Learn With Levi Dog Training

04/19/2024

Ten myths about canine behavior!
Myth 1: Puppies should not leave the house until fully vaccinated.
The critical socialization period for puppies occurs from about 3 weeks to 14 weeks of age, a time when they learn what is safe or not safe in their environment. They are also learning "doggie" social skills and what it means to live in the human world. Vaccinations are administered every 3-4 weeks apart until at least 15-16 weeks of age, which marks the end of this critical timeframe. If you wait until your puppy has received all vaccinations before exposing them to the world, your puppy may become more fearful as an adult and lack the necessary coping skills to live in the human world.

02/04/2024

The company CSO (chief snacking officer) Mr Levi Blue Jeans himself turns 12 today.
Happy birthday little buddy 😘

11/03/2023

Stanley 🐾

10/06/2023

The face!!!
Say hello to Sansa 🐾

07/14/2023

Yes, we are❤️
Have a great weekend! Meet you back here on Monday😊

05/21/2023

It’s garden centre season, and training never ends. Just sayin’.

05/21/2023

Seriously. Leave them safely at home.
Far too many dogs gets spooked and take off from yards or even escape their leashes during fireworks.
Adding to that the sheer terror inflicted on wildlife that often ends in their death, here’s hoping that we can one day move away from this cruel and wasteful practice entirely.
In the meantime, please keep your animals safe and secure.

04/25/2023

Kingston

04/12/2023

It’s puppy season 🥰

03/28/2023

This is Winston.
What breeds do you think he has in him?

03/16/2023

This is not how you prevent food aggression. This is how you create food aggression. Don't do this.

03/09/2023

Hump Day Smile:

01/06/2023

Your dog is not “fine.”

Several times each week I meet with families who have fearful dogs. For the sake of this post I will use the term “fearful” to describe dogs who show signs of any anxiety, reactivity, phobias, skittishness, or stress in otherwise normal situations.
Sometimes these are dogs who are fearful of unfamiliar humans, sometimes they are fearful of other dogs… sometimes both. Sometime they are fearful of novel objects or noises.

It’s important to understand that just like people, dogs react to stress in various ways which can differ greatly depending on their personality, the environment they are in, the exact level of stress they are under, and their learned behavioural patterns. While it’s true that some dogs behave reactively when they are stressed (barking/lunging/growling/snarling) that is not always the case and it’s important to understand that a lack of reactivity in a given scenario is NOT a reliable indication of your dog’s comfort level.

Too often I hear people proudly explain that their dog who is extremely fearful of new people (and who typically barks excessively, and tries to either flee or bite) went for grooming and was “fine.” Or their dog who is known to be petrified of other dogs when to daycare and did “fine” because most people see a lack of outward reactivity as a sign of their dog coping well. It is not.

Unfortunately not all pet professionals are well versed in behaviour and body language. This can include groomers, boarders, walker, daycare attendants, and even veterinarians. Even with the best of intentions, one of these professionals telling you your dog was “fine” when you know full well they are generally fearful is not an accurate representation of the experience from your dog’s perspective. It is not an indication that the person is just “amazing with dogs.” It is not a miracle. Your dog who is terrified of strangers did not just suddenly change their entire world view when they were put on a grooming table and manhandled by stranger.

Your dog being “fine” likely just means that the person was able to complete the groom or exam without issue. Or that your dog didn’t lash out aggressively at the other dogs in daycare. It does NOT mean your dog was anywhere near comfortable. You may have even been told your dog was “a dream” or that they “sat perfectly still.” Again, this is an indication of the ease of ex*****on for the person, NOT a reflection of your dog’s okay-ness.
In the best scenarios, these pros can be innocently oblivious to this. In the worst, they simply don’t care- as long as their job was easy.

We’ve all heard of “Fight or Flight” but many don’t realize there is a 3rd option: Freeze. In behaviour there is a state known as Shutdown. It is a disassociation response that is often displayed with a dog is TOO stressed to fight and unable to flee, so they freeze. They sulk. They give in. They sit perfectly still. They let the groomer groom them. They let the vet examine them. They let the other dogs approach them.
To an untrained eye this can be seen as a positive thing…. As improved behaviour…. As tolerance. It is not. In fact, it is quite the opposite. It is your dog being paralyzed because they are terrified and know they can’t get away. Sometimes they will even offer low tail wags and kisses, or other affectionate gestures. This is called appeasement. It’s them trying to convey they are not a threat and don’t want to be hurt.
The more frequently your dog is pushed into this state, the WORSE their fear and reactivity is likely to become.

Reactivity is simply one by-product of fear. It is not the fear itself. A lack of reactivity does not inherently equal a lack of fear.

