iTK9 Education

Dealing with an anxious dog is no small task. Whether your pet is trembling at the sound of thunder or struggling with separation anxiety, finding effective ways to ease their stress is crucial. 

A board and train program is an excellent start for getting your dog on the right track with their training and behaviour. However, it’s just the beginning. Many pet owners fail to realize that the work continues when your dog comes home. 

There’s a lot of information about dog training on the internet, and sadly, some of this information can be either ineffective or misunderstood. Recently, it has come to our attention that the process of using “fear” when training one’s dog is something that many pet owners misunderstand.

Training a puppy or a new dog to use a crate in your home and ensuring they do not fear it can offer many benefits. These advantages extend to you and your dog, fostering a harmonious living environment and contributing to your dog's overall well-being. 

Leash reactivity in dogs can be a significant annoyance for pet owners. Not only does it cause stressful walks, but it can also lead to unforeseen accidents that put your dog or others at risk. You may have experienced before that dogs that lunge, bark, or growl at other dogs or people while on a leash can create dangerous situations, making what should be a pleasant experience a nerve-wracking ordeal. 

Dealing with a dog that exhibits behavioural issues can be incredibly frustrating. You might have a dog that listens perfectly to commands during training sessions but still shows signs of aggression, anxiety, or other troubling behaviours at home. It’s important to understand that obedience and behavioural issues are not the same, and addressing one does not necessarily solve the other.

Many families want to own a dog, but pet ownership involves much more than affection and companionship. Bringing a dog into your home carries significant responsibilities and long-term commitments.

Training an older dog can be a uniquely rewarding experience. While the saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" may be at the top of some people's minds, the truth is it's never too late to instill new skills and reinforce positive behaviours in an older canine companion. 

When teaching your dog obedience commands, it's crucial to ensure they respond accurately to your cues. While it might seem harmless if your dog decides to perform a different command, such as going down instead of sitting when commanded, addressing this behaviour from the onset is essential for effective training and preventing future complications.

Creating a strong connection with your pet not only provides the happy, core memories and companionship that many dog owners crave, but it also helps make other aspects of owning a pet easier, such as training.

Training a dog is not just about teaching it tricks or obedience commands; it's about fostering a healthy relationship between you and your pet and between your dog and other pets, preventing any issues or accidents from occurring. 

Whether you’re a new dog owner or have cared for a few pets, it’s always important to find a training program so you can work with and train your dog. This not only allows for proper behaviour from your dog but also lowers the chance of accidents or mishaps.

The joy of watching our dogs freely roam, exploring the world around them, is unparalleled, especially since off-leash freedom is a luxury for our pets and a necessity for their physical and mental well-being. 

Finding an adequate source to gather dog training advice from can be complicated. You know it is important to train and work with your pet; however, you may not know where to go for the best advice.

Explore the importance of setting boundaries for your dog regarding bed sharing in our latest blog. Learn about the potential behavioral issues and sleep disturbances it can cause, and discover effective training strategies to establish healthy limits for a happier home and pet relationship. Ideal for pet owners seeking balance between affection and discipline.

Walking your dog should be a positive experience that fosters a deeper connection and shared joy. However, the reality for many dog owners is a walk that often involves the challenge of leash reactivity. 

After a few days of owning their pet, a new dog owner will focus on training their dog. While this step is crucial in ensuring that you raise and train your dog to follow commands and respond with acceptable behaviour, one small component is crucial before you begin training. That step is engagement.

Are you finding it difficult to train your dog, even with a consistent approach? We’ve worked with many pet owners who find that despite their constant efforts, they still aren’t achieving the desired results from working with their pets. 

If you’ve gone through the process of training your dog before, you probably understand that this task takes a lot of work, time, and patience so that your dog can fully understand which behaviours are acceptable and which are not. 

The decision to welcome a dog into your home and family is exciting and demanding. It requires a commitment to understand and embrace the distinct traits inherent in each dog breed. 

As many dog owners know, owning a dog is a big responsibility. And it’s one that extends beyond companionship, as it is the obligation of every pet owner to ensure the physical and mental well-being of their dogs. 

