Dog Connect West Island, training and behaviour counselling

24/08/2024

You want your dogs to follow you because they want to, not because they have to do it out of fear or pain. This is the only way you can build a strong bond and make them happy.

"So ditch dominance. Park the prong. Stop the shock. Use treats to train your dog. If you stick to reward-based methods only, you’ll have a dog who is happier, has better manners, and has a better relationship with you." Read more in my NEW post at Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/fellow-creatures/202408/more-treats-please-no-tugging-the-leash-in-dog-training

12/07/2024

To all puppy parents out there, puppy socialization is the first priority in their education. Obedience training can wait and can be done at any time, but socialization - safe and happy puppy exposure to human environment in all its aspects, it is time sensitive. Socialization is the foundation of of raising a confident, adaptable dog, equipped with social skills and capable to deal with change and frustration.

https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/blog/in-defense-of-puppy-socialization/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0wMy_RUbo2cxk4Zhs6EjzNaNm5ieayuCYzMZIAblrXpr7bFxCSVwTzPUI_aem_6fPUlFyoIgf4SrctGjRkVw

Don’t hold back when socializing your young puppy. Create as many positive associations as possible before 14 weeks of age. If you’re a puppy parent searching for guidance on how to socialize your puppy, you risk coming across some concerning misinformation, even from professional trainers. The ...

18/06/2024

Children and dogs are great together. But only when they are both trained, supervised and able respect each other’s personal space and choices.

Let's talk about this photo. It's cute, except it's not. I see a dog who cannot get up without telling the child to get off. How do you think a dog is going to do that?

The 7 Golden Toddler Dog Rules:
#1: If a dog walks away from you, you DO NOT FOLLOW.
#2: Always leave room for the dog to walk away from you.
---that right there is 90+% of dog bites eliminated---
#3: We do not climb on the dog.
#4: We do not grab or pull on the dog.
#5: We do not hit or throw anything at the dog.
#6: We do not touch the dog's food.
#7: We do not go into the dog's kennel.

I promise these are not overly difficult concepts for littles, nor will they rob a kid of their bond with the family dog. It will deepen that bond, while keeping everyone safe.

"Oh, it looks like Moose is walking away from you. She is saying she wants a break. Let's play with this instead!"

"It's Moose's dinner time! Let's give her space to enjoy her yummies."

"That is Moose's room(kennel) and only she is allowed to go in there."

"If Moose wanted a break, could she walk away from you right now? No she really couldn't. Let's move away from the play house. You can keep playing but now she can leave when she wants a break."

In conclusion, ***parent your child or your dog will do it for you, and you will not like how they do it.***

12/06/2024

Beautifully written article on how cultural ideas and the words we use in connection to our dogs determine how we treat and think about them.
‘Commands’ is a word often used by clients. I always encourage them to use ‘(verbal) cues’ instead. It changes the authoritarian pet parenting perspective into a constructive relationship based on trust and support.
And when it comes to the word ‘respect’, the only situation I’m using it is when I discuss dog’s mental and physical needs and their personal space.
Words matter, because they shape our behaviour.

https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2022/06/manners-cues-management-and-language-of.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2zzZ0kkirKaMRRyp8Fd_8jC4SrJhghtJnUSouG4EDZHultTAL5ZNQt530_aem_Adnv_zwZdigk8QAvgRe_0w3XYKkdEtPag83xjeUNF4tNK1N9g0pVKRRTCmFUok9sKeQJY5neHcjZjj7MqCAiOorG

The language we use to describe dog training is changing to reflect our changing relationship with dogs.

01/06/2024

New research revealing higher health risks in neutering / spaying dogs as puppies in certain breeds. Please read!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/zKvJk6KGDD5janXT/

New post! New research adds more dog breeds to the list of those for which there are guidelines on when to spay or neuter them based on the health risks, bringing the list up to 40 (and there are guidelines on mixed breeds by weight, too). Read more in this week's post https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2024/05/what-age-should-dogs-be-spayedneutered.html

16/05/2024

Fascinating! ❤️

15/05/2024

Hello!
Spring has finally sprung, and with it we've got the joy of spending more time outdoors with our dogs. After a quiet winter time, you may notice an increased reactivity in your dog’s behaviour. The list of trigger stimuli could be long, but it usually relates to the same culprits: noise, movement and strangers, especially in puppies and teenager dogs. The sooner you address these issues, the faster dog's behaviour will change.
Dog Connect West Island can offer you a force-free, pain-free personalized behaviour modification training plan and advice in the following:

📌Puppy socialization and training
📌Dog reactivity / fear to various trigger stimuli
📌Generalized anxiety
📌Separation anxiety
📌Unwanted behaviours at home / public places: pulling on leash, jumping, not coming when called, etc
📌Impulse control
📌Intra- and inter-species interaction
📌Dogs and children interaction

📎Trying to prohibit unwanted or reactive behaviour or just saying “NO” to the dog cannot change behaviour. Only consistent training can change behaviour.

