Stephens' Solutions Dog Training

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10/30/2025

THE PRAYER OF A DOG

10/25/2025

KNOW ABOUT MY NECK!

A dog’s neck is really not that much different to ours.

In fact, it may be even a little more sensitive, as the outermost layers of the skin are thinner than ours.

In additional to the damage that using choke collars, prong collars, slip leads or shock collars cause in a psychological and emotional way, the physical risks are also often not acknowledged or understood.

Here are just some of the physical risks these aversive tools can cause –

The Vagus nerve runs down both sides of the neck and controls so many vital functions - heart rate, breathing, digestion, emotional regulation and communication between the brain and other major organs.

Pressure on the neck can compress the trachea, making it hard to breathe properly -decreases oxygen to the brain and other organs, potentially causing long-term damage.

Pressure can also damage the thyroid gland, injure nerves and muscles and bruise soft tissue.

Compression of the neck can cause intraocular pressure which affects vision.

The neck and cervical spine contain the spinal cord, where the nerves of the front legs originate. Excessive paw licking is often misdiagnosed as allergies, when it’s actually caused by pain.

Compression of the Esophagus – the tube that carries food to the stomach, can cause digestive and gut issues.

I find it really hard to understand why these tools are still so widely used and promoted.

What could possibly be admirable or intelligent in using force, inflicting pain, causing physical and emotional harm to control another sentient being, when there are far more effective, humane, ethical ways?

"The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves" – Jayne Goodall

10/25/2025

DON’T FORCE ME TO BE SOCIAL!

It may be really disappointing or frustrating when our dogs are not the social beings we expected them to be.

Many people assume dogs should just naturally get along with other dogs, after all they’re the same species.

Some believe the “unsociable” dog has a behaviour problem that needs to be “fixed”.

Early, appropriately timed and proper socialisation is really important, but sometimes despite all of this, some dogs are just not that sociable or socially selective to varying degrees.

Sometimes this can be improved, especially if the cause is from a negative experience, but genetics, breed tendencies, individual personalities, health and age all contribute to tolerance and sociability, which also change throughout a dog’s lifetime.

If we, as a human species, don’t get along with everyone we meet, how can we expect our dogs to?

Do we label or try to fix every person that has an argument; doesn’t make friends with everyone they meet, dislikes some people, or just prefers not to be social as having a problem that needs to be fixed?

Why is it so easy to accept that every individual person is different than to accept that every individual dog is different?

When we have done what we can to improve our dogs’ social skills, we need to accept and acknowledge our dogs for the individuals they are, allow and respect their choice of whether to be sociable or not and never force interactions that dogs are not comfortable with.

Congratulations to this wonderful group of puppy guardians & their puppies who completed Puppy First Steps! So much fun...
10/25/2025

Congratulations to this wonderful group of puppy guardians & their puppies who completed Puppy First Steps! So much fun 😄

Congratulations to Family Dog Manners graduates! Well done Teams!
10/25/2025

Congratulations to Family Dog Manners graduates! Well done Teams!

10/15/2025

"Your dog isn't social".
And?
Do they have to be?
Yours may be "friendly" to a wide variety of dogs but that doesn't mean all dogs should be or need to be.
It doesn't make a dog that is selective any "less".

What about dogs that prefer their people and ignore other dogs?
Should their dog be viewed differently because they choose to ignore other dogs?
They love and adore their human family and for whatever reason, they prefer it this way.
Where is the issue with that?

"He only likes his own breed".
Nothing wrong with that whatsoever.
He is most comfortable with familiar body shapes and body language in dogs that look similar to him and his littermates/family.

"She'll only approach quieter dogs".
That's what she prefers and there can be good reasons for this too.
Maybe she doesn't appreciate boisterous play or perhaps she had a negative experience with a dog whose energy/movements were more unpredictable.

"He likes the "full on" dogs".
Excitement can be contagious and your dog may be attracted to that energy.

Sociability can be fluid too!
As they age and have more experiences it can change where they sit on the very large spectrum.

All of this is natural.
Time to see it as such and stop the preoccupation that all dogs must play with all other dogs to be "social".

10/15/2025

BRAIN UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The challenges of the teenage dog.

There’s a saying that most parents of teenagers can relate to - "Parents of teenagers understand why some animals eat their young!"

The changes that happen in the brain of a teenage dog are not that different to a human teenager.

The brain undergoes a period of "pruning" and "re-wiring". This process can cause some parts not to work, work sporadically or work too much.

To describe it in the simplest of terms -the prefrontal cortex of a teenage brain is at the “back of the queue” in this process. It’s still “under construction” and still developing. This area of the brain is responsible for making “logical” decisions, controlling impulses, learning, remembering, problem solving and social interaction.

Because the prefrontal cortex is being reconstructed, the brain relies more on a part called the amygdala to make choices and react.
The amygdala is involved in the “big feelings” we may see - emotional responses like fight or flight, anxiety, excitement, reactivity, impulse control and instinctive behaviour.

Being aware of the physical changes the teenage brain is going through in the process of maturing, helps us to be more understanding and accepting.

