Best Friends Dog Training

07/09/2023

Looking for something fun and different to do with your dog? Join our nosework classes. Introduction to Nosework starts in September and October. You will have a happy, tired dog and be amazed at what your dog can do with their incredible nose!

https://www.bestfriendsdogtraining.ca/nosework.html

31/03/2023

I'm loving the nosework classes I've been offering since January! The dogs and handlers are amazing and doing so well. So much fun to watch them progress and to see the skills and enthusiasm the dogs are showing for this wonderful sport.

Here is a video of one of our nosework dogs - the beautiful Gracie - and her mom, Kathleen McPhee. Gracie demonstrates her understanding and skills as she learns to recognize, choose and search for "wintergreen", the essential oil we use when we begin introducing the dogs to odour. Well done, Gracie and Kathleen!

Border collie Gracie excels at nosework!

21/02/2023

Hello to my friends on the Lower Sunshine Coast! I'm offering two mantrailing workshops in early March in Roberts Creek and Halfmoon Bay. Mantrailing is a dog following the scent of a person to find them. Join us, but only if you want to have a lot of fun with your dog!!

More info at bestfriendsdogtraining.ca/mantrailing

24/12/2022

Wishing all our friends and clients Happy Holidays and only good things in the New Year!

Photo by Becky Wayte of my little Bug enjoying the fire at Becky's house.

07/12/2022

If you want to have the most fun you can have with your dog, join one of our Introduction to Mantrailing workshops in January! Mantrailing is dogs finding people for fun and it really is fun for both dogs and people!

It's a great activity for dogs of all sizes, shapes, ages, breeds, and temperaments!

15/11/2022

I recently came across this article I wrote in 2010 about a dog named Rex who belonged to Jane Bowers, a dog trainer on the lower Sunshine Coast. Sadly, Jane passed away in December 2021, almost a year ago now. I think of her often. She was a wonderful trainer and I Iearned a lot from her. I remember Rex too and reading this article after all these years brought back many memories - of the bond they had and the difference they made.

REX'S STORY

Four years ago Jane Bowers received a call about a dog in trouble. A German Shepherd cross named Rex lived his life on a chain and his owners were ready to shoot him. When Jane went to investigate she found a family about to lose their home. They planned to shoot their old dog because they didn’t think anyone would want him. Jane proved them wrong. Rex became her dog and she became his person.

Before he came to live with Jane Rex’s world was small and constricted. Chained for nine years, he had little freedom of movement, no friends, and no variety or novelty in his life. Sometimes he didn’t get fed. But Rex had a remarkable attitude and a core of resilience that helped him to cope with the deprivation and loneliness. His spirit stayed strong and he still engaged with the world. He took pleasure and comfort where he could – in visits from the deer and fawns that wandered by and in his collection of sticks and stones. His teeth were worn down to the gum line from gnawing on stones and rocks.

Once he came to live with Jane on her farm Rex flourished. He especially liked to swim and would dive off the rocks at a local lake. The memory of hunger may never have left him because he relished his meals and made Jane feel like the best cook on earth. Rex also had a marvelous ability to get along with other animals. Perhaps he remembered the little fawns that brought him comfort because he never chased a small animal. He also never picked a fight with another dog and if one tried to pick a fight with him he walked away. He was deeply loved by Jane’s dogs Kelly and Phoenix.

Rex had a way with people too. Jane took him with her to educate schoolchildren on how to behave with a dog. The kids loved and accepted him and learned that a big old German Shepherd with a gray muzzle and a history of life on a chain can be a loving companion and friend. Rex helped to shape the children’s understanding of the nature of dogs and the importance of treating them humanely.

Abuse doesn’t change the nature of some dogs. Like Rex, these dogs stay friendly, loving and engaged no matter how much they have suffered. Rex’s story shows us that dogs who have been chained all their lives can still be wonderful pets. His story also reminds us that sometimes dogs are chained and abused not from deliberate cruelty but because of circumstances such as poverty, displacement, and lack of knowledge and understanding.

As he aged Rex’s body took him back to those years on the chain when he wasn’t free to walk and run and play. But Rex always lived life to the full and looked for the best in every situation. His mind and heart stayed strong even as his body grew weak. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” The attitude and spirit Rex demonstrated all his life tell us these words are as true for dogs as they are for us.

In October 2010 Rex went home with Jane by his side. He was 15 years old. So long, dear Rex. Time to rest now and play with the fawns.

27/10/2022

I had fun writing this article for the BC SPCA AnimalKInd program! I know what my dogs' favourite natural behaviours are: Bug's favourite is barking LOL, and Remi's favourite is scavenging and hunting for food! What are your dog's favourite behaviours?https://animalkind.ca/kind-corner-helping-your-dog-express-natural-behaviours/?fbclid=IwAR0VBsxXbHLUQ_mM5-6d3agVsMnF-KYywbsbqlwCSgGgyavrh2PwTU78QXc

Let dogs be dogs! Sandy Middleton of Best Friends Dog Training and Behaviour explains the importance of letting our dogs express their natural behaviours and shares tips on what to do to support them.

23/09/2022

Tap into your dog's natural abilities and instincts with mantrailing! Mantrailing is dogs finding people for fun and for sport. Join us for an Introduction to Mantrailing workshop and watch your dog use their amazing nose to follow the trail of human scent.

Check out this design designed by Sandy Middleton.

