A little bit about me
How many times do we know the names of the dogs we follow on social, but not much about the people behind the pictures?
Let’s get to know each other a bit better, shall we?
5 things about me
- the first animals I trained were gerbils (although it might have been small turtles)
- I’ve lived in Canada, the Philippines and Indonesia
- when I’m stressed I have nightmares about highschool math exams or being trapped in out of control cars
- I’d choose smoked salmon over bacon
- two years ago I moved my business to Prince Edward County, travelling back and forth to Mississauga, but we just moved to live in the area full time!
I’d love to hear something about you, tell me something I don’t know about you - the human behind the dog!
👇🏼 💬
Everything was Golden yesterday! The rain came and went, and people still stopped by and helped support Golden Rescue. We met lots of new people, offered free Nail Filing mini demos, got lots of golden retriever love and had a great time! Also there @tinygreenpaw (delicious treats!) and @roxellascreations (adorable handmade collars, bandannas and bow ties). Thank you for having us @sugarbushwines and @goldenrescuecanada! #goldenretriever #retriever #rescuegolden #rescuedog #goldenrescue #princeedwardcounty #pec #wellingtonontario #belleville #picton #thecounty #countywines #dogdays #positivereinforcement #nobreedneedsaheavyhand #forcefree #ontariorescue #fearfreecertifiedprofessional #fearfree
About last night
Lights, camera, northern lights action!
What a show Mother Nature put on tonight.
11:18pm, 2h 10m timelapse
Definitely couldn’t make out this level of detail with my eyes.
So beautiful.
Reading the science behind it, the auroras were caused by a severe geomagnetic storm during which “three separate coronal mass ejections (CMEs) merging into one as they approach Earth. A CME is a burst of plasma and magnetic field released from the Sun’s blazing hot outer atmosphere.” @noaa for more info
Wednesdays Play and Learn Crew
Our charming Wednesday afternoon crew is always ready to show off their good manners.
Our small group Play and Learn sessions match dogs by temperament, size and age, and is supervised by a Fear Free Certified Daycare and Boarding professional. They spend their day in safe play groups, practicing basic manners and brain games, and getting important rest.
We have a few slots open for Wednesdays and Fridays (bigger dogs). Assessment and trial session required. DM for information.
#picton #pec #quinte #wellingtonontario #princeedwardcounty #countyup #positivereinforcement #dogtraining #KPACTP #fearfreepets #fearfreecertifiedprofessional #lifewithdogs
Tricks class with Amanda! Training doesn’t have to be serious all the time, the best learning can be when you’re having fun! We have spots for private trick classes on Sundays! Pick a trick and work through it with a certified trick dog trainer! Come see us for Sunday Fundays!
These aren’t just dividers…
Last night in the pouring rain, Isaiah of Shelby Designs, delivered our custom training room dividers.
These mobile dividers have been living in my brain since before I even had a training space.
This might sound cheesy but to me they aren’t just dividers, they are a dream made real; and more importantly so much more peace of mind for me with the increased safety of the dogs in our care.
I love the way they fit together and can be rolled out of the way when we don’t need them.
When the weather dries up we’ll be taking them outside to paint and they’ll really pop, can’t wait to show them off then.
Thank you @shelbydesignpec, it’s a pleasure working with you.
The biggest mistake I see people make with separation anxiety is:
Attempting to get their anxious dog used to being alone by leaving them at home for a few minutes to a couple of hours, in the hopes they will get used to it. For dogs that struggle, this often makes their separation anxiety worse, not better.
Whether you have a puppy, adopted a new rescue, or just moved into a new place, home alone training can be one of the most challenging things to get right, even more so for dogs that suffer from even a little bit of anxiety or panic.
So how do you get it right?
Get my top tips and free book - DM me with "SA" and I'll send it to you!
Teaching your dog to come doesn’t have to be a battle of wills!
Teaching your dog to come doesn’t have to be a battle of wills!
Monty enjoys some offleash freedom on ✨safe, legal, private property areas only✨, and they’ve been practicing their recall skills since last year.
We first used Leslie McDevitt’s “Whiplash Turn” patten game to teach Monty to reorient to his person when on busy streets in the summer.
A few months later, my client sent me this video, showing how they use the game to make their off leash time more safe.
Bravo Team Monty!
