Tailaire

16/02/2025

🐾💡 Smart Start Sunday: Set Your Training Up for Success! 💡🐾

Starting a training session with your animal means setting yourself up for success before you even begin. Preparation is key! Here's how to get ready:

Have a Game Plan
Know what you want to work on before the session starts. Whether it’s teaching a new command or reinforcing existing behaviours, having a clear goal makes your training more effective.

Gather Your Tools
Make sure you have everything you need—treats, toys, clickers, or anything else that will help reinforce positive behaviours.

Create the Right Environment
Set up a space that’s free of distractions. A quiet, calm environment helps both you and your pet focus during training.

Be Mentally Prepared
Training requires patience and consistency. Take a moment to center yourself and approach the session with a positive attitude. Your energy will directly impact your animal’s learning!

By being prepared, you’re giving both yourself and your animal the best chance for success! Ready to train? Let’s do this! 💪🐾

16/02/2025

🚨 Exciting Announcement! 🚨

We’re hosting our first-ever live session on dog barking on March 1st! 🎉🐶

Barking is one of the most common concerns for dog guardians, and we want to help! In this live, we’ll be covering:
✅ Common mistakes people make when addressing barking
✅ How we accidentally reinforce barking (without realizing it!)
✅ Different types of barking & how to identify them
✅ Practical strategies to work on barking effectively

Since this is our first live, we’ll do our best to cover as much as possible—but don’t worry! If you can’t make it, we’ll be recording it and posting it afterward so you won’t miss out. Plus, we’ll be following up with daily posts for a full week to continue the conversation and provide even more insights! 🐾✨

📅 March 1st | Platform TBD & Time 4pm MST

Have questions about barking? Drop them in the comments so we can address them during the live! ⬇️

14/02/2025

Top Reasons Why We Love Our Animals this Valentine’s Day 💖🐾

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate all the love in our lives—including the unconditional love we get from our furry friends! Here are just a few reasons why we adore our pets:

Unconditional Love
Our pets love us no matter what. Whether we're having a good day or a bad one, their affection never wavers.

They Make Us Laugh
From funny faces to playful antics, pets always know how to make us smile and brighten our day.

Constant Companionship
No matter what, they’re always by our side—ready to offer cuddles, support, and comfort whenever we need it.

They’re Always Happy to See Us
There’s nothing like the excited wag of a tail or a happy purr when you walk in the door. Their joy is truly infectious!

They Help Us Stay Active
Pets encourage us to get outside and enjoy life. Whether it’s a walk around the block or a game of fetch, they help us stay moving!

They Offer Emotional Support
When we’re feeling down, our pets know exactly how to offer comfort and reassurance. Their love is a powerful mood booster.

They Teach Us Patience
Caring for a pet helps us practice patience and compassion—valuable lessons that we carry with us in every part of life.

Their Loyalty is Unmatched
Pets are our most loyal companions. Their unwavering devotion gives us a sense of comfort and security, knowing they’ll always be there for us.

They Keep Us Safe
Dogs and other pets often instinctively protect their families, adding a layer of security and peace of mind to our homes.

They Teach Us to Appreciate the Simple Things
Whether it’s a warm cuddle, a favorite toy, or a sunny spot by the window, animals show us the joy in life’s little moments.

This Valentine’s Day, let’s show our pets just how much we appreciate them! 🐾💕

What’s one thing you love most about your pet? Share in the comments below!

14/02/2025

🎉🐾 Happy Birthday to our client's furry friend! 🐶🎈

Wishing a paw-some celebration to Panda on his special day! May your lives be filled with endless treats, belly rubs, and wagging tails. 🎁❤️

Feel free to leave some birthday love and share your favorite memories with this adorable pup below! 🥳📸

13/02/2025

Thinking Dog Thursday: Understanding the “Tap Out” Signal 🐾

Did you know that a dog showing their belly doesn’t always mean they want belly rubs? Sometimes, it’s their way of saying, "I need space." This can be a common misunderstanding, especially with children, which is why it’s so important to know the signs of when a dog is uncomfortable.

