Wigglebums

16/12/2024

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

14/12/2024

Exactly this!

13/12/2024

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/

04/12/2024

Another quick blog of our favourite things to get our dogs for Christmas and some ideas of what you can get for dogs in your life that are sure to please. https://www.wigglebums.ca/post/a-few-of-our-favourite-things

02/12/2024

Is your dog pulling on the leash, jumping up, or struggling with basic commands? Do you want out of the cold while engaging your furry companion in a challenging course? It’s time to build a strong foundation with our Force-Free Dog Training not so "Basic" Manners Class! Over 6 weeks, you and your dog will learn essential skills that will make your daily life more enjoyable and peaceful and build real-world skills to ensure your dog is welcome everywhere. 😍

What You’ll Learn:

Loose leash walking
Sit, stay, and recall
Polite greetings and no jumping
Impulse control and calmness
Cooperative Care
And much more!

Why Choose Us?
✅Force-Free Approach: We use only the most modern positive reinforcement techniques that build and maintain trust and an unshakable bond.
✅Experienced, Educated Trainer: Our certified trainer will guide you every step of the way.
✅Small Class Size: Ensures personalized attention for you and your dog.
✅Fun & Engaging: Training is enjoyable for both you and your dog!

Class Details:
Duration: 6 Weeks
Location: Land Titles Building in Yorkton
Start Date: January 28th, 2025
Spaces Limited: Sign up today to reserve your spot!
Build a stronger bond with your dog and create lasting positive behaviors!

Register Now and start your journey to a better-behaved pup! www.wigglebums.ca

30/11/2024

Watching reels and saying a serenity prayer.

It used to be that I could not watch videos of trainers because I knew it was inevitably going to lead to animal abuse. The very old school trainers who were visibly abusive to both animals and their people alike. I saw a very popular Canadian trainer (back in the day) punch a dog in the face. This numpty went on to open a school for other trainers who, in turn, became the worst trainers in Canada.

Now I flip through reels, and it has become apparent that the harms are way more discreet than they used to be. They look fairly innocuous on the video but still end in a compromise of animal welfare. Watching the dogs for stress signals is heartbreaking as dogs struggle to understand why this person wants to hurt them. But there are always red flags in these videos that make it easy to tell the good from the bad.

1. Using words like alpha, dominant, pack, and weasel word like correction, stim, or pinch indicative that this trainer doesn't realize that the old school methodologies have been long left behind by the evolving science of canine behaviour and cognition.

2. The noose. Either wrapped around a dogs neck or (worse) looped over their nose as well, these look like noose because they basically are. They work aversively to cut off air when a dog pulls and some to yank the dogs head down as well. Not a tool an educated trainer uses except in an emergency capture situation.

3. Not reading dogs properly. I see so many uneducated, inexperienced "influencers" who are completely misinterpreting their dog's body language. Usually, this is due to them seeing canine communication through the lenses of artificial hierarchies your dog does not subscribe to.

It is crucial that one does not take influencers seriously when trying to shape behaviour. Just like with internet advice, there is a huge variation in the quality of advice given. Someday, influencers may be held accountable for their advice like real-world trainers are. For now, it is a buyer beware world, and there are real-world consequences for you and your dog.

27/11/2024

New blog post drop!

We humans often find ourselves feeling lost, isolated, depressed, and doubting our own abilities due to the rapid onset of hyper-novelty. The rate at which our world is changing is barely matched by our own adaptability. Our ability to take in new information, adapt to new technologies, and utilize them in our everyday lives has been tested to the limit in the last century. Novelty keeps life interesting. Hyper-novelty is often harder to wrap one's head around.

Now imagine for a moment how this same phenomenon feels to a dog.

https://www.wigglebums.ca/post/hyper-novelty

26/11/2024

Gotta say, most puzzle toys don't interest me as my guys can figure stuff out pretty quickly, but this one is a two step toy that has more potential than many others. On sale now on Amazon (affiliate link) for Black Friday deals. https://amzn.to/4fI7ySD

24/11/2024

Look DEEP into yourself and be honest. This is literally a life or death decision. Put your ego aside and choose a breed that is right for your lifestyle, abilities and knowledge. If you have the capability of spending all your time training and keeping up with the physical demands of some breeds, by all means, take on that challenge (and follow it through to the end). But if there is any part of you that is in doubt, try fostering for and test that theory.

