Scott Benes - The People Trainer for Dogs - Canine Behaviour Specialist

27/05/2024

Who knew Stay & Recall training would be so exhausting? Nyla didn't. 😅

Proper stay and effective recall training takes a vast amount of focus for the canine counterpart. It also take much understanding and patience from the handler. When using impulse management techniques, the dog learns to think through their options and make the correct choice to gain the desired reward. In just one hour, Nyla's ability to stay and her willingness to recall increased dramatically as well. She'll be a pro in no time.

23/05/2024

If you use a prong collar/shock collar, you aren't a trainer, you're a bully.

22/05/2024

Another follow-up story! 🥰 This warms my heart SO MUCH!

This is Merlin. He's an amazing success story. This guy loved to protect his handler and liked doing it by putting holes in people. I will never forget meeting him, it is not often I meet an aggressive dog, usually they are only reactive. Merlin definitely wanted to put holes in me; there wasn't a doubt. I still remember how many times I had his handler put him on a timeout during the first session and it's been years. The timeout space was on the second floor and we were training on the main floor. They had to go up and down the stairs SO MANY times. It is a very memorable experience. It took 4 sessions before I would go anywhere near Merlin. This was a very unique situation as I had to teach his handler everything without demonstration. His handler learned like a pro! They did superbly well! I am beyond proud of both of them.

Now, Merlin is a fun loving dog that loves to meet new people. He loves to run and play, all while respecting boundaries and listening to all cues respectfully. He has free roam of their farm and pays no attention to any of the livestock. Instead, him and Aiden had the time of their lives together. There was water for days. It was the sweetest thing to watch. We love getting to visit Merlin. We can't wait for our next chance.

21/05/2024

There's nothing like getting a surprise like this!

We were at the races at Mosport and I heard my name. When I turned around, I was quickly asked if I remembered Mika. Of course I did! She was a scaredy-cat of a puppy and wanted nothing to do with anyone. I was so excited to see her again. Fast forward 3 years and here she is, a respectful, happy-go-lucky, social butterfly that just wants to live freely. She's even off-leash 99% of the time as she is just so happy to make her humans happy. She's not far behind them and recalls like a pro, regardless of the distraction. She even took some time to play with Aiden. 🥰

It just goes to show that respect and understanding go a very long way. It was such a treat to see her after so long. I absolutely love hearing success stories like these, and love getting to revisit even more. These moments warm my heart so very much.

18/05/2024

From space invader, to mannered, to rockstar in just 3 sessions, and we still have 2 more to go!

This wonderful little fluff nugget loved to jump, bark, counter-surf, and nip whenever she wanted too. Though cute and fluffy, she thought she ran the house. There wasn't a single thing that she respected boundaries with. With some proper guidance, she is much more respectful and patient now. I can't wait to see her accelerate ever further with her training. On to Stay & Recall training next! This is going to be so much fun.

17/05/2024

Training through the use of impulse management techniques is a powerful and effective approach. This method teaches the dog to use cognitive reflex to navigate challenges. Instead of suppressing or redirecting the impulse, the dog learns to work through their desires in order to complete the needed dynamic.

Jax and his family are working through resource guarding that can quickly develope into resource aggression if he is approached with an item of desire. He had no qualms about stealing a resource and then getting quite mean when someone attempted to retrieve the item of desire. Here you can see him managing his own impulses in order to resist stealing the bag of treats off the floor, without any bribes to gain the correct behaviour. It has only taken him 3 sessions to get to this point. I'm so proud of the little guy. He's done so well in such a short period of time.

16/05/2024

I love getting to see this girl. 😍

Nikki holds a special place in my heart. It's hard to believe she was once a feral dog that was running in the wilds as a puppy. She had a rough time finding a home thay would love her because of her feral-like reactions. They knew she would be a challenge. Little did they know that she would enjoy protecting her new family by biting people. So. Many. Times. She did it so often that she got the title of Land Shark. Her aggressive behaviours soon became to much and the family called me to help. Now, she is the most gentle and sweetest soul. No prong collar, no shock collar, no choke chain, just pure respect and understanding.

She just can't get enough belly rubs now. 😅 Gotta love that smile! 🥰

14/05/2024

Never a dull moment. I love my job. 🥰

14/05/2024

It's not everyday I get to hang out with a Wolfie and a Chickadee at Darlington Provincial Park to complete an introduction. It was definitely one of the most immersive introductions I have done. Variable environments always possess their own challenges. As always, I was happily up to the challenge, even though it took a couple extra hours to complete, awesome dinner included. I can't wait to hang out with this lovely gentleman again.

05/05/2024

It's moments like these that warm my heart so much. I thrive to show dogs they can be comfortable following me. Hearing this brought me so much joy.

04/05/2024

Beast Mode.

Always be aware of the breed traits. Some dogs can be a lot to handle. Serenity, is a Belgain Malinois/Siberia Husky mix, and is quite the handful. She is a lot of fun but she requires a certain level of mental and physical stimulation.

Always do your homework to see if the breed is a right fit for you. Also, check what the Dam and Sire do and how they act. The lineages get passed down as well

26/04/2024

Strong boundaries are a vital component of a balanced dog.

You never know when you'll need "Leave it" or "Stay" so it is best to practice those cues often. Not only can it save you some hassles, but it could save your dog’s life.

