Island Canine Consulting

09/27/2026

Well… it’s been a minute. 👋

Island Canine has been a little quiet on Facebook, but definitely not quiet behind the scenes.

There have been lots of dogs, consultations, continuing education, new ideas, and apparently not nearly enough remembering to actually post any of it. 😂

So rather than waiting until I have the perfect social media plan figured out, I’m just going to start sharing more of what happens around here.

Behaviour. Training. The weird things dogs do. The little wins that are easy to miss. And probably a fair amount of this guy.

Hopefully some of it helps you understand the dog sharing your home a little better.

Anyway, hi again from me and Poe. 👋🐾

09/10/2026

This!! 👇🏻👇🏻

I preach this to my clients all the time.

Learning to recognize and reinforce the behaviours we want, including those moments when our dogs seemingly “do nothing”, is at the heart of nearly every behaviour modification plan I work with.

But it goes beyond behaviour modification. It’s also part of building a functional relationship with your dog: noticing when they make good choices, communicating clearly, and not waiting until something goes wrong before we give them feedback.

Sometimes “doing nothing” is exactly the behaviour we’ve been working toward.

08/26/2026

Check out this quick clip from Camp K9 - Cape Breton this weekend! The guy closest to the camera at the beginning is my own dog, Poe.

Both Poe and his playmate both have a history of behavioral challenges, so managing their play requires a good eye. Dog play usually involves mock combat or chase games, which means their excitement and arousal levels can spike very quickly.

If you watch closely, this video is a perfect example of how to manage play proactively without using force or frustration. Here is what is happening behind the scenes:

-In healthy play, dogs will naturally take frequent short breaks to prevent their arousal from boiling over. When dogs struggle to do this on their own, a handler can gently step in to help them take a breather.

-Instead of waiting for the play to escalate and scolding the dogs, the handler waits for a moment of calm. Notice how the second the dog lies down and settles, she gets a cheerful "Good girl!". This is positive reinforcement.

- By rewarding the dog exactly when she chooses to relax, the handler is making that calming behavior much more likely to happen again in the future.

It is always wonderful to see local facilities using proactive, positive methods to help dogs succeed. Way to go, Camp K9!

Next time your dog is playing, try rewarding them the moment they take a quick break, you might be surprised by how much it helps!

08/17/2026

If your daily dog walk feels like a hurried march from Point A to Point B, you might be missing out on a powerful tool for a calmer, more satisfied dog. A walk should not just be about physical exercise, it is an opportunity for vital mental enrichment.

Dogs experience the world primarily through smell and novelty. When we stick to the exact same route and pace every day, the environment loses its stimulation, which can lead to boredom and restless behaviour at home.

Giving your dog choice and time to explore works their brain significantly more than a brisk physical stroll. Allowing your dog to dictate the pace and engage in natural sniffing lowers their stress levels. A fifteen-minute, choice-led walk can leave your dog more relaxed and fulfilled than a long, hurried walk.

You can easily switch up your routine this week with two practical tweaks:

Walk Your Route in Reverse: If you have limited paths nearby, simply walk your normal loop in the opposite direction. Approaching the same neighbourhood from a different angle offers brand-new sensory information for your dog to process.

Try a Sniffari: On a comfortable, secure leash, let your dog choose which way to turn (within reason) and dictate the pace. Let them linger over a scent spot for as long as they like without nudging them along.

Re-framing the walk as your dog's time to explore makes the experience more enjoyable for you and far more beneficial for them.

08/16/2026

We are so incredibly proud of how far this dog has come. It is a beautiful thing when a dog finally realizes they are safe and can let their guard down. Huge shoutout to the amazing team at Camp K9 for continuing the work, respecting his boundaries, and being a trusted partner in his behavioural journey. It truly takes a village to help a dog find their confidence!

08/13/2026

Positive reinforcement, when used incorrectly, doesn't solve behavioural issues.

There is a common misconception that positive reinforcement is simply handing your dog a treat when you want them to do something. In reality, it is the process of adding a highly desirable reward immediately after a behaviour, which makes that behaviour more likely to happen again. Crucially, that reward does not have to be food. Depending on what truly motivates your individual dog, a reward can be food, a favourite toy, the opportunity to investigate a new scent, physical touch, or enthusiastic praise.

Tossing treats at a dog while they are actively lunging, barking, or reacting does not address the underlying reason for their distress. Dogs displaying these severe responses are primarily acting out of a need for safety, trying to escape an overwhelming or frightening situation. Just throwing food into the mix without a clear plan ignores the environmental causes of the behaviour and leaves the root of the problem unaddressed.

To create real change, we must first manage the environment to keep the dog below the point where they become too overwhelmed to learn. From there, we can teach a calm, alternate behaviour. Once that new behaviour is established, it is vital to diversify your rewards. By utilizing a wide variety of motivators (like a game of tug, a chance to sniff the grass, or praise) you strengthen the new behaviour steadily and reliably over time, rather than rushing the process and risking a setback.

