Pawsome Connection Dog Training & Behavior

10/02/2025

If you have a senior dog, they may not be able to jump into your vehicle anymore at some point... or it could be any dog of any age really. The box in my truck is quite high and I noticed that Mick wasn't confident jumping up there anymore so I taught him to use the ramp that I bought a few years ago.
I broke it down into 7 steps but this can take as long as it takes or it can go quickly, depending on your dog, their existing skills and the height of your vehicle

Does your dog struggle to get in and out of your car, truck or SUV? A dog ramp can make vehicle access safer and easier—especially for senior dogs, puppies, ...

09/23/2025

just go for it!

09/18/2025

I've always loved this quote by renowned horse trainer Ray Hunt: it puts the responsibility on us to teach our horse / dog in a way that it's easy for them to understand what we want from them!

09/06/2025

I'm sharing this podcast for a number of reasons:

👉 Always look out for your dog's best interest. If you're not sure if a greeting (with a dog or human) will go well, don't do it and say: "my dog wouldn't enjoy that"
👉 Dogs are curious and will get themselves into situations that they are not equipped to handle! Just because they go up to someone or something, it doesn't mean that they are "fine"!
👉 Reactions don't come out of nowhere so it's important to observe your dog and anticipate when "enough is enough"

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5QRk01Du9zVjF4fej33oi5?si=30dfYUJBQmK6RKR2eBVSYA&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A37i9dQZF1FgnTBfUlzkeKt

Help! My Dog: The Podcast. Dog Behaviour & Training Strategies that Work! · Episode

09/03/2025

08/28/2025

This is from this week's newsletter:

Dog - dog interactions are another hot topic and very dear to my heart. This post is intended to provoke thought and raise awareness:

Hot Topic #5: Is that dog being Friendly or Rude?

How many times have you heard this? You’re out walking your dog when suddenly another dog runs into their space, while their owner calls out: “Don’t worry, he’s friendly!”
Here’s the problem: dog-dog encounters are not unlike human greetings. We’d be put off if a stranger rushes up to us with the intent of giving us a hug. It may be meant as a friendly gesture but barging into another’s personal space uninvited is just plain rude!

Rude Doesn’t Always Look Aggressive
Everyone recognizes a pushy, over-excited dog as being rude. But rudeness in dog language can also look quiet and “sweet.” A dog who stares, approaches head-on, or walks straight into another’s space without invitation is ignoring social boundaries. That can be just as offensive as obvious pushiness.
The owners of these dogs rarely see rudeness — they see friendliness. But “friendly” is not the same as “polite”.

The Unfair Burden on Other Dogs
When a dog is repeatedly allowed to rush up to others, the polite dogs end up carrying the weight. Some dogs will avoid eye contact or move away in an attempt to de-escalate. Others, especially those who value their space, may show teeth, raise their hackles, snap or bark, all in an attempt to fend of unwanted proximity. Owners are often surprised as they “didn’t see that coming” and their dog is quickly labeled as “aggressive,” while the pushy one is still considered “friendly.”
It’s an unfair double standard. No dog should be expected to tolerate rudeness, no matter the breed or circumstances.

Why It Matters
Dogs who don’t learn polite social skills risk:
* Triggering defensive reactions or fights.
* Stressing out other dogs (and their owners).
* Damaging their own ability to have healthy social interactions.
Owners who allow their dogs to invade others’ space without awareness also risk potentially dangerous situations — sometimes with consequences for both dogs and humans.

How to Raise a Truly Friendly Dog
If you want your dog to be welcomed by others, teach them polite behavior:

Respect space – Dogs don’t need to greet every dog they see. Teach them to calmly pass other dogs, effectively “minding their own business”.
Check in with you first – Reward your dog for looking to you for guidance instead of charging ahead.
Learn consent-based greetings – Ask the other owner before approaching. If both dogs are calm and relaxed, allow a brief, curved greeting. Here’s a caveat: don’t rely on other owners’ awareness of their own dog’s social skills... when in doubt, move on and don’t let the dogs greet at all. After all, we don't greet everyone we meet in the street either!
Recognize subtle signals – A stiff body, a head turn, or a dog moving away means “no thanks.”

Personally, I’m always going to err on the side of caution and protect my dog’s confidence and health!

The Takeaway
A truly friendly dog is one who respects boundaries!
So the next time you feel tempted to say “Don’t worry, he’s friendly,” ask yourself — is he being friendly in dog language, or is he in fact being rude?
It’s also o.k. if your dog is not "friendly” and doesn’t enjoy meeting other dogs face-to-face. When I don’t want another dog to meet one of mine, I simply say: “my dog wouldn’t enjoy that” and move along.
By teaching our dogs to calmly mind their own business, we make the world safer and happier for everyone.

08/20/2025

whose dog fits the profile? 🤣🥰

08/19/2025

what are you persevering in this week?