Compassionate K9 Academy

Some of my recent graduates!

Congratulations to Millie and her owners for graduating with all the skills they will need to thrive in our urban environment.

Provide foraging enrichment for your puppy at mealtime

Provide enrichment by hiding the kibble and treats in a box of balls

Warm weather brings out the cyclists and runners. Please note that cycling with a dog on leash is prohibited per City of Calgary bylaw. Not is this dangerous for both canine and human, it is very cruel. Dogs are not meant to run in a straight line on hard surfaces for extensive periods of time. Breeds more adapted for running are border collies, whippets, Australian shepherds and Brittanny spaniels. Giant, toy, short nosed brachiocephalic, long haired and large chested breeds... are not. The suitable candidate must be fully grown (growth platelets closed) and distance must be gradually built up. Pavement can wear pads down to the point of bleeding and gravel will also cause severe damage. Do not run in the heat (choose early mornings or evenings for this activity. Also, if there is any smoke in the air, the dog's panting (to cool themselves) will inhale irritants. Stop often for water breaks to prevent overheating and let your dog sniff and explore the environment. Don't tie your dog to your waist as this puts him in a "Learned Helplessness" state. My recommendation is to run those marathons by yourself and exercise your dog via loose leash or off leash walks, play games like tug of war and work his brain with training. Sniffing is a very important function of your dog's emotional and mental happiness. The easiest way to cool your dog down (in addition to drinking water) is to let them immerse their feet in cool water. If you would like to discuss some enrichment exercises for your puppies, please contact me via [email protected]

Positive reinforcement and practice works like a charm

STOP USING THE WORD NO WITH YOUR DOG Before we dive into exactly why you should stop telling your dog no, let’s cover some dog behaviour basics. Your disobedient dog is not dominant. They’re not seeking alpha status in your home. The idea of dominance was taken from wolf studies completed in the ’70s by wolf researcher David Mech. If you ask Dr. Mech today however, he’ll tell you that not only do wolves not fight for dominance, but using it to describe your dog’s be...Continue reading

Would you like your dog to be as calm as this 3 year old golden retriever who has been trained by me using only positive reinforcement methods, during your special occasion?

Some of my recent graduates

Winter Warnings: Antifreeze Poisoning - spilled antifreeze is sweet and therefore attractive to our dogs, but only a lick or two can be fatal! The signs of poisoning are: 1) 3 - 6 hours after ingestion, dog appears drunk, staggering, vomiting, falling down, and peeing a lot; then the dog appears normal until stage 2 begins. 2) the body starts to break down the ethylene glycol into other chemicals such as aldehyde, glycol acid and oxalate which can cause severe damage to the k...idneys. If you suspect your dog has licked their paws which came into contact with antifreeze, seek out veterinary care immediately. Ice-melting chemicals - calcium and sodium chloride in rock salt used to treat roads and sidewalks is toxic to your dog. Since they lick their paws and fur, this can happen really quickly; signs of salt toxicity include extremes in water consumption (either too much or none), vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, drunk behaviour, & seizures. To prevent this please put booties on your dog and/or rinse off their paws after walking outside in winter. If you see any of these symptoms rush your dog to your vet or 24 hour vet hospital.

Happy Friday from some of my students!

Stop Your Dog's Urine Marking: 1. Employ Management - stop the rehearsal of this behaviour by closely supervising your dog so you can interrupt all attempts to mark and then redirect dog to go outside. When you can't supervise, restrict dog to x-pen, crate, or use baby gates to create an area small enough to discourage marking and restrict access to room being marked for at least a month. 2. Reduce stress - Identify triggers that increase your dog's anxiety and then counter c...ondition these by pairing with yummy treats - eg. traffic noise, people walking by home, etc. Keep your departures and arrivals low-key to reduce the tension of you leaving and returning to your dog who may be suffering from separation anxiety. 3. Use an enzymatic cleaner - Nature's Miracle to clean urine spots; avoid ammonia based cleaners as urine contains ammonia and may encourage further marking. 4. Consider neutering - not a guarantee but will reduce the influence of hormones (12 - 15 months of age). 5. Discourage outdoor marking by continuing to walk as your dog attempts to mark. 6. Belly Band - fabric belly band when you are not at home or unable to restrict your dog in the home. 7. Don't punish your dog for marking - Unless you intervene as the dog is marking, he won't know why you are displeased and will offer appeasement signals if you talk in a harsh unhappy voice. 8. Seek veterinary assistance - ensure dog does not have urinary tract infection or other ailment. See more

