In week three of my Basic Obedience Workshop we talk about focus and reliability. Something I often talk about but don’t always see used by my students is teaching your dog to look at you when you say their name.
Linking a behavior to your dogs name is like a little life hack for training your dog. If you have your dogs focus before you give them the command they are much more likely to actually follow the command.
HOW TO TRAIN IT
To pair your dogs name with the behavior to look at you is simple repetition, repetition.
Say your dogs name; if they don’t look at you right away that’s okay. You can use their favorite treat to lure from their nose up to your eyes.
Give a reward when they look to your face.
Give a *Jackpot Reward* when they make eye contact.
Give an extra *Special Jackpot Reward* if they make eye contact or even look to your face without a lure.
HOW TO SHAPE IT
Shaping = praising your dog when they naturally perform the behavior you desire. You can then fine-tune it by withholding the treat for “more” from the behavior (dogs usually start guessing or adding in some flair to try to figure out what you want that will get the reward), and then rewarding them when they show a behavior that is or is closer to the behavior you desire.
You can naturally shape the behavior to look at you when you’re walking or playing with your dog and they naturally just look at you. Instantly praise “YES”. You can even start pairing it with their name “Yes, Fido!”. Even if you’re not trying to pair the behavior with their name (although I highly recommenced it) just rewarding for “checking in” with you will build good habits for off-leash work later on.
JACKPOT!
If you’re not sure what a “Jackpot Reward” is; it is when you give several small rewards in a row that your dog will count as a really big reward. Jackpot rewards are usually reserved for when your dog does something really well. Maybe something you’ve even been trying to get them to do for a while, or something they’ve been struggling to understand.
To a dog, several small treats in a row is a way bigger reward than the same amount of treats given in one pile. So make sure you’re giving those jackpot rewards one after another and not all at once.
You can also reserve very special rewards as jackpot rewards; this way you’re using less treats but they still hold higher value. Something very smelly and tasty that your dog loves.
REAL WORLD IMPLEMENTATION
The most common problem I see is dogs who don’t come when they’re called. Teach your dog to look to you out of habit every time you say their name and you can shout their name first before giving the recall command. That way your dog is much more likely to actually follow through and come when called because you got their attention first. They’re listening and it is the opportunity to call them once. “FIDO!” – dog looks to you – “COME!”. If your dog doesn’t listen, then it’s time to focus on recall drills and exercises.
Don’t over-use it: train and drill focus with their name and lots of jackpot rewards before you ever use it in a real-life scenario. You want it to become a second-nature habit before you ever actually need to use it.
This is a subject I’ve been meaning to talk about for some time but I wasn’t quite sure how to address it. Dogs running loose on their own is a massive problem in our little community. I wasn’t sure how to address this issue until recently I couldn’t help but comment on a public post about “bad dog owners”. I pointed out that it’s a lot easier to educate people when you don’t insult them, and the response was another barrage of insults but this time directed at me. At first I was annoyed, maybe even mad, and very confused as this person was making zero sense. But I collected myself and remembered that when people respond that way it’s because they’re feeling backed into a corner and defenseless. They were too stubborn to change their own mind and so all they had left was insults to hurl.
But it got me thinking… how do I help educate people on this important topic when there are people resulting to insults hiding behind an anonymous name? I decided to start where I thrive best; educational material online. Just like my Dogs and Children series, I have structured it much the same with info graphs and this post to elaborate a little more. I know it won’t change the minds that really need it, but maybe it will help people understand that this is a broad issue, as well as to bust some common misconceptions I hear.
When Dogs Run Loose it’s often referred to by professionals and bylaw officers as “dog at large”. It means a dog is off their property without an owner or caregiver and without a leash.
There are many reasons it is unhealthy for a dog to run around public and private properties without an owner accompanying them. There are risks to your dogs health and life if you let them run loose.
“LET THEM BE DOGS”
I hear a lot of different reasons why we should “let dogs be dogs” and let them roam the streets and live their lives as they please. I often am told that different cultures have always raised dogs differently, and essentially, who am I to come in and tell them how to raise their dog? Sure, the traditional way to raise dogs makes sense when you think about it in traditional times. But this is 2026 and this is a vastly different world we live in today. It’s time for all humans to step up and take care of our animal friends in a way that keeps them safe and healthy in all regards.
