Two Brown Dogs Canine Consultants

On-line sessions are busy especially Puppy Head Start sessions. I am very pleased with the progress many owners are making even though in person classes are not available. Please consider on-line rather than waiting until we might be able to do face-to-face and home visits again. It is not necessarily the best but it provides some direction in these strange times.

As most people have discovered Covid Red protocols have shut down face-to-face classes and in-home visits. The weather has gone beyond much outdoor work as well. Two Brown Dogs introduces on-line classes. There are three complete packages; for puppies ages eight to 16 weeks, for beginner dogs and owners and for reactive dogs. Each package includes Skype contacts (weekly or biweekly depending on needs), a full written training plan updated after each Skype call, all necessary ...handouts and equipment. Harness are available at extra cost. The length of sessions varies from four hours to six hours depending again on needs. Additional programs available are Dogs and Storks (for expectant parents - start early you may have work to do) and Dogs and Kids under the umbrella of Family Paws Parent Education. These programs were scheduled to be delivered at Assiniboine Community College and the Winnipeg Humane Society this fall and winter but both have shut down their community education programs. All the programs have already been successfully delivered both to Brandon residents and outside of Brandon and to Winnipeg so we are ready to go. Please contact [email protected] for more information depending on your needs and for fee information.

Puppy owners are encouraged to be careful with their puppies especially during physical activity due to how loose their joints are. It is a difficult concept to visualize and the attached picture and description is the best I have seen. If you cannot see the whole picture just click on it.

Classes in Killarney When: 1030 to 1130 Saturdays October 17th to November 14th Where: Ag Centre in Killarney... All dogs over 18 weeks of age welcome. To register contact Wendy at [email protected] If you have a younger puppy or a dog that will not cope well in a busy class contact me at [email protected] to find out how we can help you.

Bella Featherquest 18 hrs Two Brown Dogs is on to a second set of classes in Minnedosa after a successful first session.... Classes will start again Monday August 31st with Puppy Head Start (for puppies ages 8 to 13 weeks) at 6:00 PM. Tuesday classes are Good Dog I at 6:00 for dogs that have been through previous TBD classes or have not had any other training and are over six months of age. Rally Class follows at 7:00 on Tuesday. A second class will be added Monday at 7:00 if necessary, in order to keep the class sizes small (six or fewer) to provide more opportunity for individual attention. To register contact Alexis at [email protected] The Recreation Commission takes the registrations and the fees.

#blackouttuesday

Beginning Monday June 1st Two Brown Dogs starts a new chapter. Our focus now is on owners and dogs with limited options for support and training. 1. Behaviour consults and follow-up visits will take place in owner's homes (outside to start). 2. Off-site classes will take place in Killarney (beginning in September as the RecCentre is closed for the summer) and Minnedosa (outside) ... 3. Winnipeg and rural assessments are being conducted by Skype. 4. Dogs and Storks and Dogs and Toddlers previously offered at the Winnipeg Humane Society, which has closed its events for the time being, are coming soon via Go to Meeting. Stay tuned. 5. Behaviour consults for trainers with questions and/or requiring support in their work with a dog are being done by Skype 6. Puppy classes for puppies ages eight to 11 weeks are continuing - currently a class session is running in Minnedosa. It is our intent to increase offerings on Minnedosa to address the area north to RMNP and east toward Portage. Please contact [email protected] with inquiries or questions.

Two Brown Dogs is continuing the Covid 19 closure until June 1st. When TBD re-opens it will be with changes in the focus of our services. We will offer an enhanced Puppy Head Start program for puppies ages eight to 20 weeks of age. We will continue behaviour assessments and private and semi-private classes for reactive and fearful dogs capitalizing on 15 years of experience in this area. And, we will enhance the delivery of classes to sites outside of the Brandon area - continuing particularly our longstanding relationship with Killarney Recreation. Stay tuned for more information in the next few weeks or check out the TBD website.

Three weeks ago TBD announced we would be closed until April 3rd. Obviously we were wildly optimistic. TBD will now remain closed for the foreseeable future. We are taking Pluto's advice (check out Pluto Living on Instagram Facebook or You Tube) and having snore meditations interspersed with yoga to keep our "awesome virus fighting germ terminator" bodies healthy. Stay tuned.

