Dog Connect West Island, training and behaviour counselling

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Vets, rescues and breeders who are clinging to the outdated belief that dogs should be prevented from socialization until fully vaccinated are not keeping up with the current research, literature and recommendations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

Behaviour modification requires patience, consistency and empathy. It is a process of learning for both dogs and their humans. It is a process of healing that helps develop the emotional bond and trust in each other.

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

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

Send a message to learn more

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

04/09/2024

When walking your puppy, they will likely:

🐶 stop often
🐶 ”plop” down or sit at inconvenient times
🐶 hesitate when encountering something new like people, bikes, cars, etc.
🐶 meander back and forth
🐶 sniff a ton
🐶 pick stuff up in their mouths
🐶 not be able to go very far

These are all normal, typical puppy behaviors. In my experience puppies don’t turn into dogs who want to “walk” until they start to approach 5 or 6 months of age and they’re a bit more physically coordinated and have more stamina.

It’s critical that you allow your puppy to do the things listed above on walks; this will help them learn to cope and handle the world better. Your puppy is stopping and “plopping” because they’re registering what’s going on, and they’re not ready to keep going yet. It’s not because they’re “stubborn”, it’s because they’re processing! They’re going to sniff, which should be encouraged! Puppies who sniff are puppies who will be able to regulate their emotions! And of course they’re going to pick things up in their mouths, puppies use their mouths like human toddlers use their hands! Exploration is huge, and as long as it’s not something that will really hurt your puppy, try not to make too big of a deal out of every little thing.

Humans have this idea of what a “walk” needs to look like, and want to push puppies to hurry along, when what the puppy really needs is patience and the ability to experience the world at their own pace.

If you have a puppy, don’t worry about how far you get on walks and don’t set distance goals at first. Instead, treat each walk as a new adventure to go on, and allow your puppy to take their time. Bring high value treats so that if your puppy seems worried about something you can give them some snacks and help them feel better.

If you give your puppy the time to experience the world on their terms, you will have an adult dog that enjoys walks with you and is able to cope with the world’s unexpected changes.

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 ...

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.