CALL ANIMAL CONTROL
When and if to call Animal Control is going to depend on different factors. I’ve heard a lot of different reasons from people against calling Animal Control (which, in our town, is the Fort St. James District bylaw officers). There has been a lot of controversy ever since they opened their doors January 1st, 2025. I’m not here to touch on most of that, but I am here to bust a few myths I’ve heard floating about.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
If, after reading the above points you still don’t feel right calling AC on your friends and neighbors dogs, then maybe offering help is more your style. Sometimes people need help more than judgement or consequences.
They might need help accessing the right equipment (like a proper tie-out), they may need help building a fence, they may need financial aid (there are many resources available for this), or maybe they need the number of a reliable dog walker. There are so many solutions that they could need help with and all you have to do is nicely ask them.
IT IS A COMMUNITY PROBLEM
Dogs at large and left to wander is a community problem. It puts the dogs at risk but it also puts the public at risk as well. When dogs are scared, feel threatened or cornered they will often resort to biting as a means of escape. It doesn’t make them bad dogs, they just feel threatened and are trying to protect themselves. When multiple dogs are left to wander they can “pack up” and become even more dangerous in groups. Even just 2 or 3 dogs running wild can be dangerous and considered a pack.
This is a problem that requires solutions from both the governing body (for us, it’s the District of Fort St. James) as well as community members. If you can hep a dog in need, do it. If you can help a person in need, do it. If you can’t, find someone else who can help and/or enforce the laws we all have to live by for a functioning and safe society.
Now I have little faith this post will solve the problem. But if it helps change the mind of just one person to be more willing to reach out and help instead of judge, or if it makes one person considering finding a way to keep their dog safe at home, then it was worth writing every word and designing every graphic.
Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday. It is all about having fun getting scared and eating candy, which are pretty much my two favorite things (other than dogs, of course). I love decorating my house all spooky for the month, taking the kids trick-or-treating, and watching horror movies with my husband.
It’s often easy to overlook our pets during the holidays when we are busy and our routines are disrupted. However, it’s important to take the time to make sure our furry buddies are feeling safe during the holidays as well.
One of the most well-loved Halloween traditions is, of course, dressing up! The first thing to consider is whether your dog will spook over someone in a costume or not. Dogs don’t understand the concept of Halloween or dressing up and it can be very easy to frighten them when everyone is suddenly covered in these strange clothes and makeup. The smells alone of the makeup and plastic can be unfamiliar and unsettling to a dog.
If you plan to dress your dog up, make sure to choose a costume that isn’t too constricting, too flashy or big that may startle your dog, and make sure it is sized appropriately. Once you have your costume selected you will need to teach your dog how to wear it. Don’t wait until October 31st to put the costume on your dog. You will want to try it on them well in advance and get them used to wearing it. If your dog has never worn a costume before, or if they spook easily, you are going to start with very small baby steps to teach them to wear it.
Start by letting them sniff it and reward for close proximity or interest in the garment. Use your dogs favorite treats to make it extra enjoyable. Do short sessions of this and gradually move the costume closer and begin to touch your dog with it. Depending on how the costume goes on, you may want to touch their feet and legs with it, brush it over their back or even place it on top of their head. Gradually move the costume more and more onto their body. Always rewarding for calm, accepting behavior. Once you can fasten the costume onto your dog you can try to get them to walk around with it. Some dogs may feel constricted, like they can’t move even if the costume is loose on them. Be patient and give them time to adjust, always rewarding for calm behavior. If your dog seems stressed, always take it a step back and try again later.
As your dog gets used to it, you can try leaving the costume on them for longer periods. Practice taking it on and off multiple times, giving lots of praise and rewards every time you do.
Of course dogs love treats! But not all treats are safe for dogs. Chocolate is a BIG no-no for dogs and can make them very sick and can even kill them in large amounts (bakers chocolate being the most toxic to them). Keep all candy far out of your dogs reach.
If you wish to include them in the special event, you can opt for dog-safe treats. Our local Ouellette’s Building Supplies has a great selection of dog treats, bones and chews!
Giving your dog a good hardy chew is a great way to keep them quiet, safe and feeling happy during the commotion of trick-or-treaters.
If you wish to take your dog with you trick-or-treating then my best advice is this: know your dog. If your dog is prone to shyness, spooks easily, gets nervous or has any sort of anxiety in public spaces, around people or around strange things then DO NOT TAKE THEM WITH YOU. They are MUCH better off at home, in a safe space where it’s quiet and they can try to relax.