Statistics show that many dogs are surrendered or re homed during the teenage stage as their owners no longer “like” the way their dog behaves, can’t handle them or just give up on them.

Please don’t give up on your teenage dog. We need to manage our expectations and frustrations during this phase.

Understand and acknowledge what is happening in their brain. Help them through this stage with patience, consistency, love and acceptance.

08/16/2025

It's great your dog is ok off lead.
It's not great when they come barreling up to a dog on a lead.
The leash is there for a reason.

We might be building confidence.
Working through anxiety.
Recovering from an injury.
We may be on a mission to stay calm around triggers.
Or any number of reasons.....

Every dog deserves to feel safe on their walk.

08/14/2025

WHAT THE F? –
Stress responses in dogs

Fight or flight are well known reactions to fear or stress, but these other “F” words are also important to understand and be aware of as they may not always look obvious.

Freeze, Fawn, Fidget and Fool around are also responses to stress or fear and are also commonly seen in people.

Some dogs may have a genetic predisposition to one type of response while some react based on previous or a learnt experience - what has worked before or what hasn’t.

Some dogs will have different reactions depending on the specific context.

Recognising and taking note of situations or circumstances where these responses are seen is important to understand how our dogs are feeling.
Take note and be aware of what an individual dog’s signs of stress look like and try to avoid exposing them to situations where they feel stuck or trapped.

Try to give dogs as much appropriate choice as possible. Look at using positive reinforcement to help dogs form new, neutral or positive associations.

When we take the time to recognise a fear or a stress response, we are able to intervene and advocate for our dogs before the situation escalates or becomes a learnt pattern.

08/14/2025

They do hear you.
They may just not respond.
What looks like ignoring is often your dog prioritising what feels the most safe or important in that very moment.

They may be processing other information first... a sound, smell, or a movement that caught their attention.
They need time to process what it is they just experienced.
They might be uncertain about what you’re asking or lack enough practice/history with the cue in that situation.
Stress, excitement or even fear can override their ability to focus on you.

Sometimes it’s about what their brain decides matters most right now.

08/10/2025

Did your dog just do nothing?......absolutely nothing?
Brilliant!
Reward them.
We don't reward nothing enough.
They have made good choices with no barking, jumping or simply checked in with you for more guidance.

Training doesn't have to be spins, tricks and always telling them what we want.
Real "training" can happen in silence.....and often its trickier to spot.

Keep your eyes and ears ready to spot those good choices.
When you reward them.....watch what happens.

More "nothing".
Excellent!

07/27/2025

EVERYONE needs to read this if you are thinking about trialing one of our dogs or any dogs for that matter.
It takes time and patience! No dog deserves to be judged by its first hours, days, even weeks!! It takes time and work!

Adopting a pet? Congrats! You've just picked someone up in your car who isn't great at communicating, just got out of a tough situation, and isn't sure if they trust you yet. Sound familiar? That's because the first three days with a new pet are basically a 72-hour first date.

It's exciting, it's awkward, and it's definitely not the time to start planning your holiday cards or giving them a bubble bath.

No judgment, but some of y'all might need a quick refresher on first-date etiquette. So here's your official guide to early red flags (from you, not them).

🚩 Leaving them unattended like it's no big deal-
Imagine showing up to a blind date and immediately getting ditched at a party where you know no one. That's how your pet feels when they're left alone right away.

🚩 Being too handsy
They're cute. You're smitten. But this isn't the moment for kisses, cuddles, or TikToks with voiceovers. You just met. They don't know your intentions yet.

This isn't a fling; it's the start of something real. Let them come to you.

🚩 Introducing them to your entire cast of characters
Have you ever met someone, and they immediately want you to meet their mom? Yikes.

Your pet doesn't need to meet your whole social circle (or animal crew) right away. Let them settle in, one face at a time. Save the group hangs for later.

🚩 Giving them a bath
You wouldn't give someone you just met a bath, and if you would… we don't want to talk about this anymore.

Yes, shelter pets can be a little stinky. But baths are a lot. They're wet, stressful, and weirdly intimate for a pet who doesn't even know your hobbies yet. Spritz some pet-safe essential oils around the house and give them time to decompress before sudsing them up.

🚩 Taking them on a spontaneous adventure-
Keep things calm and close to home. No breweries, dog parks, or road trips. Your pet's just trying to figure out which room has the snacks, don't make them learn a whole new location yet.

🚩 Expecting instant love
Some folks swipe right, go on one date, and expect sparks to fly immediately. The same energy applies to new pet parents who expect instant attachment.

Sometimes, it does happen, but more often, it's a slow burn. They might hide under the bed, bark at the fridge, or side-eye you for three days straight. It doesn't mean it's not working. It just means you're still getting to know each other.

💘 The Bottom Line: Love doesn't always strike like lightning. Sometimes, it starts with awkward silences, side-eyes, and mutually agreeing that you won't make any sudden moves. But give it time, stay patient, and keep showing up, and you just might find yourself in the best relationship of your life.
This is asking Austin a pug mix looking for his family!

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Victoria, BC

Telephone

+14038705280

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