What non-food rewards does your dog absolutely love? Share a photo of them enjoying their favourite toy, sniff spot, or activity in the comments below!"

08/06/2026

We love our dogs and naturally want to give them the best lives possible. For many of us, this means filling their days with constant walks, play sessions, and direct interaction. While our intentions are wonderful and rooted in care, providing non-stop entertainment can sometimes prevent dogs from learning how to relax.

​When a dog relies entirely on us for their daily engagement, they can build a high tolerance for activity and struggle to settle down independently. Over time, this constant need for interaction can worsen separation anxiety, as they never practice being calm on their own. For dogs who exhibit aggressive or reactive behaviours, this lack of downtime is especially difficult. Without adequate rest, their nervous systems remain in a state of high arousal, making it much harder for them to cope with stressful situations in their environment. Learning to rest is just as vital for their mental well-being as physical exercise.

​We can help our dogs build calm independence by introducing short, self-guided enrichment activities. These allow dogs to engage in natural behaviours like foraging or chewing without needing our direct involvement. For example:

​The Muffin Tin Puzzle: Place your dog's regular kibble at the bottom of a metal muffin tin and cover the holes with tennis balls. They have to independently use their nose and paws to move the balls to eat.

​Destructible Paper Game: Roll dry food inside a piece of kraft packing paper and tie it in a loose knot. This gives them a safe, acceptable outlet for natural shredding and foraging behaviors.

​Toy Rotation: Instead of leaving all their toys out, divide them into groups and rotate them every few weeks. This creates instant novelty and prevents boredom without you having to actively play.

​Just twenty minutes of this type of independent activity a day can make a remarkable difference in helping your dog learn to switch off, self-soothe, and ultimately relax.

07/01/2026

Couldn't say this better myself!! 👇🏻👇🏻

Fireworks and Pets: What Every Pet Owner Should Know 🐾

While fireworks are a fun part of many celebrations, they can be a major source of stress for our pets. Dogs and cats experience the world very differently than we do. Their hearing is far more sensitive, making the loud, unpredictable bangs and whistles overwhelming and frightening.

When pets become scared, their natural instinct is to fight, flee, or hide. Unfortunately, every year, animal shelters and veterinary clinics see an increase in lost pets after fireworks because frightened animals escape fenced yards, slip out of collars, or bolt through open doors.

Here are a few ways you can help keep your pet safe:

🐾 Keep pets indoors before fireworks begin. Even dogs that are usually comfortable outside can panic unexpectedly.

🐾 Close windows, blinds, and curtains to reduce flashing lights and muffle outside noise.

🐾 Provide background noise such as a TV, fan, or calming music to help mask the sound of fireworks.

🐾 Create a safe retreat. Allow your pet access to a quiet room, crate, or cozy hiding spot where they feel secure. Never force them out if they choose to hide.

🐾 Exercise your dog earlier in the day. A walk or play session before the fireworks can help them relax later in the evening.

🐾 Ensure identification is current. Make sure collars fit properly, ID tags are attached, and microchip information is up to date in case your pet gets loose.

🐾 Stay calm. Your pet looks to you for reassurance. Avoid punishment or forcing them to "face their fears," as this can increase anxiety.

A little preparation can make a big difference. Let's help keep our pets safe, secure, and as stress-free as possible during firework season. ❤️🐶🐱

06/22/2026

06/21/2026

🐾 The SuperBowls pattern game from Leslie McDevitt's Control Unleashed® program is one of the most practical tools you can add to your training toolkit. And the concept is beautifully simple.

You place several colourful bowls in a line on the floor. Then you wait. The moment your dog looks up at you, you mark it with a "yes!" and drop a treat into the next bowl. You walk the line together, bowl by bowl, and repeat the loop.

That's it. But here's what makes it so powerful 👇

🟡 The predictable pattern gives your reactive dog structure and calm in an otherwise unpredictable world.

👁️ Your dog's eye contact becomes a start button. Their way of saying "I'm ready to keep going." If they look away, the game simply pauses. No pressure. No punishment. The dog is always in control of the pace.

🐕 Because the dog controls when the game continues, this isn't just a focus exercise. It is a counterconditioning procedure with built-in choice. That combination is what makes it so effective for dogs who struggle around triggers.

You start at home with zero distractions, then gradually introduce mild stimuli nearby. A stationary bicycle, a stuffed dog, eventually the real thing. Always at a distance your dog can handle.

One small step at a time. 🐾

📥 I put together an illustrated step-by-step guide you can download, print, and keep on your fridge or share with anyone you like (and you will support my work by doing so):
👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/trainmeplease/e/546548

▶️ Watch the full explanation on YouTube:
👉 https://youtu.be/wGs394SlbNM

This post is inspired by the SuperBowls pattern game from Control Unleashed® by Leslie McDevitt. All credit to Leslie for this wonderful tool. We just love sharing it with our community. 🐶