everything is possible!
Kovie and Billie’s owners had nearly given up hope. not only could they not have people over, they couldn’t even walk past people or dogs on the street without the dogs making a huge scene 😬
They had even hired other “trainers” (their quotations, not mine) who were out of ideas of what to do 🤷
TBH, even I had some doubts after our first meeting 🫤
It’s not perfect yet but everyone is committed to working on it. For now everyone is confidently going on walks with far fewer outbursts and the dogs settle much more easily when people come over #notsosmallwins 🎉
So my heart does this little happy dance every time I see them ❤️ Partly because the humans are happier, but also because the dogs are just so much happier.
Fearful and reactive dogs truly suffer, even more than the people who live with them. They deserve our every effort to support them. So glad their humans didn’t give up.
#reactivity #reactivedog #fearfuldog #forcefree #forcefreetraining #dogtrainer #torontodogtrainer #wheregooddogsgrow #havefaithindog
It’s ALL a relationship, question is-what kind? ✨🐶
Forget the marketing hype! Your training methods matter. It’s not magical whispering 🪄 it’s about learned knowledge, real tools and techniques.
You’re either using a carrot 🥕 or a stick 📏 to train your dog.
Ask yourself: What kind of relationship do YOU want with your dog?
A) Trust and Cooperation
or
B) Fear and Compliance
What’s your vote? A or B? Drop your thoughts below!👇
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #positivetraining #dogbehaviour #dogsofinstagram #petlovers #doglife #doglove #dogtrainingtips #happydogs #rewardbasedtraining #respectnotfear
#relationshipgoals #forcefree #forcefreedogtrainer #torontodogtrainer #wheregooddogsgrow
give your dog a reason to want to hang with you!
I know life gets busy and having a dog doesn’t make that any easier 😩
But if you treat getting them exercised as a chore to check off on your to-do list you’ll be missing out on a great opportunity to show your dog that you are an integral part of the fun of freedom ☹️
And not just the chauffeur that gets them to the park 😒
Or the bad guy who ends all the Good Times when it’s time to clip the leash back on and leave 👎
So asking them to sit so that they can earn the privilege of getting away from you is all kinds of wrong. if you want them to sit go ahead, but consider what happens next.
One of the best kept secrets in having a great recall is to be your dogs partner-in-fun along the way 🫶🏻
So play. Practice their latest favourite trick. The only rule is that you are enjoying the moment together 😁
Then let them do dog things, call them back and repeat.
Your dog will listen better and you’ll get the benefit of connecting with them (and disconnecting from technology) while you’re out there. Win-Win 🙌
share so others can benefit.
Then go have fun with your dog!
.
.
.
#recalltraining
#havefunwithyourdog
#relationshipbasedtraining
#offleashlife
#positivereinforcement
#fearfreetraining
#dogtraining
#dogtrainingtips
#trainingtiptuesday
#dogtrainer
#torontodogtrainer
#wheregooddogsgrow
we can do better! 🫠
Distraction is a management tool and there are definitely times where that is the best option 👍
But it’s not a plan to change how your dog feels about something and is bound to fail at some point without a more thorough plan.
The Reactivity Reset program will show you how you can start to change how your dog actually responds to the world around them 💥
Now available in a condensed Masterclass format 🎉🎉
➡️doors open soon - send me a DM to get on the waitlist or share with a friend who might need some help.
.
.
.
#reactivedog #reactivitytraining
#reactivedogsaregooddogs #fearfreetraining #torontodogtrainer #dogtrainer #dogtraining
you don’t have to fix EVERY thing!! what do you think your dog would like to fix about you? 😆 let me know in the comments 👇
when Harry first came to live with me, he spent a lot of time in his crate, fearful to come out and interact 😢
one day soon I’ll write about our journey together but for now just know that our first year was focussed only on building trust with very little training. he was too shut down.
So I’m super proud of him for the bold choice of stealing the treats I absentmindedly left on my nightstand 😆
But if he was doing this on a kitchen table or counter, rest assured we’d be working on it.
Without fear or force.
