Canine Community Corner

06/22/2026

LGD Problems: When you get too many walks in a day and your legs stop working 🥲

Despite their size and big jobs, livestock guardian dog’s don’t typically need as much exercise as you’d think. Realistically when working, they spend the majority of their day resting in thr feel with the livestock they’re in charge of. Outside of periodic perimeter checks and keeping an eye out for predators, their days are pretty chill.

I can see this a lot in Win’s endurance and exercise preferences. Most days, he would my rather go for a quick 10 to 15 minute walk, then spend the day lounging outside where he can keep an eye on things. When we go on bigger, longer walks, he often ends up over tired and a little grumpy. While he looks like a big happy do**us, if I were to try and get him to physically move, he would give me a lot of back talk and may get mouthy. Basically he’d tell me to f*ck off and leave him alone - and I don’t blame him! I don’t want to be bothered when I’m tired, either.

This is why it’s so important to make sure you are providing the exercise that’s right for your dog as an individual. Not all working breeds need to go on multiple long walks a day, and doing this may actually cause more problems for you than it solves.

If you find your dog is cranky after a walk or intense exercise, it may be a sign to scale back and give them more structured rest time in their day.

06/22/2026

If you can hear them click, it’s time for a trim!

Most people don’t realize that their dogs’ nails should be trimmed every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how quickly they grow. If they’re long enough to be tapping on the ground, they’re over due and need to be done sooner rather than later. Letting them stay long can change how your dog walks, and can lead to joint issues and pain.

We’re back with monthly nail trim clinics at Ren’s Pets at the Boardwalk for drop-in nail trim clinics! These clinics will run on the last Saturday of every month from 10am to 5pm, unless otherwise advertised. No appointment necessary.

I will also have my vacuum brush available for anyone looking for a deshedding/blow out for $30

See you at the Boardwalk on Saturday!

06/21/2026

Have you ever heard the saying “a tired dog is a good dog?”

This was a phrase often used by my family growing up. Basically what it’s meant to imply is that the only time a dog is well behaved is when they’re tired.

More often than not, I have found the opposite to be true.

A tired dog is usually a cranky dog. A tired dog usually had a hard time controlling their impulses and making good decisions. When it comes to puppies especially, a tired dog may be more likely to become mouthy and get into things they shouldn’t.

In a lot of ways, dogs are like toddlers - when they get tired, they get CRAZY.

Adult dogs on average sleep 12 to 14 hours a day. For puppies, that number is even higher at 18 to 20 hours a day. If your dog is not getting roughly that amount of sleep, chances are you’re going to see more behaviour issues that can thankfully be solved with structured rest.

Always remember - it’s all about balance.

06/20/2026

Went on a dinner date tonight. He was cute, but a little handsy. He also kept asking me to hold his hand and tell him he’s cute.

06/20/2026

Get ready to do some learning with your puppy!

Being a puppy parent is hard, and sometimes a full training program isn’t accessible, either due to scheduling or financial concerns. That’s why our Drop-In Puppy Training Group is here to help!

Our low-cost, accessible, and neurodivergent friendly puppy training group is designed to help owners with pups 8 months and older who need a little extra help with training, but may not be ready or able to access a full training program yet. This one hour group will consist of approximately half an hour of structure learning, followed by time for you to ask questions and get help with whatever you’re struggling with.

Pre-registration is required, and the group is limited to 10 dogs per session. This is an outdoor group, so please make sure to dress for the weather and bring water for you and your dog.

Send us a DM or email [email protected] to register for our July group or for more info.

06/16/2026

06/15/2026

I am so thankful for clients who are willing to be flexible ❤️

Mr. Crowley had a in-home nail trim appointment booked for this afternoon, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to make it due to a flat tire. I gave his awesome mom the option to come to me, and she was more than happy to make the drive to Waterloo!

Crowley, on the other hand, is still pretty sure we tricked him into doing his least favourite activity and will not be taking treats from the nail lady no matter where she is 😒

06/14/2026

Winston and Bogey had a great time at Bogey’s first sleepover 🙌

Although just a short overnight visit, they packed in several games of tug, a little bit of awkward wrestling, chewed on some cow hooves, followed the cat around, and sniffing each other’s wieners. Before leaving, Bogey asked if next time we could turn their beds into a bunk bed so they could have more room for activities

06/12/2026

Over the last year, I’ve stopped offering individual training sessions to people I haven’t already worked with.

Why?

Because they’re not effective.

More often than not, I found people would book a single session, and go home disappointed that it didn’t fix all their training problems. We live in a world where convenience is key, and want to solve challenges as quickly and easily as possible. Unfortunately, that’s not the same world our dogs live in.

Although multi-session packages may cost more up front than individual sessions or group classes, they are more budget friendly and cost effective over time, and are more likely to lead to long term results. Not only that, but it gives time for building trust, ensuring your dog is ready before moving on to next steps, and makes room for troubleshooting and refining things that aren’t working quite right.

The added bonus to our private programs is that your sessions are valid for a year after your last scheduled session. That means if you need more time to practice, need to take a break, or life circumstances get in the way, you have time to do whatever you need before jumping back in. Plus, once you finish your package, you will have the option to schedule individual sessions to help brush up on anything that pops up later or for a refresh. Many of our 6 session private packages now also include access to discounts on walking services and group classes!

Have questions or interesting in signing up for some training? Send us a DM or email [email protected] and let’s chat!

06/12/2026

Only a few days left to take advantage of our June Flash Sale!

6 Session Private Packages - $500
3 Session Private Packages - $300

Sale ends on June 14th at midnight