HELP FOR YOUR FEARFUL NEW RESCUE DOG

If your new rescue dog has behavioural issues, get them help early. Don’t wait! (Photo: Pomeranian with whale eye)

Your new rescue dog is an absolute sweetheart! She sat in the backseat with your kids the whole way home, she walks pretty well on the leash, and shows no interest in squirrels. 

The foster family said she’s great around food, bones, and toys. They told you she loves dogs, cats, and strangers. 

She seems a little fearful of your cats. You film a video of her hiding behind your legs when the cats walk by. That’s cute. Right? 

The first day seems like a dream. Until you walk her in the dark. 

She seems terrified of the darkness, men, blowing leaves, and her own shadow. (Photo: Shiba Inu Husky Mix on a chain in the darkness)

At first, you think it’s nothing. “She’s a little velcro dog,” you think. “She loves me so much.” You smile. 

As you approach a tall man in the darkness, she seems even more nervous. He moves over to give you more space. She lunges at him anyway and tries to nip his ankles. 

“Sorry. She’s a rescue,” you say. He’s already gone. You add in the darkness, “I’ve only had her a couple of hours.”  

You keep walking, but your heart is racing. Was she abused by a man before? She seemed fine with her foster “dad.” “She must have been abused before that,” you think.  

The following day, she growls at your husband when he comes home from work. 

You tell yourself, “She’s already protecting me. She loves me.” Secretly, you think, “I kind of like that she likes me more than my husband.” 

If you’ve thought any one of those thoughts, you need to stop reading and call a behaviourist who understands dog psychology immediately. Right now. I wish I were joking. I have seen countless fearful rescue dogs become even more fearful and insecure by being secretly loved for being fearful and protective. 

It is a dangerous and extremely slippery slope you are sliding down. It can lead to bites. It can lead to your dog refusing to allow strangers into the home (your family and friends + your children’s friends - these are strangers to your new dog.) It can lead to you giving the dog away to the humane society, or WORSE - it can lead to you having to euthanize your new dog because it bit a child in the face. I have seen all of this happen. It is heartbreaking! 

If your dog bites your child you will be faced with a horrible dilemma (Photo: crying toddler reaches forward with outstretched hands)

Schedule a FREE 15 minute phone call with us TODAY if you are struggling with a fearful rescue dog.

The following day, your rescue dog is facing off with the dog who lives next door. They could wake the dead with their barking, snarling, and growling through the fence. 

Fast forward a few more days and this sweet rescue that you brought home is now barking and lunging at your children’s friends as they race up the driveway and sprint through your house. 

Inside the home, she’s no longer afraid of the cats, but chasing them. 

She isn’t walking nicely on the leash anymore either. She’s pulling you every which way, not listening when you say “sit,” and when she’s not barking at other dogs, she’s whining. 

Fast forward a few more days and your nine-year-old niece gets bitten while visiting your house.  

A few days after that and you can’t hug your own children without the dog trying to bite them. Truth is stranger than fiction people. I’ve seen this happen too. 

The best advice I can provide you with is that you should call for help NOW before you let these things happen. You have the chance right now to prevent these disasters from ever occurring. 

Drop what you’re doing and search online for some help (Photo: woman perched on the bow of a sailboat with a laptop on her lap)

You may find solace in online dog groups. People will tell you that it’s only been a couple of days and to allow your dog time to settle in. This advice is terrible. It only takes one or two weeks for a new rescue dog to COMPLETELY take over your house. They will own your house, your yard, your children, and you. By the time you call someone for help, it will cost you more money and take more time to fix the issue. 

What to do? Go online right now and search for dog behaviourists who have experience in this area. Read their Google Reviews. Read the testimonials on their website. And then CALL THEM. Interview them on the phone. Just because they helped your friend’s puppy in puppy class three years ago doesn’t mean they can help you in your home with your three-year-old rescue from the Bahamas who is biting and snapping at strangers. 

One of my clients interviewed FIFTEEN behaviourists and trainers before finding me. I was the ONLY one who was honest with them about how long it might take them to reach their particular goal (their new rescue dog had gone for the throat of one of their other dogs, and they had removed that dog from their pack with hopes of reintroducing her at a later date.) 

Every other trainer told them that they would be able to reunite the pack within a couple of hours! 

Hours! 

Even if YOU as a trainer or behaviourist could rehabilitate all three dogs in a couple of hours, you absolutely could NOT help the human family (and their cat) maintain what you had started. It takes time to teach. It takes time to learn. 

What should you do now? 

Breathe. 

Your dog can sense your stress, but has no idea WHAT is causing it. So, if your cat strolls into the room and you hold your breath and imagine the dog tearing the cat into pieces, you will set the dog off on the cat. Dogs can’t rationalize. They can’t understand that you’re worried because of something they MIGHT do. They see that every time the cat comes near the human, the human gets tense and nervous. And then they help take care of the problem by not letting the cat near you. They do this with people too, so do your best not to tense up when your son’s friends arrive at the house. 

