Dacapo Dog Club

Dacapo Dog Club Ottawa's only certified play-centric dog trainer
🏁 Let's play! 🏁

Happy Friday! ☀
04/18/2026

Happy Friday! ☀

04/14/2026

I’m going to let you in on a secret


Not as many dogs know how to play games as you might think


In fact..

Many dogs have ZERO clue what playing an actual game looks like.

They are happy to bite toys, carry things around
 or in some cases.. use their owners for their entertainment at their expense..

Nipping, mouthing, biting even when the owners beg, plead, and bribe the dog to stop.

If you’ve been following me for a while..

And I haven’t convinced you yet that an interest (and even OBSESSION) in biting/carrying/grabbing/chewing toys ISN’T necessarily playing a game..

Then I don’t think I’ll ever change your mind.

Actually


For many people, it isn’t until they get a dog that ISN’T understanding how to play games that they realize what that looks like in a dog.

In Tucker’s case..

It’s not because his owners didn’t try to play with him.. they did.

He’d default to “fits” of barking at them, mouthing, and jumping and ignoring the toy.

It’s also not because he wasn’t given enough opportunities to play, with different toys or different styles of playing.. all of it was a struggle to prevent him from escalating to his fits.

After two and a half years of trying..
. it genuinely just wasn’t clicking.

And I got to see that first hand.

From the first sessions, all attention was on me and my movement..
.and as a twitchy, attentive dog, me moving around to get him going would rile him up and turn into barking and taking shots at arms and legs.

Non-aggressive nips
 but not appropriate for playing with humans..
. and with a strong history of escalating to the point that he’d be out of control.

The trend in many training styles is to immediately correct it with a leash pop or other “correction.”

Stop it right away and try to get him doing the right thing.

But here’s the conundrum
.

All Tucker knew was that HE IS playing.

He didn’t know the game or how to play it.

Punish the “fits” and he thinks starting to play with you was wrong.

Play stops and the dog becomes sensitive the next time you try to get them playing again.

But let it keep going
 and he gets so worked up you can hear it in space.

Nips and barking and chaos continue.

This is where things get delicate


And it becomes a legitimate training wall that is hard to move past.

Ultimately .. Tucker was a dog that just didn’t know.

He was not being “bad” on purpose
 he was trying to engage in his own way.

A way that works for dogs but not for people.

After some work and building this skill over time


He now knows.

PS.) Proper play did not open for Tucker overnight.

There are layers of skills needed for a dog like this.

His owners got to see long videos and explanations over time showing what was happening and why.

They have been so patient through some tough behaviours directed at them.

I wish more owners would give their dog a chance and look for help when their dog displays confusing behaviours that are causing friction in the home.

I’m so excited they’ll have cool, mutually enjoyable ways to play with him now.

04/07/2026

Let's talk about dog trainers. One thing we consistently notice when receiving surrender requests is how many people have already worked with two, three, or even four different trainers.

Before booking an appointment with any trainer, the first thing you should do is check whether they have real experience with your dog’s breed. We are not talking about basic pet training, but about someone who truly understands high-drive, powerful dogs.

A good trainer should demonstrate success with their own dogs. Their dogs should be stable, under control, and able to go out in public without issues.

🛑Red flags to watch for
🛑Accounts filled only with polished photos and videos. Dog training is not “beautiful” in the beginning—it takes real work.

🛑Trainers who define themselves mainly by how many years of experience they have. Good trainers show results rather than relying on a number.

🛑Trainers who rely on only one technique. Every dog is different and requires adaptability.

🛑Trainers who promote themselves mainly through certifications or courses. A diploma or long list of training programs does not guarantee the ability to handle a high-drive working dog.

🛑Trainers who never leave their facility. If you can’t see their work in real-life situations, you can’t properly evaluate their skills.

🛑Promises of quick success or guaranteed results within a specific timeframe — this is a major red flag. Real training takes time.

Looking for a dog trainer near you?
We have a dedicated section featuring trusted trainers. https://belgianshepherdsrescuecanada.com/link-liens

If there isn’t anyone listed in your area, feel free to contact us — we’ll help you find a qualified trainer that suits your needs.
Don't forget: you are responsable for your dog and their life are between your hands with your action.
****************************

Parlons d'Ă©ducateurs canin. Une chose qui revient souvent lorsque nous recevons des demandes d’abandon, c’est le nombre de personnes qui ont dĂ©jĂ  consultĂ© deux, trois, voire quatre Ă©ducateurs canins.

Avant mĂȘme de prendre rendez-vous avec un Ă©ducateur, la premiĂšre chose Ă  faire est de vĂ©rifier s’il a de l’expĂ©rience avec la race de votre chien. Nous ne parlons pas ici d’éducation de base, mais bien de quelqu’un qui maĂźtrise les chiens puissants et Ă  fort tempĂ©rament.

Un bon Ă©ducateur doit dĂ©montrer des rĂ©sultats avec ses propres chiens. Ceux-ci doivent ĂȘtre stables, bien contrĂŽlĂ©s et capables de sortir en public sans problĂšme.

🛑Signaux d’alerte
🛑Des comptes remplis uniquement de photos et vidĂ©os parfaites. L’éducation canine n’est pas “belle” au dĂ©but — c’est du travail rĂ©el.

🛑Les Ă©ducateurs qui se dĂ©finissent principalement par leur nombre d’annĂ©es d’expĂ©rience. Un bon Ă©ducateur se dĂ©montre par ses rĂ©sultats, pas par un chiffre.

🛑Les Ă©ducateurs qui utilisent une seule technique. Chaque chien est diffĂ©rent et demande une approche adaptĂ©e.

