Campanion Avenue Puppy Support

22/08/2023

PSA:
Growling is a form of communication for dogs, and it's their way of expressing discomfort, fear, or a sense of being threatened.
➡️Punishing a dog for growling can lead to suppressing this warning signal. If a dog learns that growling leads to negative consequences, they might skip this warning next time and move straight to more extreme behaviors like snapping or biting.
➡️This is especially dangerous because it removes the dog's ability to communicate their discomfort verbally.
✅Instead of punishing a growling dog, it's better to understand the root cause of their discomfort - assess the situation and identify what's causing their unease.
🛜☎️📧Contact us and we can help you understand your dog's behavior and develop appropriate strategies for addressing it without resorting to punishment.

18/01/2023

The top 3 reasons we do what we do…

Dogs, Dogs, Dogs!

Need we say more? Of course we can.

Although a lot of people think that dog trainers spend all their time with dogs, well, we do! BUT, and here is the BUT, our main plan is to teach the dog’s humans to learn how dogs communicate, what is good dog play and what dog play to break up. If you don’t like working with people, well, this isn’t the job for you!

There are so many reasons why owners do things with their dogs, they love them, no doubt, maybe a bit too much? Maybe not giving their dog what they need to satisfy their natural instincts? Maybe giving them way too much exercise, asking for obedience during a big feeling moment and maybe not allowing the dog to rest enough during the day. The list can go on and on.

Doesn’t matter how owners got to where they are with their dog, we can help guide them by creating a plan that will improve the relationship with their dog!

Reach out to us today!

16/01/2023

Ever wondered why your dog might not be responding to your cue(s)? 🤔

Well, I’m here to provide you with the perfect question to ask yourself.

So, here it is - Is Distance, Distraction or Duration your Friend or your Enemy? Otherwise known as Frienemenies! It's the best feedback you can get during your training sessions!

👉Distance - are you asking for a Touch too far for your dog to understand what you are asking? Are you asking for a stay and moving away too far too soon?

👉Distraction - always start with the least amount of distractions. We recommend starting in your house and slowly adding in distractions. Even other dogs, cats, people in the home can be a distraction and slow down the learning process.

👉 Duration - are you asking for a sit for 1 second or 2 minutes? When learning, make it a win for your dog and don’t ask for more than he can give.

Remember, we need to teach our dogs to “walk” before they can “run” and always ask yourself - which one of the 3 D’s is your friend or your enemy!

If the answer is your friend - then you are ready to increase criteria and if the answer is your enemy - go back a few steps - so your dog knows he has done something right!

These are my ultimate questions for a successful training session!!!

Let me know what you think!

15/01/2023

Confession time…

I have a love/hate relationship with walking my dog every single day. I know they need it, I know I need it - but there are those days…Ya’ll know that feeling if you don't - GUILT!

Our dogs deserve this, and frankly so do I. Its a time for me to think and enjoy watching my dogs run, sniff and well, just be a dog!

Some days I can’t wait to get out to the trails, and other days I am just too damn tired and feel lazy. For those RARE days that we don’t walk, we play inside games, enrichment games and pattern games.

If you’re anything like me, I am sure you get it!

Share an emoji if you feel me on that one! What do you do with your dog when you don't feel like taking them out for a walk?

14/01/2023

Just know that you and your dog have the potential to be a dream team

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the Role Model for being alive.I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give uncoI think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the Role Model for being alive!

You may look at your dog and think “if only you didn’t…” of “if only you would…” Well that “if” doesn’t have to be a fantasy. With the right skills and support, you and your dog have all the potential in the world. It is never too late to fall in love all over again. You can do this! Its one step at a time and sometimes one step back, but along the journey the bond you and your dog share can become just like the one they make movies about.

10/01/2023

Why clicker training yields greater results for both your learner and yourself!

Clicker training is more effective and efficient than praise or treats alone. Clicker training is a positive reinforcement only method that makes use of a small, handheld, mechanical noisemaker called a clicker.

There are quiet or louder ones, ones that fit on your finger or around your wrist. Find the one that works best for your dog!

