Dog Grrrl Canada

09/19/2024

Do you feel like the price of dog training is too high?

Are you a trainer who feels guilty for charging your clients rates that are congruent with the value you bring?

Hiring a qualified and experienced dog trainer has the power to truly transform the relationship you and your family have with your dog.

Which can mean decreasing stress in your daily life, helping you feel empowered instead of embarrassed about your dog's behaviour, and increasing your own as well as your dog's quality of life overall by creating more space for relaxation and decompression.

This can be life altering.

What a good dog trainer does these days is more than just "dog training"

If you're a dog owner looking for a deal theres a lot of people in social media groups or at the dog park who have "had dogs all their lives" and are thrilled to give you free advice.

If you're a dog trainer who charges low rates please understand you're undermining the importance of this industry and making it impossible for the public to see the value in what you do if you do not.

You get what you pay for.

You and your dog deserve a good dog trainer!

I am currently accepting new clients - DM me to find out how working with me can change your life forever!

09/18/2024

The death of the guru – a new era of self empowerment in dog training

We have recently entered a new era of learning and self development where the majority of people are no longer searching outside of themselves to find the answers they seek.

Due to the exposure of corruptions and abuse of power of many of our systems and structures we based our culture and beliefs on like religion and celebrities, this has forced people to no longer feel drawn to worship something outside of themselves.

We are evolving as a collective and are now looking inwards for inspiration, strength and intuition to guide us to the answers we seek.

Another huge driving force and factor that plays into this change of mindset is the internet and it’s accessibility.

We’re living during a new paradigm where most of the world is online. This has created endless opportunities to learn about virtually anything you like, anytime you like. People have more options to perfect their craft without having to pay an industry guru thousands of dollars to learn their “secrets”

This directly effects the dog world for both owner, and trainer.

People are now self empowered and driven to seek out a trainer who will help them find the missing puzzle pieces they’re seeking to create a whole picture. We are no longer worshipping and following every word and piece of advice given by trainers that we wish to learn more from.

Our crafts are now more customized to reflect who we are and the natural and unique talents we can bring to the table, instead of replicating what we believed in the past to be “perfection”, or “the only way”

This has created more choice for trainers, and dog owners overall.
I have to say – I am all for this!

As a trainer, I do not like when clients or other trainers are obsessed or worship me. I find it unhealthy and makes me feel uncomfortable and want to disconnect.

The truth is, I have found more growth and success by learning to truly worship & respect myself.

And you can too- you just need to believe in yourself and make space for you super powers to blossom!

09/09/2024

The "right" way to train a dog...

For those who have been following me, you can already guess what my personal stance on this issue is!

I wrote this post last year and feel that it is relevant considering the current focus on legislation and methodology in the dog training industry.

Many dog trainers spend a massive amount of time and energy arguing about training methods and which ones are "right".

As a culture, we’re much more interested in making ourselves right and making other people wrong.

Why?

This feeds our egos rather than accepting that there are things our limited cognitive minds we can’t understand.

The truth is that everyone is right and wrong at the same time. Reality is subjective and multi-dimensional.

For people who need to be right, there is only room for one reality in their minds, and it’s their reality. These are “My way or the highway!” type of people and are less accepting of change in many ways.

It's fear based.

A wonderful lesson I have learned is that multiple realities can and do exist. Another lesson I have learned is that you can’t convince people of a reality they do not live in or have a desire to explore.

I have also learned that it is a waste of time and energy trying to convince people of your reality.

Stop doing that!

Your energy and talents will go a lot further if you use them to assist people who already share the same reality you do. ;)

08/30/2024

We are so proud!

Chinook was showing signs she was uncomfortable when some guests came to the home.

We helped form a plan with boundaries around her physical space, which gave her the feeling of control and safety and this was a gamechanger.

"In the evening. Chinook was actually curled up with a lot of the people. There was one gentleman that she would not go near who is very upset because he loved her, but by the end of the night, she was somewhat coming around to him. So I say it was a hit and she did very very well".

Great work to Chinook and her parents for following the protocols to form healthy boundaries and get great results!

pcs to reduce stress

08/28/2024

Do you want a relationship based on respect? Time to ditch the obedience training!

You're not imagining this! Yes, a dog trainer is telling you to ditch the obedience!

