Pup Potential

23/08/2024

Nosework for Fun and Enrichment 4 week course starting September 4th and ending September 25th. Instructor: Marie Meredith Level: Intermediate This mini course is a great introduction to nosework. Nosework is a great activity for all dogs, but especially for dogs who are easily overstimulated

12/04/2024

Hank is a professional at fetch and learns new skills in a snap! He is available for adoption at Happy Feet Pet Rescue and we know he will bring so much joy to his forever home! Learn more about Hank’s awesome personality and apply to adopt on Happy Feet’s website. The website link is in the comments.

11/04/2024

We love this memorable dog safety phrase from Family Paws! Check out more safety tips for children and dogs through the Family Paws link in the comments.

10/04/2024

People often miss body language signals a dog is done with pets, especially because the dog may stay nearby while uncomfortable. Pausing pets helps check in with the dog. After a few pets, pause to see how the dog responds. If the dog nudges you or wiggles closer, resume pets. If the dog turns away or shakes off, stop pets.

09/04/2024

These subtle body language signals (ears back, lip lick, squinting) tell us this dog is uncomfortable. Learning to recognize dog body language can help prevent dog bites.

08/04/2024

Reduce the risk of a dog bite with this quick tip! Dog bites often occur when an unfamiliar person greets a dog. Dogs can be uncomfortable with people approaching, leaning over, and reaching towards them. When meeting an unfamiliar dog, let them approach and keep your side facing them. This will help dogs feel comfortable with you.

28/02/2024

From reactive to relaxed: Witness the remarkable growth! 🐾 Our Reactive Rover group class helped this pup’s family with his lunging and barking at other dogs. Now you can spot him comfortably settling near another dog at a brewery. Join us for our next Reactive Rover class on March 12th and unleash the potential in your furry friend! 🐶 Sign up link is in the comments

26/02/2024

Shake it…shake it off…

A recent study by two researchers in France looked at sniffing, pulse rate, and leash length on walks. Sixty-one dogs were taken on three separate walks, five minutes each walk, once with a 1.5m leash, once with a 5m leash, and once without a leash at all (walk order was randomized for each dog). Off-leash dogs sniffed the most, more than 3x as long as the dogs on short leashes. Dogs on long leashes spent nearly as much time as unleashed dogs sniffing, almost 3x as long as dogs on short leashes.

This study also found that sniffing resulted in lowered pulse rates, and the more intensely they sniffed, the more their pulse rates lowered. Pulse rate was also lowered when dogs “shook off” during walks on all leash lengths. The “shake off” behavior was often seen when the dog’s pulse rate was particularly high.

Read more about it below!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HX77kp2HBDiTxmq/?mibextid=Le6z7H

https://www.tuftsyourdog.com/everydaydogcare/giving-your-dog-time-to-sniff-on-walks-will-literally-soothe-his-heart/

What else can we learn about dogs from their walking behavior? Take your best friend on a Sniffari and see what you observe!

23/01/2024

I am excited to share that I have successfully completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course. I am excited to apply what I have learned to make a positive impact on the lives of dogs and their families!

The Aggression in Dogs Master Course is the most comprehensive course on dog aggression led by world renowned aggression experts and a distinguished veterinary behaviorist.

The course provided in-depth education on Dog to Human Aggression, Dog to Dog Aggression, and Resource Guarding. It was a valuable addition to my education through the Karen Pryor Academy and Certification Council for Professional Dog trainers.

13/12/2023

Let's work together to fulfill Rue's Christmas wish this year! 🎄🎅🏾🤶🏻 She would love to find her very own family. Visit our website to check out Rue's adoption profile.

13/12/2023

What’s that? You want to enroll your puppy in a great Puppy Preschool where they will learn lots of skills, make friends, and become more comfortable around lots of different objects and sounds? Then our Pawsitive Puppy Preschool is for you! Enrollment is currently open!

06/12/2023

We are so excited to participate with our wonderful colleagues at Click Pawsitive Family Pet Center! Visit the lobby of Click Pawsitive Family Pet Center to drop off donations. Drop offs can be made during day training, group classes, or by appointment.