🛑Les Ă©ducateurs qui se vendent surtout par leurs diplĂŽmes ou formations. Avoir des certifications ne garantit pas la capacitĂ© Ă  gĂ©rer un chien de travail Ă  fort drive.

🛑Les Ă©ducateurs qui ne quittent jamais leur terrain. Si vous ne pouvez pas voir leur travail en situation rĂ©elle, vous ne pouvez pas bien Ă©valuer leurs compĂ©tences.

🛑Les promesses de rĂ©sultats rapides ou garantis dans un dĂ©lai prĂ©cis — fuyez. L’éducation prend du temps.

Vous cherchez un Ă©ducateur canin prĂšs de chez vous ?
Nous avons une section spécialement dédiée aux éducateurs de confiance. https://belgianshepherdsrescuecanada.com/link-liens

S’il n’y a personne dans votre rĂ©gion, contactez-nous et nous vous aiderons Ă  trouver un Ă©ducateur qualifiĂ©.
N'oubliez pas que vous ĂȘtes responsable de votre chien et que sa vie dĂ©pend de vos actions.

04/03/2026

The long weekend crew

03/30/2026

I’ve seen dogs show a variety of reactive and frustrated behaviours on walks


Including biting and grabbing the leash


Biting, nipping, and redirecting on owners hands, arms and legs when seeing a trigger that upsets them


A full spectrum of barking and lunging at all sorts of things


But I haven’t really seen owners being THE THING that sets a dog off on a walk.

Enter Tucker.

Tucker is learning how to dog better in a number of areas including play, social interactions with people and dogs and his overall confidence to exist in the world separate from people.

All of this involves less bullying people.

Much less.

He is a boy who is full of character and that isn’t changing.

Neither is his cuddly, velcro side.

But he is learning he can do cool things that doesn’t involve nipping/jumping/barking at people


Or always needing to be in their immediate space.

There’s a whole wide world to interact with and explore WITH people.

Which is much more enjoyable than having fun at their expense.

The last clip in this video is just one of the many things Tucker is getting up to here.

More adventures to come!


03/30/2026

It’s tough being under 10lbs and living in a bustling world of giants


It’s extra tough when you are a scrappy terrier who is genetically predisposed to vocally letting everyone know that they better stay away.

Stella’s understanding of the world is changing.

She is learning to enjoy it instead of police it.

The third clip is from our walk today.

Still work to do but I’m already seeing a happier, less stressed dog who has a purpose beyond barking at everyone non-stop.

I give her owners big kudos for getting help.

Stella is 4 years old and this issue wasn’t going to go away with more time, treats, picking her up or any other quick fix.

She was going to be another small dog in the hoard of small dogs that are completely out of control and totally anxious and stressed just stepping out the front door

.but who get away with it because they are small and easy to physically manage.

You wouldn’t want to live like that.

They don’t either.

They just don’t know better. And most people just live with it for their dog’s whole life.

Very excited for Stella who is learning better.


The beard crew đŸ’ˆâœ‚ïž
03/24/2026

The beard crew đŸ’ˆâœ‚ïž


03/18/2026

Bonnie went home yesterday.

She is the same dog


But with a better understanding of her purpose and place in a world full of other living things.


03/16/2026

“Neutrality” is a jargon-y dog training word that gets tossed around but is rarely defined in any sort of consistent way.

Most people with an interest in training, as well as dog trainers, would agree it’s some form of trained passiveness or acceptance of people/dogs/prey in a variety of situations


The dog sees the thing and remains “regulated” and does not act “impulsively.”

They do not bark, lunge, attack, attempt to react.

By some peoples’ criteria
 they completely ignore and don’t engage.. even in a positive way.

No excited pulling to go say “hi.”

But to what extent?

From 10 feet away from the things that bother or interest them?

From 2 feet away?

Even when touched?

What about bumped? Or accidentally stepped on?

Do those accident scenarios require extra “socialization” and “exposure” so the dog can be well-rounded?

What about if a dog comes up and jumps on them playfully?

What about if it’s less playful? What if they are getting pinned?

How should the dog decide when self-defence or protection is necessary versus letting their owner deal with it?

Through experience?

Through lots of socialization set ups?

Continuous flooding?

Putting a muzzle on them and putting them in a busy area or pack of dogs?

What if the dog doesn’t appear to be making “better choices” and is in a constant cycle of punishing reactive barking and lunging and aggressive behaviour?

In 20 minutes I explain what the goals were for Bonnie



 and why the expectation that a dog should always act the way we want them to in any social situation is not going to happen for the majority dogs.


03/11/2026

Barking out of impatience, frustration and a lack of understanding is a slippery slope with high drive dogs.

In the dog sport world it’s called “leaking.”

Everywhere else.. it’s just called “annoying.”

What’s the same for both the dog sport AND the pet world is that the dog is not thinking clearly.

They spin their wheels and get too amped up to function.

Obedience training goes out the window.

Some dogs even get so frustrated it can turn nasty for their owner.

This video shows the before and 5 unedited minutes from this morning of my session with Bonnie.

I’m proud of this girl. She’s a good egg.

I learned not too long ago that both her parents are working stock dogs.

It explains so much.

PS) Going through this process with a reactive/aggressive dog is important.

Not just to clean up obedience and make sure it’s reliable..

But also to show a dog how to think through arousal and quickly transition from being vocal and insane to quiet and still.

As well as follow my guidance through those states.

And many, many more benefits.

PPS) Bonnie is insanely food motivated.

She was a lot quieter naturally when doing obedience for food.

It would have been easy to avoid the headache of cleaning things up during play by just using food instead.

But Bonnie would have missed out on learning some very important concepts that every explosive, working breed dog should learn.


Address

Ottawa, ON

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dacapo Dog Club posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Dacapo Dog Club:

Shortcuts

Share

Category