Fresh Perspective Dog Training and Behaviour

12/08/2024

Had a full and FABULOUS day out seeing some of my favourites yesterday.

Lily (below), gets that - omg the Kool-Aid man just burst through the wall! - feeling, everytime someone comes through her door.

She was a good sport and agreed to a game of p*ek-a-boo for some counterconditioning, rather than exploding everytime the door opened. Silly, but it worked.

Dog training... not that different than raising a toddler, sometimes...

22/05/2024

June schedules are now open in the client portal.

Existing clients wanting to get a jump on making appointments for next month can head over there now to book!

See you soon - Natasha & Dani

17/05/2024

How to turn old shirts into tug toys for your dog 🐾

01/05/2024

May schedules are now open in the client portal.

Existing clients who have been waiting for those to be released can head over there now to book your spots.

See you soon! - Natasha & Dani

30/04/2024

Calgary guys and gals with young puppies; believe me when I say this is a prime fairweather house training day.

There's snow, it's deep and it's above zero! As much as you may not want to, you need to get outside and embrace this bu****it with a smile on your face today.

Puppies born in the spring are at risk of making it out of their naturally curious development window and all the way to fall without experiencing snow. What then? Do they still want to p*e outside? Do they have temperature cutoffs where they just prefer to p**p in the house? Not puppies born this spring. Not if you play your training cards right.

And yeah, I'll gladly accept puppy pictures if you want commiserate/share how you made the best of things today.

27/04/2024

Introducing Ranger!

One of highlights of my week is usually sharing your pups photos, but every once in a while... one of my own makes the page too.

Ranger was added to our family in April. He's just 12 weeks old, so we are in the throws of: redirecting chewing, mouthing/biting, house training and socialization.

That list is not something I offer for typically developing puppies with you guys, but I may share some of what we are doing along the way, incase anyone is interested.

Ranger is by far, the fastest learner I have ever been tasked too. I can't wait to use him as a helper for client sessions, as a demo dog in virtual consults and to make videos so my visual learners can have their homework in a format that works for them.

Welcome little guy. You have a bright future ahead.

21/03/2024

More: Tales from Warmer Climates, to get you through this last winter storm before Spring finally arrives.

Meet Lucy. This dolly is spending her winter in Arizona, which sounds lucky, but in fact, it's some kind of Christmas Miracle. Back when Lucy was a foster, I was assigned to work with her because she was 100%, totally unable, would take off running if... she saw a collar or a leash.

When we finally convinced Lucy to leave her foster's basement, it was like pulling teeth to get her to even step off the carpet to walk to the kitchen. After that, the front door was her next obstacle, then the front steps and the sidewalk. There were times in that process where it felt like we would never get her to walk, and now this lucky lady is out promenading in another country!

Some days I look at the outcomes for these dogs and I am seriously blown away. It's a spectacular team effort at best, where all the stars of: effort, determination, consistency and resilience align to make one very lucky dogs future amazing.

20/03/2024

In honour of this weeks , I am bringing you: Tales from a Warmer Climate.

First up, a couple of my favourite girly pops, Rainie & Kica 🧡. These two are enjoying their winter in sunny California. Their training helped them make this sunny winter dream a reality, by helping them renew sisterly love and minimize conflict.

I would say it's working from these amazing updates we are getting! Enjoy the warm weather for us girls. Only a few more days of winter left here...

19/03/2024

I am excited to be sending my most enthusiastic Congratulations out to Dani this week. She is all done her practicum, her final essays are complete, and she has officially begun filling her schedule with training clients.

Dani has decided to hang around Fresh Perspective for a little while longer, and is now accepting bookings. If you need someone to help with Walk & Train, 1-1 support for loose leash walking or reactivity, Dani is your girl! Feel free to msg the page or shoot us an e-mail at [email protected]

16/03/2024

Facebook Live 105 - Louis Learns 'Touch'

20/02/2024

Meet Dani

This lovely lady is a practicum student in the Service Dog & Canine Studies Management Program from Medicine Hat College. Dani has a special interest in behaviour cases, and the college approved her to complete her placement hours shadowing yours truly.

Dani is closing in on the end of a whopping 240 hours of learning the ins and out of running a dog training business, but even before that, she was well on her way to becoming a Professional Behaviour Consultant.

As part of her placement, Dani has been offering Walk & Train Services and joining me on some of my toughest consults. Once she is done finals in a few weeks, Dani is excited to start her own training business, offering support for puppies and adult dogs with behavioural issues.

If you are interested in booking a Walk & Train or an in-home session with Dani for your dog, feel free to send us a message.

12/02/2024

Official 2024 Community Voting Awards Platform for Calgary, AB. Where the community votes for their favourites every year.

26/01/2024

Results are in my friends, and look at what I found!!!

Thanks so much for your kindness in nominating and voting; what a nice feeling to know that I am making a difference for people and their dogs.

Serious question... should i get a plaque? I kinda want a plaque...

21/01/2024

Community Votes Calgary is over tonight at 11:59.

I had much higher hopes in terms of sharing this with all of you throughout the voting period, but fitting all the things into a day and week continues to be a stretch.

In any case, I am still so incredibly chuffed that this happened, and want to send a big thank you, to anyone who took the time to vote (for me or any of the other incredible trainers on this list).

Calgary is an incredibly dog centric city, and it's no wonder that has given rise to a string of dog trainers and care professionals that are equally as dedicated, loving and fantastic.

Looking forward to seeing the results tomorrow, no matter the outcome.

