๐ฒ Our draw for Kamal Fernandez working spots is complete. Congratulations to our winners! ๐ฐ
๐ฆ๐ฆEarly bird audit registration is now open. $400 plus GST prior to June 1, 2024. Get your spot now! โฑ๏ธ
https://www.goodasgoldtraining.ca/workshops/
Everyone had fun tonight with their Spooky Nosework Searches! Building confidence thru our dogs desire to hunt.
Head to Tail Assesment
๐จ When it comes to your dog's health, knowledge is power! Join our upcoming Canine First Aid Class and learn how to perform a comprehensive head-to-tail assessment, treat and manage wounds, perform CPR, and so much more! Check out this sneak peek for a glimpse into what you'll learn.
Spots are limited, so don't wait to register!
๐
Date: Saturday, September 23
๐ Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
๐ Location: Sundance Animal Hospital (35 Sunmills Drive SE)
๐ฐ Course Price: $175 (includes a 118-page first aid manual)
๐ Learn More & Register: https://www.goodasgoldtraining.ca/workshops/
Winnie, a 5-month-old corgi, has been attending our Puppy Day School at Sundance Animal Hospital for the past couple of weeks. One of the primary concerns expressed by his owners was his nervousness around other dogs. Alongside honing his foundational skills, we've been dedicated to building his confidence in the presence of dogs and around new things. We've loved seeing the progress he's made โ Look how brave he was during a parallel walk with another puppy yesterday! ๐๐ถ
Learn more about our Puppy Day School Program here:https://www.goodasgoldtraining.ca/puppy-training/
๐ถLet's talk about shredding. Messy for humans but super fun for dogs!๐ถ
Shredding, digging, de-stuffing and ripping are all ๐ญ๐จ๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ ๐ฌ, and when allowed to appropriately partake in this innate behaviour, it can have some significant benefits!
๐ Shredding provides excellent mental and physical enrichment by fulfilling a canine-specific need
๐ Itโs a Perfect activity for cold days when itโs harder to get outside for physical exercise
๐ Can decrease anxiety and stress in some dogs
๐ Can prevent the destruction of household items or furniture by providing an appropriate outlet for the behaviour
๐ Can help keep jaws and teeth healthy and strong (for all you puppy owners out there, remember, a tired mouth is less likely to bite!)
Your dog should always be monitored while shredding so that they donโt ingest any items that they shouldnโt. Here are a few of our favourite items for shredding/de-stuffing:
๐ Burrowing toys, 2-in-2 surprise toys or Hide-A toys
๐ Cardboard or Paper
๐ Lettuce, carrots or celery
Overall, shredding is a normal and healthy behaviour for dogs, and it can provide numerous benefits for their physical and mental well-being. Just be sure to provide your dog with appropriate shredding toys and supervise their shredding activities to ensure their safety!
*Not all shredding is created equally. If your dog is showing signs of destructive shredding, anxious shredding (chewing on doors or household items when you leave) or shredding out of boredom/frustration, seek the advice of a qualified trainer!
We'll have this video on repeat when we need some validation๐
Don't forget to give your dogs (and yourself!) lots of praise for a job well done!
๐ ๐ถ Swimming can be a great activity for dogs in the summer, but whether your dog is a seasoned swimmer or just getting used to the water, there are a few things to keep in mind!
1) Start slow! Swimming should be a positive experience, so if your dog or puppy seems hesitant, take your time. You should never force your dog to get in the water.
2) Use toys or treats as a lure to entice your dog to try out the water. Start shallow (a few inches in a plastic pool or the edge of a pond or river) and work your way up to deeper water.
3) For most dogs, we're their biggest motivator! getting in the water with your dog can be a great way to get them comfortable with swimming.
4) Be mindful of currents in rivers and possible hazards (like debris or slippery rocks.) Check with your vet about any bacteria or toxins that could be in your local waters.
5) Think about taking a dog first aid class so you're prepared for an emergency!
Hope you're all finding ways to stay cool and enjoying this๐ฅHOT๐ฅweather!
Max was an 8-month-old puppy who enrolled in our Puppy School to work on his basic skills. After a few days in school, we saw tons of improvement in this sweet boy and caught this video of him showing off his rock star recall! ๐
If you're looking for some puppy training options, check out our Platinum Puppy Class, Puppy Field Trip Class and Puppy Day School Program: https://www.goodasgoldtraining.ca/puppy-training/
Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the woman who sadly passed away following a dog attack on Sunday afternoon. As a highly qualified dog behaviour expert, Barb has been asked to speak to multiple news outlets about this heartbreaking tragedy.