The problem with gatekeeping breeds

Anyone who has spent more than a minute online in dog world will have seen the rhetoric of how it takes someone very special to own a power breed such as a Belgian Malinois or a Cane Corso or an APBT or the like. Social media platforms are filled with posts either showing these breeds doing incredible things, or posts about how you should never get a breed like this unless you are going to work them and unless you are able to fulfil their needs. These posts are spot on and I couldn’t agree more. But they are creating a problem.

Everyone thinks they are special.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow.

As humans we have an ego and our ego often leads us to believe we are more capable than we are. The problem with gatekeeping breeds is that it makes them more desirable. People want to say ‘yes I can handle my Belgian Malinois because I am special’. We desperately need approval and admiration from others, especially in a world that is chronically online.

We saw it happen real time with the XL Bully. People saw this incredibly powerful breed and said ‘I’m special enough to handle one of them’ and then promptly bred them in the hundreds of thousands leading to many ill equipped homes owning a dog they absolutely could not handle.

The truth is, that to own a truly intense, working bred dog, you actually need to have an incredibly small life. You need your entire being to be obsessive about training, handling and working with the dog. It’s a full time career in itself to truly meet the needs of these dogs. You need to be absolutely addicted to it. That level of obsession however isn’t ‘cool’ or ‘sexy’. It doesn’t make for great online content either. That level of obsession however is what makes the dog easy to live with.

Even as I’m writing this, I know someone out there will read it and go ‘yes I can do that’. If you’re that person, please really look inward and be truly honest with yourself. Confront your ego.

I work at a rescue centre and years ago all we had was bull breeds, terriers and lurchers. Now all we have is fad colour Frenchies, Cane Corsos, Shepherds and Malinois/Dutch Shepherds. It speaks volumes.

I don’t know what the solution is. The more we say ‘not everyone can handle this breed!’ The more that is perceived as a challenge to the ego, and the more the ego grabs at a chance to prove itself.

We are heading down a very dark road of breed bans and dog legislation and those of us in the industry can see the patterns unfolding. We don’t know how to stop it, or even if stopping it is the right answer.

The issue is that our human egos and our desperation to be seen as ‘worthy’ is ruining our dogs and creating real danger for the general public.

Look inward. Really question why you want a certain breed. Take pause from the online rhetoric on both sides. Choose a dog that you and those around you need, not just one that you want.

- Kahla

📸 Alison Bowkett

22/11/2024

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!

18/11/2024

I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble but dogs aren’t pack animals. They’re still social animals but not pack animals anymore…

Many dogs would prefer being “only dogs” and many other dogs definitely need to have a buddy. It really depends on the individual dog.

Next time you want to get another dog, ask whether your dog really wants a friend.

13/11/2024

November newsletter went out and we made a bit of announcement as well as offered a discount code for training. If you are NOT a subscriber....I gotta ask......WHY? We will have a December newsletter as well, so subscribe today! www.wigglebums.ca

08/11/2024

I would add any behaviour changes & irritability. Any sudden behaviour change should be an automatic trip to the vet for workup, including pain check and bloodwork, because often there are medical components at the root cause. Arthritis in particular leaves them feeling more vulnerable, and they mask pain very well. Getting help to manage pain is a huge asset to any training plan.

Pets can get arthritis too! It typically affects older pets and can make movement hurt!

If you think your pet may have arthritis and have questions, call/text us today at 306-783-3349.

04/11/2024

This is the most common tactic of clients prior to working with me. In an attempt to gain control of the situation, they end up making reactivity worse. Forced restraint, "corrections" and even comforting the dog is not a solution to reactivity. Teaching them to alternative behaviours to triggers is the best long term way to resolve the conflict your dog feels.

🐾There are some methods that may seem logical on the surface, but can have unintended consequences when it comes to teaching dogs what we think is ‘good’ behaviour.

One common approach I’ve noticed people do is holding their dog by the collar and asking them to sit. If the dog doesn’t respond the owner pushes their bum down forcing them to sit. While it might seem like this gives you control, it can backfire by causing stress, anxiety, and worsening your dog’s behaviour – and it may also cause discomfort or pain by forcing them with your hand into the sit position.