Let me explain....the brand for my business is rooted in a life altering truth.

I grew up with dogs like I’m sure many of you did. Our family gravitated toward retrievers. We didn’t do any formal training at all with any of my childhood dogs.

Training your dog 30+ years ago was a completely different concept and was based on controlling behaviours through obedience.

The concept of obedience is based on military training. It actually originates from the bible and would infer that you are here to serve your superiors.

This is based off the master – slave dynamic which suggests that people are not equals as some people have more worth than others and those who are told are less than will be praised in society if follow this dynamic and remain “obedient”

We teach this to our kids in schools and since our society was based on this master slave dynamic for years naturally we applied this to our beloved dogs and pets without realizing that we’re just programming them to hide their authentic selves.

So many people are starting to wake up to how toxic this mindset and dynamic truly is.

This is why homeschooling or alternative schools have been on the rise recently. They’re based on nurturing and supporting a child’s natural talents and interests, not trying to fit them into a programmable box.

This is the same for our dogs and the training world.

This is why my brand is rooted in discovering your dogs SUPER POWERS!

When I allowed space for the dogs I was working with to flourish and reinforced the behaviours I liked first instead of trying to control the ones I didn’t this is when the magic really started to happen.

It’s time to get out of competition mindset and get into collaboration mindset when training with me.

It’s time to discover your dogs SUPER POWERS! Let me show you how!

08/27/2024

This is YOUR SIGN!

If you've been following us and you've been unsure about moving forward with your dog training goals, we have a deal just for you!

New clients will get 15% OFF all in person training services that are purchased before Labour Day! (You can book 90 days from the date of purchase into the future)

Are you ready to stop having a dog that embarrasses you and learn to create a relationship with your dog that you can be proud of?

Tired of making excuses for your dog's bad manners in the home or on your walks?

Did you lose all the skills your dog worked on during puppy class?

I got you!

Get your dog back to school and take advantage of our limited time discount for new clients by using our coupon code 'SCHOOL2024' at the time of purchase before September 3 2024.

Email me directly to set up a free call if you have questions before booking; [email protected]

READY TO BOOK? You can do this directly through our website http://www.doggrrrl.com

08/27/2024

Be wise today. Mental enrichment, scent games, tricks training or brushing up on your desired manners with your dog in a shady cool area is a good option when the humidex is over 35c.

It’s going to be a hot one today, keep your pets safe!!

08/26/2024

This is a statement I hear often.

I hear this often from many dog owners so if you can resonate with this, you’re not alone!

We are told to teach our dog the basics, attend a group class and that means our dogs understands all of the skills and cues we have taught them at that time.

We are not told that a group class or basic training when your dog is a puppy is just the foundations of what is needed to be able to have those skills transfer to the real world.

Why?

Generalization

“In dog training terms, generalization means a dog is able to perform a behavior and/or to experience an associated emotional response across different contexts.”

Which means that just because rover knows to sit, or come to you in your house, that doesn’t mean rover has practised enough to have a light-bulb moment and realize that he should sit or come in all situations.

If this also sounds familiar, that means you may need to go back to the basics and build again with teaching your dog around all types of distractions.

Consider your dog’s unique personality while building on your cues. Does your dog value play over that kibble you're trying to offer? If so, when other dogs are present this may be require more focus and higher payoffs for training to reach your goals of having your dog listen when other dogs are around.

We’re having a summer sale for new clients that ends on Labour Day!

If you’ve been putting off your dog training goals now is your sign to get back on track
DM me to get your initial session booked with me!

08/23/2024

It's Friday!

The heatwave has returned.

Tell me about how you and your dog beat the heat!

Or show me your swimming dogs keeping cool in the comments below!

👇💦🐕

08/21/2024

Training your dog is going to be fun!

Just like your dog, learning isn’t possible if you feel uncomfortable

This is why a big focus when working with me is to ensure my client is having a lot of fun while we work together on their goals.

Neurologist Judy Willis teaches us in her most recent book, Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning: how fun experiences actually increase levels of dopamine and endorphins in our brain. These hormones are important for successful learning.

Just like the methodology I use with your dog, I want to ensure that my clients associate their training experience with something very positive and pleasurable.

I want you to enjoy the process so that you look forward to your dog training time.

My goal is to undo a lot of the programming about what to expect from a dog trainer which is based off military style learning. I do not intend to program you or teach you to do so with your dog.

