Dog Connect West Island, training and behaviour counselling

25/12/2024

From our hearts, to all 4-legged babies and to their humans, best wishes for a beautiful holiday season, filled with love, joy and peace!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Holidays!

06/12/2024

24/11/2024

BLOAT is a serious condition that can develop fast into a life-threatening condition, without the dog’s caregiver recognizing the early signs: restlessness, pacing, swollen abdomen, attempts to vomit, drooling and panting. Whenever your dog is acting differently, being restless and pacing, do not assume mischievous behaviour. First, make sure this behaviour is not related to a medical condition.

“Preventative measures can be taken to reduce the risk of bloat. Some strategies that are currently recommended are:
* Feed smaller meals more frequently, and restrict activity for 1-2 hours after meal time.
* Do not use a raised food bowl.
* Never let the dog drink a large amount of water all at once.
* Avoid strenuous exercise on a full stomach”

Commonly referred to as "bloat," GDV occurs when a dog's stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid and subsequently twists.

19/11/2024

MYTH: "Don’t take your puppy anywhere until they're fully vaccinated."

FACT: "The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the *standard of care* for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated. Behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age." (AVSAB Position Statement on Puppy Socialization)

FACT: If you wait until your puppy is full vaccinated, you've missed their critical socialization period.

Vets, rescues and breeders who are clinging to the outdated belief that dogs should be prevented from socialization until fully vaccinated are not keeping up with the current research, literature and recommendations from behavior professionals.

29/10/2024

Happy Tuesday to everyone except trainers who prioritize their impatience over the dog's emotional experience as a business model.

08/10/2024

Not everything stays in our power when it comes to helping our dogs become the best version of themselves. But SOCIALIZATION and (POSITIVE) EXPERIENCES are definitely in our control.

Fear is the easiest things to condition in dogs and the hardest to resolve. Fear can come from many places, many of which we don't control. This infographic is my most downloaded and shared resource. Download your copy here: http://rescuedbytraining.com/fear-in-dogs-infographic/
and for a deep dive into each of these, read the accompanying Fear In Dogs blog series here: https://rescuedbytraining.com/tag/fear-in-dogs-series/

01/10/2024

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26/09/2024

What matters more to you in dog training? How a dog feels or what a dog does? Every time I have the privilege of working with a new dog like Wallace, I’m reminded that the first steps in training aren’t about what I can get the dog to do, they’re about building trust.

Wallace, a German Shepherd/Malinois mix, has shown me yet again that when we take the time to connect on a deeper level, the learning follows naturally. For the first day or two, I didn’t focus on formal training, I focused on getting to know him, playing with him, and learning who he is as an individual.

And here’s the thing: once that bond is established, everything else becomes so much easier. It’s a partnership. When we prioritize the dog’s mental state, how they’re feeling, how they’re experiencing the world, training isn’t just about teaching behaviors. It’s about building a relationship that’s rooted in trust and understanding.

I’ve had so many requests to introduce more real-world distractions and environments, and trust me, we’re going there. But the foundation always starts with trust and empathy. It’s not just about what we want the dog to do; it’s about how we can support them in their journey.

I know some will say, ‘Not every dog has the luxury of time,’ especially those in shelters facing urgent situations. But even then, trust can be built quickly with the right approach without inadvertently creating mistrust of humans. It’s about quality, not just quantity. Every dog, no matter their background, deserves that opportunity to be seen for who they are. Curious to get your thoughts on Wallace and the new series coming out in a couple of months hopefully!

17/09/2024

Last year I wrote a post about 3 more reasons to use reward-based dog training methods, based on some newer research. It's still worth a read. And if you want to know more about dog training methods, you'll find plenty of posts to browse on my blog. There is no reason to use aversive methods. https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2023/09/3-more-reasons-why-its-better-to-use.html

31/08/2024

We are not.
With Victoria Stilwell

30/08/2024

"Better training options exist, with proven efficacy and low risk"

It's a good day to re-share this message. I think shock collars should be banned because of the risks to dogs, and I'm not the only one. Back in 2018, the European College of Veterinary Clinical Ethology published a review of the evidence on the use of shock collars in dog training. They looked at the research on shock collars, bark collars, and collars used with fencing, and concluded that they would like to see a Europe-wide ban on the sale and use of electronic collars. "There is no credible evidence to justify e-collar use and the use of spray collars or electronic fences for dogs. On the contrary, there are many reasons to never use these devices. Better training options exist, with proven efficacy and low risk." You can read a summary of the study on my blog, and that will also take you to the original paper if you'd like to read it: https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2018/06/study-outlines-reasons-to-ban.html

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 ...