Building Focus and Bonding with Chino: Leash Training Around a year ago, I had the pleasure of working with Chino, a curious and affectionate pup, on leash training and other foundational exercises. Our primary goal was to establish focus and communication, even with distractions present. We began with a focus exercise at the door, a crucial step to help Chino understand that my attention and affection are rewards. Despite the sounds outside, Chino remained curious but calm, offering me brief eye contact which I rewarded with affection instead of treats. This approach was intentional, as it was his first time here, and I wanted him to feel comfortable before introducing treats. As we progressed, Chino began to understand that turning towards me and giving me his attention led to positive interactions. His parents mentioned his affectionate nature, and I leveraged this by using my affection as a treat. This method proved effective as he started to anticipate and enjoy our interactions. To further build his focus, we practiced with the door open. Chino's curiosity was evident, but he consistently refocused on me, a sign that he was starting to understand the exercise. This mentally stimulating activity not only tired him out but also reinforced our bond. We also introduced enrichment activities to see how Chino responded to problem-solving tasks. Although he wasn't very interested in food initially, he engaged with interactive toys, which helped build his confidence and mental agility. Our next step involved leash training with the door wide open. I observed how Chino reacted and whether he chose to return to me voluntarily. His curiosity persisted, but he also gave me his attention, which I rewarded generously. This exercise is vital for creating a bond and ensuring he remains attentive during walks. Remember, incorporating physical play and interactive games into your routine is essential. These activities not only tire out your dog but also strengthen your bond, making training more effective and enjoyable. Chino's progress on day one was promising, and I'm excited to continue building on this foundation.

Remember THIS the Next Time Your Dog Is Being 'Difficult' As dog owners, it's easy to feel frustrated when our furry friends don't seem to be cooperating. However, understanding the reasons behind their behaviour can help us be more patient and supportive. Here are some key points to remember the next time your dog is being 'difficult': 1. They Just Don’t Know Even the most trained, capable, and intelligent dogs don’t perceive the world the same way humans do. When it feels like your dog is being difficult or stubborn, chances are they're having a tough time themselves. They might be confused or anxious and could benefit from your understanding and extra support. 2. No Ulterior Motives Humans tend to view the world through the lens of their experiences and knowledge. However, dogs don’t think or act like us, nor do they have hidden agendas. If your dog seems to be refusing your guidance, there's likely a good reason behind it. It’s not because they’re trying to defy you but because they might be confused or distracted. 3. Emotional Maturity A dog’s emotional maturity is comparable to that of a toddler. While dogs and children have their differences, they share key similarities in their need for guidance and patience. Putting ourselves in their inexperienced paws can help us better understand their perspective and emotions. 4. Not Having a Say Dogs play a significant role in our lives, but they don't have the same level of control over their circumstances as we do. The choices we make often don’t take their feelings into account. Given their limited freedom, it’s important to be considerate and give them the benefit of the doubt when they seem to be having a difficult time. By keeping these points in mind, you can foster a more compassionate and understanding relationship with your dog, making life better for both of you.

Enhancing Dog Engagement: A Walk with Gryffin Walking with Gryffin today was a great reminder of the importance of creating positive experiences for our dogs when encountering other dogs. When we have uncertainties—whether it's about the size of the dog, our dog's energy levels, or even off-leash situations—it's essential to manage the situation calmly and thoughtfully. One effective strategy for smaller dogs, like Gryffin, is to pick them up. This allows them to engage from a distance, seeing, smelling, and sensing the other dog without direct interaction. This approach was particularly helpful today as Gryffin seemed unsure about a larger dog that approached us. By picking him up, Gryffin could observe and acclimate without feeling threatened. For larger dogs, or in situations where picking them up isn’t feasible, walking away or maintaining a safe distance can be equally effective. It’s crucial to remember that if we’re unsure, our dogs are likely feeling the same way. Creating a manageable and calm scenario helps prevent negative experiences and builds confidence over time. While at the park, with Gryffin on a long leash, I allowed him to explore freely. The ample space and minimal distractions meant he could sniff, run, and simply be himself without any pressure. This kind of freedom is vital for a dog's mental and physical well-being. By giving him the liberty to roam and engage with his environment at his own pace, I provided Gryffin with a stress-free experience that encourages natural behaviour and curiosity. In moments like these, it’s not about strict training or expectations. It's about letting our dogs decompress, explore, and enjoy their surroundings. Gryffin's ability to run, sniff, and occasionally check in with me exemplifies a balanced and happy outing. Ultimately, our goal is to create positive, pressure-free experiences that help our dogs feel secure and content.

