The Dog Guy

08/29/2024

THE FIRST DAY WITH YOUR NEW PUPPY OR RESCUE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP

08/28/2024

LEADERSHIP

As a species dogs are a specific type of animal that deals with nature in a specific way having inherited their pack nature from wolves.

A dogs pack leader is born into that position they have more energy, instinct and prey drive than other dogs. One out of six dogs are born leaders.

It is a pack leaders job to protect and direct the other members of the pack

This is why leadership is so important to a dog. Leadership is programmed in a dogs genes and exist at a primal, instinctual level.

If a dog does not have a calm, assertive confident decision maker they can become anxious or unbalanced because they do not know if they are going to survive.

08/28/2024

WHY NOT TO USE A HARNESS

When you use a harness on a dog it gives the dog access to its full body strength, this is an issue with most dogs especially a larger breed such as a Great Dane or a Husky.

A harness has a different psychological affect on a dog's brain as opposed to a properly fitted collar or leash. A dog will want to pull when it is in a harness, it doesn't really care if its a cart, a sled or the owner that it is pulling.

A collar or just a leash that is fitted high on a dog's neck, just below the jawline allows the owner to control the head of a dog, wherever the head goes the body will follow. It also stops a dog from smelling which allows it to concentrate on the walk, which in turn allows the owner and the dog to create a bond and also to excercise the dog.

With the smaller breeds or dogs that may have an issue with their necks or breeds that may be susceptible to damge it is not recommendeed to use a collar

www.thedogguy.info

08/28/2024

WE ARE CONSTANTLY EXPLAINING OUR DOGS PROBLEMS IN HUMAN TERMS, AND OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR DOGS SUFFER

08/27/2024

Here at The Dog Guy we promise to never use any of the following terms:

Backward chaining
Active disengagement
Premack principle
Successive approximation
Behaviour fallout
Predatory drift
Sequential overload
Charging the mark
Differential reinforcement
Operant conditioning
Extinction burst
Four quadrants of operant conditioning
Spatial pressure
Poisoning the cue
Habituation
Homeostasis
Learned irrelevance

We use the following terms and theories:

Energy
Structure
Rewarding the calm behaviour
The importance of the walk
Leadership
Feeding ritual
Rules, limitations and boundaries
How we affect our dogs

If you have been to a positive reinforcement, non-confrontational, R+, ‘certified’ dog trainer for your dogs unwanted behaviours and found little or no progress, give us a call!

We do not use any aggressive techniques like the dominance roll or gadgets like shock or choke collars.

We show you how to build a relationship with your dog so they can trust and respect you. Once this relationship is created through the feeding, greeting and walking rituals we can give you specific techniques to work on any unwanted behaviours.

We have the experience, knowledge, techniques (and reviews) to be successful were others are not.

OVER THE LAST 18 YEARS WE HAVE REHABILITATED THOUSANDS OF DOGS (AND TRAINED THEIR OWNERS)
IN-HOME CONSULTATIONS AND OBEDIENCE CLASSES
COVERING THE AREA FROM OTTAWA TO KINGSTON

08/27/2024

A DOG IS THE ONLY THING ON EARTH THAT LOVES YOU MORE THAN HE LOVES HIMSELF
-JOSH BILLINGS

08/26/2024

SLEEPING HABITS FOR YOUR NEW PUPPY

When it comes time for sleep it is best to set up your puppy's crate, kennel or bed in the area where you want them to sleep. Make sure to line the area with a blanket or some other type of comfortable material. If possible, bring an item with the mothers scent on it and put it in the bed. For the first few weeks make sure that the location of the puppy's bed is near you so the they can sense your presence or smell you. To minimize any whining or anxiety make sure to get your puppy as tired as possible before their first night. Once they show signs of slowing down, let them follow you to where their resting place is going to be.

