ABRA CADABRA! Dog style

Halloween is upon us and I just walked my dog in the dark for her evening stroll, past an elaborate Halloween-decorated house complete with spooky sounds and visual effects...

Well, that was interesting for sure! First, we got the stop and stare, then we got a short under-the-breath woof, and it showed that my dog needed some time to get acquainted with all the strangeness of the situation.

But no worries, we knew exactly what to do and how to create more confidence!

I pulled out 4 treats and invited my girl to turn with me, away from all the noise and hoopla, and play our most favorite game: Cookie Bowling!

We kept increasing the distance until we were an additional 40 feet away, and I invited her to turn and look at the distractions of the Haunted House again!

She looked and took 3 seconds to observe, then looked at me as if to say: I See it, Now Pay me! Of course, that lovely display of calmness and confidence was promptly rewarded with three more short-distance Cookie Bowls, away from the spooky place!

We turned around again, and she took "the lead," and I followed her. She was ready to sniff around and check it out up close and personal!

There was a static display of tombstones close to the walkway, and she had a great time sniffing around and quickly found all 6 of the little treats that I dropped there when we got close.

She did not want to go too close to the moving ghost that was closer to the house, but neither was I too keen on that, so we left the house and continued our walk with LOTS of sniffing to help her get over the little bit of stress she experienced when she first saw it all!

Our dogs will always tell us what they can and cannot handle and what exposure they are ready for!

Our job as dog guardians and dog lovers is to LISTEN and Assist and Guide!

Had I forced her to go closer while she was in the fearful stage, it would have made a very negative impression and could have possibly damaged our relationship.

True dog love is about listening to your four legged partner!

Summer is over, Now what?????

Summer is over and with Thanksgiving just behind us. It’s time to get serious again! 

I know most of us will be eating turkey soup for a while, and had a wonderful time visiting with friends and family, spending lots of time outside, enjoying our beautiful country. The time for being a party animal is over and our indoor phase is starting again. What a perfect time to help our dogs and tune up some of their behaviours and maybe even challenge ourselves into teaching some new skills to our dogs. 

The Canine Good Neighbour program and Good Manners program are ideal for dogs of all ages.

While we all usually teach our puppies basic manners, akin to what children learn in kindergarten, it's important to continue educating our dogs beyond that initial training.

Imagine if we neglected to teach our children rules and skills beyond kindergarten or even primary school level - what impact would that have?

Instead of learning through trial and error, wouldn't it be more effective to teach by setting an example and guiding them?

Why do we sometimes think that our dogs can figure everything out on their own? They can't! If we want to maintain a harmonious relationship with our furry friends, they need our guidance and support.

We have enough Chaos in our lives, let's make sure our dogs are not part of that problem!

Challenge yourself with the assistance of our skilled and knowledgeable trainers who are BCSPCA Animal Kind accredited. Let them guide you and your dog towards achieving new heights and goals!

How about getting ready for Christmas, being able to go visit your friends' house with your dog, your dog being able to stay calmly on their bed while guests come and go and kids are running around? Would that be a good goal?  How about you finally being able to walk down a busy street with your dog on a leash while your dog is completely ignoring all the distractions of people and other dogs passing by, would that be a good goal?

For the next month, we have a special $15 off offer for anyone that is reading this blog, you can use the following code , if you sign up for class or private before October 30, October24Start

( this offer cannot be combined with other promotions and can be used once per dog )

The motto: don’t delay, do it today, applies here as well! You have 10 days to grab the code, you have a dog‘s lifetime to make a difference. We hope to see you soon and are always available for a chat or a training session chock a block full of advice, tips, and goal setting strategies. 

OH, and don't forget our fantastic Tricks or Scent work classes

I hope you had a wonderful summer with your dogs, but let's close that book and start another!

Now would be a perfect time to change your dog from Outside Party Animal to responsible and responsive house pet and leash walking companion, as we are entering our Indoor Hermit Phase for the next six months. 

contact us by email bestpawdogtraining@gmail.com

or call 250-729-3900

BEST PAW FORWARD

Are you doing this already? Ethical Training: A Better Way to Help Our Dogs and All Living Beings

I am hoping you have already chosen the better way to educate your dog, but maybe you are still looking for a more humane and effective approach to training your furry companion? There is indeed a way to teach, guide, and nurture our dogs without resorting to pain, fear, force, or any form of physical discomfort. Let's delve into the ethos of Pain Free, Fear Free, Force Free training and why it is not only ethically sound but also more beneficial for our beloved pets.

The Impact of Punishment

Using punishment-based methods in dog training may seem like a quick solution to behavioral issues. However, it's crucial to understand that inflicting pain or fear on our canine friends is not just ineffective; it borders on cruelty. By definition, torture involves causing suffering to force a desired response, a practice that has no place in building a positive relationship with our dogs.

Deeper Emotional Consequences

While punishment might suppress certain behaviors temporarily, it fails to address the root emotional causes behind those behaviors. Moreover, there are significant risks of unintended consequences such as the dog associating fear or pain with unrelated stimuli present during training sessions, potentially exacerbating the problem behavior. Your dog may actually " give up" and act robot like and may loose its spunk and zest for life.

Ethical Considerations

We must acknowledge that dogs are domesticated animals, bred for specific qualities. It is unfair and unjust to punish them for exhibiting normal canine behaviors that might not align with our preferences. We have the power to guide and shape their behaviors positively without resorting to harmful methods that compromise their well-being.

Choosing Compassion Over Coercion

As responsible pet owners and trainers, we have a duty to prioritize the mental and physical welfare of our dogs. Training gear and tools should be employed with kindness and understanding, ensuring that the learning process is a collaborative and enriching experience for both dog and human. Let's shift our focus from punishment to positive reinforcement and support our dogs in reaching their full potential.

Embracing a better way

By embracing Pain Free, Fear Free, Force Free training methods, we pave the way for a harmonious and respectful relationship with our canine companions. Let's commit to creating a playful learning environment where dogs can thrive and humans can cultivate a deeper understanding of their furry friends. Together, we can build a better world for all living beings, one positive reinforcement at a time.

Are you ready to join us on this journey towards ethical and effective dog training? Together, we can make a difference and set a positive example for others to follow. Let's prioritize compassion, empathy, and respect in all our interactions with our four-legged companions.

Let's strive for a world where every wag of a tail is a testament to the bond of trust and understanding between humans and dogs. Together, let's champion a brighter future for our furry friends and all living beings.

Remember, the power to shape a better world lies in our hands, and it begins with the decisions we make every day in how we treat those who rely on us for guidance and care. Together, let's create a world where kindness and empathy are the rule, not the exception. Our Team Members at Best Paw Forward are always ready to assist you in learning about dog training the BETTER way!

bestpaw.ca

bestpawdogtraining@gmail.com