Team Fido Dog Training

08/20/2025

Boo and Sulley!

We trained at the park on Tuesday, finally some cooler, dog friendly weather! Long lines are great way to give your dog space to run around and sniff safely, and follow local leash bylaws. We are always respectful of others space, so calling your dog back to you if you are near walkers, bikes or other dogs is important. We ended with a swim!

08/19/2025

VELCRO DOGS
Dogs that follow us everywhere and always want to be with us.

When I say "I'M JUST GOING TO THE BATHROOM." My dogs hear: “FAMILY MEETING, ASSEMBLE NOW!" – I’m not sure where this saying originates from, but it’s so true.

Should we be concerned because by allowing dogs to do this, we might be encouraging separation distress (signs of stress and / or panic either when a dog thinks we are about to leave or what they do after we leave?
Are we encouraging neediness, clinginess or demanding behaviour, or is this behaviour a normal, natural need of a social being that is actually a compliment as to the way our dogs feel about us?

It can be a fine line and it’s always a good idea to encourage some independence and alone time to build self-confidence and resilience, especially in puppies, younger dogs or rescues.

It’s also a subject that like so many others, depends on the individual dog, history and circumstances.

This post is about recognising and accepting that the need to be with us and follow us around is a very normal and natural behaviour.

It’s a compliment that says “I feel safe with you, you are so important to me, I feel connected to you, I trust you, have a bond with you, being with you makes me happy!”

That’s not to say that dogs that don’t follow us around don’t feel that way about us!

Each dog is an individual with different social preferences.

Some dogs are loners, more independent and enjoy spending time alone.

Older dogs and seniors that are secure and confident in their environment may just not feel the need to be with us all the time.

If you have a Velcro dog that isn’t stressed or panicked when you leave home, accept the compliment, you’ve clearly earned it!

08/18/2025

Sunday Small breed playgroup

08/18/2025

08/17/2025

Reggie!

Great training walk today! Reggie has leash reactivity towards other dogs, and some humans. He gets extremely excited, and that excitement can be hard to manage with a big guy like him. We are working on teaching him when he sees his triggers, check in with Mom or Dad instead for rewards. One of the challenges is that he is on a very restricted diet due to health issues. We are making semi moist 'treats' from his canned food and he loves them! Reggie saw 4 dogs today on our walk, and didn't react to any of them. He is making great progress 👏 🙂

08/17/2025

Enrichment, why should I do it? 🤔

It is well known the benefits of providing enrichment for captive animals in zoos, with some animals even dying when without appropriate natural stimulation. To quote the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Insititute 'Enrichment provides the positive stimulation necessary for the animal's mental and physical health. In many ways, enrichment is just as important for animal well-being as proper nutrition and medical care. '.

However, despite dogs essentially being similarly captive animals, it is often seen that the only natural needs they have to meet is to be fed and walked daily, and other natural doggie needs are left at the wayside, or seen as 'extra'. But studies have shown that enrichment is similarly helpful to our canine companions, with dogs having been provided with enrichment showing less unwanted behaviours, likely due to being able to engage in natural foraging behaviours, and a decrease in their overall stress levels. And who doesn't want their dog to exhibit less undesirable behaviours and to be less stressed?

But how else can enrichment benefit our and our dogs lives?

🐶 It helps dogs learn resilience and problem-solving. We all like to think our dogs are smart, but working with activity toys can help them get smarter! Giving appropriate leveled challenges can help them learn to get better and better at figuring out new tasks, which can then spill over into training and other areas of their lives.

🐶 It can boost their confidence - this is particularly helpful with nervous dogs, but can be excellent for puppies learning about the world for the first time too. Positive interactions with new items to engage with helps create a future positive bias to dealing with new things later on as well, as well as the natural confidence boost of finally figuring out a puzzle.

🐶 It keeps their brains active for longer, which although is good at all ages is particularly good for older dogs. We all know the phrase 'if you don't use it you lose it' and the same happens with our dog's brains. Keeping dogs mentally active can slow canine cognitive decline.

🐶 It provides light excercise, which is similarly great for older dogs, or younger puppies who can't walk far. Moving around activity toys to release food, or snuffling over larger areas can keep your dog's body moving, and help burn off extra energy.

So when thinking about providing enrichment for your dog, consider it an essential part of their day rather than an additional extra. There are plenty of FREE enrichment ideas online, that take minimum time and effort and your dog will certainly thank you for it. 😁

You can find the studies quoted in the graphic here:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37766708/

https://www.alexjvs.com/fulltext/31-1598460790-adt-1.pdf?1604911317

08/17/2025

Wed Puppy Kindergarten
Two classes!

08/16/2025

Linus!

In for some fun today, obstacles, puzzles, and lots of sniffing out back in the training yard 🙂

08/16/2025

Oscar!

Today we worked on walking skills, did some puzzles, worked on stay, chased a ball outside for a bit, practiced recall adding a whistle, and tried out the tunnel. Typical training session with me, adding puzzles and fun time outs for play 🙂

08/15/2025

New client Goldie!