If you have a “bomb proof dog”; meaning they are pretty unphased by crowds, other animals, traffic, etc. then taking them with you while you trick-or-treat can be a great way to further socialize and desensitize them and work on your training in these situations. Make sure to add some lights to their collar, harness or leash to make them easy to see in the dark, and keep them by your side at all times. Some children (and even some adults) may pet them unexpectedly and this is something you will need to know beforehand if your dog can handle that kind of uninvited touch.
Stay safe, keep your dog safe and Happy Halloween!
I took a bit of a break this summer. Consistent childcare, access to a vehicle, and finding the right training space are all challenges that make 1:1 training difficult. On top of that, after running five group obedience classes back-to-back in the spring, I was feeling pretty burnt out. Taking the summer off gave me the chance to recharge and enjoy more time at home with my kids.
While I was home, a few realizations stood out:
Group classes are definitely in demand here.
Without reliable childcare, a car, and a consistent training space, 1:1 clients are nearly impossible to schedule.
It’s okay to ask for help.
GROUP CLASSES ARE COMING BACK
As I shared in my last post, group classes were a huge hit this spring, and I’ll absolutely be bringing them back this fall. If you’d like to join, make sure you’re on the waitlist — I’ll email you as soon as the dates are finalized.
PRESSING PAUSE ON 1:1 TRAINING
As much as I love working with 1:1 clients — it’s where my training techniques really shine — I’ve decided to temporarily suspend private sessions. This includes:
Puppy Training Sessions
Obedience Training Sessions
Problem Behavior Sessions
Trick Training Sessions
The 1:1 option of the Boundary Training Workshop
If you’re already a 1:1 client or have upcoming sessions booked, nothing changes. I’ll honor all current appointments and contracts. Starting today, though, I won’t be accepting new 1:1 clients until my schedule is more flexible.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO SHANNON
I have to give a huge shout-out to my friend and fellow certified dog trainer, Shannon Joe, who stepped up to help with Pack in the Park. She’s been an absolute delight — showing up consistently, creating her own event pages, and even taking and sharing photos in the Dog Owners Group afterward.
Because of Shannon, Pack in the Park continues to run weekly. She usually hosts Sundays and often covers weekday events if I can’t make it. I honestly couldn’t keep it going without her. Thank you, Shannon!
TRICK TRAINING: A PERSONAL PASSION
Shannon and I have also been tossing around the idea of starting a Trick Training Club in FSJ. While I’m not sure I have the time to commit to a full club, I will be adding a trick training class this fall — so keep an eye out for announcements!
Trick training has been one of my favorite things since I was a kid. Between ages 11 and 16, I taught my dogs an impressive number of tricks — all without formal knowledge. I learned by breaking behaviors down step by step. My dogs could grab drinks from the fridge, vault off my back to catch a Frisbee, balance on my feet — you name it. While other 13-year-olds were exploring makeup and hanging out with friends, I was at home teaching my dog to perform circus acts.
These days, I’m working toward earning my dog Zelda’s Novice Trick Dog Title. We already have enough tricks to qualify, but I’m polishing them up before submitting. Once Zelda earns her title, I plan to launch a trick training class designed to help owners do the same. By the end of the course, you’ll have enough tricks to submit to Do More With Your Dog for your own Novice Trick Dog Title!
Designing the class and all the supporting material will take some time, but I promise it will be worth the wait.
WHAT’S NEXT
Before trick training begins, I’ll be running more Group Obedience Classes — as many rounds as there’s demand for. Right now, I’m updating the class material. Once that’s ready, I’ll confirm dates with the United Church.
I know this post is a lot of “what’s coming soon,” and I wish I had exact dates for you already. My best guess is that group classes will start rolling out in late September or early October.
Thanks so much for your patience and continued support — I can’t wait to get back into training with you and your dogs!
This was my first year holding successful group classes and you guys exceeded my expectations. Last year I tried to do a group class and only had one person sign up. This year I thought, “what the heck, throw it out there one more time…” and the response I got was overwhelming. Not only was I able to put on a group class but I was able to put on FIVE of them!