I approach things different way with my clients which involves having an open mind.
If you’re ready to tackle some less than ideal behaviours you may have put on the back-burner because you weren’t sure about how the training experience would be, it’s time to turn the heat back on!

I have a recipe for success and can help you get all the ingredients you need to reach your dog training goals, together, and have fun while doing it!

08/16/2024

We just got an update from one of our clients and we couldn't be prouder!

Roo the rescue hound mix had unsure emotions about her guardian Jeremy but with patience and progress Roo was able to feel safer with Jeremy as each day passed.

We created a consent station for Jeremy and Roo to bond through that involved bringing out a magical training mat.

They worked on bonding through basic obedience cues and simple tricks to bond in a different way.

Roo learned that she had control of these interactions and if any anytime she felt unsure she could end the training by leaving the magic mat.

"We have had success with treat rewards and Jeremy is spending more one on one time with her. We have been noticing more progress each week "

Wonderful job to Jeremy and Roo for being patient and consistent to see the magic play out overtime.

08/09/2024

Dog trainers posting about behaviour quadrants all day long just confuses dog owners and doesn't help animal welfare.

Change my mind.

Every other post I see from dog training accounts now is education on "What is +R and what is +P"

This is not relevant for the average dog owner to understand to reach their goals.

Even as a dog walker I didn't need to know this or would have found knowing these differences useful.

You as a trainer are supposed to understand this and make an informed choice based on your own beliefs and integrity and then relay that information in bite sizes easy to absorb exercises and lessons for your clients.

Dog owners DO NOT need to understand the theoreticals of behaviour quadrants to reach their goals.

They just need to understand and be on board with being kind and you will teach them how to get there.

08/08/2024

The magic of the unexpected...

When I first started working professionally with dogs I was so sure the giant dogs were the ones for me.

The dog walking company I first started with asked me "What kind of dogs do you want us to out on your route" and my reply was "the bigger, the better!"

While I adored my time with all the dogs irrelevant of their size, I was surprised on how much I was off on what I found so intriguing in regards to our canine companions.

It was actually the small breeds, that left the biggest imprint on me!

With so many stereotypes about them I wasn't expecting such big personalities.

There is also something admirable about how confident they were walking right beside another dog 10xs their size without any fear.

I loved that they could keep up with the group on leash walks the whole time even though they had to take 4xs the amount of steps to do so.

These wee ones inspired me to face my own fears and remind me that you can do what nobody else beluves you can!

Tell me a story about a small dog that has touched your life in the comments below.

08/06/2024

How to make your ‘bad dog’ a ‘good dog’

Imagine this: You just welcomed a new puppy into your home. Your new puppy jumps on you, pees on your carpet and chews on the leg of your favourite antique piece of furniture all within a few hours of arriving.

Over the next week all you notice is less than ideal or “bad” behaviour and you’re slowly starting to regret the decision you made.

This is a psychological phenomenon known as Baader-Meinhof, otherwise known as the frequency illusion. This cognitive bias occurs when something you've noticed or recently learned suddenly seems to appear everywhere. But is it really appearing more frequently, or is your brain just paying more attention to it?

Baader-Meinhof is a metaphor for the broader concept of recognizing opportunities in life. The theory suggests that opportunities are abundant and diverse, but they often go unnoticed until we intentionally seek them. Which means when we’re not consciously looking for good behaviour in our dogs, our brains filter out most of the information.

The truth is whatever you focus on grows. This is where you get to choose to see your dog as a bad dog, or a good dog as your perspective produces for opportunity to reinforce the correct behaviour.

08/01/2024

Submission & Stress Signals

Often when our dogs roll over on their backs we assume that it is an invitation for a belly rub. Sometimes this is the case. However, sometimes the communication our dogs are trying to give by rolling on their backs is quite the opposite.

Another common reason dogs expose their stomachs by rolling on their backs is to indicate submission. Which means your current or recent actions may have been overwhelming for them and they are communicating that they do not want to add conflict to the situation.

So the next time your dog flips over pause and consider the context. Your touching them at that time could be sending the wrong message.

07/31/2024

I used to give my power away to any form of disagreement to my opinions or any form of criticism made about my business

Some negative feedback about my programs or a any sort of create criticism would send me into a spiral and I isolate myself for days.

