Love For Paws Dog Training

10/31/2026

Yes!!

10/31/2026

10/30/2026

❤️❤️❤️

10/30/2026

10/22/2026

❤️

10/21/2026

We have had a challenging couple of weeks in our home. What looked like a small leak ended up being a plumbing fiasco. Now we have walls and floor gutted, workers coming in and out, and equipment that sounds like an airplane engine. The dogs are not happy. So, I decided to write a blog post about what we've been doing to help them. Here ya go!

We've chatted before about how important it is to have a daily routine for your dog. But what happens when that routine and the whole environment is disrupted? I've recently had major plumbing issues at home. Plumbers, water damage pros, insurance adjusters, and contractors are coming in and out. Th...

10/18/2026

I’M NOT STUBBORN!

Your dog won’t come back when called, refuses to walk in the direction you want to go, won’t sit when asked, doesn’t listen when out and about, but does it perfectly at home…

Are they just being stubborn?

What we may think of as just being stubborn is often an important clue that tells us we need to look deeper into the cause.

A dog’s response is influenced by far more than motivation. Emotional state, physical discomfort, stress, tiredness, an environment, previous experiences, genetics and learning history can all play a part.

Perhaps dogs don’t understand what we’re asking. Maybe an environment is far more rewarding than we are. Maybe they are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, overexcited or tired. Maybe they've learned that responding to a particular cue predicts something they find unpleasant. Perhaps there is pain, discomfort or they’re not feeling well.

Are we making it worthwhile, have we taught the behaviour clearly and practised in different environments, is the environment too challenging, are we asking more than the dog can manage in that moment, is there an unmet need or an underlying physical issue?

These are far more important questions than asking how to make a dog comply.

Our responsibility isn't to win a battle of wills. It's to understand the dog in front of us, in that moment and create the conditions in which they can succeed.

Build motivation through what is reinforcing to the individual dog. Make learning clear and consistent. Manage the environment. Respect emotions and physical limits.

A dog succeeds when they feel safe, understand what's being asked and are motivated.

Instead of labelling a dog as “stubborn”, first look at what might be underneath that behaviour.

10/18/2026

Yes! If it’s starting to make you feel uncomfortable, trust that voice. Interrupt play by calling them over to you.
It’s better to be overly cautious than to let things escalate and see what happens.

We were all taught the same lie.
If they're not fighting, they're playing.

So we stand there, watching something that feels "off".

A bit too intense. All a wee bit too much.
One dog ducks behind the bench while the other keeps coming.

And we tell ourselves "they're just playing" because we don't want to be "that" person. The overprotective one.

So I need you to hear this:

No dog has ever been harmed by you stopping play too early.
Not one. Ever.

But I've met hundreds who were harmed because no one stopped it in time.

Here's what no one really talks about enough,
Sometimes it's not that obvious to see the difference between playing and an issue grumbling and bubbling away.
Especially if you don't really know the other dog involved.

So can I give you permission to do something?

Trust the "hmm".

That little feeling in your gut that says "that's a bit much".
That's not you being overbearing or overprotective.
That IS you reading dog body language. That's the skill developing.

You don't need to be 100% sure to step in. If you're unsure, step in anyway.
Call your dog.
Make some space. Give them both a break.

The playful ones will shake it off and often re-engage together, that's how you know it WAS play.

You will never ruin a friendship by pausing play.
You might just save one.

10/13/2026

Vets are now asking many people to wait to spay/neuter their dogs until the dogs reach maturity. This is due to a variety of new findings on how spaying/neutering adversely impacts health when done too early. This is the latest study and it’s a big one.

✂️🥜🐶 WHAT IF WHEN YOU SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR DOG MATTERS JUST AS MUCH AS WHETHER YOU DO IT?

Preventing unwanted litters matters. But is it time to rethink HOW we sterilize dogs? Hormone-sparing procedures, including hysterectomy and vasectomy, can prevent reproduction while preserving natural s*x hormones.

🔬 NEW 2026 PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH

Over 10 years, researchers reviewed records from 56,254 veterinary patients, including 313 dogs with mast cell tumors and 638 tumor-free comparison dogs. The study was accepted for publication in The Veterinary Journal.

🤯 1. TIMING MATTERS!

Dogs spayed or neutered before age 2 had 343% higher odds of a mast cell tumor diagnosis compared with intact dogs. Dogs sterilized after age 2 showed no statistically significant increase.

🐕 2. SIZE MATTERS!

Compared with small dogs, medium dogs had 2.6 times the odds and large dogs 5.2 times the odds.

⚖️ 3. WEIGHT MATTERS!

Overweight dogs had 80% higher odds than dogs at an ideal weight.

🧬 4. BREED MATTERS!

Compared with mixed-breed dogs, American Pit Bull Terriers had 7.5 times the odds and Boxers 3.9 times. Some breed groups were small.

❤️ 5. WHAT ABOUT SURVIVAL?

Neutering status wasn’t significantly associated with survival after surgery. Tumor grade and size were more important predictors.

🔬 WHY MIGHT HORMONES MATTER?

S*x hormones influence immune function and development. Researchers propose that early hormone removal and changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) may play a role, but this remains unproven.

🐾 THE BIG TAKEAWAY

Preventing unwanted litters doesn’t always mean removing hormone-producing organs. It’s time for individualized conversations with veterinarians about WHEN and HOW we sterilize dogs.

📄 Download the FREE PDF with the latest research surrounding Spay & Neuter Syndrome. Link in comments!

10/04/2026

Excellent video showing the difference between a dog that wants to be petted and one that doesn’t.