Two Blue Tails Dog Walking & Training

12/23/2024

Dog Training Classes in Squamish for 2025 ✨

Group classes are a fantastic way to acquire introductory knowledge to make your life better with your dog, in a fun and fast-paced environment.

We’ve got THREE options for our Squamish dogs to learn some crucial basic skills so they can function as lovely little members of society 🫶🏼

The Puppies Class
Age group: 8-20 weeks
When: Tuesdays at 5pm, new classes monthly
Length: 4 consecutive weeks

The Teens Class
Age group: 5 months and older (all ages welcome)
When: Tuesdays at 6pm, new classes monthly
Length: 4 consecutive weeks

Leash Skills Class
Age group: All ages welcome
When: Saturdays at 10am, see website for schedule
Length: 3 consecutive weeks

For more information AND to register your doggo, visit www.twobluetails.com 🐾

See you in class 🎓

Squamish certified professional dog training. BCSPCA AnimalKind accredited. Two Blue Tails is home to The Reactive Dog Program, a group class for reactive dogs.

09/17/2024

THIS IS SO INTERESTING 🤯

Think on this…

EMOTION is what cause behaviour to happen

GENETICS are what makes a certain behaviour more likely to happen

For example: dogs that have been bred to use their mouths (herd, guard, fight, etc), CAN mean they are more likely to use their mouths when they are feeling fearful (lunge, snap, bite)

I encourage you to take a second and think about what your dog’s original purpose was and how that might contribute to their behavioural responses 💭

As with anything, there are always exceptions to the rule as the individual dog should be considered but this is from a general perspective

Thought provoking or nah? Comment below 👀

09/06/2024

Here is your daily reminder ⤵️

Harnesses do not cause pulling

Equipment isn’t the magic wand for loose leash walking; reinforcing desirable behaviour while on leash is

Shock, prong, choke DO cause discomfort and that is how they work (by teaching the dog to avoid said discomfort/pain)

Be nice to dogs 🤍

08/31/2024

You have a reactive dog in 📍Squamish

Then this is the next step for you; there isn’t anything like this.

Comment “Membership” and I’ll send you the link for sign up right to your inbox OR go to the link in my bio 🫶🏼

08/17/2024

Ok I really enjoy thought provoking books, posts, podcasts, etc…I’m hoping this will do that for you 💭

You’ve got your training goals BUT

Are they conducive to what your dog actually wants to be doing?

For example: you want your dog to be able to come to public events or settle with you out and about

I understand it’s so much fun to be able to bring your dog to all the fun places 🥹

Do THEY want to be there tho? Are they reactive? Then probably not and that is OK!

Is it ethical if we put the training in and our dog still doesn’t want to be in those environments, to bring them anyway?

Observe body language: stiffness, scanning, panting (out of context), yawning…these might be signs your dog isn’t enjoying themselves!

Next time you’re out with your dog, I encourage you to ask “do they want to be there”? Because they don’t have a choice in the matter

Comment your thoughts

08/08/2024

How I made my puppies first vet visit low stress and a positive experience ✨

The veterinary clinic can be a stressful place for most dogs and puppies

How can we try to help set our puppies up for a lifetime of positive vet visits as best we can?

Here’s two things I did:

1. Gave my puppy space to acclimate and observe his surroundings: this is a completely new place for him so I let him take it all in in his own time. I tried to avoid meeting people and other dogs in the waiting room as best I could to avoid overwhelming him

2. I brought a lick-able treat pouch (as pictured); something that is both high value and easily consumed to minimize extra moving parts. Lick-able treats also allow for a longer duration delivery for things like exams and vaccinations.

08/03/2024

Now that I’ve got your attention I want to tell you this…

A little shame is normal when you have a reactive dog; we’re all humans and experiencing the range of emotions is very normal, I assure you!

BUT consider this…

Reactive dogs are some of the most engaged and responsive dogs I see out there…and THAT hits me different

Because public perception is that of reactive dogs being “untrained” or obnoxious or whichever label one may choose to put on it

That couldn’t be farther from the truth 🙅🏼‍♀️

Most reactive dog guardians feel the need to working on the barking and lunging and what typically happens as a result?

Team work, relationship building, tricks (because enrichment!), engagement, loose leash skills, ALL the things!

