Street Wise Canine

01/09/2024

⭐️ What I Do When I’m Putting My Dog in a Challenging Situation ⭐️

Here’s a little reminder about the importance of going back to basics—especially when you’re working in a new or more challenging environment with your dog. It’s easy to expect our dogs to perform perfectly in every situation, but sometimes, we’ve got to hit reset and focus on sp*ed first.

In this video, we’re welcoming everyone into class—dogs and people are showing up all over the place! With my Chihuahua, Lil’ Thing, I’m not worried about perfect behavior here. Instead, we’re rewinding back to the fundamentals from our course, active engagement, really honing in on handler focus and enthusiasm. 🔄

When things get tricky, have the potential to get tricky or we’re in a new place, I always start simple, keep it fun, and build from there. When the environment changes, it’s totally fine for our expectations to change too. 😊 Remember, sp*ed builds confidence, and confidence leads to consistency! 🐾

Check out the video and let me know—how do you keep your dogs engaged when the environment gets tough?

Training Dogs Online

31/08/2024

Teaching a new dog, the down command.

29/08/2024

Training Session with foster dog Enzo. Beginning stages of adding distance to place.

29/08/2024

Little session with my Beebs tonight. Because he felt like working after class.

23/08/2024

Why I Stepped Away From Dog Training.

A Heartfelt Update: Why I Stepped Away From Dog Trainng and What’s Next You might have noticed that I’ve been a bit quiet over the past few years. It’s not

07/08/2024

Help this girl find a home by sharing this post. 💕

06/08/2024

BASIC OBEDIENCE CLASS STARTING AUGUST 7TH in Delhi,Ontario.

We still have space for our 6 week Basic Obedience Class starting next Wednesday August 7th here at The Dog's Paw - Delhi, Ontario (1550 Highway 3, Delhi Ontario).

Class is $350+HST for 6 weeks and each class is 1 hour long.

If you would like to register, follow this link:
https://buy.stripe.com/eVabMeem283WbbW3ce

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]!

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Course Overview📣📣

This 6-week obedience class is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in dog training, focusing on essential commands, building food motivation, managing training environments, and troubleshooting common issues. Each week builds on the previous one, ensuring steady progress and a deep understanding of effective training techniques. By the end of this course, both dogs and their owners will have a solid foundation in essential training skills, ensuring a well-behaved and responsive dog. This structured, supportive, and engaging course is not like other dog obedience classes, it is designed to meet the diverse needs of dog owners, providing valuable training opportunities that are both fun and beneficial.

>> Key Benefits

21/05/2024

🐾🦴 Join Our Fun-Filled Small Dog Social!🦴🐾

🗓️ Starting Soon: Bring your small dog to our exciting Small Dog Social, a drop-in class designed for dogs 20 lbs and under. These 45-minute sessions provide a safe, fun, and controlled environment for your dog to interact, play, and build confidence with other same-sized dogs.

🕖 When: Mondays @ 6:00 PM (tentative)
📅 Duration: Drop-in (start date TBD based on enrollment)
⏰ Length: 45 Minutes
💵 Cost: $25.00 +HST

👇 Session Highlights

Safe and Controlled Environment: Provides a safe space where small dogs can play without the risk of being overwhelmed or injured by larger dogs.

Emotional Security: Ensures a stress-free environment where small dogs feel comfortable and confident, reducing the risk of negative emotional experiences.

Confidence Building: Helps small dogs develop confidence through positive social interactions with dogs of similar size.

Social Skills Enhancement: Encourages the learning of appropriate play behaviors and social cues, aiding in the development of well-rounded social skills.

Engaging and Fun Playtime: Includes slow introductions for shy dogs and more dynamic play sessions for confident and energetic dogs, catering to different comfort levels and personalities.

Interactive Play: Offers an enjoyable and stimulating environment where small dogs can engage in healthy play, promoting physical exercise and mental stimulation.

Exploration and Learning: Enhances sensory experiences and encourages curiousity, helping dogs become more adaptable and confident in various environments.

