Positive Heeling Dog Training and Services

08/06/2023

i believe this to be true.

Dog ownership is a lot of furry companionship, tail wags and chasing balls, and ample unconditional love.

25/04/2023

Great info graphic from Dogs Disclosed! The teenage months are TOUGH (I am going through it now with my pupper) but keep rewarding.

BRAIN UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
The challenges of teenage dogs
There’s a saying that parents who have gone through the teenage years with their off spring will relate to - “Parents with teenagers understand why some animals eat their young!”

Many dog owners are unaware that dogs also go through a teenage stage and are frustrated and unprepared for the changes this brings. It’s a sad reality that this is the age that many dogs are surrendered to shelters as their owners no longer “like” the way their dogs behave, can’t handle them and give up on them.

The teenage brain is going through many changes. Think of it as being “rewired”. The rewiring process can cause some parts not to work at all or only work sometimes. Some parts work too much with too much current and new wires cause unexpected results.

There are many similarities to the changing human teenage brain. There’s a valid scientific reason why car insurance premiums for young adults under 25 are more expensive. The brain is not fully matured – irrational decisions, risk taking, poor choices and accidents are more likely to happen.

Be patient, understanding and most of all consistent with your teenage dog. Don’t give up on them. They are feeling just as frustrated as we are. Being aware of what is happening in their brain as it develops to full maturity helps us to be more accepting. Remember that this is just a phase and it will get better.

25/04/2023

Yes! Please reward the positive behaviour!

TELL ME WHEN I GET IT RIGHT!

Imagine this – You work for someone who continually reprimands you. You never know from one day to the next if there is anything this person is happy with, because the only feedback you receive from them is what you are doing wrong – it’s all just so negative!

You are never thanked for a job well done, never given any positive feedback, recognition or encouragement.

This leaves you feeling demotivated, confused, insecure and unhappy. You have no idea what this person really expects of you or wants from you.

Surely you must be doing something right, some of the time? If only you had more feedback about what that was – you could do more of that and you would both be in a happier place.

We often treat our dogs this way, only focusing or providing feedback on the “wrong” behaviour and neglecting to provide feedback and encouragement for the “right” behaviour.

Rewarding, reinforcing and encouraging a dog for whatever they are doing right is an effective, scientifically proven way to communicate, teach, create trust, build confidence, security and build a strong bond in a positive, force-free way.

Just like us, when a dog does something that results in something good happening, they’re far more likely to keep repeating that behaviour.

Reinforcement or rewards don’t always have to be food or treats – it all depends on what that particular dog finds more rewarding – lots of praise, a favourite toy, playing a game or anything else a dog really enjoys can be rewarding.

Keep telling your dog when they get it right and very soon, they will be doing less of the wrong thing and more of the right thing.

Stop focusing on the unwanted behaviour and communicate to your dog that they are getting it right by rewarding the behaviour you are looking for.

24/04/2023

Hello! I am hoping to be able to offer services starting soon. I will be focused on basic obedience to begin with. I am also digging into some other courses to further my education on reactivity.
** Please note that as a dog trainer, I do not nor will I be able to handle aggression in dogs. Should your dog be presenting with aggression, a vet check and then a behaviorist is recommended. A dog trainer assists in communication with commands, engagement and common challenges such as jumping, mouthing, house training, etc.

12/03/2023

I found this GREAT free course on managing dogs in your own home. It's in video format and can help you manage your furry friends and family!

This course teaches how to manage dogs in your home. Cindy and I live with and manage our 4 dogs. Two of our dogs cannot interact with the other three, yet we have produced very manageable and safe living environment for all. By controlling the environment we put our dogs in and then controlling the...

08/02/2023

Hello all,

It has been a minute. I apologize for the pause in posting on this page. I regret to announce that I will not beginning in person dog training any time in the near future.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but due to personal reasons, I do not have the time to be able to dedicate to ongoing training.

However, Please message me on this page if you have any basic questions on training etc. I'd be happy to help and would love it if you could make a donation to our local animal assistance group, Arctic Paws in lieu of payment for assistance. .

Peace, love and paws,
Amanda

24/01/2023

From Canine Principles.

This is 100% fact. Mutts are a little different but having an idea of what you’re getting into (what does the mom look like/act like etc) can be a big help in understanding YOUR pup.

08/12/2022

This is a great website to help you better with your furry family members. I refer to it often for my own brood!

Concerned about a specific illness or is your pet showing symptoms of a certain disease? Search our extensive pet health library for answers on animal health.

24/11/2022

There's been a few BIG litters of puppies who have gone to their new homes in the past few weeks in my neck of the woods and I've been getting asked this one A LOT. Follow this method and your dog will stop. Eventually. it's not always immediate, a day, a week or even a month but you'll see gradual progress. I promise. I have the bitiest (Is that even a word) rescue. She won't bite to hurt but BOY she loves to mouth. When we follow this consistently, she's a different dog.

