Grateful Stride Canine Services
Thomas Rd / Ninth Line L5M0R5 Mississauga, ON, Canada

How to feed dogs as a pack leader (especially important if you have multiple dogs).

Summer time fun!!

I love bringing dogs to balance by allowing them to be instinctual. My dogs are taught to howl on command. This morning a situation occurred that was perfect for a pack howl. Wolves howl to claim territory & to call their own pack together. Dogs howl to call the pack together. It is a way to solidify their bonded relationship. My roommate Sheila left to care for her sick mom at 7:30am this morning. I could see my dogs were concerned with this break from normalcy. So I lead the howl to make them feel better & bond us as a pack.

It has been very cold & snowy for a few days now. (-12C with windchill of -20C) The dogs only go outside to potty. (Feet freeze in snow below -7C). So....what to do with 8 dogs (some under 3 years old & high energy breeds) Dogs get 20 min of organized (rules =obedience) exercise each, usually in pairs to drain energy + calm minds. Dogs are hard wired to follow rules in a pack. It how they live with peace. The packleader facilitates and directs them so everyone gets what th...ey need. Dogs that get what they need through leadership & exercise are calm & well behaved. This is Sophie - the 4 year old Keeshond & Charlie - 1 year old Boston Terrier taking organized turns with their balls here. Dogs are taught to run when their names are called & stick to their own toy. This avoids arguments over balls & makes them equal in the pack. These two dogs are very good at it. They are both high energy breeds. I ask for a sit if I see them getting too high on adrenaline. It teaches them to keep their mind in a controlled working disciplined state. Excitement is dangerous when dogs are not mentally disciplined to obey. (Which is why dog parks can be dangerous places).

Grateful Stride has reached the end of an Era today. We said Good Bye to the best pack dog and manager that I have ever met. Buddy passed away peacefully today at 14.5 years old. I met Buddy (and Sheila) when he was 1 year old. Buddy was the first male dog that Dango ever met that he didn't want to alpha roll. Buddy was the most socially intelligent dog that I have ever met. He always knew just how much pressure to put on a dog or when to back off. He taught me soooo much ab...out how to use the right timing and energy. Together, we rehabbed and entertained many dogs. Buddy is loved by all the puppies that have grown up in my pack because he loved to show puppies the ropes. He always walked at the back of the pack to make sure nobody every got left behind. WE ALL LOVE YOU BUDDY BEAR. We will miss you greatly and see you again when we pass over to spirit.

My Hank, he is shaping up to be a great helper with the other dogs. He is 2 years & 3 months old now.