Hidden Pawtential: Positive, Force-Free Dog Training

19/04/2024

12/09/2023

Hi friends! It’s been a long time since we’ve posted as Kimberley and Trent are new parents.
Here is Ranger showing that a good foundation in co-operative care means we can fall off the training wagon and still nail our annual exam with consent!

12/08/2022

If you live in Alberta you may have heard about the development approval of a large dog breeding facility worth $825,000 just north of Calgary. The developer wrote it wanted to build a “commercial kennel, specifically specializing in ethically breeding dogs under 20 pounds, with 35 dogs on premises.”

Why are we bringing it up here? The main concern that this facility will not be using Fear-Free training.

“In order to keep noise down they indicated they would be outfitting all of the dogs on the property with bark collars and dog collars are a very red flag for a positive reinforcement organization,” said Albert Yau, Pause 4 Change rescue foundation director.

An appeal for this development has been filed. While we wait for the results of this appeal we wanted to discuss just why bark collars are so ineffective:

Instead of teaching your dog not to bark, you’re teaching them that they will receive pain, and since they are alert barking AT something, they are going to associate the thing they are barking at (dog, person, car) with that PAIN. Therefore you are teaching your dog to fear these items.

A major fallout of using these techniques is called “learned helplessness” where the dog shuts down, cowers, becomes removed from interactions. While the behaviour stops, the detrimental effect on the mental well-being of the dog is huge 🙁

There are so many reasons to use positive reinforcement and so many reasons NOT to use electric or prong collars, or any sort of punishment.

Link to news article:
https://globalnews.ca/news/9023794/appeal-filed-825k-proposed-dog-breeding-facility-mountain-view-county/

To sign the petition against the dog breeding development, and to learn how you can et involved visit:
https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-creation-of-a-local-puppy-mill?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_34038629_en-US%3A7&recruited_by_id=f74a0b90-0dda-11ed-b7d4-19fcdf66eec2&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&share_bandit_exp=initial-34038629-en-CA

An appeal date will be set in Mountain View County after citizens brought forward concerns about a proposed $825,000 dog breeding facility north of Calgary.

24/07/2022

Here's a fun fact for your Sunday!

It's been a mystery for the past 20 years what EXACTLY made grapes & raisins toxic to our dogs and cats. Some pets seem unaffected after eating grapes, while some suffer major kidney injury... and there was no known "toxic dose" as the number of grapes eaten could vary drastically.

Recently a group of veterinarians from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center have a new hypothesis that was submitted to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. It is currently thought that tartaric acid (which cream of tartar is made from) may be the part of grapes that cause them to be toxic to pets. Since the amount of tartaric acid can vary between types of grapes and their ripeness it would explain why their effects are so unpredictable.

To stay safe, it's best to avoid giving your cats and dogs ANY grapes or raisins.

✨The more you know!✨

23/07/2022

That's right!
Anyone, regardless of their experience or training, can call themselves a dog trainer.

This is why it is so important to find a trusted, Force Free Trainer to get the best (humane) results for your doggos.

The Alberta Force Free Alliance (AFFA) is a great resource for pet owners to find a directory of businesses who have "pledged to operate in a manner that is conducive to ensuring the utmost care for their animals under their supervision while remaining humane and science based." The directory includes trainers, groomers, retail, pet sitting, rescues and veterinarians!

Find the link to AFFA in the comments!

22/07/2022

That's right!
Anyone, regardless of their experience or training, can call themselves a dog trainer.

This is why it is so important to find a trusted, Force Free Trainer to get the best (humane) results for your doggos.

The Alberta Force Free Alliance (AFFA) is a great resource for pet owners to find a directory of businesses that have "pledged to operate in a manner that is conducive to ensuring the utmost care for their animals under their supervision while remaining humane and science-based." The directory includes trainers, groomers, retail, pet sitting, rescues and veterinarians!