Address: 1858 W Grand River Ave

Pup Potential is spreading joy with a giving tree, collecting donations for our furry friends. 🐾✨ We're incredibly grateful for their support! If you're looking for dog training, check out https://puppotential.com/ and see how they can assist you and your pup! 🐶🎄

20/11/2023

Our next round of Reactive Rover begins at the end of this month! Join us to help your go from lunging to lounging around other dogs. Reactive Rover is the perfect fit for dogs that lunge, pull, and bark at other dogs on leash. The link to join class is in the comments.

18/11/2023

Stuff your dog’s KONG or Toppl and stick it in the freezer. Stuffed chews can occupy your dog while you enjoy your thanksgiving guests. If they enjoy pumpkin, you can even use leftover plain, canned pumpkin for stuffing their chews.

17/11/2023

Our next Reactive Rover class begins at the end of the month! Join to learn skills like the U-Turn. Because the U-Turn is a great way to prevent big reactions or being pulled over, it is one of the first skills we teach in Reactive Rover. Your dog will learn to turn and walk away from dogs or people on cue. The link to join us for Reactive Rover is in the comments.

10/11/2023

Don’t want your dog to beg for food from your Thanksgiving guests? Don’t want them stealing food? If your dog is mat trained, have them to settle on their mat during dinner.

08/11/2023

Avoidance sniffing is a sign your dog is uneasy! Your dog may sniff the ground or nearby objects to avoid or cope with a stressful situation. To recognize avoidance sniffing, look at your dogs body language. Avoidance sniffing may be paired with lip licking, side eye, tension in the face, or other signs of discomfort.

06/11/2023

Thanksgiving is the perfect time for a dog to counter surf! Be preemptive by teaching your dog to leave counter food alone before Thanksgiving comes. Set out food on the counter and reward your dog for leaving it alone.

03/11/2023

Nobody wants to be pulled over while trying to clean up after their dog. Scatter feed treats in the grass or teach them to remain seated while you pick up.

01/11/2023

Teaching your dog to automatically look back at you after going through a doorway is a wonderful skill! This type of check-in can set you up for success in any environment. You can even teach your dog to reorient after exiting the car door.

28/10/2023

With Halloween approaching, it’s important to remember it’s our job to keep pets safe from toxic food. Storing your candy in a closed cupboard is safest. Dogs may counter surf or steal from the Halloween bowl. For their safety, be careful where you set tasty candy.

25/10/2023

Using the right treats makes training more effective and efficient!

23/10/2023

Proper nutrition is so important for our dogs! Start a conversation with your veterinarian about your dog’s food.

20/10/2023

Teaching your dog to wait at doors is a very helpful safety skill. Here are a few quick tips to do so effectively.

18/10/2023

We had fun helping Team Cory with training practice at the REO Town Marketplace. When chatting with Wayfaring Booksellers, we learned that some REO Town Marketplace shops even have treats on hand for any dog’s tagging along with shoppers!

17/10/2023

We appreciate the dedication and empathy of veterinary technicians. It is an incredibly demanding role that makes all of the difference in our pet’s lives. Thank you to all of the vet techs out there providing such amazing care to our beloved pets!

16/10/2023

Have you ever watched a dog stretch their body to grab a treat out of someone’s hand? They are not ready to be so close to that person. They are risking their comfort for the treat. If you want to give a nervous dog treats, take the pressure off by tossing them. You may just become that dog’s favorite stranger!

14/10/2023

Often, small dogs happily consent to getting their harness on once they are up on a chair or bench. The high surface gives them confidence, reduces the time it takes to put on the harness, and prevents the need to lean over them throughout the process.

11/10/2023

Looking for fun ways to keep your dog busy as the weather gets colder? See if your dog enjoys scented bubbles!

10/10/2023

Worried about the doorbell on Halloween? Teach your dog an alternative behavior to do when the doorbell rings. We also recommend safety measures to keep your dog from dashing out the door. (e.g. baby gate, leash, crate, separate room)