Wigglebums

23/08/2024

All behaviour serves a functional purpose. Most of the time, dogs get themselves into trouble by doing dog things (see Chris Rock's Tiger Went Tiger set at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGEv5dC0lo4). Whether digging, barking, jumping, pulling, or even growling and biting, the behaviour meets some need of the dog. Understanding what function the behaviour serves and what needs need to be met is part of the analysis that begins every behaviour modification plan. If you want to change the behaviour, you have to understand it. Then we can train and substitute more appropriate behaviours instead of the ones people object to.

19/08/2024

Here is a starter guide on what are and are not good chews to choose for your dogs. Assuming your pups do not have dental issues already, these are all good ones to give them to scrape off the plaque and tartar on their teeth and give them for their need to chew.

19/08/2024

Meet Theo! Working on behaviours that will allow him to live his best life. He is such a joyful little boy.

14/08/2024

If you have not seen it yet and have a Netflix account, I 100% recommend watching Inside the Mind of a Dog. A brilliant portrayal of what is going on and the science behind cognition. Anyone who has taken courses with us will recognize the same training techniques in highly skilled service dog schools as we teach in our classes. Training with learner welfare in mind is what science has told us is the way forward. Learning the physiological processes that happen during learning and empathy for the learner is important for any trainer and owner to know. It gives you awesome predictive power as to how your dog will react in any situation. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563578939911

Embark on a delightful journey into the world of dogs in this documentary that reveals scientific and emotional insights about our lovable BFFs.

12/08/2024

This video sums it up nicely.

06/08/2024

YES!!! Any professional who says they had to stop due to the animal's stress is good in my books. They are looking out for your pet's welfare. Take it as a signal that work needs to be done in this area. Cooperative care should be addressed by every pet owner so that their dog isn't unduly stressed by vet visits, grooming appts, etc.

The pet professionals in your life should always be advocating for your animals. ❤️

02/08/2024

Their Ears Help Their Noses

According to the AKC breed standard, Beagles’ ears, when drawn out, reach the end of their nose. Those long ears actually catch scent particles and keep them close to the dog’s nose so they can take in as much information as possible.

While Snoopy is most famously a beagle, a few other beagles of note appear in popular culture. Odie of the Garfield strip is a beagle in the original comics. The live action movie turned him onto a Dachshund.

Grommet of Grommet and Wallace and Underdog are also beagles. Brain from the live action Inspector Gadget movies was another famous beagle, and let us not forget Porthos, who was Captain Archer's beagle aboard the Enterprise.

Beagles have an excellent temperament. This can make them a great family pet for the right family, but it also makes them ideal lab test subjects. Today, there are a few rescues dedicated to ensuring those who have suffered so much at the hands of humans in white coats get wonderful forever homes.

Beagle Freedom Project
The Beagle Alliance

And of course, the rescue near and dear to my heart, who saves homeless beagles all over Canada
Beagle Paws Rescue - CANADA
Beagle Paws - Calgary

01/08/2024

Those of us who choose to train force-free, choose to do so, not out of some soft hearted, misplaced, anthropomorphic need to treat dogs like children. Anyone who knows me well would literally scoff at the idea of me being soft hearted.

We choose it because it is the only training methods that takes the learners welfare, needs, cognition and associations into account. I can not tell you that the balanced, Neaderthalic, more punitive methods do not work. They work like an abused housewife learns how to stay on her husband's good side. They work like you learn not to speed in the presence of police. But I ask you, how do we view husband's like that now? What is your association with the police?

We choose the relationship ship we want with our dogs much like we do with any other entity on earth. Do you want a relationship based on fear or understanding?

01/08/2024

Write a made-up breed description for your mixed breed dogs.

✳️Manchurian Meal Squealer ✳️

Characterized by their fierce loyalty, wonky rear end, and single-minded drive for food. Their signature scream can be simultaneously endearing and painfully brain piercing when food bowls are heard being readied. While they rate a solid 2 on the intelligence scale, they do serve as a functional security system against friend and foe alike. People considering this breed need to prepare themselves for the mushiest of kisses and constant request for cuddles.

-Photo credit Furever Reflections Pet Photography

24/07/2024

Some very cool history here.