All behaviour classes and education programs at the Winnipeg Humane Society have been cancelled for 30 days. This includes Dogs and Storks which was scheduled for Thursday April 9th. If you have any worries about your dog's behaviour you can e mail me at [email protected] with details. There is no time line for being able to be out and about but I can send information and handouts. The next Dogs and Storks workshop is scheduled for June 4th.

Covid-19 In the interest of health and safety and on the recommendation of Manitoba Health we are cancelling Two Brown Dogs classes until at least April 3rd. You may choose to continue with your classes when we resume or be reimbursed for the classes you did not attend. ... The session of Puppy II and Good Dog I scheduled to begin on April 15th will also be postponed - new start date TBA. This is a huge decision and closures have a particular impact on small businesses but we have decided it is better to be safe and support one another in difficult and unexpected times. Please contact your class instructor or me directly with questions or concerns. Please contact [email protected] for a refund. Feel free also to videotape any behaviour of your dog's that is worrisome or puzzling and we will so our best to provide some feedback.

Two Brown Dogs e mail address has been changed. It is now [email protected] You may still be able to use the previous address but if you get a bounce back change to this one.

Upcoming Events Dogs and Storks @ Assiniboine Community College February 4th 7 - 9 PM... @ Winnipeg Humane Society February 6th 7 - 9 PM See more

This is a good followup to basic classes - encourages your dog to use its nose in a productive way.

One of my friends and class members in Killarney shared this. I have long wanted to write this article but cannot say it better. I too am the person that tries to develop training and behabiour modification plans after dogs have bitten and watched families struggle with really high-test challenges. It is often a long and difficult process and time, finances and an ability to manage the dog during the training period inform decisions much more than whether or not the owners lo...ve and are committed to the dog. It is a painful decision to surrender, re-homed or euthanize a dog. There is another element that I think about a lot, likely because of my nursing background, that does not appear here. Research now supports that in both humans and dogs intergenerational stress is beginning to cause fundamental changes in genetic structure. Semi-feral and feral dogs may not come to us only with training and bonding deficiencies but possibly with genetically-embedded stress, anxiety and stress-related behavioural problems. Owners also need to consider the possibility that a fearful, worried or timid dog may not be able to respond to love and attention. There are as many examples of dogs that have done remarkably well in certain homes but it is not helpful for the owners of success stories to say - 'but my dog...'. We hear that so often - owners that come and say but so-and-so got a rescue and did just fine why can't I. This statement reinforces the comments in the article that it requires a set of unique circumstances for the situation to be successful. Not being able to meet all a highly stressed dog's needs is not failure but may be in part a result of poor timing and lack of planning.

We encourage owners to hand feed their puppies for a month after they come into the home and all owners to teach the Settle (hand-feeding exercise) and practice it randomly over the course of their dog's lifetime. Hand-feeding is the best dog human bonding exercise there is - you want a dog that is pasted to you - hand feed. Clearly it is a successful strategy with other species as well.

Two Brown Dogs is thrilled to announce we are four for four - our instructor Kathleen successfully achieved certification as a CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed joining Renee, Shelley and Ariane. CCPDT is a leading certification body for professional dog trainers. CCPDT certificants must compile 300 hours of training experience, write a gruelling exam, commit to an ethical standard of practice and complete continuing education requirements. Manitob...a now has 18 CPDT-KAs of which four are at TBD and one, Ayoka was formerly with us while running Prairie Dog Daycare. 27% is really good for Brandon and Westman. Congratulations to new Winnipeg certificants as well. We are all moving dog training forward. https://www.ccpdt.org//certified-dog-trainer-dir/manitoba/

Dogs and Storks - preparing dog for baby - runs Thursday Nov.7th at 7:00 at the Winnipeg Humane Society. Max. 20 participants (humans only) and we have 10 so far.