Let me explain why physically holding a dog in place isn’t helpful and what you can do instead...

The Problem with Physical Restraint: It Increases Stress!

From the dog’s perspective, being held by the collar restricts their ability to make choices, particularly in situations they find stressful. Dogs naturally find ways to feel safe, and one of their primary coping strategies is to increase distance AWAY from something that feels like a threat. When you take away that option by physically restraining them, it can trigger stress and discomfort.

Imagine feeling cornered with no way to move – this is what many dogs experience when held tightly. The more restricted they feel, the higher their stress levels can become.

🔴Loss of Control Fuels Anxiety and Reactivity...

Just like humans, dogs feel more secure when they have control over their interactions. When a dog loses that control—especially in the presence of a trigger, like a strange person or another dog—it can lead to heightened anxiety.

This anxiety can manifest as reactivity, such as barking, growling, or lunging. What looks like 'bad behaviour' to us is often a dog’s way of expressing that they feel overwhelmed and unsafe.
In these moments, holding your dog still adds fuel to the fire. They’re already stressed, and now they have no way to escape the situation. This makes them more likely to react aggressively or develop a pattern of reactivity in the future.

🔴The Impact of Blocking Natural Coping Behaviours...

Dogs have their own natural coping strategies, including moving or looking away from the trigger (avoidance), sniffing the ground, yawning, shake-off, pacing, or licking their lips to self-soothe. These actions help them regulate their emotions and feel safer. But when we stop them from engaging in these behaviours by holding them by the collar, we remove the tools they need to manage their stress.

This sense of being trapped can escalate fear or frustration, leading to an even stronger reaction. If a dog feels they have no way out, their behaviour can quickly spiral, creating more long-term issues.

🔴Adding to Their Vulnerability...

When you hold a dog in place physically, you increase their sense of vulnerability. They now have two things to worry about—the trigger they were already reacting to and the fact that they can’t move. Even dogs with a generally friendly temperament can start feeling defensive when restrained, especially if they’ve had negative experiences in the past.

This is why some dogs may bark, snap, or lunge even more intensely when held by the collar. Their behaviour isn’t about disobedience—it’s a desperate attempt to protect themselves from what feels like a threatening situation.

🟢Positive Alternatives of What to Do Instead…

Rather than relying on physical restraint and forcing a sit give your dog distance AWAY from the trigger. Allowing them space helps de-escalate a potentially tense situation and helps them feel safer, reducing the chances of a reactive response.

Gradually expose your dog to their triggers from a comfortable distance—far enough that they notice the trigger but don’t react. This isn’t about your dog focusing on you; instead, you want them to visually engage with the trigger and calmly process it. When they stay relaxed while observing, reward them to build positive associations. Over time, this helps reduce their reactivity.

A well-fitted ‘Y’ shaped harness with a handle allows you to guide your dog gently without restricting their movement. It’s a safer and more comfortable alternative to holding their collar - which also puts pressure on the oesophagus and trachea.
helping
Training your dog isn’t about control—it’s about teaching them how to navigate the world with confidence and helping your dog develop the coping skills they are missing. Physical restraint, such as holding them by the collar, may seem like a quick fix, but it can actually undermine your training efforts and your dog’s trust in you.

If you're having difficulty managing a highly reactive dog, seek out a qualified force-free trainer in your area who uses science-based methods.

01/11/2024

YES!! We have a resource on this very topic at https://www.wigglebums.ca/resources

28/10/2024

I often see people providing what they feel is enrichment in a manner that does not necessarily feel stimulating in a positive way to the dog. Let's take the slow-feeder bowls, for instance. The design is to slow dogs down in feeding so they are not gulping down food and causing digestive upset. They are not inherently enriching to the dog, as they do not serve the purpose of providing mental stimulation for most dogs with any degree of intelligence. There is no thinking process really, and it can just serve to frustrate the dog.

There is a lot to take into account when considering enrichment for our dogs. Read our blog post to help you determine what is right for your pup.
https://www.wigglebums.ca/post/is-your-enrichment-enriching-or-frustrating

26/10/2024

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 p*e 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 unless it is a life-or-death situation.

If you are unsure as to whether a piece of equipment is going to cause downstream deleterious effects, please reach out.