A well-run dog day school is an excellent way for dog owners to ensure that their pups get training, socialization, and physical and mental stimulation during the day. However, not all dogs are suitable for day school, and it's important that a certified dog trainer conduct a behaviour assessment before enrolling them. It’s not only about whether or not they can attend day school either; it also helps us to learn more about your dog in a stress-free way to determine the best group for...

Dog daycare can be a great option for owners who want to provide their pups with socialization, exercise, and mental stimulation while they're at work or away from home. However, not all dog daycare facilities are created equal. One important factor to consider when choosing a daycare is the size of the group that your dog will be a part of. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of smaller group sizes in dog daycare and why quality of care should always trump quantity of dogs. ...

The Case Against Collars in Dog Groups: Why They are More Harmful Than Helpful 

Dog daycare can be a great way for dogs to socialize and play, but it's important to make sure that the are safe and comfortable while they are there. A common practice in dog daycare and group play is to require dogs to wear collars, but this poses a number of risks to the dogs. In this blog post, we will explore why we keep the dogs “naked” at day school as part of the Dogma Difference. 

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One of the most common concerns we see with dogs is anxiety. Anxiety is a normal emotional response to stress or danger, but when it becomes chronic or severe, it can have a negative impact on a dog's well-being. In this post, we will discuss what anxiety is, the signs of anxiety in dogs, why it matters, how to prevent it, and how to treat it.

What is Anxiety in Dogs?

Anxiety is a state of unease or distress caused by a perceived or real threat. In dogs, anxiety can be caused by a variety of...

Yesterday I had another story of a dog dying at a pet care facility come across my feed. In this case, a larger dog killed a small dog. Unfortunately, it’s one I’ve heard many times before. A quick google search on deaths at dog daycare brings up a long list of new stories. While I don’t know all the details on these, and it’s a risk for any dog care facility, a large majority of these can be prevented. The first step, separating play groups based on size. 

While...

 For the past 10 years, Dogma has hosted an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt for the dogs. The initial goal of this was to create a fun Easter event that we could participate in with our dogs. It started as a half-day event and has now evolved to a multi-day scavenger hunt. We’ve always loved hosting events at Dogma. Many of these events were modified or cancelled with the pandemic, and I’ve been reflecting on why these mean so much to us and are such a big part of the...

It’s National Animal Poison Prevention Week and we wanted to share some tips to ensure your dogs stay safe. Accidents happen, but there is a lot we can do to ensure we avoid accidental poisoning. Much of it has to do with awareness, ensuring things are stowed safely out of your pet’s reach, and teaching some important skills that are useful in an emergency.

Household Items

There are many common household items that are fatal if ingested by dogs. It’s important to know what...

Summer is our favourite season – with the warmer weather and the longer days come the outdoor festivals! The best part about these festivals is that many allow our dogs to join us. This enables us to spend more time with them and include them in more fun outings. There are even festivals that are all about dogs and have a wide range of activities geared towards them.

As much as we love dog-friendly festivals, we see too many unhappy, stressed, and over-heated pups. We are proud to have...

I looked down and noticed that my boots were on the wrong feet. I took them off and realized I was barefoot on the cold tile floor of the hospital. As I was putting them on the right feet, I panicked that I was not wearing a bra and looked down to see what I had on - my jacket was not done up and I was wearing only a t-shirt and pajama pants. We were in the middle of a February deep freeze and I was numb as my husband, Kris, and I, awaited news from the vet on Duke’s condition....