Here is an example. Her name is Lulu. She arrived into her humans’ home displaying a high prey drive and no impulse control; intelligent and emotionally attached to her humans, but also very much engaged in hunting-related behaviours because as a young pup she had to fend for herself. Her humans were worried about the resident cats’ safety and wanted all their animal companions to live in peace. Therefore, we started working consistently on Lulu’s impulse control and prey drive.
Here she is after a couple of months, with one of the resident cats …

14/05/2024

Medication should not be discussed as the last resort in treating anxiety in dogs. The combo medication + behaviour modification training always brings faster and consistent results. Time is of essence in changing patterns of behaviour. The more we wait, the more difficult to change.

12/05/2024

Dog Connect West Island wishes Happy Mother's Day to all Moms of both 2- and 4-legged babies! Happy training! 😃

23/04/2024

Stop doing this! Allow the dog personal space and choice. It's dog's right, as it is yours.

🛇 Use your Manners! 🛇
The Sniff test - Stop doing that!
The sniff test - a badly engrained habit that society has been taught, without a clear understanding of what they're actually doing.

🚩When you reach out towards a dog, you are using body pressure AT them, giving them no time to assess whether you are safe & whether they require further investigation to pick up your information. You are forcing an interaction of a relationship that hasn't had time to develop. To some dogs, this is quite rude & the reason a lot of dogs snap at or bite people. This can cause alot of behavioral issues because of layered stress due to forced interactions.

🚩If they are on lead, they have no where to go if they are sensitive to spacial pressure, so can end up shutting down, shying away or snapping at your hand so you back off. This is an example of how a dog is now using pressure to turn off pressure & make you back off so they aren't so stressed.

🚩People think by offering your hand it can give the dog time to sniff to know you're friendly... they can sniff without being forced to sniff your hand.Their noses are far more superior than ours & they don't need close contact forced upon them to smell you.

🚩Some dogs might not want to know you. You have no relationship with them and that's perfectly fine. They aren't your dog so you don't need to touch them or steal pats for your own satisfaction.

🤔 If you are meeting a dog, what should you do?
⚠Ask the owner if you can interact with their dog. Not all people want strangers touching their dogs. Especially strangers who you are unlikely to see again.
⚠Stand up straight & relaxed, with your hands at your side.
⚠Ignore the dog & talk to the owner.
⚠Don't stare at the dog & don't try to force an interaction by going in for a pat. If the dog wants to know you, it will come up to you & sniff around. Usually they will move away & then come back for a second sniffathon. Some dogs will bunt your hands & wag their tails, which are good signs that you're likely an accepted new friend. Give them a few slow pats down their back (NOT THEIR HEAD) & then stop. Is the dog happy? Has it accepted your interaction? This will determine whether you can give it more pats.

🐶This is a more stress free option for dogs & a reason why in consultations we can develop a good level of trust, especially with fearful dogs & aggressive dogs, without a bunch of negative side effects from forced interactions.

12/04/2024

So happy to had met you, Titoo! Seems that the feeling was mutual. You left a mark on our hearts 💘
(sound on)

23/03/2024

Never punish the dog for having an accident indoors. All you might achieve by punishment is inducing fear, breaking the bond and convincing the dog to avoid peeing or pooping when you are present ...

It might feel tempting to punish your dog when they make house-training errors. But that can actually slow things down! If you got some out-dated advice to punish your pup, it's not too late to turn things around.

Want to learn more about how to handle house-training woes? I have a work-at-your-own-pace online class just for you. Learn more here: http://www.kristibenson.com/housetraining
And register here: https://kristi-benson-dog-training.thinkific.com/enroll/1597235?price_id=2025829

15/02/2024

15/02/2024

Bottom line: Try to notice the whispers, so your dog doesn’t have to shout!

11/02/2024

When dogs lunge, bark, and growl at other dogs or people, the dog is having a hard time—and so is their guardian. More awareness of this is needed.

