Meghan DArcy

I love this initiative from my alma mater, The Academy for Dog Trainers. Please share widely

Lets talk about #puppies and #sleep Did you know that puppies need to sleep as much as 20 hours per day and 14-18hrs is typical? Their little brains and bodies need all that sleep for their development With so many of us working and learning from home, its important to provide structured downtime or nap time for puppies. Just like human toddlers, we cant necessarily count on such youngsters to be able to meet their own needs in this respect. They need us to help ...guide them Puppies who dont get enough sleep, especially chronically, tend to have trouble and it can manifest in the following ways: Increased mouthing and biting Easily frustrated Over-the-top social interactions Crankiness in handling or play Lack of focus; overstimulated The first 16 weeks are such a critical time for puppies that it really makes sense to ensure theyre well-primed for learning, socialization and bonding by getting adequate sleep When your puppy is sleepy, its an opportune time to work on more stationary behaviours where relaxation is the goal: stay, grooming and crate training. You can make this part of a routine to help your puppy wind down. Its also a great time to get your petting and snuggles in, since petting typically excites puppies when theyre feeling energetic "Let sleeping dogs lie" is a saying that rings true. Dogs dont like to be disturbed when theyre sleeping, so be sure your puppy has plenty of resting spaces where they can snooze without interruption One last fact: puppies can be terrible little menaces sometimes but every puppy is an absolute angel when theyre sleeping Sima says shes an angel all the time. I can vouch for that See more

This big, beautiful #beefcake is Bruno Brunos been making excellent progress towards becoming a lot more comfortable with unfamiliar people! I love this fabulous #pupdate from Brunos guardians: "Bruno has started anticipatory drooling when guests come in the backyard. He will lie down and relax while kids are swimming about 6 feet away. We are arranging for guests to come to the backyard 1-3 times per day. Let the meatball rain continue!... Heres Bruno having a chill time sunbathing with Tim and three strangers Bruno has never met. This is the spot Bruno picked!" Swipe to the second photo to check it out "Now every time he goes outside he looks for Tim, or friends - with a wagging tail. And drool. Just ropes of drool. Hes a little bummed when he cant find any." Brunos been very scared of visitors and even the scent of an unfamiliar person on a worn t-shirt was cause for concern, initially. So this is MASSIVE progress all thanks to the dedication of Brunos guardians and the help of their friends. #Waytogo Team Bruno Brunos starting to develop a positive emotional response to various new people coming to visit. Brunos guardians make sure he sets the pace and they expose him at a level he can comfortably and easily handle. Every time new people come around, food happens for as long as theyre on Brunos radar. Brunos clearly starting to think: "Whenever guests come over, its going to be GOOD!" Weve been working together virtually, which is a wonderful option for dogs like Bruno. Working through fear takes time and dedication. There may be a lot of hard work and some sacrifices involved but there are so many chapters to enjoy in Brunos unfolding #successstory See more

The concept of saturation in dog training is an important one that can save you and your dog a lot of frustration Think of your dogs interest in motivators or distractions like a sponge. A sponge thats full doesnt soak up anything. A sponge also dries out, or we can wring it out so it can soak up more Here are some cases where its helpful to keep saturation in mind and work it into your training: ... -- : In the early stages of training, work in some well-managed greetings or social time as a warm-up before working on polite greeting skills - : Organize a play date or visit the dog park to satisfy your dogs social needs before on-leash training. Regular social opportunities to maintain saturation can make a big difference for these kiddos! : Provide your dog with opportunities to saturate to new and exciting environments, and whatever distractions are on offer, before asking for your dogs focus and attention Dogs can become saturated to reinforcers, which is why its important to change things up and track behaviour (a reinforcer isnt actually reinforcing unless behaviour is maintained or strengthened) Eager to learn more? Lets chat See more