Each class had 4 dogs with their handlers and was held at the United Church. I’m so grateful to the United Church for giving me the chance to hold my classes there. They’ve been accommodating and forgiving (especially of the spring-time dog hair shed about the room). I worked hard to clean the room after each class to help lessen my lease and to show respect towards the Church. All of my students were also very respectful of the space. It turned out to be a great place to run a small class. However, I certainly wouldn’t want more than 4 dogs (and my Zelda) in there. To hold a bigger class comfortably, I would need a bigger space.
Throughout these 5 classes I’ve fine-tuned my methods and curriculum to the point I feel quite confident that the Basic Obedience Workshop is exactly what the average dog owner wants. It’s really more than just a basic obedience class; it’s an “everything you need to know to comfortably live with your dog” class. It covers all of the foundations you need to build strong, reliable obedience.
WEEK ONE: FOUNDATIONS
The class kicks off in week one with Foundations. It starts with a main focus on two of the 5 basic obedience commands: sit and down. Most dogs already know at least one of these by the time they come to my class, but not always.
Other topics covered in this first class are:
leashes and collars terminology and tips off vs down a note on consistency
It’s a lot covered in the first lesson, but all the other classes are built off this first one. As the weeks go on there are less subjects covered in each class because with each subsequent class we are reviewing everything from the previous class, every week. Week One Foundations is definitely a class you don’t want to miss.
WEEK TWO: IMPULSE CONTROL
Impulse control in dogs refers to their ability to resist the urge to act on a desire or instinct and instead choose a more appropriate or desired behavior. For example, stay instead of chase a squirrel. It’s essentially teaching a dog to pause, think and make a more deliberate choice rather than reacting automatically. It’s a skill that is crucial for safety, preventing accidents and enhancing overall training. All dogs could use impulse control training to teach them to think before they act. Heck, most people could use it too. Week two gets right to the nitty gritty of impulse control with a heavy focus on the basic obedience command stay.
Also taught in this class are:
stay circle jackpot rewards distractions and challenges
Newly added to this class is also impulse control games! Games you can play with your dog at home that will help them hone their impulse control skills.
WEEK THREE: FOCUS AND RELIABILITY
Week three takes the skills we’ve learned in the first half of the workshop and builds off of them to step it up with one of the most important basic obedience commands that all owners want their dog to learn: come (recall). In this class we teach our dogs to focus on us and what the key is to more reliable obedience.
Also covered in week three’s class:
watch command automatic sit
WEEK FOUR: REAL WORLD OBEDIENCE
The fourth and final week of this workshop teaches you how to apply all of the skills you learned into the real world and your every-day life. The basic obedience command we focus on last is heel, with an optional “loose-leash walking” for those who don’t really care if their dog walks right beside them, but want them to learn not to pull on the leash. Heel is a great command for learning to navigate the world with your dog as your partner at your side.
Also covered in the last class:
phasing out treats the key to reliable obedience
JOIN THE WAIT LIST
If you missed out on the fun this spring and would like to be a part of my next obedience class, you can join the wait list and I will contact you once I have a date set for the next class.
I wanted to end this post with a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who helped make these 5 group classes a success. My family for putting up with my insane work schedule during that time, and of course, to my clients and their wonderful dogs. Thank you to every person who filled these classes. You all taught me as much as I taught you. I truly enjoyed every moment; every challenge, every celebration, every moment of comradery as we were all in it together. You all made this experience extremely special to me. Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my beautiful demo dog Zelda. I couldn’t have done this without her by my side every class.
Spring time came and hit so fast I feel like I could blink and miss it. My April was incredibly busy; between my daughters year-end dance performance, group classes and one-on-one training sessions my month was jam-packed. I was able to put on two training classes for April and have two more for May. My busy schedule was also due thanks to my husband being home for breakup. This has helped me open my schedule for a lot more dog training.
With spring time always comes “puppy season”. I had a few puppies for 1:1 sessions and those are always a blast. I absolutely love training puppies; so if you acquired yourself a puppy this spring and would like to know how to get the best start on training send me a message!
One puppy came to me for trick training, to help them reach their goal of earning their Novice Trick Dog title through Do More With Your Dog. I absolutely love trick training, and this is a personal goal of mine for my own dog.
Myself and some fellow dog enthusiasts are mulling over the idea of putting together a trick training club. If this is something that sounds up your alley, let me know! The more people we have interested in it, the more likely we will do it.
Registration for my next class has ended, but you can READ HERE more information and to add yourself to the wait list for the next class.