Lately I’m seeing a lot of dogs (not MY clients) who are trained within an inch of their lives - they have to stoically hold sits around every possible distraction, walk in perfect heel formation for an entire walk, never dare to veer off course for an interesting smell.
and to be honest, it keeps me up some nights wondering how we got here 😔
i’m not suggesting our dogs should run wild. so what should your training be focussed on?
Here’s a good list to start :
🛟 THEIR SAFETY: coming when called, dropping things when asked, wait before going through doorways and crossing streets
👍YOUR SAFETY/PLEASURE: walk on a loose leash, be attentive around distractions if necessary, walk slowly on ice or stairs, don’t knock me over when saying hello, entertain yourself when i’m busy
🤩 THEIR CONFIDENCE: when left alone, with new people, dogs, city sights and sounds, objects and riding in cars (or on public transportation). Consider your lifestyle and what your dog needs to be comfortable with - young kids? 🚸boats? ⛵️horses? 🐎 prepare your dog for YOUR lifestyle
and if you have some rules around dogs on furniture you can work on that by teaching them a more desirable alternative. .
Follow for more common sense training tips and if you want some help send me a DM to work together.
#
teaching your dog to relax is one of the most important things you can do 🧘
This is especially helpful if you have a fearful or reactive dog, but dogs of ALL ages and temperaments can benefit from being able to just observe and process their environment from a safe distance .
I’m not talking about exercising them to the point of exhaustion 🙅♀️ A tired dog is NOT a good dog. They are just too tired to do anything, and that often includes self regulation 🤪
instead, try this on your next walk:
find a relatively quiet spot where your dog can observe the world around them.
Take a seat, put your phone away and take your ear buds out. just watch with them
Reward them for making good choices like lying down or remaining lying down when something interesting goes by. You can use praise or treats, but avoid giving them any verbal instruction.
If they struggle, you may need to find a quieter spot or give them a little more opportunity to get the Ya-Ya’s out before trying again.
practice daily and you might just find it a welcome peaceful interlude in your day ☺️
*thanks to sweet little Tally for the demo ❤️
Follow for more tips.
#dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #torontodogtrainer
#trainingtiptuesday #dogtrainer #positivedogtraining #forcefreetraining #reactivedogtraining #reactivity
the struggle is real 😒
ditto for e-collars, bark collar and the pet corrector 🚫👎🙅♀️
share if you know someone who needs to hear this.
.
.
#sundayfunday
#ditchtheprong
#forcefreetraining
#torontodogtrainer
#dogtrainersofinstagram
#dogtrainerlife
the dog always decides!!
Brothers Reggie and Max had mixed results with food rewards. not even chicken, cheese or hot dogs were met with consistent enthusiasm 😒 we even tried different textures like creamy and crunchy to see if that made a difference.
but a squeaky ball reserved only for recall games was the winner for these two 🏆
for some it could be tug or wrestling. For others- like Harry - it’s chasing games.
there are a lot of elements that go into getting a dog to come when called but if your dog has selective hearing the problem might be your choice (or inconsistent use of) reinforcement.
what does your dog find most rewarding? let me know in the comments 👇
.
.
.
#recalltraining
#comewhencalled
#offleash
#positivereinforcementtraining
#rewards
#torontodogtraining
#dogtrainer
don’t make this mistake!
dogs most often bark, growl, lunge or snap to make the Scary Thing go away. This is a basic fight or flight response - if you can’t run from “it”, do your best to scare “it” away. They are really just needing space.
I’m not talking about frustrated greeters here - those dogs who lunge and bark when on leash because they WANT to go say hello but can’t and throw a fit. How to tell the difference? Those dogs are always always happy when they do get to say hi and never have problems in off leash encounters.
And yes, there are those dogs who might be protecting you- most often seen with livestock guarding breeds who have it in their DNA to protect their pack.
And there are also some dogs who resource guard their people; letting everyone know that your attention and ball-throwing ability and treat pockets belong to them!
but those are generally exceptions.
and if you’re making this mistake, your dog is learning that they can’t count on you to have their back. which then makes the barking and lunging worse. Because they weren’t heard and it’s now entirely up to them.
want to learn how to support your dog? send me a DM.
and share so others might also benefit.
.
.
.
