beautiful recall, even under distraction

A dog has died following an encounter between a protective mother moose and a couple of dogs during a walk Monday afternoon.Dog owner, Natalia Albinati says ...

02/10/2023

What do you want to learn to do with your dog?

01/26/2023

So you want to breed dogs...
Don't even think about it until...
You are willing to invest EVERY portion of your existence into it.
Until...
Until your spend thousands of dollars into getting titles, genetic clearances, traveling to competitions, buying the best quality food, crates, whelping materials and vet bills.
Until you spend hundreds of hours researching your breed and it's pedigrees to find the best suitor to improve on your dog
Until you are willing to cancel your social and personal life for months
Until you are willing to keep or take back every puppy you bring into this world at any time
Until you are willing to create a warm, safe clean place for momma and her babies
Until you are willing to sit up for 17 hours straight on the floor with her while she gives birth
Until you are willing to be covered in p**p and fluids and stink while helping her
Until you are willing to give up sleeping in your bed or sleeping at all Until you know every one is safe and healthy
Until you are willing to witness losing a newborn pup in your hands and accept that you did your best
Until you are willing to bet and potentially lose every piece of your heart...
Don't you dare breed a dog