Running group obedience classes was always the goal but one that took me a while to check off my list. It took me a while to have the confidence to run a class, and it only came after my experience with running Pack in the Park.
Last spring I approached the United Church about using the space for group classes. I remember there being group obedience classes there that I took my puppy to when I was about 15. I remember at the time thinking “wow, I want to do this. I want to run a class like this”, so to think back on that and realize that I not only have reached that goal I set so long ago but I’m doing it in the same space where I first set the goal is really quite bittersweet. However, last spring my group class turned into a 1:1 when I only had one person sign up for it. This made me a bit hesitant to put on classes again, but I gave it a shot and was blown away at the response I received. Not only could I put on one but TWO classes with an additional 2 more the following month. I’m not really sure what the difference between last spring and this spring is, but I’ll take it. I’m just happy to see so many people training their dogs!
Group 1 was my “Girlies”. This was a class full of women and their female dogs. It had a great vibe, despite two reactive dogs in the class, and everyone has progressed and learned so much in those 4 weeks. We have our last class tonight and then that is a wrap on Group 1.
Group 2 was a bit more challenging with many dogs and owners at varying levels. We had some owners who just needed the added level of distraction for their dogs to work in and we had others who were puppies just learning with their first-time puppy owners. This made for an interesting dynamic in class. Everyone learned in different ways and rates but everyone kept up with the same curriculum. Group 2 graduated first, as Group 1 had the Easter holiday push their classes back by a week.
As I prepare for Groups 3 and 4 I am using everything I learned from teaching Groups 1 and 2 to make the class even better. I plan to always revise it in this way, ever fine-tuning it to be more efficient and effective.
The most important thing to me is creating and supporting a safe, relaxed environment that is easy to learn in. I will keep offering this class as long as there are people who want to take it.
This month Fort St. James Dog Training, sponsored by the Fort St. James Animal Care Team Society (FSJ ACTS), is bringing the Be A Tree dog bite prevention program to the community’s children. We are starting with our local Girl Guides. Myself along with volunteer April Dimond will be presenting the Be a Tree information, along with some added tweaks to make the program better to understand and remember for children of a variety of ages. This program helps teach children what to do when encountering a strange dog and what types of behavior/body language they can observe and interpret to help them understand whether a dog is safe to pet or not. This information is vital for preventing dog bites in children.
This is a goal I’ve been working towards for a long time. I’m very thankful for FSJ ACTS part in helping me achieve this goal. I’m also incredibly thankful to April, for her insight into teaching children has been absolutely vital, and I’m very grateful for all the hands-on work she’s done to help me bring this program together.
Next Pack in the Park Date: May 7, 2025 Time: 11:00am Location: Goodwin Park
Pack in the Park is a FREE event for all dog owners of all skill-levels to attend. It is great for reactive dogs to learn to work within their comfort zone (you may need to add more space between your dog and others until you reach that comfort zone). This is an owner-lead event; which means you plan the type of training you would like to do with your dog. This is NOT an obedience class.
Be aware: there are dogs behind fences that bark and sometimes there are loose dogs that wander by this park. If your dog is not ready for that level of distraction then you may want to work in a quieter environment still until your dog is ready.
Rules: 1. All dogs must be on leash (NO retractable leashes) 2. Dogs must NOT meet face-to-face; this is not a play date 3. All owners must pick up after their dogs! This is a public park and if we wish to continue to bring our dogs to public spaces we must be respectful.
As the end of the year gradually races towards us, I find myself reflecting on the past year and considering the year ahead. Last year, dog training was a whirlwind of client after client. This year was a slow business year. I think a part of it is that this is a small town and eventually clientele will slow down no matter what, but also I think a lot of it has to do with my own time management.
We started FSJ ACTS in February/March this year and we hit the ground running. I could probably write an entire blog on just this year with ACT. I am constantly feeling pulled between my family, my jobs and my volunteer hours. I love all of it, but I don’t really have time for all of it. I’m so exhausted all the time that I don’t push myself as hard I could to make my dog training career more successful. I keep telling myself it will come with time as my kids get older.
That being said, when I look back on this year and everything I’ve done and learned I realize it’s been a pretty big year too. Just in more subtle ways. I did my first group class in June, which flopped as a group class but I met one wonderful person and her spunky hound dog pup and we still connect and stay in touch. My ideal client is one who shows up on time, does the work with their dog and stays in touch to let me know how it goes in the long-run. I don’t want to ever have a client tell me their training didn’t work out (or worse, hear it from someone else) when I could have been there to help guide them in a different direction. Dog training is kind of a mix between science and art, it isn’t always so black and white. Some things will work with some dogs but not others. Sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to find what does work.
