WagMore U

10/09/2023

If any of my local friends are going to the BCKC AKC Agility Trial this weekend, go book an appointment with the very talented Siny Tsang to help your dog feel his/her best!

⭐ Exciting news! ⭐

We will be offering trigger point massage at selected local agility trials!

Trigger point massage is uniquely beneficial to our canine athletes. The primary goal of trigger point massage is to address issues in individual muscles to restore muscle strength and full range of motion, which in turn have the potential to improve performance.

We will be at the Burlington County Kennel Club AKC All Breed Agility Trial at Premier Sports Center in Southampton NJ this weekend. Come and see us!

Want to reserve an appointment? Comment MASSAGE below👇 and we'll send you the link to sign up!

07/29/2023

I still have some room in my Extreme Tricks class that starts next Saturday. Minimal experience required. Maximum amount of fun guaranteed 😀

Schedule an appointment online, book online

07/20/2023

Come join me for Extreme Tricks on Saturday mornings in August and September. Think - Parkour meets Stunt Dog!

Our Speciality Dog Sport Classes include rally, parkour, treibball and tricks to help you & your dog build a lasting relationship.

06/07/2023

I am seeing a resurgence in corrective collars recently and I don’t think most people really intend to do harm to their dogs, but that is exactly what these “tools” are designed to do.

Made, intended or adapted.

Those are the three key words into offensive weapon legislation in Scotland (most of these rules cover bladed articles as well with some exceptions - there's always some pedant who misses the point of my posts and wants to correct me.)

If an item is made, intended or adapted to be a weapon, it's illegal to carry.

Cosh or club - made to be a weapon
Fighting knife/bayonet - made to be a weapon

Piece of wood with barbed wire wrapped around the end and a taped handle - adapted/made to be a weapon
Piece of wood with a taped handle - adapted

Baseball bat if I am arguing with my neighbour and brandishing it - intended
Glass bottle held by the neck in the middle of the street (broken or not) - intended.

You get the idea. Now, some things are better at being used as weapons than others. If I wanted to do damage to a human (I don't) I would pick something which was really good at doing damage - something designed, made. That would be my preference. If I didn't have that available, I'd have to adapt something or use something else as a weapon.

Same rules for dog training equipment.

We have to examine if a piece of equipment is made, designed, engineered to cause pain, discomfort or annoyance with fear/apprehension being the associated emotions.

Prong collars - made and intended by design to cause pain/discomfort - that's how they work.
E-collars - made and intended by design to cause pain/discomfort - that's how they work.
Choke chains - made and intended by design to cause pain/discomfort - that's how they work.
Head collars - made and intended by design to cause pain/discomfort - that's how they work.
Pet corrector/compressed air - made and intended by design to startle/frighten.

Slip leads - when used like a choke chain to tighten and correct a dog's behaviour - intended and adapted from the original purpose.
Spray bottles and rattle cans - intended and adapted from the original purpose.

One of the inane comments I often see is that you can use collar corrections with a flat collar or harness. Yes, you can. But' that's not what they are designed for and that's not how I or any other positive trainer uses them. We use them to attach the lead to prevent the dog from leaving for safety. BIG difference and obvious to anyone with half an ounce of intelligence.

Treats - made and intended to be used as positive reinforcement
Toys and play - made and intended to be used as positive reinforcement
Clickers - made and intended to be used as positive reinforcement. If the dog I'm working with doesn't like the clicker, I don't use it.

Our intent is important. I can use my hands to hit or jerk a dog by the collar or I can use them to play tug, give belly rubs, and deliver food in a way which is cool for my dog. I can use my voice to threaten or to soothe and praise, There's a difference in intent.

With aversive training tools like those mentioned above there are next to no ways we can use them out with their engineered purpose. We can't use a prong collar or e-collar positively no matter how much "conditioning" we do. They always mean do it or else. Or else I'll start to hurt, annoy, scare the dog. Always.

When we understand how behaviour works and the associations made with certain stimuli we can have our dog's welfare at the front of our hearts and minds AND still get the results we want and need from them.

As always, when I create content like this, it upsets those people who still use these tools. I get it, truly. My intent is to educate, not offend or upset. If you are offended, you took offence, I didn't give it, you don't need to take it, you can simply scroll on by like Dionne Warwick and get on with the rest of your day, this isn't your forum nor a place for you to air your views.

Made. Intended. Adapted. Keep these words in your mind when training.

