The Dignified Dog

30/06/2025

Small behaviours snowball into bigger ones when unaddressed

26/06/2025

Puppies shouldn’t go home before 8 weeks at the minimum. Anywhere from 8-12 weeks

I know this is a controversial topic among breeders, but it needs to be said: too many puppies are being sent to their new homes far too early.

The common excuse? “They’ve started eating solid food and are no longer nursing, so they’re ready to go.”

The truth? The longer a puppy stays, the more it costs the breeder—more food, more vaccines, more time.

Sending them home at 6 weeks is more profitable, but it’s rarely in the best interest of the puppy.

Some breeders argue that 6 weeks is the ideal time for puppies to start bonding with humans.

While it’s true that puppies begin to form attachments around that age, sacrificing their emotional and behavioral development for the sake of early bonding isn’t worth it.

Between 3 and 8 weeks, puppies are going through one of the most critical periods of their lives.

This is when they learn bite inhibition, frustration tolerance, canine body language, and how to interact with other dogs—all through feedback from their mother and littermates.

Pulling them too soon increases the risk of anxiety, poor social skills, and long-term behavioral issues.

A well-raised puppy who stays with the litter until at least 8 weeks can still form a strong bond with their new humans—without missing out on the foundational learning they can never get back.

18/06/2025

Have you ever heard this saying? “They’re not giving you a hard time, they’re having a hard time.”

What does that even mean?

Pretty much what it says. In this sense I’m of course talking about dogs. Your dog’s misbehaviour isn’t a deliberate attempt to make you feel bad, but instead, it’s them struggling with their own feelings and perception of a situation they don’t understand how to handle. They’re dogs in a human world after all.

Reframing how you see your dog’s symptoms of their internal struggle is the first step to improving your communication, reducing conflict and therefore building a stronger relationship between you both.

Next time your dog seems like they’re misbehaving, remember this and try to figure out the root to the symptom. If you need help, feel free to reach out!

12/06/2025

Chili is a sweet girl from Mexico, her and her mom made the trip up here so she could get training (and so mom could visit her family). Mom has already started a fantastic foundation with her, but needed some help to get around some puppy stuff like jumping, nipping, fine tuning recall and loose leash walking as well as fulfilling her drives. This little girl is super smart and she’s so fun!

11/06/2025

11/06/2025

Gut health is important for all of us

🍽️ Let’s Talk Dog Diet & Nutrition! 🐾

What we feed our dogs matters—and just like us, every pup is different! Some do well on kibble, others thrive with raw, cooked, or a hybrid approach. What’s most important? That your dog’s diet is balanced, appropriate for their age/activity level, and digestible for them.

⚖️ Quick tips:
• Feed for your dog’s lifestyle, not just their weight
• Watch for signs like dull coat, itchy skin, or inconsistent stools—these can point to dietary imbalances
• Don’t forget hydration! Dogs benefit from extra moisture added to meals
• Rotate proteins (if tolerated) to support variety in nutrients
• Treats count—make them nutritious! 🦴

Whether you’re feeding raw, kibble, or something in between, making informed choices can lead to better behaviour, healthier skin, stronger joints, and longer lives. 💪🐶

Have nutrition questions? Drop them below or bring them up in your next session—we’re happy to help guide you in the right direction 💜

10/06/2025

☀️🐾 Too Hot for Toe Beans? Let’s Talk Heat Safety for Your Pup! 🐾☀️

Summer is awesome—but scorched toe beans, heatstroke, & cranky canines? Not so much. Pavement can get blazing hot, & your dog’s paws are way more sensitive than you think.

🔥 How Do You Know? 🔥
Place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can’t hold it there for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for paws. If it’s burning your skin, it’s frying their toe beans—simple as that.

🎉 Cool Ways to Beat the Heat:

🐶 Early Birds & Night Owls
Walk your dog in the morning or late evening when the sun’s not out to sabotage those toe beans.

🍦 DIY Pupsicles
Freeze low-sodium broth, dog-safe fruits (like watermelon or blueberries), or yogurt in fun molds—or stuff a Kong & toss it in the freezer. Instant refreshment!

💦 Splash Parties
Break out the kiddie pool, sprinkler, or hose.

🧊 Cool Zones Indoors
AC, fans, damp towels, or cooling mats = happy dogs. Add puzzle toys or enrichment games for some indoor stimulation without the heat risk.

🌳 Stick to the Shade
Whether you’re at home or out & about, shaded areas help keep your dog from overheating & your walk from turning into a paw-frying disaster.

🧢 Dress to Chill
Cooling vests, damp bandanas, & even booties can help protect your dog if you must go out.

⚠️ Know the Signs of Overheating ⚠️
Heavy panting, drooling, glazed eyes, lethargy, or wobbliness are all red flags. If you see any of these, stop, hydrate, & cool them down immediately.

Let’s keep those toe beans happy & your summer adventures safe! ☀️ 🐾 😎

29/05/2025

When it comes to cooling your dog down, remember, applying water to a dog's belly, groin, and under the forelegs is more effective for cooling them down than wetting their back because the belly area has more blood flow, allowing the cooling effect to be circulated throughout the body. Wetting the back can trap heat closer to the skin, potentially making the dog hotter