Incredible Canines LLC

12/22/2024

12/19/2024

Meet Nala. Her people are expecting their first child in March. Today we had a deep conversation about how to ensure everyone involved is safe and successful when the baby comes home. I look forward to supporting this family. 🐾❤️

12/18/2024

Freaky Deaky and Beefcake! These two brothers are Shih tzu mixes and have a lot to say to other dogs they meet when out and about. Occasionally they get so excited they redirect onto one another. We put together an awesome plan to help them make different choices. Such sweet boys!

12/10/2024

There’s a big difference between training and behavior modification. If your dog is struggling with fear, aggression, anxiety, or behaviors that arise from these conditions, you need more than training. As a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, these are the cases with which I work.

11/24/2024

I met these two guys today. Ziggy on the left and Jack on the right. Ziggy has been struggling with some resource guarding. He has delivered a few level 2 bites to the hand when his people tried to get something from him that they didn’t want him to have. I sat down with the family this afternoon and we came up with a plan to help him be successful and keep everyone safe.

11/10/2024

If you’re planning to add a new pup to your family, our Home Prep Session is just the thing to get you started on the right paw! 🐾 Call today or visit our website to schedule a free courtesy call.

11/10/2024

Elphi has been our guest this weekend. ❤️

11/05/2024

Slip leads. Choke chains. E-collars/shock collars. Compressed air sprays. Rattle cans. Figure of eight slip leads. Grot collars.

When someone tells you these tools don't hurt, or the dog 'doesn't really mind', or they are 'just communication' they are being less than honest with you. And they are being less than honest with you because the reality is (rightly) unpalatable to most caring dog owners.

These are all training tools which use (at best) unpleasant and (at worst) painful stimuli to change a dog's behaviour. All training tools which, in order to be effective, the dog 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 find unpleasant, painful or scary. All training tools which some trainers will use on your dog as a matter of course without even attempting a milder alternative first.

When a choice is made to use one of these tools it's because the person making that choice...

1. Doesn't 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 that they cause discomfort, pain or the threat thereof; or
2. Doesn't 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 that they cause discomfort, pain or the threat thereof

It's one thing to genuinely not know about something. We live, we learn and as we learn more we try to do better. But it's another thing entirely to know something and choose to ignore it because the truth is inconvenient.

I'd guesstimate that around 50% of trainers locally use these tools. They aren't the exception and it's not unusual. That's 50% of trainers who either genuinely don't know how these tools work (in which case they don't know enough to be practicing) or 50% of trainers who think threat and/or the infliction of physical discomfort/pain are reasonable things to do to a dog.

So if it matters to you how your dog is treated during training (and it should) do your homework. Don't assume. Ask questions. And educate yourself enough to understand the answers. Because only by asking questions can you ensure you end up with a trainer who matches your own values.

10/31/2024

It’s hard to be Hera

10/27/2024

Elphie getting her nightly snuggles. She’s been such a fun puppy to work with. We’ve been working on potty training, laying the foundations for a solid recall, and basic manners. What a sweet, smart little thing!

10/23/2024

Elphi is our guest for the week. What a sweetie!

10/20/2024

Haunted house Halloween party 🎃