Love and peace.

05/21/2023

Hey everyone. If you and your pup are interested in taking the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test, Dan Burke and I are teaming up to offer the test . We still have some openings on Saturday, June 3rd in the 11:00am, 11:30 am and 12:00 pm time slots.

To see details and/or register, click the link below, visit the TimeTap link and click on the link for Workshops, Seminars and Events.

We are currently using timetap.com for our registration system. This is for classes, seminars, private lessons and building rentals. Please click the link below to be taken to our registration site. If you have any questions or issues, please contact Dan @ [email protected]

04/21/2023

I have often had to navigate the websites of trainers when clients have asked for recommendations because they moved or are too far away to work with me. Here is some good advice. And science has proven that aversive methods (shock and prong collars and choke chains) cause behavioral changes that the trainer didn’t really bargain for.

There are differences in words used by aversive and non-aversive trainers.

04/15/2023

Join me tomorrow night for this free webinar. Can’t make it live? Once you register, the recording will be sent to you.

Join the Spaces by Wix app to RSVP and stay updated on the go.

04/07/2023

I have been invited to present a webinar next Saturday, 4/15 at 7pm EDT. I am teaming up with the R+ Collaborative to take training to the next level. I’ll be talking about my book and just what exactly “Confident by Choice” means. We have decided to make this even free to everyone so we can advance the world of building relationships with our dogs. I’ll be doing the webinar live and leaving time at the end to answer your questions. I hope you’ll join me.

Register at the link below. Attendance is free!

12/29/2022

Know someone who got a puppy or dog for Christmas? Here’s a great gift to get them started off on the right paw.

This book will equip you with a new and empathetic approach to dealing with dogs. It will teach you how to read the dog's body language better and support their mental health and happiness through practical examples of incorporating learning moments and trust-building into everyday living.

11/10/2022

Here is a great short article on the concept of practicing “tough love” on dogs. Having worked with many dogs whose worlds had just been turned upside down and eventually specializing in the shut down dogs, this article really hit home. At the end of the day, the concept of “tough love” to a dog is just confusing and will keep them insecure and off balance without allowing them to blossom into the beautiful creatures they were meant to be.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animal-emotions/202208/why-our-dogs-dont-need-tough-love?utm_source=FacebookPost&utm_medium=FBPost&utm_campaign=FBPost&fbclid=IwAR1ciAUwE1wY-kFKK_LSJrhuRf5XAI_njkJqbFMM9b-hEub167A7h-QIaSY

If you're considering it, maybe think about rehoming instead.

10/27/2022

Thank you to everyone that has purchased my book. If you enjoyed it and found it helpful, I would really appreciate it if you would pop over to Amazon and write brief review. Doing so will help others find the book and together, we can build better lives for our dogs.

And if you haven’t purchased the book, the holidays are coming and would make a great gift for the dog people or new dog owners in your lives.

This book will equip you with a new and empathetic approach to dealing with dogs. It will teach you how to read the dog's body language better and support their mental health and happiness through practical examples of incorporating learning moments and trust-building into everyday living.

10/03/2022

It is finally done! I wrote a book just in time for the holidays. It is an easy read filled with relevant analogies, informational case studies, great photos and practical exercises you can incorporate into everyday life. It would make a great gift to yourself or for a friend with a new dog, your dog walker/pet sitter, shelter workers, veterinary staff, foster homes, etc.

Special thanks to M Nicole Fischer for the cover photo and a few photos throughout the book and to Sanja Popovic and Susan Hinson for their photos, models and proofreading skills.

Feel free to share the link far and wide. The more clicks it gets, the higher up the Amazon algorithm it goes and becomes move visible for people to see an alternative way to work with dogs.

This book will equip you with a new and empathetic approach to dealing with dogs. It will teach you how to read the dog's body language better and support their mental health and happiness through practical examples of incorporating learning moments and trust-building into everyday living.

09/27/2022

I have a surprise coming by the end of the week so get your Amazon shopping carts ready!

09/16/2022

Show me your dog’s crazy sleeping positions! Yes, Diesel is UNDER the corner of the bed.

08/29/2022

Only one more spot left in my in person Dog Parkour class at High Octane. Class starts on Saturday, September 10th. Click on the link for more details and to register.

https://highoctaneagility.regfox.com/parkour-septemberoctober-2022

Online registration for Parkour - September/October 2022.

