How to Accidentally Teach Your Puppy to Pull on Leash

Read on if you are tired of being yanked around (or want to prevent this with your new puppy or rescue dog) (Photo: terrier pulling on the leash and walking in front of his owner wearing a flat collar)

Dogs aren’t born knowing how to walk on a leash. It’s our job to teach them. Whether you’re training an eight-week-old puppy or a new-to-you rescue dog how to walk on a leash, these tips will help you to communicate what you want — which is: no pulling. 

As soon as you put a leash on a dog, you’re connected. Most people, especially when training a brand new puppy, immediately begin walking around behind the puppy as he pulls to sniff this, pee on that, or nibble that other thing. He has now learned that leashes mean “I pull this way, and the human follows me.” 

Oops! 

That pup is going to grow up and become heavier. In some cases, over a hundred pounds. 

“Well you better run for cover when the pup grows up.” Any other Les Mis fans out there? (Photo: black and tan large-breed dog lunging on leash wearing a flat collar)

Here’s how to leash train a puppy or a new-to-you rescue dog: Remember that as soon as the leash is on you are having a silent conversation with your pup. Don’t follow them when they pull. They will learn that pulling against the leash doesn’t get them toward that new smell or that fancy stick they want to chew. 

If you stop moving, puppies will often plop down on the ground nearby for a rest. This comes in really handy in real life when you are out for a walk and run into a neighbour or an old friend and want to pause for a chat. 

If your puppy fights the leash and tries to pull away from you, try crouching down. This is often an invitation to come over for some snuggles. You may even call them: “Snowball, come.” Practicing recall while on walks is always a great idea. Remember to reward this behaviour of coming to you with “Good come.” 

Teach your puppy that the leash represents calmness. Show him that when he’s wearing a leash, it means to follow you. Show him that when you stop to chat to your neighbour, his job is to be calm. 

Puppies are always learning. The question is: what are you teaching in that moment? (Photo: Dachshund relaxing on the grass while wearing a harness and a leash)

These leash skills will serve you well in day-to-day life. Not only will you be able to chat with your neighbours, you’ll also be able to stroll into the veterinarian’s office calmly as well! 

If you teach your puppy not to pull on leash you won’t have to worry about: 

-being pulled into traffic

-getting yanked toward other dogs, people, and hydro poles while out on walks

-slipping on the ice in wintertime 

Happy training, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa 

Photos by: @freestocks (terrier pulling on the leash and walking in front of his owner,) Sumeet Singh

@rolcye (black and tan large-breed dog lunging on leash wearing a flat collar,) Myriam Jessier

@mjessier (Dachshund relaxing on the grass while wearing a harness and a leash,)

Why Your New Rescue Dog Doesn’t Like Her Crate

Read on for tips to help your new rescue dog like her crate (Photo: A Border Collie in a wire dog crate)

Are you a WHY person? Are you curious why your new rescue dog doesn’t like her crate? 

There is a good chance that: 

-she was picked up as a stray and immediately put into a crate inside a vehicle and then taken to a vet clinic and was in a crate again

There’s also a good chance that: 

-she lived in a foster home with owners who did not understand how to teach a street dog how to love a crate

This doesn’t mean that: 

-she will hate her crate forever or that the foster family didn’t do their best

It means: 

-it’s now your responsibility to learn how to teach your new rescue dog to love her crate

If you’ve never done this before, I recommend hiring a professional trainer who understands dog psychology. They will help you read your dog’s body language and help you train the dog who is in front of you — there is no cookie cutter formula that will work on all dogs. 

At 16 weeks of age, Braxton was already on medication to help with his severe separation anxiety. Medication didn’t work. Training his owner worked :) (Photo: A Brindle Bulldog puppy named Braxton enjoys his first nap in his crate after training with Beyond Dog Training)

These tips have helped a lot of my clients who were first-time dog owners train their dogs to love their crate. I hope some of them help you and your dog. 

1. Don’t leave them alone in their crate on day one: When you bring your new rescue dog home, be 100% prepared to stay home for the next few days (bare minimum.) You are trying to establish a bond with this new dog. If you abandon a dog who is not crate-trained in their crate on day one, you are accidentally setting them up to fail. Some dogs: dig until their nails and paws bleed; hurt themselves as they break out of the crate; damage their teeth from trying to bite their way to freedom; pant and drool the entire time you are away; yelp/howl/bark/whine; empty their bowels out of sheer panic. Get your groceries and dog necessities ahead of adoption day and then batten down the hatches.

