One Leg Up Canine Company
52 Victoria Road South N1E 5P6 Guelph, ON, Canada

This isn't only about the vet bills. The conditions that a puppy is raised in is important. The conditions that a puppy's mother lives in is important. For health, and for early neurological development. https://www.cbc.ca/1.5755942

Daycare training time turned cuddle time, featuring Snoop and Skye

Each new shipment of daycare toys must go through thorough lab testing @ One Leg Up Canine Company

Hey #Guelph please keep an eye out for Cali if you're in the Crane Park area!

This is why our Puppy Socials aren't just about healthy playtime among puppies! Providing obstacles to climb and explore, redirection games, impulse control work, and focus exercises are a key part of our time together.

Zoe was our littlest. She was our mightiest. She was my little shadow, for years. So many humans and canines around the community knew Zoe, or at least knew of her. She had enthusiastically trotted by my side since day one of starting this crazy business adventure, and through all the changes that came over the coming years. I know many hearts are broken as we all grieve the loss of such a sweet girl and such big part of our world. I am forever grateful to her wonderful family for sharing their little miss with us. Happy tails and happy trails little miss Zo @ One Leg Up Canine Company

A recent uptick in my caseload where the dog is suddenly aggressive towards another dog in the home reminded me of just how much our emotions influence our do...g’s behavior. Research shows just how intuitive dogs can be when it comes to our own emotional states (Mills, Miklosi). And after all, many of us are experiencing a wide range of emotions that we didn’t just a few months ago. In many cases, the aggression is directed at the other resident dog only when the aggressor is near the owner, and the other dog approaches. Resource guarding? Perhaps. Jealousy? Perhaps. Health issues that affect communication? Perhaps. Though when the dogs have a history of peacefully co-existing for years, and the only significant change is an event that is emotionally taxing on the owner, the catalyst can often be their current emotional state. And what an incredibly difficult situation this presents! The owner now has the revelation that they may be part of the cause for the conflicts. A terrible stressor to pile on top of the current heap of emotions. What can be done? First, it is important to know that this is not the owner’s fault. We are human, and humans experience emotions. No one purposely decides to get all stressed out and see if their dogs proceed with a battle royale. Second, management. Separating the dogs to prevent further conflicts for the time being is absolutely OK. Time can be spent with each dog individually (preferably out of earshot and eyeshot) to provide ample enrichment. Third, destress - not just the owner, the dogs too. Training shouldn’t be arduous. Go with activities that are fun, provide exercise for all, and remind us of one of the main reasons we get dogs for in the first place. Fourth, determine the contexts in which the behavior is most likely to happen (often with the help of a professional experienced with aggression). Decide what you want the dogs to DO INSTEAD of going after each other. Does it happen only when the owner is on the couch watching Netflix and the other dog approaches? Teach each dog to station on their own beds during that timeand make it highly reinforcing for them to do so. #dogtraining #dogtrainer

Adoptions are open again!

More time at home with their humans can be a wonderful thing for dogs, but it can also bring some unforeseen stressors. More family members in the same place at... the same time (including children), less personal space, and sudden changes to our dogs’ daily routine can all spell more stress and more stress can lead to trigger stacking. Trigger stacking occurs when multiple stressors or stressful events occur in close proximity without adequate time for decompression to take place. This can lead to a decreased threshold for reactivity and an increase in intensity of reactions. To keep everyone safe and happy, here are some ways we can help prevent trigger stacking by decreasing stress and increasing decompression for our dogs during this challenging time.

Looking for some daily enrichment you can do at home with your dog? Check out this group for some ideas, and share your progress! (Daycare dog Piper heped contribute to this Day 9 Challenge )

The friendships we build at school can last a lifetime. Our Lexi-girl is graduating out of the daycare program, but she will always have a group of pals here who love her and all her snuggly weirdness. @ One Leg Up Canine Company

Our dogs are communicating. It’s the humans job to learn what is being said.

Snores and teeth! Starring @potcakewelly (We love when clients send us post-daycare recharge pics ) ******** Posted @withregram @potcakewelly KO’ed!

Guelph dog owners, please read!