Daytripper Dog Training

29/11/2025

Our next round of classes at the Scout Hall in Port Perry begins on Sunday, January 4.

💥 With so many things on your busy December schedule, why not register now before it slips your mind? 💥

Here's what's on the schedule:

9:00 a.m. – Kick Start (Level 1). This fun games-based course is perfect for puppies and dogs of all ages.

10:10 a.m. – -- Kick It Up! is the next level in training. Kick Start is a prerequisite.

11:15 a.m. Rally-Obedience (Novice) – This course is taught using the Canadian Association of Rally Obedience (CARO) rules and regulations. In case you’re not familiar with Rally, here’s a video demo. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f2kJhx_Ccgw

More information is in this link --> https://www.daytripperdogtraining.com/group-classes

To ensure students receive quality coaching, space is limited.

28/11/2025

For those who are interested in canine behaviour, want to learn more and earn a Level 6 diploma (equivalent to a BA), this is for you!!!!

I'm in the first cohort for this 18 month course and absolutely loving the content, how it's presented, the faculty and the teaching platform. It seems they've thought of everything. From the very beginning the practical application of the material is included in each lesson.

The faculty are clinical animal behaviourists. Lessons are online and each lesson includes a workbook which cover: the learning objectives, key takeaways, detailed notes, exercises, example answers, definitions and key terms, a summary and quick revision questions to practice the learning. PLUS, there are weekly Facebook lives covering the most recent lessons, and a monthly small group tutorial with one of the clinical animal behaviourists.
The instructors are active and available to answer questions in the private Facebook group.

The current cohort is comprised of folks with a fast array of experience -- dog owners, dog groomers, dog walkers/sitters, dog daycare/boarding staff, professional trainers and behaviour specialists, veterinarians and vet techs. I'm sure I've missed some!

Folks who are currently practicing and experienced canine behaviour specialists will learn something new in this course!
For more information, watch the video in the original post.

RESCUES and VET CLINICS: Imagine how having a qualified behaviourist as part of your organization would benefit the dogs in your care.

This course is OFQUAL approved and the diploma is internationally recognized. If you're not familiar with OFQUAL, here's a link to info. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual

Forget Black Friday. Your future is calling. ✨🐾

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally step into canine behaviour work…this is it!

🎉 Early enrolment is now open for the April 2026 cohort of the only Ofqual-regulated Level 6 Diploma in Clinical Canine Behaviour — a qualification that exists nowhere else in the world.

This isn’t another “industry-recognised” course.
It’s a government-regulated, externally quality-assured, degree-level pathway developed with Behavet, the UK’s leading vet behaviour clinic (handling 600+ complex cases every month).

What you get:
✔ Direct Level 6 entry — no lower levels required
✔ Real case studies + genuine consultation recordings
✔ Applied practical learning instead of essays or stressful final exams
✔ Actual guided teaching through video lessons, not endless reading lists
✔ A clear pathway into behaviour work
✔ Exclusive early enrolment saving + new 18-month payment plan

If achieving a canine behaviourist qualification is your goal, there is no alternative that offers exclusive done-for-you frameworks that achieve real-life results, a DipCAB (Canine) upon successful completion, and the ability to practice your skills virtually with feedback before seeing clients.

🌟 Your future and the dogs of the future are waiting. 🐶
👉 Enrol for April 2026 here: https://caninebehaviourcollege.com/register-now/

26/11/2025

EDIT: Please read the entire article, not just #2. I specifically brought attention to that point because the fact that the idea of an early socialization window is based on ISOLATION not socialization.

🤯🤯🤯Take note of #2 in the Vet Times article below. Did you know that the idea of a puppy "socialization window" that closes at 16 weeks is actually based not on socialization experiments but on ISOLATION experiments? 🤯🤯🤯

You may have already guessed that informing puppy and dog guardians about EFFECTIVE socialization is one of our passions.

It's wonderful that puppy guardians know socialization is important. Unfortunately, in many cases the focus becomes meeting as many other dogs or humans as possible, with little to no consideration for the puppy's experience and how that will impact their future behaviour.

This approach often backfires. Puppies who were fearful and not enjoying the experience often mature into leash reactivity or become more fearful of unfamiliar humans/dogs. Those social butterfly puppies who love everyone become over-aroused at the mere sight of another human/dog, pulling, lunging and barking, all of which makes walking them difficult and downright unpleasant.

This article in Vet Times is a MUST READ.

22/11/2025

There are changes within a dog's brain when they experience trauma. From an evolutionary perspective, its about survival. The dog's brain becomes "primed" to search out the threat in order to avoid it. "Where's the threat? Where's the threat?"

This can spread to different, yet similar triggers. For example: A dog who has gone into the yard for a potty break is startled by fireworks. The initial trigger/threat is fireworks, yet over time the dog may become more and more noise sensitive in general.

Trauma may occur as a single event learning experience -- one experience being enough to change the dog's brain. In other instances, trauma may occur through repeated exposure over time.

It's important to remember that the dog is who determines what is traumatic, not us humans. We may feel the dog should "just get over it", yet to the dog the threat is very real.

For instance, one dog may experience trauma after being barked at by another dog with no physical contact. Another dog may be attacked and injured, yet never display signs of trauma after the event. (BTW, both examples are real-life ones experienced by people we personally know.)

If your dog is showing signs of trauma, seek the assistance of a qualified professional. It goes without saying that anyone who treats trauma with aversives or corrections of any kind should be avoided at all costs.