All dogs need to go to school with a positive reinforcement trainer. Statistically behavioural problems are the number one reason dogs are given up in the first year of their life. Proper socialization and training will result in a happier dog and a greater bond between you and your fur baby. A well trained pet should obey when the doorbell rings, when the front door is open, while walking down the street on leash, when interacting with dogs in an off leash park, while travel...ling in a vehicle, or camping with the family. Not all trainers use positive reinforcement and so called "balanced trainers" use both positive and aversive techniques. This creates long term fear and/or reactivity issues for the dog. Socialization starts with the mother and siblings, continues with the breeder and their family, and then is up to the new family to continue. Training and socialization needs to happen by 10 weeks of age as the dog will enter a "Fear Imprint" period starting at 4 - 5 months of age. a confident well adjusted dog is a partner you will enjoy for many years to come. See more

Our fur babies are constantly watching and responding to the way we are moving and posturing ourselves with nonverbal forms of communication. Dogs learn what our movements mean for them; the pace you walk in, how you hold your body, your tone of voice. As dog owners, we also need to be aware of their body language and also any other dog they come into contact with (especially when on leash). On leash greetings are never a great idea especially if dogs are unknown to each other. Typically the owner will tense up and tighten the leash creating tension in the dog attached to them. Unable to do an appropriate social greeting (quick sniff at the muzzle, then curve to the back / genital area), dogs will either react timidly or with some aggression as they can't escape (flee) the situation.

I have passed the exam and am proud to be recognized as a professional dog trainer in North America

Ruby is showing off her Leave It skills

Practising Leave It

Practising position cue on different surfaces

Stay warm and safe everyone. Your pooch gets cold too (especially the feet and tummy) no matter the breed.

Dental Hygiene - regularly brushing your dog's teeth, along with a healthy diet and plenty of chew toys (not rawhide) will go a long way toward keeping your fur baby's mouth and teeth healthy. Bacterial and plaque-forming foods can cause build-up on a dog's teeth which will harden into tartar, potentially causing gingivitis, receding gums and tooth loss. Many dogs show signs of gum disease by age 4. Brush at least 2 - 3 times per week: start by massaging the lips with your fi...nger in a circular motion for 30-60 seconds per day. After a few sessions or when your puppy is comfortable with this, put a little dog-formulated toothpaste on the lips. Next, introduce a soft toothbrush; place brush at 45 degree angle to the teeth, clean in small circular motions. Life the dog's lips as necessary. The side of the tooth that touches the cheek usually has the most tartar, so giving a final downward stroke can help to remove it. If your dog resists having the inner surfaces of the teeth cleaned, don't fight it - only a small amount of tarter accumulates there. Persistent bad breath can be due to digestive problems or gingivitis and should be examined by a vet. Do weekly checks by lifting the lips and examining the gums and teeth. Gums should be pink, not white or red with no swelling. Teeth should not have any brownish tarter If there is a lot of plaque, have your dog's cleaned by a vet under anesthesia. See more

People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog: Alcohol - cause vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acids, even death. Chocolate, Coffee and Caffeine - methylxanthines found in cacao seeds - vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excess urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, death (15 pound dog - 6 1/2 oz milk chocolate, 2 1/2 oz dark chocolate will cause shock)... Citrus fruits - stems, leaves, peels contain citric acid - causes irritation and nervous system depression if ingested in significant quantities, small doses will cause minor stomach upset Coconut and coconut oil - loose stool, stomach upset Grapes and raisins - kidney failure Macadamia Nuts - weakness, depression, vomiting within 12 hours and can last up to 48 hours Milk and Dairy - dogs do not contain significant amounts of lactase which breaks down lactose - causes diarrhea and other digestive upsets Nuts - almonds, pecans, walnuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis (inflammation of pancreas) Onions, Garlic, Chives - gastrointestinal irritation leading to red blood cell damage Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs, bones - can contain salmonella; bones can break teeth or splinter in digestive tract Salt and salty snacks - causes excessive thirst, urination, and sodium ion poisoning; vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated temperature, seizures, death Xylitol - artificial sweetener in candy, gum, toothpaste; can cause excessive insulin release leading to liver failure; vomiting, lethargy, poor coordination, seizures, elevated liver enzymes within a few days of ingesting Raw yeast dough - can rise in stomach and cause gas to accumulate; causes painful stomach bloat potentially twisting requiring surgery; may cause death if surgery not in time

Taking responsibility for sharing your life with a dog brings many choices: How to train, what equipment to use, what are the best toys? When it comes to feeding a dog, the options are just as varied: Kibble or raw, with grain or without, meals in a crate or loose in the kitchen, free feed or meals served only at a certain time? In my years of teaching manners classes, the last question has come up a lot. Free feeding is the practice of making food available to your dog at a...Continue reading

Now is a good time to get your puppy used to being handled eg putting on coats and winter boots. Pair this with yummy treats to create a positive association for your dog:)