In the aftermath of an attack like this, itโs natural for us to want to pinpoint exactly what went wrong and to ask what signs there were leading up to the attack. The reality is that all dogs can bite, and severe attacks are typically multifactorial and impossible to narrow down to one cause. So what can we do to ensure that dogs and people can safely coexist in the community? Here are a few considerations:
โก๏ธ Be honest about your dogโs strengths and weaknesses. Dogs are individuals and itโs important to treat them as such. Being honest about your dogโs challenges allows you as their owner to set them up for success while developing management and training plans.
โก๏ธ Be honest about your capabilities as an owner. Are you able to handle multiple dogs in the home? What size of dog can you safely manage? Are you equipped to deal with behaviour challenges if they arise?
โก๏ธ Use management tools! If your dog is spending time outdoors make sure your gate is closed and your fence is secure. Check that your door properly latches and your dog canโt push the screen door open (this is common with larger dogs.) If your dog likes to run out the door when you open it, use a gate so they donโt have access to the door.
โก๏ธ Always supervise your dog around new people, children, or those that may not be as able-bodied. Continue to use management tools such as leashes, crates, baby gates or a separate room if needed.
โก๏ธ Start training early and seek help from a qualified trainer at the earliest sign of any behavioural challenges.
Our goal as Calgaryโs most credentialed trainers is to empower dog owners to understand more about their dogโs individual behaviours with the
Should you use pee pads with your puppy?
Should you use pee pads to help house train your new puppy? We get asked this question A LOT! Get housetraining help and tackle other common puppy problems with our Platinum Puppy Class! Register for class starting April 23 here: https://www.goodasgoldtraining.ca/puppy-training/
Tik Tok "Your Hoomans Are Toxic"
We may be guilty of a few of these ๐
Barb was on CTV Morning Live Calgary yesterday talking about the importance of socializing your puppy, and how to start the process!
You can see all of our training options, including our puppy classes, here: https://www.goodasgoldtraining.ca/
Zoom Zoom
Raise your hand if youโve ever been personally attacked by the Zoomies! ๐โโ๏ธ
Zoomies, also know as frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs),
are when your dog has a sudden release of energy and often features your dog running around in circles or frantically spinning. The good news, this is totally normal behaviour, especially in younger dogs.
So what are some other ways you can help your dog release pent up energy?
โก๏ธ Go for a walk! Let your dog sniff while on the walk to tire them mentally as well as physically, or try a new route. Head to a different neighbourhood or challenge yourself to try an easy hike close by.
โก๏ธ Give Nose Work a try. Sniffing is a great mental activity for dogs. Toss some high value treats in the grass and encourage your dog to sniff them out.
โก๏ธ Practice your dogโs skills. Try them in a park for added distractions that require more mental focus.
โก๏ธ Give your dog a frozen bone, bully stick or other safe chew. Chewing is a natural behaviour for dogs and can be especially helpful for puppies who are teething.
โก๏ธ Offer your dog a frozen treat like a KONG or Toppl! Frozen treats take more time for dogs to consume and provide an outlet for mental stimulation. Bonus, they are perfect for when the weather is hot!
โก๏ธ Sign your dog up for an Agility or Competition Obedience Class. You and your dog will love learning a new skill, and burn some energy while you're at it: https://www.goodasgoldtraining.ca/dog-training-classes/
โก๏ธ Teach your dog to play fetch. This is an awesome way to work off some physical energy (without getting too tired yourself!)
Alone Training Your Puppy
Barb was on CTV Morning Live Calgary today with some great training tips on getting your puppy used to being alone! This is especially useful information as Covid-19 restrictions are lifting and we're starting to spend more time away from the home!
Take a look at our other puppy training options, including our Platinum Puppy Class, our Puppy School and our Puppy Field Trip Class: https://www.goodasgoldtraining.ca/puppy-training/
It was a beautiful weekend for our puppy socialization time!
Our Platinum Puppy Class includes 1 private training session, 5 virtual training classes and outdoor socialization time! Learn more about our puppy training here: https://www.goodasgoldtraining.ca/puppy-training/