You can provide a toy or treat to attract them to settle down in that place. By going there on their own, especially once the nose is engaged they will associate their new 'den' area with a place for relaxation. If you decide to use a crate and it has a door on it, make sure your puppy is lying down and relaxed, before you close it. Use sound or your energy to disagree with any whining, then wait quietly next to the puppy while they are in the crate till they have calmed down. The puppy will begin to fall asleep by themselves (puppies sleep a lot, almost eighteen hours a day during their peak growing period) then quietly close the door.

08/25/2024

WHAT A DOG REMEMBERS

Many people have a hard time believing dogs live in the moment and that their memory span only lasts about 20 seconds.
But, dogs have learned to react to commands and please humans. So, dogs can know how to respond to the command ‘retrieve’ without having a memory of the specific event in which they learned that command.
A dog remembers people and places based on associations. Associative memory can work both positively or negatively.
The stronger the association, the harder it is to replace.

08/25/2024

DOGS LIVE IN THE MOMENT

As humans we forget that dogs live in the moment, and this can be an impediment to rehabilitation and training. Dogs that have lost a limb,hearing or sight do not worry about the abilities that are gone. They deal with the abilities they still have, and they don't waste time feeling sorry for themselves.With our human obsession with the past, we are the ones who relive a dogs former traumas and then overload them with sympathy and affection that, in the dogs mind, is unearned.
This natural living in the moment is what makes it possible to rehabilitate dogs. Because they do not cling to the past or worry about the future, they are open-minded and constantly learning in the present.
They do not resent being corrected or disciplined because, once its over, its over. They associate it with the moment it happened, and then they let it go.
Thedogguy.info

08/25/2024

REASONS NOT TO HUMANIZE YOUR DOG

One of the most frequent problems I deal with in humans is that they think their dogs are ‘just like them’
Another common mistake people make is to ascribe human emontions to a dog.
Typically, we use human based emotional explanations for dogs outward sadness or depression. Although dogs do possess emotions, their emotions are not as complex as a humans. Dogs do however sense the emotions coming from humans. They feel their emotions as energy, and energy to dogs is either positive or negative. Dogs read negative energy as weakness, and then react accordingly.
Because we are constantly explaining dog problems in human terms, our relationships with our dogs suffer. What we fail to see time and time again is it the solution we would use for a human is totally wrong for solving a dog’s issues.

THE DOG GUY

08/23/2024

CHALLENGING YOUR DOG’S MIND

Keeping your dog mentally challenged and exposing them to new things can be just as important as taking them for walks and exercise. Bored dogs develop destructive behaviour and take their negative energy out on things like your furniture and shoes.

HOW TO SOLVE BOREDOM

You can work on a new trick with your dog or try linking commands together like sit and retrieve. Learning new tricks, no matter how old your dog, is a great way to challenge your dog’s mind.

PLAY WITH INTERACTIVE TOYS OR GAMES

Canine puzzles that allow you to hide treats is great for your dog, there are many variations available. A snuffle mat or even scattering dry food or treats around the house will work as well.

CHANGE YOUR ROUTINE

While waking your dog try and go on a different route, a different direction, or even better a differentl location.

GIVE THEM A JOB

Many dogs are bred for a specific task such as herding or tracking. Try a find a activity that allows them to use their skills. All dogs appreciate having a job, especially those that have a lot of energy.

SOCIALIZE YOUR DOG

Dogs are social animals, you should try and nurture this by planning play dates with other comparable dogs.

08/23/2024

IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO REWARD THE CALM STATE OF MIND
THAN THE PHYSICAL POSITION OF THE DOG

08/22/2024

Back by popular demand.

We will once again be setting up adjacent the Main Street Farmers Market, offering PET NAIL TRIMS, with two professional vet techs on site.

Come out and enjoy our wonderful community atmosphere, browse The Farmers Market for fresh foods and produce, and bring your pet for his/her routine nail trim.

Stop by and say hello to The Dog Guy, who will be on site for the day, offering FREE guidance and advice on any dog behaviour issues.

Share with your pet loving network to help promote this great event and help maximize our fundraising efforts to help those animals who need it most.