Canada Day is just around the corner this is valuable advice

Charna the Standard Poodle s her real fur tug toy from Salty Dog Canvas Tug toys are one of my favourite tools for helping dogs with leash reactivity, high prey drive, self-control and focus around distractions. We tend to get a really happy, fast and enthusiastic response from the dog when we use tug as a reinforcer Playing #tug is also an excellent stress-busting activity for dogs who may become nervous or upset on walks. We can use it as part of our management p...lan to keep them feeling happy and relaxed Play helps dogs feel safe and social. And for some dogs, playing with a fur tug trumps some of the best foods we can offer! Tug has so many benefits. Theres a pervasive myth that tug promotes aggression and unruly behaviour and this couldnt be further from the truth Lets look at whats at the root of playing tug: Tug mimics ripping apart prey If dogs were left to their own devices, this would be their way of making dinner cheers! When other dogs are involved, its usually collaborative Many of our favourite games involve an element competition and ritualized aggression (its healthy, safe and FUN) If you want to learn more about how to use tug as reinforcement or counter-conditioning in your training, HMU See more

This little cutie is Asia the #Cockapoo Big #congratulations are in order since Asia was recently alone for 10 minutes stress-free Asia and her guardian have been devoted to working on #separationanxiety training for the past month, training 5 days/week for 30min-1hr We started out with what Asia could comfortably handle hanging out in the bedroom while her guardian took a few steps down the hallway and walked down the stairwell to outside. Working up to 10 mi...nutes is a accomplishment in the first month of training Separation anxiety training is a very gradual process, especially since theres a lot of groundwork to cover in the beginning. Im really proud of Asia! Shes struggled with separation anxiety for a little while before we began training and she has some tummy troubles that complicate things Simply being alone in the bedroom was a big hurdle for Asia since shed spent some stressful times alone there in the past. Getting to the point where Asias comfy being alone in the bedroom is a tremendous accomplishment in and of itself Training typically accelerates from this point onwards and Asia and her guardian can look forward to longer and longer times apart while Asia relaxes I was touched to read this note in our training log: , / . . Thank you for trusting us, Asia, and for opting in even when you arent feeling your best (and have the option to opt out). Your enjoyment is the biggest measure of success! Nothing else matters more than that. When were working to resolve anxiety and fear, the dog sets the pace and its our job to make it as easy as possible for them to succeed #successstory #feelgood #feels #dogtraining #torontodog #separationanxietytraining #congrats #dogsofinsta See more

Its our final day of the Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge Today Coexistence Consulting is sharing a really excellent guide to help your puppy learn to feel comfortable on car rides. The last 3 weeks passed by quickly and so does puppyhood! Thats why its so important to offer your puppy as many positive experiences as possible before they grow out of their socialization period. The first four months of a puppys life are a very important time and I hope weve... shown you how much fun it can be to socialize your puppy as well as all the benefits. Thank you so much for joining us! Follow all of the trainers involved for ongoing training tips, inspiration and support: Fetch The Leash Dog Behavior & Training Lucky Fido Dog Training Ocean Park Dog Training Coexistence Consulting Jennifer Malawey Dog Trainer My Fantastic Friend Carefree Canine Dogs at Home Kristi Benson Dogkind LLC #3weeksocializationcollaboration #dogtrainercollaboration #puppysocializationchallenge #puppysocializationideas #puppysocialization #10trainers3weeks15missions

Day FOURTEEN of the Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge Jennifer Malawey Dog Trainer shows you how to introduce your puppy to a variety of surfaces. This is important because dogs may avoid or even fear surfaces they werent positively exposed to as a young puppy. #3weeksocializationcollaboration #dogtrainercollaboration #puppysocializationchallenge #puppysocializationideas #puppysocialization #10trainers3weeks15missions... Ocean Park Dog Training Coexistence Consulting My Fantastic Friend Fetch The Leash Dog Behavior & Training Dogs at Home Lucky Fido Dog Training Kristi Benson Carefree Canine Dogkind LLC

Joey McKinstry of Creature Comforts Dog Training and Andrea Dinan of City Dogs have some excellent info to offer pet pros and guardians! Learn all about the subtleties of dog-to-dog communication, whats normal and how to help set your dog up for successful relationships with other dogs. Dont miss this!