Walking a dog on a long line has become a great experience for both of me and Bear. But let me share with you why I choose to use a long leash, even on sidewalks. Firstly, we just came from an open area where Bear ran free, loosened up his body, and had a lot of fun with me. He loved it, and I didn’t feel the need to switch to a shorter leash afterwards. There are two other main reasons why I use a long line. The first is trust. For an adolescent, Bear is excellent at checking in with me and re-engaging if needed. I don’t have to constantly command him; he engages naturally, which is rewarding for both of us. I trust him to make good choices, and we aren’t in a particularly challenging environment. The second reason is freedom. I want Bear to have a bit more freedom because I trust him. I use a longer leash to allow this. If we need to cross the street, I’ll shorten it for safety, but it’s not because I don’t trust him. It’s just to keep things safe. After our run in the open space, I trust Bear enough not to need a short leash or quick reaction time. He’s doing amazingly well in this setting, so I feel I can reward him with trust and a bit of leash space. As you can see, he engages well with me. If you have a dog you trust and communicate well with, don’t hesitate to use a longer leash. Keep an eye on the environment and your dog's behaviour, and adjust accordingly. A longer leash can indicate trust and good communication, resulting in more freedom and less tension, making the walk enjoyable for both of you.

A Peaceful Walk with George: Navigating Dog Noise Sensitivity George is here with me, enjoying a lovely walk by the tennis courts. Some people are playing tennis, and it's a beautiful day outside. George is happily snuffling around, exploring all the different smells. The reason we're here is to help him get accustomed to small sounds. Tennis rackets, balls, and people playing don't trigger him, but they do create background noise that he's learning to tolerate. George isn't particularly interested in tennis balls, but this environment allows him to focus on other things, like sniffing around, while there's a minor level of noise. He's a bit sensitive to noise, especially cars and roads, so we're starting in a less intense setting. This way, he can associate the experience with something positive, like being outdoors and hearing people play tennis. We're keeping our walk short and encouraging George to move around. He notices the sounds but isn't spooked or startled. Today, he's feeling quite good. Even when he hears a door creak, he looks but keeps moving with me. This practice helps us reconnect and navigate uncertainty together. George has plenty of leash to explore safely in this pressure-free area. This approach isn't just for noise sensitivity but also for other triggers like dogs, cars, and people. In an environment like this, he can look around and make good choices. I have treats ready, though my hands are a bit full right now. Letting him do his thing, we take it easy and ensure he's comfortable. This is our starting point. If he feels good here, it's a successful step. This area is safe and pressure-free, allowing him to be himself. There's plenty of space and time to make choices, setting a foundation for more challenging situations. If this level is difficult, we stay here longer or find something easier before moving on. George is feeling fantastic today, taking in the sights and sounds without stress. After a few poops, he's even more relaxed. We're still near the tennis courts, where he can hear and see people without getting too close. This exposure is beneficial, allowing him to observe and acclimate to minor noises and distant cars. As we near the cars, I'll pick him up to give him a break. He recognizes the route and knows we'll encounter cars soon. Seeing a squirrel or hearing kids, he might get a bit anxious. I keep the leash short and pick him up when we're too close to the cars. This gradual exposure helps him tackle these noises at his own pace. We're nearing the cars now, and George is doing fine. He might pause, but that's okay. I don't want him to bolt, which would mean we've gone too far. Instead, he pauses and looks at me, signaling he needs help. I pick him up for the rest of the walk past the cars, ensuring he feels secure. Once we're in a quieter area, I'll put him down again. He's walking quickly, wanting space from the cars, but he's not bolting. He checks back with me, showing he's managing his anxiety well. This is a good sign, indicating he's regulating himself and staying engaged. As we move away from the noise, George becomes more relaxed and engaged. The further we get from the triggers, the better he feels. This practice helps us identify comfortable distances and gradually work our way up. Each step builds his confidence, making future walks more enjoyable for both of us.

