Elite K9 Training

11/08/2024

Let’s just take a moment and look at this wonderful little guy 🙌🐾🐶

11/08/2024

Try scattering your dog’s meal in the grass for mental enrichment! Start off with a small pile until they learn the game, then start to increase the area you are scattering the food! 🐶🐾

11/08/2024

🔵URGENT FOSTER CARE NEEDED FOR TEDDY IN 📍PORT HOPE/COBOURG, ONTARIO 🔵

7 MONTH BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG
VACCINATED
FULLY HOUSE TRAINED

- ASSISTANCE REQUIRED FOR SCHEDULED NEUTER AND MICROCHIP PROCEDURE AT OUR PARTNER VETERINARIAN CLINIC. 💉🌡️

IDEAL FOSTER MUST PROVIDE LEASH TRAINING, SOCIALIZATION, AND OBEDIENCE TRAINING. PATIENCE IS ESSENTIAL AS TEDDY REQUIRES COURAGE BUILDING. 💪🏼

HE IS A LARGE, GENTLE PUPPY FEARFUL OF MANY THINGS, BUT NON-AGGRESSIVE. ✌🏼

NOTE: HE EXHIBITS BOISTEROUS BEHAVIOR AND MAY INCONVENIENCE OTHER DOGS. HE BARKS TO COMMUNICATE. (Hu***ng)

STRANGERS, STAIRS, AND VEHICLES INTIMIDATE HIM. (This is part of lack of courage)

INTERESTED FOSTER PARENTS SHOULD COMPLETE OUR WEBSITE'S FOSTER FORM OR CONTACT US DIRECTLY.

www.thebigdoghouseontario.com/foster

11/07/2024

Look at this happy bunch! Furby and Finn absolutely living the best life with their mom 🐶

11/07/2024

A few simple training tips coming your way! 🐶🐾

For more tips and tricks, contact us [email protected] !

11/06/2024

Sadie and her brother Tugg 🐶🐾

For more tips and tricks, contact us [email protected] !

11/06/2024

WHEN SECONDS COUNT

This post is not advocating that dogs meet every other dog, but about how to go about it, if and when it does happen, in a safer way.

The 3 second rule for dogs meeting each other is used as a guideline to help foster positive introductions, prevent either dog from feeling overwhelmed or trapped and prevent any potential reactivity and stress.

A short 3 second introduction is enough time to provide important information to both dogs.

Enough information for dogs to know – “are you a threat?”, “do I like you?”, “do I want to learn more about you?”, “do I really dislike you?”, “do I need you to go away?” etc. Both dogs may not feel the same way – one may not be happy to engage while the other may want to.

All interactions should ideally happen like this, not just initially. Just like us, dogs can have off days – things like pain, trigger stacking, lack of sleep or a host of other reasons can influence whether a dog wants to interact or not.

There are countless times I have witnessed meetings or introductions between dogs that have gone on just a few seconds too long and have not ended well. This can have long lasting effects on future behaviour when meeting other dogs.

Understanding body language is critically important. If we are going to share our lives with another species, protect them, advocate for them and help them feel safe, then we need to understand and respect their language.

The examples in this post of red and green flags are just a few general ones to look out for – there are many more and these will differ depending on the individual dog, context and circumstances.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -
On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf

Make sure those first 3 seconds count – they can make all the difference.

11/05/2024

Safety for your kids and dogs it’s so important for your dog’s well being and for the safety of your children 🧒🐶

For more tips and tricks, contact us [email protected] !

11/05/2024

Adolescence occurs between six months and 18 months of age—a time when guardians typically struggle the most with their dogs. Some guardians are so overwhelmed and underprepared for this developmental stage of their dog’s life, they choose to surrender the dog to a local shelter or rescue group. In a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science found that the majority of the surrendered dogs (47.7 percent) ) were between 5 months and 3 years of age (M.D. Salman,John G. New, Jr.,Janet M. Scarlett,Philip H. Kass,Rebecca Ruch-Gallie &Suzanne Hetts, 2010)

The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.

During canine adolescence, changing s*x hormones effect the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to process information they are receiving from the environment including the presence of dogs, vehicles, people, or really anything around them. They behave in ways that might feel frustrating or upsetting for the dog’s person.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control. We see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

So what does this mean? This could mean that what was once no big deal to the dog now feels scary; what was once easy to do is now stressful; what once made sense is now confusing. At times, the world can feel like ‘too much’ for the adolescent dog.

As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, our own frustration and impatience can cause us to act unpredictably. This adds to our puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for our dogs to adjust.

If you have an adolescent dog, what can you do? You can give your dog the time and space to observe what is going on around them when on leash at a distance away from the activity when possible. You can give your dog long walks to sniff and explore in nature, giving their brain time to decompress. You can offer your dog a quiet space to sleep so that they can consolidate memories effectively. You can continue training various skills, breaking them down into easier steps that can be generously reinforced.

By understanding what our adolescent dog is experiencing we gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best adult selves.

11/04/2024

Lucy putting her best face forward🐶🙌

11/02/2024

Sometimes it’s okay for you and your dog to take a step back from their neighbourhood walks if they are causing stress for you both 👍

For more tips and tricks, contact us [email protected] !

11/01/2024

Congrats to Willow and her amazing guardians on graduating puppy class 🥳🐶 Check out our next start dates for puppy and basic skills classes! [email protected]" rel="ugc" target="_blank">[email protected]

11/01/2024

So cute 👻

Hump Day Smile:

10/30/2024

10/30/2024

10/30/2024

Above all, it should be fun for both of you!

For more tips and tricks, contact us [email protected] !

10/29/2024

Oliver bringing some sunshine on this grey day 🎃

10/29/2024

Very proud to add some more credentials to my name! Brenna Wilson CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP

I look forward to continuing to help my current and future clients!