2.   Learn to lead in all areas of your dog’s life: You can’t pick and choose when you feel like leading when you own a pack animal. If you don’t show leadership every day, your dog will be confused. If they don’t believe you’re their leader, then they are your leader (in their mind.) That means, they think you can’t handle the big bad world without them, and they must escape the crate to go help you. 

Dogs require consistent leadership (Photo: a woman walking a small dog on leash. The dog is heeling beside her and looking up at her for direction)

3.   Crate training takes a long time: Many of my first-time dog owners don’t realize how many days/weeks it takes to crate train a dog. It’s not something that anyone teaches a new rescue dog (or a brand new puppy) in one day. If your rescue dog has had bad experiences with crate training in the past, then the training may take weeks/months (especially if you’ve never owned a dog before.)
4.   “The dogs on Youtube do it, but my dog won’t”: I frequently hear this from first-time pet parents who are frustrated when their pup doesn’t respond like the pup in the video. Some puppies aren’t food motivated and won’t be enticed into the crate for kibble or their favourite treats. Hire a professional to help you through these tricky times. 

Prevent your new rescue dog from becoming injured by properly introducing them to their crate (Photo: dog with a bandaged foot wearing an Elizabethan collar in a living room surrounded by kid’s toys)

5.   Never force your puppy or dog into the crate: Many clients admit they have pushed or pulled (using a leash) their puppy or new rescue dog into the crate. This happens especially at bedtime when people are stressed, tired, and need to get up for work the next day. Work on crate training when you have the time during the day. Keep sessions short, fun, and positive and you’ll reach your goals in no time. 

We have lots of crate training videos to help you. There’s videos with puppies, fearful rescue dogs, and rescue dogs who have been adopted with severe cases of separation anxiety (think: bleeding paws as they try to escape the crate.) Check out the videos on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. 

Find us on Facebook @GoBeyondDogTraining.

Find us on Instagram @GoBeyondDogTraining.

Find us on TikTok @BeyondDogTraining.

Struggling with crate training? Schedule a free call — https://beyonddogtraining.ca/take-action

Take Action if:

-you feel trapped in your home because your new rescue dog is miserable in her crate

-you’re worried about her barking and howling getting you evicted

-you want to prevent her from injuring herself while trying to escape her crate

Happy Training, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa 

Photos: Upsplash (A Border Collie in a wire dog crate,) Alyssa Foulkes (A Brindle Bulldog puppy named Braxton enjoys his first nap in his crate after training with Beyond Dog Training,) Upsplash (a woman walking a small dog on leash. The dog is heeling beside her and looking up at her for direction,) Andy Losik

@like_flamingo (dog with a bandaged foot wearing an Elizabethan collar in a living room surrounded by kid’s toys,)

Picking Up Your New Rescue Dog

Read your new dog’s body language before showering her with affection she may not want (Photo: a woman puckers up while holding a pug’s face in her hands)

One of the biggest mistakes people make when they pick up their new rescue dog is to rush. 

They rush up to the new dog talking in loud excited voices. When the dog backs away from all the baby talk and fast-moving limbs, humans sometimes use even MORE baby talk and move toward them yet again — even though the dog just said in “dog language” please give me space. 

When you first pick up your new rescue dog, practice “no touch, no talk, no eye contact” until the dog is calm and shows you that he wants to be petted. 

Dogs don’t greet in the same way humans do, so it’s really important to remember that on pick-up day and do what is natural for them. It’s not about you. 

Your new rescue dog may have just travelled for days in a car. For some dogs this has been their first exposure to a crate and a car. Talk about stressful. 

Other rescue dogs may have been on a very long flight. 

Before you pick up your new rescue pup, look up “Whale eye.” (Photo: a brown and white puppy exhibiting whale eye.)

They need to decompress. They don’t need you to feel sorry, they just need you to be an anchor in their storm of a day. 

My new clients are always remarking: 

“Wow! My dog is never this calm when someone comes to our home. It’s amazing!!!” and “Oh my goodness. He didn’t pee. He pees on everyone!” 

The reason the dog is calm is because I do not shower them with affection. This is not what an excited/fearful/tense/scared dog needs. They need to greet in the way that is natural for them: nose, then eyes, then ears. 

So I practice: no touch, no talk, no eye contact until the dog is calm. 