Breathe. 

You’ve done a wonderful thing. You’ve rescued a dog. So what if you don’t know how to make her stop growling at your friends. Hire someone who knows how to do that AND can teach YOU how to do it. Listen to everything they say and practice as much as they ask you to practice. You’ve got this! 

You CAN do this! (Photo: woman smiling as she hangs out with a brown and white dog on leash,)

Will EVERY rescue dog be this fearful? No. 

Will EVERY rescue dog completely take over your house? That depends. If you selected the correct energy level of dog (a dog that has an energy level that is the same or LESS than you and your family,) you fulfill THEIR needs before your own EVERY SINGLE DAY, and everyone in the house (including the children) is consistent with the dog’s rules and boundaries (AKA everyone in the family is a leader in the dog’s eyes) then no, the dog will not take the leadership role in your home. 

Owning a dog is a lot of responsibility and a lot of work. Adopting a rescue dog with behavioural issues can be very rewarding, but it’s certainly more work for inexperienced owners. If you’re willing to learn about dog behaviour and put in the time, you can certainly become a knowledgable dog lover.

Just breathe. 

And then call some behaviourists. I hope you call me! 

Happy interviewing, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa

Photos by: Michelle Tresemer (Pomeranian with whale eye,) Tom Lowen Morales (Shiba Inu Husky Mix on a chain in the darkness,) Zach Kadolph (crying toddler reaches forward with outstretched hands,) Damir Spanic (woman perched on the bow of a sailboat with a laptop on her lap,) and Cassiano Psomas (woman smiling as she hangs out with a brown and white dog on leash.)

To Couch, or not to Couch?

To Couch, or not to Couch? That is the question. (Photo: white bulldog on lavish couch with throw pillows)

Dog lovers have friendly debates about treats, favourite products to remove the dreaded smell of skunk, and even which veterinarian is the best in town. But there’s usually no debating when it comes to whether or not they allow dogs on the furniture or not. 

Some people LOVE having their dog on the couch. They love to snuggle up with their dog and watch a movie, take naps with them, and post pictures on social media. 

Do you let your dog on the couch? (Photo: terrier sleeping on a red pillow on a couch)

Other people wouldn’t dream of allowing their dog on the couch. Some don’t want their couch to get dirty, while others may simply not have enough room to accommodate all three Great Danes, plus their human family, and two cats. 

One thing to ask yourself (and be honest here) is who owns the couch? 

That seems like a no-brainer. You BOUGHT the couch, right? So it’s obviously YOURS. 

If that’s the case, you should be able to ask your dog to get off the couch (and your lap) right now and have them listen right away. Can you do that? 

What about when your friends come over? Or your mom, who is a little scared of dogs. Does your dog walk overtop of them? Growl? 

What about when your dog is sitting on your lap and someone else comes to sit beside you? Does your dog growl at them? Snap? Bite? 

Will your dog readily share the couch with your guest? (Photo: Man pressing his hand onto a dog’s chest. The dog is laying on the couch and the man is sitting down beside him. The man has very little room.)

Here are some simple tips that you can practice right now to help reclaim YOUR couch. Remember: Be safe! If you think you need a behaviourist or trainer to show you how it’s done, call in some help. You wouldn’t hesitate to hire a piano teacher to teach your daughter to play the piano. It’s okay not to know how to be a dog trainer. 

1. INVITE: When your dog is on the ground, pat the couch and invite them to join you. You should only invite a nice, calm dog up into your personal space. You can pair a word with patting the couch, if you like - for example, you could say: “Sally, up.” <Sally jumps onto the couch> “Good up.” By repeating the word “up,” you are communicating more clearly to Sally. 

2. OFF: A lot of people find it easier to teach the OFF command while standing. Stand beside the couch, say “Sally, off,” and toss a tiny treat onto the floor. When she moves off, say “Good off.” You don’t need to use food. If your dog already listens to you, you may be able to simply point at the ground and say “off.”  

Practice up and off together for five to ten minutes a day and see if you notice a difference in your relationship with your dog. When you practice ANY trick with your dog, be sure that you are in a positive state of mind. You want to share calmness and confidence with them. Think of a teacher you had in school who was far too strict and made learning a chore. Don’t be THAT teacher. Have rules and boundaries, but be joyful as well. 

To quote from Alice in Wonderland: “No room. No room.” Is there room for you on YOUR couch? (Photo: GSD and Pit-X lounge on the couch)

Whether you want to allow your dog on the couch or not is up to you. Be sure that every roommate and/or family member is aware of your decision, so that everyone in the household is consistent. 

If you are struggling with a dog who doesn’t listen to you and would like to learn how to claim your couch, schedule your FREE phone call with us today. We LOVE helping people reach their dog goals! 

Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders!