Body Language and Social Cues: Teaches small dogs to read and respond to body language and social cues appropriately, fostering better communication and interaction with other dogs.

📍Why Choose Our Small Dog Socials?
Our Small Dog Socials offer a dynamic, engaging, and fulfilling experience for small dogs of all ages. It’s not just about play; it’s about building confidence, enhancing social skills, and ensuring your small dog thrives in a safe and controlled environment.

📣 Space is limited! Email us at [email protected] now to reserve your spot and let your small dog enjoy fun and safe social interactions at our Small Dog Social!

🔗 The Dog's Paw - Delhi, Ontario
1550 Highway 3
Delhi, Ontario
N4B 2W6
519.582.7297

17/05/2024

Teaching classes soon!

🐕💥 Turn Challenges into Triumphs with Our Reactive Dog Class!💥🐕

🗓️ Starting Soon: Join our 5-week Reactive Dog Class and transform the way you handle your dog's reactivity. Understand triggers, manage responses, and build a more focused, calm companion.

🕕 When: Thursday @ 6:00 PM (tentative)
🕒 Duration: 1 Hour per Class
📅 Length: 5 Weeks (start date TBD based on enrollment)
💵 Cost: $385.00 +HST

👇 Course Overview:
Identify and Manage Triggers
Learn to recognize and handle what sparks your dog’s reactive behaviour.

Build Food Drive
Use food games to enhance motivation and engagement.

Improve Focus and Responsiveness
Train your dog to maintain focus and respond reliably under stress.

Develop Effective Communication
Strengthen your bond, ensuring clear and consistent communication.

Reduce Reactivity
Teach your dog to stay calm and focused, even in challenging situations.

📍 Why Our Class?
This course is crafted for those who face challenges with a reactive dog. Our expert trainers provide tools and techniques that lead to real changes, fostering a tranquil and joyful environment for both you and your dog.

📣 Limited spots available! EMAIL [email protected] now to secure your spot and start your journey to a more peaceful life with your dog!

🔗 The Dog's Paw - Delhi, Ontario
1550 Highway 3
Delhi, Ontario
N4B 2W6
519.582.7297

07/05/2024

🌟🐾 Exciting News, for all our Dog Lovers out there! 🐾🌟

This summer is set to be our most thrilling one yet at The Dog's Paw. We're overjoyed to announce that the fabulous Cher Wood from Street Wise Canine and Training Dogs Online will be joining me, Melissa Conrad for an unforgettable summer of tail-wagging fun and learning. 🎉🐶 Melissa and Cher partnered up to offer Training Dogs Online in 2020, but it's time to bring all of the greatness you've experienced online to in person classes!

🐕 What’s Happening?
Get ready to dive into a summer packed with unique classes and events designed for every stage of your dog's journey:

🍼 Puppy Conditioning Classes – Start your pup's life off right!
🐶 Adolescent Classes – Navigate those tricky dog teen years with ease!
🧠 Behavioural Classes – Tackle challenges with expert guidance; reactive, aggressive, no problem!
🥓 Food Drive Classes – Learn how to use food in training, boost their motivation and zest for learning!
🐩🐕 Small Dog Socials – Allow your dog to interact with other dogs their size in a safe and enriching environment.
🏠 Barn Hunt - Fulfill your dog’s natural instincts.

And there’s so much more! Whether you’re looking to refine your dogs manners, enhance their skills, or just have a great time, we’ve got something for everyone.

🌞🐾 Join us to make this summer not just fun but transformative for you and your dog. Stay tuned for more details on class schedules, registration dates, and special events!

👀 Don't miss out! Follow us for updates, sneak p*eks, and maybe even a few surprises. Let’s make this a summer to remember!

💬 DM us to learn more or reserve your spot early. Spots will fill up fast – let’s make every day this summer a great one!

📍 The Dog's Paw - Pet Retreat and Training in Delhi
1550 Highway 3
Delhi, Ontario

DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A CLASS OR EVENT THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE US OFFER? LEAVE A SUGGESTION IN THE COMMENTS!

