Pawsome Connection Dog Training & Behavior

12/03/2025

January classes are open for registration, Stony Plain and Spruce Grove locations. There's something for every dog!
For full details, go to https://pawsome-connection.com/life-skills-classes-workshops/

12/03/2025

Does your dog like to jump up on you, guests or people on walks? I made this video for YOU! Please let me know if you're going to try the games and how they work out of you 🐾😎

Does your dog jump up on you, guests, or strangers on walks?Most dog owners struggle with this — but the real reason dogs jump is often misunderstood. In thi...

11/27/2025

I'd like to share a video I made a few years ago: how you handle your leash and what equipment you use when walking your dog is so important and can make a huge difference, especially when you have an excitable or reactive dog! Let me know in the comments what you use to walk your dog and if you found this video useful:

Walking an excited or reactive dog can feel overwhelming — but with the right leash handling techniques, your walks can become calmer, safer, and far more en...

11/25/2025

11/24/2025

How about a fun little bravery game for your puppy or adult dog? This was Davy's first time playing the Noisy Box game

Get ready for maximum cuteness! 🐶💛In this Short, my puppy takes on the Noisy Box for the very first time — a fun, confidence-building game made from a simp...

11/18/2025

I uploaded a new video on Youtube this morning. I'm working on growing my channel into a resource for helping with dog behavior struggles so if you find it useful, make sure to like and subscribe! thanks ❤

Dog training without obedience? Yes! In this video, I explain why I don’t teach obedience — and how my dogs actually listen BETTER because of it. If you’ve e...

11/12/2025

Last week I took Hope to the vet for a checkup. She's almost 15 1/2 years old and although she hadn't been on a scale for a few years and she headed straight for the scale and we got her weight without fuss! Going on the scale is typically the first thing dogs have to do at every vet visit and if we can make this a pleasant experience, we're off to a good start. In this video I taught little Davy to stand on a platform... you don't need to use an actual scale to teach the skill! Give it a try and let me know how you make out with your puppy ... or adult dog.

Getting onto the scale is usually the first thing dogs have to do at the vet's office. To make these necessary visits less stressful, I prepare my young pupp...

11/03/2025

Your First Dog Parkour Title in 4 weeks
starting Thursday, November 13th, 6.30-7.30pm - 4 weeks class
All you need to know to earn your first ADP Dog Parkour title (everything can be done in your own home)

Leash Manners Boot Camp
starting Friday, November 14th 6.30-7.30pm - 4 weeks class
Teaching the skills for "no more pulling or jumping up" starts at home!

Stay Cool: Calm Dog Class
starting Monday, November 17th, 6.30-7.30pm - 4 weeks class
Calmness is a Lifestyle! Instead of waiting for your dog to "settle down", how about teaching it now?!

Boundaries for Real Life Workshop
Sunday, November 23rd, 11am-1pm (2 hour interactive workshop)
Prerequisite: dogs know the basics of boundary games.
Transitioning from constantly feeding on the boundary to dogs hanging out without much input from us. Reward strategies and troubleshooting whining, action prompting .... and more!

For full details and to sign up: https://pawsome-connection.com/zoom-classes-workshops/

11/01/2025

Excessive barking can put a strain on any relationship so I've put together a video explaining how you can turn this around, in a positive way!

Is your dog barking non-stop and driving you a little crazy? 😅You’re not alone—but the good news is, you don’t need to yell, punish, or use harsh tools to m...

10/23/2025

I started teaching weave poles to Davy last year but as he was still young only progressed to where he wasn't bending his spine yet. I've put everything together in a part 1 weave pole training video... we are working on part 2 right now :)

In this video, you’ll follow Davy, my young Border Collie, as we begin his weave pole training journey between 6–8 months of age. Because Davy was still grow...

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, ...

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.