Alyssa

Photography by: Paolo Nicolello (white bulldog on lavish couch with throw pillows,) watcharlie (dog on red “ON” pillow on a couch), Oliver Engel (man pressing his hand onto a dog who lays on a couch,) and Cori Sears (GSD and Pit-X lounge on the couch.)

SWIMMING TIPS FOR DOGS

“Come on in. The water’s fine!” (Photo: two dogs enjoying a swimming pool)

Swimming is a great way to exercise your dog. A lot of people have an easier time teaching their dog to swim using a river or lake that has a sloping shoreline. Some dogs have trouble learning if there are large waves, so aim for a calm day if you’re on a very large lake or going to the ocean. 

Start small. Play with your dog on the shoreline or a wading pool in your yard (Photo: two sleek grey dogs prance along the shoreline)

Magic learned to swim in a swimming pool. The tricky part about this, is that dogs don’t know there is a step in the shallow end. We know it’s there, so we expect them to simply hop down onto it and swim away, but dogs need to be shown that the step exists before they can learn to use it. 

Is there another stair over here? (Photo: Magic the Rottweiler stands on the top step of the shallow end of the swimming pool, reaching ahead of her with one paw)

In time, your pup will learn to use the step to rest and to exit the pool (Photo: Magic the Rottweiler swims back to the step in the shallow end carrying her ball in her mouth)

Here are a few tips to help your puppy or dog learn to love swimming with you: 

1. POSITIVE — You wouldn’t appreciate learning to swim by being thrown off the dock (this happened to my father’s best friend, and trust me, it wasn’t cool!) If you have a new puppy, take your time introducing them to water and make sure that the experience is positive. You can even begin with a wading pool at home. Use a few liver treats and their favourite toy to entice them into the water. They don’t have to swim on day one, they simply need to learn that water is fun. This also makes bath time a LOT better, so really take your time here and enjoy yourself. Your puppy will enjoy it too. 

2. SOUND — Humans use a lot of sound energy. We talk in excited voices and when we get impatient or frustrated it comes out in our voice too. The last thing you want to do is to teach your dog that water/swimming/bath time makes his human tense/excited/frustrated. Begin working with your dog around water when you are in a calm and confident state of mind. Your dog’s natural curiosity will draw them to you. If you wade along the shore, they will likely follow you and get their feet wet too. If you begin swimming, many dogs will simply follow along and join you. 

Dogs follow leaders (Photo: dog following a surfer toward the ocean)

3. DON’T PANIC — If you’re training your dog to swim in a swimming pool, do not panic if they fall in. Calmly and SILENTLY join them in the pool. By the time you react, they will likely already be above the water and attempting an awkward doggy paddle. A new puppy may require a hand under their belly as they figure it out, a new rescue dog may just simply begin swimming. Move calmly toward the stairs in the shallow end. Your puppy or dog will most likely feel the stairs beneath their feet and use them to get out. Don’t make a fuss. If you freak out, yank them out of the pool, repeatedly say “It’s okay baby. I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,” then you will teach them that water is something to be avoided at all cost. If you spend the rest of the day holding your breath every time they approach the edge of the pool, worrying that they may fall in again, you will begin cementing the idea that the pool is dangerous. 

If your dog loves fetch, you can use that to teach them to love the water (Photo: Irish Setter retrieving a tennis ball out of a lake)

If your dog is barrel-chested (Rottweiler, Boxer, Bulldog,) invest in a life jacket. Magic can swim without it, but over time gets lower and lower in the water as she returns with her ball. The life jacket allows her to swim much longer, which is awesome because I could happily play with her by (or in) the water for hours. 

Magic the Rottweiler playing fetch in a lake wearing her life jacket

Be patient with your dog as she learns to swim. You didn’t learn in one day either.

Good luck, be safe, and have fun!! 

Alyssa

Photos by: Alyssa Foulkes (Magic the Rottweiler swimming in a lake carrying her favourite toy,) Gayatri Malhotra (two dogs enjoying a swimming pool,) Nathalie SPEHNER (two sleek grey dogs prance along the shoreline,) Alyssa Foulkes (Magic the Rottweiler stands on the top step of the shallow end of the swimming pool, reaching ahead of her with one paw,) Alyssa Foulkes (Magic the Rottweiler swims back to the step in the shallow end,) Taylor Deas-Melesh (dog following a surfer toward the ocean,) Ryan Stone (Irish Setter retrieving a tennis ball out of the water,) Alyssa Foulkes (Magic the Rottweiler playing fetch in a lake wearing her life jacket.)

Separation Anxiety

Take the stress out of crate training (Photo: black pug in crate)

You’ve tried everything you’ve read and watched on the internet, but your puppy still barks every time you leave him in his crate — even for a second. It’s stressful. It’s LOUD. It’s heartbreaking! 

You’re worried about complaints from your neighbours. You’re worried about getting evicted. You’re worried about what you’re going to do with your puppy when you head back to work in a few days — cuz there’s no way you’re leaving them in the crate for eight hours, with a five minute pee break on your lunch hour. 