Carlos Answers ChatGPT's Top 3 Most Asked Dog Training Questions Dog training can be challenging but immensely rewarding. As a dog trainer, I frequently encounter a few common questions. Here, I’ll go over three of ChatGPT's most asked questions about dog training and provide some practical tips for each. 1. How Do I Stop My Dog from Barking Excessively? Barking is a natural way for dogs to communicate. It can indicate excitement, fear, boredom, or even anxiety. To effectively address excessive barking, it’s essential to understand why your dog is barking and the context in which it occurs. Here are some strategies: Identify the Trigger: Determine if the barking happens at home, on walks, in the car, etc. Each scenario may require a different approach. Replace the Behavior: If your dog barks when the doorbell rings, practice redirecting this behaviour. For example, teach your dog to go to their bed or fetch a toy when the doorbell rings. This helps your dog associate the doorbell with a fun and rewarding activity. Consistency is Key: Practice the new behaviour when the actual trigger isn’t present. This makes it easier for your dog to learn without the added excitement or stress of the real situation. Reward Alternative Behaviors: Make sure the new behaviour is more rewarding than barking. This might involve using high-value treats, favourite toys, or engaging activities. Remember, behavior modification takes time. Be patient and consistent, and gradually your dog will learn to choose the new behavior over barking. 2. How Can I Potty Train My Puppy? Potty training requires patience and consistency. Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you train your puppy effectively: Log Bathroom Breaks: Keep a detailed log of your puppy’s bathroom habits. Note the times they eat, drink, and go to the bathroom. This will help you identify patterns and predict when your puppy needs to go out. Regular Breaks: Take your puppy outside regularly, especially after meals, playtime, and naps. Initially, take them out every 1-2 hours, gradually extending the time as they get better at holding their bladder. Reward Immediately: Praise and reward your puppy as soon as they eliminate outside. Positive reinforcement helps them understand that going outside is desirable. Prevent Accidents: If you catch your puppy in the act of having an accident indoors, calmly interrupt them and take them outside. Avoid punishing your puppy, as this can create fear and confusion. Gradual Increase: As your puppy becomes more reliable, slowly increase the intervals between bathroom breaks. This helps build their bladder control. By logging their habits and being consistent with bathroom breaks, you’ll set a solid foundation for successful potty training. 3. What is the Best Way to Stop My Dog from Pulling on the Leash? Leash pulling can make walks frustrating. Understanding why your dog pulls is crucial to addressing the behaviour. Here are some common reasons and solutions: Excitement or Energy: Some dogs pull because they have excess energy. Ensure your dog gets enough exercise before walks. Engage in activities that burn off energy, such as fetch or running. Lack of Connection: Establish a strong bond with your dog through training and engagement. Practice commands like “watch me” to encourage your dog to check in with you during walks. Fear or Anxiety: If your dog pulls out of fear, assess the environment. Avoid stressful situations and gradually expose your dog to new environments in a controlled manner. Build their confidence with positive experiences. Training Techniques: Use positive reinforcement to teach loose-leash walking. Reward your dog for walking by your side with treats and praise. Stop walking when they pull, and resume only when the leash is slack. Training your dog to walk politely on a leash requires patience and consistency. Tailor your approach to your dog’s specific needs and behaviours for the best results. By understanding the root causes of these common issues and applying consistent training techniques, you will always be able to improve your dog's behaviour and above all, strengthen your bond with them!

Walking an Adolescent Dog: A Journey of Socialization and Learning Today, I want to talk about adolescent dogs. Meet Bear, an incredible young dog who has been part of my journey in understanding and guiding dogs through their teenage phase. Bear's initial interactions with me began during our play sessions, and he even came over for some drop-off playtime. At first, he was quite unsure about everything around him—typical for a young and inexperienced dog. My primary focus was on making him feel comfortable. Recently, Bear was neutered, which can significantly help adolescent dogs regulate their emotions. Now, we have a neutered teenager who, while still full of feelings and energy, has a better handle on his emotions. There's still much to do with Bear, but he's already showing tremendous improvement. Our main activity is play, but it goes beyond that. Being in new environments like this one provides natural socialization. Socialization isn't just about how a dog interacts with other dogs or people. It's about how they feel in different settings, whether they can make good choices, and if they can engage with their handler. All these factors indicate a well-socialized dog. When Bear and I explore new places, he behaves like someone walking through a museum or a mall, curiously observing everything. My focus is on his feelings—his body language, tail, posture, and how he engages with me. These observations help me understand his comfort level and guide him better. Socialization is crucial, especially for young, shy, timid, or inexperienced dogs. It's about ensuring they feel okay with each step they take. For adolescent dogs like Bear, who experience a lot of emotions, it's vital to create moments where they don't have to think or feel intensely. Before this walk, we ran together, which is like recess for children—just a chance to let loose and have fun. Running helps Bear relax and be a dog. In the future, I'll look for groups of dogs he can play and socialize with, keeping sessions short and sweet. For any adolescent or inexperienced dog, these experiences are invaluable. They help them find calmness and relaxation in new situations. When reintroducing the world to Bear, I focus on simple activities where we practice just being present. He's curious and takes in all the information around him, which is fine. My main concern is how he feels during these moments. Whether he walks ahead or lags behind, these behaviours indicate his feelings—curiosity, eagerness, or a need to rest. It's important not to perceive these behaviours negatively. Today, Bear engaged with me on his own, making eye contact and seeking touch. This engagement is crucial, as it shows he's comfortable and connected. Every little thing, from the sound of my shoes to a lady cutting grass, should represent peace and neutrality. When socializing a shy or inexperienced dog, especially an adolescent, our goal is to ensure they feel okay. Once they do, we can decide if we want to be excited, run, or explore more. But the baseline is always to feel okay being outside in the real world.

✔️ Healthiest alternative to a dog bowl ✔️ Relaxes and overexcited/tired dog's mind ✔️ Slows down eating in an engaging way This food snuffle mat is 100% a must-have! regardless of your dog's age, breed, or personality. A snuffle mat like this one can easily replace your dog's bowl (and I recommend you do) as a more engaging way for your dog to search and find his food by snuffling for each piece. Snuffling and scavenging-like exercises are natural for dogs and other animals, and incredibly beneficial. Through snuffling and using their nose, dogs also get to slow down their brain and effectively regulate their own emotions. Young dogs and puppies benefit from this highly, as it's normal for them to feel easily excited about the world around them and are not yet equipped with the means to easily regulate their own feelings. This is where snuffle mats come in super handy! Most snuffle mats are machine washable but this one, in particular, should be okay with being hand-washed, except perhaps the toys it comes with. You can also use your dog's other toys, not only the ones it comes with. Just like other snuffle mats, this one is really easy to transport as it also comes with a hook & loop closure to keep it neatly closed and put away. You can bring it to places where your dog could use some help winding down and settling, by snuffling. This is one of the biggest and most convenient advantages of snuffle mats over food puzzles. 3 ways your dog could play with it. 1. Easy challenge: Hide treats or dry food under plush material & encourage your dog to sniff them out. 2. Increased challenge: Hide treats in pockets and cover them with the toys. 3. Ultimate challenge: Hide treats in 5 treat pockets & secure them with hook & loop closure and hide treats with toys for a harder challenge. Make sure to supervise its usage. If your dog starts chewing it or throwing it around, it may be best to switch to a more physically stimulating game at that time, before trying again. Strongly recommend! 10/10

Expectations Lead to Disappointment (Original Post from Trizane Dog Services, by Reanna Ali) A story of true acceptance. It’s taken me a while to get to this place with Amelia. It’s taken me over 3 years to get here, almost 4 years to realize this, and nearly a year later to post this. Before we get into it, you can also head over to my podcast to hear it, if you choose. It’s challenging to live with a dog who struggles on a daily basis… pair that with your own expectations. I’m sad to admit that it’s taken me this long to learn. I train with kindness, love and compassion, but sometimes it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve unexpectedly learned as time passed, that if you let go of your expectations you can no longer be disappointed. Amelia is not a disappointment to me in the least. She’s a brilliant dog. She’s good company, a wonderful companion, we trained together, we work together, she even graduated alongside me at Karen Pryor Academy (KPA), service dog coaching, and The Fearful Dog Project. She’s helped me to realize a lot of my dog training life lessons. She’s helped me to help other families and dogs, but it comes at a cost to her. Circling back to being a professional dog trainer, it doesn’t mean we don’t have goals for ourselves or for our dogs and what we think we should be able to achieve in our partnership. Taking a step back now, I can see how far we’ve come as a team. Albeit not what I expected and a long journey to get here. I too, suffer from “my old dog”, “my other dog”, “my first dog syndrome.” I had these expectations and goals of what I thought Amelia should be and be able to do. I think my turning point at true acceptance and realizing our path was in 2020. That year was not kind to Amelia. We’ve made significant strides and overall her quality of life living with anxiety (keeping her safe, below threshold, happy and calm), but that year was a doozy. After spending majority of the year trying to “fix” her I realized that she needed time. She needed time to rebound from sensory overload. 2020 was our first year with COVID-19. We went from daily walks where we saw no one, I mean not a soul to be seen. You can imagine people were also going stir crazy at this time being couped up in their homes, they soon took to the parks, nature trails and parkettes in their area for daily strolls and exercise. As this happened more and more people began appearing on our usual route. After not seeing people for weeks, we started to encounter them. As the world re-opened, Amelia got sensory overload at this sudden influx of people. I tried everything. I tried training, not training, medicating, desensitizing, counter conditioning, a vet behaviourist even! – I exhausted all of my options. The last straw was medicating. Her personality changed. She no longer found joy in the small things she used to. This was not how I imagined her life to be. After weaning her off, I gave her time. That time grew into weeks, which grew into months, that grew into a year. Reflecting back I realized we were still out, we still did things! We still encountered people. That downtime allowed her to recover and unbeknownst to me, we were still doing everything we normally did, but on a much smaller scale. During that time I tried to bring back that joy, to make her happy, to see that sparkle in her eyes -the enthusiasm. I just wanted to make her happy, because ultimately when she was happy, I was happy. Fast forward to January 2022 (I know, I know, it’s taken me this long to post a whole year has passed) – we are going for walks, we enjoy hiking, we go to the drive-thru, we visit neighbours. Who would’ve thought?! I certainly didn’t. Her behaviour and nuances elevated me as a trainer and person. I have a lot to be thankful for. Sometimes if you let life flow it will take you where you need to be. Trust the process even if you don’t know exactly what it means. Amelia is a magnificent animal and has shown incredible resilience. Will she ever be able to do things we all hope and dream and think every dog should be and do… no, but that’s ok. True acceptance comes from observing the animal in front of you and changing your expectations to meet theirs. To meet them at their darkest and support them. It’s not about us and our silly notions of what should be, abandon your beliefs and enjoy what you have. Even the smallest sparkle still shines. True acceptance.

Exploring the Hype Around Amazon's Bestselling Dog Toy The following is currently Amazon's #1 best-selling dog toy: the Chuckit! ball (pack of 2). I'm quite happy about that! This lets me know that fun and physical exercises are a priority for a lot of pet parents and people in the industry. The best part about this I'm a big fan of the Chuckit! brand as a whole. There's really nothing better than going out to an open field, whipping out their launcher, loading it with a ball and throwing it for your eager pooch to run and fetch. If your dog isn't the best or most interested in fetching like a pro or consistent with bringing the ball each time, you can load up and launch a second ball for them to run after. The fun doesn't end there, however. Especially if the weather is limiting you and your dog a bit, you can have a lot of fun indoors with the Chuckit! ball by playing fetch inside, but even better, by combining it with puzzle-like games. For example, an easy game you can use this ball for is by bringing out a muffin baking pan and putting different treats in some of the cups but covering all of it with balls, for your dog to have to use their nose. How to not use this toy As I would advise with most balls, it's best to keep them stored away, for best use. Keeping your dog's balls away and not constantly available will help prevent any destructive chewing, which could be dangerous for your dog if they eat it, and of course not ideal if you'd like to avoid having to purchase another. But also, by storing the ball away and bringing it out when it's time to play, you have a better chance at ensuring that your dog will feel as interested and engaged in the game as possible, with you.