I used to allow other people's opinions to get the best of me.

One day I had a really big epiphany and everything was made very clear to me on how I could actually use these experiences to my advantage.

Here's the truth about real success;

• 33% of people are going to be your real supporters & die hard fans
• 33% of people are going to be your haters and will be triggered by you
• 33% of people do not know who you are yet and have no opinion

You need your haters as much as you need your supporters to create the strong 3 force universal law needed to create real success.

Do you ever notice how the most controversial people are the most successful?

It's not luck or a coincidence.

They're aware of this powerful truth and also use it to create more abundance and focus on their business.

This is where the saying “All publicity is good publicity!” comes from.

So thank your haters, because they can teach you have to make criticism your fuel, not your Kryptonite.

To all my enemies; THANK YOU for making my business a success! xoxoxo

07/29/2024

The RAW TRUTH!

#1 STOP MESSING WITH YOUR DOGS FOOD! This is one of the most ridiculous rumours I've heard and I understand resource guarding very well. In my opinion playing with your dogs food bowl potentially causes stress which is what the underlying emotion is driving resource guarders.

#2 PLAY TUG WITH YOUR DOG. Playing tug can be a great way to teach your dog to drop, leave and get an item. This can also be a wonderful way to reduce frustration as long as you let your dog win the tug!

#3 YOUR DOGS CRITICAL SOCIALIZATION PERIOD ENDS AT 12 WEEKS. And I don't care what your fear fuelled vet or breeder is telling you. If you follow this advise your risk is bigger for irreversible life long behavioural issues which could land your dog in the shelter or worst of all euthanized. Pandemic dogs proved this! Expose them!

#4 FIXING YOUR DOG EARLY MIGHT ACTUALLY CAUSE MORE AGGRESSION Many recent studies show the opposite completely. Especially in females. Your dogs body is an eco system and removing their hormones during development seems to be pretty obvious that the rest of their system may suffer.

#5 FEED YOUR DOG RAW MEAT IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO This lie is one of the funniest ones I've heard around the rumour mill. No, your new puppy won't become blood thirsty and become a threat to society if they taste blood.

My advise? Question the experts!

07/26/2024

Curb many behaviour issues by adding more enrichment and brain games into your dogs routine

Enrichment isn't optional. It's not a nice, extra thing we should be doing for our animals - it's a critical part of their well-being, health and happiness.

Enrichment is ensuring we are meeting all of a species needs.

This is not optional.

07/26/2024

It's Friday! 🐶🙌

What are you and your dog doing this weekend?

Swimming?

Road trip to the cottage?

Sun bathing?

I want to hear all about your weekend plants with your dog!

Let me know in the comments!

07/25/2024

Being picky or weird about food is not a normal behaviour

While we believe that having access to an overflowing bowl of food all day would mean that we live a life of luxury and abundance, this is a human desire that doesn't translate into the canine world.

If you have a dog who isn't interested in eating their meal when it is put out for them that is not a normal behaviour. A few different things could be happening to cause this;

1. Your dog thinks the food sucks. Even if your brand and quality is high, dogs have individual palettes and preferences. Just because we assume they want lamb doesn't mean they do.

2. You have taught them that they have free access to food so there is no reason to eat the meal while its down. This is concerning because knowing if your dog is actually eating to gauge health issue isn't possible. Also training could be difficult to motivate later on if your dog can get food whenever they want. Who cares about your treats!

3. They have an underlying anxiety disorder or feels stressed out often. When dogs are in this state appetites can be suppressed. No interest in food could be a clue to underlying behavioural issues that need to be addressed.

4. There is underlying medical or pain going on. Especially for our senior dogs who may have teeth or mouth pain which would deter them from wanting to chew.

What is the solution?!

First ensure that there is no medical reason for this. If that has been cleared, my next suggestion is to start getting meals on a schedule.

Leave their bowl down for 15-20 minutes and if they do not eat it put it away and bring it down again next meal time. You'll train their body to form an appetite at certain times

If your dog isn't interested still, that is a good indicator that the food you're giving them isn't something they enjoy. Consider different brands or proteins if possible or adding nutritional meal toppers or canine friendly fresh fruit and vegetables.

Gut health is extremely important for your dogs physical and mental well being. Speak to your vet or a dog nutritionist about way to improve this.