Your main concern should not be if your dog’s haircut looks pretty, but whether or not they were stressed out of their mind. Just because the task was completed doesn’t mean it was a success. Just because your dog appeared to have tolerated something doesn’t mean they actually did. And just because they were cooperative doesn’t mean they were fine.

So what is the solution?

Desensitization. Counter-conditioning.
Proper socialization. Handling training.
Patience. Understanding.
Advocacy.
A willingness to make adaptations.

No matter how fearful your dog is, or what exactly they are fearful of, it is absolutely possible reduce or even eliminate that fear. But please don’t just throw them into the deep end and cross your fingers that they’ll eventually learn to swim.
🐾

12/23/2022

Goooood morning! I hope everyone is keeping warm and dry on this snowy day. ❄️

This is just a quick note to let you know that an all-new Learn With Levi website is now live which will be the best place to stay up-to-date on all things training related.
Check it out at www.learnwithlevidogtraining.com and feel free to sign up to the email newsletter to receive important updates, promos and free training tips!

You can also now follow along on Instagram

I know a bunch of my doggy students are Instagram Famous, and I would love to follow them all so please feel free to DM me over there so we connect. 🐾
(I promise to try to be more active there than I am here on FB 🫣)

Also, a friendly reminder that there will be no classes between now and January 1st. However, I will be accessible via phone, email and social media over this time, so please don’t hesitate to reach out for support or if you need to reschedule an upcoming appointment.
All sessions will resume as normal starting Monday January 2nd.

If you are bringing home a new puppy soon or are otherwise in need of dog training, a limited few spots are still available for January but they are filling quickly, so please inquire asap to avoid disappointment.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and very happy and healthy New Year.

-Nicole & Levi 🐾

Whether you’ve just brought home a new puppy, or you have an adult dog with some behavioural challenges, customized training classes are available to help your dog become the perfect family member you’ve always hoped they would be. Private in-home dog training for all needs and all breeds in Yor...

08/27/2022

Apparently it’s National Dog Day.
I’m not sure what that means exactly or why today is different than any other day. But here is a photo of Levi standing on me… because where else would he stand?
It’s his world and I’m just livin’ in it.

07/18/2022

We are heading into the most popular vacation time of the year but if you are staying local for the summer, now is the best time to sign up for training.
Take advantage of the shorter wait times while everyone else is away. Sunny August is also the best season to work on leash walking, recall and all your other outdoor training concerns.

I currently have 1 spot left for this month, and a few spots left for August.
September is when things start to get nutty again.

DM for more info or email [email protected]

🐶🎓

07/13/2022

Let’s talk about SEPARATION ANXIETY.

If you are one of many people preparing to return to the office, to travelling and to social outings, you may find yourself in the tough spot of coming to terms with your dog’s separation anxiety (SA).

Dogs are very routine oriented creatures who find their comfort in predictability… but hey, don’t we all? The fact is that companion animals can struggle terribly with adapting to changes that they cannot understand or rationalize. For some, even small things like new furniture can throw them for a loop, but coping with being home alone all day after spending the last 2+ years glued to your side can be unbearable. This is of particular concern for all those infamous “Covid Puppies” who missed out on a well rounded early puppy socialization program, and who have barely ever (or maybe even never) been left home alone.

However, even older dogs who were previously perfectly comfortable on their own all day may now find themselves struggling with SA after getting used to having you around all the time. The truth is, no dog is immune to experiencing anxiety when dealing with change. Even mine.

In 2019 Levi and I embarked on a big life change together. We left the only home either of us had ever known and moved to a new house in a new town. Levi was already 7 years old at the time, and generally a very happy-go-lucky, well adjusted little guy with no specific behavioural concerns. Still, I will admit that I considered all of the “what ifs”… or at least I thought I had.

“He never has accidents, but what if he doesn’t see our new home as his home and pees inside?” He didn’t.

“He’s never destructive, but what if he thinks our new furniture is a chew toy and he wrecks it?” He didn’t.

“He knows not to run out the front door, but what if he doesn’t understand that the same rules apply here, and what if he bolts?” He tried once. Made it as far as the driveway. We promptly retrained and never had another issue.

I thought I had considered all the worst possible scenarios. Never had it ever crossed my mind that he would have separation anxiety. After all, he was very used to being home alone and was always totally fine. He had free run of the house but I would usually come home to find him napping in his open crate, or sitting by the back door on squirrel patrol.