07/22/2022

Hot Weather Challenge - show me some household items you can use to create a treasure hunt for your dog during these sweltering temps. Post your videos or suggestions in the comments below and share the post to get more ideas.

https://youtu.be/Zwr69g_Q5Hc

07/06/2022

Only one more spot left in my Tricks class. Sign up before it is taken!

Online registration for Tricks For Treats starts on June 27th 2022. Online registration ends July 29th 2022.

06/27/2022

Hey local peeps. I am teaching a four week Tricks class at High Octane on Saturdays at 10:30 am beginning July 30th. Registration is now open.

https://highoctaneagility.regfox.com/tricks-for-treats

Online registration for Tricks For Treats starts on June 27th 2022. Online registration ends July 29th 2022.

05/07/2022

Back by popular demand! My Stress Free Startline Workshop just opened for registration. Join me on June 4th. NOTE: This workshop applies to all sports and/or classes. It isn’t specific to agility. Details and registration are in the link below.

https://highoctaneagility.regfox.com/stress-free-startlines2

Online registration for Stress Free Startlines! starts on May 7th 2022. Online registration ends June 1st 2022.

05/06/2022

This is a really interesting read on why slow movement for dogs is just as important (if not more important) for their health, longevity and performance. Anyone who teaches canine fitness can attest to the fact that people and dogs want to do everything fast and we are always trying to slow them down. The article explains why the nervous system needs inputs from slow movements.

If you haven’t taken Mari’s dog walk course, you should really consider it. She looks at things from a very different perspective and offers some really cutting edge exercises that will have you looking at dog walk performance differently, too.

My dog no longer does agility but we practice these exercises all of the time. It is part of what makes my almost 12 year old dog still move like he is 4😍

https://themovingcanine.com/movement-skill/fast/

Slow movement exercises allow the nervous system to sense even the smallest differences in muscle effort or if the correct muscles are working and firing at the right times. During slow movements the nervous system is able to work on any inefficiencies in the movement pattern and is able to correct....

04/28/2022

Local peeps, I am offering another fun filled workshop on May 25th. Have a Cato Board or Plank and don’t know what to do with it? Come join me for some ideas. I had so many exercises to do in the first workshop that I decided to hold another one just to share all of the fun filled activities.

https://highoctaneagility.regfox.com/get-on-board-part-2

Online registration for Get On Board-Part 2 starts on April 26th 2022.

04/27/2022

Hello everyone. I am part of a referral program for a high end dog treat company where you can get discounts when you apply my code SM2986. They have awesome single ingredients treats and limited ingredient treats. By using the code above, you can get 10% off your first order. Check them out! They only sell through trainers and a select few retail stores.

https://www.figandtyler.com

Fig & Tyler offers natural, freeze-dried dog treats made from 100% USDA-inspected meat and fresh fish sourced in the USA. Our healthy, single-ingredient dog treats are the best choice for a training treat, meal supplement/topper or a good behavior reward. Shop the selection of natural treats our dog...

04/11/2022

It is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Here is a tutorial video I made to help get your dog used to sticking their nose into a cone which you eventually swap out for a muzzle. This is a great behavior to have for vet or groomer visits if there is any chance your dog will bite. It is also useful to have this behavior in the event your dog is ever in pain and needs a vet visit. Make it a fun game for them to learn.

Feel free to list other scenarios when this behavior might come in handy in the comment section below.

https://youtu.be/4oRMihHpwfM

04/07/2022

I have been learning how to use sniffing to help with some behavioral issues. We had a thunderstorm roll through that was not really violent but more like the long rumbles. Diesel was a bit bothered so I brought out our snuffle mats and a bag of cookies to change his feelings. I am happy to say that after a few rounds, he is now calm and napping again.

https://youtu.be/D6ca50mFuZc

03/21/2022

Hey everyone near and far! Registration opens tomorrow for Julie Flanery’s online Shaping class through Fenzi Dog Sports Academy. Working spots are limited but if you don’t get one, go for Bronze, join the Facebook group and you’ll get me as your Teaching Assistant to help you through the session.

Cleaning up my shaping skills was a real game changer for my training ability and my relationship with my dog. It is amazing how crisp, clean mechanics can take your training to the next level. Registration is tomorrow and class starts on April 1st and no, that isn’t an April Fool’s joke😂

https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/4370

Online dog training classes for obedience, rally, agility, tracking, nosework, dog behavior, freestyle, and foundation skills.