Whenever your puppy puts its mouth on any piece of human anatomy, let out a high-pitched yelp or ouch and stop interacting with the puppy. Get up, turn your back, or leave the room—whatever it takes to impress on the puppy that you want nothing to do with it. This is the same way that littermates tell each other when play gets too rough.

Keep yourself separated from the puppy for just a minute or two.

Allow the puppy to come back to you. A puppy may be so excited about regaining contact that it will immediately begin to put its mouth on you.
Again let out a high-pitched yelp and stop interacting with the puppy. Don’t feel sorry for the little guy and ignore this nip. A second offense should get the same response—a yelp and another minute or two of non-contact.

Continue this procedure until the puppy doesn’t nip when you return. Every time it nips, give it this “timeout.” The puppy just wants attention and it will learn quickly that this isn't the way to get it.

13/11/2022

Please help support Arctic Paws as they do SO much for our isolated Northern Communities. We do not have vets in town as they provide resources that are necessary in keeping our animal community healthy and happy.
They are 100% non- profit and the work is done by volunteers.
Even $5 helps!

Arctic Paws is a registered charity located in Inuvik, Northwest Territori… Loretta Dalton needs your support for Arctic Paws Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic

21/10/2022

Seriously though. Some people (😂😂😂)

15/10/2022

I am doing a business trade show this week here in Inuvik. If you were attending and looking for information on a better life with your dog, what are some takeaway pages you'd be interested in? I have ideas but I want to hear from you!!

Thanks and have a Pawsome weekend!
Amanda

07/10/2022

Hi there!

I figured it was about time to introduce myself. My name is Amanda King and I am the Trainer and Show runner here at Positive Heeling Dog Training.
I am located in Inuvik, NWT and live here with my husband (the Aviation guy) , our son Wyatt and our rescued supermutt Daisy who looks like the lab/pit mix and acts like the measily 3% husky that showed up on her DNA test.
Daisy was my inspiration to become a trainer. Overall, she's a great dog but she had a few behaviours that I needed help with. When I couldn't find any here in the north, I became one. With so many dogs that get rehomed here every year due to basic obedience issues, I think it's a service that's a necessity and not just a luxury. I am working towards two certifications in the training field. I am also currently investigating the ways to ensure "training for all" so that there are no financial setbacks for anyone seeking help in their relationship with their furry friends.
I have ALWAYS had a love for animals and more specifically the underdog.
Currently, I am offering face-to-face and online consults if you want to chat and I am always available for quick questions/tips (no cost!) for anything that won't compromise my professional liability (Sometimes, we have to see it with our eyes to understand what the drive is. Dogs aren't that complicated but sometimes, they can be!)

Thank you so much for following me on my journey, please feel free to share and message me if I can help you with anything.
Peace, love and Blessed be
Amanda

07/10/2022

to you and your Furry Friends! :) Be safe!

05/10/2022

These are also great tips for adult rescue dogs who may not have learned bite inhibition as well!
Do you have a biter? Let me know in the comments and I can share some more tips with you :)

Puppies naturally use their teeth on everything, including us! Here is how you can save your fingers and have a happy, well-adjusted puppy.

30/09/2022

26/09/2022

My good friend is fostering this Mama and her puppies and I’ve been spending some time with them. When they get a little older, I am going to help socialize and train them to help them find their fur ever homes. 💕🐾
How cute !

26/09/2022

Amazing enrichment tools available in town at Originals!

23/09/2022

I understand dogs! Let me help you communicate with yours! 🙂

Penn Foster issues digital credentials with Parchment. Click to verify my Diploma and see more about my accomplishment.

18/09/2022

I don’t even have to comment.

How often do I see clients whose dogs have gotten into serious trouble because their owners have allowed, or encouraged interactions that their dogs have absolutely not desired?

Not every dog is cut out for the family BBQ, or being pet by strangers. And not every dog is cut out for the dog park, day care, or on-leash meetings. These dogs will often show their dislike for being placed in these situations by attempting to escape/hide/growl/explode—and if that doesn’t work, they will protect themselves by inflicting damage on the unsuspecting (but should be suspecting!) human, or the curious or pushy dog.

I get that many owners have romantic notions of what dogs should be like, and how they should interact with their environment. I also get that many owners assume that by forcing these interactions that they will improve things. And of course, I get that many owners simply don’t know any better. But here’s the thing, your desires, your ill-advised “fix”, or your lack of knowledge aren’t an excuse. They’re either born of denial and selfishness, or ignorance. And all of these can be worked on, adjusted and made healthy…if healthy is the true goal.

We say we love our dogs so much, and yet time and time again we set them up to fail by placing them in stressful, overwhelming, and fear-inducing situations. If we do indeed love them so deeply, perhaps it’s time we honored who our individual dogs are, what they do and don’t enjoy, and what they are and aren’t capable of. And perhaps top it off by becoming more deeply informed about what we personally do and don’t know…so we can break the chain of messing up the things we claim to love so much.

16/09/2022

I know sometimes walking the dog is a "chore" and we want to get it out of the way but remember, it's the BEST time of their day and it's THEIR walk. Let them take their time to sniff and you'll have a happier, healthier dog!