I first suspected something was up when I made a quick grocery run a few days after the move. I was gone for less than 30 minutes. When I returned home, Levi was standing so close to the door I could barely open it. When I did, he jumped all over me and yodelled as if I had been gone forever. It was very out of character for him. His eyes were very bloodshot and he was panting heavily. I found it bizarre, but truthfully didn’t think too much of it. He settled quickly once I came in, and that was that. Or so I thought.

When it happened a few more times I realized I had a problem on my hands. I’d leave for work, be on the road all day and return hours later. The longer I was gone, the more frantic I’d find him when I came back. Red eyes. Heavy panting. Yodelling and jumping all over me.

The video below is a clip I recorded around that time on an occasion when I ran a quick 30 minute errand. It was about a week after I moved in. I have never shared it before because I find it very hard to watch. In it you can see that from the moment I walk out the door Levi alternates between frantically pacing throughout the house, running up and down the stairs looking for me, and sitting by the front door sobbing and baying (howling) in distress. I had never heard him make that sound before, and watching this video still breaks my heart. This was the first concrete proof I had that he was indeed having significant SA every time I left him home alone. The issue wasn’t necessarily that he was alone, but that he was alone in an unfamiliar environment.

It’s important to note that SA can manifest in many different ways. Some dogs will just barking, cry, sob, or howl like Levi did. Others will soil themselves, destroy things, or even self harm in more severe cases.

With a combination of training, desensitization, and management I was able to take Levi from this frantic state of hyperventilation back to his normal routine of calmly catching ZZZs and watching the squirrel channel in under 6 weeks.

While no two cases of separation anxiety are exactly the same, whatever your dog is struggling with- know that there is help available.

✅ 1-on-1 sessions are available in your home and/or remotely via Zoom.

✅ Together, we will do a deep dive into your dog’s behavioural history to pinpoint the exact cause of their anxiety.

✅ A step by step training plan will be designed specifically for your dog based on their needs, and tailored to fit your schedule and lifestyle.

As life begins to return back to some form of “normal” no one wants to be housebound because their pup can’t cope. Send us a message today to find out what we can do for you and your clingy 4-legged friend.

[email protected] | 416-317-3606 | or DM here on FaceBook.

06/05/2022

06/01/2022

“Should I let my dog ______?”
This is by far one of the most common questions asked, especially by new puppy parents.
Fill in the blank: On the couch? Sleep in my bed? Walk ahead of me? Lick my face?

Are there set-in-stone rules for what you should/shouldn’t allow your dog to do? No!
The fact is that the answer is almost always “It’s up to you!”

If you want your dog to snuggle on the couch with you, go for it!
If you find co-sleeping with them to be distributive, then don’t allow it!
If your dog walks a bit ahead of you but doesn’t pull and you don’t find it bothersome, then what’s the problem with that?

Of course, there is a bit of nuance needed here. For example, a puppy who is not yet potty trained shouldn’t be given more freedom than they are ready for. And consistency is important. It’s not fair to let your dog on the couch when they’re a tiny 20 lbs puppy only to kick them off when they’re 80 lbs and slobbery. But the idea that there are firm rules that need to be followed across the board, or that showing your dog affection and kindness will somehow ruin their training is completely untrue and rooted in long outdated pseudoscience.
People who tout this misinformation will often make outlandish claims that doing such and such will cause your dog to “become the alpha”, “show dominance”, “think they’re queen/king of the world”, “be spoiled” or other similarly ridiculous things. It is ultimately only a sign that the person you are talking to lacks the qualification to advise you on your dog’s behaviour, and lacks the education needed to understand the actual root cause of serious behavioural issues like aggression. (Spoiler alert: it is most often anxiety and frustration. Not cuddling.)

It makes me sad to think about how many dogs are not given the quality of life they deserve and how many people resist their desires to fully enjoy their companion all because of superstitious fear mongering. In fact, anxious and aggressive behaviours are far more likely to manifest in animals that are treated unnecessarily harsh and cold than ones who are over-loved.

Every household has different rules. Every person has a different level of comfort with various things. What you may allow, I may not. What I may allow, you may not. But we bring dogs into our families for enrichment- both of our lives and theirs. If we can’t play with them, love them, cuddle with them and treat them, what’s the point?

TLDR: Loving your dog does not ruin their training. Move over and make some room for them on the couch.

05/13/2022

Otis! 🐾

03/21/2022

Happy Sunday everyone!

Just a quick note regarding mask policy:
Understanding that the government mask mandate is ending tomorrow, I will be continuing with a mandatory mask policy until further notice. This means that I will continue to wear a mask during your sessions and will require that you do too. This is non-negotiable indoors. Masks will be optional for outdoor training as long as reasonable social distance is respected.

