The Dog Tutor

06/21/2026

HARMONY (noun)
har·​mo·​ny (ˈhär-mə-nē)

: the state of mind, or presence, created between a human and a dog who have developed a mutual communication system that allows the dog to live in a world of clarity.

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06/18/2026

In a new peer-reviewed review published in Veterinary Research Communications, researchers highlighted studies showing that both turmeric🫚 (Curcuma longa) and rosemary🌿 (Rosmarinus officinalis) slowed the growth of canine mammary cancer cells🦠 on their own. But when combined, the effects were even stronger.

Researchers found rosemary appeared to help more curcumin, turmeric’s most studied active compound, accumulate inside cancer cells. The combination also triggered greater cancer cell death and activated additional pathways involved in cellular self-destruction.

The research highlights something fascinating: sometimes natural compounds work better together than they do alone.

Published in Veterinary Research Communications, a respected peer-reviewed veterinary journal, this review examined the latest evidence on plant compounds being studied for mammary cancer in dogs🐕 and cats🐈.

06/17/2026

Hey everyone. Some of you that have followed my posts for a long time might recognize this sweet dog. This is Daisy. Daisy is in need of a new home. My clients have made the hard decision that their family life does not meet Daisy's inner needs for her to live her best life. Daisy has had a lot of training and I have had her off leash many times. While Daisy really does loves to chill and snuggle, she also needs lots of play and some high speed running. Daisy needs someone who can spend more time with her and let her experience more of the world, so she doesn't feel so frustrated with life. I have a special bond with Daisy that will allow me to help a new owner get to understand what makes her tick, and how to bond with her quickly. Daisy is a dog that has a lot to offer.

No long distance rehoming for this one.......only people in the Edmonton vicinity will be considered. Please share if you can.
Thank you.

06/06/2026

I was out for a walk with a client's board and train this morning and we passed 4 dogs. All 4 dogs were reactive. The sheer ratio was disturbing. I know that it may have been a strange coincidence but I've seen it hunderds of times before. I feel bad for all the owners as they struggle to simply walk with their dog in a relaxed and joyful manner, as walks should be with any dog. Most everyone with a reactive dog does exactly the same things, and none of it is correct unfortunately. Its the default actions that are created by the conflict of a leash and lack of understanding on the dog's part.

1) Dog lunges forward. (* Forward movement under the wrong conditions can reinforce the dog's reactive behavior)

2) Owner pulls on the leash. (* Leash pressure increases the intensity of the dogs behavior)

3) Dog barks and lunges again. (* This proves that your manner of communication with the dog is broken)

4) Owner pulls the dog away as they try and move away from the other dog and owner. (* Chaotic movement away from the other dog, can once again reinforce the dog's reactivity)

This turns into a pattern that the dog litterally locks itself into when repeated enough. Good training overwrites these unnessecary patterns with patterns that serve a better outcome emotionally for the dog and owner.

05/29/2026

With well over 400 different breeds of dogs now on this earth, we have a broad variety from high drive dogs to low key lap dogs.
If you don't live a high drive lifestyle please don't get a high drive dog. You may not enjoy living years with a dog that doesn't want to live within the confinement of your lifestyle.
Either way we still need to train any dog we live with, to prevent unwanted behaviors from being created.

05/28/2026

Be very cautious leaving your dog (or cat) in the backyard unattended. There are people currently going around central Alberta collecting any dogs or cats they can get their hands on. These poor unfortunate animals find themselves as sacrifices for training in the local illegal dog fighting rings.
If you ever see someone suspicious, please report to the police immediately as leads have been few.

05/27/2026

Never assume that you're dog knows how to act in a new environment. If your dog's training isn't at a point where they are able to generalize the expectations placed on them under new conditions, then you are absolutely setting your dog up for a failure.
Understanding how and when you're dog is able to generalize a trained behavior is really important to prevent an unwanted negative reactivity.

05/26/2026

If your dog just wants to spend time with you, then take your dog anywhere and everywhere that you can do so safely. Their time here is brief. Make time for them, just for them.

"Safely", means never leaving a dog alone in a vehicle , ever. Thank you. 🧡

05/20/2026

"There is no finish line to learning."
This is something I heard recently and I love it. Dog training is a perpetual system. There is always more to learn from dogs and other people. My goal from the beginning of this life journey was to find the best dog trainers that were willing to share their knowledge, and learn from them. I feel very fortunate to have found the mentors that I have.

We all need to continue learning at something, bettering ourselves in life, otherwise we become stagnent as a being. This concept also applies to dogs.

05/19/2026

I woke up this morning to another newscast showing 2 Rottweilers attacking another dog that was being walked by a young girl in Ontario. Meanwhile an Edmonton woman is currently on trial for the death of an 11 year old boy. I myself went camping this weekend only to find a campground full of reactive and highly aggressive dogs.

Training your dog isn't an option, it's a reesponsibilty. When we are talking about any larger breed dog, it shouldn't be an option. You should never be able to just "see how it works out" living with powerful dogs. We humans need to be trained to handle things in society that have the potential to kill or harm others (guns, motor vehicles, etc) and that attitude needs to be shifted towards the potentially dangerous dogs that live amongst us in society.

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