I don't think we needed science to tell us just how awesome dogs are. I am completely blown away by them every day. We are keenly aware, however, that not everyone can see the potential for awesomeness in their dogs yet. We can help with that.
Wigglebums.ca
Do you have a puppy you are struggling to get socialized during their critical period for socialization? Let us know if you want us to run this fun playgroup on Tuesday evenings in Yorkton, and if there is enough interest, we will make it happen!! wigglebums.ca
Puppy Instruction Manual
🐾✨ Exciting News for All Puppy Parents! ✨🐾
If you're looking for a fun, positive, and effective way to train your puppy while building a strong bond, these classes are for you! 🐶💖 We’ll focus on all the basics and more using evidence-based, positive reinforcement methods to help your pup develop good manners, confidence, and essential life skills.
If you're looking for a fun, positive, and effective way to train your puppy while building a strong bond, these classes are for you! 🐶💖 We’ll be focusing on all the basics and more using evidence based, positive reinforcement methods to help your pup develop good manners, confidence, and essential life skills.
📅 Starts: March 11th 📍 Location: Land Titles Building, Yorkton ⏰ Time: 7pm 💵 Cost: $250
Spots are limited to 6, so don’t wait! Reserve your puppy’s spot today and join us for a journey of growth, fun, and connection. 🐕✨
#PuppyTraining #ForceFreeTraining #PositiveReinforcement #PuppyClasses #DogTraining #ForceFreePuppyClasses #HappyPuppy #DogLovers
Too many of my clients have fallen victim to this unregulated industry. Too many clients and their dogs are harmed by "trainers" lacking education and integrity.
You all deserve better!
Thank you for a wonderful 2024! Looking forward to seeing you in 2025 ♥
We have been doing a LOT more virtual sessions lately and could not be more thrilled!!! We get it! The weather is terrible, the roads are awful and you do not want to get out of your jammies to get to a class. Trust us....we won't judge. We have day jammies and night jammies too. Let us help you virtually to resolve any problems you and your pup are having with communication breakdown and even basic training at a very economical price. We have virtual programs (one on one with us) to get you back to enjoying each other again. www.wigglebums.ca
Our newest email newsletter just went out to our subscribers!! If you are not subscribed....why not??!! We have discounts, recipes, and some very cool insider news! Subscribe today! https://www.wigglebums.ca/
A lot of people are convinced that they know how to train a dog. Having attended a class before or watched YouTube videos or even their parents training their dog, they feel confident in their knowledge about canine cognition and learning.
But the faces I see on owners in class or private sessions as I dispel the myths and teach them how to easily shape their dog's behaviour is telling. Whether it is the grimace of falling for the long-perpetuated myth of "alpha" or "dominance" or just the wonder of how easily a dog will learn a behaviour when properly taught is always interesting to me.
If you want to learn the newest, best way to shape your dog's behaviour, learn what myths have a basis in scientific consensus and which don't, and how to make the most out of your relationship with your pup, you will want to give us a follow! Just as a teaser, I will throw out there that ethologists will tell you that dogs are NOT pack animals. Teaching them in a way that promotes hierarchical power struggles and dominance is extremely damaging to the relationship between you and often results in more problematic behaviours.
long-perpetuated
We have some free resources on our website
www.wigglebums.ca (subscribe to our newsletter!)
Great information on our page at
https://www.facebook.com/Wigglebums.ca
and
Current events local to you at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/yorktonpets
We are booking our New Year's classes (stay tuned) and still have private training sessions (virtual or in person) available every day, evening, or weekend!
Love is an overused word in our culture. That is because it is subjective and leaves a lot of room for interpretation. I often hear how much people love their animals but still seem willing to inflict harm on them in a misguided effort to "help" them.
With neither the training, nor education to understand the long-term effects of the punitive methods of dog training that people employ, it can be difficult to see the downstream effects that positive punishment (adding a scary or painful consequence with the intention of decreasing behaviour) has on your dog.
Often we see what we call "fallout" behaviours stemming from even a single use of P+. The very first time you use aversive on your dog, they learn you are not the person who would never harm them. They learn you are willing to do whatever it takes to gain compliance from them. It tears at the very fabric of a relationship and breaks that trust. Let me give you an example from my experience.
A dog goes outside every day and barks at the neighbour dog. The owners, thinking they have stumbled upon an innocuous and easy solution, get an ultrasonic bark deterrent. It emits a very high-pitched sound that humans have a hard time hearing (although it can cause some pretty serious headaches for your neighbors) whenever your dog barks. The problems: it cannot discern your dogs bark from your neighbor's dog. It is triggered by many other sounds.
A few weeks down the road, the owners notice a hesitation to go out into the backyard to pee or even for walks. They notice the dog is having frequent accidents in the house. They notice that their dog is getting more reactive to dogs barking. It doesn't make much sense. Why would the dog be suddenly afraid of going outside or other dogs barking?
This scenario took quite a bit of unlearning to get this poor dog to want to venture outside again. I equate it to living in a zombie apocalypse. Unless it is absolutely necessary, I do not want to have to battle The Walking Dead
It is not always a request for attention!
Quite often in my career, I have had clients whose dogs have developed a real dislike for strangers. When asked if they have always demonstrated anxiety around strangers, they mention that their dog was very social as a puppy, was socialized by being taken everywhere, and would even roll over for belly rubs. The moment they mention rolling over, I feel a figurative red flag go up in my brain.
Not every dog who rolls over is asking for belly rubs. Early on in my career, I learned this the hard way with a foster dog and bear the physical and mental scars of it. Puppies use the roll over to demonstrate that they are not a threat to adult dogs and appeasement, so they are not attacked as such. They learn very quickly that it works on humans too and even learn to develop a love of it as it feels good when humans rub their bellies.
However, a roll over that is preceded by a curvy, slinking, tail between their legs, and avoidance gestures would be a clear indication that the dog is not comfortable and likely to bite when you reach out to rub that belly. My foster dog did not even give me that indication, however, as those stress signals proved futile or were even punished prior to him coming to us. He would roll over, lay on his back and bide his time until he was close enough.
A consent test is a good way to see if the dog is into the interaction. Mentally count to 3 while rubbing a dogs belly and remove your hand. If the dog wants more interaction, they will generally let you know. If they move away or leave, then we can grant them the space they ask for. Watch for signs that your pup is uncomfortable. Flattened ears (behind or out to the side, but tense), lip licking, tail tucked, etc.
If you want to know more about stress signals, check out our video on them at https://youtu.be/ZcwXz2AWWQ4?feature=shared
Force Free, Effective Training and Behavior Modification. Connect with your dog