15/09/2022

If you want to have a ton of fun with your dog, join me for an Introduction to Mantrailing workshop on October 1! See the flyer below for more information and where to register.
Mantrailing - dogs finding people - taps into dogs' natural abilities and instincts to use their amazing noses to find people. The great thing is you do it together with your dog using a long line. It's just about the most fun you can have with your dog! a.

Check out this design designed by Sandy Middleton.

06/09/2022

Hi everyone, I recently became certified as a mantrailing instructor with Mantrailing UK. Mantrailing is dogs finding people and it's just about the most fun you can have with your dog! Here's a video of my first mantrailing workshop last week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kQB884q-Zw

We only had two dogs for that workshop but what a blast! Happy dogs and happy people! I'm offering more workshops in the coming weeks in both Powell River and the Lower Sunshine Coast. If interested, you can find out more and register at: https://www.bestfriendsdogtraining.ca/mantrailing.html

There's still room for one or two more dogs in the workshop on September 10.

If you are interested but the current dates don't work for you, let me know and I'll keep you in the loop when more are offered.

Happy trailing!

11/08/2022

Just sent out my latest newsletter with news and info about upcoming classes, including my scent work program. If you are interested in nosework and/or mantrailing, check out the links in the newsletter or go directly to my site .https://www.bestfriendsdogtraining.ca/scent-work.html

I'm excited to offer mantrailing - dogs finding people - for the first time!

https://conta.cc/3SFPDks

Welcome to our dog days of summer newsletter Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. Mary Oliver, Dog Songs Welcome to the dog days of summer newsletter! I hope you

07/08/2022

I've been touched and gratified by the response to the BC SPCA AnimalKind accreditation I recently received. It means a lot to me! Here is the press release if you haven't seen it. I especially love the photo of me and my dog TT who is my heart and who is 13 now. As you can see from the photo, TT is a happy guy! The photo was taken by my friend Becky Wayte who is an amazing photographer.

Best Friends Dog Training and Behaviour is the latest dog training company in Powell River to receive BC SPCA’s AnimalKind accreditation.

26/04/2022

These three beauties - Lily, Amelia and Korra - recently arrived in Canada. Lily and Amelia are from Mexico and Korra from Turkey. They are now living in families who understand it takes time to adjust and learn the ropes in a new environment and that the most important thing to work on is your relationship. These girls were adopted into loving families who are giving them the time and support they need to flourish in their new homes.

24/12/2021

Happy Holidays! Wishing you health and happiness - for both the human and canine members of your family.

And here's something to make you smile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq_wBTGWEHM

26/08/2021

Happy International Dog Day! What better way to celebrate than with puppy grad photos! Congratulations to Raine, Lula, Dudley, and Kayleigh! Also, to Sparkles and Kenna (not pictured). Well done, little ones! You are going to have great futures as wonderful family pets!

13/08/2021

Look at those faces! These cuties pies are part of our private training program. Pyper (left) is a Mastiff/British Bulldog mix. Dakota (right) is a Frenchton - a cross between the French Bulldog and the Boston Terrier.

Pyper and Dakota, with the support of their families, are working on the skills needed to live comfortably and safely in our human world: checking in, coming when called, walking on a loose leash, greeting people and other dogs politely and only with permission, and more.

Dogs with these skills have more freedom in life. They can go more places and have more opportunities.

So enjoying working with these lovely girls!

04/08/2021

Puppy graduation tonight! Two of their classmates couldn't make it for their grad, but Luna and Lily were there to receive their certificates, having graduated from Puppy Power class "with distinction!" Future Youtube star, adorable Lily, showed off on the skateboard! And what a joy to see lovely Luna grow so much in confidence during the program. Well done puppies and families!

03/08/2021

August training tip!

Do you wish you could get more duratoin on some behaviours from your dog? For example, you ask them to sit or lie down and they do but they pop back up? Here's a simple tip for getting more duration: reverse luring.

With reverse luring we hold food in our hand, visible to the dog, and we feed from the hand for staying in place. You can also use a"continuous marker" which means "keep doing what you are doing". In the video below, my continuous marker is "Good".

In this video, I am working on duration for lying down with Bug, my little Maltese. The verbal cue is "Bam". At the beginning of the video you see she has no duration at all. When I use reverse luring, it helps her to stay in place until I release her with "Find it". If she gets up before I release her, I simply close my hand. I can wait until she lies down again or recue her if needed, as I do in the video.

Try this with your dog! Happy to answer any questions.

02/08/2021

In our Teen Tyrants group class Maggie rocks a relaxed down stay while her Mom reads the latest issue of qathet Living magazine! Maggie knows to hold her stay until Mom releases her - great job Maggie!

01/08/2021

Handsome Nash is part of our private training program. With his family's help, Nash is learning to change his feelings about people from worry and fear to happiness and safety. Instead of barking and lunging when he sees people, Nash is learning to look, and then to turn away and move on. Well done Nash and family!

01/08/2021

In puppy class, puppies have new, positive experiences that help them learn about the world! They play together, explore new things and surfaces, meet new people, and learn new skills. A video and a few photos from some of our recent Puppy Power classes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQOOtchdN2Q

01/08/2021

Greetings!

This page has been silent for awhile because I got locked out of my Facebook account and couldn't get back in! But last week my friend Becky figured out how to unlock it and here I am. Yay!

Hope you and your furry friends are all having a wonderful summer!

Sandy

Photo of me and Remi at the Chocolate Lily meadow last spring!