Yes Dog Good Dog

12/16/2021

I like this post so much. Let’s take the pressure off ourselves and our dogs. Let’s make a life with our dogs that works for them and for us.

Can we, please, for the sake of dogs everywhere, and their people, normalize doing NOTHING with your dog?

No, I don’t mean leaving them alone all day or not training them or enriching their life at home. I mean not feeling like we have to DO something with them or have them BE something or a certain way. I’m not talking about neglecting dogs, I’m talking about taking pressure off them.

The majority of dogs are totally, 100% fine doing nothing. They truly don’t care about going with you to uncle Tim’s graduation bbq, or going to the dog park to make “friends” or any of the other stuff that WE, their people want for our own enjoyment and what the idea of having a dog has meant to us. Then, when we push these things on dogs, we are upset and disappointed that they don’t enjoy them, or behave a certain way, without looking at the big picture.

You have my full permission to do nothing with your dog. To train them for as much as you need, to enrich their lives as much as they desire, but if that means they stay home and snuggle on the couch with you instead of competing in a sport or going out in public, that is OKAY.

It’s also okay to teach your dog who does enjoy activities to DO NOTHING. And I can’t stress this enough. My dogs have days where they don’t get anything but some playtime in the yard and bones to chew. I don’t have them assume they get everything all day long. I see so many dogs that just don’t know how to do nothing because they are always doing SOMETHING.

The pressure dog people feel nowadays is directly correlated I believe to the increasing behavior issues dogs are having. The idea of dogs being able to do all these things we want them to and go all these places is just setting a standard and expectation that is completely unfair and setting both people and dogs up for failure.

Teach your dog to do nothing. Be okay doing nothing with your dog. Be okay leaving them home, not letting them say hi to everyone, not having to make friends with other dogs, not getting this or that title or certificate or whatever it is.

The four hooligans went on a walk, a long one this morning, and now will spend the rest of the day doing nothing, and that’s okay.

PLEASE IF YOU SHARE- GIVE CREDIT TO THE AUTHOR - Helen st. Pierre

06/15/2020

So we may be able to offer group classes in Courtenay in the near future. If you were looking for dog training classes, what would you be looking for? Puppy? Basic Manners? Tricks? Tell me what you would like to see!

11/05/2019

Wow!

Stella the dog's owner, a speech-language pathologist, says the canine already knows 29 words and can form phrases

10/28/2019

but finds it even more rewarding to teach their owners how to build a better relationship with their canine family members

10/24/2019

What an amazing dog and, I think, a testament to the relationship between Purple and her people.

‘I’ve had lots of intelligent dogs, but Purple is in a class herself’

03/29/2019

Yes!!

A simple statement that can change perspective. Dogs can have big feelings about things, therefore behave in ways that are stressful or overwhelming for their person. Let’s help them address these big feelings instead of trying to punish them away.



(Wish we knew the creator of this meme. It’s perfect!)

03/10/2019

02/26/2019

I love this article from the amazing Patricia McConnell about nose work. Such a good way to connect with your dog and keep them busy.

Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, has made a lifelong commitment to improving the relationship between people and animals.

01/22/2019

Let’s strive for this!

Teaching is never effective or humane when we use punishment and coercion. If you were trying to navigate the world based on eliminating your wrongdoings vs being reinforced for the right choices that would be a very frustrating and sad world. Guide your dog to make the right decisions, reinforce those heavily and put measures into place to prevent the practice of the behaviour you want to change.

01/21/2019

Is it time to train the dog? We are accepting new clients. Our training is positive, force-free, fun and results oriented. We WILL help you to understand your dog better. For a limited time, book a three session package of one-on-one classes for just $125. Spread the word!

08/02/2018

A good reminder!

09/29/2017

Welcome to the new page for Yes Dog Good Dog Training. We are located in Cumberland and offer our training services in the Comox Valley and as far south as Parksville and as far north as Campbell River. We are committed to positive, force free training methods. We currently offer one-on-one training, personalized to you and your dog. That training can take the form of a basic manners class or can address certain specific behaviours - the choice is up to you. Either way, we promise that you and your dog will both have fun. Want more information? Please give me a call or send me a message.