Better Dog World

04/08/2024

*Image used is to emphasise the point of the post, and is in no way an endorsement of such tools.

27/07/2024

Old MacDonald Kennels & Animal Services
Sunflower field is now open! Stop in and walk the field!!
🌻 Spend the Day at OMK! 🌻 TODAY !!!!
Our sunflower field is now open! Stop in and walk the field!!
10 min walk - Wear good shoes
Join us at Old MacDonald Animal Shelter this Saturday, July 27th from 10 AM for an all-day fun-filled event!
Bring the whole family and enjoy:
🍦 Ice Cream
🍩 Donuts
🐾 Free Farm Tours
😺 Play with Cats and Kittens
🐶 Play with Dogs and Puppies
🍋 Kara's Lemonade Stand
🛍️ Silent Auction
🌻 $1 Sunflowers

23/07/2024

18/07/2024

☀️ Temperatures are rising! It's important to know the signs of heat stroke in dogs. Some signs include:
- Glassy eyes
- Heavy panting
- Red/Purple gums
- Lethargy
- Excessive drooling
- Excessive vomiting and/or diarrhea
- High body temperature
- Seizures
- & more

Please keep your dogs out of the sun, walk in shaded areas, keep paws off hot concrete, and provide plenty of water.

🚨 If you suspect your dog has heat stroke, please call your vet immediately.

28/06/2024

19/06/2024

😊

13/06/2024

2 Old Girls looking for a home together. Please share

12/06/2024

While it is true that things can happen suddenly and unexpectedly, we can work to make sure we are as prepared as possible for the things we may encounter when out with our dogs.

Coaching is a process and one that needs following carefully to ensure that the dog fully understands what we are asking of them. This means remembering to generalise or 'proof' our cues.

Start coaching at home and when the dog has the cue reliably there, start going to different areas gradually, increasing distraction levels slowly as the dog is getting the hang of the cue in different places. Make sure the cue is as established for the dog as it can be before you might need to use it out in the world.

The last time you want need a fast response to your new recall cue out in the world is when your dog is charging away in excitement to explore the environment around them or into a potentially dangerous situation.

The more we practise cues in safe and well known environments and slowly increasing the distraction, the more we increase the likelihood that, when needed, our dogs will listen to us and respond to our cues. That way we can make sure to keep everyone as safe as possible.

10/06/2024

04/06/2024

🚨🚨🚨 WE NEED YOUR HELP🚨🚨🚨

Please LIKE, SHARE and COMMENT Below! ⤵️

Brooks has been in shelter since July of 2023 and remains to be our longest canine resident!!!
We would like to use the power of social media to spread the word and find this AMAZING boy his humans ❤❤
Brooks knows all his basic commands and is extremely food motivated! He's eager to learn, and is an incredibly smart boy.
He does need some work on his manners, but in his fur-ever home he will do wonders.
He will be that best friend you've been waiting for!

Please check Brooks out here: https://cahumane.com/pets/brooks/

03/06/2024

Communicating clear boundaries is one of the kindest things you can do for your dog. 🐶 When our dogs know what’s expected of them, they feel more secure and relaxed. This isn’t about rules; it’s about helping them understand their role in our family, enabling them to self-regulate and thrive. 🌟

For more on how clarity and compassion can revolutionize your relationship with your dog, don’t miss my podcast "How a Partnership Approach Radically Improves Your Life and Relationship with Your Dog." Tune in for actionable insights! 🎧 Listen from any r your favorite streaming app

EBD on Apple: dancinghearts.link/apple
EBD on Spotify: dancinghearts.link/spotify

31/05/2024

If a dog is repeatedly not following a cue, it's important we don't decide they are being 'stubborn'. Dogs are not stubborn because they choose to be.

It may be that they haven't actually learned the cue properly.

They may be feeling unwell.

There may be distractions in the environment that mean they can't concentrate and respond to the cue.

The reward on offer might not be motivating enough for them in that moment.

Look at the environment for distractions, look at the coaching history to see if the cue has been fully established and proofed in the wider world, and look at the value of the rewards you are offering.

28/05/2024

BARRIERS TO LEARNING – WHY SOME DOGS STRUGGLE TO LEARN

“My dog is stubborn, doesn’t listen to me, a slow learner, not the smartest, tries to be in control, will only do it at home, will only behave sometimes, is uncontrollable……” – these are comments that are often heard.

Just like us, dogs need the right kind of conditions to either be able to learn something new or to bring about a change in behaviour.

Dogs are not robots that can be programmed by a set of specific inputs that guarantee consistent results. They are individual, sentient beings that need to be understood.

If we’re feeling stressed, anxious, tired, over excited, too distracted, not feeling well, have no motivation etc. we will find it really difficult, if not impossible to learn something new, change our behaviour or change a habit. The same applies to dogs.