Day THIRTEEN of the Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge Even if you dont have kids of your own, your puppy needs to learn to be safe around kids. This is critical dont miss out on this very important aspect of socialization. Make sure all your puppys early experiences with kids are positive. Always supervise kids and dogs and be sure puppies are handled gently and with respect. ... #3weeksocializationcollaboration #dogtrainercollaboration #puppysocializationchallenge #puppysocializationideas #puppysocialization #10trainers3weeks15missions Fetch The Leash Dog Behavior & Training Ocean Park Dog Training Lucky Fido Dog Training Coexistence Consulting Jennifer Malawey Dog Trainer Dogkind LLC My Fantastic Friend Dogs at Home Carefree Canine Kristi Benson

Puppies need to feel safe and loved. They need to learn that their needs will be met and that the world is a kind place. Optimism is a quality that can be cultivated Pay special attention to your puppy. Protect them from fear and stress. Teach them with patience and compassion. Learning should be fun Life teaches us all hard lessons. Let those come later, if they will, through circumstances beyond our control. Puppyhood is a time to prepare puppies to meet challenge...s though fun and games they can win. Socialize puppies well and teach them life skills that will help them approach problems with a sense of playfulness and ease Joey of Creature Comforts Dog Training and I are blessed to be raising some phenomenal puppies lately. Every puppy is an adept learner by nature and they have a lot to teach us. We have some exciting plans in the works and we cant wait to share them with you @ Toronto, Ontario See more

Day TWELVE of the Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge Kristi Benson covers body handling: Did you know that some dogs find handling such as patting and veterinary care to be worrisome or even scary? We can help our puppies grow into dogs who find handling safe with a few exercises." #3weeksocializationcollaboration... #dogtrainercollaboration #puppysocializationchallenge #puppysocializationideas #puppysocialization #10trainers3weeks15missions Coexistence Consulting Ocean Park Dog Training Jennifer Malawey Dog Trainer Dogkind LLC My Fantastic Friend Fetch The Leash Dog Behavior & Training Dogs at Home Lucky Fido Dog Training Carefree Canine

Welcome to Day 11 of the Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge Last Monday I covered city sights & sounds and this week is part 2: public transportation Public transit offers a rich variety of socialization opportunities for puppies:... Various novel surfaces: grates, bumps, slippery and reflective Stairs, ramps and elevators Loud noises: machinery, alarm tones, alerts and loud speakers Crowds and a wide variety of people Travelling in a vehicle Plenty of novelty A visit to a transit station or stop is an excellent way to tick a lot of boxes on your puppy socialization checklist Start outside, far enough away that your puppy notices the commotion but doesnt show any signs of fear. Be sure your puppy is in the mood to play and learn and isnt feeling overwhelmed. If your puppys hesitant, kneeling down on their level and playing games with food can help. Feed your puppy for noticing each new sight and sound in the environment So long as your puppys curious and comfortable, get closer or enter the station and let your puppy observe, investigate and interact with the environment. Pair every new experience with lots of treats and happy-talk. Give your puppy a treat party after loud noises, a flurry of activity or the arrival of transit vehicles Keep it FUN and let your puppy set the pace choosing if/when/how close they want to move towards something, investigate or interact with it Be your puppys cheerleader and let them take all the time they need as you encourage them to feel optimistic and curious about this busy new scene using food, play and attention. If your puppy is nervous and doesnt ease into the experience, head home and reach out for support If this is a life skill your puppy will need at some point, its best to start now. Maintain #socialdistancing and create a personal bubble for your puppy to explore and learn that public transit is safe and fun Like & follow the other trainers so you dont miss out: Lucky Fido Dog Training Dogkind LLC My Fantastic Friend Carefree Canine Ocean Park Dog Training Dogs at Home Jennifer Malawey Dog Trainer Fetch The Leash Dog Behavior & Training Kristi Benson Coexistence Consulting #3weeksocializationcollaboration #dogtrainercollaboration #puppysocializationchallenge #puppysocializationideas #puppysocialization #10trainers3weeks15missions

