Looking for a way to channel your dog’s mental energy and prevent boredom? Food puzzles are a fantastic solution for dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes! These interactive tools not only make mealtimes fun but also help dogs focus their energy on a productive activity, leaving them feeling calm and content. By reducing boredom, food puzzles can minimize unwanted behaviours that often stem from a lack of mental stimulation. When Should You Use a Food Puzzle? When Should You Use a Food Puzzle? The ideal time to offer a food puzzle is after your dog has had some physical exercise. Activities like walking, running, playing fetch, tug-of-war, agility training, or even a fun wrestling session are great ways to burn off physical energy before diving into mental enrichment. A tired body paired with a busy mind is the perfect recipe for a happy, relaxed dog that is far less likely to be getting into trouble. If your dog is new to food puzzles, start simple! Make the first experience easy and rewarding by filling the puzzle with high-value treats (think of their favourite snacks). This positive introduction builds their confidence and encourages them to explore. Pro Tip: Instead of buying multiple puzzles at different difficulty levels, invest in an intermediate or advanced puzzle. You can always simplify it initially by using visible, easy-to-access treats. Supervise and Adjust Supervision is key when using food puzzles. Watch how your dog interacts with the puzzle: If they solve it quickly, put it away to maintain its novelty and keep the experience engaging. If they show signs of frustration (like chewing on the puzzle), redirect them to an easier activity, such as a snuffle mat. This ensures the experience remains positive and avoids creating bad habits. Take It to the Next Level For confident, puzzle-savvy dogs, you can up the challenge! Try pairing the puzzle with a calming mask to encourage them to rely solely on their sense of smell. Just make sure your dog is fully comfortable and accustomed to the mask beforehand to keep the experience enjoyable. With a little practice and the right tools, food puzzles can become a go-to solution for mental stimulation and mealtime enrichment. Whether your goal is to prevent boredom, redirect energy, or simply provide your dog with a fun challenge, food puzzles are a win-win for you and your furry friend! Why This All Matters Did you know food puzzles can also play a role in teaching emotional regulation? Emotional regulation is the ability for your dog to move from a state of excitement or overwhelm to a calmer, more thoughtful mindset. When a dog learns to self-soothe and manage their emotions, they’re better equipped to handle everyday challenges, from seeing the mail carrier to encountering another dog on a walk. Food puzzles are one of the many tools you can use to encourage this vital skill. By focusing their mental energy on a puzzle, your dog practices patience and problem-solving, which naturally helps them shift to a more balanced emotional state. Pairing this activity with other exercises designed to build emotional regulation—like impulse control games or sniff walks—can greatly improve their overall behaviour and quality of life. Building Emotional Regulation Through Food Puzzles Food puzzles offer more than just entertainment—they can become a cornerstone for emotional regulation exercises. Here’s how: The “Wait for the Puzzle” Exercise:  Before handing your dog a food puzzle, hold it in front of them while they remain calm. If they jump or bark, wait for them to think and calm down a little before giving it to them, without any verbal cues from you. This can teach them that patience earns rewards and feels more enjoyable for them as a whole. Combining with Calming Exercises:  Use food puzzles after other activities that encourage emotional balance, such as sniff walks or impulse-control games like covering treats with your hand until your dog calms down more These small practices help your dog learn to pause, think, and stay composed, even in more stimulating situations.