08/22/2024

THE WALK SIMULATES THE HUNT, IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO TO BOND WITH YOUR DOG (IF DONE PROPERLY)

08/21/2024

We are happy to announce that we will be helping out THE VUNERABLE PAWS PROJECT of Ottawa by hosting a day of FREE consultation on dog behaviour.

We will be at the Main Street Farmers Market (Grande Allee Park) in Ottawa on September 14th from 10 till 2.

If your dog, jumps, whines, barks constantly, bolts out the door, bites, has anxiety, begs, is leash reactive or has any other issues, please drop by.

There will also be a qualified Vet tech doing nail trims to help raise funds for this very important cause.

The event will be cancelled if it rains.

Vulnerable PAWS Project
The Dog Guy

08/21/2024

At six years old this very low energy Aussie Doodle is a great dog.

The owners reached out to The Dog Guy because of some unwanted behaviours. They wanted to stop the begging from the table, barking at the neighbours, and most concerning, his habit of herding the kids when they were playing with their friends.

The majority of unwanted behaviours happen because of a lack of excercise or a lack of leadership. It is impossible for a dog to follow you unless they trust and respect you.

The Dog Guy offers in-home visits to help with any unwanted behaviours, puppy packages and dog ownership classes.

Covering the area from Ottawa to Kingston with full support for the rest of your dog’s life.

We are happy to announce that we will be at the Main Street Farmers Market (Grande Alle Park) in Ottawa on September 14th for a day of Free consultation on dog behaviour. We will be there to support a great charity called the Vunerable Paws Project.

The Dog Guy
Vulnerable PAWS Project

08/20/2024

USING A WEIGHTED BACKPACK ON YOUR DOG CAN MAKE THE WALK EXPONENTIALLY BENEFICIAL

08/19/2024

We had a great day on Saturday at PET VALU on Jean D’arc Boulevard in Orleans.

We were invited there for a day of FREE consultation on dog behaviour. We met a lot of people and their dogs including ‘Sparky’ this little puppy’s owners dropped by to get some advice on how to help raise this little one so he didn’t have any unwanted issues.

We were able to give advice to people who had dogs who barked constantly, bolted out the door, jumped on their guests, reacted on the leash, were fearful, had anxiety and other issues.

Thanks so much to Dawn (manager) and the rest of the staff (Ally, Ian, Natalie and Shannon), thanks for being so accommodating.

Our next consultation will be at the Main Street farmers market (Grand Alle park) on Saturday, September 14th from 10 till 2.
This is a charity event for the Vunerable Paws Project.

Vulnerable PAWS Project
Pet Valu Convent Glen Shopping Centre
The Dog Guy

08/18/2024

HOW TO PREVENT PUPPIES FROM BITING

For a puppy it is natural to explore the world through their mouth, and almost everything goes into it.
It can be dangerous for certain people and children when a dog is biting, and is something that you want to get under control as soon as possible.

You have a few options when a puppy is nipping at you.
To redirect, simply give your puppy a toy that they like, or you can distract with food.
To correct this behaviour you can move into the dog's space and using your body language and, most importanly your calm, confident energy. This is what an adult dog would do when they are setting boundaries

Another option is to let out a well timed 'OUCH'. When puppies play with each other and one gets too rough they inadvertently hurt the other puppy. When a puppy lets a bark or yelp the other knows that it has gotten too rough and will not play as hard. So when the play gets too rough let out a sound and don't move your hand, the puppy will want to chase it if it moves. Once the puppy settles down you can go back for more attention and play.

www.thedogguy.info

08/17/2024

PUPPY PACKAGES AVAILABLE-
PREVENTION IS ALWAYS
BETTER THAN REHABILITATION

08/16/2024

I gained 165 followers, created 107 posts and received 2,491 reactions in the past 90 days! Thank you all for your continued support. I could not have done it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

08/14/2024

At 18 months this very large Golden Doodle would bark at boats, canoes, kayaks and people. This was a real issue since he lived on the river by a busy canal lock.