A dog’s emotional state, the surrounding environment, motivation, age (pups, adolescents, seniors) or any health issues all have a significant impact on their ability to learn.

If your dog is having a hard time learning something, look at these factors and see if there is a reason that may be preventing progress.

Maybe your dog is just having an “off” day, just like we do.

Try again tomorrow or next week and set your dog up for success by having realistic expectations.

Learning or changing behaviour takes time, patience, consistency, understanding and the right conditions.

20/05/2024

Good Monday Morning!
You woke up, you're alive, hopefully you have a dog or several nearby...
it's gonna be a great week!

13/05/2024

So we have some big changes coming to Better Dog World and with changes comes out with the old (well not that old) and in with the new. We will have some items up for sale over the next few weeks, as well as attending the Doggie Garage Sale at Safetycity in June.

Dog Bath for sale, is in very good shape and is ready for a new home. FOR SALE @$125.00

You can google this on amazon and wayfair for details https://www.wayfair.ca/Booster-Bath--Booster-Bath-Elevated-Pet-Bathing-System-BBXL-L3421-K~KQM1087.html?refid=GX684510207999-KQM1087&device=c&ptid=821988432418&targetid=pla-821988432418&network=g&ireid=68054124&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw0YGyBhByEiwAQmBEWtpxqq7GrAWvb5k9R13uWQnXxasMPG3O-t2xVV5MyVjYKXM48NHebRoCO4sQAvD_BwE

10/05/2024

When teaching dogs, it is important to consider their emotions and take them into account.

By considering canine emotions when teaching dogs, we can ensure a positive environment in which learning takes place efficiently and without either party becoming stressed or frustrated.

If a dog feels threatened or scared while being trained this could lead to behavioural issues as they strive to cope with its anxieties instead of focusing on what it is being taught.

Furthermore, unpleasant experiences during training can also have long-lasting psychological consequences that may manifest themselves at a later date through aggressive outbursts or even attacks.

08/05/2024

05/05/2024

NEW CLASSES start May 15th ❤🐾🌎

Teaching basic obedience, including house manners, solving common dog issues.
We promote positive tr

02/05/2024

Bonus Day 8 of 7 Days of Switch

Reflecting on the journey, dog training, and relationships.

Our journey with our dogs is never about training. It is about building a relationship step by step, behaviour by behaviour. While training with a dog does certainly affect our relationship, I believe, done properly, the relationship building IS the training.

Kim and Switchy’s relationship was a great example of that. Reaching goals by creating learning and boundaries with engaging games but never attaining those goals at the expense of the relationship.

That is the journey with a When we travel such a journey together, that's what makes the pain of loss at the end, all the more unbearable.

There are no stubborn, spiteful, stupid, or bad dogs.

There is just behaviour we can observe to give us feedback about our dog's needs, ourselves, our responses, and the choices we should make on this journey, and the next one we take with a
,
Rest well, sweet Switchy, thank you for the lessons, you will be missed by many.

27/04/2024

These 4 little dolls are super, sweet, confident, chill, would make a great addition to any family. 😊❤🐾

19/04/2024

Come see us at today and tomorrow with and see some adoptable puppys

19/04/2024

We will be there come visit 😊❤🐾

🐾🌟 Don't miss out on the fun this weekend at the Lacombe Trade Fair! 🎉

Visit us at the Old MacDonald Kennels & Animal Services booth for a chance to win a fabulous basket of dog supplies! 🐶✨ For just a $5 donation, you'll be entered into the draw to win this pawsome prize.

Plus, learn more about our shelter. See you there! 🐾🎁

13/04/2024

Come see us in Ponoka at the with today till 4. Thanks to for sponsoring us.

19/03/2024

Dogs pull because we let them, period. It’s not intentional but when they pull and we extend our arm out and then bring it back in because our arms don’t stretch, this gives dogs the constant feeling of tension and this is how they think walks, go.

Dogs need to be taught how to walk on a loose leash and this means we need to learn what that means and then teach it.

Harnesses are much safer and more humane than collars. Yes, even a flat collar. A flat collar sits on their trachea and is putting pressure on their trachea and why you often hear them cough. It hurts!

A well fitting (not tight) harness doesn’t sit on the trachea or their shoulders (which also causes pain), but allows for complete freedom of movement offering a pain and stress free walk.

I recommend harnesses without any metal except where the leash attaches to. Ruffwear Front Range, Kurgo or Puppia for small dogs.

Loose leash walking seems to be a difficult thing for people to learn therefore teaching dogs goes by the wayside and dogs continue to suffer unnecessary pain and punishment. 😞

has a great graphic about how to teach loose leash walking. Check it out and enjoy your walks with dogs.

14/03/2024

Meet Bertha , AKA BIG Bertha
She is a one year old , 94lb lap dog.