Owning a dog can be an incredibly fulfilling experience, but when you find yourself with a dominant dog, it can come with unique challenges. Dominant behaviour in dogs can present itself in various ways, often causing obstacles to obedience and harmonious living, either within your home or in certain environments, such as when taking your pet for a walk. 

Socializing your dog is a vital aspect of responsible pet ownership. With proper socialization, you can help prevent your pet from developing anxiety or fear of other dogs and develop strong socialization skills and good behaviour. When working with your pet to socialize with them, it is important that they are exposed to the situation in a positive manner so that they can develop the necessary social skills that they will need to navigate various situations confidently. This, however, does not mean allowing your pet to meet any dog in any environment. The safety and security of your pet should always remain paramount when considering socialization opportunities. 

Training plays a huge role in shaping a well-behaved and obedient dog. One common behaviour that owners may encounter is food or toy guarding. While it can be concerning to witness your pet exhibit this behaviour, especially if you’re a household that has small kids or that has a lot of friends and family visiting, it's important to understand that guarding is a natural instinct.

Dog training is not just about teaching commands and behaviours; it's also about creating a positive and focused atmosphere for your pet, especially when they are in an intense or training environment. As a responsible dog owner, it’s important that you, the owner, understand the importance of training your dog and how equally crucial it is to monitor and control your energy during training sessions. 

As a dog owner, you’ve probably noticed that your dog or puppy has certain impulses, such as pulling at the leash to chase an animal like a squirrel or sniffing and coming around when food is on the table. Though these are normal impulses, your pet will not learn to refrain from acting on them unless taught to do so.

Crate training is a valuable and humane method to provide your dog with a safe and secure space of its own. What many dog owners fail to understand is that dog crates are not punishments; rather, they are positive tools that mimic a den-like environment, offering comfort and a sense of security to your pet. 

Establishing a strong connection with your dog goes beyond words. As responsible pet owners, it is crucial to understand and interpret our dogs' body language. 

As a pet owner, it’s essential to work with your dog to ensure that they lead a happy, healthy and full life. However, this can be challenging to complete when your dog struggles with certain fears and anxieties, such as the fear of other people.

Whether you have a puppy or an older dog, as a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your pet is properly trained. This ensures the safety of not only your dog but also your family, friends and other dogs and people you encounter daily.

If you have a dog that shows aggression towards other dogs, it can be a challenging and distressing problem. From barking to biting and pulling on the leash, dog aggression is a serious problem that must be promptly addressed to prevent other dogs, people, or even yourself and your family from getting hurt.

Bringing a new puppy into your life is an exciting and joyful experience. But as a responsible dog owner, it is crucial to understand the significance of early training for your new pet. While training a dog as young as eight weeks may seem too soon, it's pivotal in establishing good behaviour, setting boundaries, and preventing any unforeseen accidents from occurring while they are young.

Dogs are naturally impulsive creatures, often acting on their instincts without considering the consequences. While this may be "cute" or engaging to watch when your dog is a new puppy, without training your dog to control their impulses and follow your commands, this habit can become incredibly dangerous, especially as they get older.

Dogs are typically very social animals, so many pet owners are taken aback when their dog shows fear or severe aggression toward other dogs. Since many new pet owners have not had the chance to properly socialize their dogs, which we've seen an increase in thanks to COVID, the number of dogs fearful or aggressive to other pets is increasing.

Most dogs are active and playful by nature, which can sometimes result in your pet suffering a twisted paw, a cut, or a hurt leg here or there. When an injury occurs, many dog owners wonder how active their pets can be and if they can still work with and train them.

Since dogs are social creatures, it's not uncommon to hear them occasionally bark, as it is their main form of communication. Whether they are hurt, tired, excited, or happy, you can typically find your pet barking as a way to communicate and express their feelings to you. While this is a normal reaction and day-to-day occurrence, excessive barking is not, especially after you command them to stop. 

