In Stride Pet Dog Training LLC

11/05/2025

Congratulations to the pups and their families from the Intermediate Life Skills program! November 4th 💖🐶

What an amazing job you all did helping your pups continue to gain more skills, confidence and refine their abilities. The growth and improvement in everyone was a beautiful thing to watch!

Keep up the splendid work! 🙌

11/05/2025

Yesss 💖🐶🐾🙌

11/05/2025

So important 💖🐶🐾🙌

Does your dog get anxious at firework sounds?

If fireworks are going off near you this week, a few small steps can really help:

🎆 Keep collars and ID tags on - even indoors, just in case.
🎆 Close curtains and play calming sounds to help muffle the bangs.
🎆 Create a safe space where your dog can retreat if they need to.
🎆 Offer soothing activities like a stuffed Kong, chew, or LickiMat to help them relax.

Try to stay calm yourself - your dog will take their lead from you.

If they choose to hide, let them; it’s their way of coping.

Above all, don’t listen to those saying not to comfort your fearful dog. You will not make their fear worse, you’ll help them feel safe.

Stay safe, and give extra cuddles when it’s all over ❤️

11/05/2025

Great information 💖🐶🐾😉

If your dog has a training or behaviour issue, start with one simple question: what’s motivating this behaviour, what’s in it for your dog?

Motivation is the “why” behind the trigger, and the behaviour keeps happening because it pays off (it’s reinforced). If your explanation gets complicated (“pack rank, testing boundaries, spite, a bit of everything”) you’re probably on the wrong track. Dogs repeat what works for them, full stop.

How to think about it

1. Identify the trigger. What starts the behaviour? (doorbell, another dog, person approaching the sofa, you reaching for an object)

2. Name the payoff. What outcome does your dog reliably get right after the behaviour? More distance? Attention? Relief? Keeping a valued thing (and is actually an object of value for your dog)?

3. Spot the reinforcement. That payoff maintains the behaviour, so your plan must change the payoff, or teach an alternative that pays even better.

Examples

Jumping up at people → eye contact, hands on, voices = attention jackpot.

Barking at the window → the person/dog/van leaves (they always would), so the dog “learns” barking works.

Ask: “What does my dog get or avoid by doing this?” If you can answer in a short, concrete sentence, you’ve found the motivation. Then make that outcome depend on a different, safer behaviour and stop letting the problem behaviour win the prize.

Don’t forget the medical “why”

A sudden or escalating issue, especially after puppyhood, often has a discomfort component. Pain changes motivation: “keep distance,” “don’t touch me there,” “don’t move me.” Always rule this out early.

Keep the “why” simple, change the payoff, teach a better option, your training gets clearer, faster, and kinder.

11/05/2025

Yes please 🐶💖🐾🙌

11/05/2025

Great info 💖🐶🐶😉

11/05/2025

Great information 💖🐶🐾😉

11/05/2025

Yes please💖🐶🐾😉

:
Be Your Dog’s Voice

Advocating for your dog isn’t always easy, especially when it means speaking up to friends, family, strangers or even professionals like vets or groomers, Trainers etc. But it’s one of the most important things we can do as canine caregivers.

Sometimes that means politely saying “no, thank you” when a stranger wants to pet them.

Sometimes it means refusing to hand your dog over for an exam or grooming session if you know your presence helps them stay calmer.

If your professional can't or won't work in a way your dog needs, find one who will.

Being your dog’s advocate doesn’t mean being rude, it means being confident, kind, and firm in protecting their comfort and safety.

Your dog depends on you to speak up when they can’t, and that’s not something to feel guilty or embarrassed about.

It can feel intimidating to stand your ground, BUT its also our job to think in advance how you can minimise the stressors.

If your dog struggles with other dogs and needs to see the vet, wait in the car, call to say you're there. Book the first or last appointment of the day so the waiting room is empty. Tell them when you book the appointment and ask what they can do to support your dog, taking them through a side door for example.

If your dog hates being placed on a table for examination or grooming, ask or find a groomer or vet who will work or examine on the floor.

If your Trainer or Behaviourist tells you to behave in ways that is harsh and makes you feel uncomfortable, STOP them, learning shouldn't hurt and shouldn't be scary. I know you've paid money, but is money worth more than your dogs welfare and likely longer term fallout from harsh methods.

Sadly not every dog professional ACTUALLY has YOUR dogs individual needs and BEST interests at heart, that's a sad reality of the dog world.

Some are focused on outdated methods, some are focused on the money, some are focused at just getting the job done and quickly and some are focused on aesthetics over welfare.

Don't ever be shamed into silence when advocating for your dog.

There is no greater gift to a dog than a human who advocates for them.

( Picture of my beautiful black and white Siberian Husky Newton, the bestest boy EVER)

11/05/2025

Things to consider and think about 💖🐶🐾🤔

I get asked all the time about whether a pet parent should get their dog neutered or spayed. I remain neutral as there are good arguments for both sides.
I explain the pros and cons of getting it done and also tell the pet parents to do their own research to help them make an informed decision.

No pet parent should be made to feel like they should or shouldn't have it done to their dog, every situation is different and we all live different lives. What suits one pet parent will not suit another.

What's best for the dog should always be at the forefront of your mind when making decisions about your pooch.

There are loads of pros and cons but here is a small snap shot of a couple of each.

11/05/2025

Yes please 💖🐶🐾🙌

11/05/2025

Yesss 💖🐶🐾🙌

Tuesday Tips: Naps

A very important core need that is often under recognized as lacking. This is especially true for young dogs (puppies and adolescents) and individuals that lack the ability to 'turn it off' and take a break on their own.

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