Life and times of Nicodemus

02/02/2025

Awwwwgggg! Ignore that furry little groundhog liar - he's only right half the time - spring is coming!

26/01/2025

The things I do to take care of my people.

25/01/2025

It's a lazy but boring day; too cold to play and take a walk. Can't wait for spring, only 54 days to go, they say?

22/01/2025

It may be cold out; but it's a great spa day!

19/01/2025

Dad is home!

19/01/2025

If you see my dad, please inform him that I love him and he is deeply missed.

19/01/2025

17/01/2025

Without my Dad, life has been quiet and lonely. I'm praying for his heart doctors and comfort until his return.

15/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1762kviZ9C/?mibextid=xfxF2i

🚨 Trail Closure Notice 🚨

Attention Atwood Lake Park visitors: Due to an ongoing forestry operation near Hawk Ridge Trail and Cemetery Bay Trail, these trails will be closed today, Wednesday, January 15th until the operation is complete. The closure is expected to last approximately 3 weeks.

📍 Check the attached map for the affected areas and plan your visit accordingly!

05/01/2025

Time for snow fun!

03/01/2025

MOM, seriously? It's only snow!

01/01/2025

Happy New Year to all of you from our home to yours!

31/12/2024

Don't forget these tips tonight.....

Make sure your pet's tag and microchip is up-to-date
Take a current photo of your pet
Keep your pet in the house early in the evening
Give your pet a safe place to hide or hang out
Exercise your pet earlier in the day

Start your New Year celebrating on the right foot!

Happy New Year everyone ✨️

28/12/2024

Almost forgot to post hanging out and sharing a Christmas treat with Wilbur

28/12/2024

It's a beautiful day! Get out and take a walk! Walking at Cemetery Bay Trail Head Atwood Lake Park.

26/12/2024

Today, Nicodemus and I took advantage of the warmer temperatures and went for a walk. However, we encountered a challenge we don't typically face. As we walked, we were approached by an aggressive, full-sized black poodle. Unfortunately, the dog began lunging and barking aggressively at both Nic and me. The owner, who was already struggling with the dog, tried to regain control, but the poodle managed to pull loose for a moment.
Instinctively, Nic stepped back, gave a warning bark, and stayed close to me. Did I scold Nic? No, because he was simply communicating with the dog to stay back. He then avoided turning his back on the aggressive poodle and moved away, creating more distance between himself and the other dog. The other dog’s owner even commented that he wished his dog was as well-behaved as Nic. It took all of the owner’s strength to pull the dog away from us and down the trail.
If you've ever experienced something like this, you know how concerning it can be. Harm can escalate quickly when a dog owner hasn’t taken the time to properly train their animal. Based on this experience, I have a few suggestions:
1. Train Your Dog Before Taking Them Public
Until you have complete control over your dog, avoid taking them into public spaces. One highly effective tool for improving walking behavior is a pinch collar. It’s amazing how much progress can be made in just a few hours over the course of a week.
2. Be Prepared to Correct Your Dog in Public
If you're walking your dog in public, be ready to correct them, rather than just dragging them away from situations. Yelling and pulling doesn’t help; it's about clear communication and using every encounter as an opportunity to train. Keeping calm in these moments helps your dog return to a calm state as well.
3. Avoid Using Harnesses for Walking in Public
Harnesses can be useful in your own yard, but they don’t give you control in public spaces. Using a harness teaches your dog nothing about proper walking behavior and can allow unwanted behavior to continue. Additionally, never use a choke chain—it can damage your dog’s windpipe if they begin to pull and the chain tightens.
Training with a Pinch Collar:
When training with a pinch collar, the links fit together much like a piece of jewelry. The prongs on the collar gently rest against your dog’s skin, and as the dog pulls, the tension in the leash causes the prongs to pinch. This provides an unpleasant sensation that encourages the dog to return to walking calmly beside you.
Most trainers recommend using a pinch collar if your goal is for your dog to walk beside you, not ahead. Allowing your dog to pull ahead will likely cause them to continue pulling to some degree. By keeping your dog at your side, you can give slight tugs to guide them into the correct position.
For safety, place the pinch collar higher on the neck, closer to the ears, rather than lower on the throat. The collar should fit snugly, but you should be able to slide only two fingers underneath it. Also, always remove the pinch collar when you’re not actively training. Never leave it on during non-training walks, and ensure the leash has slack—there should never be constant pressure on the collar.

I hope these tips help anyone struggling with walking their dog calmly. Who knows, maybe we’ll cross paths on the trails someday!

26/12/2024

Preparing Your Dog for a Safe Walk: Exiting the Car and Entering a Public Location