Here’s what to look for when your dog is giving a “tap out” signal:

Tail Position: Pay close attention to the tail. If it’s tucked or stiff, your dog may feel uneasy, even if their belly is exposed. A relaxed, wagging tail means they’re comfortable—so a stiff or tucked tail is a sign to back off.
Body Rigidity vs. Wiggliness: A wiggly, wobbly body often means the dog is relaxed and enjoying the attention. But if they’re stiff or tense, it could be a sign they want space.
Mouth and Facial Expressions: A closed mouth with no signs of relaxation in the face can indicate tension. If your dog’s face is tense, avoid reaching for their belly.
Children especially need to understand that just because a dog’s belly is exposed doesn’t always mean they want affection. This is one of the ways bites can happen if a dog feels overwhelmed or cornered.

Teach your children to observe the dog’s body language to keep both them and the dog safe. Encourage calm interactions, and always give the dog a way to retreat if they’re feeling uncomfortable.

Need guidance on reading your dog’s body language? We’re here to help with training and education to ensure a positive relationship with your pets!

12/02/2025

Wellness Wednesday: Nail Care for Dogs & Cats 🐾

Did you know regular nail maintenance is key to your pet's overall health? Whether you’re caring for a dog or cat, properly trimmed nails prevent discomfort, injuries, and even behavioral issues. Here's why nail care matters:

Pain Prevention: Overgrown nails can cause pain and discomfort when walking or running. Long nails can also get snagged, leading to painful tears.

Joint Health: Untrimmed nails can alter your pet’s posture and gait, which may lead to joint issues over time. Regular trimming helps ensure their paws are aligned properly.

Prevention of Overgrowth: In some cases, nails can grow too long and curl into the paw pad, causing infections. Regular trims keep this from happening!

Behavioural Benefits: Pets with properly trimmed nails are less likely to scratch or engage in destructive behaviours, and it’s less painful for them when they do.

Tips for Proper Nail Maintenance:

Trim nails regularly (once a month or as needed).
Always use pet-safe nail clippers.
Don’t cut too close to the quick—if unsure, start small and work your way up.

Consider professional help if your pet is nervous about nail trims.

Need help with nail trimming? Tailaire offers professional nail clipping services for dogs and cats to keep your pet comfortable and healthy.

What’s your pet’s favorite way to relax after a nail trim? Share with us in the comments! 🐾✨

11/02/2025

🔹 Technical Tuesday: What’s the REAL Cue? 🤔 🔹

Have you ever given your dog a cue, only for them to not respond—until you add a hand movement or shift your posture? That’s because dogs don’t just listen to our words—they observe everything about us!

In training, we use Discriminative Stimuli (SD)—signals that tell the dog which behaviour will be reinforced. But here’s the catch: your dog might not be responding to the word you think! Instead, they might be picking up on:

🐶 Your body language (a head tilt, hand motion, or shift in stance)
💨 Your breathing pattern (holding your breath before giving a cue)
✋ Your hand moving towards your treat pouch
👀 Your eye contact (looking at the reward or the spot you expect them to move to)
🎤 The tone of your voice (a slight change can alter meaning for your dog)

Want to test it out? 🎥 Record yourself giving a cue and watch closely—what’s your dog actually responding to? You might be surprised!

🐾 Drop your findings in the comments! Did your dog listen to the word alone, or were they reading your movements instead? 👀👇

10/02/2025

🔹 Myth Busting Monday: Do Pit Bulls Have “Lockjaw”? 🔹

You’ve probably heard the myth that American Pit Bull Terriers have a special jaw mechanism that allows them to "lock" onto something and not let go. This is 100% false!

🐾 The Truth: There is no scientific evidence that Pit Bulls—or any breed—have a unique jaw structure that allows them to "lock." Their anatomy is no different from other dogs of similar size. What they do have is determination and strong muscles, which can make them tenacious chewers.

💡 Why the Myth Exists: Pit Bulls were historically bred for tasks requiring persistence, so when they latch onto something, they tend to hold on with enthusiasm. But this is not because their jaws "lock"—it’s simply a combination of strength and drive.