8 Steps to Preventing “Excited Pee” in Dogs Have you ever come home to a super wiggly, tail-wagging, bouncing-off-the-walls dog, only to find a little puddle by the door?  If so, you’re not alone. “Excited peeing” is common in dogs—especially puppies—but it can happen even with older dogs, and it often happens during greetings or highly stimulating moments. The good news is that this behaviour doesn’t reflect any “bad intentions” on your dog’s part. They’re simply trying to cope with a sudden rush of emotions. Below are practical tips to help you and your dog navigate these overly-enthusiastic greetings in a calmer, confrontation-free way. 1. Recognize the Signs of Over-Excitement When a dog is about to cross into “too excited” territory, you’ll usually see telltale body language: • Rapid tail wagging • Wiggly body movements • Jumping or bounding around • Rapid breathing • Not responding to cues or prompts they normally follow It’s important to recognize these signs before your dog hits their peak excitement. If they typically respond to “sit” or “look at me” and suddenly seem to “tune out,” that’s your signal they’re heading toward a meltdown-like moment. 2. Offer the Right Kind of “Time Outs” Time is the number one asset  when it comes to helping your dog avoid excited peeing. Instead of crating or isolating them in another room, try engaging them with calming or soothing activities in a quiet area. Think of it exactly like reading a story book to a child at bedtime—it gently guides them toward a calmer state (when then also helps them fall into a nice nap or sleep). Some dog-focused examples include: • Snuffle mats : Hiding treats in a snuffle mat can redirect your dog’s energy into sniffing and foraging, which is naturally calming. • Food puzzles : Puzzle feeders also challenge the dog’s mind, focusing their attention on an engaging and rewarding task. Both of these options can ultimately used to prevent the accident in the first place, if used at the correct moment, before your dog gets overly stimulated. 3. Gentle Redirection When Excitement Builds If your dog is on the cusp of an over-excited pee moment, you can: 1. Use a leash : Gently guide them away from the person or situation causing the excitement, no different than when you’re walking outdoors together. 2. Draw attention to a new scent : Present a strong-smelling treat near their nose so they focus on that, and then calmly guide them away. This approach helps the dog “reset” before greeting again in a calmer state of mind. Think of it like getting a whiff from a meaningful scent like your partner’s cologne, which can help influence how you’re feeling in that moment. 4. Reinforce Calm Choices To encourage your dog to make better choices, offer positive reinforcement for neutral, calm and collected behaviour. This can be: • Food rewards : Treats (especially tasty, high-value ones) work wonders to reinforce good manners. • Gentle praise and soothing tones : A calm, soft voice can help maintain a lower energy level. • Engaging “sniff” games : Reward them with a quick game of “find it,” tossing treats on the floor for them to sniff out. Just make sure that the rewards are happening either as your dog is making the choice (helpful if this is something new for them) or afterwards, rather than as a bribe or lure to get them to do it in the first oplace. 5. Coaching Visitors and Strangers One of the biggest challenges arises when guests or strangers want to greet your puppy or dog. To keep everyone (including your dog) happy and dry: • Set expectations ahead of time : Let visitors know they may need to give the dog some space, and that they might not be able to greet in the usual enthusiastic way. • Offer alternative greetings : Encourage visitors to toss treats away from themselves so your dog can sniff around and decompress. This creates a gentle “break” for the dog and reduces the intensity of a face-to-face greeting. 6. Handling Setbacks or “Accidents” Even with the best plan, accidents happen. When they do: 1. Stay calm : Avoid scolding or reacting in a big, dramatic way. 2. Clean up, move on : Make a mental note of what triggered the pee and adjust your approach next time. 3. Learn from it : The more you understand your dog’s triggers, the better you can anticipate and prevent future slip-ups. 7. Maintaining a Strong Bond Through Calmer Greetings Many pet parents worry that toning down greetings might feel less warm or damage the bond with their dog. The reality is: • It’s all about the quality  of interaction rather than the quantity of big, boisterous greetings. • By giving your dog the space and time they need , you’re actually strengthening trust. You’re showing them you respect their emotional boundaries and want to help them succeed. 8. Parting Wisdom: Patience, Patience, and Even More Patience Finally, remember this: Your dog’s reaction is not “premeditated”—they’re simply doing the best they can based on how they feel. Stay patient, keep rewards positive, and recognize that every calm greeting is a step forward. Over time, you’ll see fewer and fewer “excited pee” moments, and a whole lot more relaxed, happy hellos. In Summary Excited peeing can be frustrating, but it’s usually just a sign that your dog needs a little space, time to regulate and gentler interactions when emotions run high. By recognizing the early warning signs, offering calm activities, coaching visitors, and maintaining patience through setbacks, you’ll teach your dog that calm greetings are both safe and rewarding. Eventually, you’ll get to enjoy warm, tail-wagging hellos—minus the little puddle on the floor!