Find it HERE: https://albertaforcefreealliance.com/Directory

14/07/2022

😂😂

28/06/2022

It's always important to consider what your doggo deems rewarding... maybe it's snacks, their favourite toy, praise, or getting to greet that new friend!

24/06/2022

"Since we’ve moved we needed a new vet!
Here is our first happy visit with the new practice and Ranger remembered all of her consent signals and had a great time meeting her new Technologist, Nicole.
Thanks Bridgeland Vet Clinic!"

- Kim

21/06/2022

With summer upon us, it's important to protect those toe beans!
If you can't hold the back of your hand to the pavement for 5 seconds, it's too hot for you pet to be walking on it.

10/06/2022

Training humans and their dogs is never complete! As a dog trainer, it's about giving humans the tools to continue working with their dogs every day!

07/06/2022

Ranger went on a training session with her new little human!

Remember with a new baby in the house, it's important to always supervise your pets with your new addition 🐶

31/05/2022

Not to mention, the world of dog training!

Gone are the days of the "Alpha Dog" myth and dominance hierarchy based training 🛑

Continued learning and staying up-to-date on science based training methods is why we are so passionate about force free training 💃

30/05/2022

We are so excited to share the arrival of baby Rowan, the newest addition to the Hidden Pawtential Family!

Congratulations to our trainer Kim and hubby Trent on your beautiful, healthy bundle of joy!! 🥰🥰

13/05/2022

We want to know your burning questions!!
Why does my dog ______, is it okay if my dog _______..?

Drop your questions in the comments, and we will do our best to address them!

12/05/2022

In short - no, not really 🤷‍♀️

Regardless of what you name your new companion, it’s important they associate their name with good things! Ultimately, we want your dog to relate to their name in the same way they think of words like walk, treats, car-ride et. 🐶

Learn “Name Recognition” (how to teach your new pup their name) in our Puppy Basics Course! (linked on our page)

06/05/2022

Springtime is here!
Did you know that dogs can also have seasonal allergies?! This means they can appear around spring and fall, just like us humans.

While there are certainly behavioural issues that can cause our doggos to itch or lick themselves, it's always best to get medically cleared before we talk behavioural reasons 😎

21/04/2022

Who can relate?! 😂

17/04/2022

Hoppy Easter everyone! We hope you had a restful weekend filled with lots of treats 🐰

16/04/2022

Not only is chocolate toxic for our pets, there are other festive hazards to be on the lookout for.

Ensure your easter baskets are safely stored away from your pets, as other small treats can be potentially toxic or cause some serious tummy troubles.

In addition, plastic Easter "grass", candy wrappers, or small plastic eggs are easily consumed and can cause intestinal blockage.

14/04/2022

Sea lion throwback! 🌊
Kim has 10 years of experience in the zoo industry and had the opportunity to work with both small and large exotic creatures.
The certified Zoo and Aquarium industry uses Positive Reinforcement Training, the same training that your dog will receive from us 😉

10/04/2022

"If they are doing the wrong thing they are stubborn. If they are doing the right thing they are ‘committed’ … just get them stubborn on the right thing."

We love ourselves a srubborn dog 😍

02/04/2022

We think this is a way better sign to hang in the house, no? 😂

29/03/2022

"The cat doesn't need this bed, do they? Great, it's now my pillow" 😂

29/03/2022

Jokes aside.. this day is meant to provide an opportunity for people to educate themselves on proper cat care as well as learn about opportunities to adopt cats or kittens!

They've dubbed March 28th this day because Spring is coming, and that means kitten season!

Tag your favourite animal rescue in the comments!🤟

25/03/2022

PSA: The most dangerous and potentially fatal lilies for cats are those found in the genus Lilium and Hemerocallis - which are often found in Easter & Mother's Say arrangements 😱

If you have cats, the safest place for lilies is OUTSIDE. Ingestion of any part of the plant (stem, leaves, pollen, flower..) can cause kidney failure and death.

If you suspect your kitty has ingested lily, call your vet team right away or call the ABSPCA Pet Poison Control line! Immediate treatment is imperative.