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Enriched Dog Training

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Saskatoon, SK
Enriched Dog Training

Dog training and behaviour consulting that empowers you and your dog to build an enriching lifestyle together! Virtual and In-Person Services

Confession, I do not use social media a whole lot. If you are interested in more information or want to reach out, please visit my website.

05/10/2022

Great opportunity for those interested in socialization!

"The key to good socialization is positive experiences," says Dr. Karen Machin (DVM, PhD), a resident in animal behaviour at the WCVM's Veterinary Medical Centre.

Dr. Machin will be hosting a free, online presentation on puppy socialization on Tuesday, May 17 at 7 p.m. CST via Zoom.

This talk is geared toward new puppy owners, or owners of an older dog who may need some work on socialization. Machin will discuss the basics of dog socialization, troubleshoot common problems, and teach owners how to identify if a dog has a problem and how to get help.

For more information and to sign up: https://wcvm.usask.ca/education/pet-behaviour-2022.php

05/06/2022

Behaviour serves a function. Dogs communicate using a combination of subtle and not so subtle body cues, positioning, and vocalization in the form of growling and/or barking.

Dog's do not like confrontation. Confrontation is an expensive behaviour that uses energy and increases the chance of injury.

Dogs will use behaviours, positioning, and vocalizations to help prevent, mitigate, or de-escalate a potential confrontation or perceived threat.

What we often see or label as bad behaviour or aggressive behaviour is often completely normal behaviour.

Unfortunately, It has been, and still is, common practice to punish a dog when they are displaying behaviours that are meant to communicate a warning, discomfort, pain, fear, or simply a dislike for something.

We do not get to choose what a dog perceives as a potential confrontation or threat. We can however respect that they do see it as such and help manage the environment so they feel safe and not have to behaviour in such a way. We can help them to better understand what they initially thought was a threat or that there is no real threat.

When we ignore or silence our dogs communication whether it be a lunging dog, a dog not wanting to be touched, or a dog resource guarding something. We take away their safe and healthy way of communicating with us and others. The potential outcomes of this are the following

1. The dog becomes shut down and learns there is nothing they can do and they internalize the stress and discomfort, greatly decreasing their overall welfare.

2. They escalate to more harmful ways of communicating what they need, which can lead to bites and or worse.

How does your dog communicate to you?

Picture description: bluish green writing that reads "As guardians and trainers we should not ignore or silence our dogs". To the right of the writing is a red heart with a yellow paw print interlaced. Below that is an Enriched Dog Training logo

04/22/2022

An excellent online option for those looking for help for their reactive dog. I have no doubts the trainer, Vanessa, behind this course has done a great job putting it together!

01/19/2022

Certificate of completion in Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation

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Videos

Recall in a very difficult scenario for Ginny. Although, it wasn't a complete success, she did come after a second call and with time. Take aways: 1. I don't recommend practicing your recall unless you are sure your dog will respond or you are ready to lure your dog back to your location if they don't respond. We don't want them to continue to ignore you. 2. If you have not practiced your recall in a specific scenario or a similar one, give your dog a break if you do try, they are only doing what has been more reinforced. Give them a little time to respond and then try again. If they don't respond, don't keep repeating, go to your dog and try to lure them back to where you called them. Don't punish them and try not to use leash pressure to drag them either. Both will likely only prove to the dog not responding is more fun. Reward heavily once back at your recall location. 3. Revisit your recall practice at a less distracting location and/or when your dog is less invested in another behaviour. Slowly increase your distractions and distance. 4. Higher distracting locations or scenarios require a variety of higher value rewards. 5. Use your reward marker, clicker or a word of choice as soon as they turn to make their way back to you (not done in video). Continue to encourage them as they are on their way back using praise in a higher pitched voice. As soon as they arrive, don't ask them to do anything else and make sure to reward them heavily! Touch their collar and/or harness, then release if safe to do so.

Ginny learning to give space

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Certified Dog Trainer

I got my certifications from Starmark Academy in Texas in November 2019, where I specialized in dog training and behaviour. Since then, I have been shadowing a number of dog trainers. One in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that goes by the name of SpiritDog Training on Facebook and a couple from around Saskatoon, Kristine at Paws Republic and Dog Trainer Lea, to gain more experience and learn more about the trade.

Although, I was trained as a balanced trainer, meaning, I was trained to use reinforcement and punishment, both in negative and positive ways, to increase and decrease behaviours, my heart lies in the positive reinforcement side of training. I believe, if you can learn to understand your dog’s needs and motivations and adequately provide for them in a safe and rewarding way, you can build a bond that will produce a better behaved dog, who can still be a dog. A dog that has all his needs met, is made to feel safe and has been provided a means to safely express their natural drives, is less likely to present undesirable behaviours.