The first American Staffordshire Terrier admitted into the AKC was Lucenay’s Peter, better known to old-movie buffs as Petey, the canine star of the “Our Gang” films, which was later syndicated on television as “The Little Rascals.” Lucenay’s Peter was the second dog to play Petey in the comedy shorts. The first was his father, a pit bull named Pal the Wonder Dog who had a circle around his right eye, thanks to the magic brush of Hollywood makeup artist Max Factor. After Pal was fatally poisoned in 1930, his son Lucenay’s Peter took over, making for an almost seamless substitute, except his ring was around his left eye.

Taken from the AKC website

22/07/2024

Looking for a fun and effective way to shape your puppy's behavior? At Wigglebums, we offer everything from early puppy socialization to basic manners training and behavior modification. You can get started at 9 weeks old and skip creating problemaric behaviours you may have to go back and undo later. Our goal is to help create model canine citizens while building a strong bond between you and your furry friend. Sign up today and give your pup the best start! 🐾

Be adventure ready with our Mensa Mutts "not so basic manners class" starting July 29th at 7pm!!!
Learn from Yorkton's only certified Force-Free trainer in a small class format so you get the individual attention you need to succeed!

Visit www.wigglebums.ca for more details. Subscribe to our newsletter for recipies, tips and exclusive discounts for our subscribers.

14/07/2024

Looking for a fun and effective way to shape your puppy's behavior? At Wigglebums, we provide everything from early puppy socialization to basic manners training and behavior modification. Start your puppy’s journey as early as 9 weeks to prevent problematic behaviors down the line. Our goal is to foster well-behaved canine citizens while strengthening the bond between you and your furry friend. Sign up today to give your pup the best start!

Get ready for adventure with our "Not So Basic Manners Class" starting July 29th at 7 PM! Learn from Yorkton's only certified Force-Free trainer in a small class setting for personalized attention. This will be the last one until the end of September so register now for an enjoyable way to shape your puppy's or adult dogs behaviour with trust and cooperation.

Visit www.wigglebums.ca for more details and subscribe to our newsletter for recipes, tips, and exclusive discounts!

05/07/2024

PSA don't teach your puppy anything that will be problematic when they are 80lbs heavier. LOL!

24/06/2024

Come learn some dog and how to teach your dog some English with Yorkton's only force-free training option. Our next set of group classes starts July 23rd at 7pm in Yorkton. We run small, intimate classes so that each participant gets the individualized attention they need to succeed. Using the most modern, up-to-date techniques and keeping learner welfare at the forefront of everything we do is the hallmark of force/fear-free learning. Unlike other training methods, it is backed by science and every animal welfare agency in North America.

We also run a puppy socialization group for puppies under 16 weeks of age every Tuesday evening in Yorkton.

Think your pup is going to be overwhelmed in a group class, have more specific training goals, or need behaviour modification? We also have private, one-on-one sessions available, where we will work together to achieve your training goals.
Whatever your needs, we can help. www.wigglebums.ca

18/06/2024

🐾 **Puppy Power: Where Furry Friends Thrive!** 🐾

Is your adorable pup ready to explore the world with new furry pals? Join our Puppy Socialization Playgroup designed for pups aged 9 weeks to 16 weeks old!

🎉 **Why Join Us?**
1. **Safe Environment:** Supervised play ensures a safe and fun experience for your pup. Sanitized surfaces and other pathogen mitigation factors help ensure puppies are not exposed to dangerous viruses.
2. **Socialization Skills:** Help your puppy develop crucial social skills in a controlled setting with advice to ensure your pup will be welcome with any playstyle.
3. **Expert Guidance:** Our experienced trainers offer tips and advice for raising a happy and well-adjusted pup.
4. **Healthy Development:** Stimulate your pup's mind and body through interactive play and positive interactions.
5. Bonus..... tired puppy!

📅 **When:** Every Tuesday evening from 6:15pm -7pm.

📍 **Where:** Land Titles Building Yorkton

🤔 How to register - go to www.wigglebums.ca and check out the group classes page.