If you use this strategy when you pick up your new rescue dog, you will gain their trust much more quickly. They trust people who speak their language. They don’t trust people who rush at them, use baby talk, or pet them before they are ready. 

Once you have gained their trust, now you can begin to teach them. Lead them. Have them follow you to some grass so they can sniff, eliminate, be a dog. 

Invite them to follow you on leash to the car. Invite them to sniff the car. Allow them to be the one to jump in. Don’t shut the doors right away, just hang out and share calm vibes for awhile. 

Your new rescue dog needs you to slow down. (Photo: Duck Toller sitting in a hatchback with the door open. She is wearing a leash and has a nice soft expression.)

A lot of people talk baby talk the whole drive home. This only makes the dog more nervous. They sense your energy which is soft and feeling sorry. They have no idea what you’re saying, they just sense that cars make you act weird and throw treats at them. They learn from this car ride that car rides are something to be nervous about, because you acted nervous and rewarded them for acting nervous (by petting them and tossing them all those treats.) 

No touch, no talk, no eye contact is: 

-what your dog needs

-helps humans to speak dog

-natural to dogs

Give it a try and let us know how it goes in the comments below. 

Wishing you a wonderful pick-up day with your new rescue dog!

Alyssa 

Photos by: Upsplash (a woman puckers up while holding a pug’s face in her hands,) Upsplash (a brown and white puppy exhibiting whale eye,) James Frewin

@jamesfrewin (Duck Toller sitting in a hatchback with the door open. She is wearing a leash.)

New Rescue Dog? Read This First

Other people may be in a rush, but if you’re meeting your new rescue dog at the airport: do not rush (Photo: people bustling through a busy airport)

If you’re about to bring home a rescue dog, you’re just in time for tips that will start your relationship off on the right paw. 

PICKING THEM UP FROM THE AIRPORT: 

I’ve had many clients pick up their rescue dog from the airport late at night in the pouring rain. If possible, pick up your rescue dog in the morning, so that you don’t have to rush any of the important steps. It is far easier to earn a dog’s trust when you’re not: 

-rushing them out of their crate before they are ready

-throwing a leash on a dog who has never worn a leash and then pulling them around 

-dashing to the car in the rain

-worried about how you’ll introduce them to your neighbourhood in the middle of the night (in the rain, with the skunks out, etc) 

-hurrying them into the car so they won’t get soaked

Many clients who have rushed their new rescue dog’s introduction to the car, call me for help to achieve this calmness (Photo: Yellow Lab relaxing with her head out the window of a car)

Take your time. Slow down. Work at the dog’s pace. Some dogs you have owned in the past may have been happy-go-lucky, middle of the pack, easy going dogs. This dog is not that dog. 

Always work with the dog who is in front of you. This is not your childhood dog. Spend some time getting to know her. Be respectful of her space. Read her body language. 

Rescue dogs are often: 

-shy, nervous, tense, fearful 

-back of the pack (sensitive) 

-under-socialized or just plain feral 

-lacking in confidence

If you rush these dogs into moving on your schedule, you will set yourself up for way more work (AKA hours and hours of training called counter-conditioning) in the future. 

PREPARE AHEAD: 

Prepare yourself ahead of time. 

Be sure your home is ready with everything you need. You don’t want to force your new rescue dog to go into a pet store with you (a stranger) to shop for the things you need. You may learn what many of my clients have learned while shopping in this store: not many write-ups from rescue organizations are accurate. 

You may set your dog up for failure when another dog approaches her and she feels trapped because she’s on a leash and in a narrow aisle. She may lunge at the other dog, snap, growl, or even bite. 

And what about that toddler in the toy aisle who innocently strokes your dog — wham! That’s a snap or a full-on bite. What a terrible way to find out that your new dog is terrified of children. 

Let’s prevent this from happening by shopping ahead of time.

You are just getting to know your brand new dog, she’s had enough stress for one day. Please don’t take her shopping. (Photo: Wide-eyed Italian greyhound laying with a pink and white rope toy)

KEEP CALM

It’s difficult to remain calm while in heavy traffic in a city you aren’t familiar with. Be mindful that your energy has a ripple effect. Your dog is learning about you from the moment you meet. Stay calm and show your new dog that you’ve got everything under control. 

Wishing you wonderful first moments with your new rescue dog! 

Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders!
Alyssa 

Photos by: Tomek Baginskin @tombag (people bustling through a busy airport,) Emerson Peters

@spemble (Yellow Lab relaxing with her head out the window of a car,) Juan Gomez

@nosoylasonia (Italian greyhound laying with a pink and white rope toy)

Are You Accidentally Rewarding Bad Behaviour?

You get what you pet (Photo: man’s hand petting a puppy - the puppy is biting his palm)

Have you heard the saying: You get what you pet? 

It’s true. 

One of the things my clients struggle with the most is not petting their dog when he’s exhibiting the very behaviours they called me to help resolve. 

“He’s really anxious,” says one client, petting his dog who is whining with anxiety, scanning the street for dogs, and pulling on the leash. 

“Did you know,” I ask, “that by petting him while he’s whining with anxiety, scouting for dogs, and pulling on the leash that you’re telling him to continue to do these behaviours?” 

The truth is, most people don’t know this. I’ve watched people outside reading the newspaper absentmindedly petting their dogs as their dogs load (think fixate and build up tense energy) on other dogs who are approaching. The dogs go ballistic when the other dogs get too close —almost knocking the person out of their chair and sending their coffee spilling across their newspaper. 

After the dogs pass by, they lean down and pet their dogs who are still extremely tense and glaring at the other dogs. 

Not only did these people accidentally reward the dog for loading on the other dogs, they thanked them for it afterward. 

If your dog looks like this after a dog walks by, do not accidentally reward him with petting and baby talk (Photo: German Shepherd biting snow that is flying toward his face)

People pet their dogs for all sorts of behaviours that they don’t want to see more of: 

-jumping up on people

-being pushy and invading our space

-for being excited (which can lead to mouthing/biting) 

-because they think they are calming the dog down 

-when the dog is panting, pacing, whining in the car

-when the dog is staring intensely at your other dog, cat, or person

-when he’s pulling on the leash to get to something he wants (dog, squirrel, person) 

-acting tense and staring at the person who just entered the house 

-while their resource-guarding dog is eating a meal (and being stiff and tense) 

-barking out the windows 

Catch yourself the next time your hand reaches absentmindedly toward your dog and ask yourself: 

what behaviour is he doing right now and do I want to see more of it? 

If it’s not a behaviour you want to see more of, send your dog to place. Then you can wander away and go pet your cat instead. 

Let me know how it goes in the comments. I would love to hear from you! 

Alyssa 

Photos by: Daniel Lincoln @danny_lincoln (man’s hand petting a puppy - the puppy is biting his palm,) Dustin Bowdige @dustinbowdige (German Shepherd biting snow that is flying toward his face,)

Help! My Dog Jumps on People!

Does your puppy or dog jump up on you? Does he jump up on your house guests? 

Does he jump on strangers he meets while out on walks? 

Would you like some help changing that behaviour? 

Before you change this behaviour (slap on a bandaid that will eventually fall off,) stick around (pun intended) and learn one of the reasons why he jumps up in the first place. 

If you take the time to view the world through your dog’s eyes, you’ll improve your relationship and be able to prevent the jumping up too. 

If you watch a pack of dogs interacting, you will notice that excited (I’ve-been-in-a-crate-all-day-and-now-I’m-here-at-the-dogpark-Whhhheeeeee!) energy is not tolerated. Dogs who enter the dog park with no rules, boundaries, and limits are quickly checked by the other dogs. They get chased away from the pack. If they don’t settle down, they get jumped on, growled at, bitten (at an appropriate level to send the message,) nipped, chased away again, ignored, and as a last-resort: pinned. The humans misinterpret this, blaming the dogs who chase away, growl, snap at, or pin this excited newcomer. It is not their fault. The dog’s owner who just allowed their over-excited dog to jump on/mouth/bite/nip/mount the other dogs is the issue in this situation. It’s not the dog’s fault. 

Dogs correct each other to bring each other back to a balanced state (Photo: a snarling, tan-coloured dog and a black dog wrestle on grass)

In the dog world a follower is not allowed to jump on the leader of the pack. It is considered disrespectful. If you allow your dog to jump up on you, you are sending a message in his language “dog” that he is the leader (and a P.S. that you have no boundaries and he can feel free to keep testing you.)  