As a dog owner, you want your pet to be happy, healthy and at ease in their environment when you are and are not physically around them. This is why many dog owners feel at a loss when their pet experiences separation anxiety. Not only is it troubling for the family and the pet, but it can also be a nuisance when trying to leave your dog for a set amount of time.

Training a new puppy or an older dog can seem like a daunting task to both new and experienced dog owners. It doesn't matter whether you have the goal to socialize your pet with other dogs or have little kids in your home; you'll want to ensure you train your dog effectively to behave in any situation.

Transitioning one's home to accommodate a dog and a baby can be overwhelming. Not only are new parents concerned about their baby's safety around their pet, but they also want to maintain a happy and healthy bond and environment for their dog. However, without the proper training and preparations, it's easy to feel like it's impossible to achieve both.

Welcoming a new puppy into your home can be exciting, but it can also lead to many questions as you learn to navigate your puppy's behaviour and habits. One of the most common concerns with new dog owners is about their puppy biting, wondering if they are playing or being aggressive.

An aggressive dog can not only pose a challenge, making it difficult for you to be around other dogs or friends and family, but it’s also dangerous. If you have or know an aggressive pet, you probably have seen them react quickly or unexpectedly, sometimes biting or trying to harm someone or something that’s in the way. This serious problem needs to be addressed and resolved as quickly as possible.

Essential to the well-being of your dog, training is an integral part of being a dog owner, just as much as providing them with love and care. Like us, dogs need education and structure to thrive, leading to happy and healthy family companions. Can you relate? Whether you have adopted a role as a dog owner, considering training or re-training, it's important to know the style and method of training you choose has a considerable impact on the result. 

There are different methods of dog training; board & train, private, group, virtual, or do-it-yourself, some of which you likely have already tried. You may have found the training didn’t stick, noticed behaviour changes and bad habits have returned, or maybe you’re new to dog training and are shopping around for the best training style for you and your dog.

Ask any of our clients, and they will all agree; our Board & Train programs are the most effective way to train your dog and change their behaviour. This method of dog training allows our professional trainers complete access to your dog to work on unlearning and re-learning new habits, teaching and improving obedience, and providing your dog with the proper socialization. This helps to ensure positive change in your dog's behaviour and improves the relationship and communication between you and your dog.

Is being an alpha different from being a leader? Instinctively, dogs follow a social hierarchy where there is an “alpha” and their role is to keep the entire pack in line. Naturally, dog owners feel the need to follow suit, becoming the alpha in their households. 

2 weeks can be enough time to train your dog. However, it depends on your goals. Will your dog be able to do agility competitions from just 2 weeks of training, probably not. Will they be able to learn the basics and build a strong foundation? Yes, most dogs will be able to get the basics down. However, there are many factors that come into play. Perhaps your dog is older and has spent years being unknowingly conditioned towards unwanted behaviour. If this is the case, they may need longer.

Training your dog simple commands is a great starting point in your training and will serve as the foundation for all your interactions moving forward. Being able to take control of your dog in any situation and feel confident that they will obey is the key to a happy and rewarding relationship. To understand how long it will take your dog to learn and master basic commands you need to decide on a methodology and identify what you will be teaching them.

Knowing what you should ask a potential dog trainer can help you find the best training option for your pet. However, you should understand that there are many ways to train your dog. This article is only meant as a starting point for your research. You need to educate yourself further and decide on what you are most comfortable with.

Finding good service providers can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. The same analogy lends itself to finding a good dog trainer. A great first step would be to educate yourself on how to train a dog and the different approaches there are. Without some basic knowledge of how to train a dog, you won’t be well equipped to make a good choice. Your first instinct may be to find the cheapest dog training option, however we strongly advise against that being your driving decision factor. You’ll also want to identify any issues your dog may have so you are ready to discuss them with your potential trainer. 

Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment and so is their training. Although a course may be a specific period, you need to understand that good behaviour comes from consistency and repetition. Training never ends. Nonetheless, building a proper foundation and correcting behavioural issues, assisted by a professional, requires time. If you fail to provide enough time for your dog’s training, unwanted behaviours could develop, and you will be worse off than when you started.