Remember Mambo the #meximutt whos working on #separationanxietytraining ? Mambo was alone for 3hrs today He slept, he snoozed and he dozed. A package was delivered and he continued napping. He flopped and gazed around the room. He kept his nose warm under his paw or tail. He was completely relaxed ... Swipe to pic 3 to see Mambos grin of contentment towards the end of his time alone today Its been almost three months and close to 50hrs of training. It takes time to resolve fear and anxiety but its sooo worth it @ Hamilton, Ontario See more

Day TEN of the Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge This is SOO important: "Confident puppies make for fun, resilient adventure dogs!" Gorgeous graphic and advice from Coexistence Consulting

Day NINE of the Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge Jennifer Malawey on getting silly for socialization dont miss this! #3weeksocializationcollaboration... #dogtrainercollaboration #puppysocializationchallenge #puppysocializationideas #puppysocialization #10trainers3weeks15missions Kristi Benson Coexistence Consulting Ocean Park Dog Training Jennifer Malawey Dog Trainer Dogkind LLC My Fantastic Friend Fetch The Leash Dog Behavior & Training Dogs at Home Lucky Fido Dog Training Carefree Canine

Join Malena DeMartini Price of Treating Separation Anxiety In Dogs and I this Saturday @2pm for a webinar about separation anxiety to benefit BUTTONNOSES. We hope to see you there!

Day EIGHT of the Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge For todays mission, check out this fabulous article by Fetch The Leash Dog Behavior & Training on how and why you should be cuddling your puppy. Its all about helping puppies LOVE being handled by humans. Wed love to see a picture or video of your puppy accomplishing their mission for the day! ... Be sure to like and follow all of the amazing trainers collaborating in the challenge, so you dont miss out: Carefree Canine Ocean Park Dog Training Lucky Fido Dog Training Coexistence Consulting Jennifer Malawey Dog Trainer Dogkind LLC Kristi Benson Dogs at Home My Fantastic Friend #3weeksocializationcollaboration #dogtrainercollaboration #puppysocializationchallenge #puppysocializationideas #puppysocialization #10trainers3weeks15missions

Day SEVEN of the Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge Check out this great video of of how to teach a puppy how to enjoy ear cleaning brought to you by Ocean Park Dog Training #3weekssocializationcollaboration #dogtrainercollaboration #puppysocializationchallenge #puppysocializationideas #puppysocialization #10trainers3weeks15missions ... Coexistence Consulting Fetch The Leash Dog Behavior & Training Carefree Canine Kristi Benson Dogs at Home My Fantastic Friend Jennifer Malawey Dog Trainer Lucky Fido Dog Training Sugar Paws Dog Training Dogkind LLC

Day SIX of the Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge The city can be an overwhelming place for puppies constant sights, sounds and smells! Crowds, traffic, construction, and so much n o v e l t y ...Continue reading

Separation anxiety (SA) is NOT caused by spending too much time with your dog or by giving your dog lots of attention. SA is a medical condition where dogs experience distress and panic attacks when alone As far as current #science takes us, there are some known risk factors and common denominators for dogs developing SA: genetics, adverse experiences, sound sensitivity, pain, and old age Just like with fear and aggression, we can do all the right things and a dog c...an still develop SA. For some dogs, it seems to be a genetic inevitability. Avoiding adverse experiences and meeting their needs well is the best we can do for our dogs when it comes to behavioural wellness For most dogs, sudden/prolonged isolation is an adverse experience. We need to find a way to help every dog adjust to changes in routine and gradually prepare them to spend time alone. For dogs who have been comfortable being alone in the past, theyve done it once and they can do it again #Quarantine is an excellent time for separation anxiety training, if this is something your dog struggles with, and teaching your puppy or new-to-you dog to feel safe and comfortable being alone and apart from you When I begin a SA case, the first thing we do is suspend absences never leaving the dog alone for any longer than they can comfortably handle (which may not be any time at all). This is part of the solution, not the problem Spending lots of time with your dog is excellent for any dog! Dogs are social creatures who crave inclusion, stimulation and attention Come join my webinar with Treating Separation Anxiety In Dogs and BUTTONNOSES for some #realtalk and #mythbusting about #separationanxiety https://www.buttonnoses.com/events/200530/separationanxiety

Day FIVE of the Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge Were exploring obstacles with My Fantastic Friend #3weeksocializationcollaboration #dogtrainercollaboration #puppysocializationchallenge #puppysocializationideas #puppysocialization #10trainers3weeks15missions... Coexistence Consulting Sugar Paws Dog Training Dogkind LLC Fetch The Leash Dog Behavior & Training Carefree Canine Kristi Benson Dogs at Home Lucky Fido Dog Training

Body handling sensitivities a great infographic from The Academy for Dog Trainers showing how to help make this better using desensitization and counterconditioning (similar to the touch gradient used in Fear Free Pets).