It was pretty quiet at the dog park today:)

Meet and greet without jumping! Jumping up is a human taught behaviour due to intermittent reinforcement which means that sometimes the behaviour is rewarded with attention. Even pushing the dog off is negative attention for the dog as in "Yeh she touched me" How do I stop this behaviour? 1) Manage the situation by controlling the dog's environment via harness/leash, baby gate, etc. 2) Reinforce the "Sit" a lot. eg. Sit makes dinner appear, Sit get the leash on, Sit makes t...he door open for the walk, Sit brings play time, Sit makes treats and praise appear 3) Practice polite greetings by tethering dog to a solid object and repeatedly approach and feed a treat when dog remains sitting. If dog jumps on you when not tethered, say "OOPS" in a cheerful tone of voice and walk away. You can then practice with friends, other family members and strangers while controlling your dog by stepping down on the leash. See more

Do you want to improve your dog's focus in settings with distractions? I am a "Positive Reinforcement" trainer who believes in building trust and communication with our canine friends. When our dogs choose to listen and perform a skill, that is the most rewarding feeling in the world.

Per my previous post, please add nutritious human foods to your dog's diet. Kibble only diets will leave your puppies nutritionally starved as well as potentially causing health issues down the road. Consumers have been manipulated in believing the fancy packaging and false claims about the ingredients. Feeding them more human grade foods will also reduce the amount of poop they excrete as most of the kibble is corn or grain in origin. For the last 50 years, kibble, a highly... processed food, has been marketed to the masses and even the veterinary community. Ingredients will include corn meal, modified starch, pork fat, poultry meal, rendered meat by-products, 30 - 40% processed grains, synthetic vitamins, food dye, preservatives and flavour enhancers. The waste from slaughter houses is collected and processed using high heat (up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit in under 5 minutes, forced through a spiral shaped screw and then through the die of the extruder machine which results in a ribbon-like product that is then knife-cut and dried; this process results in vitamin loss. High heat processing forms Advanced Glycation End Products which build up over time in the body when consumed and lead to oxidative stress, inflammation (arthritis), increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease. 2 of the 8 essential amino acids (tryptophan and lysine) are destroyed during processing. Even the small amount of protein in kibble has very little nutrient value. The main reasons people have been duped into feeding their dogs kibble: - easily purchased, stored, fed - packaging and advertising lets us believe that kibble is nutritious and a complete food source for our pets - vets are on board with kibble based diets - wet canned food is also not healthy because of the low protein content and ingredients are sourced from many different slaughter houses

Nutritious Foods to add to your dog's kibble diet: peeled apples, bananas, apricots, blueberries, cantaloupe, mango, oranges, pears, pineapple, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon cooked broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, lettuce, asparagus... TOXIC FOODS: chocolate, coffee, tea, grapes, raisons, xylitol (sugar substitute), onions, garlic, chives, leeks, macadamia nuts, excessive salt, raw yeast dough, alcohol, moldy food, rhubarb, seeds

Active socialization: Pair new encounters with yummy treats to promote a positive association in your dog's mind. The window of opportunity to socialize a new puppy is open the widest between the age of 8 and 16 weeks of age. The more objects, people, surfaces, other animals, and noises your puppy is exposed to during this phase of their development, the calmer they will be as an adult dog. Between the age of 5 and 9 months, puppies enter their 2nd fear imprint period where they will be more leery of new things in their environment. The 1st fear imprint period is between 5 and 9 weeks of age, so it is important for a breeder to start socializing them once their eyes open and they start moving around. eg. being handled by adults and any children in the home and playing with their siblings on carpeting, flooring, grass, cement, etc.

Dog Training Equipment: Collars - Buckle collars should only be used to attach identification and immunization tags. They do not inhibit pulling on leash, create opposition reflex (dog pulls in opposite direction of tension), risk of permanent neck damage; prong, choke, limited slip (Martingale), Head collars (Halti) and shock collars use positive punishment and negative reinforcement, breaks down trust and bond between human and canine Anti-Pull Harness - "D" ring in front o...f chest - gentle and humane alternative which releases pressure from the neck area, allows better control over dog, best tool for walking dog on leash (Easy Walk - available at Petland and Pet Valu) A note about rear clip (standard body/H harness) - these encourage pulling aka used by sled dogs Leashes - a 6 ft. leash is suitable for walking and training (ensure it is the right width and attachment weight for the size of your dog; a long line is great for training off leash recalls; tie knots every 6 inches so you can step on it with the ball of your foot to stop the dog A note about retractable/flexi leashes - always holds tension thereby teaches the dog to always walk with tension, bulky handle to carry, unsafe as the locking mechanism is not always reliable