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31/08/2022

26/08/2022

I am sure everyone reading this has used food to reward their dogs at some point or another. Usually with limited success or no real learning happening. That’s because there are certain components you need to follow in o...

24/08/2022

Training Dogs Online

24/05/2022

This little puppy is doing so good in our Bright Beginnings Puppy Program. 😃

He is up for adoption with Eastern Ontario Potcake Rescue .

To learn more about this program, check out the link below ⬇️⬇️

https://www.trainingpuppiesonline.ca/brightbeginningspuppyprogram

20/05/2022

Wondering what online training can do for you?

Check out this adorable little Frenchie ❤️

Flash Sale 🎈



Training Dogs Online is offering a 50% off sale this weekend only!!!!!

Struggling with behaviour problems ?

We can help ☑️

Looking for build a better relationship with your dog ?

We can help ☑️

Looking to teach your dog basic obedience?

We can help ☑️

Feeling overwhelmed with your new puppy ?

We can help ☑️

Sign up today using the link below +promo code

***FLASHSALE***

https://trainingdogsonline.ca/sign-up

https://youtu.be/OWJgNuwOGxU

19/05/2022

Flash Sale 🎈



Training Dogs Online is offering a 50% off sale this weekend only!!!!!

Struggling with behaviour problems ?

We can help ☑️

Looking for build a better relationship with your dog ?

We can help ☑️

Looking to teach your dog basic obedience?

We can help ☑️

Feeling overwhelmed with your new puppy ?

We can help ☑️

Sign up today using the link below +promo code ***FLASHSALE***

https://trainingdogsonline.ca/sign-up

09/05/2022

The wilderness explorer crew 💕
Theo The Doxie, up for adoption
Lil Thing The Chihuahua, MINE!
Puppies!!!, soon up for adoption.

09/05/2022

Name Suggestions Wanted __________

We’re looking for name ideas for these two little potcakes.

Fluffy puppy is a girl (left)

Smooth coat is a male (right)

06/05/2022

02/05/2022

Theo The 2 year old Doxie

🚨 I have and I WILL bite 🚨

Looking for an experienced home.

Dogs: small dogs only (no big dogs)
Not tested with cats
No small animals
No kids under 16 (NO EXCEPTIONS)
No attached homes or apartments.
Fenced backyard a must.

Temperament

Theo is overall a social dog. He will elicit social behaviours with people in his life and also new people he meets (tail wagging, jumping up, licking) . He is great with small dogs, but can be defensive and bark if large dogs breach his space. There he cannot go to dog parks or be placed in a home with larger dogs. He is nervous when presented when new scenarios, however, he recovers from them very quickly with proper guidance from his handler. He is a fairly active dog and enjoys going for a few walks/hikes per day. He has resource guarded bones/food/items previously that resulted in him acquiring a bite history. He has also bit due to conflict aggression (explained below). These behaviour have been proven to be very manageable with proper training techniques.

His new home will need to be comfortable with confining Theo to a play pen or a gated area, in order to help manage and create a successful living environment. We do not recommend using a crate, as it can create potential situations for conflict aggression to arise. His new home will have to not leave dog toys and bones laying around the house, for the first 60 days. They will need to understand that any tasty bones or treats will need to be given when Theo is alone and confined, indefinitely. This is to avoid any resource guarding issues around people and dogs. He is not the kind of dog that you can pet when he has a bone or physically TAKE bones or other high value items away from him. His new adopters must understand that he needs a safe place to have his own resources. Theo is currently confined to an exercise pen, with p*e pads without issues.

Theo is an active dog, and requires a lot of walks/hikes. He does not have a lot of stamina, however, he does require a decent amount of exercise on a daily basis in short bursts. He loves exploring and running through the forest, probably his absolute favourite activity. Theo has not lived in a busy city area, therefore a new adopter that lives in the city, will have to understand the possible difficulty in a transition to a busy area. However, because Theo is not reactive on leash, we feel the transition can be done easily for both parties. As long as you DO NOT allow people or dogs to pet him or interact with him while you’re out walking.

