Canine Insights, LLC

02/19/2025

If you have a fence jumper this is the time to check your fences.
The snow drifts in some places are taller than the fence, making it easy to get out of the yard.
Some fences have also been damaged by the wind.

Some folks are going to need to use a long line in the yard to be safe.

02/18/2025

The p*e catcher.
A take out food container, some zip ties and a scrap piece of PVC made the perfect p*e catcher.

Sometimes your vet will need a urine sample. This is an easy way to catch it, hopefully without startling your dog.

02/10/2025

Peanut butter is high in fats and can be problematic for many dogs, especially if given in any quantity.

A simple food to put on licky mats or in food toys is wet dog food.
Find one that is tolerable for your dog and it can be an easy alternative to peanut butter.

02/09/2025

Last week Nina had a medical emergency.
She's doing good now.
At 14 we're just enjoying each day. Yesterday she did one of her favorite things - go for a long car ride.

A friend asked what I use for pet insurance.
I have 4 dogs and live in a state with high priced insurance so I don't have pet insurance.

Years ago a vet friend recommended that I start a savings account for the dogs and that's what I did.
I put money aside each month for this account and it has worked for us. It's my insurance fund.

But also, we see the vet every 6 months to try to catch problems before they get bigger. If my vet recommends diagnostics like blood work, I do it! (I love diagnostics rather than wait and see).

So while I'm not recommending that you get rid of your pet insurance this may be an alternative that works for you.

And hopefully none of us have a need for an emergency vet anytime soon. 💚

02/08/2025

He might be my emergency contact but he'll also bring my slipper on a walk through the woods if I leave it near the door.

02/05/2025

Looney came here in August and since then we've had a slow nail trim journey. Mostly handling feet, positive association with clippers and cutting a nail here and there.

But today!
Look at these precious souvenirs.
We went for a little walk outside and she came in and was able to relax while I clipped nails.

I'm so proud of her. 🥹

01/28/2025

I cannot think of a better joy than watching dogs be dogs.

I think it's good for dogs but also good for us.

01/27/2025

The dogs like to check out the deer super highway.

01/24/2025

The guilt when you accidentally shock your dog (from the static).

When I see him looking like the bride of Frankenstein I don't touch!

On a scale of 1-10 how guilty do you feel when you accidentally create a spark?

I apologize profusely when it happens. 😭

01/23/2025

What does your breeder or rescue use in the whelping area?

"A dog’s risk of CHD diagnosis is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Selective breeding programs, such as the one at Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), reduce the genetically inherited risk by carefully screening all breeding candidates and their close relatives. But while genetics play a significant role in CHD, environmental factors also interact with genetic predispositions to influence the likelihood of a CHD diagnosis later in life.

One such factor is the physical environment in which puppies are raised during their neonatal period—the first few weeks after birth. During this critical time, a puppy’s bones, muscles, and joints are rapidly developing. The type of bedding used in whelping pools—the spaces where puppies are born and raised—may significantly affect this development.

"Traditionally, newspaper bedding has been a common choice for whelping pools due to its low cost, ease of cleaning, and availability. However, it can be slippery, which may force puppies to adopt abnormal postures or movements that could stress their developing joints. Fleece-lined bedding, on the other hand, provides a softer and more grippy surface. This material can help puppies maintain a more natural posture and movement, potentially reducing the risk of strain on their hip joints during critical developmental stages."

https://www.guidedogs.com/resources/canine-research-and-development/fleece-lined-whelping-pools-and-hip-dysplasia?fbclid=IwY2xjawH_XclleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTULabxwSjL_MbNLQRmRoTxCdbfBx4ZaNIPjpqpo7CUmWiXc0efE9OLPPQ_aem_sdbVM4HryduWuNO7TVtFTA

The type of bedding used in whelping pools—the spaces where puppies are born and raised—may significantly affect this development. Traditionally,…

01/05/2025

Fear is the enemy of learning. It's the negator of joy, the preventer of play, the inhibitor of trust and love. Fear just gets in the way, slows things down, and causes unnecessary pain. One of the blessings of reinforcement based technology is that at least as far as animals and children go, we now have a realistic way to keep them and take care of them and teach them without automatically using fear.

Reaching The Animal Mind
K Pryor

01/04/2025

There was enough interest in having a group for our January tricks. This group is only for people that are working on a trick title this winter.
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1D9CoTCnTU/

Send a message to learn more

01/02/2025

Not sure about a training goal right now? Your dog is bored?
Join us for the FREE January training goal.
Work on one of your trick dog titles with us.

You are welcome to ask me questions throughout January about the tricks you choose to work on and when you are ready, send me your video of you and your dog doing the tricks and once approved you can send in for your title.

Novice (see link below) requires 15 tricks or earn your novice masters title by doing 30 tricks on the list.

Remember that this should be fun!

12/30/2024

Where did we go over our brief holiday break?
We went to Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick. Just a few hours from home.
We were lucky to find a beautiful and beautifully located dog friendly rental Turning Tide Cottages.
If you are looking for a nearby dog friendly get away I would highly recommend it.
It is so fantastic to find a dog friendly rental that is actually really nice.
We try to be the best dog ambassadors we can be when we stay at dog friendly rentals. We would never want to see places like this have to say no to allowing dogs. It's a gift to find these gems.

12/29/2024

The end of the year is quickly approaching and that means people are going to try to sell you something, with a sense of urgency.
Whether it's weight loss or fixing your life or dog training from a variety of "experts". Be careful out there. Marketing is clever and will make you feel like a failure. (It's working if you feel like you NEED what they're selling).

Inspiration can be a wonderful thing but comparison can be a thief of your joy, that includes your relationship with your dog.

If I can, I offer this advice -
Slow down and enjoy the time you have together. It's limited. Another year is coming to an end. There is only a limited number of them together, if we are so lucky.

Time together may include training, even dog sports.
Slow down and appreciate it.

If you work with a trainer, work with one that will understand your needs. Their goals aren't yours and they don't need to be. Work with a trainer that you feel comfortable to be honest with, about your needs and your time.

Gadgets, gizmos and classes that make guarantees to fix a problem overnight are lying to you.
If you feel an urgency to throw money at a problem with your dog, pause and consider why this feels so urgent now. What's a doable goal to help meet your needs? Maybe management can be a quick fix and teaching/training can be part of the long term plan.

If you do make a New Year's Resolution for you and your dog I hope it can include finding or maintaining joy in whatever way you define that for the two of you.

12/26/2024

A short but very honest story about living with dogs-

I got up early to sneak out for an early morning ski all by myself. The dogs had other plans and I went skiing with four dogs.

The end.

12/24/2024

We've been off on a little winter break.
Tell your dog I say HI!

12/20/2024

A number of beloved dogs passed away this year.
Some joined us over the years in group classes, private lessons in person and online and some joined us for walks in the woods and the park.

Your love and loss is seen and felt.

Thinking of everyone struggling with the grief and loss.