#barking
#reactivity
#reactivedogtraining
#torontodogtrainer
#dogtrainer
#wheregooddogsgrow
welcome to my new Amazon shop! 🎉🎉
In 2 decades of working (and living) with dogs, i’ve had the opportunity to try a lot of stuff designed to make training (and living) with dogs easier and I’ve developed some strong favourites.
I regularly recommend many of these to clients but until now it’s always been up to everyone to then go off and search for those items on their own 🔎👀
so I’ve curated some of my top recommendations for you here in one easy-to-find place. Don’t forget to check for appropriate sizing and desired colours where applicable!
Whether you’re looking for:
🍖 my go-to treats for training
🧸 favourite toys & puzzles
🐶 puppy essentials
⚙️ the best in practical and functional gear
📚 or my top picks in dog related reads
you’ll find it all either right on my website or just click the 🔗 in my bio for direct access to the shop.
AND I’ve done the price-shopping for you! If I know you can find something cheaper elsewhere, you won’t see it included here. I know every penny counts, especially these days.
For those who like to support their local small businesses, you can feel good about shopping here as you’ll still be supporting a community-based small business: mine 🐶😊
i’ve started with some core favourites, and will be adding as we go along, so feel free to let me know if you think something is missing.
thank you for your support and tell your dog(s) I said HI 👋❤️
.
.
#smallbusiness
#smallbusinessowner
#supportsmallbusiness
#dogtrainer
#torontodogtrainer
#amazonshop
#myfavouritethings
LET THEM SNIFF!!!
dogs “see” the world through their noses and need to have the opportunity to sniff freely on a regular basis, aka going on a Sniffari.
Sniffaris are free walks (on or off leash) where your dog gets to explore and enjoy their environment through their nose. it’s an enriching activity but also can be just as tiring as more strenuous physical activity as it better promotoes mental relaxation.
If you’re constantly rushing them along or yanking them away from interesting smells you may be missing out on one of the biggest secrets to having a calm and well behaved dog at home.
So what’s your number? Are you a in rookie territory or knocking it out of the park?
follow for more tips and we’ll have some fun along the way 🤩
.
.
.
#sniffari
#letthemsniff
#enrichment
#letdogsbe
#canineenrichment
#torontodogtrainer
#dogtraining
#dogtrainingtips
#wheregooddogsgrow
3 month old Max rocking the Magic Mat (aka stationing)🔥
one of the first training goals i love to work on with puppies is Magic Mat! teaching a puppy to settle and self entertain on a mat (or bed) has so many helpful real life applications:
👉while dining
👉 preventing counter surfing
👉 while answering the door
👉 while entertaining
👉 while helping the kids with homework
👉 while working online
👉 creating a happy place to perform grooming activities
👉 a portable security blanket when visiting new places with your dog
👉 for multi dog households it can help create a safe space for each dog and a “waiting room” while you work with just one at a time.
✅ first step is teaching a puppy to be happy going there (Max says mission accomplished!).
✅ then a lot of value in hanging there by making all the Good Things happen on the mat (chews, food puzzles, attention, rewarding training sessions).
✅ by the time you start formal training most of the work is already done 🙌
get in touch through link in bio for help with building and applying this valuable skill.
.
.
.
#stationtraining
#magicmatforthewin
#wheregooddogsgrow
#puppytraining
#puppytrainer
#dogtrainersofinstagram
#torontodogtrainer
#puppyoftheday
#puppylove
#fearfreetraining
#setthemupforsuccess
#australianlabradoodle
#aussielabradoodle
#aussiedoodle
#australianlabradoodlepuppy
#australianlabradoodlesofinstagram
we know that food rewards can really speed up learning, but which food to use?
consider having 3 categories:
🥉BRONZE:
this might include their kibble and maybe some healthy items like 🥕 or 🥒 or 🍎
🥈 SILVER:
here you can try some store bought or homemade dog treats (my personal go-to is a high quality, nutritionally balanced and complete air-dried raw diet
🥇 GOLD:
here is where you will blow your dog’s mind hot dogs, cheese strings, chicken breast are surefire winners 🤯 if it has HSF (High Stink Factor) it’s probably gold. 😅
also consider texture! i recently added a new EXTRA crunchy treat into my rotation and some dogs are just going BONKERS for them - just ask adorable little Louie!! they do slow down training a little but the tradeoff is in how entertaining it is to watch them chew 🥰
i avoid:
👎 freeze dried treats - too bland and makes a crumbly mess. you will find yourself standing around waiting for your dog to scavenge the floor for every dropped crumb.