His new adopters will be required to sign up for training with training dogs online in order to maintain his current training and be coached on his behavioural issues appropriately.

Due to Theos bite history, he cannot be placed with children under 16 years of age. If you have grandchildren that visit frequently, he may not be a good match for you. We understand that friends with children may come over to visit from time to time, following a professional dog trainers advice on interactions and confinement during those instances are acceptable.

Behavioural Issues

Conflict Aggression
Resource Guarding

Training Expectations

Theo’s new adopters must be comfortable with positive reinforcement and using food to help leverage good behaviours. New adopters must understand that Theo must be recalled to the handler when a tricky situation arises. For example: If Theo finds something he should not have, adopters must recall Theo to them and not approach him.

Conflict Aggression

Conflict aggression is when dogs growl, lunge or bite when when they are presented with a scenario in which they may loose control or feel trapped. What is conflicting to some dogs, may not be conflicting to others. A conflicted dog may display both fearful and offensive behaviour depending on the event presented.

Understanding what your dog perceives as conflict will help you be able to manage the environment to create successful outcomes for the dog. Learning to understand your dogs body language is a key component to being able to safely manage and decrease the likelihood of conflicting behaviours occurring.

Conflict aggression may be able to be decreased based on your ability to counter -condition conflicting events, manage the environment and read the dogs body language. It is important to understand that this behaviour may not resolve depending on your dogs behavioural history, genetics and age.

What can create conflict aggression in Theo:

• Handling (Grooming/Restraining) NOT good with nail trims.
• Reaching into his crate to grab him (not recommended anyways)
• Vet visits (must be muzzled)
•Entering personal space when he is sleeping
•Physically stopping him from playing with a dog
•Physically moving him from areas he wants to remain in
•Physically stoping him from doing something he wants.
•Being put into a crate or taken out of a crate

Resource Guarding

Resource guarding is when dogs will growl, lunge, snap or bite in order to either gain possession of a resource or to maintain possession of a resource. Resource guarding is a natural behaviour among dogs. The severity in which they resource guard however is what separates natural behaviour versus exaggerated/dangerous behaviour.

Theo resource guards items that he has IN his possession and can also resource guard in order to gain possession of an item. This means he will go out of his way to display aggressive behaviours to get something from you (typically food related items).

What can create resource guarding in Theo;

• Kibble
• Treats
• Bones
• Lickie Mats
• Long lasting chews
MIGHT guard a high value bone from other dogs. (have not tried)
Dog beds, couch, chair

How to avoid resource guarding & defensive behaviour

Counter-conditioning and managing the environment for successful outcomes. Learning to understand Theo’s body language will be extremely beneficial for your overall success. Using a reward marker as well as recalling him out of conflicting situations will help you be successful in avoiding conflict from occurring and slowly demising his aggressive response.

Not Housetrained

Theo is not housetrained. He will have accidents if left unsupervised. He was unfortunately p*e pad trained improperly, therefore he will need someone to go through proper house training etiquette with him.

If you think you can help Theo, please visit the link below.

https://www.canadiandachshundrescue.com/adopt/adoption-process/

02/05/2022

🏠 Looking for a home

This sweet boy is Neo, we call him the mini shepherd.

He is a very passive, gentle boy who needs a place to call his own.

Bio coming soon . . .

07/04/2022

Best friend vibes with Lil Thing and Stevie Wonder.

Don’t forget, Stevie is up for adoption with Eastern Ontario Potcake Rescue.

05/04/2022

🌟 Stevie Wonder doesn’t let his vision impairment hold him back!

Here he is showing off his rock climbing skills to his bestie, Lil’ Thing 💕

If you’re interested in learning more about adopting this little man, please click the link below⬇️

https://www.facebook.com/538152363005904/posts/2184853858335738/?d=n

02/04/2022

31/03/2022

30/03/2022

The warmer weather is bringing out the excitement zooms!

This was also the first time Stevie Wonder, the little blind puppy, had the courage to move farther away from me and utilize the field to run his legs!