07/22/2024

MISCOMMUNI-CANINE!

Scratching doesn’t always mean itchy. Your dog could be trying to communicate something else!

Scratching can be considered a displacement behaviour in dogs. Displacement behaviours are observed when a dog is conflicted, stressed, or unsure how to respond in a particular situation. Instead of displaying a direct response, the dog may engage in a behaviour that serves as a temporary outlet for their internal conflict or frustration.

In the context of scratching as a displacement behaviour, it typically occurs when a dog experiences conflicting emotions or when they feel unsure about what to do. It can be a way for them to release tension or redirect their focus from the source of their conflict.

For example, if a dog is in an unfamiliar and stressful environment, they may feel conflicted between wanting to explore and feeling unsure or anxious. In such situations, they might start scratching excessively as a way to cope with their internal conflict or to distract themselves from the stressor.

It's important to note that displacement behaviours like scratching are usually temporary and may not address the underlying cause of the dog's stress or conflict.

It's crucial to identify and address the root causes of stress or anxiety to help the dog feel more comfortable and reduce the need for displacement behaviours. Consulting with a professional in dog behaviour that can provide further guidance in these cases.


31w

07/19/2024

I already own the breed I would be...

Let me explain... I am very easily distracted when there is too much stimulus around. I often will zone out and focus on nature vs what you are saying to me.

I also have two sides, hyperactive and super cuddly.

What about you?

If you were a dog.. what breed would YOU be?!

07/18/2024

Wagging tails do not mean that the dog is friendly!

A dog's tail placement can convey important information about their emotional state and intentions. Here are some key reasons why tail placement is significant:

1. Emotional expression: Dogs use their tails to express a wide range of emotions. A wagging tail generally indicates happiness, while a tucked or low-hanging tail can signify fear, submission, or anxiety. A high, stiff tail may indicate alertness or assertiveness.

2. Communication: Dogs use their tails to communicate with other dogs and even with humans. Tail position, along with other body language cues, helps to convey whether they are friendly, fearful, or submissive. It helps establish social boundaries and can signal intentions during interactions.

3. Alertness and arousal: The height and movement of the tail can indicate the dog's level of alertness and arousal. A raised tail can show interest or excitement, while a straight, erect tail might indicate a more confident posture.

4. Approachability: Tail position plays a role in determining if a dog is approachable or not. A relaxed tail position generally indicates a more approachable and friendly stance, whereas a raised, stiff, or bristled tail might be a sign of caution or potential aggression.

5. Breed and individual differences: It's important to consider that tail positions can vary based on breed and individual dog characteristics. For example, certain breeds have naturally curled tails or tails that naturally hang low.

Understanding tail placement in conjunction with other body language signals can provide insights into a dog's current emotional state, intentions, and overall demeanor. It's crucial to consider the overall context and individual dog's behaviour when interpreting tail positions.


Edited · 32w

07/17/2024

Do you consider yourself an EXPERT?

When I first started my dog training career I was positive I had acquired the expertise necessary from my years of working as a dog walker, pet sitter and daycare attendant to start my professional training career.

I took on some clients that I was sure I was ready for but in retrospect I was not. While I had a lot of hands on experience, I lacked major knowledge understanding learning theory and behaviourism.

At the time I didn’t realize this because my own cognitive dissonance was keeping me from seeing the hard truth. My ego was protecting me until I was ready to work through my fears.

What was I afraid of?

• Fear of being wrong about my methods & knowledge

• Fear of being accountable of my mistakes

• Fear of admitting that I didn’t know everything

These fears kept me from seeking out new knowledge and expertise that another teacher could offer. That was what was necessary for me to evolve.

What did I learn from this?

Knowledge without new challenging experiences is useless.

Experience without continuous updated knowledge is also useless.

Here's the truth;

• Really great dog trainers understand learning theory in addition to having an array of hands on experience

• Really great dog trainers are always updating their education and open to learning new techniques

• Really great dog trainers have no issues admitting they made a mistake and take accountability

• Really great dog trainers show integrity through actions – they follow through to build trust.

Do you feel like you're an expert in your feild?

This is hazardous to yourself & your clients.

Perfection is an illusion. Face your fears and unlock your full potential to become a really great dog trainer!

EXPERT= STUCK!