If you’re stressed out about crate training. You’re not alone. Hop on any number of dog groups on social media and you’ll learn that crate training is always on the tip of everyone’s tongue. 

You’ll read recipes for frozen Kong treats, you’ll spend lots of money on bones (often sniffed once and then ignored,) and you may even have a trainer come to your home…and tell you you’re being dramatic?!?! This actually happened to one of my clients. I’m grateful she was still brave enough to reach out to me after going through that! 

You may feel like you’ll never convince your puppy to love their crate, but you CAN do it! (Photo: tan-coloured Whippet lies on a sofa covered with a blanket)

Why isn’t the crate training working? And why isn’t the medication your veterinarian prescribed working either? 

Here are five things to try, when you’ve tried it all: 

1. CALMNESS — Believe it or not, your own body language and energy have an effect on your puppy. When you begin crate training, treat it as a fun game and enjoy yourself. Put yummy treats inside the crate (where they can easily reach them from the outside) and praise your puppy for being brave enough to simply put her front paws in the crate. Once this is going well, place a few treats (or pieces of kibble) further back. Praise your puppy for retrieving those treats. If your crate has two doors, make a fun game of going in one door and out the other. Do not get a stop watch and drink a glass of worry-juice before you begin crate training. Take your time and enjoy the process. 

2. FOLLOWING — Does your puppy follow you everywhere you go, including the bathroom? Encourage their independence, by asking them not to follow you everywhere. This behaviour is a symptom of a bigger problem. If your puppy spends 30 minutes following you as you get ready for work, they will still be in follower-mode when you toss the peanut butter Kong in the crate and quickly shut the door. This creates stress for your puppy. Ask your puppy to lie on their bed or go to their place (if you’re using the place command) while you brush your teeth and do your hair. You can even provide them with a bone to chew, so they aren’t obsessively watching you get ready.

Teach your puppy to relax and be calm while you prepare to leave the house (Photo: a bulldog lays on his bed with his chin propped up on the edge)

3. BELIEVE — Believe that you can do this, because you can. Put in the time and reap the reward of a balanced, calm puppy (who then grows up to be a balanced, calm dog.) It’s totally worth it! 

4. RESEARCH — Breeders who breed dogs to improve the breed, do not sell puppies on Kijiji or in parking lots. They do lots of amazing things while the puppies are in their care, including crate training. Puppies sleep in a cute pile with their mom when they are very young. After weaning, they sleep as a pack with their brothers and sisters. Amazing breeders will actually take the time to teach the puppies to sleep in crates. They begin with sleeping in pairs and then move them into their own crates gradually (still beside their siblings for company.) 

5. LEADERSHIP — Take your puppy on a structured walk first thing in the morning before you go to work. This tires out your puppy physically AND mentally (because a structured walk involves more thinking than dragging you down the sidewalk in a zigzag pattern.) A puppy who has HIS needs met before you go to work, is a puppy who will happily snooze for a few hours in a crate. You can read more about structured walks and how fun they are here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/give-your-dog-a-break

Here is a picture of sixteen-week-old Braxton taking his very first nap in his crate. This was a HUGE milestone for him.

Believe in yourself. You and your puppy can do this! (Photo: French Bulldog X English Bulldog puppy takes his first nap in his crate)

Always leave your puppy with a chew toy that is safe and arrange for someone you trust to walk them partway through the day. Be sure that the person who is letting them out for you has a solid understanding of dog behaviour (so they don’t accidentally make your separation anxiety case worse than it already is.) 

Good luck, have fun, and you’ve got this!!

Alyssa

Photos by: Charles Deluvio (black pug in crate,) Juan Gomez (tan-coloured Whippet lies on a sofa covered with a blanket,) Sébastien LAVALAYE (a bulldog lays on his bed with his chin propped up on the edge,) Alyssa Foulkes (French Bulldog X English Bulldog puppy takes his first nap in his crate.)

HOW TO INTRODUCE YOUR DOG TO YOUR NEW HOME: PART 2

Is your dog ready for moving day? (Photo: small dog stands on grass in front of a house)

Are you moving soon? If so, you’re most likely stressed out. If you want to know how to keep yourself and your dog stress-free leading up to moving day, check out last week’s blog: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/how-to-introduce-your-dog-to-your-new-home-part-1

If you’re worried about how your dog will react to your new home, you’re in the right place. 

Will your dog be stressed out on moving day? Do they hate car rides? Is the only place they’ve ever been their own backyard (and the veterinarian?) What about the new home? Do you feel badly because you’ve downsized and are afraid they might miss their yard? Are you super excited to introduce your dog to the new swimming pool, but kind of scared because they don’t really know how to swim? 

You want your dog to feel happy and relaxed on moving day. A lot of people think that talking in a high-pitched voice and tossing treats into the backseat like strange confetti, will make their dog feel at ease. This actually has the opposite effect, by making an excited dog more excited and a fearful dog more confused and afraid. 