AND just look how cute my Lil' Thing is using her tiny little chihuahua legs and being all brave.

Stevie Wonder is up for adoption, his profile will be coming soon.

29/03/2022

INNER CIRCLE VS OUTER CIRCLE response from your dog
Inner Circle: This would include the constant relationships in your life. Remember those constant relationships are also those in your dogs life as well. This would include friends, family or simply someone who visits your home on a regular basis.
Outer Circle: This circle would be people you see that you do not have any relationship with. As stated above, if you don’t have a relationship with someone, most likely your dog does not either. This would include people walking by on the street, the deliver guy, the staff at pet stores or even your veterinary office.
What does your dogs Inner Circle & Outer Circle responses look like?
The most important thing to understand is that there is no wrong answer here. The simple reason being, your dog is different, just like you and I are different. There are so many factors that help shape your dogs personality and behaviours, such as; breed, upbringing, environment, training, genetics and even its developmental process in the womb. There’s a lot of these factors that you simply cannot control, even though we so badly want too at times.
The Inner Circle is usually where dogs thrive. It becomes relationships they can understand, maintain and trust. We all understand how familiarity creates safety, as we also thrive in the same manner.
For example: Your dogs first reaction might be to bark when your dad comes to visit. Once your dad has been identified by the dog, the greeting turns into pure excitement and joy. As if to say “Oh hey, its your, I haven’t seen you in FOREVER”.
The Outer Circle is usually where dogs struggle. The idea of constantly accepting new people or dogs into their world just brings about too much conflict.
The Inner Circle is the asset we use when working with clients whom have dogs that may not be comfortable or receptive with Outer Circle people. The Inner Circle group are able to help you practice repetitions successfully and safely.
For example: If your dog does not like Outer Circle people entering your home. You can recruit people from your Inner Circle to come knock at your dog, walk in, walk by, whatever the triggers may be in order to help change your dogs emotional response to those stimuli.
If you are struggling with your dog, we can help!

www.streetwisecanine.com

24/03/2022

Recall Training Tips.

10/03/2022

What if your dog needs more support?

We first must have an understanding of what support looks like. Being supportive is defined as; giving help and encouragement. This is something we can all relate too, we’ve all played the role of supportive friend, spouse, partner, co-worker or parent. When it comes to our canine companions however, there’s healthy ways to offer support and there’s also unhealthy ways to be supportive.

If we look at the definition first as being helpful, we must first understand what is helping or hindering our dogs in moments of needed support. Lets say someone comes to your home, and your dog is not comfortable in the presence of those outside of their inner circle. Your dog reacts negatively; barking, growling, lunging and maybe attempts to bite the person. Our first two questions to you would be the following; “I understand your dog reacted that way, what help did you offer them in that moment?” and “Have you done anything prior to teach them what help looks like in your relationship?”. The biggest mistake we make is undervaluing what a strong support system can do in your relationship with your dog.

As humans, the help we tend to give our dogs, is usually hindering. Mainly because we have not established a language or installed behaviours around areas where our dogs need help. This simply means, we have not taught our dogs how we can be helpful.

Let’s go back to the first question we asked. Most clients generally have similar replies, such as; we told the dog no, we gave the dog treats, or we pet the dog, all in attempts to diffuse the situation. This is what we see as offering our dogs help, when in fact, we are actually offering them encouragement in the wrong direction. Now remember, being supportive is defined as giving help and encouragement, but sometimes the help we offer, is encouraging the behaviours that are hindering your dogs behaviour. In order to offer encouragement we first need our dogs to offer behaviours we WANT to encourage.

Now let’s look at the second question we asked; “Have you done anything prior to teach them what help looks life in your relationship ?” The general response is normally confusion, as most clients don’t know how to help their dogs when they need support. If your dog needs more support from you and you aren’t quite sure how to offer it, we can help you.

The TDO program has been designed specifically to help and encourage not only your dog, but you as the handler as well.

www.streetwisecanine.com

05/02/2022

Puppy faces ❤️