✅ What Really Matters: Like any breed, a well-trained and socialized Pit Bull is a loving, loyal companion. Spreading accurate information helps fight breed stigma and ensures these amazing dogs get the love they deserve!

👉 Share this to help bust the myth and promote responsible dog ownership!

09/02/2025

🧠 Understanding Learned Helplessness in Animals 🧠

Following up on last week’s post about the lizard brain and how fear impacts behaviour, let’s dive into another important concept: learned helplessness.

Learned helplessness occurs when an animal (or even a human) is repeatedly exposed to situations where they have no control over their outcome, leading them to give up and stop trying—even when they could do something to change the situation. This can happen when an animal consistently experiences stress or fear that they cannot escape from or resolve. Over time, the animal stops trying to escape or avoid the stressful situation because they’ve learned that their efforts don’t make a difference.

🐘 A powerful example of learned helplessness can be seen in elephants. As babies, elephants are often chained to a strong post. They naturally try to break free, but they are too small and weak to pull the post out of the ground. After numerous attempts, the elephant learns that it is unable to break free, even when it grows larger and stronger as an adult. The elephant, having learned helplessness, stops trying to escape, despite now having the strength to break the post.

🦎 This is a perfect illustration of how the brain’s lizard brain can take over, leading to feelings of helplessness and resignation. In the case of the elephant, the repeated failure to escape becomes ingrained as a learned behaviour, even though the physical situation has changed and the animal now has the ability to break free.

Signs of learned helplessness in animals can include:

Withdrawal or a lack of interest in engaging
Increased anxiety or fear around specific situations
Reduced responsiveness to training or commands
A general sense of resignation or “giving up”

As pet guardians, trainers, or caregivers, it's important to recognize the signs of learned helplessness and take steps to prevent it. Instead of repeatedly exposing animals to overwhelming stress, we can use fear-free and positive reinforcement methods to empower them and create environments where they feel safe and capable of making choices.

By understanding how fear and stress affect the brain and behaviour, we can help break the cycle of learned helplessness and encourage animals to engage and thrive in a supportive, low-stress environment.

If you missed last week’s post on how the lizard brain influences behaviour, check it out for more insights on how fear shapes responses and reactions.

08/02/2025

At the market! Come say hi! Baymont Inn

08/02/2025

🎉 Today’s the Day! Come See Us at The Lovely Valentines Craft Show and Market! 🎉

We’re so excited to be at The Lovely Valentines Craft Show and Market today! 🛍️✨

We’re at the Baymont Inn in Red Deer (4311 49th Ave) from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and we’d love for you to stop by our booth! Whether you're looking for pet services, unique pet products, or just a fun day out, we've got something special for you and your furry friends! 🐾

With two ballrooms of amazing vendors, it’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts, support local businesses, and enjoy a fun-filled day.

See you at the market! 💕 Don’t miss out on the fun!

07/02/2025

Throwback Thursday on a Friday! I forgot I did this! Too funny!

So, I know we have all been there before with our beloved pooches. Let's start a new trend! Owner shaming!!! Merlot doesn't ever get into the garbage anymore but today he did and I haven't walked him in while because of the weather. When has your best friend's excess energy given you an extra chore or two?!?

07/02/2025

🌟 Reminder: The Lovely Valentines Craft Show and Market is TOMORROW! 🌟

Just a quick reminder that Tailaire Ltd. will be at The Lovely Valentines Craft Show and Market tomorrow! 🛍️✨

We’ll be at the Baymont Inn in Red Deer (4311 49th Ave) from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and we can’t wait to see you there!

Don't miss out on a day filled with two ballrooms of amazing vendors, unique finds, and, of course, pet-related goodies and services for your furry friends. 🐾

It’s the perfect chance to get some last-minute Valentine’s gifts, support local businesses, and enjoy a fun day out. We’d love to see you tomorrow!