I recognize that some people may be upset by this decision, but it is what I feel is safest for both your family and mine as I visit multiple homes every day and wish to minimize the risk of contracting or spreading illness.
It is no secret that the last few years have been particularly tough for small businesses, and I am eager to not get sick and have to lose more time working with you + your pups.
Being that your session is only an hour long, I feel confident that this is something everyone can manage, and so your co-operation is appreciated.

Likewise, you will still be required to provide notice and reschedule if anyone in your household is sick, whether or not covid is the culprit. Cold, flu, strep throat, covid, whatever it is- I wish you a speedy recovery and ask that you postpone your training sessions until you are 100% better. This is also non-negotiable and will be most likely kept indefinitely.
There will be no penalty for rescheduling due to illness, but your session will be immediately ended and count as spent if someone is sick and I haven’t been given a heads up. You don’t want to waste your sessions and I don’t want you to waste your sessions either. So let’s please not let it get to this. Likewise, I have never and will never show up to your house sick without your consent. Let’s all try to be as considerate of each other as we can be.

Thank you to everyone for being easy going and respectful over these last two crazy years.
We’re almost there.

-Nicole ✌🏼💜🐾

03/14/2022

Double puppy trouble.

02/04/2022

Today is Levi’s birthday. 10 years old and still a total goofball. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Happy birthday to my little heart on legs. (Seen here showing off his new teddy bear.)

01/07/2022

Due to the increased number of Covid cases going around right now, text message check-ins are now required the morning of each scheduled in-person session to confirm that everyone in your household is 100% healthy and has had no known exposures to anyone who is sick.
Please send me at text on the morning of your appointment to 416-317-3606 to confirm that everyone is all good. In the event that anyone tests positive, is sick at all (including normal cough/cold/flu symptoms or "the sniffles") or has been exposed to anyone who is sick or has tested positive, notice must be given and your session will be rescheduled with no penalty.
However, if no notice is given and at the time of your appointment it becomes apparent that anyone is at all sick, the session will unfortunately be ended immediately and count as spent with no refund. (Please, let's not let it get to this.)

Omicron is spreading like wildfire right now and without our government providing sufficient testing and contract tracing it is up to us to keep each other safe and healthy.

As always, Zoom sessions are also available as a contactless option for training. Zoom sessions are wonderful for empowering your family to acquire the skills needed to train your dog for life! They function similarly to the way a group class would in the sense that I demo all the behaviours with Levi and then walk you through replicating them with your pup, but still with all the benefits you'd expect with private training.

Anyone currently enrolled in in-person training has the option to switch to Zoom at any time. 60 mins of in-person training = 75 mins of Zoom training.

Thank you for understanding and for your continued patience.

-Nicole & Levi

01/01/2022

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope you all had some time to relax, unwind and enjoy at least a bit of a break!

A few small announcements in preparation of lessons resuming this Monday:

-More availability! I have made some schedule changes that will result in more availability for private in-home sessions and SHORTER WAIT TIMES to get started. With that said, if you brought home a puppy over the holidays or are planning to in the next short while, the time to book is NOW! For pricing, scheduling and availability the best way to connect is via email [email protected]

-COVID PROTOCOLS
The CDC may have changed their recommendations to include more lenient guidelines, but my policies remain the same as they always have been.
If you or anyone in your household tests positive for Covid19, is exposed to someone who has tested positive for Covid19 (with or without symptoms) or is otherwise sick with anything at all (including normal cold/flu/sniffles- even with a negative test) NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN and YOUR SESSION MUST BE RESCHEDULED. You will NOT be charged a cancellation fee or penalized in any way.

However, if notice is not given and I arrive at your home to find anyone is sick, your session will unfortunately be forfeited immediately and counted as spent with no credit or refund.

As always, masks remain mandatory.

Finally, with Public Health no longer taking responsibility for contact tracing, I ask that you please notify me ASAP in the event that someone in your household tests positive for Covid up to 7 days after your training appointment. Your privacy will be respected and everything will be kept 100% confidential, but in effort to keep everybody safe and healthy I need to know if I’ve been exposed to prevent the possibility of infecting others.

Other than that- take care, stay healthy and I’ll see you all very soon!

-Nicole

12/14/2021

For anyone who has ever asked “Where does Levi sleep?!!”
I was not joking when I said “Wherever the heck he wants.” It’s his world. I’m just living in it.
Dominance between humans and animals is not a real thing. Loving your dog does not ruin their training.

11/18/2021

Puck!

10/31/2021

If you’re dressing up your pup for Halloween, drop the photos of them dressed up in the comments below.
If you’re dressing up your cat for Halloween, drop the photos of your battle scars in the comments below.