Talking in a high-pitched voice may make you feel better, but it doesn’t help your dog feel calm (Photo: Pomeranian with whale eye)

Here are a few steps to make moving day easier on everyone: 

1. EXERCISE - Your dog needs daily exercise and so do you. Take a structured walk first thing in the morning on moving day. What’s a structured walk?  In a nutshell, a structured walk looks like this: You lead the way, your dog follows beside/slightly behind you, and you allow them to take sniff breaks, bathroom breaks, and bounce-around-chasing-butterfly breaks. Read more here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/give-your-dog-a-break

2. BREATHE - Your dog picks up your vibe. If you’re sitting in the front seat worrying about traffic, unpacking, and whether or not your dog will eat dinner in the new house or not, your dog will sense your nervousness and happily take over the leadership role in your relationship. This could look like: herding the children when you reach your destination, barking at strangers and dogs who come over to the house to meet you, or chasing the cat all over the new apartment. Not cool. Try to enjoy the car ride — unroll the windows and breathe the fresh air, listen to music, or play a fun game with your kids. 

Relax and enjoy the ride. Your calm energy will be passed along to your dog. (Photo: woman in the passenger seat with her head and arm stretching out of the window)

3. WALK - When you arrive to your new home, walk your dog around the property and the neighbourhood. This allows them to burn off energy from the car ride and to be introduced to their new environment calmly. 

Walk your dog BEFORE introducing them to your new house (Photo: person walking a white French Bulldog in front of a bright yellow house)

4. FIRST - It’s not a race, but you need to enter the house first. Dogs view the world differently than we do. 

5. CALM and CONFIDENT - The easiest way for your dog to feel calm and secure about moving day is for everyone in his human family to be calm and confident. The quote from the Navy Seals: “Calm breeds calm, panic breeds panic,” may help you to visualize the situation. If I walk into an elevator and begin pacing, acting nervous, and wringing my hands together, how will you feel? Panicked. If instead, I walk into the elevator and give you a confident smile, nod my head, and mind my own business, you will feel calm. Your dog is a master of reading your moods and feelings. Work hard to find happiness and balance in your life, and then watch your dog’s behaviour adjust like magic in front of your eyes.  

Calm breeds calm (Photo: Yellow Lab relaxes on his owner’s legs.)

If you’re stressed out because your dog barks at everyone who walks by your current house, guards the fence in the backyard like a police dog, and won’t get off the couch when you ask them to, there’s still hope. Leadership doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re moving and want to prepare yourself, your family, and your dog for this big change, call a dog behaviourist and begin working on any issues you and your dog are currently facing at least one month in advance of the move.

Any behaviourist or trainer worth their salt will help you gain the leadership role in your household before you move, and equip you with a game-day strategy for moving day that works best for your unique lifestyle. 

We hope that you enjoy moving day and that you have fun exploring your new neighbourhood with your dog. 

Alyssa

Photos by: Natalia Shiel (small dog stands on grass in front of a house,) Michelle Tresemer (Pomeranian with whale eye,) averie woodard (woman in the passenger seat with her head and arm stretching out of the window,) Harry Cunningham (person walking a white French Bulldog in front of a bright yellow house,) and Taylor Kopel (yellow lab relaxes on his owner’s legs.)

HOW TO INTRODUCE YOUR DOG TO YOUR NEW HOME: PART 1

Moving is stressful. Let’s make it better for you and your dog. (Photo: person wearing a hoodie, covering their eyes and sitting on a couch surrounded by boxes)

Are you moving soon? If so, you’re most likely stressed out. You’re up to your eyeballs in packing peanuts and if you stub your toe on that box in the kitchen one more time…!!! 

Your dog is a barometer for your stress level. They feel every ounce of your tension, frustration, and packing-deadline panic. If you’re exhausted from folding (okay, shoving) clothes into garbage bags until three in the morning, your dog will slide into the leadership role in your household in the blink of an eye. 

You may not notice it at first, because you’re so tired, but here are some examples of things that happen when your dog takes over your (current) house before you even move: 

-excessive barking in the home

-charging the fence in your yard

-nipping and/or herding you 

-pulling on the lead especially when other dogs walk by

-chasing your other pets

What is your dog trying to tell you about your own stress level? (Photo: a red dog with pointy ears howling)

You may see these changes as well: 

-following you from room to room 

-getting into the garbage (even if they never did that before) 

-attempts to escape your home (breaking out of crates, eating drywall, scratching underneath doors, and jumping through windows)

These are signs of separation anxiety. Often times this is not only a reflection of an unhappy, lonely dog, but a sign that they do not view you as a leader (so when you leave home without them, they try to follow you to protect you.)

The good news is, you can take back the leadership role anytime you like. The tricky part is, dogs will not follow tense, frustrated, tired, or fearful humans — and mastering your emotions is easier said than done. 

What can you do? 

1. RUSH LESS - If you’re moving into a house and have time to pack slowly, do so. Take your time, listen to music, and of course, take walks with your dog to break up your day. 

