Ottawa Canine School

11/05/2024

Anxiety in dogs doesn’t always manifest in the same way, and it can differ based on the individual dog’s temperament, the source of anxiety, and the specific situation.

For example:
🐾 Some dogs may show subtle signs like yawning, lip licking, or slight restlessness. These behaviours are easy to miss, but they indicate the dog is uncomfortable.

🐾 You may see more visible behaviours such as pacing, whining, or panting. These dogs are trying to communicate their stress and need intervention to avoid escalation.

🐾 In extreme cases, dogs may show destructive behaviours, aggression, or even self-harm (such as excessive licking or chewing).

Also, anxiety can be situational (triggered by events like thunderstorms, fireworks, or being left alone) or generalized (present most of the time).

It’s important to observe your dog’s behaviour consistently in various contexts to understand their anxiety triggers!

09/17/2024

When we ditch the labels and focus on observable behaviours, we are in a better position to address and improve our dog’s behaviour.

Our dogs are not being stubborn or vengeful; they are simply communicating in the best way they know how.

Let’s work on enhancing the relationship with our dogs while promoting their well-being and happiness! Agree?

09/10/2024

Dogs bark at other dogs for a few common reasons:

🐾 Fear: A traumatic experience with another dog, lack of proper socialization, and a predisposition to fear could be some reasons for this behaviour.

🐾 Excitement: They could be overly excited and want to play, but don’t know how to approach the other dog calmly.

🐾 Anxiety: Barking caused by anxiety may occur in certain contexts, in specific environments, or be generalized.

🐾 Frustration: They might be frustrated because they’re on a leash and can’t reach the other dog to interact the way they want to.

Understanding the specific reason behind a dog’s behaviour can help in finding the right way to manage and improve it!

07/16/2024

Living with a dog that has separation anxiety can be incredibly challenging, and it’s something that not everyone can fully appreciate unless they’ve experienced it..

Living with a dog that has separation anxiety can take a toll on both you and your dog! Seek guidance from qualified professionals. It’s okay to acknowledge these challenges and seek help to improve your dog’s well-being and your peace of mind.

If you need help or recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out to me!

07/03/2024

Team Finn is making progress on their separation anxiety journey! During the last assessment, Finn was separated from “mom” for over 12 minutes without signs of distress. He’s come a long way from his initial 56 seconds! There is no quick fix to helping dogs recover from separation anxiety issues, but it can be done!

07/03/2024

Isn't this just a clever idea to teach your dog to eat off a syringe ? It can come in handy when needed!

From Breakfast Time to Brilliance!

Today, thanks to an awesome Team we learned that Cheerios fit on the end of an oral medication syringe. Bonus that Cheerios are on Penny’s and Georgie’s approved food lists and they both love them.

Nothing is better than creativity in action!

Penny was eating off the syringe in no time. 🤩

Need help with your dog taking medication we can help!

07/02/2024

Pro-tip: pay attention to how your dog responds to different cues and ensure those cues are associated with positive experiences!

By consistently rewarding your dog for responding to cues, you can maintain their enthusiasm and trust. This approach helps build a strong, cooperative relationship and makes training more effective.

06/28/2024

A poisoned cue can slow down your training progress, or worse, it can lead to anxiety, stress, or even fear in your dog.

If you think a cue has been poisoned, consider changing the cue altogether!

Introduce a new recall word that consistently predicts a positive outcome. For example, you could use a word like “mess” during meal prep.

As you cook and chop up tidbits, call out “mess” before letting a few delicious pieces drop to the floor. Your dog will quickly learn that responding to this new word brings rewards!

05/22/2024

Welcome back Moca! 🎉 We last worked together in 2022, and her dedicated guardian was happy to report that Moca was able to be relaxed at home alone for 4 hours. This was more than enough for Team Moca at the time.

It is not unusual for a move, or other big life changes to cause separation issues to resurface.

I helped my own dog Everest through it after we moved. With a new baby, a move and a few other changes in her life, Team Moca’s needs have changed.

Here’s to helping Team Moca through this chapter! 🙌

05/10/2024

The Trainers in Training meetings are a great way to connect.

Learning to become a dog trainer is more than just learning about training dogs! From celebrating wins to strategizing through challenges, these sessions are where bonds strengthen, skills sharpen, and progress thrives. 🙌

Here’s to the journey of growth, together! 😎

If you are interested in this program, you can find more details on my website!

