Ideal Companions

Dog training has gotten kinder, softer, gentler. This is really great, but, maybe it isn't.... Maybe with our kinder, softer gentler training we have forgotten... to teach our dogs how to deal with Real Life, and shitty events that happen whether we want them to or not... I see many dogs who get whatever they want. If they do not want to do it, they do not have to. And the majority of these dogs are stressed and unhappy and lack the ability to cope in these moments. Maybe while we are making their first year much more fun, we are denying them the skills to be able to deal with change, and things that they don't like, when they are adults. As puppies they learn the world is a really wonderful place, only to find out as adults that it was all a lie.... Bad stuff WILL happen to them. Dogs will bite them, a person may yell at them, and some procedures at the vet will not be pleasant (just the same for us at the Doctors). My young dogs are methodically taught to tolerate things that they might not like. They learn that giving, and accepting will make it stop. I start off with minor challenges such as mandatory cuddling - right now I want to cuddle you, and wriggling and writhing are not the solution for it ending. Only relaxing will make it end. As odd as this sounds, this type of stress training teaches two things: 1) first you must mentally 'give' to me to get what you want, and 2) If there is a stressful moment, think your way through it rather than panicking. As my dogs have aged through the years, there comes a point where Veterinary Examinations can become unpleasant, awkward and painful. I need my dogs to trust me that I will never do them wrong, I need them to be able to deal with the stress of the moment, and I need them to 'give' to whatever scenario that we present. Just like children, we owe it to teach them life-skills, and dealing with stress might be the most important one that you can offer. By giving them a perfect puppy hood, you are denying them a perfect adult-hood. Monique Anstee Victoria, BC www.naughtydogge.com

Hi everyone. It is with a heavy heart that we announce that effect immediately, Ideal Companions will be shutting down permanently. Thank you all for your support!

Shriners step in to help 6-year-old Sooke boy battling rare form of juvenile arthritis

Effective immediately, Ideal Companions is no longer accepting clients. Further information and clarification will be available later in the future. Right now we are unable to comment. Please take all your training needs to Monique Antsee.