Fergus was also reactive to other dogs while out for a walk and, had the habit of pulling on his leash.

After a visit from The Dog Guy the owners are now seeing progress with these undesirable behaviours.

The Dog Guy offers in-home visits to help rehabilitate dogs, puppy packages and dog ownership classes.

Covering the area from Ottawa to Kingston with full support for the rest of your dogs life.

08/13/2024

This Saturday, August 17th The Dog Guy ( and Ellie May) will be at PET VALU in Orleans (6509 Jean D’arc Blvd) for a day of FREE consultation on dog behaviour.

If your dog has any unwanted behaviours such as;

Jumping on you or your guests
Bolts out the door
Barks constantly
Digs holes in the yard
Bites, or nips you
Is fearful
Begs from the table
Chases the cat
Whines
Reactive on the walk
Or has separation anxiety

Please drop by

If your dog is reactive you can leave them in the car and we will go see them

Pet Valu Convent Glen Shopping Centre
The Dog Guy

08/11/2024

08/11/2024

We would like to thank Barbara and the rest of the staff at Wags, Whiskers and Wings in Westport for being so accommodating on Saturday while we held our day of free consultation on dog behaviour.

We had the opportunity to talk to at least a dozen people and give them advice on how to stop their dogs from jumping on people, consistent barking, reacting on the walk and other concerns.

Our next consultation will be at PET VALU in Orleans (Jean D’arc Blvd) this Saturday, August 17th.

Wags Whiskers & Wings
Pet Valu Convent Glen Shopping Centre

08/09/2024

Do you walk your dog early in the morning to avoid others because your dog is LEASH REACTIVE?

Do you not invite guests over because your dog JUMPS ON PEOPLE?

Did you have to block out all your windows because your dog BARKS AT EVERYTHING?

Do you take turns leaving the house because your dog has SEPARATION ANXIETY?

Never have anybody over for dinner because your DOG BEGS FROM THE TABLE?

Are your cats being CHASED BY YOUR DOG?

Hard to watch a show because your DOG REACTS TO THE TV?

Have you had to block off rooms in your house because your dog is not HOUSE TRAINED?

The Dog Guy can help with these and any other issues you are having. We visit you in your home and show you how your behaviour affects your dogs state of mind.

We never use treats to bribe your dog or any tools such as prong or shock collars. We don’t use any harsh techniques, it’s all about using dog psychology on dogs.

We never put a time limit on our calls and give support for the rest of your dog’s life.

Covering the area from Ottawa to Kingston

OVER THE LAST 18 YEARS WE HAVE REHABILITATED THOUSANDS OF DOGS (AND TRAINED THEIR OWNERS)
IN-HOME CONSULTATIONS AND OBEDIENCE CLASSES
COVERING THE AREA FROM OTTAWA TO KINGSTON

08/09/2024

The owners of this very cute mini Bernadoodle reached out to The Dog Guy to help with a few issues that they wanted corrected.

Duncan, even at a year was showing some puppy like behaviours like barking at his owners when he wanted attention, pulling on his leash, climbing on them without permission and biting them when he thought it was a good time to play.

Most unwanted behaviours happen because of a lack of leadership, a lack of exercise, or a combination of both. Duncan’s owners gave him enough exercise (at least 45 minutes of structured walking). His owners are now working on their leadership skills by the way they walk, greet and feed their dog. Pack leaders implemented rules, limitations and boundaries with a calm, yet assertive energy (no shock or prong collars needed!)

I am happy to say that after a few weeks they are now seeing progress with Duncan and are enjoying his company even more.

The Dog Guy offers in-home rehabilitation, puppy packages and dog ownership classes.

We never put a time limit in our calls and offer support for the rest of your dogs life.

OVER THE LAST 18 YEARS WE HAVE REHABILITATED THOUSANDS OF DOGS (AND TRAINED THEIR OWNERS)
IN-HOME CONSULTATIONS AND OBEDIENCE CLASSES
COVERING THE AREA FROM OTTAWA TO KINGSTON