Need help “turning” your dog’s recall skills around? Join me for RAPID RECALL workshops starting late April!
In person in PEC, and virtual options available for those farther away.
Comment “RECALL” below for the sign up link.
👉🏼respect leash laws! Your dog’s recall training does not give you the right to break the law.
Think trick training isn't serious enough? Think again!
Trick training helps
- increase focus and engagement with you
- provide mental stimulation and physical exercise through movement
- builds confidence in your dog
- improve behaviour in other areas like leash walking, reactivity and handling through transferable skills
Our Canine Einstein Trick, Rally-O and Clever Canine (combo of both) classes do more than teach your dog cute things - we teach you how to build behaviours to bring out the best in your dog, all while having a blast together.
Starts Sundays April 14, taught by certified trick dog instructor Amanda Gilbert of Stone City K9 Coaching.
REGISTRATION OPEN, 4 SPOTS PER CLASS.
https://landing.fearlesstails.com/tricks--fun-classes
What have you learned from your reactive dog's quiet moments?
What have you learned from your reactive dog when they’re quiet?
Reactivity is just a small part of your dog’s personality. If you focus solely on fixing their “loud” moments, you’ll miss all they have to share with you when they’re quiet.
What has your reactive dog taught you? I’ll go first ⬇️
The worst dog training advice I've heard so far this year:
"Bite your dog so they know you're going to win."
I wasn't expecting to hear this in casual conversation with someone asking what I do, while I paid for a purchase. It was also not an interaction where I was going to be able to change her mind, she's been doing this for years apparently.
She told me she has three cane corsos, sweet, friendly dogs that are just cuddle bugs. But sometimes, she has to "bite them so they know she's going to win".
And that's how easily dangerous, outdated and misguided training information gets shared. A simple conversation in store. And one day someone who follows this advice gets bitten in the face, and it'll be the dog's fault.
Training your dog doesn't have to be a battle of wills, of domination over another being.
That's not why you got a dog.
Share this post so we can spread the message. Don't bite your dog.
What I’m prioritizing for myself in 2024
Last year was a roller coaster with Logan’s health, bringing Fearless Tails to PEC and opening a facility.
Everything about my 2023 was all consuming.
My fears and stresses took their toll on me in ways I’m still dealing with.
Tim, family and friends, pulled me back up with love and care.
I couldn’t look back at last year without thinking about what a journey Logan went through and where he is now. And it’s a reminder of what’s most important.
We will be prioritizing health and alignment this year, for myself, the team, and the business.
Because it’s so easy to lose, and so hard to gain back.
☀️💛
Sing it with me!!
Fa La La La La La... Trigger stacking!
(Sound on 😆)
The moment it all gets too much!
You might wonder why your dog is “acting out” during the holidays.
They bark like crazy when guests arrive.
They’re tempted by all the food.
They are reacting to people and dogs in ways they might not have done before.
They are more tired or less cooperative than usual.
New smells, changes in routine, and lots of visitors! Maybe some travel, different environments, noisy groups, it can get a bit overwhelming.
After all, don’t you sometimes find the holiday season a bit much? We know we’re rushing and cramming it all in, and don’t have time ourselves to decompress.
Pay attention to your dog’s needs this season, they experience our stress over the holidays too.
How are you helping your dog cope this season? Share in the comments👇🏼
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📣yes I sing silly dog songs lol, I bet you do too 😉
What if I told you…
...one way to help your reactive dog is through games and play?
Did you know that the opportunity to play can be more rewarding than food for a dog?
They become more relaxed, and it has the potential to shift their energy to a positive state of mind, rather than a fearful or frustrated one.
So rather than wrangling your dog, or repeating obedience commands they can’t process, when used correctly, games to help them make new associations and reduce the intensity and frequency of their reactive outbursts.
Would you be willing to have fun while also transforming your dog’s feelings about the world around them?
I cover this (and a lot more!) on my Roaring to Relaxed program.
This comprehensive, 8 week program designed for “reactive” dogs of all ages who need help to process excitement, fear, or frustration.
8 week programme starts Wednesday November 29, 2023 @6:30pm ET
Enrolment for this program is open now!
Tap the link below for more info and if you have any questions, my DM’s are open! 🙂
fearlesstails.com/roaring-to-relaxed-for-reactive-dogs
Dear dog guardians of overexcited, frustrated, and anxious dogs...
