The Wag Way

02/06/2026

We held another very successful Canine Good Citizen Test on 31 May 2026 and once again had a 100% pass rate. This time our venue was the fabulous grounds of the Helderberg Dog Coaching Centre and the weather couldn’t have been better. Our Kennel Union of South Africa Judge, Fiona Powrie , did a wonderful job of putting our students through the various tests in a kind and encouraging way.

I am extremely proud of all my students. The effort in a fun and caring way really showed in the lovely bonds you all have with your very special dogs. I hope we will see you all training towards your next level and I hope to see our Gold Graduates embarking on exciting new dog Disciplines.

Our graduates were as follows:
*CGC Puppy (under 9 months)*
Reme and Xena (Beagle)
Monika and Disa (X breed)
Chanelle and Zinnia (Min Poodle)
Catherine and Kobie (Bernese Mountain Dog)
Erik and Stitch (French Bulldog)
Simone and Lily (Golden Retriever)
Gareth and Livvy (German Shorthaired Pointer)
Nerina and Graff (Rhodesian Ridgeback)

*CGC Bronze*
Kristin and Daisy (Cavelier King Charles Spaniel)
Zelda and Flick’R (Border Collie)

*CGC Gold*
Lauren and Nala (Rhodesian Ridgeback)
Zelda and La’C Luv (Border Collie)
Justine and Kismet (Labrador Retriever)

Thank you to our judge and our welcoming host Zelda for a very successful day. Big thank you to Sarah Davies from the Helderberg Dog Coaching Centre for her beautiful photos below and all the lovely memory captures on the day.

27/05/2026

As someone who runs a puppy school, I cannot emphasize enough how important this is. Puppies should never leave their mum before 8 weeks minimum. Some breeds a little later.

I STILL NEEDED MY MOM

The early weeks of a puppy’s life play a crucial part in laying a foundation for a well-adjusted adult dog.

This foundation influences future behaviour and how well they go on to cope and interact with the world.

Unfortunately, there are still breeders who allow puppies to leave their moms and littermates at only 6 weeks old, often with no regard for the long-term impact this can have on development.

Many new owners blindly trust that breeders must know best and never question this. But while a puppy may no longer rely on mom for food at this age, they are still deeply dependent on their family unit for learning vital life skills, social skills, building emotional security and resilience.

Between 6 and 8 weeks, puppies are in the process of learning:

• Bite inhibition
• Appropriate play behaviour
• Frustration tolerance
• Impulse control
• Communication and social skills
• Confidence and emotional resilience

These are skills that we as people, can never fully replicate in the same way that a pups family unit can.

While 8 weeks is generally considered the minimum age for puppies to leave, many ethical breeders prefer to keep puppies until 10 to 12 weeks, while also providing positive, age-appropriate socialisation and habituation experiences.

Habituation means gently introducing puppies to the world around them in positive, developmentally appropriate ways — different sounds, surfaces, objects, environments, people, smells, and everyday experiences — so they learn that new things are safe rather than frightening.

However, we don’t live an in ideal world and having to care for or rescue pups much younger than 8 weeks is often unavoidable due to different circumstances.

This post is not aimed at those situations - it’s about education, awareness and encouraging people not to support irresponsible breeding practices that place profit and convenience above the wellbeing and healthy development of puppies.

09/05/2026

This little video explains well how our dogs experience the word. It's well worth a watch.

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-dogs-see-with-their-noses-alexandra-horowitzYou may have heard the expression that dogs ‘see with their no...

09/05/2026

Mari Swartz and Bently entered Rally Novice for the first time today at the Breede Rivier Vallei Kennel Club Open Show and achieved a well deserved 3rd place. This little team are going places. Well done 👏👏

09/05/2026

Today some of our students tried something different and entered the Breede Rivier Vallei Kennel Club Open Shows. Well done to all of you for trying something new and your achievements with your puppies.

15/04/2026

⚠️ WARNING ⚠️

There are toxic puffer fish washed up on Sunrise beach, Muizenberg and possibly other beaches. Owners confirmed that they walked their dogs there yesterday morning. One of them bit into a dead fish. He died within 8 hours 😭 Vet confirmed it was toxic poisoning from a puffer fish. There were many dogs on that beach yesterday. (Sunrise beach, Muizenberg)
PLEASE WARN PEOPLE VIA YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

07/04/2026

A good post I wish everyone understood.

It doesn’t mean playing.
It never did.
“Socialisation” has a lot to answer for.

It has a far more important meaning, and it’s often missed because of that one word.

It’s not all about interactions with other puppies or dogs. That’s a very small part of it.
Yet we get stuck thinking socialisation = play.

That’s the issue.

Socialisation is the whole world around them.
The one we’re used to. They’re not.

And if we reduce it to just play with other dogs?
Problems are on the way.

Socialisation is about teaching safety.
Creating safety.
Letting your puppy feel safe.

Even if they’ve never seen a plane or heard a crowd, the goal is the same.
Slow, careful exposure so they can take it in without overwhelming them.

We forget, or maybe don’t fully appreciate, how much they need to get used to in our world.

Socialisation is careful, positive exposure.
Acclimation.
And yes, a level of "neutrality".

Wet grass.
Stairs.
Rain on their head.
A cat passing by.
A scooter moving past.

The goal was never just play.

22/03/2026

Big congratulations to Camilla Berry and little Marli. They ventured in to Rally today, at the Western Province Boxer Club Discipline show, for the first time, with Marli squeaking in at 6 months and 2 days. Out of 17 entries in Fun Rally they were placed a very impressive 3rd place. I'm so proud of you two!

13/03/2026

Instead of graduation ceremonies etc. The Wag Way trains its students and offers the Canine Good Citizen Tests as an independent measure of competence. We strive to produce good dog parents and happy dogs.

https://mg.co.za/partner-content/2026-03-12-raising-the-bar-for-responsible-pet-parenting-in-south-africa/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQg275leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFtZUttZzR2YjNGWmNDS0Foc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsAK0N2SdUVNYXeGW_UsYwA1sLyEO5qrmsi_FLL1K3TxY6oVOZ4u7h0qw6wW_aem_2nKtXKPV7mDnf6pGSE4kAA

In parks, on pavements and training fields across the country, more South African pet parents are setting their sights on a meaningful milestone: the Kennel Uni

12/03/2026

‼️Hot Weather – Please Keep Your Pets Safe‼️

With the extremely high temperatures this week, we would like to remind pet owners to please take extra precautions to keep your pets safe during this heat.

Please remember:
• Always provide plenty of fresh, clean water
• Ensure your pets have access to shade or a cool area
• Avoid walking dogs during the hottest parts of the day (rather early morning or late evening)
• Never leave pets in parked vehicles, even for a short time
• Be mindful of hot tar or paving that can burn your pet’s paws- if its too hot for your feet, its too hot for them!

Heatstroke can happen very quickly and can be life-threatening.

Signs of heatstroke may include:
• Excessive panting
• Drooling
• Weakness or collapse
• Vomiting or diarrhea

If you suspect heatstroke, please move your pet to a cool area immediately and contact your vet as soon as possible.