DAY FOUR of the Puppy Socialization and Collaboration Challenge is super important Dogs at Home covers how to incorporate home alone training into your puppys early education to prevent adverse experiences and set your puppy up for success!

Heres DAY THREE of the Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge from Carefree Canine "Today Im sharing a video on a very important topic. While resource guarding is a normal behavior that many dogs have kept from their free roaming ancestors, it can also be a source of stress and conflict or even danger depending on intensity and context. If your puppy hasnt shown any signs of discomfort or aggression when you take their valuables, great! Get to work on the video bel...ow to keep it that way! If they are showing some mild discomfort as the puppy in the video does, go slowly. Do a few trials of the same step even after your puppy is portraying happy body language, before moving on. If your puppy is growling, snarling, snapping or biting please speak to a behavior professional though! These are not behaviors puppies grow out of, these are behaviors social maturity and practice helps solidify. I look forward to seeing what my wonderful colleague Sarah from Dogs at Home has for you tomorrow!" Coexistence Consulting Ocean Park Dog Training Jennifer Malawey WildSide Pets Dogkind LLC My Fantastic Friend Fetch The Leash Dog Behavior & Training Dogs at Home Lucky Fido Dog Training Carefree Canine

DAY TWO of the Puppy Socialization Challenge is here! This is a biggie wheels can be spooky for puppies #3weeksocializationcollaboration #dogtrainercollaboration #puppysocializationchallenge #puppysocializationideas #puppysocialization #10trainers3weeks15missions Coexistence Consulting Dogkind LLC... Fetch The Leash Dog Behavior & Training Carefree Canines Kristi Benson Dogs at Home My Fantastic Friend Lucky Fido Dog Training Wild Side Pets See more

Tonight @7pm! Andrea Dinan of City Dogs and I will be offering advice to help dogs adjust as lockdown is lifted. COVID-19 has deeply impacted everyones lives including our dogs. Well provide strategies you can start using now to help improve your dogs resilience, get on track with training and ease the transition back into the return to "normal." DM me for a discount code

Im excited to be participating in Lucky Fido Dog Trainings Puppy Socialization Collaboration Challenge this is DAY ONE! Watch here for a quarantine-friendly #puppysocialization tip each day Todays topic is sounds #3weeksocializationcollaboration #pandemicpuppy

New logo featuring Wile E & I

Sign up to get access to FREE training plans and resources from The Academy for Dog Trainers to help make vet care more comfortable and cooperative for dogs: https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/husbandry-project/

Lizzy hit it out of the park with this #pandemicpuppy socialization guide

Happy Mothers Day to all the mamas out there youre incredibly badass and I dont know what wed do without you Heres baby Wile E sleeping in my lap. Yup, thats a denim vest made from an old pair of jeans. I imagine her reaction to this photo would be: mommmm

Brown Dog Coalition put together a stellar round-up of resources for new puppy guardians for help with #pandemicpuppy socialization Im so happy my Puppy Socialization Bingo was chosen to be included in these fabulous resources. Puppies cant wait until all of this is over extensive, positive socialization throughout the first three months is critical.

Does your dog become distressed when theyre alone or apart from you? Watch this short video to learn more about the separation anxiety training process. Making progress towards comfort and independence will be such a relief for you and your dog. I would love to support you in overcoming this challenge!

Another fantastic EduCanine webinar dont miss it! Check it out tomorrow @7pm Whether you have a new puppy or a rescue, you probably have questions about how to properly socialize your dog to other dogs, people as well as sights and sounds during social distancing, and we have answers!