I can help your reactive dog feel happier, and to reframe your relationship for the better.
Join me on Monday November 6th and Tuesday November 7th (7pm ET) for a two part workshop - Taming Reactivity and Teaching Calm Leash Skills! (It's FREE!)
Day 1: Uncover the reasons behind your dog’s difficult outbursts and reveal how to break the cycle. (Monday, November 6th at 7pm ET)
Day 2: Discover fun games you can play to reset your dog’s focus and make you both feel better. (Tuesday, November 7th at 7pm ET)
You’ll have the opportunity to ask your questions and get personal feedback on your situation, so you walk away with maximum impact.
Save your seat by tapping the link below!
If you've got any questions, feel free to send me a DM! 🙂
https://landing.fearlesstails.com/dog-leash-reactivity-workshop-f23
I might not be the trainer for you...
I might not be the trainer for you if…�
👎 you want someone to show your dog who’s the boss�
👎 if you want results “by any methods or tools necessary”�
👎 you prefer to use intimidation, discomfort or fear in your training�
👎 want a guaranteed quick fix
I am the trainer for you if you want to...
👍 understand how your dog’s needs, emotion and the environment drive behaviour
👍 build a relationship with your dog based on compassion and cooperation
👍 feel good and have fun while training
👍 accept that the training and learning will occur at your end of the leash first.
If you’re a big Yes for the second part… then please do get in touch and tell me all about your dog. My services are on my website or feel free to book a call 👇
https://fearlesstails.com/contact/
Henry LOVES rocks! 🪨
I mean, he really, really loves them.
…and we’re not talking small tennis ball rocks, we’re talking about nice landscaping rocks, the kind of wedges that line garden paths and walkways. He will dig at them, wrestle with them, and carry them home in his big powerful jaws. If his guardians were out on a walk, it is very difficult to part him from the rock of his desire.
With his guardians agreeing, we decided to take a different approach to Henry’s rock challenges by first giving Henry a safe outlet for his rock wrestling fun!
By using a Kong Wobbler at meal times and before his regular walks, the goal over time is that by meeting his physical and mental stimulation needs, before he goes out for walks, he may be less obsessive about rocks in the wild.
At the same time, they are practising reinforcing Henry for noticing but not pulling towards rocks, as well as teaching him to trade using something very high value, so that if they are concerned about the size of rock he wants to carry, they’ve built up enough of a reinforcement history for the trade, that he is more likely to give it up.
When we take the time to consider the function and the need behind a dog’s behaviour, we can often meet that need in ways that are less problematic for us humans, and simplify the training process as a result! 🙌
Now… give rock lovin' Henry some love! 💙🐾
It was time for Logan’s tidy up: face, ears, legs, plus undercarriage and muffler 😆. Crotch knots are the worst. For both of us!
It’s not his favourite thing and even less so since his skin was sore for so long, so we take breaks, give lots of backrubs, do different zones at different times (back legs and back next week), and concentrate on the worst bits first.
Him learning to get on the table *confidently and without me asking* is one of the best things to come out of our cooperative care training.
He’s free to take the chair down too, but usually climbs into my arms instead.
Pretty handsome doggo if I may say so. 💚🤩
#wheatenterrier #wheatenlovers #terrier #groomingathome #cooperativecare #positivereinforcementtraining #clickertraining #gelbschwarz #scissorcut #doggrooming #princeedwardcounty #dogtrainer #pec #thecounty #groomingathome #normansgang #napanee #ngk9crusaders #ngambassador
Congratulations to Haley Woods, now Fearless Tails’ Play & Learn supervisor! 👏
Originally taking over pet sitting this spring, Haley has also spent the past 6 months shadowing and learning the particulars of our Play & Learn service, observing the dynamics of the dogs in our care, and conducting the practice sessions with the dogs in play and learn.
In addition to being newly certified in pet first aid, Haley will continue to learn with me and expand her knowledge of training with the future goal of assisting with our classes.
If you and your dog have already had the pleasure of meeting Haley, you know she is committed to the welfare of your dogs, has an exceptional approach with animals and is very professional with clients. As for the dogs, they are equally in love with her!
Please join me in congratulating Haley in her new role! 👋
