Walking with a Friend

01/17/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BgutVnWFT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

01/15/2026

I know it feels like protection.
That feeling is exactly why laps are so tempting. Dogs are close, and we feel in control.

But we can’t control everything.

Laps don’t stop movement, even at slower speeds. We can’t control other vehicles or sudden braking.

I know holding them feels right.
That protective instinct is strong, especially with puppies.
They’re small, vulnerable, and we want to wrap our arms around them.

But laps and arms aren’t restraint. They don’t absorb force, and they don’t cancel momentum when braking happens.

Safety isn’t about holding tighter.
It’s about planning for what we can’t control.

01/14/2026

CULTIVATING CALMNESS
We teach our dogs all sorts of things, but maybe don’t realize that teaching “calm” is an important behaviour that has so many positive applications for both us and our dogs.

Calmness is the foundation that allows dogs to think, problem solve, cope and become more resilient to the world around them.

A dog that can settle, regulate their emotions and recover from excitement or stress is far better equipped to handle everyday challenges such as unexpected events, new environments, other dogs, visitors etc.

Calm behaviour supports emotional resilience, reduces anxiety, and lowers the risk of stress-related reactive or unwanted behaviour. It also supports physical health, as chronic arousal can contribute to a lowered immune system, gut or digestive issues and suppressed recovery.

When dogs are taught how to switch off, rest, and feel safe, the nervous system can function at its best.

Some ways to teach calmness:
Settle on a mat or in another place and capturing and rewarding calm behaviour –
The Calm Settle - for dogs and puppies – by Emily Larlham -Kikopup
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr1olzgidMw

Scenting, sniffing and foraging are very effective and simple way to promote relaxation. These activities lower the pulse rate and create feelings of wellbeing.

Chewing is another powerful relaxation tool. Dogs use chewing to relieve stress, frustration or anxiety. Chewing has a calming effect on the adrenal-pituitary axis in the brain which triggers the release of endorphins. It’s like self-medication for stress or anxiety.

Relaxing music that is specifically made for dogs can also work well, especially with dogs that get over excited in a car or have storm or firework fear.

When playing an exciting, high-energy game with your dog, take frequent breaks before starting up again to help your dog wind down and become calmer.

Aromatherapy, ear or other types of massage are other ways to help create calmness.
TTouch massage - A gentle way to calm & connect from HeartDog https://www.heartdogtrainers.com/blog/ttouch-for-dogs
Aromatherapy for dogs
By Jackie Gowland - BSc. Animal Science & Advanced Canine Nutritionist
https://bit.ly/3NKM7qQ

Cortisol holidays are also really important after a stressful event to prevent trigger stacking and allow cortisol levels to return to normal.

Calm is not something we can force our dogs to be, but it’s an invaluable life skill that needs to be taught, practiced and reinforced on a regular basis.

01/12/2026

New year? New time to go forward -

01/11/2026

01/10/2026

Just a gentle reminder that you can give your puppy every kind of toy imaginable and they will still find other human stuff to chew on. No, not because they are bad. No, not because you are failing. No, not because they are bored. Because they are DOGS. They are CANINES living INSIDE when they were designed for OUTSIDE.

You think my 10 week old puppy knows the difference between a chew bone and the leg of a chair? That he understands one is okay to chew and one isn’t? No. He just knows they both feel good on his teeth and gums.

Over time and consistency and management and plenty of redirecting eventually he will learn this is a go to and this is not, but guess who will have to do the majority of the work during that process? Yup. Me. Will he still likely chew the corner of a baseboard? Or the toes off a shoe? Absolutely.

Puppies are not bad. They are PUPPIES. We were all babies once. There was a time you didn’t know how to tie your shoes or get dressed on your own and probably tried to stick something up your nose too. Cut them some slack and enjoy the process, and take as many pictures as you can!

Smile Kipper! 🧡

01/10/2026

01/10/2026

Punishment works …. but here is why training experts don’t use it.

Excerpted from an article by Mardi Richmond, CPDT-KA

Just say no to bark collars, air horns, sq**rt bottles, and other punishments. There are several reasons I don't use this type of punishment for barking.

First, I don’t like to do anything to my dog that is intimidating or that causes pain or fear. Shock collars work by creating pain, noisemakers such as air horns work by scaring the dog, citronella collars and sq**rt bottles work by startling the dog or creating an unpleasant sensation. I do not want to do any of these things to my dog.

eBook – Stop Barking
Also, I don’t think they are particularly effective in most situations. I will confess that in my distant past, I have used all of these in attempts to curb barking behavior. While I sometimes saw a short-term change in the behavior, in the long run the barking always returned. (And the few times I have seen punishment effectively stop barking, a kinder choice would have worked as well.)

Finally, the fallout from using these devices can be significant. Shock collars can cause aggression issues, noisemakers can add to startle and sound issues, and sq**rt bottles can make your dog want to avoid you! Enough said.

For more advice on how to understand and manage your dog’s barking, download and read Whole Dog Journal’s exclusive ebook Stop Barking.

01/09/2026

01/05/2026

Assuming it’s fine won’t make it OK.
The other dog brings a history you can’t see. Pain, fear, recovery, or stress can still shape how they respond.
Caution is never an overreaction.

01/05/2026

"My dog lets my kids do whatever they want to her. She's so good." ❌

This isn't the flex you think or hope it is!
✅ Dogs should not be expected to tolerate whatever a child wants to do to them.
✅ Children should not be allowed to do whatever they want with dogs.

🍀 Tolerance is luck. Tolerance does not equal comfort. Tolerance does not guarantee safety.

Instead, we, as the adults, need to facilitate appropriate and respectful interactions between children and dogs. When we are unable to do that, we utilize management strategies, such as separation.

Want to learn more? Check out:
Trailblazing Tails Educational Infographics: https://www.trailblazingtails.com/pages/educational-content

Family Paws Parent Education https://www.familypaws.com/

Need help with your dog? We've got you covered: https://www.synergybehavior.com/