Wags to Wishes K9 Training

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Wags to Wishes K9 Training Dog training - Okotoks, AB. Positive reinforcement based training, without force or aversives, for a well trained dog and an eager training partner.

This page is about having fun with your dog and building a strong, positive relationship while you help your dog learn the behaviours you want. It promotes an scientifically proven, effective and safe approach to training that will create a dog that enjoys lifelong learning.. I graduated with distinction from the Karen Pryor Training Academy, one of the top positive reinforcement based training p

rograms. I am also a Silver Medal Certified Trick Dog Instructor I am active in a variety of canine performance sports including conformation, agility, rally obedience, obedience, scent detection, barn hunt and trick training. Several of my dogs have been Therapy Dogs working with children and adults. In my professional (non dog related life), I have been a teacher - from preschool through post graduate levels. Through my dog classes, I am able to engage in both my passion for dogs and effective, positive dog training and my passion for teaching at the same time

18/09/2025

This is for my Barn Hunt peeps!
Think about your reinforcement in the ring. Are you meeting your dog's needs?
- Does the style of intended reinforcement align with what your dog actually finds reinforcing?
- Are you providing enough reinforcement? Even in the pressure of a timed event?

My mantra is always - Be prepared to surrender the Q (by taking more time to reinforce and risking timing out) in order to win the title (by ensuring your dog continues to want to tell you where the rats are). If your reinforcement isn't actually reinforcing you are in effect punishing your dog for telling you where the rat is...and while effective reinforcement strengthens the desired behaviour, punishment diminishes it. If you have diminishing indications, this is clear evidence that your 'reinforcement' isn't actually reinforcing - and something about the process is punishing the very behaviour you need.

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Hits the nail on the head!Have you heard any of these common myths?The most common ones I hear are that "my dog is stubb...
17/09/2025

Hits the nail on the head!
Have you heard any of these common myths?
The most common ones I hear are that "my dog is stubborn".

Upcoming classes at Wags to Wishes - please e mail if you are interested in any of these classes. classes@tarahillcairns...
05/09/2025

Upcoming classes at Wags to Wishes - please e mail if you are interested in any of these classes. [email protected]

BARN HUNT - Beginners only (Limit = 4 dogs)
Option 1 - mixed Monday / Thursday class at 7 pm
* 4 classes: Sept 8, 15, 18, 29
* $120

Option 2 - Tuesday daytime class at 3:30-4:25
* 4 classes: Sept 9, 16, 23, 30
* $120

TRICKS - Level 1 (Limit = 5 dogs)
* Pre-requisite - CLS or equivalent
* Tuesday evenings at 8 pm
* 4 classes: Sept 9, 16, 23, 30
* $120

Chewing is entirely normal behaviour for puppies! It is our job to make it safe and satisfying for them.
03/09/2025

Chewing is entirely normal behaviour for puppies! It is our job to make it safe and satisfying for them.

I have a couple last minute openings in a Barn Hunt Foundations class starting Tomorrow evening (June 26) at 6:30. This ...
25/06/2025

I have a couple last minute openings in a Barn Hunt Foundations class starting Tomorrow evening (June 26) at 6:30. This class runs for 4 sessions and is perfect for dogs with no prior experience, dogs just starting to compete or dogs that are struggling and need to go back and build a stronger foundation. If you are interested please contact me by e mail [email protected] or phone 403-613-4110. I may not see comments below in time so please do not depend on a comment to this post.

15/05/2025

I have one spot available in Barn Hunt Foundations - 6:30 pm Thursdays. Starts tomorrow. This is a set of 4 classes (May 15, 29, June 19 and 26.
Please e mail me ASAP if you would like a spot in this class (limit of 4 dogs total in the class)

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Barn Hunt ClassesThe agility equipment is out and the building is nearly ready to go for a new season of classes. Barn ...
05/05/2025

Barn Hunt Classes
The agility equipment is out and the building is nearly ready to go for a new season of classes. Barn Hunt classes and private sessions will be Thursday afternoons and evenings. If you are interested in:
* foundations group class (4 dogs max)
* practice sessions for dogs trialing at Senior and above
* private training sessions

E mail me (do not count on replying to this post!) at [email protected] to let me know what you are interested in and be sure to let me know if you are available in the afternoon or evening. Once I have a feel for who wants what ad when you are available I can figure our schedules that make it possible for me to fit in as many as possible of you.

I always say canine adolescence is waking up one day and asking “who are and what you done with my sweet puppy?” Be pat...
01/05/2025

I always say canine adolescence is waking up one day and asking “who are and what you done with my sweet puppy?”

Be patient.

Work on reinforcing well known behaviours, especially focus exercises.

Use good management to prevent undesirable behaviours (like keeping unattended food off tables and counters, blocking access to things that should not be chewed - the specifics will depend on your dog).

Focus new training on simple behaviours.

Keep training session brief and fun.

Use a good balance of physical and mental enrichment and quiet time - trying to tire your dog out with constant activities is not helpful and can have undesirable consequences.

And always remember…you will get your dog back.

Barn Hunt - who is in for classes this spring?NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION.....I need some help to move some heavy agi...
30/04/2025

Barn Hunt - who is in for classes this spring?

NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION.....I need some help to move some heavy agility equipment out of the Barn Hunt space before I can get classes going. If a couple people are willing and able to come help me shift stuff, we can get classes going (and we can do a training session after we get the equipment out of the way - no charge if you help move stuff). If you are able to help, send me an email. Day time is best as I don't have great lighting in the area. Early evening is possible.

[email protected]

29/04/2025
04/04/2025

Scratch board training for rear paw nail trims.

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This page is about having fun with your dog and building a strong, positive relationship while you help your dog learn the behaviours you want. It promotes an scientifically proven, effective and safe approach to training that will create a dog that enjoys lifelong learning.. I graduated with distinction from the Karen Pryor Training Academy, one of the top positive reinforcement based training programs. I am also a Gold Medal Certified Trick Dog Instructor, Certified Stunt Dog Judge and Barn Hunt Judge as well as a Canine Good Neighbour Evaluator. I am active in a variety of canine performance sports including conformation, agility, rally obedience, obedience, scent detection, barn hunt and trick training. Several of my dogs have been Therapy Dogs working with children and adults. In my professional (non dog related life), I have been first and foremost and educator - from preschool through post graduate levels. Through my dog classes, I am able to engage in both my passion for dogs and effective, positive dog training and my passion for teaching.

There are many different approaches to dog training from correction based, to dominance or alpha based to positive reinforcement based. While most methods will work, I choose positive reinforcement based training because this approach is safe, fun and effective with none of the potential negative fall out that may occur when dogs are trained using correction or dominance based techniques. Above all, training should foster a stronger bond between you and your dog. You should go home from a class thrilled with the brilliance of your dog and energized to keep working at home. You and your dog should find joy in the process as well as satisfaction in accomplishing training goals.