See you at the market! 💕

07/02/2025

🎉🐾 Happy Birthday to our client's furry friend! 🐶🎈

Wishing a paw-some celebration to Mila on her special day! May your lives be filled with endless treats, belly rubs, and wagging tails. 🎁❤️

Feel free to leave some birthday love and share your favorite memories with this adorable pup below! 🥳📸

06/02/2025

🐾 Playtime with Your Cat: Treat Flicking Game! 🐾

Pro tip: Raw salmon doesn't flick across the floor that well 😜

Who says cats don't love playtime? 🐱✨ If you’re looking for a fun, engaging activity for your feline friend, try the Treat Flicking Game! It’s a simple way to get your cat’s natural hunting instincts going while providing a mental and physical workout.

How to Play: The Treat Flicking Game
Choose the Right Treats: Pick small, soft treats or kibble that are easy for your cat to grab. Treats that make a little noise when they hit the floor can make it even more exciting!

Flick and Stalk: Sit on the floor and flick a treat a few feet away from your cat (or across the room if you have the space). The idea is for your cat to “stalk” and “pounce” on the treat, just like they would with prey in the wild. Watch them go after it with their quick reflexes and excitement! 🐾

Increase the Challenge: As your cat gets the hang of it, you can make the game more challenging by flicking the treats farther or into more difficult-to-reach spots (under furniture or behind objects). This engages their brain and physical agility.

Adaptations for Every Cat:

Less Active Cats: If your cat isn’t the most active or has mobility issues, start by flicking treats a short distance or placing them in an easily reachable spot. You can also roll them along the ground instead of flicking them, making it easier for your cat to find and pounce.

Shy Cats: For cats that might be more timid or hesitant, start by using their favorite treats and making sure the environment feels safe and calm. Over time, you can increase the intensity of the game once they’re comfortable.

Multiple Cats: If you have more than one cat, you can either play individually with each one or flick multiple treats at the same time, encouraging them to “compete” for the prizes. Just be mindful of their personalities and make sure everyone gets a fair chance.

Why It’s Great:
Stimulates Natural Instincts: The flicking and chasing action helps your cat tap into their natural hunting instincts, which is great for mental stimulation.
Physical Exercise: It’s a fun way to get your cat moving, especially if they spend a lot of time lounging.

Bonding Time: This game is a great opportunity to bond with your cat while also providing them with a fun, rewarding challenge.
So, grab those treats and get flicking! Your cat will love the challenge—and you’ll love seeing their playful side. 🎉

05/02/2025

Why a little spot machine is necessary with animals. Poor Merlot got up and did not go p**p when I put him outside. So I needed to leave and when I came back the poor guy just couldn’t hold it anymore (He’s 14). So we picked it up, mopped and spot cleaned.

05/02/2025

🐾 The Privilege of Time When Adding Pets to Our Lives 🐾

When we consider bringing a pet into our lives, it's important to acknowledge that time is one of the greatest privileges a pet owner can have. And not everyone has the privilege of time.

Many pets, especially young ones or those with special needs, require patience, training, and consistency to grow into well-adjusted, happy individuals. Whether it’s teaching them proper behaviours, socializing them, or simply making sure their physical, emotional, and mental needs are met—these are things that take time.

If you aren't someone with the privilege of time, it’s important to truly reflect on whether you can commit to the responsibility that comes with adding a pet to your life. Pets don’t just need food, shelter, and exercise—they need your time to build trust, learn boundaries, and develop good behaviours. This isn't just a “nice-to-have”—it's essential for their well-being.

If you’re finding it hard to carve out the time, it might be worth considering hiring a professional, whether it's for training or extra support, so your pet gets the time and care they deserve. The investment of time upfront can prevent behavioural issues, create a stronger bond, and ensure that both you and your pet lead a happier life together.

Having a pet is a lifelong commitment that goes beyond just providing the basics—it requires an ongoing investment of your time and energy to ensure their happiness and success.

If you’re ready to make that commitment, great! If not, it’s worth rethinking whether this is the right time in your life to bring an animal into it. Their well-being depends on the time and attention we give them, and that’s a responsibility we should never take lightly.