Wild Ways Animal Training and Behavior Consulting

19/06/2025

At Wild Ways we strongly believe that life is better with pets! Tell us about your pup! What made you decide to bring a dog into your life? How does your pup impact your life?

16/06/2025

Dogs need mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

To prevent boredom, offer them safe problems to solve, teach them simple scent work, or use a snuffle mat.

Vary their walks and incorporate play into daily routines. Keep their world interesting to avoid destructive behaviours.

16/06/2025

09/06/2025

Something every dog guardian should know 👇

✨ Comfort and consent come first. ✨

Just because a dog is wearing a muzzle doesn’t mean they’re suddenly okay with situations they weren’t comfortable in before.

A muzzle helps manage safety… but it doesn’t magically make stressful or overwhelming environments feel good to our dogs.

👉 A muzzled dog can still feel unsafe around other dogs.

👉 A muzzled dog can still be scared at the vet.

👉 A muzzled dog can still react to situations they find threatening.

A muzzle isn’t permission to push past a dog’s limits.

It’s a management tool and with that comes the responsibility to protect their emotional well being, too.

Progress means pairing thoughtful management with ethical training, advocacy, and a real understanding of what our dogs can genuinely cope with.

Do you agree? If yes, share this post. 💗

09/06/2025

06/06/2025

I’m still me. 👇

This muzzle doesn’t change who I am.
It just means I get to show up in the world safely.
To go on walks, to explore, to enjoy things without anyone getting hurt… including me.
My guardian didn’t choose this because they think I’m bad.
They chose it because they know what I need.
Because they’re looking out for me, even when others don’t understand.

This muzzle doesn’t define me.
It protects me. 💕

03/06/2025

28/05/2025

📖 Story time: There is a adolescent pup in my neighborhood and I had noticed the mom struggling a bit out on walks trying to get the pup to sit while clearly over threshold and over-aroused at seeing other dogs.

Then a couple of weeks later I saw her carrying a treat pouch, a clicker and was doing a fabulous job at marking and rewarding from a distance (that just a few weeks prior was super triggering for the pup) and I just looked at Josh like 🥹 "oh my GOSH look how good they're doing now!"

I was so proud - I don't even know this person or their dog, I'm not training with clients anymore but I still get so giddy when I get to witness things like this from afar. Every time I see them I want to say something reinforcing but at the same time I don't want to set their pup off. So i'll silently be thrilled for them at a distance! 🥰

28/05/2025

A great reminder of how colour plays a role in enrichment for reptiles! What kind of enrichment do you do with your reptiles? Do you ever try colourful enrichment?

When we think about the perfect reptile setup, we’re quick to cover the basics: heat, humidity, lighting, hides… but one powerful form of enrichment often gets overlooked color. 🌈

Reptiles—especially visual species like bearded dragons, chameleons, and day geckos see a wider range of color than we do (yes, even UV!). Their environment’s color palette can actually affect how they feel, explore, and interact with their space.

So next time you're planning your setup, think beyond the basics. Color isn't just a finishing touch—it’s part of the foundation. 💚

Read the full article here: https://www.zenhabitats.com/blogs/reptile-care-sheets-resources/using-color-to-enrich-your-reptiles-habitat

19/05/2025

I'm an Applied Animal Behaviorist, but I'm also a human who is learning about the world for the first time.

I've made mistakes in life - and that includes with my dogs.

Heck, I still make some mistakes now!

We are all navigating life, trying our best.

I will always be perfectly imperfect and I'm okay with that because I know that I will never stop trying to learn - for myself and every animal that enters my life.

I hope that I will always continue to approach life with curiosity and kindness (something working with dogs and the humans who love them has taught me!)

I know that learning about the world will take a whole lifetime so I try not to be too hard on myself.

I created a soft place to land for my dogs to land - and myself in the process.

How about you?

19/05/2025

One of the most important things we can do when living with dogs is to make sure we educate ourselves in how dogs communicate. This means learning about canine body language.

As primarily verbal communicators, we pay less attention to body language than dogs do. For them communication is through scent (a world that we do not have the ability to experience as they do) and through body language signs and signals.

These signals can be incredibly subtle but, with education and practice observing them, we can learn to see what our dogs are telling us and others around them.

This will help us to see how the dog is feeling about the situation that they are in, and to judge what they need in that moment to help them feel safe and secure.

Learn to listen to your dogs in the way most important to them and your relationship and bond will go from strength to strength.

19/05/2025

Reptile Summer Camp Registration is NOW OPEN!

Calling all young reptile enthusiasts ages 10–14!

Get ready for an unforgettable week of hands-on learning, exciting animal encounters, and creative fun at our Reptile Summer Camp!

Camp Dates & Times:
• July 14–18, 2025 (Halfway sold out—register soon!)
• August 11–15, 2025
• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM daily

Each day, campers will explore a different reptile or reptile group, meet and interact with our incredible animal ambassadors, and learn about proper care and habitats.

Daily activities include:
• Up-close reptile encounters
• Reptile care & habitat education
• Fun crafts & outdoor time
• Snack breaks
• A custom plant jar terrarium to design and take home!

Cost: $299 + applicable taxes
Registration: Visit us in-store to secure your spot.

Spaces are limited and filling fast—especially for July!