Dog's Den Training School

27/09/2025

Ruff’N Tumble starting in October 🐶

26/09/2025

October is fast approaching so let’s give your dog some Good Manners & Fun before winter

Starting on Wednesday, October 1st
Puppy Genius 6PM
Ruff’N Tumble 7 PM

Starting on Thursday, October 2nd
Family Manners 6PM
SMART PUPPY 7PM

Starting on Tuesday, October 28th
SMART Puppy 6PM

Register online
https://dogsden.ca/registration.aspx

CALL (306)586-7756

Email: [email protected]

14/09/2025

A great Pre Walk Workout for your dog 🐶

11/09/2025

Starting something new with your dog can feel overwhelming. There are so many cues, so many moving pieces, and it’s easy to feel like everyone else has it figured out while you’re still fumbling with the basics. But let me reassure you: being a beginner is not a weakness, it’s proof that you and your dog are brave enough to step onto the path of learning together.

That confusion you feel? Your dog feels it too. And that’s okay. Learning, for both of you, will feel messy at first. But the mess isn’t failure, it’s growth. Every time you and your dog stretch beyond what’s familiar, you’re laying down the foundation for teamwork, understanding, and trust.

Here are three ways to move through the overwhelm and keep both you and your dog thriving:

1. Break things into small wins

Instead of trying to teach everything at once, focus on one clear step at a time. Maybe today it’s just “sit and stay for two seconds.” When your dog succeeds, you succeed. Those little wins are not small they’re bricks in the solid wall you’re building together.

2. Be curious instead of critical

When your dog doesn’t respond the way you hoped, it’s not a sign of failure, it’s information. Ask yourself, “What can I adjust to make this clearer?” Your dog isn’t being stubborn; they’re showing you where the communication needs to shift. Curiosity invites learning, while criticism closes the door for both of you.

3. Lean on your team

You’re not in this alone. Every handler in class, every trainer who has been where you are, understands the confusion and the doubts. Share your questions. Ask for feedback. Celebrate each other’s wins. When you realize others are working through the same struggles, it’s easier to keep moving forward with compassion, for yourself and for your dog.

Being a beginner handler isn’t about being “behind.” It’s about being in the process, alongside your dog. One day, the things that feel impossible now will be the stories you tell to encourage the next beginner who walks through the door.

And most importantly, your dog doesn’t care how perfect you are. They care that you’re showing up, learning with them, and building a bond that grows stronger every single day.

11/09/2025

Join us for Fit’N Fun this Fall

The best circuit workout for dogs in Regina, Dog’s Den Fit’N Fun 💪

11/09/2025

Fall Schedule 🤗

It’s Back to School time at the Dog’s Den

We can’t wait to see you and your pooch in class 🍁🍂🏫

11/09/2025

It’s Fall and that means Back to School, and we would love to see you and your dog🤗🐶

The Dog's Den is Regina, Saskatchewan's first and only Dog Training School dedicated to teaching manners based on the Science of Dog Behaviour.

25/05/2025

What your dog is really listening to

When Words and Body Disagree: What Dogs Really Listen To

In dog training—and in life—our body language always speaks louder than our words. You can say all the right things, but if your body is saying something different, your dog will believe your body every time.

Why? Because dogs are masters of reading subtle physical cues. It’s how they communicate with each other, and it’s how they read us. They notice everything: the tension in your shoulders, the speed of your breath, the way your weight shifts, where your hands are, and the direction of your gaze.

Say vs. Show

You might be saying “Stay,” but if you’re leaning forward and your energy is pulling ahead, your dog will take that as a cue to move.

You might call “Come,” but if your tone is anxious and your posture is closed off, your dog may hesitate—or not come at all.

You might say “Good dog,” but if your jaw is clenched and your movements are tight, your dog knows you’re frustrated.

In every one of these moments, your body and voice are in conflict—and your dog will believe your body.

Dogs Don’t Speak English—They Speak You

When we train, we often focus heavily on cues—teaching the dog what a word means. But dogs don’t naturally understand language the way humans do.

They’re not decoding vocabulary—they’re reading you.

This means your intention, posture, and emotional state are part of every interaction. If those aren’t aligned with what you’re asking, your dog won’t be confused because they’re stubborn or defiant—they’ll be confused because your body is giving them mixed signals.

Alignment Creates Clarity

Good training isn’t just about mechanics—it’s about congruence. When your verbal cues, body language, and emotional energy all match, your dog gets a crystal-clear message. That’s when communication clicks. That’s when trust deepens.

Try this:
• Before you give a cue, take a breath. Check your posture. Feel where your energy is going.

• Ask yourself: “Am I showing what I’m saying?”

• Watch how your dog responds when you lead with calm, grounded clarity.

Because to a dog, training isn’t just about learning commands—it’s about reading the world through your presence.

Words matter, yes. But in your dog’s world, your body will always be the loudest voice in the room.

28/04/2025

A good explanation of why your puppy has started growling at strangers on walks and what to do about it