4 Reasons Why I Don't Teach Sit as Much as Other Dog Trainers While teaching the 'Sit' cue is seen as a staple in dog training, I like to take a different approach. And thus you'd probably have a tough time finding multiple videos of me where I am teaching the cue/command Sit to a dog. Especially if they're distracted or having a tough time focusing. I also don't really teach this during my private sessions or classes. Here are the reasons for that: 1. There are other, more rewarding options:   Don't get me wrong, I love seeing a dog offer a good Sit, but generally speaking, it's not something I'll encourage or prompt them to do. That's because there are many other things a dog would rather do, and this is one of the many reasons why you'll often see pet parents repeating the cue to a dog that's basically ignoring them. Instead, I prefer providing my dog with something more engaging for them to do.You can try something like Find it!  or Touch! , especially to easily help your dog refocus and pay attention to you in a way they can look forward to, each time. If you're looking for some ideas for other things you can do with your dog, consider my daily/weekly enrichment routine . 2. It doesn't help most dogs calm down and refocus: In my experience, when I see pet parents ask for a sit, the majority of the time, I notice that their goal is not to encourage their dog to do one of many fun tricks, but rather an attempt at helping their dog refocus on them and calm down, especially while out on walks, close to their trigger(s).During puppy class, you will learn to use the cue Sit to help your dog engage with you, but if you pay close attention to how it's done, you will see that it's practiced in a very engaging way, which also causes your pup to then anticipate the something more to happen. This is great, particularly in the context where you want to engage with your dog and do fun things with them, like during class or in a training session. This, however, won't work too well, if your goal is to calm down or help refocus your dog in a relaxed manner, as the cue Sit has been built in a more exciting and activity-related manner early on. This means that you might actually be encouraging your dog to feel more excited (excitement doesn't always mean happy or engaged) and that can work against you in situations where you're trying to help your dog calm down, even if your dog successfully performs the sit. So, for example, if your dog is jumping at guests coming over, it might be a tall order to get your dog to feel calm simply through sitting, instead, what you could do is use their leash to help them walk away from the door, to help them regulate and wind down from the excitement they feel inside, slowly reintroducing them to your guests in a more mellow mindset that will naturally make them feel like they don't need to jump. 3. Taking space feels better:   Building on the previous point, if a dog is finding themselves in the face of their triggers, I will never ask them to sit, mainly because this can result in my dog feeling even more cornered than they did before. Even while you're out on a walk, your dog can feel cornered and like they have nowhere to go, to remove themselves from their trigger. That's because 1. they are on a leash and 2. they have been asked to sit and basically deal with something they likely just can't.Instead, what I recommend doing is helping your dog take space and walk away. Think about how we teach children to walk away and not engage when faced with potential conflict. Teaching this to dogs is also key. And once your dog learns to walk away, you are then more likely to see them offer a Sit or two, because they already feel calmer thanks to having been able to walk away with you. 4. I prefer listening over talking:   When it comes to dogs, body language is the name of the game! By this, I mean that I prefer paying attention to what my dog is doing, vs what I tell them to do. You will rarely see a dog that's feeling in tune and connected to their handler be asked to repeatedly sit. That's because their relationship has been built in a way where they are both continuously listening to one another, and at the most, one or two different cues from the handler will suffice to help the dog feel like they want to listen to them as well. And if you're focusing a bit more on listening to what your dog is doing, AND you wait for them to sit without you asking them, they are then telling you that they're with you, that they're listening, that they're present and are perhaps ready for you to prompt or engage them to do something else with you. If you're walking or doing something with a dog and they have a hard time sitting without being told to, that's also something to listen to, and likely an indicator that your dog does not feel 100% at ease, but rather excited, distracted or even alert. Do you use the Sit cue often? If so, how do you like to use it?

The Most Important Dog Training Skill Most Don’t Work On: Dog Emotional Regulation Have you ever felt frustrated that your dog seems to get stuck in a loop of excitement, stress, or pure overwhelm? You’re not alone. Emotional regulation, which refers to teaching your dog how to go from an overexcited or anxious state to a calmer, more thoughtful one, is one of the most important dog training skills most pet parents don’t work on, or even consider. But once you prioritize it, it can transform your dog’s behaviour like nothing else ever will. What Is Emotional Regulation in Dogs? In simple terms, emotional regulation is the ability to manage intense and heightened feelings—like overexcitement, frustration, or even fear—and smoothly return to a more stable and mellow state. Humans develop this skill over time, and guess what? Dogs can learn it too! When a dog knows how to dial down that initial burst of adrenaline or jitters, they’re far better equipped to make calmer choices as a result. Why does this matter? Because a dog, or even a puppy, that has learned that they can self-soothe won’t constantly bounce off the walls whenever the mail carrier arrives or another dog walks by. Instead, they're more likely to pause, think, and often respond in a more desirable way (even more so if reinforced and trained to). This leads to fewer stressful encounters and a healthier bond built on trust. Common Challenges and Hurdles One reason pet parents and dog trainers overlook the concept of emotional regulation is that many simply don’t know it’s a productive practice in dogs, nor do they know how to apply it. We tend to assume that we should just tell our dogs how to act and feel in overwhelming scenarios—when, in reality, the dog hasn’t learned how to calm themselves yet in easier situations. Expectations can be sky-high, especially if we jump straight into difficult environments (like a jam-packed dog park) without offering our pups the foundational tools in simpler, quieter settings first. Think about it like exercise: you don’t start by running a marathon if you’ve never jogged a mile. We often forget our dogs need the same gradual buildup when it comes to emotional skills. Jumping into the deep end without learning the basics can leave you both feeling frustrated and discouraged. How to Start Teaching Emotional Regulation The first question to ask yourself before entering any potentially stressful situation is, “Can my dog handle this environment right now?” If your pup is already at their limit—maybe the place in question is too noisy, crowded, stressful or full of triggers, and so it’s best to scale it down. Create physical distance, find a quieter spot, or even postpone the outing until you have a better plan. But remember, simply stepping away from the stressor isn’t the entire lesson; it’s just the opening move. Once you find a calmer setting, practice foundational exercises. For instance, show and hold a treat without immediately handing it over. Let your dog work through that initial wave of excitement until they offer a calmer demeanour—maybe they stand still, sit, or look up at you expectantly. When they do, mark the moment (“Yes”) and give a reward. This simple exercise encourages and teaches them that relaxing, pausing and thinking leads to good things and more manageable emotions, rather than simply reacting. 1. The “Wait for the Toy” Exercise What it looks like:  Hold your dog’s favourite ball in your hand while they sit or stand calmly (without a verbal cue). When your dog starts to get excited or jump, keep the toy still and don’t release it. Remain calm and wait. As soon as they start to relax (even slightly), calmly praise them and let them have the toy. Try again later, daily and gradually grow your expectation. Why it works:  This teaches the dog that calm behavior—not frantic excitement—earns them what they want. It’s a simple way to practice regulation before they get the reward and introduces other ways to be and feel. 2. Structured Sniff-and-Stroll What it looks like:  Take your dog on a short walk in a low-distraction area (like a quiet street or backyard). Encourage them to sniff and explore, but periodically pause and ask for a brief check-in (like a “look at me” or a moment of eye contact). Praise calm and mellow interactions with you and their environment. Why it works:  It shows your dog they can enjoy their environment while remaining responsive to you. The mini-breaks for check-ins help them practice going from “exploring mode” back to a calmer, focused state. 3. Impulse-Control Treat Game What it looks like:  Place a treat in front of your dog and cover it with your hand if they lunge or move toward it. Once they back off or sit calmly, lift your hand away. Release the treat only when they remain relaxed, for longer and longer. Why it works:  It’s a low-pressure environment exercise that teaches the dog they can’t just grab what they want as soon as they feel like it. They have to “choose calm,” reinforcing self-regulation before obtaining the reward. Dealing with Overwhelm Even when you do your best, there will be times your dog gets overwhelmed and overstimulated, just as it happens to you and I as well. It could be an unexpected encounter with a reactive dog across the street or an impromptu guest visit at home. In these situations, the most immediate step is to give your dog space and time. Physically removing them from the stressful spot can help them decompress before coming back and trying again. Look at this as a teachable moment, not a failure. Jot down what happened and think about how to approach it more gradually next time. The goal is not to avoid triggers, rather it’s to show your dog how to self-regulate when those triggers pop up in manageable ways. Building Consistency in Daily Life Just like we benefit from routines and healthy outlets, so do our dogs. Offer them mental and physical challenges that channel their natural behaviours in a controlled way. Food puzzles, snuffle mats, scent-detection games, agility exercises and “sniff walks” will all work wonders. These activities tire dogs out mentally and physically, making it easier for them to remain calm when unexpected things arise. On top of that, sprinkle in short training sessions throughout the day. Celebrate small wins, like when your dog chooses to look at you instead of staring down a squirrel. Over time, these victories add up, and you’ll see your dog begin to regulate their emotions more effortlessly. Long-Term Benefits for You and Your Dog When a dog masters emotional regulation, day-to-day life becomes smoother for everyone. Walks are more pleasant, social visits less chaotic, and your overall connection deepens. Your dog learns to pause and think instead of rushing headfirst into every impulse. In essence, they evolve from being reactors to choosers—becoming more in control of their own actions and responses. For you, this means less stress, fewer embarrassing moments, and a richer relationship with your four-legged friend. It’s a win-win scenario: a calm dog often equals a calm pet parent, too. If you’re wondering how quickly you’ll see progress, remember it’s a process—much like going to the gym. You don’t grow muscles overnight, and your dog won’t perfect emotional regulation after just one or two training sessions. Start small, keep at it, and celebrate every step forward. Ready to see real results? Check out our Tranquility Walk Challenge . By focusing on small, manageable outings each day, you’ll lay a strong foundation for a more relaxed, confident dog—and a happier life together.

Whether you have a young puppy or an older dog, it’s good to know what tools and options you have available at your disposal to help him or her enjoy and love nothing more than feeding time! There's so much value to be gained during meal time. We oftentimes come across dogs that have lost the appetite for their meals, but it’s never too late to change things up to get them interested in their food once again. Let’s go! 1. Snuffle Mats Snuffle mats are probably the best way to feed a dog, regardless of their age, breed, or behaviour! It creates a fun sense of having to scavenge for each piece of kibble (or small pieces of their treat). You will never go wrong with using a snuffle mat instead of a regular bowl. Browse snuffle mats here . After your dog is done snuffling, provide a frozen kong so that your dog has something fun to chew and lick and encourage a relaxed behaviour that is in itself a reward for everyone! 2. Food Puzzles The first solution is great for mental stimulation and this one is no different, except that it provides more opportunities for problem-solving skills to develop! Most puzzles come in different levels, so make sure you start with the easiest one, especially if you have a young pup, and that you supervise their interactions as to ensure that it’s a manageable difficulty to avoid any frustration and chewing/destructive behaviour. You can explore different food puzzles here . 3. On Walks/Outings This option is different from the others as it’s completely free and the most flexible! When using snuffle mats and/or food puzzles, leave a bit of your dog’s food left for your next walk. You can do this in your backyard as well. Bringing your food on your walk will add a fun element to it where you can then have your dog find every small piece of kibble you toss along your walk. It’s extra fun when the pieces happen to hide in the grass and your dog can then use his nose to scavenge. A useful item that can help you is a dog trainer pouch ! Keep in mind that expecting your dog to snuffle for their food on walks and outings can sometimes be a tall order if you find that there are too many distractions at the time, in which case you are better starting and reinforcing this type of activity with a mixture of food and treats that your dog doesn’t get at other, less distracting times and eventually you will be able to work your way to their regular kibble & food! Try these out! Feel free to reach out to let us know how these options worked for you! Young pups will take to these quickly and appreciate access to a mixture of these habits and other enrichment activities. Older dogs may need a bit more time readjusting if you’re planning on switching from their bowl (you should!) to some of these options!

Understanding Dog Humping (During the Holidays and All Year Round) Have you ever noticed your dog humping when things get a little too exciting—especially around the holidays, when the house might be buzzing with guests, food, and festive energy? It can be confusing or even embarrassing, but here’s the deal: humping is not about your dog being ‘bad’ or purely sexual. Often, it’s a sign that they’re overstimulated, and they’re communicating that feeling in the only way they know how. Why Does My Dog Hump When Excited? Dogs, especially puppies, can get overwhelmed when there’s a lot going on. Think of them like toddlers at a birthday party—after a few hours of sugar and games, meltdowns become inevitable. When a dog starts humping, it can be a type of release. They’re saying, “I’m not sure how to handle all of this,” not “I’m trying to be naughty.” An alternative motive could be boredom/pent up energy. Recognizing Overstimulation Before humping starts, your dog might give you a few subtle signals that their brain is getting a bit worked up. Keep an eye out for these early warning signs: Pacing around the room Panting more than usual (not tied to temperature or exercise) Shifty eyes or looking around anxiously Walking away from what’s bothering or exciting them These behaviours mean your dog is on the verge of losing their usual cool. Step in early to help them navigate the situation and head off that telltale hump. Emotional Regulation Over “Lockdown” One of the best ways to help your dog work through overstimulation is by teaching them relaxation and emotional regulation skills. Instead of isolating them immediately or locking them in a crate when they’re already amped up, try to guide them back down to a calmer state. Engage in a Relaxation Protocol : The Relaxation Protocol is a structured exercise that'll help you teach your dog how to settle down in various situations. You can find many guided videos on YouTube—just search “Relaxation Protocol for dogs.” Practicing a few minutes every day will do wonders for your pup’s emotional regulation. Active Participation : Stay with your dog, offer gentle praise or petting, and use soft speech or breathing techniques (yep, they can pick up on how you're feeling, particularly if you feel overstimulated yourself). Your presence can help them feel safe and guide them toward relaxation, as opposed to confronted or scolded for simply expressing how they're feeling. The Crate is for Calm : If you use a crate, it should be associated with good and relaxed vibes—a cozy spot your dog voluntarily goes to when they feel content. Once they’ve chilled out with you, then you can help them settle in their crate. This way, the crate remains a peaceful place, rather than a “time-out” zone they learn to dread. Spay/Neuter Considerations While spaying or neutering won’t magically solve all humping behaviors, it can help reduce hormone-driven urges that can amplify excitement or stress responses. If your dog is persistently humping (even outside of overstimulating scenarios), it might be worth discussing spay/neuter options with your vet to see if it’s beneficial for your particular situation. Prevention & Management Tips To keep things drama-free during holiday gatherings—or during any high-energy event—try these quick pointers: Short and Sweet Interactions : Allow your dog or puppy limited exposure to guests. A quick, positive greeting prevents them from going into emotional overdrive. This is where an indoor leash clipped to a responsible family member will come in super handy. Watch the Clock : Keep an eye on how long the festivities go. Some dogs can handle a crowded house for an hour, others need a break every 15 minutes. Set Up Calm Zones : Whether it’s a corner of the living room with their favorite bed or a quiet bedroom, make sure your dog has somewhere to decompress if they feel overwhelmed. Gentle Redirection : If you notice pacing or panting, calmly guide your dog away from the bustling area (using their leash) before the humping starts. Offer a treat puzzle, snuffle mat or a stuffed chew toy to channel their energy and help their mind slow down. Year-Round Relevance While the holidays shine a spotlight on overstimulation—hello, holiday parties, gift exchanges, and people popping in and out—these tips work any time of year. Summertime barbecues, family get-togethers, and even everyday moments of high excitement can all lead to that same overstimulated state. Most importantly, remember that humping isn’t a moral failing. It’s just your dog’s way of handling big emotions. With a bit of awareness and gentle guidance on emotional regulation, you’ll both be more prepared to handle the hustle and bustle—whether that’s a jolly holiday season or any lively occasion.

How to Help Your Dog Be Calm During Mealtime: A Step-by-Step Guide Mealtime can be chaotic when your dog is overly excited, barking, or begging for food. Similar to managing a toddler at a family dinner, it requires patience and structure. Training your dog to associate mealtime with calmness not only benefits the family but also builds a foundation for calm behaviour in other scenarios, like hosting guests. By adding mealtime enrichment, you help your dog manage excitement and stay engaged. Step-by-Step Guide to Calm Mealtime Behavior Step 1: Introduce the Tool Start by introducing a food puzzle or snuffle mat to your dog. These are great for keeping your dog mentally stimulated and distracted during mealtime. How to do it : Let your dog explore the tool outside of mealtime. Place treats visibly on top to pique their curiosity and, once comfortable, hide some treats inside. Pro Tip: Use dry kibble or small, fragrant treats for easy access. Avoid sticky fillings initially. Step 2: Practice Calm Behavior Get your dog used to being calm while engaging with their enrichment tool. This helps them understand that this activity is their time to focus. How to do it: Set up the tool during a quiet time of day and let your dog explore it on their own. Reward calm behaviour with a “Good job!” when they finish. Pro Tip: Keep initial practice sessions short (2–3 minutes) and increase duration as your dog learns. You don't want your dog to feel like the snuffle mat has completely, from one day to the next, replaced a behaviour they were probably very used to at that point. Keep things short and sweet for the best results! Step 3: Transition to Mealtime Once your dog is familiar with their tool, start using it during family meals. This helps create a positive association between dinner time and the enrichment tool. How to do it: Place the tool in a consistent spot during mealtimes. Use a cue like “Go to your spot” to signal the start of their enrichment time. Pro Tip: Begin with shorter meals, such as snacks or something you can easily put back down on your plate as needed, before moving on to longer dinners. Don't forget that it's okay and expected for your dog to make mistakes, especially at first. Step 4: Build Consistency Make using the tool a routine before every mealtime. Dogs thrive on repetition and predictability. How to do it: Start with one tool for the first week or two to create familiarity. You can then rotate between tools to keep it interesting. As you try different tools like snuffle mats and food puzzles or even treat dispenser toys, you will get to see what your dog enjoys and responds to better. A mild game of fetch could be another alternative to prevent the unwanted behaviour. Pro Tip: Keep a few different tools on hand to prevent boredom. This is where it comes in handy to keep the majority of your dog's toys away, for you to have access to only as you/your dog needs them. Step 5: Reinforce Positive Choices Praise and occasionally reward your dog for staying calm during mealtime to make the behavior stick. How to do it: Praise your dog after each mealtime. You can offer a high-value treat or a bit of playtime as a reward, you can also use their favourite bed or resting area to encourage them to stay in a specific spot. Pro Tip: Gradually reduce the number of treats as your dog becomes more consistent, relying more on verbal praise. You want to focus on praising reward above all, but at first, reward anything you'd simply like to see more of. With practice and patience, your puppy or dog will learn to stay calm during mealtimes and beyond, making meals enjoyable for everyone in your household, and something that represent focus and peace to them.

Harness vs Flat Collar: Why Harnesses Are Safer for Your Puppy Than Flat Collars When it comes to leash training your puppy, one of the first decisions you’ll make is what type of equipment you'll want to use with your pup, and whether to use a harness or a flat collar. You may have heard that harnesses teach puppies to pull from pet parents or a dog trainer. Let’s set the record straight: this isn’t true. Myth-Busting: Harnesses Don’t Teach Pulling The misconception likely stems from sled dogs, such as huskies, wearing harnesses to pull their sleds. But here’s the catch: huskies are conditioned, taught, trained and thus expected to pull. And the harness they wear then enables that behaviour for that specific purpose. Though it would be a neat trick to see, no huskie or sled dog knows to automatically pull on a leash, from being fitted a harness. Just putting a harness on your puppy won’t teach them to pull. If your puppy starts pulling, it’s definitely not because of the harness, but because they haven’t yet worked on proper leash manners—a skill that takes more training and a reliable bond and relationship with your dog, rather than a specific type of walking equipment. Why Harnesses Are Better for Puppies At a young age, puppies are naturally energetic, curious, and often unpredictable on walks and in most social settings. A harness then acts just like a seatbelt in your car, keeping your puppy safer by distributing pressure evenly across their body rather than concentrating it on their sensitive neck and cervical spine, especially while on a leash. Given the size and where it's worn, a flat collar doesn't offer this same level of comfort and safety. Thus using a harness drastically reduces the risk of injury if and when your puppy pulls, darts, or gets distracted by the exciting new world around them. When to Revisit the Flat Collar Some trainers suggest switching to a harness only as your dog matures and gains better leash manners. But I’d recommend the opposite. Flat collars are best revisited when your puppy is older and has developed emotional control, and that's if you're considering opting out of using a harness at all. At that point, you can make an informed decision based on your dog’s behaviour and needs, but in my opinion, a harness, whether you're walking a puppy or a senior dog, will remain the more comfortable and safer alternative. Focus on Training, Not the Gear The most important factor when it comes to working on your dog's leash manners isn’t whether you use a harness or a collar—it’s the training you put in and the level of communication you have. Building engagement, teaching your dog that communicating with you pays off, and rewarding calm behaviour in environments tailored for your pup to success will be the real keys to success. Start Here Want to ensure your puppy gets the best start to leash training? Check out our Tranquility Walk Challenge on our mobile app. This program will help you start building your communication with your dog in environments that feel doable to you both.

Choose the Right Dog Trainer: 5 Essential Questions to Ask Finding the right dog trainer can shape your dog’s behaviour and your bond. By asking these 5 essential questions, you'll find a trainer who truly aligns with your goals and values. "1. Why do you think my dog is behaving this way?" After sharing your main concerns, a skilled and experienced dog trainer should be able to provide you with their initial insights into why your dog acts a certain way. Even if they haven't yet met, a knowledgeable dog trainer can quickly recognize patterns and common indicators of different behaviours, why they happen and what the best course of action generally is, to get started. Beware of answers solely focused on breed or age—your dog’s personality, experiences, and environment play a bigger role. A good trainer recognizes individuality, and unique situations and isn't afraid to reassess, admit that their initial hunch wasn't as accurate as it could've been and be willing to spend more time with you to help you best understand your pooch and why they do what they do. "2. What tools and methods do you use, and why?" Look for trainers who prioritize positive reinforcement and harm-free methods. Ask why they use specific techniques to ensure their approach aligns with your values. This is a sensitive area in the dog industry, particularly because of the divide between positive reinforcement dog trainers and educators who understand that pain, force, discomfort and corrections aren't necessary to help a dog make good choices, and others. If you're going to proceed with one dog trainer versus another, make sure that they take the time to explain why they use the items they use, and don't hesitate to ask more questions like "Can my goal be achieved without the use of XYZ?" and "What other options can we consider? I don't feel comfortable with XYZ." "3. How will you help me reach my training goals?" Great trainers don’t just teach during sessions—they provide ongoing support through resources, follow-ups, or alternative strategies tailored to your journey. You want to think of your dog trainer as the uncle or aunt your dog loves more than anyone else. Your dog may not fully understand that your dog trainer is a dog trainer, but if they collectively focus on setting one another up for success, in a positive and engaging way, you'll all be able to reach your goals with enough practice and effort. In addition to how your dog feels about their dog trainer, you also want to make sure that you feel supported and heard. Some dog training concerns are harder than others to tackle, no matter how great your dog trainer is. But you need to at least feel like you can count on and reach out to your dog trainer at any given time, knowing that they'll do their best to get back to you and provide with you with a level of support that you're comfortable and happy with. "4. What if I don’t see results during training?" Sometimes progress takes time. A trustworthy trainer adapts their approach and offers alternative strategies when needed, ensuring you never feel stuck. In addition to that, you want your dog trainer to be able to answer that question in a way that makes you feel like they're going to do everything they can to get you as close to your goal and desired results as possible. All experienced dog trainers know that they don't have control over every component of your dog's life, particularly outside of their time together with your dog. That alone is enough to influence whether you see the desired result and/or when. But regardless of your situation or how challenging it may be for you and your dog trainer to get to the desired results, the overall feeling of being a team and like you're all doing everything you can to get there is what must remain consistent and a priority. As an important aside, do be mindful of any agreements or setups where results or ongoing support is not in any way guaranteed, even though you may be required to make a payment up-front. "5. Can you create a custom plan for me and my dog?" Every dog is unique, and so is every situation and environment. Seeking the support of a dog trainer who tailors their methods and plans to fit your specific needs, whether it’s behaviour modification, obedience, or advanced training is going to be key in your success. Even if you're attending a group class with a specific curriculum, you should still be able to feel like accommodations will be made (or at least attempted), should you and your dog find comfort and support in them. Your dog trainer's role is meant to aid and support you through your dog's journey (which lasts all the way from puppyhood to their senior years!), not to limit your dog's potential success or efforts to a predetermined program that offers little to no flexibility. What do you think of these five questions? Would you add any others that have been helpful to you in the past?

Loose Leash Walking: Building Connection, Not Compliance When it comes to teaching loose-leash walking, YouTube, social media and the rest of the internet is filled with quick-fix approaches and although I can understand why, it doesn't mean that it's in our dog's best interest. The best things in life take time, effort and practice. Especially when it comes to a core skill, where an effective leash-walking method becomes about being able to take your time, be patient, and have a deep understanding of the bond we want have built with our dogs. Instead of relying on outdated aversive tactics like prong collars or sudden direction changes that force compliance, we can focus our time and energy on setting our dogs up for success through positive, connection-based training. Understanding Loose Leash Walking Loose leash walking is not just about getting your dog to walk by your side. It’s about building a conversation where both you and your dog naturally feel relaxed and engaged with one another. Rather than a forced interaction, this connection is nurtured and cherished when we listen to what our dog is trying to tell us and when. Is our dog stopping, looking away, or getting distracted? These cues could mean your dog is unsure or uncomfortable, and it’s our job to set the stage for successful engagement, rather than simply pushing through or adding pressure to an interaction that should feel stress-free and loose for you both. Why Quick Fixes Don’t Work Many approaches emphasize quick leash techniques that rely on pressure or abrupt direction changes. However, these methods miss the mark, as they focus on managing and reacting to a dog's behaviour, rather than building a positive relationship at the core. One which will only result in your dog actually choosing and wanting to walk with you, regardless of what you're doing to or for them. If we want our dogs to willingly engage with us, our role is to make them feel secure and ready to connect—not pressured into compliance. And this is why it's so important to look at how your dog is feeling in different types of settings and situations. Setting the Right Environment Before expecting our dogs to walk calmly by our side, we must create an environment where they can thrive and naturally feel like they can accomplish the desired results. This means selecting a space where your dog feels safe and can focus on you without overwhelming distractions. Allow them the chance to engage (and even disengage), and you’ll find they are more naturally drawn to connect. Though the goal is to help our dogs listen and do well in different settings, some dogs might benefit from practicing their loose leash walking skills in an environment where no dogs, people and other distractions are around. That's because you can then easily discern whether they're ready for something more challenging. If not, what's the rush in making things more difficult on you both? The U-Turn and Sporadic Walking Methods While some of these techniques can have their place, they should be used thoughtfully, ideally as a way to redirect attention, particularly in high-pressure settings where you or your dog might feel unsafe or like you have to make a quick getaway all of a sudden, but without relying on pressure or correction. Instead of sudden U-turns to disrupt a dog’s attention, consider using a gentle pause and change of direction as an invitation to re-engage, and when your dog does, double down on that choice by motivating them with praise and rewards, whether that's your affection, a treat or their favourite toy. This is where it's very important to remember to be patient as you wait for your dog to make the good choice you know they can, in the environments you've setup for them where you know they'll be successful, without any pressure or tension. Building Connection Over Compliance True loose leash walking will always be about fostering a connection and conversation where your dog wants to be and engage with you—not because they have to or are feeling forced to, but because he feels safe and valued. By giving our dogs the choice to engage and guiding them positively in key environments, we nurture a relationship that goes beyond mere obedience or listening skills, without the need for emotional or physical pain. And that’s the core essence of great dog training and any relationship you value.