21/11/2025

We always tell our students, "Distance is your and your dog's friend."

For those with reactive and/or fearful dogs, increasing distance from the trigger (what the dog is worried about) will reduce stress and help your dog better cope.

Don't "deep end" your dog by throwing them into situations they don't yet have the skills for.

DISTANCE ASSISTANCE

It’s not easy having a reactive dog. As much as we may feel frustrated, restricted, angry or even ashamed or embarrassed, our reactive dogs are also experiencing a range of negative emotions when they react to something that triggers them.
Reactive dogs have a nervous system issue not a training issue.

This nervous system reaction is usually caused by anxiety, fear, feeling threatened, frustrated or may even be pain related.

These emotions cause high levels of stress and stress prevents both us and our dogs from being able to process information, think clearly or learn a different, more acceptable way of reacting to whatever triggers us.

This is why creating enough distance is so important.

I’m really scared of snakes and even struggle to look at them. The only thing I want to do is run and create as much distance as possible.

If someone was restraining me, forcing me to sit and look at the snake while trying to feed me my favourite chocolate, telling me there was nothing to worry about or trying to educate me about the reptile, it would do nothing to alleviate my fear and would only increase my stress levels.

Doing this at a sufficient distance, where I felt safe would be far more effective and my stress levels would be much lower. In time, with patience and practice, I may even be able to get much closer to the snake without having a negative reaction.

The same principle applies to reactive dogs. Creating sufficient distance where they can see the trigger but still feel safe and don’t react is the best way of helping them to cope with their feelings.

Some dogs, or people, may never be able to decrease that distance and that’s also okay.

We need to accept our dogs for the unique individual they are, keep working on the things we can improve and change and accept the things we can’t.

21/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JiwRQQCLV/

Resource guarding is surrounded by misconceptions and outdated advice.
Do you know what is true and accurate?

"You need to establish your dominance" - FALSE. Alpha/dominance theory is outdated, disproven, and a dangerously inaccurate description of the problem.

"You need to get them used to being messed with" - FALSE. We should not be messing with our dogs to teach "tolerance". This most often teaches dogs that we are not to be trusted, as we continuously invade their space. We also need to get over the idea that dogs need to learn to tolerate everything.

"You need to be able to take things from your dog whenever you want" - KIND OF. While we should work on solid "trade you", "drop it", and "leave it" cues, the more we physically take resources away from them, ESPECIALLY when there is a resource-guarding issue, the more likely the problem is to escalate. Again, we are showing them we are not to be trusted.

"Resource guarding is always over food or toys" - FALSE. Resource guarding can be over anything a dog sees as a valuable resource. This can include spaces, people, and even random items they find.

Resource guarding most often stems from underlying anxiety or insecurity. We need to be able to meet their needs and make them feel safe and secure to improve. If you're unsure how to achieve that or need help, please reach out!

20/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/16WxrqceQE/

What is your dog trying to tell you? 🐶

It's normal to feel frustrated by your dog's behavior at times. However, all behaviors serve a purpose - to meet their needs.

So, when you notice a behavior you don't like...

👀 First: What are they doing?
Describe the behavior(s) you see. What are they trying to access or get away from?

👀 Second: Dig!
What body language do you notice before, during, and after the behavior(s) are performed? Based on your observations, can you tell what they might be feeling?

💭 Third: Plan
What actions can we take to help meet their needs? How can we prevent the unwanted behaviors from being rehearsed? How can we set them up to succeed next time we're in this situation?

Even when you're feeling frustrated, remember that all behaviors serve a purpose, and your dog is not doing something to spite you. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified, positive reinforcement-based behavior professional for help.

17/11/2025

https://youtu.be/m83QSW1dZKI?si=gD2q5k79QqmPWm7d

Researchers have captured video footage of what they say is possible tool-use by wolves after the animal was seen pulling a crab trap out of deeper waters in...

17/11/2025

WARNING!!!!!!!!!

Until this past weekend, I'd never heard of Zyn or similar ni****ne pouches. Zyn pouches come in a multitude of flavours. Intended as a ni****ne replacement, teenagers (and possibly younger) are using these pouches, then spitting out in public places.

The dogs of three people I personally know encountered Zyn pouches this past weekend. One ingested a pouch. His owner contacted poison control. Given his size it was deemed he was safe from possible toxic effects. Another dog was a toy breed puppy who picked up a Zyn pouch. Thankfully, her owner was quick to remove it from the puppy's mouth. Apparently, had the puppy ingested the pouch, it could have proved fatal. The third dog's owner recognized the pouch and retrieved it before her dog could digest it.

Zyn pouches are small and easy to miss. With winter coming, the snow will make spotting them even more challenging. My guess is the flavouring attracts dogs.

Here's a link to info about Ni****ne poisoning in dogs. https://www.petmd.com/dog/poisoning/tobacco-ni****ne-poisoning-dogs

Contact your vet immediately if your dog ingests a ni****ne pouch.

14/11/2025

Whether you have a foster dog, newly adopted dog, Houdini dog or puppy, let's talk LOSS PREVENTION.

✅Creating AIR LOCKS at points of entry/exit is an effective loss prevention method. Keeping the airlock (baby gate, ex-pen, etc) closed when humans are entering/exiting is a sure fire way of preventing a dog from slipping out the (even slightly) open door.

Even those who live in an open concept home can institute an airlock, search online and you'll find many effective options that WILL work in your space. :-)

13/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=wwXIfr&v=2349177515428266&rdid=Nm7P0GvZ0DTnXp0I