Sycamore Creek Canines

06/01/2025

If your dog needs a few tricks to impress at the next barbecue, we can help!

Take 15% off a single session with code SUMMERSALE15 or 20% off a training package with code SUMMERSALE20 when you book by June 21st.

Www.sycamorecreekcanines.com

04/15/2025

If a dog you're training isn't responding to your cues, you'll need to ascertain if you've got a "why" problem or a "what" problem.

Is the dog simply not motivated, or is he confused about what to do? This is important, because the solutions to each problem are very different.

If you've got a "why" problem, you must address motivation before attempting to train any further. Next week, we'll share some short term and long term fixes for motivation problems. But for now, test it by offering the dog a freebie. If he refuses it, you've got a "why" problem.

If he takes the freebie enthusiastically but won't work for it, then you've got a "what" problem. The dog would very much like what you're offering but he isn't sure what you'd like him to do. This often comes down to a criteria-setting error on the trainer's part.

We'll share some strategies for addressing "what" problems later this month.

04/08/2025

“Why is your dog wearing a muzzle?”

A question we love to answer! 🙂

Too many people still assume a muzzled dog is dangerous. That it’s aggressive. That the human on the other end of the lead has failed. But the truth? That muzzle is often the result of love, training, and responsibility.

🐾 Some dogs are muzzle trained because they get overwhelmed in busy environments.

🐾 Some wear one at the vet… because they’re in pain, and pain makes behaviour unpredictable.

🐾 Some have a history of trauma or reactivity, and a muzzle gives them safe access to the world.

🐾 Others have a habit of scavenging… things like chicken bones, trash, or even medications left on the ground.

🐾 And for many, it’s just about being prepared. Emergency situations happen fast, and a muzzle trained dog is safer to handle when things go wrong.

Pain, fear, stress, overstimulation… these are real, valid reasons a dog might struggle. A muzzle doesn’t mean they’re a threat. It means they’re protected.

The more we educate, the more we create empathy. 💕

The more we normalise muzzles, the more we protect dogs from judgment… and from situations that could cost them their lives. 💕

We muzzle because we care. Let’s start changing the question from “What’s wrong with that dog?” to “How can I learn more?”

Who is with us?

08/17/2024

🌞🐾 Here’s Why Proper Muzzle Fitting is Essential in Summer 🐾🌞

We at SCC often emphasize the importance of proper muzzle fitting, especially during these hot summer months. A well-fitted muzzle isn’t just about safety—it’s designed with your dog’s comfort and well-being in mind.

❗️ Here’s what you need to know:

🫁 Breathing & Panting: Dogs regulate their body temperature through panting. A properly fitted muzzle should allow your dog to pant freely, ensuring they can cool down effectively in the heat.

💦 Hydration: It’s vital that your dog can still drink water while wearing a muzzle. Look for a muzzle design that allows easy access to water, keeping your dog hydrated and preventing heat exhaustion.

🦺 Safety Without Stress: The right muzzle fit provides security without causing unnecessary stress or discomfort. When the muzzle fits well, your dog can still enjoy their walk and stay safe in situations that require a muzzle.

As always, if you’re unsure about the fit or type of muzzle, please reach out - we are happy to help! Your dog’s health and comfort are worth the extra time to ensure everything is just right!

Stay cool and keep your pups safe this summer! 🐶💧

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06/15/2024

Consent and healthy boundaries are necessary for all individuals across all species. Most bites to children can be avoided by educating them on canine body language and basic respect.

Let's talk about this photo. It's cute, except it's not. I see a dog who cannot get up without telling the child to get off. How do you think a dog is going to do that?

The 7 Golden Toddler Dog Rules:
#1: If a dog walks away from you, you DO NOT FOLLOW.
#2: Always leave room for the dog to walk away from you.
---that right there is 90+% of dog bites eliminated---
#3: We do not climb on the dog.
#4: We do not grab or pull on the dog.
#5: We do not hit or throw anything at the dog.
#6: We do not touch the dog's food.
#7: We do not go into the dog's kennel.

I promise these are not overly difficult concepts for littles, nor will they rob a kid of their bond with the family dog. It will deepen that bond, while keeping everyone safe.

"Oh, it looks like Moose is walking away from you. She is saying she wants a break. Let's play with this instead!"

"It's Moose's dinner time! Let's give her space to enjoy her yummies."

"That is Moose's room(kennel) and only she is allowed to go in there."

"If Moose wanted a break, could she walk away from you right now? No she really couldn't. Let's move away from the play house. You can keep playing but now she can leave when she wants a break."

In conclusion, ***parent your child or your dog will do it for you, and you will not like how they do it.***

06/14/2024

Meet Polly! 🦜

This sweet girlie was adopted as a young, hungry pup from a shelter and has struggled with Big Emotions around food and other dogs ever since. Over the last 12 weeks with us, she and her family have made huge progress on gentle muzzle training, appropriate dog greetings, and generally remaining more relaxed in the home. They even did a DNA test so we could develop some constructive breed-appropriate games to give her more healthy ways to work her mind! She has so much sass and personality; working with her and her humans has been a true joy. Assisting them on their journey and seeing her improvement has been nothing short of impressive. Good dog, Polly!

If your pup struggles with resource guarding or over-arousal around other dogs, please reach out to us for a session or a free consultation. We can't wait to hear from you!

06/10/2024

Meet Murphy! 🛡

Murphy is handsome pup who, believe it or not, is mixed with both Mastiff and Irish Wolfhound! Him and his people recently completed 6 weeks of training with us working on tricks, settling on a mat, and door manners. He is SUCH a smart dog and catches onto things so quickly, like barking and staying quiet on cue or "parking" between his people's legs. We are so proud of the progress that his whole family made together after recently adopting him from a local shelter. Good dog, Murphy!

If you have a new furry addition to your family and think they would benefit from private, personalized training, please reach out to us for a session or a free consultation. We love helping pets and families adjust to their new lives together!

05/29/2024

We are excited to announce that we are now officially certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers as Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA). This prestigious certification reflects our dedication to providing the highest level of expertise and care in addressing complex canine behavior issues.

Achieving CBCC-KA status required over 300 hours of hands-on experience and a comprehensive examination on behavior theory and best practices. This milestone highlights our commitment to effective, humane training methods that prioritize the well-being of your beloved pets.

We look forward to utilizing this advanced knowledge to better serve our community and help more dogs and their owners achieve harmonious relationships. Thank you for your continued support!

03/25/2024

Sometimes, medication is a crucial part of a holistic training plan. This can understandably sound scary to some folks. Ultimately, we want both you and your pet to be living the most comfortable and fulfilling life as possible. If pharmaceuticals are a step on the road to get there, we are all for it!