🐾 Don't miss out on this pawsome opportunity to give your puppy the best start in life! Reserve your spot today! 🐾

09/06/2024

Angels of Hope Animal Rescue Inc. has closed their doors, but still have a few dogs that need good homes. Wigglebums Training is offering a free training class or private package in Yorkton for any of these sweet pups that get adopted. You can find out more about these pups and how to adopt them at https://www.angelsofhoperescue.com/

ELLIE
Gender: Female
Breed: Lab Rottie Cross
DOB/Age: 18 months

Personality: Ellie is a beautiful, sweet, calm and happy girl who loves kids and people. She snuggles on her dog bed all day while her foster parents are gone to work and has never had an accident. She loves daily walk/sniff sessions, and is making improvements when seeing other dogs. She is not interested in making any dog friends, though. Ellie would do best in a home with no other animals at this time. This quiet, gentle soul will be a wonderful addition to a loving family💕 Medical: Has first vaccinations and is spayed.

LADY
Name: Lady
Gender: Female
Breed: Rotty/lab mix
Age: 1.5 years

House Training: House trained. Will whine and scratch to go out.

Crate Training: Will sleep and eat in a crate but prefers her own bigger space.

Personality: Lady is a special girl. She’s very playful, extremely loving, and loves to run around and play. She is very gentle and snuggly. She also likes cats but forgets she's bigger when playing, so you have to remind her to be gentle. Lady is extremely sensitive. If she does something “bad” and you sternly say “no”, she will physically cry in the corner. Lady would be such a great addition to a family! Medical: Fully vaccinated, dewormed, and spayed.

ROXY
Name: Roxy
Gender: Female
Breed: Smaller sized pittie mix
DOB/Age: Approx 2 years old

House Training: Fully house trained. No accidents at all.

Personality: Roxy is a loyal love bug that does well around children, cats, and other dogs. This sweet girl loves sitting on the couch, wrapped up in blankets. Roxy was chained up all her life until she was rescued, so she really is just grateful to be safe and in a warm home. She will love you unconditionally if you make her a part of your forever family💕Medical: Fully vaccinated, dewormed and spayed.

01/06/2024

Some things take only one exposure to learn. This is usually associated with aversion or fear/trauma and leave a lasting or even permanent impact on your dog. The very first time you employ a painful or scary "correction", like shock, prong collars or even a leash pop, you teach your dog that you are no longer the one person they can trust with their safety and wellbeing. This is what sets the stage for human or owner directed aggression, other forms of aggression, or frustrated behaviours. Do not let anyone ever persuade you to harm your dog and call it training.

18/05/2024

A few simple things to keep in mind when thinking about dogs and behaviour.

Dogs are sentient creatures with often big feelings and desires of their own. Their emotional scale is still in its infancy but seems to mirror our own for the most part. This does not mean we feel the same way about the same things. Morality plays a big part in how we feel, and dogs and humans do not share the same morality. This is an important distinction.

Dogs do what works for them. If it works in their favour, they will continue it. We can ensure they continue favourable behaviours by figuring out what would be the most rewarding thing for them in the moment (no, it isn't always treats, unless you have a real chow hound).

Behaviour for dogs always serves a functional purpose. Dogs that bark and lunge at people and other dogs may have learned it is an effective strategy for maintaining distance or an effective way to ensure they are seen. It is what they know how to do to obtain a goal. Teaching them what to do instead to get that same goal met is how we modify behaviours.

Choice is one of the basic necessities of existence. It is covered in the 5 freedoms of animal welfare under freedom to express normal behaviour. Removal of choice is the single leading cause of conflict. In many instances, we take away choices from our dogs when it isn't necessary. Find ways to give them back where you can.

Too many people still think their dog is plotting for top position and trying to achieve dominance. This is the biggest debunked myth of the last century and we have known for quite some time that dogs do not adhere to this kind of hierarchy and may, in fact,
not even be pack animals at all.

See our resources page for a better explanation on the last two at https://www.wigglebumstraining.com/resources

13/05/2024

Sign up for our next, and potentially last Mensa Mutts Manners course of the summer (unless there is interest and availability in the summer).