2024 also taught me how important Pack in the Park is, and it breaks my heart that I haven’t been able to host one in months. I’m currently putting together a new Host training program, so if you’re local to Fort St. James and would like to try to host a Pack in the Park let, me know! I wish I could be there myself, but I just can’t at this time in my life. So I’m hoping to find one or two more individuals who’d like to host it.
I took on a foster puppy for the first time since I was involved with the humane society in 2008-2012. It was extremely challenging. I underestimated how chaotic our house would feel with one more young being in it. Boss was such a great foster pup, the best I could have asked for. So chill, calm, and happy to please. But even with all those wonderful traits it made my house feel more chaotic. I’ve learned that if I do take on a foster dog it has to be limited to the summer when I can utilize my outdoor kennel more. I don’t know if my family will even be ready for another foster dog by next summer, though. Saying goodbye to Boss was really hard. Luckily, he is with a really wonderful family and I still get to see him on occasion when he comes for play dates with Zelda. Boss taught me it’s possible and completely okay to love a dog that isn’t part of your family.
I helped spearhead the Art for Animals Gallery Fundraiser and we learned so much from that. It wasn’t just about the money, it turned into this amazing opportunity to connect with the public about what ACT does. We reached a lot of people and taught them who we are and what we do. We had students come through the gallery and learn about art and our cause. For the amount of work and time it took, it wasn’t exactly the most profitable fundraiser but it turned out to be so much more than a fundraiser. I’m really proud of this one.
Last Sunday we had the first Annual Santa Photos fundraiser; which was so much more than just Santa Photos! We also had a little Christmas pet shop, nail trims by Katie, Dog Training Consultations by me and live music by Natile, as well as a few cool door prizes! We raised $790 and had a total blast meeting everyone and their furry family members. I think with more time to plan it next year we will bring it back next December, even better!
At our last ACT meeting we established the roles we would all like to play. I am now the Humane Education Coordinator. I joined Doggone Safe and am currently enrolled in a course so that I can be certified to teach dog bite prevention. I’m about halfway through it, as I write this, and I’ve learned so much already. It’s a very thorough course and I highly recommend it to any dog enthusiasts or anyone who works with dogs. I have plans to upgrade my education with more than just bite prevention as well. With these upgrades, I can’t wait to bring more humane education programs to Fort St. James in 2025.
I will be closed from December 19, 2024 until January 7, 2025. Happy Holidays!
FSJ ACTS will be closed from December 21, 2024 until January 2, 2025.
Boundary training is the process of training your dog to stay within a defined space. This may be your unfenced yard or to not bolt through open gates or doors.
DISCLAIMER: Boundary training is not for dogs with behavior problems such as aggression (towards dogs or people), high prey drive or for females in heat. Boundary training is also not a way to contain your dog and should only be implemented under supervision.
WHY BOUNDARY TRAIN YOUR DOG?
– keep your dog from bolting through open doors or gates – lessens the chances of your dog slipping out and escaping – teaches your dog self-control around distractions such as people or other dogs walking by – your dog can learn to wait their turn to go through a doorway or gate – you can work in your yard with peace of mind – you can eat your meals in peace (includes a bonus piece about teaching your dog to stay out of a room) – strengthens your bond with your dog
I recognize that people (and dogs!) don’t all learn new things the same way. Some people learn best by reading, some learn best by watching and listening and some learn best by doing. It’s with this understanding that I’m offering three ways to learn about boundary training; a 10 page PDF document, a 15:39 minute long video or a one-hour in-person training session. Both video file and training session come with the 10 page document. When it comes to boundary training, it’s best if the training is done in your home which makes a group training workshop impossible. However, I think with the combination of PDF document, video and in-person training anyone can learn to boundary train their dogs themselves.
Select which part of the workshop you’d like:
PDF document
15 minute video + PDF document
1 hour in person + PDF document
A NOTE ON THE IN-PERSON TRAINING SESSION:
My current availability to come to your house for a training session is Tuesdays between 10am and 2pm. I understand that this is not ideal for a lot of people, and I apologize for the inconvenience. It is just my current circumstances.