05/07/2024

👋 Meet FINN! Finn is a Miniature Poodle who lives in Ottawa with his guardians. Finn has just started his journey to recovery from separation related anxiety. Finn struggles the most when he is completely alone, but finds it particularly challenging to settle when mom is gone. Let’s rally behind Team Finn! 🙌

03/08/2024

🐾 Join the upcoming webinar series hosted by the Ottawa Humane Society: Anxiety and Pets: The Essentials 🐾

Get ready for practical, science-based information designed for pet owners and professionals alike. Understand stressed out, anxious pets better and learn how to support them effectively.
Exciting News!
🐾 I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be joining as the third speaker, alongside an exceptional lineup:

🌟 Dr. Karen Overall: A legend in the field, running a clinic and research program. She's also the editor-in-chief for the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour: Clinical Applications and Research.
🌟 Dr. Jessica: A genetics researcher, ethical breeding advocate, and educator. Her expertise in the genetics of behavior will shed light on understanding canine behavior.

🗓️ Mark your calendars for these insightful sessions:

Paws and Reflect: Unraveling the Language of Stress in Pets
📅 Wednesday, March 13 at 6 p.m. EST (Dr. Karen Overall)

Anxiety: The Whole Story
📅 Wednesday, March 20 at 6 p.m. EST (Dr. Jessica Hekman)

Leaving with Love: Navigating Separation Anxiety in Dogs
📅 Wednesday, March 27 at 6 p.m. EST (Chantal Mills)

🐶

Anxiety and Pets: The Essentials Whether you have an anxious pooch or a fearful feline, our webinar series: Anxiety and Pets: The Essentials will give you all the answers you need to build a healthy, happy future with your pet. Get practical, science-based information for pet owners and pet professi...

01/09/2024

The idea that ignoring your dog can help with separation anxiety is a common myth. In reality, dogs are social creatures that thrive on positive human interaction! If your dog already exhibits SA, building trust and addressing their emotions is the first step to helping them.

Reach out to a certified professional if you need help!

01/05/2024

Just like people, dogs do well when things make sense and are predictable around them. So, when you're teaching your dog, it's important not to confuse them.

Make sure you're clear in both what you say and how you act. Avoid using similar-sounding words or gestures that might confuse your dog.

Pay attention to the way you speak – using a happy and positive tone can make a big difference in how well your dog learns.

Keep an eye on your body language too, because dogs pick up on that stuff. Be mindful of how you move and express yourself, as it can affect how well your dog understands what you want.

Try to train your dog in the same place each time. This helps your dog get used to the surroundings and makes learning easier for them.

Using these tips will help you communicate better with your dog and strengthen your bond together!

01/05/2024

Celebrating Wins 🌟 and Tackling Training Challenges 🐾are some of the things discussed during the Group Meets.

Some wins include a reduction in over reactivity among our four-legged trainees. The trainers-in-training are focused on helping dogs feel more confident and composed in various situations!

Others are diving into the world of puppy training, navigating the unique hurdles that come with raising good canine citizens.

Stay tuned for more wins and conquered challenges in 2024!

Interested in becoming a trainer? Book a free chat !🌈🐾

01/04/2024

Dogs, much like humans, can become overwhelmed or lose interest if training sessions drag on for too long. Breaking down the training into shorter sessions is not only practical but also highly effective.

Think of it this way: Imagine trying to learn something new for an extended period without a break – it can be mentally exhausting.

Dogs experience a similar mental fatigue, and their receptivity to training diminishes as time goes on.

By keeping training sessions short and sweet, you are capitalizing on your dog's ability to concentrate and retain information!

So the next time you find yourself too busy to train - remember that even 1-2 minutes can make a big impact!

01/03/2024

Since the first day your dog came into your life, you’ve been doing the best that you can to give them the best life possible! Take a few minutes right now to appreciate those efforts and celebrate yourself. Yes, the training journey with your dog can be hard but you should be proud of yourself for always trying!

Share to remind another dog guardian 💝

11/15/2023

This is a common misconception that I hear about separation anxiety so let's set the record straight...

Separation anxiety is a complex emotional response in dogs. It can affect even the most well-behaved, obedient, and trained pups.

So, if your dog experiences separation anxiety, remember, it's not a reflection of your training efforts.

Please reach out to me if you need help with your dog's SA!