I’m here to tell you that is a hell of a lot to be proud of 🤍

Keep up the great work ✨

07/28/2024

Listen, there’s a lot that goes into living with a dog with behaviour challenges

My advice here?

Surround yourself with relatable people to ease the burden

People who understand the emotional conflict you experience

People who understand the limitations you have to live within

People who support your decisions and cheer you on

This is exactly why I created The Reactive Dog Membership: to create a community for those who I know would benefit from it 🙌🏼

Message to get more information…the Membership is back in September 🥰

07/28/2024

Listen there is a lot that goes into living with a dog with behaviour challenges

My advice here? Seek

07/13/2024

You know what they say

It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey 😌

Well training with your dog doesn’t necessarily have a destination! It’s a process

There’s always more to learn, always more room to grow

This can be daunting or it can be exciting 😁

Daunting because maybe that means you might feel like you’ll have to work on it forever

OR exciting because that means there’s always new goals to reach for 😏

How will you choose to see it?

07/09/2024

What to focus on when raising a puppy 🫶🏼

A puppy’s first year starts with their critical socialization window: this is when they form all of their opinions on the world. When they determine what’s safe and what’s unsafe.

We can’t get this time back

Focus on positive experiences, good relationships with those close to them and priming them for what you’d like to achieve as they move into adulthood.

All the fancy stuff can come later ☺️

07/05/2024

This is important ✨

Behaviour change takes time!

Have you ever tried to change your own behaviour? If so, then I’m sure you can relate to the fact there is no quick fix

It takes a lot of awareness and patience and it’s the same for our dogs 😊

And sometimes you think you’re seeing progress only to have a bad moment or two and that’s ok!

What motivates you to keep at it with your dog?

06/29/2024

Ever wondered what it’s like to simplify dog training down so you can learn less but achieve more?

I’m Hilary, your local multi-credentialed, BCSPCA AnimalKind accredited dog behaviour professional 🤍

This is Hemi; my little sidekick 🐶

I help teach you how to teach your dog in the most basic way possible so you can enjoy a life filled with adventure

I like to keep the interactions with our dogs fun and positive and I enjoy teaching you how to get the best out of sharing your home with your best friend

Two Blue Tails offers group training opportunities, private behaviour coaching and group adventure hikes in Squamish, BC 📍

Check out www.twobluetails.com to work together ✨

06/18/2024

My best tip for summer dog adventures 🌲

Stay aware 👀

Walking my dog yesterday, we had THREE bear encounters 🐻

You never know who will join you on the trails so put those phones away and enjoy the time with your dog 🤩

Living in wildlife country, this is a responsibility we must be willing to take on.

Keep those adventures safe!

04/28/2024

Care for two quick sessions jam packed with useful dog training skills?

We’ve got two clinics on for May 🤩

Registration open at twobluetails.com under the “Community” tab 🙌🏼

03/01/2024

A few of my favourite things 🫶🏼

Have you ever wondered what your dog behaviour professional has in their equipment line up? If not, I’m going to tell you anyway 😌

bungee leash attachment steele long line
chest treat

I want to zoom in on the bungee attachment tho as this is our latest addition ✨ I’ve found this to have quickly reached the top of my essentials list!

Why?

• shock absorbing qualities of the bungee provide a comfortable experience for both dog and human
• build in traffic handle with a loop on the end; perfect for quick trips to the car or keeping your dog close on the trails
• make a loop out of it to create an awesome little handle when your dog is off leash (pic 3)
• tell other pet guardians you need space with the Velcro descriptor things (pic 4)
• locking carabiner that is lightweight and heavy duty

Follow me for more reactive dog living and mindset 🌿

02/27/2024

I will never do these things 👇🏼

Judge your dog’s behaviour

I usually avoid telling folks I am a dog trainer when I’m out and about; I can see them straighten up and double down on the leash when I’ve mentioned it in the past

But judging your dogs behaviour is not what I’m here for ✨

Especially all of this very normal stuff like trying to snag a treato when blondie’s not looking 👀 or even sometimes when I am looking 😂

Or jumping, or licking or nose booping me

These things are not of any concern and I would consider them all SO, so normal

What I will do when we work together is figure out behaviour solutions that fit into YOUR lifestyle; and figure out the SIMPLEST path to your end goals 🌿

Like this if this sparked thought for you and share to help others do the same 🤍