In-person training sessions are only available in Fort St. James.
About Grooming Your Dog / an Interview with Groomer Anna Hawkins
I think something a lot of pet owners overlook when they first get their pet is their grooming and care needs. All dogs need grooming, but not all dogs will require the same effort or type of grooming. To dig a little deeper on this subject, I decided to interview my sister Anna Hawkins, who is based in Alberta. She is knowledgeable about grooming and wants to see people take responsibility of their pets care. I thought she would be a great person to help me with this post!
Anna runs Pawparazzi Pet Services in Taber, Alberta. It is a home-based professional salon for pets. Pawparazzi Pet Services just opened last year, but Anna says she started with hands-on experience the year before. “My friend was running a home-based dog grooming business and she was kind enough to teach me and give me loads of hands-on experience.”, she said. Anna loves animals and devotes herself to treating them with kindness and is very professional. Since opening, Pawparazzi Pet Services has been busy helping keep Tabers animals healthy and looked after.
Anna volunteering her time to trim nails at Pet Valu. Proceeds went to the Taber Lost Paws Society.
Condition Your Dog
The first thing you need to do to get your dog on the path of regular grooming care is to “condition” them for that type of handling. Animals don’t understand that grooming is good for them and they don’t always enjoy it right away. In order to get a dog (or any other animal) used to being handled by a groomer you have to first start at home handling them in a similar fashion and associate that handling with something positive. You can do this just hanging out in your living room watching a movie. If you have a table you can lift them onto it will help even more as most groomers use a grooming table. If you don’t have a table you can put your dog on, you can still condition your dog from the floor or couch. Sit down with your dog and touch them all over. Associate this touch positively using your tone of voice, your type of touch and food rewards. Make sure you are touching their ears, feet/toes, tails and mouths as well. These are areas most dogs aren’t fond of being touched.
If your dog ever gets a nail or pad injury, ear infection or tooth problem you will need them to be okay with being touched in these areas by a vet or groomer. They will also have to be used to you lifting their tails, as a surprising amount of dog problems come from the butt (as we learned at the K-9 First Aid course hosted by Nikki last summer). Pet and touch your dog then treat. Do this all over and repeatedly. You can work on it for 5 minutes a night and it will still make an impact on how your dog behaves at both the groomers and the vets.
You can also take this one-on-one time with your dog as a way to touch base with their health. Give them a look all over to make sure that all systems are working fine. Peek into the ears, check the gums, you can even go so far as to check your dogs heart rate. Knowing what your dog’s regular resting heart rate is can help you in the case of an emergency to know what is normal and what isn’t normal for your dog. Check between the toes, part the fur and look for any bumps, scrapes or strange growths. If any odd bumps or lesions do show up you can be aware of them, treat them if necessary, and keep an eye on them so that they don’t get infected. If your dog has an injury that hasn’t been noticed it can fester and become a real problem.
Photo courtesy of Anna Hawkins
At-Home Care
Even if you have a reoccurring appointment with your groomer, you will still need to make sure you are keeping up on regular at-home care for your dog. There are many things people easily overlook such as nails. Sometimes people feel intimidated by trimming their dogs nails themselves and so they simply don’t do it. When you don’t keep up with regular nail care then the blood supply to the nail grows with the nail and it becomes harder to trim them. You have to slowly take off a bit at a time and leave several days in between for the blood supply (known as the “quick”) to recede. I asked Anna what the most overlooked part usually is and her response was, “oh yes, probably the nails. I am always surprised by how often people say their dog doesn’t need a nail trim but then I look at those feet and they are SO overgrown.” Dogs walk on their toes, so if you leave the nails so long that they are past the toes and touching the floor, they can push the toes up and force a dog to walk on the main pad on their foot (kind of like making you walk on your heel). It can be uncomfortable and if left untreated it can even cause foot pain and arthritis in your dog.
It’s important to understand the unique grooming needs of your dog. Some breeds have different types of coat that require different types of care. “Dirty ears and un-plucked ear hair in poodles and poodle-mixes is another very common issue”, Anna says. Some terriers require hand stripping of the fur as well, which is a bit more work and a lot more conditioning than your average type of coat.
Whether your dog has a unique type of coat or not, the biggest thing you can do between grooming appointments is brush your dog. “If your dog has a smooth-short coat, use a bristle brush and a de-shedding brush.” Anna said about brushing between appointments, “If your dog has floofy thick fur, get that comb right down to the skin, not just the top layer. Cats should be brushed, too, especially long-haired cats.”.