Unleash the potential of your furry friend with our no so basic Manners Class! At our supportive environment, we prioritize animal welfare with techniques to shape your dog's behavior gently and effectively. Puppies can be as young as 9 weeks to join our programs!!

🐶 What You'll Learn:

Polite Greetings: Say goodbye to jumping and excessive barking when guests arrive!
Loose Leash Walking: Enjoy strolls with your pup without the tug-of-war!
Calm Down on Cue: Teach your dog to relax and settle in any situation.
Recall: Teach your dog to come when called reliably, no matter what distractions you face.
and more......

👩‍🏫 Expert Guidance:
Led by a certified trainer, passionate about building trust and understanding between you and your furry companion, our classes offer personalized attention and support for every dog and owner.

🌟 Why Choose Force-Free?
Builds a strong bond based on trust and cooperation.
Promotes a happy, confident, and well-adjusted dog.
Creates a positive learning experience for both you and your pet.

🎓 Class Details:
Duration: 6-week program
Frequency: Weekly sessions on Tuesday evenings
Class Size: Small groups for individualized attention (max 6)
Location: Convenient and comfortable indoor facilities in Yorkton

🐕 Join Us Today!
Embark on a journey towards a harmonious relationship with your dog. Reserve your spot in Mensa Muts now and watch your pup blossom into a well-mannered companion!

www.wigglebums.ca

12/05/2024

Happy Mother's Day. Where we recognize the sacrifices made in the name of love Mother's of all types offer freely.

11/05/2024

So many people seem stuck in the old school thought that dogs are to be dominated and you have to be an effective alpha to lead your dog. Not only has science demonstrated this to be categorically incorrect, but this philosophy and method of training that result have been shown to cause further behaviour problems and erode the human/dog bond. Time to update your understanding of dogs and your skills as a trainer. www.wigglebums.ca

02/05/2024

Many behavioral issues in dogs can be traced back to a lack of safety. Dr. Michaels of the "Do No Harm Dog Training" group introduces the Canine Hierarchy of Needs, a concept inspired by Maslow's Hierarchy but designed for dogs, which places safety as a fundamental, biological requirement for a dog's well-being.

To improve our dogs' behavior, we must eliminate the use of aversive training methods and abandon the dominance/alpha approach. When we treat our dogs as adversaries rather than providing a safe and supportive environment, behavior problems are bound to arise. This understanding is widely accepted among animal welfare organizations around the world. Despite being established for decades, some groups and individuals have been slow to embrace these insights. It's crucial to recognize that creating a safe and trusting relationship with our dogs is key to addressing behavioral issues.

Join the Do No Harm training group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/664027960470508/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT

30/04/2024

Next Mensa Mutts "not so basic manners class" starts June 4th at 7pm!!!

Learn:
-sit
-down
-stand
-cued attention
-offered attention
-greeting protocols
-marker training
-target training
-leave it
-drop it
-proofing
-recall
-touch
-loose-leash walking
-walking with distractions
-heel
-let's go
-stay (duration, distance, distraction)
-cooperative care
Force-Free training in a small class format for individual attention.

29/04/2024

Looking forward to getting our new shirts tomorrow! One is for Greg as well (guess which one lol).

27/04/2024

Was just talking about this this week with puppy parents. Some small breeds require smaller, more frequent meals as well. Talk to your vet about feeding frequency for your puppy's specific needs.

Puppies have different feeding requirements than older dogs. With their tiny tummies, it's all about dishing out smaller, more frequent meals for these little furballs! Of course, always listen to the wise words of your Veterinarian if your pup has special health needs!

Questions about your puppy's diet or health? Call or text us at 306-783-3349.

23/04/2024

Our newest blog post is out! Learning how to work with storm phobias and noise sensitivities, just in time for storm season. Start now and help your pup cope with their fears.

We always took great pains to desensitize our pups to loud sounds and novel events. From puppyhood, they were exposed to an annoying plethora of audible cacophony. So much so that we often joked that our dogs are not smart enough to come in during a storm. They stand outside and watch fireworks with...

19/04/2024

Fact or Fiction Friday time!!

There are some dogs that need a firmer hand to train. Not all dogs respond to positive reinforcement or force-free training. Let me know what you think in the comments!