Double Down Dog Training

11/14/2024

Client dog Gus getting it DONE!!! Props to his family for giving him the best gift everrrrr, the gift of training and fulfillment!

10/08/2024

Chum is a 3 year old bully breed mix looking for a home that can match his zest for life!
Dog friendly w proper introductions, loves all people he meets.
Application available at

10/03/2024

Rocky and Bailey nailed their 2nd lesson with their folks and are super excited to get back home and start living their best life!

08/04/2024

Zero lives these

01/03/2024

Having your dog practice down stay (or anywhere really if your dog is semi-comfortable) in the crate can promote
-relaxation and self regulation (both in and out do the crate
-prevent general impulsivity and frantic mindsets
-help your dog see you as someone that is capable of upholding fair rules in and around the home to keep them safe and secure
-maintain positive associations when separated from you
-if done correctly, the dog will choose to stay in the crate at times on thier own.
*similarly the place cot can also provide this but stay behaviors in a variety of contexts helps the dog generalize what we are aiming to teach them
(Calmness gets them what they want)

11/12/2023

.fox visited again. She always keeps everyone on their toes!

10/29/2023

10/05/2023

How’s that recall?

10/02/2023

Don’t do it- it isn’t JUST bad for dogs.

❗Pumpkin Spice Is Pleasant to Smell, but Harmful to Pets❗

Air fresheners (both aerosol sprays and plug-ins), scented candles, wax melts, incense and other products may mask unpleasant odors and make your home smell delicious, but they also disperse airborne toxins ☠️. These include formaldehyde, naphthalene, phthalates and volatile organic compounds, which can cause a multitude of health issues in pets. ⚠️

Learn more about the health risks of air-scenting products to pets, along with pet-safe ways to keep your home smelling fresh and seasonal, in today’s free pet blog post on our website: https://bit.ly/46g0vfu

09/30/2023

After 5 days in Minniapolis , I am@back with my pack and ready to rock!!

09/26/2023

Why Have We Gone Soft on Our Dogs?

Over the past decade, there's been a significant shift in how we raise and train our beloved canine companions. The era of saying "no" to our dogs has faded, making way for an era of "yes." Rules and boundaries seem to have taken a backseat as owners are influenced by the media's portrayal of keeping our dogs constantly happy and comfortable, allowing them to do as they please.

We've fallen into the trap of attempting to solve all canine issues with an overflow of love and indulgence – almost like a negotiation. We think, "If I shower you with treats, toys, and let you have the run of the house, you'll be the happiest dog ever and love/respect me.” But, dogs don't operate that way.

When we go above and beyond to treat our dogs like royalty, they often end up treating us as their subjects. Even dogs with underlying insecurities or anxiety can be pushed into a leadership role, which they aren't equipped to handle.

The result? We're witnessing a surge in aggression, fear-based aggression, resource guarding, territorial behavior, overprotectiveness, hyperactivity, and separation anxiety in our dogs. Clearly, what we're doing isn't working.

Clients often tell me, "My dog is so well-behaved and happy when they're with you, but not so much with us. Why is that?" The answer is simple – I provide stability. Dogs need to understand where they stand, which gives them a sense of security. During our sessions, I'm loving and fun, but I'm also firm, correcting unruly behavior like pulling, jumping, and nipping in an appropriate but non harsh way. They know the rules, which allows us to focus on having a blast and achieving success together.

If you fear that setting boundaries with your dog and enforcing them will make them unhappy, that's a misconception. Wild animal packs thrive with clear hierarchies and roles. So, be a leader for your dog! Enforce rules and incorporate my four favorite F words: Fun, Friendly, Firm (but never harsh), and Fair. Never just scold your dog for being bad; they need your guidance and teaching of what they are supposed to do instead. Heavy reinforcement of what you want to see and yes, timely corrections for the bad stuff followed by redirection into the desired behaviour. Those 2 need to be done together, not just correction on its own. Life’s no fun if you’re always told no but never rewarded for what you do right.

Being a good leader for your dog won't harm your relationship – it will strengthen it. Leadership isn't about dictatorship; it's about guidance and structure.

It doesn't matter how you label yourself and your dog, as long as you consistently show up as a leader, teaching and shaping the behaviors you want to see, and living a consistent lifestyle with your dog.

I challenge you to try this for just one week and see the positive changes in your bond with your dog. Share your results!

➡️Start your dogs training journey today with the help of a coach by your side to guide you along the way! Book your free consult to get started: www.dukeferguson.com/consultationbooking

- Coach Sara
UPK9 PEI

www.upk9.ca
www.dukeferguson.com

09/10/2023

Shenzi- the dutchie in the back -is 7 years old and before she came to us, her mom could never get her this close to a dog due to her reactivity.
Never under estimate what your dog may be capable of when things are handled in a way that sets them up for success!

09/06/2023

Evening ferry ride!

09/05/2023

Miss Basil is cruising along in her learnings! Basil is generally a happy go lucky girl but does have some uncertainty at times, which has caused her to nip. Miss Basil also has a propensity to dart away from her owners or just get busy doing her own thing when off leash which for obvious reasons doesn’t usually end well for our pups. She is here to gain a more reliable recall so if she does get away and is operating in flight, we have a way to get her back to us. We also will be building up her general obedience skills so it is easier for her people to Introduce her properly to newcomers, reduce the risk of reactivity as well as help Basil feel more comfortable and controlled during those experiences. -training

08/31/2023

The one and only Miss Royal- who would rather be jumping off the boat rather then sitting in it. Food games for the win!

07/15/2023

Evening woods walk with two of my favs - the blonde girl came along to keep the big guys safe
Zero the Doberman was attacked by another dog on more then one occassion before he turned a year- it’s been a long road teaching him to feel safe around other dogs. Dora helps him remember to to stop and smell the roses and not be so visually focused on his environment.

07/12/2023

Dusty - my feral foster turned heart dog 💕🐕 50% ACD 50% Staffy