What are the best rewards: That all depends on your dog, for most its food, toys or affection/praise. When you choose a reward make sure it a something your dog likes and is willing to work for. If a dog is not food motivated a regular biscuit or kibble will not suffice, trying using real food, or a toy, or affection/praise. Using High Level Rewards: Using high level rewards to target certain commands, for example “come”. I always use a treat that is of high value to my dog, so they are excited and always willing to come for the treat. If your dog is having difficulty with a command, the use of high level rewards can help the dog to learn quicker and sometimes a more solid command. Rewards and Rate of Reinforcement: An environment will often provide its own training rewards for dogs, like interesting smells, other animals, or the opportunity to greet… Read More

Is your lovable little dog suddenly acting like Cujo, making you wonder if you adopted a cute companion or a tiny, fluffy tornado of destruction? Plenty of other puppy parents would agree with you! Most people don’t realize just how common aggressive dogs are, but fortunately, aggression can be managed via the right tools and approaches. If you are looking for dog training in Canada, then you have found it in the Durham region. At K9Manners, we’re really terribly good at transforming angry growling into happy wagging tails and will coach you and your pup on this road toward success with confidence. Why Is My Dog Acting Like a Furry Hulk? Before we delve too far into solutions, let’s talk about some reasons your dog may be auditioning for the role of “Guard Dog Extraordinaire.” Aggressive dogs might be acting the way they do for different reasons. Fear or anxiety: Your pup could feel threatened… Read More

As a dog trainer, it’s crucial to identify the root cause of the problems pet owners are facing with their dogs. For instance, if a dog will not listen to the “sit” command, the first thing to ascertain is whether the dog knows that “sit” means to sit. If that is uncertain, that particular dog needs to be taught that command completely through proper dog obedience training. The next thing to consider is how the dog and its owner’s relationship works. If this bond is weak or if the owner is not communicating properly, the dog may not respond well. This dynamic has to be improved and worked on to be able to guarantee good communication and cooperation. Another important aspect is assessing the temperament of the dog. Some dogs will have issues of anxiety, fear, or dominance, which do not allow them to heed commands. For cases such as this, it is best to… Read More

Right now, I’m working with Rogan to improve her response time to the command “platz” (down). At first, she’d be slow to commit before proceeding but after only one week of repeated training, she’s responding instantly. Alongside this, I’ve also been focusing on developing both Rogan and Gracie’s drive during training. I’m thrilled with their progress—especially Gracie, who overcame her anxieties and maintained focus in a brand-new environment. Drowning out” other dogs and human distractions, she was totally absorbed, and training was a pleasure, for both of us. With effective dog training techniques, dogs can be greatly improved in confidence and performance. Interestingly, I recently received a call from a client excited about the progress they’ve made with their dogs. Before training, walking their dogs—especially together—was a stressful and frustrating experience. However, after only 1 session, they’ve observed a big difference, too! They can thus no longer dread and abuse strolls with their dogs. While… Read More

Canine Separation Anxiety is defined as destructive or disruptive behaviors every time a dog is left alone. Dogs are social animals who form attachments to the people they live with, some dogs will panic or become anxious when separated from the person they are most attached too. Signs of Canine Separation Anxiety: Urinating or defecating while you are out Excessive licking, drooling, vomiting or diarrhea in your absence Excessive whining, howling or barking when left alone Prior to leaving your dog may show anxiety, depression, bark or whine excessively, or follow you around the house In your absence your dog may chew or be destructive in your home Your dog may cause injury to him or herself Escape behaviors such as scratching or destroying doors or windows, digging under fences, jumping fences or opening gates. Exaggerated greeting behaviors Possible Causes: Lack of Leadership and owner behavior. Lack of exercise Genetics – abnormal predisposition to dependency,… Read More