👎 anything with a paragraph of ingredients, added colour, flavour, preservatives.
👎organ meat (like liver) - too rich
for most tummies.
but it really is up to each individual dog to decide what they like best so here is a little challenge for you:
✅ have an assortment of treats including your dog’s regular food, some moist and meaty (or cheesy) options and some crunchy ones.
✅ start with the lowest value item (in your opinion) and ask your dog to do something easy like sit and reward them.
✅ then move away 2 feet - does your dog follow you excitedly for the chance to earn another one?
✅ repeat this with all the reward options noting how excited your dog is to keep working with you.
then try the whole thing again with something harder (like attention around distractions or recall). are they still keen to perform the harder task for bronze treats?
BONUS POINTS for trying the same experiment with other rewards like play or praise!
once yo
your dog needs to know you have their back!!
I don’t know where this faux pearl of wisdom originated, but it does a great disservice to both dogs and their people.
If your best friend had a crummy day, would you not try to cheer them up? If your child was afraid of the dentist, would you not try to make it a more pleasant experience?
you are not going to make your dog more fearful by supporting them when they are anxious. if feelings were so easy to choose then you would relax when someone told to you JUST RELAX! 😆
DO learn to recognize the subtle ways our dogs may communicate stress:
- ears back
- tail tucked
- lip or nose licking
- yawning
- crouching low
- tension in the face or body
- jumping up on you
- front paw raised
- shake off (as though they were wet)
- belly bared (it’s not necessarily a sign they want a tummy rub)
and if you see any signs your dog needs help, SUPPORT THEM!!
⬇️⬇️⬇️
🤗 use confident and calm tones to praise and reassure them
🤗 offer favourite treats
🤗 offer reassuring touches
🤗invite them to play with you instead
creating positive associations with scary things or situations can really help them feel more confident in themselves AND in you.
and if they aren’t responsive, they are already overwhelmed 😰don’t hesitate to remove them from the situation.
.
.
.
#comfortyourdog
#dogbehaviour
#fearfreetraining
#dogtrainingmyths
#wheregooddogsgrow
#reactivedogs
#fearfuldogs
#beyourdogsbestfriend
#dogtrainerlife
#torontodogtrainer
#dogtrainingtips
#trainingtiptuesday
#wheregooddogsgrow
3 month old Max rocking the Magic Mat (aka stationing)🔥
one of the first training goals i love to work on with puppies is Magic Mat! teaching a puppy to settle and self entertain on a mat (or bed) has so many helpful real life applications:
👉while dining
👉 preventing counter surfing
👉 while answering the door
👉 while entertaining
👉 while helping the kids with homework
👉 while working online
👉 creating a happy place to perform grooming activities
👉 a portable security blanket when visiting new places with your dog
👉 for multi dog households it can help create a safe space for each dog and a “waiting room” while you work with just one at a time.
✅ first step is teaching a puppy to be happy going there (Max says mission accomplished!).
✅ then a lot of value in hanging there by making all the Good Things happen on the mat (chews, food puzzles, attention, rewarding training sessions).
✅ by the time you start formal training most of the work is already done 🙌
get in touch through link in bio for help with building and applying this valuable skill.
.
.
.
#stationtraining
#magicmatforthewin
#wheregooddogsgrow
#puppytraining
#puppytrainer
#dogtrainersofinstagram
#torontodogtrainer
#puppyoftheday
#puppylove
#fearfreetraining
#setthemupforsuccess
#australianlabradoodle
#aussielabradoodle
#aussiedoodle
#australianlabradoodlepuppy
#australianlabradoodlesofinstagram
puppies bite. a LOT. it’s just the price of all that cuteness 😬
sometimes they are basically just teeth with feet 😫 and it feels like living with a little land shark 🦈😅
it’s not something you need to “nip in the bud” - it will pass when they are done teething at around 6 months of age. but there are a lot of things you can do to make it better or worse to live with in the meantime - here are just my top 3 tips:
😌 STAY CALM! the more excited or assertive you get, the worse it will be. movement also triggers biting so avoid a lot of flailing of limbs!
