Imagine Dog Training

12/24/2025

𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴

This is the most important cue for off-leash play. Think of the Emergency Recall as a reflex—not something your dog has to stop and ponder. The instant you say the cue, your dog should drop everything and come flying back to you, completely bypassing that tempting squirrel, other dog, or gross pile of street snacks. 🐿💩🐕

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 We train it with the absolute best treats and practice in all sorts of fun and increasingly distracting places. This systematic training makes the cue an automatic "party's here!" signal, creating a super-strong Pavlovian response that beats any distraction.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹 The return should be lightning-fast and look like the best thing that has ever happened to them. A quick, joyous return shows how much your dog loves the cue and how reliable it is!

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 Save this cue only for true emergencies—when safety is on the line. Using it for everyday calls will "water down" its magic, so protect it like the lifesaver it is. Try not to use it for casual recalls.

Looking for more support with your dog’s off-leash skills?

Click my bio link to schedule a call to chat. 📲💬

12/23/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹: 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿💪🐾

This is the number one, most important thing for dogs who get to play off-leash. Think of the Emergency Recall as a reflex, not a thought process. ↩️ When you give the cue, your dog should instantly drop whatever they're doing and come zooming back to you—bypassing the dog's conscious thought process. This works even when they see squirrels, other dogs, or that tempting pile of gross garbage.🐿💩🐕

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗰𝗲: We train it with mind-blowing high-value treats and practice it in all sorts of increasingly challenging environments.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹: The return should be fast, happy, and look like the best thing that has ever happened to them indicating a powerful positive association

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: This cue is reserved only for genuine emergencies—when safety is paramount—to maintain its high value and reliability.

You can see it in action here: https://imaginedogtraining.mvsite.app/teaching-your-dog-to-come-with-the-end-game

Looking for more support with your dog’s off-leash skills?

Click my bio link to schedule a call to chat. 📲💬

You were looking forward to all the off-leash hikes with your new dog. And you were excited about exploring all that nature offers with your friend and partner. But then, I hear this…

12/16/2025

Key Skills for Successful Off-Leash Hiking with Your Dog🐾🏞

Over the coming weeks, we'll delve into the specific skills necessary for safely enjoying off-leash time with your dog.

The Three Core Skills:

𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝘂𝗲: This is a critical safety skill where your dog immediately returns to you without conscious thought—it's an automatic, conditioned response.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: This skill focuses on teaching your dog to stay within sight and a reasonable off-leash distance, allowing them to explore freely while remaining aware of your location.

𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻: Train your dog to return automatically when they notice major distractions like other dogs, people, wildlife, or garbage.

Need Personalized Support?

I offer guided off-leash hikes with clients to actively support and build confidence in real-world environments. We have so much fun! 😊

Click the bio link to find out more.

12/13/2025

With 30+ years in the field, my passion for dog training and commitment to lifelong learning is as strong as ever. 💪🏼

You might assume I've exhausted all possibilities, but research is continually evolving! I focus on discovering new frameworks and language to effectively communicate complex training concepts and behavioural principles to my clients. Honestly, even a small, perfect analogy makes me giddy. 😁

This dedication ensures you and your dog achieve the greatest success.

12/09/2025

Why Your New Pup is a Little Land Shark 🦈

Is your adorable puppy turning into a tiny, sharp-toothed terror? 😳You're not alone! Nipping is completely normal, but knowing why they do it is the first step to a calmer home.

Here are 5 common reasons puppies use their mouths:

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Puppies lack opposable thumbs, so their primary method of sensory exploration is mouthing. They are testing textures, firmness, and taste, which often means nipping skin or clothes.

𝗧𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 Between 3 and 6 months, as deciduous teeth fall out and adult teeth erupt, puppies experience discomfort. Chewing and nipping provide relief, driving them to mouth hands and furniture.

𝗙𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Frustration can manifest as displacement behaviour. If a puppy is confined, can't get a desired toy, or is blocked from something, the built-up energy can be released through nipping the nearest target.

𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲 Similar to a tired toddler, an overtired puppy often becomes irritable, losing the ability to regulate their arousal levels and bite pressure, leading to sudden, sharp, and seemingly aggressive nipping.

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗹 When play gets too intense, adrenaline surges, and the puppy crosses the threshold from calm play into over-excitement. In this state, they lose awareness of their actions and often bite harder than intended.

Feeling frustrated? Dealing with a puppy who seems to laugh (right?)as they attack your hands can be so annoying—and worrisome if you're hoping for a future therapy or service dog.

If you need a support structure to manage your young dog's nipping and mouthing behaviour so it doesn't become a habit, let's chat! Click my bio link.

12/05/2025

🦮Service Dogs in Canada: Myth vs. Reality #4 👀

Over the coming weeks, we will explore common myths and realities surrounding service dogs in Canada.

❌Myth #4
In Canada, all service dogs must undergo task training.

✅Reality
While most provinces and territories mandate a service animal be individually task-trained to mitigate a disability for public access rights, Ontario is the sole exception. Neither the AODA nor the Human Rights Code in Ontario explicitly requires task or alert training.

Looking for a certified service dog trainer?
Click my bio link. ➡

11/28/2025

🐶 Sure...I'm a dog trainer, but that doesn't mean my job is all about dogs. (I admit, I also thought it would be all about dogs when I started!) ⁣

⁣However, once I started my professional dog training career, I quickly realized that my job also required me to understand and teach my human clients.

Honestly, it is more like 25% dog and 75% human training, but that's okay! Teaching people how to have better and more cooperative relationships with their dogs and eliminating their frustrations and struggles is just as fulfilling for me. ⁣

😉 I've had my fair share of struggles with the variety of dogs I've had, so it gives me an insider's perspective regarding what you might be going through. 🐕 I do my best to try and 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 (e.g., work, family, lack of sleep). I've been there!

🐶 If you're interested in learning about what's possible for you and your dog. Let me know in the comments or send me a private message and let's chat.

11/21/2025

🦮Service Dogs are often trained to perform "alerts" and "interruption" behaviours to help handlers manage symptoms, prevent episodes, and feel safe and in control.

I often use subtle cues (like leg jiggling or hand wringing) and pair them with an alert behaviour, like a gentle pawing, which is so helpful during anxiety or panic attacks. We can even pair a different cue, like an alarm, with licking for medicine reminders!

Spring demonstrates her 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩 😁 'licking' alert.

Looking for a Service Dog Trainer? Click my bio link.

11/18/2025

🦮🇨🇦 Service Dogs in Canada: Myth vs. Reality 🦮🇨🇦

Over the coming weeks, we will explore common myths and realities surrounding service dogs in Canada.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 #𝟯
Service dogs must have specific breed or size requirements

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 #𝟯
There are no breed or size restrictions for service dogs in Canada. What matters is the dog's temperament, health, and ability to mitigate the handler’s disability. A small dog might be just as effective as a large one, depending on the tasks required.

Looking for a certified service dog trainer?
Click my bio link. ➡