02/12/2023

Wow, this was an unexpected find in my inbox this morning! I just wanted to say a very special thank you the absolute dolly that made this nomination. You guys are too kind sometimes.

Coming off mat leave recently, I have a very strong sense of there being A LOT more that I could be doing, and I am consistently striving to better myself and my process for the benefit of others. Moments like this remind me that, my self labeled - need to do better - is someone else's - you are doing great -.

Thank you 🧡

04/11/2023

Meet Duke. I get cute aggression just looking at him, and I bet half of you will too.

Duke is a perfectly typical growing puppy, and the countdown is on until he leaps head first into adolescence. His parents are absolute pro's, but they are also committed to doing their continual best for their dogs; which is how I come into the picture.

I have had the privilege of getting out to spend time with these guys, creating a Duke specific training plan that will help ease the transition to adulthood. He may be a terrier breed, and a teenager... but first and foremost he is an individual. As I would do for any dog, we have put together a custom training plan that appeals to his motivations, interests so Duke can excel at his training.

Welcome to the program, Duke.

01/11/2023

Halloween is done for another year. Boo to that. It was a great time and we are sad it's over.

We were thoughtful with how we planned our night for both the kids and the dogs, so no one got overstimulated. Mission accomplished.

Today, remember that despite your best laid plans... nervous systems pick up input from the environment; and in many neighborhoods there was a lot going on outside your houses. Last night was likely a wild time for your dogs.

We are going into today with an expectation of recovery in the form of a quiet home, lots of sleep and cuddles.

You know your dogs best. What do they need today; rest or exercise?

27/10/2023

One of the best parts of my job is making friends with dogs who do not like strangers coming to the house.

Being able to convert that feeling of the dog just wanting me to leave immediately, into warm social exchanges is a gift I wish on all my fearful furry friends.

This beautiful girl understood the assignment and then some. Not only did she complete the steps in nearly record time (45 mins); but she remembered the steps and jumped straight to the end goal on our first greeting session 2.

Terriers, man... they are too smart for their own good ❤️

24/10/2023

All this snow has me inside writing reports today. Brrr

23/09/2023

I don't know if you guys would agree...but I was thinking Rue deserves the Best Looking of the Bunch award this week. Look at those colours and that puppyish face. Ugh! I just love her.

I've been seeing Rue and her Mom over the course of a few years, and it's been such a treat for me to work with these two. Thanks to her Mom's commitment to contiuous improvement for Rue, I get the special treat of working on some pretty advanced skills each time we meet now. Maintaining a heel, off-leash, with high level distractions was on the menu this week. As expected, these two ACED it.

Congrats team, you guys rock.

21/09/2023

Got out to see these two sweetie-pies last night. Adorable duo of the week award goes to: Rainie & Kica.

The only thing more spectacular that these two quick learners, is their parents. These girls are extra lucky to have 2 very committed and talented parents behind them, working hard to make sure they lead the best lives they possibly can.

Together, they make an incredible team 🧡

17/09/2023

It's been a while, but it feels like time...
... to bring this page back to life!

I struggle with the idea of doing anything even remotely close to advertising on this page, as I consistently receive more requests than I can respond to/support with training. However, it feels important to me for those reaching out, to have an updated space to come and get a feel for me and my work. I want there to be something here that can help with that.

It's been a while, but just like with dog training... there is never a better time to start, than right now. Game on.

Photo by Furever Reflections Pet Photography

06/05/2022

Recently we added a new addition to our household. Meet Louis Pomlinson.

This little guy has been keeping us very busy over the last few weeks and it's worth every puddle of p*e we have to clean to have him.

From a training perspective, he's been a huge motivator, and inspiration. In between snuggles, we are hard at work with some exciting projects for you.

More on Louis, and upcoming projects.

Stay tuned,
Natasha

29/03/2022

The ever popular, Fresh Perspective Training Videos are coming back. We got some new tech and we are ready to revamp this old favourite.

Stay tuned for more...

06/01/2022

The view from my desk is good today. Anybody else working hard from home with their dogs?

Now accepting photos of your fluffy office assistants

22/07/2021

Have you ever been deep into a task and had the feeling someone is hovering?

I was writing reports yesterday and I just felt like someone was reading my work. I flipped my camera on and found Bella staring at the laptop with me. I burst out laughing at the sight of her there, because she was clearly enamored with the screen.

It took me a second but I realized that the reason she is sitting like this is because laptop + coffee table = treats. Bella has done so many client demo's over zoom and fb lives for you guys... she just knows that the clink of metal on glass means showtime.

I broke the news gently that there were no zoom calls today and she went and laid down. Poor thing. Looks like I may need to book more zoom sessions in my schedule.

09/05/2021

To all the caregivers of the furkids and the skinkids out there, Happy Mother's Day from me to you.

29/04/2021

The countdown is on folks!

City of Calgary Pet By-Law Update:

"The proposed bylaw changes will be posted within the May 12, 2021 agenda at https://www.calgary.ca/ca/city-clerks/legislative-services/agenda-minutes.html?redirect=/agendaminutes. The agenda will be posted May 7, 2021 by the end of the day."

The list of past Council and Committee meetings from January 2014 to present include agendas, confirmed minutes (with links to reports and attachments) and webcast recordings (video) if available.

24/04/2021

These guys are some of my favourite ❤

24/04/2021

Congrats to one of my favourite students for graduating from puppy homeschool this week.

You are such a good boy Gronk I'll miss seeing you guys :) I am looking forward to seeing you again for more lessons when you and your mom get back from your adventures :)