Take breaks from packing and walk with your dog. (Photo: Golden Retriever walking on leash with a person)

2. DOGGY DAYCARE - If your deadline is impossible and you really need to pack quickly, consider taking your dog to doggy daycare. If they are not accustomed to doggy daycare already, this may not be your answer. Perhaps they love hanging out at your mom’s house, or with your sister. Maybe you have a dog walker that they love. 

NOTE: Simply sending them out of the home for a break will not magically fix the behaviours listed above. You must provide calm and confident energy when your dog is around you. 

3. TREAT YOURSELF - Allow yourself one hour first thing in the morning to walk your dog before the packing begins. Take another break halfway through the day for yourself. If we never practice being calm, then how are we supposed to remain calm on our dog walks/during day-to-day activities?! Do some yoga, practice meditation, play an instrument, pet the cat, or do a crossword puzzle.  

Make time for calm activities (Photo: a hand petting a cat under her chin)

4. EXERCISE - Your dog needs daily exercise and so do you. Take a break from packing and go for a run (bonus points if you run with your dog.) Make time to play fetch with them, even if some of it is in the house while you’re packing. Take time out of your day to go to the gym, go swimming, or play your favourite sport. 

Daily exercise reduces stress (Photo: person running with a dog on leash)

5. GET HELP - If your deadline seems unreachable and you can’t figure out how you’re going to pack and still work your 9-5 job, hire professional movers. The price is worth your sanity. Another option: friends and family will often work for pizza. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help (Photo: people carrying boxes and petting two dogs)

You may be thinking, why not slap a bark collar on the dog since they’re the problem. If that’s the case, reread this post. 

The problem is NOT the dog. Read that twice. 

Labelling the dog is easy. “What a bad dog! You got into the garbage!” OR “I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She’s acting nuts! Ever since we started packing up the house, she’s been so snippy.” 

Mmmm. Hmmmm. 

Self-reflection is one of the hardest things any of us will ever learn to do. The sooner you try this, the sooner you will develop an amazing relationship with your dog. Instead of asking “Why is my dog so stressed?” ask “Why am I so stressed?” and “What changes can I make to lower my stress level?”

Every day is a chance for you to start again. A chance for you to lead a balanced life, free from fear and anger. Let’s leave these emotions behind and embrace joy. Embrace peace. Embrace love. Quiet your mind from negative thoughts. 

The ripple effect of a calmer you is so much larger than you can imagine. It begins at home with your human loved ones and your furry family. It extends out to strangers as you travel to work and school. To your coworkers, your friends, your extended family. To grocery clerks, gas station attendants, baristas, and bartenders. 

It begins with YOU. 

We hope this post helps to reduce your stress (Photo: a man stands with his dog beside a SOLD sign)

We hope you have a safe and joyful move. Stay tuned for next week’s post about introducing your dog to your new home so they don’t take over. 

Alyssa

Photos by: Christian Erfurt (person wearing a hoodie, covering their eyes and sitting on a couch surrounded by boxes,) Andriyko Podilnyk (Golden Retriever walking on leash with a person.) Robert Gramner (a red dog with pointy ears howling,) Yerlin Matu (a hand petting a cat under her chin,) Sergio Rodriguez - Portugues del Olmo (person running with a dog on leash.) Isaac Benhesed (people carrying boxes and petting two dogs.) Alyssa Foulkes (a man stands with his dog beside a SOLD sign - yes, that’s my man and our first dog, Brooklyn.)

Patio Dogs

Practice these tips at home to prepare your dog for the patio (Photo: dog laying on a balcony with table and chairs in the background)

A new law in 2020 now allows bars and restaurants the option of allowing puppies on their patios in Ontario. Imagine your dog stretched out beneath your table while you enjoy the summer breeze, good food, and great conversation. 

Are you worried that your dog will tangle up the server, lunge at the dog under the next table, or stare at the other diners and drool the entire time? 

Are you afraid of what your dog might do to embarrass you at a patio? (Photo: two Pekinese dogs with tangled leashes)

We understand how stressful it can be to try to train your dog to relax for five minutes, let alone while you eat an entire meal. By breaking down the training process into manageable bite-sized bits, you can be the envy of all the other diners. You can be the one leaning back in her chair, casually sipping wine, and laughing at her friend’s story about her insane boss. Here are three tips to get you started.  

1. EXERCISE — Be sure to exercise your dog before heading out to the patio. If you have a breed that requires loads of exercise, like a Husky or a Rhodesian Ridgeback, this may mean a long bike ride, hike, or fetch session. When you have fulfilled your dog’s needs, they will be far more willing to go into rest-mode while you sip your cider. 

Be sure to exercise your dog before bringing them to a patio (Photo: two dogs wrestle on a lawn)

2. ACTIVITIES — You wouldn’t expect your kids to survive a long meal at a restaurant without toys or activity books. Restaurant owners often provide colouring mats and crayons to children, but they won’t have anything available for your dog. Bring a bone, bully stick, or a rubber toy stuffed with frozen treats along to entertain your dog. Do not bring these items if your dog is a resource guarder (has issues with food aggression/toy aggression,) as there is no guarantee that there won’t be other dogs around. Also, be aware that other dogs may have these issues, even if your dog is lovely and shares everything with everyone. Be aware of your surroundings and adjust accordingly. 

Bring your dog something to do/chew (Photo: beagle chewing a bone)

3. PRACTICE LIKE YOU PLAY — I’ve been an athlete all my life. I’ve had many amazing coaches and the best ones made sure that we practiced like we played. What does that mean? It means you give 100% at practice or you ride the pine (sit on the bench) on game day. You can’t give a 50% effort into training your dog and then expect a perfect performance on game day (or patio day, as the case may be.) If your goal is to have a dog who can lie under your table at a restaurant for hours on end, not growl and lunge at other dogs, not beg for food, and not jump on passersby, then you need to teach your dog all of those little pieces. Think of each one as a puzzle piece. Write them down. Commit. Check them off one by one, before expecting your dog to magically do all of them on her own. Could you have excelled in every game or activity you enjoyed without coaching? Without practice?

Practice in many locations: in your home, in your yard, at your friend’s cottage (Photo: (three dogs lounge on a deck while attentively watching their human)

Here’s a list of a few simple commands to work on to prepare for patio day: 

-sit

-stay

-down

-off (so they don’t jump on strangers or put their paws on the table)

-leave it (so if food falls on the floor, they don’t snatch it up)

-drop it/aus — the backup plan if they DO snatch up food that falls from the table

All of these commands come in very handy at home, on hikes, and at backyard BBQs as well. 

Here is a picture of Magic at Three Dog Winery in Prince Edward County. While we were lounging, an off-leash dog came over (his owner had no idea we were there.) Luckily both of our dogs were friendly and up for a wee visit, and happily — no wagging tails spilled our wine.

(Magic the Rottweiler poses at Three Dog Winery in Prince Edward County)

It takes time to build a strong relationship with any dog. Take your time, enjoy the process, and be patient with yourself and your dog. You’ll get there.

Happy training, Dog Leaders!! 

Alyssa

Photos by: Lia Tzanidaki (dog laying on a balcony with table and chairs in the background,) David Taffet (two dogs wrestle on a lawn,) Aditya Joshi (beagle chewing a bone,) Jason Dean Chamberlain (three dogs lounge on a deck while attentively watching their human,) Collins Lesulie (two Pekinese dogs with tangled leashes,) Alyssa Foulkes (Magic the Rottweiler poses at Three Dog Winery in Prince Edward County.)

Preventing Heat Exhaustion in Dogs

How to beat the summer heat (Photo: Dog jumping into a swimming pool)

We’re in the middle of a heat wave. Today, we are expecting a high of 43°C with the humidex. These temperatures come with heat warnings. We are reminded to never leave people or pets unattended in parked vehicles, warned of deteriorating air quality, and alerted to which groups are most at risk to heat-related illness. This leaves many people asking how do I exercise my very active dog while keeping her safe from heat exhaustion? 

Here are a few tips to drain your dog’s physical and mental energy when the temperatures soar: 

1. Walk your dog early in the morning and later in the evening, to avoid hot pavement and exercising during the day. Keep exercise sessions short and always provide water. I like to head out just before sunrise to walk and play a short game of fetch. 

2. Play games indoors where it’s cool. If you have air conditioning, try playing short games of fetch or tug o’ war inside. If you don’t have AC, be sure to use a fan to get the best air circulation you can. Be creative and have fun!

Think outside the box (Photo: Dachshund inside a cardboard box.)

3. Leash skills — Does your dog pull on the leash when you’re walking? Now is a great time to go back to basics and practice teaching them to heel indoors where there are less distractions. You don’t need a lot of space to teach your dog to walk beside you, just positivity and a willingness to learn something new. 

4. Swim with your dog. Take your dog on an early morning hike to the nearest river or lake, or enjoy a swimming pool.

Take your dog swimming to beat the heat (Photo: two black dogs swim in a lake)

5. Nosework — Dogs love to use their noses. Hide their breakfast or dinner in small piles inside your home and watch them search for food. I like to hide the kibble inside treat dispensing toys, inside Kongs, under towels, inside bones, under my dog’s bed, and behind or under her stuffed toys. Be sure to hide food inside your dog’s crate as well, especially if you are working with a new puppy and want to encourage them to love their crate.

Searching for kibble or treats provides your dog with mental exercise (Photo: Spaniel sniffing near colourful boxes)

Always watch your dog closely for signs of heat stress and remember if you are hot, they are hot. Take lots of breaks in the shade, provide yourself and your dog with water during walks, and be creative with indoor activities. 

Stay cool and safe, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa

Photos by: Murilo Viviani (dog jumping into a swimming pool,) Erda Estremera (Dachshund inside a cardboard box,) Jeremy Perkins (two black dogs swim in a lake,) James Lacy (Spaniel sniffing near colourful boxes.)

Dog Breed Information at Your Fingertips

Show your dog you love them, by learning what they love to do (Photo: Golden Retriever laying on his back.)

Have you ever heard of a Basenji? How about a Catahoula Leopard Hound? How much exercise does a Whippet need? Which breed would enjoy doing agility with you and your kids? 

Whether you’re interested in learning about dogs, researching to figure out what breed of dog might suit your lifestyle, or discovering more about the dog you already have this blog post is for you! 

Which breed of dog would LOVE to do agility with you? Photo: dog running through weave poles.

Many of my clients adopt rescue dogs and then use DNA tests to find out what breeds make up their beautiful dog. If you find out that your new best friend is a Rhodesian Ridgeback mixed with German Shepherd, Akita, and Boerboel and you’d like to learn more about what activities those breeds enjoy the most, head over to www.akc.org/dog-breeds. You will find information about a wide variety of breeds, including their history, training requirements, exercise needs, health, and temperament.

Happy reading, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa

Fulfilling your dog’s breed need is the best gift you can give them. (Photo: a large, black and tan dog stands in a field.)

Photos by: Stephen Andrews (Golden Retriever laying on his back,) Murilo Viviani (dog running through weave poles,) Lucie Hošová (a large, black and tan dog stands in a field.)

The Little Things

One of our jobs as dog owners is to teach our dogs how to be polite in a human world (Photo: Dog nose-to-nose with a tiny puppy.)

The little things often get overlooked when it comes to training your family dog. Life is made up of little moments: cooking dinner, relaxing in the backyard by the pool, working in your home office, playing with your children, having friends and family over to visit, and snuggling with your cat. 

When you bring a new dog (or puppy) home, your job is to teach them how to behave during every one of life’s moments. It’s a big job. Let’s get started!

One of life’s moments: mealtimes at the table (Photo: a small dog sits beside a kitchen table looking up,)

Let’s face it — it’s hard to enjoy cooking (or eating dinner) when your dog steals your steak. Being in the kitchen should be fun, but a lot of clients call me because their dog keeps putting his feet up on the table and the counter. Most people admit that they push their dog off the counter while yelling “Down!”

My most recent phone call regarding this behaviour was about a week ago. As we spoke on the phone, the owner explained that her dog growls at her when she pushes his feet off of the kitchen counter. “It’s scary,” she said. “But what’s more scary is that now he’s not only growling, but snapping at me. He also snaps at my husband when he pushes him off the sofa.”

Pushing is never the solution when it comes to living successfully with dogs (Photo: Rottweiler resting her head on a coffee table beside a cup and saucer,)

This is a blog, so of course I can’t give you a step-by-step of how to “fix” this behaviour, mainly because there’s always more going on inside the home than simply one issue. Instead, let’s talk about how to prevent this from developing in the first place. 

Never reward your puppy for putting his two front feet on you, your friends, your kitchen cupboards, the dining room table, or your coffee table. Be consistent from DAY ONE. 

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t teach your dog to put two paws on a Rubbermaid, place board, log, or boulder. Tricks are awesome! You can absolutely teach that as a separate trick, but when you teach it, build in the word “OFF,” so that your puppy learns what that means too — and gets rewarded for it. 

Teach your dog what “off” means, so that you never have to push them. (Photo: Labradoodle sits on park bench.)

Never push your puppy or dog. Pushing a dog results in them pushing back. It doesn’t solve anything. Think of a playground. When one child shoves another, what happens? The other child retaliates. It’s similar with dogs. Pushing your dog can lead to them growling and snapping at you — you definitely don’t want that. Seek help from a dog behaviour expert in your area or online and find out how to communicate with your dog without pushing. 

Always be consistent with your dog and keep your words clear. They don’t understand sentences, so less words is always better. 

What can you teach your dog so that you can enjoy life’s moments more? (Photo: grey tabby cat looking concerned with a fluffy husky behind him.)

Think about all the little moments in your day. Maybe your dog barks nonstop making relaxing by the pool too loud to enjoy. Maybe you can’t have visitors over to your home because your dog frightens them away. Maybe your dog doesn’t “let you” snuggle with your cats. 

Let’s get you back to enjoying ALL of life’s moments. A FREE fifteen minute call could change your life. Visit the TAKE ACTION page and let’s chat about your unique needs and get you back on track. 

Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa  

Photos by: Jametlene Reskp (Dog nose-to-nose with a tiny puppy,) Sonder Quest (a small dog sits beside a kitchen table looking up,) Allie (Rottweiler resting her head on a coffee table beside a cup and saucer,) Overture Creations (Labradoodle sits on park bench,) Tran Mau Tri Tam (grey tabby cat looking concerned with a fluffy husky behind him.)