26/01/2024

During Covid, many people turned to having a dog as a companion. It was the right thing to do while working and spending the whole time at home, not being able to meet friends and family. But many of first time dog parents have never realized puppies’ and young dogs’ need for socialization. Lack of socialization at a critical age, due to the Covid lockdown, has had sad consequences that many dogs and their humans are still dealing with, unfolding serious behaviour issues that vary from separation anxiety to reactivity to strangers, dogs, novelty, noise, etc.

Please give your pups the chance to proper socialization and work with a qualified and humane trainer to prevent behaviour problems from arising.
Also, never rely on the internet, unqualified help or aversive training to address behaviour problems. It could potentially make the problems worse.

Problem behaviours are a leading cause of relinquishment and euthanasia of young dogs. Previous research has identified associations between owner-reported problem behaviours and risk factors, including how dogs were acquired as puppies, early socialisation experiences, and owners’ experience leve...

20/01/2024

Dogs are sentient beings. They feel cold, heat and have emotions like any of us. Monitor your dog’s behaviour and pay attention to any sign of discomfort or pain in cold weather.

Not certain if you should walk your dog? Here’s a handy graphic to help you out. 

01/01/2024

We wish all our friends and canine students a new year filled with joy and cheerful adventures! May 2024 bring you and your four-legged companions health, laughter and strong, happy bonds.

21/12/2023

Let's put ourselves in our dog's shoes for a moment…

We humans love all the fun, gifts, and relaxation, but for our pets? They might not be so eager to participate…

By empathizing with our dogs, we can start recognizing the things that stress them out or cause them to react.

And when we understand our dogs, we can better prepare the environment for them. We can keep them safe at all times. We can make sure that they are enjoying the holidays with us!

🔔 REMINDER: Less than a week left til our Surviving The Holidays webinar! We're going to share our top strategies so you and your pet can both enjoy every holiday season from here on out. Register today for only $17: https://petharmonytraining.com/holidays/

20/12/2023

Puppy socialization - the first and most important process in a young dog education! First - because it is time-sensitive. Most important - because thorough socialization will help your pup develop life skills and might save you both a lot of difficulties later on.
Never underestimate the value of safe socialization and positive associations.

19/04/2023

15/04/2023

Don’t miss them! Valuable information for dog and cat parents. They are free and recording will be available.

I'm excited to share that I have two upcoming webinars, one on how to have a happy dog, and one on how to have a happy cat. They are free and a recording will be available. As well, because the paperback of Purr will come out on June 6th, I'll give a copy to one of the attendees at the live webinar on how to have a happy cat. Please feel free to share these webinars with friends, family, and clients who might be interested.
Register here:
How to have a happy dog: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/2816812395546/WN_wJClLguAQ7ypoeRm0UDeAw
How to have a happy cat: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1516812434593/WN_e8qAmN3LRieR3DirITFctw

08/04/2023

Happy Easter! Happy Passover! Happy Holidays to all our friends! Sending love and gratitude!

31/03/2023

Puppy Charlie before and after a socialization session …😊❤️
“Today we met new people and dogs, spent some time away from Momma, walked in a new park, travelled in a different car, discovered what’s a ‘helicopter’ and watched kids playing in a schoolyard. New sounds, new smells, new voices, new friends… Then I went back home to my Momma and slept the whole afternoon”.

30/03/2023

Young lady Tula has been learning that cars are not dangerous when you know and respect traffic rules. And certainly doesn’t worth lunging at them … 😊

04/03/2023

Marketers and those looking to make a sale aren't going to tell you something you don't want to hear. So they sugarcoat and use euphemisms to make scary, painful things sound innocuous. Let's be clear. There's no magic at play here.

These devices use electric current, with the intention of hurting or scaring your dog in an attempt to curb behavior. They are SUPPOSED to hurt. That's how they work.

And, there's a lot of research on this topic. A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, concluded “there is no credible scientific evidence to justify electronic collar use and the use of spray collars or electronic fences for dogs.” Learning shouldn't hurt.

Let's work to educate and dispel some myths about shock collars. Read my post here: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2023/02/27/5-shock-collar-myths/

28/01/2023

When we focus on making dogs happy, it’s better for them and us.

22/01/2023

Many cases of dogs growling at children. The reality is to ask “why” as this means there is a space violation or an issue of hurt. The dog is simply saying go away and if the child doesn’t listen behavior can escalate. When you have children teaching them how to enjoy the dog and teaching the dog how to enjoy and tolerate and accept children snd their irrational movements is required to avoid any incidents. Don’t assume, KNOW. And no the dog shouldn’t just let a child do anything to them.