Now that we understand that dogs do not tolerate rude, excited, jumping-up behaviour, we can begin to understand why our own dogs struggle when excited humans using baby talk are rushing toward them (and you) to greet. Humans greet each other using a lot of things dogs don’t use when they greet each other. We make high-pitched gleeful sounds, we run toward each other, we hug, we shake hands, and make direct eye contact. Dogs do none of this.

Humans greet with way more excitement than what is natural to dogs (Photo: a man sweeps a woman into a hug - she is lifted off the ground and smiling)

You have likely noticed that there are one or two people in your life who get your dog way too excited when they arrive at your home and all your training goes out the window. Your dog jumps on this person. Maybe mouths them. Pees on the floor. But when your calm friends come over or your indifferent-to-dogs parents pop by, your dog is calm and doesn’t jump. 

Wait for it….

There’s the lightbulb moment. 

Dogs simply require calmer greetings. They correct excited energy with their mouths and with jumping on the other dog (if required) to calm them down. 

You have the power to help your dog succeed with greeting guests in your home, strangers on the street, and people who arrive to your friend’s cottage. You must educate the people around you on how to properly greet a dog. Speak up. 

Tip to educate your friends and family: 

Put a sign outside your door that reads: 

Pickles is in training. To help her succeed, please practice: no touch, no talk, no eye contact until she is calm. 

Use a leash when guests come over to prevent your dog’s feet from reaching your guest. 

Why? 

Because if the person pets your dog or greets them with baby talk when your dog’s paws are on them, they’ve just rewarded him for jumping up. 

It’s very confusing to your dog if they get rewarded for jumping up sometimes and punished at other times. 

Be consistent and you’ll reach your goals. 

Happy training, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa 

Photos by: Ronan Furuta @ronan18 (Shepherd mix jumping up with his tongue sticking out,) Guillaume de Germain @guillaumedegermain (a snarling, tan-coloured dog and a black dog wrestle on grass,) HiveBoxx

@hiveboxx (a man sweeps a woman into a hug - she is lifted off the ground and smiling,)

"Leave it" vs. "Drop it"

When your dog knows “drop it” or “aus,” fetch becomes a lot more fun for both of you (Photo: Golden Retriever holding a spiky blue ball in his mouth)

Do you know the difference between “leave it” and “drop it?” If you’re not sure, then you’ve come to the right place. After all, if you’re confused about which is which, then your dog may be confused too. 

These two commands, along with recall (teaching your dog to come to you no matter what) are three of the most important things you should teach your dog. 

Leave It communicates to your dog “don’t touch that with your mouth.” It could be toxic for your dog (joints, edibles, grapes, chocolate) or simply something you would like to enjoy later on yourself (like the steak on your countertop or the butter tarts on your kitchen table.) This same command applies to dead things on the ground, bunny poops, goose poops, and, you get the idea. 

“Leave it” allows you to pick up the ball, without your dog snatching it up and playing keep-away (Photo: Border Collie lying on the grass looking at a tennis ball a few feet away from her)

I’ve been working with a lot of people who have new puppies. They are walking behind a twelve-week-old puppy yelling “leave it” as the puppy investigates the leash, the shoe on the floor, and the children’s toys. 

When I ask: “Does she know what you mean? Have you taught her how to “leave it?” the answer is always, “Isn’t this how you do it?” 

In a word: no. 

If I were your piano teacher and you were a brand new student, it wouldn’t be very effective for me to yell at you when you begin to innocently press the keys. You didn’t even play a wrong note yet, but I’m yelling at you with all these big piano-genius words that you don’t understand. Not exactly an effective teaching style. 

If you would like to learn to teach your dog to “leave it,” I have three videos on TikTok right now to help you. Find us on TikTok @BeyondDogTraining. 

Side note on “leave it”: I have heard a lot of trainers using “leave it” for passing by a dog, cat, squirrel, or bunny as well. Personally, I use “on by,” but “leave it” seems quite effective for them. Choose your own adventure. 

You may wish to use “leave it” for squirrels as well. Whatever you choose, be consistent. (Photo: a black squirrel and a grey squirrel eating nuts on a lawn)

Drop It: Drop it, or Aus (which is German for drop it/out,) is the command you teach so that your dog knows to drop things out of her mouth when you ask. This could be a dead thing she picked up on a walk, your children’s toys, her ball (during fetch, so you can throw it again,) her bone, another dog’s toy, your remote control, etc.)

If your dog knows “leave it” and “drop it,” your cat and rooster will finally be able to play in peace (Photo: a calico cat and a rooster looking at a bb-8 droid toy on the kitchen tiles)

The earlier you teach these commands the better. It’s far easier to teach your dog to never touch steak on the counter from day one, than it is to train them not to once they’ve developed a habit of it (and get a very tasty reward of steak every time they do!) 

All dogs can learn these commands regardless of how old they are. It’s never too late to begin training your dog. I promise you, he’s smarter than you think. 

It’s never too late to teach your dog these life-saving commands (Photo: senior Collie holding a dirty tennis ball)

Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa 

Photos by: Elisa Kennemer @elisalou (Golden Retriever holding a spiky blue ball in his mouth,) Robin Jonathan Deutsch @rodeutsch (Border Collie lying on the grass looking at a tennis ball a few feet away from her,) Claudia McMahon @scmcmahon (a black squirrel and a grey squirrel eating nuts on a lawn,) Daniel Tuttle

@danieltuttle (a calico cat and a rooster looking at a bb-8 droid toy on the kitchen tiles,) Tadeusz Lakota

@tadekl (senior Collie holding a dirty tennis ball)

How Masks Might be Helping You and Your Dog

(Photo: Person wearing a face mask sitting on a bench. They are accompanied by two dogs on leashes)

Dogs are masters at reading human body language, but how well do we humans read the body language of our fellow humans? 

If you really pay attention, you’ll see body language cues everywhere. The easiest way to practice reading human body language is to turn on a television show with the volume off. You can tell right away if the people on the screen like each other or not, by the way they move. People who like each other may be smiling, moving toward each other, and touching each other as they laugh. People who are having an argument, on the other hand, gesture differently. They are stiff, make strong eye contact, and aggressively invade the other person’s space. 

Some signals we send each other on a day-to-day basis are so small, they fly under the radar: a small frown, the way someone’s lips flatten ever so slightly when they’re trying to keep something nasty from escaping their mouth, or a nostril flare. 

Now add a mask to those three. 

Can you still tell how those people are feeling? 

It’s more difficult, isn’t it?

Could wearing masks help humans to read body language cues more effectively? (Photo: people wearing masks)

While chatting with one of my clients, he mentioned how he finds it more difficult to read people when they have a mask on. He said “You really need to look at their eyes and their body language nowadays.” 

I was so excited at the thought of this. If people are being forced to look at human body language more, could this finally bring humans back to a more instinctual way of being? Could it allow us the opportunity to begin paying more attention to our dog’s body language as well? Could it also make us more in tune with the body language of the other owners around us? 

Humans miss a lot of subtle dog body language. For example, how many of you have heard someone say: “And then the dog bit me out of nowhere?” 

I’d wager all of you have heard someone say this phrase. Dogs don’t bite out of nowhere. They give plenty of warnings: stiff posture, avoiding eye contact by moving their head away, whale eye, curling their lip, raising their hackles, moving away from the person or dog who is making them uncomfortable, to name a few. The problem is that humans aren’t taught the subtle cues of dog body language and only notice there’s a problem when the dog is making lots of noise and exploding at the dog or person who continued to ignore the fact that they were asking for space. 

While we’re out walking our dogs, we humans tend to look at: 

-the person we’re walking with,

-cellphones, 

-and other people’s dogs.

When we do this we completely miss the body language of the person on the other end of the leash. 

I encourage you to observe the body language of your fellow dog walkers this week (A woman looking at her cellphone while walking through a train station)

We humans get very excited when we see puppies and dogs while we’re out walking our own dog. That excitement travels down the leash to our own dog, and over to the other dog/puppy as we say: “Awwww. Puppy!!!!” or “Oh my goodness, your dog is adorable!!!” 

We forget to notice: 

-how the other person is feeling about us approaching them with our dog

-the behaviour and body language of the puppy or dog (because humans tend to want to touch everything fuzzy regardless of whether or not that fuzzy thing actually wants to be touched by us) 

Some people are walking dogs who: 

-just had surgery

-have an underlying health issue that makes them quick to bite

-are in training

-are a brand new rescue who they themselves have no idea about (Does he like other dogs invading his space? Is he afraid of large dogs? They don’t know yet — they met a day ago!) 

-recently moved (this is a stressful event for people and also for dogs) 

-do not like other dogs  

Some people: 

-want to be left alone to train their dog in peace

-are stressed out because their dog is dog aggressive and you’re heading straight for them

-are freaking out because they’re trying to create space for their dog and you’re changing your trajectory and coming at them anyway

-are rehabilitating a rescue dog who is fearful of dogs and people 

-are walking a puppy who does not have all of his vaccinations yet 

I challenge you on your next walk to observe the body language of the other owners. Do they tense up when they see you coming? Begin wrapping the leash around and around their hand? Do they grab a harness handle? Are they pulling back on their dog? They don’t know it, but they are signalling to their dog that you are not to be trusted. They are making you and your dog a threat. This is your opportunity to give them space. 

Happy observing! Happy training! Happy Friday! 

Alyssa 

Photos by: Atoms @atoms (Person wearing a face mask sitting on a bench. They are accompanied by two dogs on leashes) Xingyue HUANG @stephanie_nese (people wearing masks,) Upsplash image (A woman looking at her cellphone while walking through a train station,)

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR DOG FOR FIREWORKS

Happy Canada Day! (Photo: fireworks in the sky about a city skyline)

Are you dreading Canada Day? Do fireworks go off in your neighbourhood throughout the day, and sometimes on the following day? Here are some tips to get you and your dog prepared. 

Physical Exercise: 

Tired dogs go into a resting and relaxed state far more easily than dogs who are not exercised. 

All dogs require daily exercise. Some require low-key walks, while others require hours of running, agility, and fetch to properly tire them out. In the days leading up to Canada Day, exercise your dog for an extra hour each day. On Canada Day, begin with a long walk before breakfast. After lunch, go for a nice long hike and explore nature with your pup. Make time for fetch, swimming, or a bike ride. 

Fulfilling your dog’s exercise needs is a great way to prepare for fireworks (Photo: person biking with an off-leash dog)

Mental Exercise: 

Dogs are intelligent animals who need mental stimulation. Searching for food, doing obedience, and having fun with new tricks are all ways of draining your dog’s mental energy. 

Why not teach your dog a few life-saving skills, like “come,” “leave it,” and “drop it?” Not only will these activities tire your pup out, they could save your pup’s life. 

Nosework is a great way to drain your dog’s mental energy (Photo: dachshund sniffing the sand at a beach)

Calmness: 

I quote former Navy SEAL, Dan Crenshaw, all the time for a reason: because this quotation sums up how to live with dogs — “Calm breeds calm. Panic breeds panic.” 

If you overreact to fireworks, your dog will overreact to fireworks. 

Your dog is looking to you for your reaction. If she looks at you and sees a worried pack leader, she will become worried too. 

Communicate calmness to your dog by acting calm and confident while the fireworks are going off. 

Exposure: 

If you have a new puppy, now is your chance to let them learn that fireworks are no big deal. If you’re out and about in the evening, keep moving and keep your own energy calm and confident. Your puppy is a master of reading your energy and your body language. Show your pup there’s nothing to fear. 

Do not stop and comfort your puppy as you would a young child. They are not human. If you join them in a soft state of mind and pet them while they’re acting fearful you will reward a fearful state of mind and teach them fireworks are to be feared. No baby talk. Just walk. 

If you’re outside, you’ll be allowing your puppy to learn in a way that is natural to her: nose, eyes, ears. She will be able to get used to the way the fireworks smell, how they look, and what they sound like. 

Teach your puppy to be calm around the things you wish them to be calm around as an adult (Photo: person walking a dog at sunset)

Prevention: 

Be sure to have your dog’s tags on, in case she runs away. Call your microchip company and ensure that they have your address up to date in their system. 

If you are reading this article several weeks prior to fireworks, you can begin to desensitize your dog to the sound by playing it at a low level prior to enjoyable activities, like going for a walk or eating a meal. Gradually increase the volume and remember to simply act calm and confident when you do this activity.

How to keep yourself calm? 

Tell yourself that this year’s fireworks are going to be the best ones ever for you and your dog. Mindset is so important. If you spend all day baby-talking to your dog and acting strangely, she will be on edge. If you cringe the moment you hear the first firework of the evening, you’re setting your dog up to be afraid. 

Exercise, breathe, and remind yourself that you can do this. 

Happy Canada Day, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa 

Happy Canada Day! (Photo: moose with mountains in the backdrop)

Photos by: maggie hung @maggie__1105 (fireworks in the sky about a city skyline,) Patrick Hendry

@worldsbetweenlines (person biking with an off-leash dog,) Emma Charles

@emmacharles (dachshund sniffing the sand at a beach,) Helen Cramer

@helencramer (person walking a dog at sunset) Cora Leach

@coramaureen (moose with mountains in the backdrop.)

How to Choose the Right Dog

Does the Pekingese suit your lifestyle? (Pekingese dog jogging on a dirt trail)

If you love dogs, you may have enjoyed watching the 145th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show last weekend. 

Watching this show is a great way to become acquainted with many different dog breeds. Have you ever heard of a Biewer terrier? How about a Dogo Argentino? 

Before you adopt a Dogo Argentino (or any other type of dog,) research the breed (Photo: Dogo Argentino puppy standing on a sidewalk)

The announcers also provide information about breed need (what each breed requires in terms of physical exercise, mental stimulation, and training) so people can learn whether or not these breeds will fit in well with their current lifestyle.

If you’re interested in playing fetch, going on long hikes every day, obedience (and other dog sports,) hunting, and swimming, check out the sporting group. You’ll find dogs like the Golden Retriever, the Brittany, and this year’s sporting group winner, the German shorthaired pointer. 

If your lifestyle is better suited to a dog who requires shorter daily walks, indoor play, and likes doing tricks, the toy group may be more your cup of tea. Does this mean that the toys can’t participate in dog sports, like agility, obedience, and rally? Absolutely not. These little dogs are smart and capable, so long as they have a willing teacher. 

This year’s Best In Show was the winner of the toy group, Wasabi the Pekingese. For those of you who have never seen a Pekingese, picture an Ewok who has been taken into hair and makeup for several hours. Adorable! 

(Photo: Pekingese dog jogging on a dirt trail)

Pekingese are very calm dogs. They are known to be very independent and can also be very alert little watchdogs. 

It’s so important to research all of the breeds you are interested in before rushing out and adopting a puppy. I have worked with many clients who have adopted dogs whose energy requirements did not match their lifestyle. If you choose to adopt a breed who has very high energy and fail to meet their exercise needs, the result is a laundry list of behaviours you will not enjoy (like barking out the window all day, pulling on the leash, herding your children, counter surfing, and/or chewing baseboards, carpets, couches, and walls, just to name a few. 

If you do not provide enough exercise, training, and supervision this will become your reality (Photo: Weimaraner puppy gnawing on a couch)

Tips to help you find a dog who suits your lifestyle: 

-be honest with yourself about how much time you are willing to spend every day to exercise, train, and teach your dog right from wrong,

-narrow down the breeds you are interested in who will suit your lifestyle —ask people who own them what they are really like to live with on a day-to-day basis; ask them who their breeder was, 

-after finding a reputable breeder, interview them (and several others,) 

-select puppies from a litter based on the guidance of your breeder, as opposed to choosing the largest one, the runt (because you feel sorry for her,) the one with the nicest coat-colour, or the one you think chose you (biting you isn’t choosing you, it’s a sign you’re about to adopt a dog who will become your leader,) 

-find a rescue who specializes in the breed you are looking for, volunteer with them so you get to know if the breed is really for you before you adopt one (it’s a 12-15 year commitment, people — spend as much time on this decision as you did picking your life partner)  

Remember that some dog breeds you may be interested in in terms of activities you can enjoy together have grooming requirements you may not wish to undertake. 

For example, the Komondor’s coat can require up to seven hours to wash, rinse, and squeeze with towels…some breeders even use a shop vac to remove the excess water. After that, they have to lie in front of a fan for hours (think overnight!) to fully dry. 

There’s lots to consider when finding your perfect match. (Photo: a Pomeranian wearing a pink towel on her head is getting groomed)

What’s your favourite dog breed? Why do they suit your lifestyle? 

Post it in the comments below! 

Need help narrowing down your options? We love nothing more than helping responsible future dog owners like you! Let us help you figure out which breeds are best suited to your lifestyle. 

Click the Take Action button and schedule your FREE phone call today. 

Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa 

Photos by:Vianney CAHEN @number313 (Pekingese dog jogging on a dirt trail,) sultan esra şahin @sultanesra (Dogo Argentino puppy standing on a sidewalk,) Vianney CAHEN

@number313 (Pekingese dog jogging on a dirt trail,) Upsplash Image (Weimaraner puppy gnawing on a couch,) Henar Langa @henarlanga (a Pomeranian wearing a pink towel on her head is getting groomed.)