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Winter Training Hack

2/7/2024

Now that winter is here, training outside gets more complicated if you want to reward your dog. Stick the mitts in the treats? Pull the glove off, deliver the treat then stick your hand back in? If neither option appeals to you, consider using a lickable treat instead!

Squeeze tubes are great for this. Simply find whatever soft food you'd like to use (i.e. canned dog food, plain pumpkin, peanut butter, liver pate, etc.), get it to the right consistency (not too chunky, not too runny - this may require mixing it with something else), put it into the tube and dispense as needed!

Great for using in the winter, as all you need to do is remove the lid and squeeze a bit for your dog to lick, so they are mitten friendly.

Preparing Your Dog for Back to School Time

8/17/2023

Anytime there is a sudden change to a dog's normal routine, it can take them some time to adjust. If that change involves more time spent with them and them doing more activities, it often goes better than if it involves less time spent with them. Back to School can be one of those abrupt transitions for a family dog from having more people around and more attention to being alone more and receiving less attention. Therefore, it is a good idea to help them prepare for this change ahead of time using the tips below, especially if they are a puppy and haven't experienced this transition before.

Swimming

7/5/2023

Often our idea of summer in Muskoka includes our dog swimming in the lake. While some dogs take to water naturally, others may take some time to get used to the idea, some may prefer not to swim but to wade and other may have a body type that makes swimming challenging.

If you would like your dog to enjoy the water, then key is planning a gradual introduction, allowing your dog to choose if they want to go in or not, and associating the water and/or swimming with something they enjoy.

Train Like a Pro

5/29/2023

Is there something you're finding challenging to teach your dog? Want to know why an experienced dog trainer can make training look easy? Keep reading for the skills that can take your training game to the next level and how to develop them.

Calm Car Trips

3/8/2023

Image by Sam Williams from Pixabay

Having a dog that can't settle and relax in the car makes for very challenging car rides. The good news is that there are things you can do to teach your puppy to be a good traveler and to help your adult dog be more comfortable and relaxed in the car.

Safety First

It's important that your dog not be able to physically interfere with the driver of the car. It is also important to consider your dog's safety in the car. In the event of a crash, an unrestrained dog could be ejected from the vehicle. When you arrive at your destination, you'll want to have your dog wait in the car until you are ready for them to exit, rather than them jumping out and running off. There are a variety of ways to address these concerns.

Image from Canva

You can use a crate for your dog inside your vehicle. This keeps your dog securely in one location, allows for a controlled exit from the vehicle and prevents your dog from dashing out when a door is opened. They now make crash tested dog crates for added security.
You can use a seatbelt harness for your dog. This will keep them securely in one location, allow for a controlled exit from the vehicle and prevent your dog from dashing out when a door is opened.
You can use a vehicle barrier. This will keep your dog from interfering with the driver and from dashing out when people in the front seats of the vehicle open their doors. It won't prevent your dog from dashing out when the door to their area of the vehicle is opened, so you'll want to pair this with some training on remaining in the vehicle until released instead of dashing out.
You can use a hammock or car seat cover. They can function as a bit of a barrier, but I know some dogs that can get over them into the front seat, so they don't have the same level of security as a vehicle barrier while having the same downsides.

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