In this instance, these dogs were playing fetch and the ball deflected off a tree, and was headed straight for the road. Thankfully, both of them are trained to relinquish chase if cued to do so. The driveway has also been imprinted as a No Go Zone, so quite often they will stop chase prior to being cued. This allows them to play freely in their yard without fear of them running into the roadway. The techniques needed to attain these responses have been repeated over and over again, regardless of how well they know it now. This assures they will respond quickly and without question. Their ability to manage their impulses enables them to have all the freedom they desire. Now that's living a dog's life!

18/04/2024

Happy Boys. 😊

Many dogs are uncomfortable with small children. This is often because children can be very unpredictable, are often loud, and move quite rapidly. This is why we must teach children how to properly manage themselves around animals.

Other times, this aversion is caused by an adult being overprotective and constantly making the dog remove itself from the child. This causes the dog to associate danger with the child and this can create life-long damage to the relationship. Dogs are usually curious of newcomers and want to discover that everything new is safe.

Adults have the due diligence to teach children to be respectful of animals and their space. The need to be confident in ourselves and our animals is also extremely important to integration of new people and stimulus. With the right approach, children and dogs can have the relationship they both so desire to have.

Pictured: Aiden and his protector, Lenny. Best friends since March 2022.

15/04/2024

A strong knowledge of animal behaviour is infinitely beneficial to any animal and their handler.

Meet my three off-leash, yard trained cats; a strong testament to its usefulness. An excellent understanding of body language and dynamics has allowed me to condition them to not run off, and to happily be picked up when it is time to go inside. It's wonderful to be able to let them go outside, snack on some fresh grass, and chase insects. They're always so content after a trip outdoors.

I wish I could say it was easy but exceptional behavioural modification like this takes dedication, patience, persistence, consistency, and many, many, many little steps to get the response one desires.

One day, I'll film Parker putting on his harness on to go outside. He gets so excited. It's a total cuteness overload.

30/03/2024

The root of effective behavioural modification is the process of directing our focus to WHY it is happening, instead of focusing on WHAT is happening, hense the need for my immersive assessments. Often the primary behaviour is being hidden by a secondary behaviour. What we see may not be what your dog is actually experiencing. This can cause so many complications with mainstream training approaches and can even cause your dog to regress further into the less than desirable reactions being displayed. Being aware of your dog's mental and emotional states is pertinent to applying the correct solution. If you find you dog is reacting in a manner that is not appropriate, consider WHY you are seeing that specific reaction, not just WHAT you are seeing.

Pictured: One very loving, and gentle, Serenity, asking to be invited to hug. Those ears aren't pinned, they're gentled.

06/01/2024

The places I get to go and the love I receive. ❤️ Denny is such a joker! All love and all jokes from that wonderful horse.

It was so much fun getting to condition Mr. Bruno to the horse farm. He's got a bit to go, but he has already come miles. So proud of you Bruno! Keep it up!

25/12/2023

A very Merry Christmas from our home to yours. May all your wishes be granted.

24/12/2023

HA!!

27/11/2023

If they only knew...

🤣

18/10/2023

I haven't done a contest in a while so let's do one.

Husky/Malinois vs Baseball.

How long will it last?? 🤔

Share your answer.

Winner will be awarded $100 off an assessment. For clients actively in a program, or that have completed a program, winner will be awarded a free 1-hour follow-up session. In the event of a tie, the award will given to the person that answered first.

Limited to residents of the GTA, Durham Region, Peterborough County, and Northumberland County.

Contest closes November 30, 2023.

18/10/2023

I know I don't post many client stories, and here is why...

I don't often think to take pictures during my sessions as I am focused on all the members (humans & dogs) in the household or area I am teaching in. There is so much going on and therefore so much to pay attention to, as well as teaching my skills in the meantime. It's a lot and my camera gets forgotten.

I apologize that I don't have many stories to share so here is a video of the wonderful Serenity doing one of the routines I use to keep her mind and body balanced.

18/10/2023

She's so fast and so agile. 🤩

02/10/2023

Respect goes both ways.

Children should be considerate of and gentle with dogs, and so should be the same of dogs with children. Building a strong bond through respect takes time and lots of understanding. Lenny and Aiden have been working together since Aiden was just a month old. Lenny has been taught with patience and understanding thus teaching him tolerance and consideration for all. Aiden is not quite 2 years old and is able to walk a 100lb Bulldog without issue. That's respect.

02/10/2023

Taking a break.

Exercise is important, but paying attention to their limitations is paramount. Though Serenity doesn't need a break, Bear does. Wren can go all day long, if the temperature is right; Bear is very young at heart but can't quite keep up anymore. So, since both don't need a break, one can show off and the other can relax. Problem solved.

28/09/2023

Out doing Malinois things.

Busy minds calm busy dogs.

30/06/2023

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08/05/2023

I love success stories. I got an update from one of my graduates and he looks over the moon happy. Liam went from being a Lebanon street dog with little trust for humans, to being an all-star family dog. Seeing his progress is so amazing. He is getting to live the life and that makes my whole world. Way to go guys!!

08/05/2023

Meet Bella, a young, and excitable Golden Retriever. She was so tired after learning how to Sit properly. She focused so well on task, her handlers couldn't believe their eyes.