Photo courtesy of Anna Hawkins
Matted Fur
When an animal’s fur gets tangled and is not treated it can become more and more tangled until it’s a thick matted mess. Mats can be unsightly, annoying and even dangerous. If left untreated, the mats can mat together and form a whole “pelt” that covers the animal. It is so tight all over and can pull on the skin. Since it creates a thick layer over the skin moisture can get trapped against the skin. All that pulling and moisture is a dangerous grounds for infection. It can be extremely painful. It’s best to take care of mats when they’re small and easy to remove. Mats commonly happen in long-haired animals that aren’t brushed, but they can sometimes happen to short-haired animals too.
“Don’t let your dog swim and then roll around to dry off,” Anna said, “because it can create a lot of mats in the coat. If you find a mat, massage it with some corn starch and gently pick it out with a wide-tooth comb.”
Photo courtesy of Anna Hawkins
Finding The Right Groomer
Grooming animals is one of those professions where anyone can say they’re a groomer (just like anyone can say they’re a dog trainer). So how do you find a good groomer who knows what they’re doing and treats your pets with a fair kindness? Anna says, “People should always ask a groomer where they got their practical (hands-on) training, and what are they doing to update their knowledge and keep their skills sharp? There is SO much to learn in this field and we should never stop studying and seeking improvement”.
I loved the way Anna explained this, as it’s exactly how I feel about dog trainers as well. Hands-on experience is important, someone who is willing to keep learning and keep getting better is essential, and someone who you personally get along with is also important. You’re going to commit to bringing your pet to this person on a regular basis, it’s important that you trust them personally and trust their skills as well.
“I am so grateful to the pet owners in my area for trusting me with their fur-babies.” Anna said, “I have been honored by the tremendous response to my new business, and all the support I have received in only a few short months. I am flattered to have clients from Taber and almost all the surrounding small towns, with some driving nearly an hour to bring their pets to me. I promise to always treat them as if they were my own beloved fur-faces.”.
A good groomer will treat your pet like their own loved pets. That is a great quality to look for in a groomer, and the residents of Taber and it’s surrounding areas are very lucky to have Anna caring for their pets!
Photo courtesy of Anna Hawkins
Be The Ideal Client
Grooming animals is not for the faint of heart. I knew from an early age, about 12 or so, that I could never hack it as a groomer. I just don’t enjoy it. I do the basic grooming necessary for my dogs and I am fully aware I will not put in extra effort for de-matting and more extensive grooming. I think it’s important people are honest with themselves when they first get a dog, on whether or not they can put the time and effort into their unique care needs. I know I don’t want to deal with the coat of a long haired dog, so I don’t get long haired dogs.
If you’re going to rely on a groomer for regular appointments you should do your best to be an excellent client. This involves regular maintenance in between your appointments, but it goes a little beyond that as well. I asked Anna what her ideal client was and after her answer I realized the ideal client is also the ideal pet owner. It’s someone who’s proactive in their animals care. I think it is also someone who feels comfortable to have free-flowing dialogue with their groomer. Ask questions if you have them, and be curious about your dogs care.
“I really appreciate any client who loves their pet so much that they are trying to do all the right things at home in-between grooming and veterinarian appointments. They research how to brush the pet and they bought the correct type of brush for the coat type. They are feeding the best quality food they can afford. They are hands-on, actively training and socializing, and are very aware of what is happening with their pets physical state. They know when to book the pet with a professional groomer, they are committed to that appointment and see it for what it is: health and wellness care.”
I also asked Anna what her idea pet client is. She said any animal that cooperates in the salon, which brings me back to the beginning of this post. I can’t stress enough how important conditioning your pet to touch is. Anna further explained, “They don’t have to be thrilled with the situation, but please don’t be climbing my arms and snapping at me and leaping around like a little rodeo bull. I do love grooming Pomeranians, Golden Retrievers, and Border Collies especially, though.”
A huge THANK YOU to Anna of Pawparazzi Pet Services for helping me with writing this blog as well as for providing the “Grooming Tips” and photos. As an on-going effort to raise awareness about grooming as care for your dog, I will have these grooming tips peppered throughout my blogs, website, and social medias.
Shara Walsh 