Street Wise Canine

24/01/2025

Why Engagement Starts with YOU Let’s be honest: when most people think about dog training, their minds go straight to the basics—sit, stay, down. And while

17/01/2025

Kibble First, Treats Later: The Smarter Way to Train.

Let’s break it down: If we start training with super high-value treats, we’re setting ourselves up to hit a motivational wall. Think about it—if your dog will only work for steak, where do we go from there? Lobster? Filet mignon? By starting with kibble—their everyday food—we’re laying down a rock-solid foundation of food motivation that doesn’t rely on fancy snacks to get the job done.

Here’s how it works:

💡 True Motivation Starts Small

Training with kibble teaches your dog to value the process, not just the prize. If your dog is excited to sit, stay, and strut their stuff for kibble in the kitchen, you know you’ve built genuine motivation.

💡 Avoiding the Bribery Trap

When your dog learns to work for ordinary rewards, you’re not stuck in a cycle of constantly “upping the ante.” You don’t have to bust out gourmet treats for every little command. Training stays sustainable, practical, and stress-free.

But wait, what about the good stuff?

Once your dog is rocking it with kibble and nailing those basic skills, we can bring out the “big guns” (aka higher-value rewards) for more complex or challenging tasks. It’s like saving dessert for special occasions—it keeps things exciting!

The result? A motivated, engaged learner who LOVES training and works just as hard for kibble as they do for a big reward. That’s what we call real food motivation—the kind that builds trust, enthusiasm, and a strong foundation for whatever you want to teach next.

16/01/2025

Dog Parks: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (From a Dog’s POV) Oh, hey! It’s me—your dog. Yeah, the one you drag to the dog park like it’s some kind of

14/01/2025

Why Your Dog’s Behavior Isn’t Random It’s me again—your dog. You know, the one you’re constantly trying to coax into things I have zero interest in, like m

10/01/2025

Because Nothing Says ‘New Friendship’ Like Tangled Leashes and Awkward Sniffing Hey, humans. Yeah, it’s me—your dog. The one you’re constantly dragging aro

07/01/2025

Toxic masculinity in training quadrants? Really? Seriously?

You may have seen the recent debate about the Four Quadrants of Dog Training—a post that compares them to toxic human relationships and labels balanced training as harmful. Let’s set the record straight. Pulling at emotional heartstrings shouldn’t be the new normal when it comes to educating dog owners.

💡 Here’s the truth:

The Four Quadrants—Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, and Negative Punishment—are tools, NOT emotional frameworks.
They’re about communication, not control.

📖 In our latest blog, “Debunking the Fear Tactics: What the Four Quadrants of Dog Training Really Mean,” we break down:
✅ Why the comparison between quadrants and human relationships is flawed.
✅ How fear-based messaging misleads dog owners.
✅ Why balanced training, when done responsibly, prioritizes clarity, compassion, and results.

🐕 Dog training isn’t about guilt or fear—it’s about what works for YOU and your dog.

👉 Click here to read the blog and join the conversation!

https://trainingdogsonline.ca/blog/the-dog-training-divide--let-s-talk-about-the-four-quadrants-and-fear-based-tactics

🗨️ What do you think? Can we have balance in training without fear? Let’s talk below! 👇

04/01/2025

Online Dog Training: Does It Really Work and Can It Help Your Dog? If you’re like most dog owners, you’ve probably seen ads for online dog training and tho

22/12/2024

22/12/2024

Preparing Your Dog for Vet Visits: It’s All About Building Confidence Let me share something I’ve learned from years of experience: vet visits are one of t

20/12/2024

19/12/2024

Why Does Your Dog Guard Their Stuff?

Let’s be real—your dog isn’t guarding because they’re a jerk. They’re guarding because they think they HAVE to.

🐾 My latest blog, “Why I Guard My S**t: A Dog’s No-Bullsh*t Guide for Humans,” is your no-fluff guide to understanding resource guarding from your dog’s perspective.

👉 Read it here: https://trainingdogsonline.ca/blog/why-i-guard-my-sh*t--a-dog-s-no-bullsh*t-guide-for-humans

18/12/2024

The Truth About E-Collars: Transparency and Responsible Use Okay, let’s get real for a moment. If you’re in the dog training world, or even just a curious

15/12/2024

💡 Is it the tool, or how it’s used?

Dog training can be a polarizing topic, especially when it comes to tools like prong collars or e-collars. In our latest blog, we explore an important question: Are training tools really the problem, or is the issue a lack of education and understanding?

This isn’t about taking sides—it’s about opening up a meaningful conversation. Here’s what we dive into:
✔️ Why tools often get blamed for poor results.
✔️ How dog owners can step up and take responsibility in training.
✔️ Why proper education—not judgment—matters most.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between conflicting training philosophies or judged for your choices, this blog is for you. It’s time to focus on empowering owners, understanding tools, and putting the dog’s needs first.

📖 Read the full post here:

https://trainingdogsonline.ca/blog/dog-training-s-dirty-divide--tools--trust--and-misguided-judgments

Let’s start a dialogue—what do YOU think? Are tools misunderstood, or is there more to the story?

Are We Failing Dog Owners By Refusing to Educate Them? In dog training today, a growing divide has emerged between trainers open to multiple approaches and

11/12/2024

A Client-Centered Approach At Training Dogs Online, we believe in tailoring training to the unique needs of every dog and their owner. Instead of adhering

10/12/2024

🎓 Why Food Rewards Are the Secret Sauce to Dog Training Success! 🐾🍖

Did you know that using food rewards is one of the most effective ways to train your dog? It’s not just about giving treats—it’s about creating a motivated, eager-to-learn partner.

In our latest blog post, we break down why food rewards aren’t “bribery” but a scientifically proven tool for shaping behavior. Here’s what you’ll learn:

✅ How food taps into your dog’s natural instincts.
✅ Why timing and consistency matter when using food rewards.
✅ How to use your dog’s meals (hello, kibble!) as part of your training routine.
✅ Tips for transitioning from food rewards to long-lasting behaviors.

Food rewards help dogs want to engage with you, making training a fun and productive experience for both of you! Ready to ditch the struggle and build a dog that’s excited to learn?

🖱️ Read the full blog now:

https://trainingdogsonline.ca/blog/why-food-rewards-are-the-secret-to-effective-dog-training

💡 What’s your dog’s go-to food reward? Share below!

Why Food Rewards Are the Secret to Effective Dog Training” "I Don’t Want to Use Food in Training” – Let’s Talk About That I hear it all the time: