Tips for crowded hiking trails #thanksgiving

The trails are crowded on Thanksgiving weekend. Are you and your dog ready? (Photo: person hiking on a trail with their dog off leash and behind them)

If your dog is reactive on leash (barks and growls and drags you toward other dogs and/or people,) hiking on Thanksgiving weekend may feel like a pipe dream. 

If you celebrate American Thanksgiving, you have time to prepare yourself and your dog for this challenge. 

If you celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving, there’s less time for prevention. 

Here are some tips to help friends on both side of the border. 

PREVENTION TIPS: 

One of the most common causes of leash reactivity is simply allowing your dog to walk in front of you and have the leadership role. 

When you are behind your dog, THEY deal with upcoming “threats”, not you. Pulling from behind on the leash creates tension and only makes a dog pull AGAINST the tension. That tension causes frustration. 

Leash tension leads to leash reactivity. Say no to leash tension. (Photo: pulling lab with pulling Weimaraner)

Teaching your dog a structured walk allows them to view YOU as their leader, not someone they feel the need to protect. You can learn how to do a structured walk here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/give-your-dog-a-break

The structured walk is the cure for your shoulder and back pain. This type of walking stops your dog from pulling you, so your body can finally heal from all that jerking that’s been happening. It’s also a lot safer for you (I’ve seen people pulled into traffic!!! Have you?) 

Don’t be fooled by the beautiful sunset. This picture isn’t what you’re aiming for. (Photo: tall man wades in the water, being pulled by his three leashed dogs in the sunset)

PRO TIP: If you allow your dog to get away with EVERYTHING inside your home (and never listen to you), you will need to improve that relationship before tackling a structured walk in an area of high distraction. If they can ignore you when you say “Come,” inside your house, they will ignore you when you say “Come,” outside your house (where there’s more smells, sights, and sounds worth ignoring you for.) 

With your dog under control (and listening to you,) hiking on busy trails becomes a lot easier. 

If your dog has severe behavioural issues, there’s still time to work on those before American Thanksgiving. TAKE ACTION now and look forward to Thanksgiving hikes, instead of dreading them. You can schedule a FREE CALL or an ONLINE TRAINING SESSION no matter where you live.

Canadians are already hitting the hiking trails as we cruise into Thanksgiving weekend. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the crowded trails with your reactive dog(s): 

1. WALK EARLY — Hiking trails are less busy early in the morning. If your dog is mildly leash reactive, head out early to avoid the rush. 

Wake up early and beat the rush (Photo: a couple crouch beside a river with their dog)

2. ADVOCATE FOR YOUR DOG — If your dog is fearful or aggressive toward other dogs, a busy hiking trail is not a FAIR location for you to bring them to. Working through these issues takes time. It’s okay to walk your dog in your own neighbourhood and then go on a family hike without them. Your job is to protect them and keep them safe and happy. If they (and you) won’t be happy on the hike, then it may be the kindest decision to leave them at home. You can work on these issues over the next few weeks and bring them on a celebratory hike in November instead. It’s okay not to be ready.

3. WHAT IS YOUR ENERGY? — Dogs will only follow CALM and CONFIDENT humans. If you are rushing to get a hike done and worried that your turkey might burn while you’re gone, your dog will sense that you need protection. Be calm and confident from the moment you wake up until the moment you fall asleep. That’s leadership and that’s what you signed up for when you got a dog instead of a cat. 

Are you the leader or a follower? (Photo: Alyssa Foulkes and her Rottweiler, Magic hiking on a trail. Magic is following behind Alyssa)

4. WATCH CLOSELY — If you are hiking with family and friends, you will likely be distracted (chatting more than directing your dog.) If your pack has lots of people and off leash dogs and collides with other big groups (this happens about every one to two minutes on Thanksgiving weekend in Ontario,) how will you respond? How will other humans in your group respond? How will the other dogs in the group respond? And how will your dog respond? You should know the answer to all of these questions. If you don’t know, you may leave the hike thinking “Out of nowhere there was this HUGE dog fight.” Dog fights NEVER happen out of nowhere. They happen because people missed dog body language that was SILENT and didn’t intervene in time. 

5. STRESS and SOCIAL DISTANCING — Some trails have a lot of choke points/bottlenecks where it’s difficult to maintain 6 feet of social distance. If this is going to stress you out (tromping off the trail into the trees every five seconds) don’t hit the trails. Dogs are INSTINCTUAL. They can’t rationalize “Mom’s annoyed because of COVID, or mom’s annoyed because the tree just scratched her.” They can only assume that what’s in front of you is stressing you out — the people and the other oncoming dogs. “I’ll take care of those things for you, mom.” BARK, BARK, BARK (Go away, my mom doesn’t like you,) OR (You’re still coming toward my mom and she’s tense, and barking isn’t working. I will proceed to the next step of growling, lunging, and biting.) None of their actions are out of nowhere. Their actions are because of YOU. Be calm. Be confident. Have less dog issues. 

Being calm and confident takes daily practice. It’s hard not to swear when someone cuts you off in traffic and it’s challenging not to feel stressed out during a pandemic. No one is saying it’s easy, but believe me — it’s worth living a more balanced and harmonious life. Your dog is showing you the way — live in the moment.

Be joyful. Find peace. Be grateful. You’ll be amazed at the effect it has on you, those around you, and your dog!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a safe and happy weekend with your favourite dogs and people! 

Alyssa

Photos by: Wilfried Santer (@wsanter) (person hiking on a trail with their dog off leash and behind them,)

 Jeffrey F Lin (pulling lab with pulling Weimaraner,) Mel Elías (tall man wades in the water, behind his three leashed dogs in the sunset,) Upsplash photo (a couple crouch beside a river with their dog,) Parry Bast (Alyssa Foulkes and her Rottweiler, Magic hiking on a trail. Magic is following behind Alyssa.)

How to Stop Your Puppy From Counter Surfing

(Photo: Siberian Husky eats a candlelight snack of bread and strawberries…on a table)

You’ve prepared a fantastic meal, or simply set a steak out on the counter to thaw. You turn your back to open a bottle of wine, or ask the kids to set the table, and suddenly the steak is missing. By the time you locate your dog, all that’s left is a stain on the carpet. 

Let’s work on preventing this from EVER happening. 

Every time you pause to take a photo, you are missing a teachable moment (Photo: terrier with his head resting on a table full of food, drinks, dishes.)

The easiest way to raise a puppy who NEVER counter surfs, is to NEVER allow them the freedom to put their paws up there in the first place. How many pictures have you seen on social media of puppies on countertops and kitchen tables? Hundreds? More? While these photos may bring you “likes,” they also bring you YEARS of drama — because you have to LIVE with that puppy who you TAUGHT to go on kitchen tables and counter tops. 

The biggest mistake new puppy owners make is giving too much freedom too fast. Your new puppy should not have the run of your entire house. When they wander around unsupervised they will have accidents and they will put things in their mouths that they shouldn’t. If you aren’t with them, they will learn: “it’s okay to pee wherever I want” and “it’s okay to chew/eat whatever I want.” You need to supervise them at all times. Of course you need to shower and go to work, so this is where crate training comes into play. 

Crate training prevents your puppy from wandering around unsupervised and potentially eating something dangerous (that requires surgery to remove, or kills your puppy.) Dogs are naturally den animals, so instinctually they feel safe in a small space and they know not to go to the bathroom in there too. 

It’s easier to prevent counter surfing than it is to correct it later on (Photo: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel eating a large dinner roll)

Becoming a pet parent is like becoming a teacher. Every moment in your puppy’s life is a teachable moment. It’s far easier to prevent bad behaviours (like counter surfing and peeing indoors) by simply never letting them happen in the first place. 

Counter surfing is an expensive habit to allow. Not only can your puppy eat your expensive meals and snacks, they can also eat the packaging. Vet bills are expensive. If you don’t know how to stop a puppy from counter surfing, you will also require a dog behaviour expert to teach you how to do it. Hopefully this blog post will help save you a LOT of money. 

Prevent your puppy from EVER needing painful surgery to remove packaging or harmful small bones (Photo: terrier mix wearing an Elizabethan collar)

If you prepare your dog’s meals on the counter, never allow them to jump up on you or the counter. Have them wait calmly on their bed, or just outside the kitchen. This will encourage good manners around your countertop from day one. 

Remember that everyone in the family needs to follow the same rules and boundaries that you have set for the dog. Being consistent is being fair (and kind) to your puppy. 

Struggling with counter surfing? This blog post may help: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/food-rewards-counter-surfing-and-your-dogs-weight

If you’re worried about your puppy’s safety and want help now, schedule a behavioural assessment today. Our assessment is called “Your Dog Would Choose This One” because it includes hands-on training that will get you started right away. Schedule your session here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/take-action

Don’t send mixed messages to your dog. It isn’t fair — even on special occasions. (Photo: small dog sitting at a dining room table being served a birthday treat, complete with a candle)

Do you have a counter surfing story to share? This community is supportive and kind in the comments, so feel free to tell us your stories. We would love to hear from you! 

Wishing you a fabulous Friday, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa

Photos by: Paul Trienekens (Siberian Husky eating a candlelight snack of bread and strawberries…on a table,) Daniel Brunsteiner (terrier with his head resting on a table full of food,) free stock photo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel eating a large dinner roll,) Tatiana Rodriguez (terrier mix wearing an Elizabethan collar,) Joshua Chun (small dog sitting at a dining room table being served a birthday treat, complete with a candle.)

What all Puppy Owners Should Know

What all new puppy owners should know (Photo: woman holding two sleeping puppies)

Your puppy isn’t a puppy for very long. The puppy stage lasts from birth to roughly six months of age. From six months until one to two YEARS of age, you have an ADOLESCENT. That’s a teenager. 

While they won’t slam doors or tell you that “you’re the worst mom EVER!” they will test you to see if you’re cut out to be their leader or just their littermate. They BITE their littermates, by the way. 

You have six to eight months to treat your puppy like a human baby/teddy bear OR to teach them how to behave calmly and politely in the human world — as a DOG. Most people, sadly, opt for option number one, because it fulfills a void in their lives. 

Whose needs are being met? (Photo: small dog sitting on a lap — dog and owner are wearing the same sweater)

How about in this photo? (Photo: a puppy posed on a bed wearing a white bathrobe and “holding” a bottle of sparkling water)

If you choose option one, your puppy will likely do at least five things off of this list: 

-bite you and your children

-bark at everything 

-cause you joint pain from pulling on walks

-take forever to house train

-scratch up your floors

-counter surf (steal food off of counters) 

-chase your kids, cats, and other pets

-destroy couches, remote controls, shoes, and purses

By the time they reach adolescence, they will be heavier, stronger, and have larger teeth. They will pull harder, bite harder, and those nails sure hurt when they jump up on everyone you know. 

By taking a photo instead of teaching your puppy not to eat the furniture, you are accepting that behaviour as okay. (Photo: Weimaraner puppy gnawing on the corner of a bed)

If instead, you: 

-select a puppy who is the right energy match for you and your family

-set simple boundaries on day ONE of your relationship (when they are still with the breeder) 

-teach your puppy right from wrong on the FIRST day they are in your home (sure that photo of them on your kitchen counter at 8 weeks of age isn’t confusing to them at all, is it?!)

You will enjoy your puppy SO MUCH MORE (not only when they are a puppy, but through adolescence and adulthood.) 

To be clear, I’m not saying never put your dog on your lap or never show it affection. I’m warning the owners who ONLY give affection and NEVER meet their puppies’ needs (exercise, structure, rules, boundaries.) Remember: if you pause to take a photo of your puppy being naughty, you are missing the opportunity to teach them to NEVER do it again. Don’t be confusing to your puppy. It doesn’t make you a nicer pet parent. It makes you confusing.

If you read ANY social media thread where everyone vents about joint pain from pulling on walks, jumping up, counter surfing, destructive behaviour — you will feel like you’re not alone. Here’s the TRUTH — NONE OF THOSE THINGS EVER NEED TO HAPPEN AND I CAN HELP YOU PREVENT THEM ALL! 

Not being cocky. I’m just finally saying this out loud because I am so TIRED of reading threads where people’s answers to counter surfing is COMPRESSED AIR and LOUD NOISES…and their solution to too much barking is THROWING A CAN OF PENNIES NEAR THE DOG TO STARTLE THEM. 

STOP doing that and call me for advice. 

When your puppy reaches adolescence, it’s super common for this to happen: 

“Jenny, sit.” (You’ve taught her to sit in puppy school and she knows what it means…at least, you think she does.) 

Jenny doesn’t sit.

Person repeats the command. “Jenny, sit.” 

Person gets frustrated and either repeats the command louder, yanks the leash, or pushes the dog’s bum down. Sometimes all three. 

Jenny still doesn’t sit. 

Human gives up. Human gives Jenny a treat anyway and pets her (both of these are REWARDS, by the way.) 

Jenny is now the leader because the person didn’t follow through and rewarded noncompliance. 

How to solve this: 

1. Teach your puppy to sit in a variety of different places. If Jenny only knows how to sit in your kitchen when you have a cookie in your hand and are in front of her, she may not actually KNOW what SIT means (the word.) She knows what to do ONLY in your kitchen, when you stand in THAT position, and hold the cookie. Teach Jenny to sit in public places and don’t always stand in the same position. 

2. Change your mindset. Training isn’t WORK. It’s not sitting at a desk being bored all day. It’s fun. It’s active. And you get to spend positive time with your dog.

3. Bring your calm and confident self to the party every single day. This is harder than it sounds, so if you can’t muster it up for yourself on a daily basis, do it for your dog. You’ve got this! 

4. Sit isn’t the most important thing in dog training. Teaching your dog to be calm in public places is way more important. Sit can be taught at any time. It doesn’t have to be the first thing you teach your puppy just because everyone else is doing it. 

5. Learn to be more patient. Saying “sit!” (or, ahem, yelling it) seven times will never work because dogs will not follow humans (or other dogs) who are tense, frustrated, or angry. Go to the gym, practice yoga, or take a long walk BEFORE you interact with your dog. It all begins with YOU. 

It’s not going to get better with time (Photo: man with his hands on his Chow’s throat. The Chow is showing off his blue tongue. The man is wearing a watch.)

It’s not going to get better with time. Your dog doesn’t turn two and magically become a perfect adult dog and “settle down.” 

Every dog is different. Dogs who seem to magically settle down at age two are likely the SAME or LOWER energy level than their owners. The owners likely dedicate a lot of time to training and exercise. They likely worked on their relationship (trust, respect, love) as opposed to simply ALWAYS petting their dog and rewarding hyper behaviour. 

There’s ALSO a temperament test that reputable breeders do to MATCH the right dog to the right family. Dogs fall in a range from 1 (very “drivey” - make great working dogs and show dogs) to #6 (aloof and don’t really require humans all that much.) Some people LUCK out (even without the test) and get a #4. Number 4’s make first-time dog owners look like ROCKSTARS because they are easier to train and eager to please. 

Is there a difference breed to breed? Yes…but this isn’t a novel. It’s a blog post, so I’d better go before you glaze over. 

If you’ve made mistakes (we all have) and want to get some help to stop the jumping up, yanking on the leash, and counter surfing, schedule a FREE call with me. I would LOVE To help you turn your “devil dog” (yes, I just read that on someone’s newsfeed!) into your DREAM DOG! 

Let us help your dog become your DREAM DOG (Photo: woman and dog sitting on a busy beach in the sunshine)

Better yet, I’d love to help you and your family SELECT the right puppy/dog for your family and then help you PREVENT any of the bad stuff from EVER HAPPENING. 

Have an incredible weekend, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa

Photos by: Anna Dudkova (woman holding two sleeping puppies,) FLOUFFY @theflouffy (small dog sitting on a lap — dog and owner are wearing the same sweater.) Roberto Nickson @rpnickson (a puppy posed on a bed wearing a white bathrobe and “holding” a bottle of sparkling water,) Nathalie SPEHNER @nathalie_spehner (Weimaraner puppy gnawing on the corner of a bed,) Omid Armin @omidarmin (man with his hands on his Chow’s throat. The Chow is showing off his blue tongue,) Alvin Balemesa @alnbal (woman and dog sitting on a busy beach in the sunshine,)

How YOUR Fear Affects YOUR Puppy

Did you KNOW that YOUR fear AFFECTS YOUR puppy? (Photo: pug wrapped in a blanket looking like very sad version of E.T.)

Are you nervous every time your new puppy says hello to a new dog friend? Do you hold your breath, worried that the other dog may hurt your puppy? Do you pull your new puppy away from other dogs? Pick them up? 

Here’s how all of those things are BAD for your puppy. 

FEAR. We live with too much fear. The media spreads it on your morning toast like peanut butter. We’re eating poison for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you aren’t fearful from watching the news, you’re afraid because of misinformation you consumed from online dog groups. You’re terrified of parvovirus, dog fights, and of your puppy getting stepped on by other dogs and people. 

If you bring a new puppy into your life and YOU are nervous, tense, and fearful about every interaction she has, she will become your pack leader. Most puppies are not born leaders, so they find this new job VERY stressful. They have to take care of YOU and protect YOU, and while you may feel all warm inside thinking about that — how about you imagine my client who recently allowed all of this behaviour and her puppy ended up biting EVERYONE who came near her. Kiss your family, friends, and dating life goodbye until you FIX what YOU okayed as cute. It’s costly, time consuming, and frustrating. Don’t go there. 

If your dog becomes your body guard, friends and family will have trouble getting close to you (Photo: woman on a couch holding a puppy over her face and kissing it)

The very first thing you need to do before walking your puppy anywhere is BREATHE. You need to be a calm person for your puppy. You need to be a confident person for your puppy. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for your puppy. They NEED you. You’ve got this! Calmness travels right down your leash — make sure your leash is nice and loose (no tension, no pulling.) 

Before introducing your puppy to other puppies, they should have had their first set of vaccinations. It’s okay to ASK approaching puppy and dog owners “Is your dog vaccinated?” BEFORE their dog is nose-to-nose with your puppy. Your puppy doesn’t have enough immunity yet — advocate for your puppy! 

Do NOT take your new puppy to a dog park. There will certainly be dogs who are not up to date in their vaccinations present. Dogs shed all sorts of things in their poop as well, so a sick dog doesn’t need to be present to make your puppy sick. Before this becomes a dog park blog post, I’ll say one more thing — most of the time, dog parks are full of dogs who are WAY too excited/aroused and excitement leads to dog fights.

Are dog parks safe for new puppies? That’s a no. (Photo: Pekingese dog stares through a fence)

Do NOT pick your puppy up EVERY time they meet a new dog. This is VERY DANGEROUS! Your puppy will learn that dogs make YOU nervous, and will defend you by growling down at other dogs. Some dogs won’t care. Some will. Those dogs can go after your puppy and your fingers will be right in the way. 

Dogs are not human babies. Cuddling is lovely, but be very careful doing this around dogs you don’t know. (Photo: woman cuddling a beagle while holding him like a baby)

Do NOT pull your puppy away from every dog you meet. Putting tension on the leash sends the wrong signal to your puppy. They pull against what holds them back. It frustrates them and tells them “It’s go time!” They will keep pulling toward the dog you are trying to pull them away from. 

Instead, encourage your puppy to follow you away from dogs you don’t want to meet. Ask them to heel (if they know how,) or make a kissy noise to encourage them to look at you. Walk away with NO leash tension. You don’t have to meet and greet every dog you pass by. 

This is leash tension. Please stop doing this. (Photo: a dog on a leash with tension on the leash)

If you gasp every time your puppy meets/plays with a new dog (even YOUR own other dogs at home,) you are sending out a strong message to all of them that you are nervous and they have to sort it out ON THEIR OWN. Your own dog doesn’t want that pressure, and your new puppy certainly isn’t equipped to handle that either. Take a deep breath, relax your shoulders, stand straighter and BELIEVE that nothing bad with happen. You need to provide direction and protection for your new puppy. You WANT them to look at you before making terrible puppy decisions. 

Do NOT replay stories in your head about dog fights you have seen in the past. That happened BEFORE. You are here today in the PRESENT. 

Do NOT think “If my puppy gets stomped on or bitten, I’ll have to go to the vet and it’s after hours, so it’ll be closed and what will I do?” This is in the FUTURE. It hasn’t happened, so don’t worry about it. 

Living in the moment is the BEST gift your puppy could EVER give to you. Let them be your teacher, but NOT your leader. 

It’s okay to need help. If you’re nervous about introducing your puppy to other dogs, seek help from an expert. Read reviews before just selecting a random puppy kindergarten class. I’ve heard many horror stories from clients who went down this road before finding me. Some “trainers” will actually say “Let the puppies work it out on their own.” If you think the play is too rough, it probably is. Follow your gut instinct and leave (better yet read EVERY Google review BEFORE you sign up, and go attend a class before you even have your puppy…oh, and if a company won’t let you come for a drop in visit BEFORE you have your puppy, they don’t deserve your business. Shady with a capital S. 

Our in-home sessions provide help in the areas YOU need it. If you’ve aced crate training, but are struggling with leash walks, that is where we will focus our attention. If you’re nervous because your puppy whines and pulls toward other dogs, we’ll help you through it. 

While we’re exploring your neighbourhood together, we’ll teach you how to read approaching dogs, so you can understand dog body language and know which dogs will be well-behaved while greeting your new puppy, and which ones are too excited. Come learn with us! 

Are these three ready to meet your puppy? Come learn with us! (Photo: three dogs on leash)

Before you schedule a FREE call with us, read all of our reviews too. Check out our TESTIMONIALS page here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/testimonials

Find the BEST fit for YOU and YOUR PUPPY. We hope it’s us, because you read the entire blog post and that means you have patience (even if you never realized you had it!) We can’t WAIT to meet you and your puppy and help your relationship become harmonious! 

Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa

Photos by: Matthew Henry (pug wrapped in a blanket looking like very sad version of E.T.,) Roberto Nickson (woman on a couch holding a puppy over her face and kissing it,) Marcelo Harassen (Pekingese dog stares through a fence,) Artem Beliaikin (woman cuddling a dog while holding him like a baby,) Mirko Sajkov (a dog on a leash with tension on the leash,) and Spencer Davis (three dogs on leash.)

ONLINE DOG TRAINING

How does online dog training work? (Photo: dog looking at a computer screen)

You may be curious about how online dog training works. How can a trainer possibly fix your dog’s resource guarding issues from thousands of miles away?

And how are they going to get the sock out of Sandy’s mouth when they’re not physically here?!

Beyond Dog Training introduced online training long before the pandemic began. We’ve worked with clients in the USA, UK, and Canada, helping dogs and their people overcome difficult issues, like biting strangers, resource guarding, and house-breaking. 

How do we do it? 

How can I stand in my kitchen in Ontario, Canada and help a dog in California, USA stop nipping friends and family? How can I stop your dog in Scotland from playing keep-away and learn to drop it? 

Do I have a magic wand? 

Is it magic? (Photo: magic wand on a book)

No. 

It comes down to one word: 

Education. 

If you’re still reading, you’re like many of my clients who are unafraid of learning and even (gasp!) taking notes. These clients are curious about dog behaviour. They want to understand WHY their dog is biting everyone who tries to pet her, and they want the tools to FIX it. 

These clients have joined online dog groups and have been frustrated by all of the conflicting opinions (from dog owners, not dog behaviour experts.) 

These clients have searched through dozens of Youtube videos, only to find that all the trainers use different methods and none of them help THEIR dog’s individual needs. 

Does it feel like you spend more time on Youtube searches to HELP your dog, than you actually spend WITH your dog? (Photo: woman with a cup of tea searches the internet)

If you’re looking for the tools to help you help your dog and need someone to teach them to you one-on-one, online sessions are for you. 

If you want someone to watch you interact with your dog in real time and then give you the tips you need on the spot, online sessions are for you. 

If you are a visual learner, online sessions are for you. 

Want to teach your dog “drop it,” “leave it,” or how to walk nicely on the leash? I’ll show you with my dog and then watch you practice with your own dog. 

In many ways online training is actually BETTER than in person because you have the added benefit of seeing the possibilities. You can SEE how a dog should behave before leaving her crate (calm,) when asked to leave a high-value butcher bone (responds immediately by walking away,) and around a playful cat (calm.)

You can see how to safely remove a food dish from a dog. You can learn how to stop your dog from stealing food off the countertop. You can find out how to get your dog to stop barking when someone rings the doorbell. 

Not only can you SEE what a calm, relaxed, and well-behaved dog looks like, you can practice right away with your own dog! 

So, you can practice asking your dog to get off of the couch and get immediate feedback from a behaviourist. It’s like watching a Youtube video that’s made just for YOU! 

It’s like watching a Youtube video that’s made just for YOU! (Photo: cat looking up at a dog)

Online dog training also allows clients to really focus on the task at hand. My online clients show up with their dog, a notepad, and a desire to learn. 

Do you HAVE to be a note-taker to benefit from online training? 

No. 

I’ve had online clients who have worked hands-on with their dog the entire time. Everyone’s learning style is different — and that is where Beyond Dog Training really shines. 

My background is education. Most, but not all of this, has been teaching veterinary students, undergraduates, and PhD candidates at the University of Guelph about everything from puppy socialization to how to give physical exams to dogs (and other species as well.) 

I’ve also taught in kindergarten classrooms, rock climbing gyms, and continuing education classrooms — ages four to eighty-four. 

I thrive on helping people reach THEIR goals. I don’t offer one-size-fits-all-dog training — the sessions are all unique because they are driven by YOU and your goals. 

If you’re struggling with a particular style of training, have had a trainer bad-mouth you and your dog when their ONLY method of training fails you and your dog, or you’re just tired of being confused, I’m likely the person who can help you succeed. 

Make sure we’re the right fit with a FREE phone call. Call LOTS of trainers and behaviourists and get a feel for them (their personality AND their training style.) You want to make the best choice for you and your dog. Training is expensive. Many of my new clients have spent hundreds (sometimes more) on dog training classes and in-home sessions that didn’t get them results. Take your time and check trainers out before committing to working with them. 

Schedule your free call today. 

Schedule your FREE phone call with Beyond Dog Training today! (Photo: happy woman grins at her cellphone)

What are YOUR goals? Post them in the comments below. I would love to hear what you would like to see more of. 

Have a fabulous Friday, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa

Photos by: Kyle Hanson (dog looking at a computer screen,) Kenny Gaines (magic wand on a book,) Dai KE (woman with a cup of tea searches the internet,) Anusha Barwa (cat looking up at a dog,) Owen Beard (happy woman grins at her cellphone.)

HOW TO STOP BACKYARD BARKING

Frustrated by your dog’s backyard barkathon? Read on. (Photo: pitbull mix barking at a chainlink fence)

You’re in your backyard. You have a glass of wine and a new novel. Or perhaps it’s a workday and you would love nothing more than to create an outdoor office space. 

Your dog has different ideas. 

Your backyard backs onto a walking path. Dogs and people parade past at all hours. Your dog sprints to the fence every time someone passes by. 

People give you that “why’s your dog a psycho?” look. 

Look familiar? This makes Zoom meetings tough! (Photo: Boxer on guard looking out a window — standing ON the couch)

And then there’s the people passing the FRONT of the house. Your dog barks at them too, even though he can’t SEE them. He charges to your side gate and shows his nasty side. 

An hour later, you’re still on page one of your book, or looking at the email you were typing for work. Half of a sentence and a blinking cursor. 

“Why is HE so crazy?” you think. 

First of all, let’s stop labelling the dog. He’s not crazy. Let’s figure out WHY he’s barking so much. 

Some people believe that you can simply IGNORE a dog’s bad behaviour and that it will go away. This is FALSE. If you simply allow your dog to charge fences and bark and NEVER interrupt that behaviour, it will continue to happen. 

I recently had the opportunity to learn from renowned trainer Joel Silverman. During a live interview, he said it best: “The completion of a behaviour IS the reward.” 

What does that mean? It means that fence running and barking feels awesome to your dog and EVERY time they do it is a reward to them. Just finishing the task of fence-barking is reward enough to them. 

Why yelling at your dog never works: When you yell “Hugo! Quiet. Please stop barking. HEY! AH AH! Get over here,” you are joining in the barkfest. Dog behaviour issues are rarely solved with SOUND. Think of a mother dog. She gives many SILENT signals and warnings to her puppies when she’s teaching manners. She rarely has to growl at them. 

How many of your human relationships are improved by yelling? It doesn’t work with dogs either. 

Shouting at dogs never works. (Photo: man yelling into cellphone)

If you’re struggling with fence barking, don’t yell. You’ll have to turn down your frustration dial to ZERO too, or you’ll never fix the problem. Dogs will not listen to people who are frustrated, angry, tense, nervous, or fearful. Also, if your dog doesn’t listen to you INSIDE the home, they definitely won’t listen to you OUTSIDE the home. Outside has WAY more distractions than inside. So, if you’re going to solve the fence barking issue, you’ll need to start asking  your dog to listen to you inside your home first. 

Drain your dog’s excess energy before you begin training. Do you want an exhausted dog? No. You want a fulfilled dog. If your dog is very high energy, take them for a bike ride, rollerblade, run, or fetch session. If your dog is medium energy, they may only require a thirty minute walk instead of a run. Be sure that the walks you are taking are structured, because if they’re not, then that is just one more activity you’re doing that is cementing in a dog who doesn’t listen to anything you say. They shouldn’t be zigzagging in front of you, or yanking you toward everything they want to smell. 

Exercise your dog before your training session. Don’t exhaust them, find the sweet spot. (Photo: German Shepherd running through autumn leaves)

If you never walk your dog it will be VERY challenging for you to stop fence barking. They require daily exercise. Pent up energy from never being walked comes out in ways people don’t like (barking, sock stealing, chewing, etc.) 

Dogs also require mental stimulation. This can be achieved in loads of fun and creative ways. I like nosework because it’s fun and dogs love it too! You can hide their food around your home and encourage them to sniff it out. I like to hide Magic’s food inside toys, underneath towels, and in cardboard boxes. 

Notice how we aren’t standing at the fence and yelling right now? This is more fun, isn’t it? 

Dogs are a JOY. When we provide them with exercise, leadership, and love, they give us their trust, respect, and love in return. 

If you aren’t providing them with what THEY need, they won’t provide you with backyard silence. 

If your dog barks inside when people pass the front of the house, this is a great opportunity for YOU to practice calmness. It is a GREAT teaching moment for your dog. It’s all mindset. 

Walk to YOUR front door with confidence. Ask your dog to back up using only your body language (stand tall and point, snap your fingers once if you need to.) They won’t know what you’re doing the first time, so you may have to provide another command, like “Bed,” or “Place,” to send them to a place they are comfortable. Remember to reward that behaviour verbally. “Good bed,” or “Good place.” 

Don’t forget to praise GOOD behaviour. How else will your dog know what behaviour you DO like? (Photo: dog laying on his bed calmly.)

Tips and Tricks: Chewing a delicious bone is a great activity that your dog will enjoy. Most dogs will happily leave the door barking activity to return to their yummy bone. You may need to repeat this door claiming activity many, many times (especially if your dog has been practicing this for many, many years.) Stick to it and remember that you need to LEAD your dog ALL DAY EVERY DAY in order for them to view you as a leader. You can’t simply own the front door of your house and solve all the problems. You need to claim your backyard fence, your space, your kitchen counters, your kid’s socks, your dog toys, your furniture, and your cats. Your dog doesn’t own these things and doesn’t need to protect them 24-7 — YOU DO. 

When your dog is listening to you inside your home (when you say “off,” they get off the couch; when you say “leave it,” they don’t touch the food that has fallen onto the floor) try claiming your backyard fence, the same way you claimed the front door. This lets your dog know that you are responsible for the yard and his job is to relax, play, or nap. 

Lead on, Dog Leaders! And have a wonderful weekend! 

Alyssa

Osvaldo Florez (pitbull mix barking at a chainlink fence,) Nathalie SPEHNER (Boxer on guard looking out a window,) christian buehner (man yelling into cellphone,) tiim (German Shepherd running through autumn leaves,) and Matthew Hamilton (dog laying on his bed calmly.)

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.)