Calm Canines - In-Home Nail Care

10/15/2026

We have a few spaces left for this coming Sunday, Oct 18 in Guelph. Visit calm-canines.ca/petfirstaid to join us!

It's time for the Wednesday Walks 'N' Wags Pet First Aid Weekend Update! This could be you in the photo! 😃

IN PERSON PET FIRST AID
• Seattle WA: October 17 & 18 with Pet First Aid Seattle
• Nanaimo BC: October 18 with Pawsitive Touch Canine Massage
• Delta BC: October 18 with Good Hound Training & Daycare
• Vancouver BC: October 18 with Lisa Wagner, Walks 'N' Wags Pet First Aid
• Cold Lake AB: October 18 with Cross Cuts Pet Styling
• Guelph ON: October 18 with Calm Canines - In-Home Nail Care

IN PERSON OFF THE GRID
• Seattle WA: October 18 with Pet First Aid Seattle

GROUP VIRTUAL PET FIRST AID AND OFF THE GRID
• Next group Zoom Pet First Aid class is: November 14 & 21 with Nice Dog, Scarlett
• Next group Zoom OFF THE GRID (for Pet First Aid grads only) class is: October 31 with Nice Dog, Scarlett

Learn more and register for the above (+ many other 2026 dates & locations) via our web site (link in our bio AND comments)!

📸 : A group of happy WNW participants at Discover Dogs Vancouver.

10/11/2026

10/04/2026

October is here and packed with awesome community events! 🍁🐾

Whether you’re looking to get your pup’s nails done in a low-stress environment, learn life-saving emergency skills, or build real confidence around everyday handling, we’ve got something for you this month!

Swipe through to see what’s coming up, or tap the link in bio to snag your spot! 📲✨




Kitchener friends—come hang out at Dogtoberfest! 🥨🐶

We’re setting up at Gaukel Block on Saturday, October 10th from 11 AM to 6 PM. Stop by our booth to chat about low-stress cooperative care, ask your nail care questions, or get your dog’s nails done on-site!

The best part is: 100% of the nail care proceeds go directly to supporting the Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth Humane Society! ❤️

📍 Gaukel Block, Kitchener
🗓️ Saturday, Oct 10 | 11 AM – 6 PM

Would you know what to do if your dog or cat choked, ate something toxic, or had an emergency at home? 🚨🐶

Join us Saturday & Sunday, Oct 17 & 18, for a comprehensive, hands-on Pet First Aid certification course in support of Arthur Animal Rescue!

No prior experience is needed. We’ll cover CPR, choking protocols, bleeding control, heat stroke, emergency prep, and more—plus, we’ll have live demo animals joining us for hands-on practice! 🐱🐶

📍 Guelph, ON
🗓️ Sat & Sun, Oct 17 & 18 | 9 AM – 2 PM both days
Visit calm-canines.ca/petfirstaid to register!

Nail trims don’t have to involve wrestling or stress. 💛

On Saturday, October 24th, we’re back at the Guelph Humane Society for our monthly Nail Care & Cooperative Care Sessions!

Whether your dog is already comfortable with handling or needs a patient, low-stress approach with positive reinforcement games and specialized tools, we’re here to help build confidence one step at a time.

📍 Guelph Humane Society
🗓️ Saturday, Oct 24 | 10 AM – 2 PM
📲 Book your slot ahead of time on the GHS website

Ready to transform how your dog feels about body handling and vet visits? 🤝✨

We’re teaming up with One Leg Up Canine | Dog Training & Behaviour Specialists for a hands-on Cooperative Care Workshop series! Learn practical, reward-based techniques tha

09/21/2026

If your dog gets overwhelmed by handling or nail care, we don't start by reaching for their paws. We start by building trust and clear communication!

That’s why I love using The Bucket Game (developed by Chirag Patel). It's an awesome option for dogs who aren't ready for a Chin Rest or Flop.

It gives your dog a literal start/stop button. Loma is just starting to work on this game as her official consent game! Right now, all we’re doing is building duration—rewarding her for holding her focus on the bucket for just 2 or 3 seconds. When she looks at the bucket, she’s saying 'I'm ready'. If she looks away, we pause. No pressure, no rush.

I'll share a link to a great article in my stories for instructions to teaching this game.

Practicing this daily will build up massive confidence. It’s a slow, beautiful process, but giving dogs a voice changes everything! 🐾

09/16/2026

Meeting Ginny where she’s at has been the key to everything. 🤎

Ginny is smart, eager, and loves to work, but she also navigates backend sensitivities that require extra grace. When we first started, she pulled all four paws and wasn't comfortable with handling at all.

Instead of forcing it, her guardians chose patience and advocacy every step of the way. Over 6 months of dedicated teamwork, we listened to her body language, adjusting as needed until she felt safe enough to offer her flop and happily participate for rewards.

And through all of that patient work, we've now been able to do two consecutive sessions where every single nail was trimmed—calmly, happily, and completely on her terms.

I’m so proud of this sweet angel and her incredible humans for showing what’s possible when trust comes first. Give your dog an extra scratch for me today! 🐾

09/16/2026

Cooperative care is amazing, and seeing a dog opt in is the best feeling. But it’s not a "one and done" box we get to check off forever! Even when a dog knows the routine, we still have to stay present and read their body language through every single second of it.

Hogan is a sound-sensitive guy who really did not enjoy a tool like the Dremel. We worked hard for months just desensitizing him to the sound and sight of it before we ever paired it with his flop.

We wanted to make sure he felt completely safe and knew he had the choice to opt out if things felt like too much.

Although his flop in this video says "yes," those subtle lip licks tell us: "Slowly, please. This is still a lot for me."

Back in December, using a Dremel on his back toes felt literally impossible. Nine months later, he’s doing it. Progress takes time, and the real magic isn't just getting the nails done—it’s staying tuned in so they keep trusting us through the process.

Watch the clip again and see what subtle signals you notice. Give your dog a scratch for me 🤎

09/01/2026

Crinkle has quickly become one of my favourite little souls. All the humans at Guelph Humane Society take amazing care of this sweet guy, and all the animals who come into their care.

Part of Crinkle's care is to work on having his nails done cooperatively. While we aren't quite ready to use clippers, he's more than happy to work on filing down his nails with the help of our scratch board.

Not only is Crinkle cooperatively working on his nails, he's engaging his brain in such a fun way. What a joy to cross paths with this guy.

Each month, we offer Community Nail Care Days at GHS. This is an accessible space for dog guardians to have cooperative nail care or, to work on a cooperative care training plan for your dog. We also donate sessions for dogs living in the shelter, like Crinkle 🤗.

Please check out the GHS website to learn more about our nail care days AND Crinkle, plus all the other friends waiting to meet you!