The Winnipeg Humane Society is joining a movement to be a breed-free shelter. This means that instead of trying to guess at breed mix shelters are classifying the dogs as small, medium or large mixed breed. The movement is based on current research that demonstrates that "the outside of a dog has very little to do with its expected behaviour". The announcement states " Rather than relying on assumed breed characteristics, we are encouraging adopters to come and meet our pets ...in person and get to know their behaviours and personalities, learn their history and the amazing potential each dog has". Two Brown Dogs supports this initiative and will no longer be asking owners about their dogs breed. We need to work with the dog we have in front of us not the dog we think should be in front of us.

The USFDA is currently recommending dogs be fed NO pigs' ears of any kind or brand after salmonella outbreaks in 33 states. https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com//fda-alert-pig-ear-pet-tre/

We are planning two new four-week class sessions to be held Tuesday or Thursday evenings (depending on enrolment) Rally Novice and Sniff It. These will be scheduled consecutively again depending on enrolment. Please email to [email protected] as Facebook is not checked frequently.

I am thrilled to announce that another Two Brown Dogs' instructor has achieved a milestone. Shelley is now a CBCC Certified Behaviour Consultant Canine as well as a CPDT Certified Professional Dog Trainer. Look for certified trainers and behaviourists for your four-footed family member and be assured that you are receiving the knowledge and support of well-educated individuals who maintain annual continuing education requirements.

Next session of classes in Killarney starts Saturday July 12th at 1030 to 1130 and runs five weeks. Please contact the Rec Director at Killarney Rec to register [email protected]

An excellent article in Whole Dog Journal on food dispensing toys - we are crazy about Snuffle Mats and try to talk all puppy owners into them - but they are great for all dogs. You can get Snuffle mats from Two Brown Dogs. We also have Nina Ottoson puzzle toys and an electronic treat dispenser if you want to try.

A reminder that the What is My Dog Saying? seminar on dog body language runs Thursday May 23rd at the Winnipeg Humane Society - the more you know about how your dog communicates the better. 7:00 PM register through the HS link off the home page.

Thursday April 18th at 7:00 PM the Winnipeg Humane Society is hosting the Dogs and Toddlers presentation. While we usually get a good turnout for Dogs and Storks the Toddlers session is less well attended and yet, in my opinion and based on the requests I get from families, the Toddlers session is hugely important. Infants beginning to move and the shift to the wobbly, grabby walking of toddlerhood can be very difficult for dogs. Dogs that have paid little to no attention to... baby up until then may view a toddler as an alien stranger. Strategies to promote safety of toddlers and dogs are discussed in the session as are warning signals and how to manage them. As well valuable information is provided in handouts. If you are interested or know someone who might benefit contact the Humane Society to register.

When Shelley and I were in Nottingham at the Woof Conference we spoke with researchers from the University of Bristol who are undertaking a terrific long term study of puppies. At this point they are registering as many puppies as possible under the age of 16 weeks in the UK and Ireland and asking owners to provide ongoing information about puppy's health and behaviour, One of the early findings is related to recommendations for the age at which puppies should come to their ...new homes (eight weeks). 26% of owners (435 of 1645) brought their puppies home younger than eight weeks and 7% (114) did not see the puppies with their Moms. This is despite the advice of veterinarians and considerable on-line information that is available. Longer term information will examine the effect acquisition age and the presence of Mom has on health and behaviour, terrific work that will be helpful to prospective owners, trainers and rescue organizations. Check out their website below.

Shelley and I are currently in Nottingham England at the Woof 2019 conference. The conference speakers are exploring behaviour analysis and today we learned a great deal about strategies to manage physical issues that have an impact on behaviour and that reveal themselves as behavioural issues. For me this is a huge asset as I often see dogs whose behaviour makes me wonder if something else is going on. We also had a powerful presentation from the Animal Welfare director of the BC SPCA challenging trainers and consultants to be part of the shelter movement by providing support and education to shelter staff. We are excited to return to Brandon and hopefully will be able to rise to her challenge with our local shelter and rescues.

Further to my post on issues associated with the unregulated status of dog training here is a similar article from Psychology Today that discusses the potential for psychological stress of dog and owner. The article also shares a link to an earlier article in the New York Times. These articles suggests this is a serious issue that is commanding more and more attention.