✨ Fact #1: The noise of the clicker is paired with a reward, such as a food treat. The dog makes an association between the sound and good things about to be delivered.

✨ Fact #2: We can use the clicker’s noise to tell our dog when he is doing something we really like. It’s like taking a picture of that moment when he performs well

✨ Fact #3: the sound of the clicker is unique, precise and much more easily discernible to a dog. It is also more exact in its timing, and can help a dog to understand exactly which behaviour it was that you liked.

✨ Fact #4: There may be a delay in delivering a reward, but with a click, you can pinpoint that great thing he did.

✨ Fact #5: Clicker training is based on the theory of Operant Conditioning. Have you ever heard of the scientist Pavlov who found that pairing a bell with his dog subjects’ food caused them to salivate at the sound of the bell alone? Well it's like that. But we’re not going to tease or trick your dog. When she hears the click and anticipates a treat, she will also get that reward.

We are here for all your training needs! Contact us now!

25/11/2022

Happy 1st Birthday Max!

02/11/2022

We are back working with Winnie again (the black dog)! How lucky are we? He is a very sweet boy that loves to learn! We are back to help him learn to relax when people come to the door and move around the home. We have introduced a mat to him that his lovely people coined “the magic mat”! Lol! Looks like his sister Nala likes the mat too!

01/11/2022

Congrats Charlie on completing our Puppy Start Right program! You are a rock star.

01/11/2022

Client updates are the best! We work with both of these lovely Briards and their humans. Both are very reactive at the front door and this is them, tonight on Halloween… after working a tonne of Look at That exercise, it seems to be paying off.

31/10/2022

Another pup that finished our Puppy Start Right program! Welcome to the family Brownie-a very sweet Shihpoo!! We had a blast working with you.

18/08/2022

Look at these cuties! Rose and Mina… sweet Papillon puppies who are rock stars that just finished our Puppy Start Right program. Omg.. those ears.

07/08/2022

Miss Molly has completed our Puppy Start Right program!! Congrats!!

22/07/2022

TGIF!!!

11/07/2022

Have a good week ya’ll!! We wish we were still at the beach!

10/07/2022

We have been very busy at Companion Avenue!! This is Tyson, a 9 month old Rottweiler who is awesome with a capital A!! We love working with you!

10/07/2022

We have been very busy at Companion Avenue!! This is Tyson, a 9 month old Rottweiler who is awesome with a capital A!! We love working with you!

09/07/2022

Congrats on finishing our Puppy Start Right program Kalila! You were amazing to work with, smart as a whip and way too cute!

08/07/2022

Everyone … meet Max… 8 month old Briard that we have been working on manners and learning to learn! This big boy has come along way!!!

07/07/2022

Welcome Belle to our Puppy Start Right program! We can’t wait to see what you can do!

27/06/2022

Nala and Winnie! Winnie has a solid handle on ringing his bell to go out and Nala is feeling less scared about the world! We’ll done, doggos!

13/06/2022

Congratulations Luca on completing the Puppy Starter Program ! Keep !

09/06/2022

rocking it! This is how we use a clicker to mark a correct behaviour. Remember, is all about timing and here is a great example. We dont use the clicker to signal the dog to come, for example, but to tell him in a precise way that he just got it right and good things are coming!

27/05/2022

Meet our trainers!
Claire, KPA CTP
Gabrielle, KPA CTP &
Lisa (certifying)

Find out more about us at http://companionavenue.ca/about

27/05/2022

24/05/2022

Update from Hershey! “We’ve been using all of your tips, tricks and strategies and he’s absolutely nailing it. Thanks again for all of your help with this. Walks with Hershey are a complete pleasure now. That was the goal :)
Hope you’re well.”

24/05/2022

Congratulations Kira! For completing Puppy Starter Program at !

24/05/2022

This is Sybbie the trying her new toy! Enrichment activities like this from help your dog satisfy their natural foraging, keep them entertained when you can’t, and exercise them mentally and physically.

28/08/2021

28/08/2021