😴 MAKE SURE PUP IS WELL RESTED!young pups need a lot of sleep - about 18 hours a day. overtired and overstimulated pups are extra bitey.
😮💨 BE PREPARED. have GOOD things on hand to redirect to. long drag/latch toys, good chews, big stuffies.
taking the approach of correcting it can actually lead to bigger problems.
need more help with raising a well adjusted, well mannered pup? get in touch through link in bio 🐶
.
.
#puppytraining
#puppytrainingtips
#trainingtips
#trainingtiptuesday
#puppytrainer
#torontodogtrainer
#dogtrainerlife
#wheregooddogsgrow
#puppybiting
#puppybites
#biteinhibition
#whypuppiesaresocute
10 more sleeps until I get to work with this adorable little dumpling again 😍❤️🐾
.
.
.
#puppytraining
#torontodogtrainer
#wheregooddogsgrow
#dogtrainerlife
#labpuppy
#labradorretriever
#labradorable
#lablove
#labsofinstagram
#puppylove
#cutepuppy
If you have a young puppy you have surely witnessed the Zoomies, where your pup suddenly kicks into hyperdrive 🤪
First you see their eyes kind of glaze over 😵💫 and then they start racing around, doing laps around the coffee table at lightning speed or swimmers turns off the walls💨💨💨
Sometimes people think this is a sign that their puppy needs more exercise but more often than not it’s a sign that they are tired or overstimulated.
In sweet little Céleste’s case, she finds training quite exciting and sometimes just needs a break to burn some of that off.
Sometimes you can prevent it by recognizing the early signs and easing them into a calm activity like chewing or enjoying a little something yummy on a Lickimat before all hell breaks loose. We can aim for shorter training sessions or add more quiet pauses in between exercises.
But if you miss the chance don’t worry, just watch and make sure they keep safe, stay out of their way as they can be extra nippy at this time and do enjoy the entertainment as they’ll grow out of this with maturity and you’re sure to miss it one day ❤️🐾
.
.
.
#zoomies
#fridayfunday
#puppies
#puppylove
#dogtraining
#dogtrainer
#dogtrainersofinstagram
#wheregooddogsgrow
#lifewithdogs
You might just see 2 dogs going for a nice walk here but Kenzo (on the right) could not have been this close to another dog a few weeks ago without kicking off and making a bit of a scene.
He is not a mean dog - he is actually super sweet and sensitive but just doesn’t feel comfortable around dogs he doesn’t know. And that’s how it is for most reactive dogs. They aren’t bad dogs, they are good dogs who just need help with a problem.
Reactivity is unfortunately on the rise post-pandemic but it doesn’t have to be all bad news. There is lots we can do to help these guys feel more confident and relaxed around other dogs (or people or skateboards or buses).
A good plan starts at the human end of the leash where there is often frustration, disappointment, embarrassment and sometimes even anger and resentment
😬😔😠😩😭
I get to help people overcome the communication breakdown and reach a deeper understanding of what their dog needs to succeed. I love to see the dogs blossom with the up-levelled guidance and best of all, I get to watch people fall in love with their dog all over again ❤️
.
.
.
#wheregooddogsgrow
#setthemupforsuccess
#reactivedogs
#reactivity
#reactivitytraining
#dogtrainer
#dogtrainersofinstagram
#positivereinforcement
#evidencebaseddogtraining
#caninebehaviour
Just In case you were thinking Chase might be all looks, he is a dream to work with. 2 weeks ago he was pulling his petite mama off her feet while walking. So proud of this team! 👏👏👏
And don’t worry, we gave him lots of breaks to have fun sniffing and playing in the snow banks ❄️❤️🐾
.
.
.
#wheregooddogsgrow
#positivereinforcementtraining
#torontodogtrainer
#coachinglife
#looseleashwalking
#gooddog