One of my ongoing concerns is how many people contact me and tell me their stories of bad experiences in different training facilities. I repeatedly hear of issues they have with their dogs which are not addressed or are inappropriately addressed. Correction and punishment-based strategies are still taught although this is not recommended by both the Canadian and American Veterinary Societies. My greatest area of concern is with puppy classes. Puppyhood is a time when you ca...Continue reading

What is My Dog Saying? canine communication seminar upcoming in Winnipeg at the Humane Society on Thursday January 24th at 7:00-9:00 PM. Register with the Humane Society

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all our Two Brown Dogs friends and owners and of course, dogs. Hopefully this story about raising puppies to be guide dogs will warm you heart.

So yesterday I posted a report on shelter organizations that are preventing adoptions at Christmas due to the busyness of homes and the difficulties that busyness may present for appropriate care of dogs. At least one person commented that the shelter she is involved with in Saskatchewan has the same practice. The Wiinipeg Humane Society is offering 'staycations' instead. Take a dog home for the holidays and then return it. As a canine behaviour consultant this practice flo...ors me. While there is no doubt that it is stressful for any dog to be in a shelter environment especially if the staff complement is low it cannot possibly be more stressful than the stress associated with leaving the shelter - which may be a safe place - going with someone you do not know to home you do not know and possibly encountering the Christmas busyness of that home and then being taken away from that home and returned to the shelter. I encourage someone affiliated with the Humane Society to explain this practice especially in light of current research into canine stress.

I saw this on BBC and was impressed with the decision. I was disappointed though that the British and American SPCA do not support it. Their take is that some homes will be quiet over Christmas and therefore a good time to bring a dog home. Unfortunately this puts all the responsibility for determining if a home is 'quiet' on the shelter. Shelters likely have enough responsibility determining which family might be appropriate never mind also having to determine how quiet a ...home will be at Christmas. Plus activity may be relative. People that had 20 over for dinner last year and are having six this year may identify their home as quiet but six additional people in an unfamiliar environment with people you scarcely know could still be too much for a dog. Taking the responsibility out of the Shelter's hands totally confirms the saying "a dog is for life not just for Christmas" and it seems to me we need to be more proactive about this. I am interested to hear what other think - a would be great.

I am really excited to announce that Two Brown Dogs trainer Ariane has successfully completed the requirements and written exam and is now a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. Ariane joins CPDT trainers Renee and Shelley and as a team we are proud to be certified dog trainers practising in the Westman area. Two Brown Dogs classes run three days a week - Tuesdays is Puppy Head Start and Advanced dogs with Shelley and assistant trainer Jeff, Wednesday introductory family pet ...dog classes with Ariane and Thursday semi-private classes for reactive and fearful dogs with Renee and assistant trainer Kathleen. Behaviour consults and private in-home work are scheduled in consultation with owners. For those interested we are certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers CCPDT and you can check the association and its stringent credentialing process at www.ccpdt.org

It seems this food is available in Canada so I am posting this.

A reminder that What is My Dog Saying? is on in Winnipeg this Thursday Nov. 1st at the Winnipeg Humane Society - start time 7:00 PM. WIMDS educates owners on their dog's body language and communication attempts. The more you know the easier it is.

Two Brown Dogs has two class sessions coming up outside of Brandon. Killarney at the Rec Center Saturday September 22nd to October 20th 10:30 to 11:30 for beginner and advanced dogs over 18 weeks of age. Register with [email protected]... Pipestone at the Rec Center Saturday October 6th to November 3rd 10:30 to 11:30 for beginner and advanced dogs over 18 weeks of age. Register with [email protected] Contact Two Brown Dogs if you have questions about the class or the suitability if your dog @ [email protected]

A friend in Winnipeg sent this on. Please share and remind people that while day cares, dog parks, boarding kennels and training centers can be an excellent resource for owners it is an owner's responsibility to do some research. Your dog cannot tell you - except by behavioural change as in this case - what is happening in the environment espeically if you are not present. Look for reviews, talk to friends and check out the settings they have used, plan in advance and do not be forced to default to the only thing that is left, check out owners/trainers credentials, ask to come and spend some time in the setting and ask what will happen if your dog and/or the facility cannot cope.