Yogadog Dog Training

11/16/2024

Ranch Life!
My girl ❤️

11/13/2024

Zero shame…my dog Babe is a p**n star ⭐️

11/10/2024

My kind of art…local felting available at the Yule market…how adorable is that?

11/08/2024

When your dog is your soulmate, it feels like they’ve seen the depths of who you are and decided to love you anyway, flaws and all. There’s no pretense with them. They don’t care if you’ve had a bad day, if you’re broken, or if you’re lost. They just stay. Not because they have to, but because, for some reason, their soul fits with yours in a way that makes everything feel a little lighter.

It’s not about them reading your mind or sensing your moods like it’s some magical connection. It’s more raw than that. It’s in the moments where you feel like you’ve got nothing left to give, and yet, somehow, they bring out the part of you that still cares. It’s in their eyes, how they look at you like you’re the only thing that matters. There’s no pretending with them—no need to put up walls or hold back emotions. With them, you’re exactly who you are, and that’s enough.

And it’s more than just love—it’s the way they make you see yourself differently, the way they pull you out of places you didn’t even know you were stuck in. The bond is stronger than anything life throws at you because it’s rooted in something so simple and pure. They don’t just support you—they remind you, in the most basic, honest way, that you’re worth being loved. And when the world feels cold or distant, they’re the one soul you can count on, no matter what.

R.M. Drake

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from the archives 🎃

10/30/2024

My besties…mountain hikes of the Similkameen 💕

10/24/2024

Every year for twelve years I have asked myself: “Who do you think you are teaching dog agility? You have never competed or won any trophies in dog sports!” It is a case of imposter syndrome I guess, but you’d think by now I’d be over it. My dog training is solid, my left knee however, not so much. Each year brings new challenges, but the funny thing about us humans is we thrive when challenged!

10/16/2024

Current relationship status?

“Love triangle” or “it’s complicated”?

10/14/2024

Feeling thankful that these two rescued me 💕

10/10/2024

I am an animal lover, a rescuer and not particularly partial to cats, BUT….I did do some great work with this feral cat. Let’s hope she sticks around…I’ve kinda gotten used to this ungrateful little creature!

I wish I could have done more work with her! It just isn’t possible for me to have another indoor pet. She also couldn’t co-exist with the four dogs or Theo the ragdoll cat who lives in the suite…she’s territorial and she fights! So I spayed her and rehabbed her for a full week, before setting her free again 💕🐈💕

My friend Anna said this: “She’s perfectly happy as she is - in her natural element. It gives me a sense of peace and gratitude to know that she can live out her life chasing mice and grasshoppers and providing for herself. She gets to live her life on her own terms.” Isn’t that a beautiful life?

I will continue to feed her tho 💕

10/08/2024

Caveat…or cat-veat?

I am NOT a cat person! However, I love all animals and Ms. Mew is the newest addition to the Yogadog Crew! The Humane Society and Penticton Animal Control both participated in the capture and spaying of this barn cat.

We are making progress….for the first few days she hid, now she is on day six and somewhat relaxed. She hisses when I change her food, but allows me to clean her litter box daily and seems to enjoy music. I have never felt less appreciated than when in the presence of this cat 😂

10/08/2024

10/06/2024

Happy Sunday from the Gateway Ranch!

Babe always takes advantage when I want to sleep in…she’s not allowed on the bed otherwise 😂

10/04/2024

And that’s a wrap on Asana Agility 2024!

Thanks everyone for coming out, but now that the sun is setting earlier and the frost is setting in, it’s time to put away the obstacles for next year and pull out my snowshoes!

10/01/2024

Honouring this territory each and everyday 🧡

09/29/2024

The princess and her throne 💕

09/26/2024

Great share from another dog lover! This is something everyone should see. This xray is of a 2 week old puppy. This is why agility foundation training for puppies (up to a year) is done on the flat and why we play from side to side, not up and down when tugging. This is why you shouldn’t jog (long runs) with your pups until they are fully developed, no matter how hyper they are!

When you get your 8/10 week old puppies, please keep this image in mind. Their bones do not even touch yet. They plod around so cutely with big floppy paws and wobbly movement because their joints are entirely made up of muscle, tendons, ligaments with skin covering. Nothing is fitting tightly together or has a true socket yet.

When you run them excessively or don't restrict their exercise to stop them from overdoing it during this period you don't give them a chance to grow properly. Every big jump or excited bouncing run causes impacts between the bones. In reasonable amounts this is not problematic and is the normal wear and tear that every animal will engage in.

But when you're letting puppy jump up and down off the lounge or bed, take them for long walks/hikes, you are damaging that forming joint. When you let the puppy scramble on tile with no traction you are damaging the joint.

You only get the chance to grow them once. A well built body is something that comes from excellent breeding and a great upbringing-BOTH, not just one.

Once grown - around 12-18 months depending on their breed, you will have the rest of their life to spend playing and engaging in higher impact exercise. So keep it calm while they're still little baby puppies and give the gift that can only be given once.

09/25/2024

Appropriate Play: Leo and Titch

This is what I look for, otherwise the dogs take a time out and relax together. Note that there is no growling. I do not like to see rough play…except maybe with dogs (like Babe and Titch) who live together that have established deep trust. Even with my two dogs we take a time-out if they get vocal. Both dogs should be taking turns, open mouths, but no biting, taking breaks and no fearful signs or bullying 🙌