Outdated breed specific legislation (BSL) exists throughout Canada. People were outraged when BSL was passed in Montreal in September. In early October it was suspended, however, there is still a risk of the law being passed. Although a law like this targets bully breeds, it is dangerous for all dogs. BSL creates fear of our canine family members, promotes hate and discrimination and ignores expert opinion and facts. Every time we have a knee-jerk reaction and make decisions based in fear, it ca...

Having a dog as a family member is a wonderful experience. They love us unconditionally, are loyal and are always honest about how they feel. Dogs are a source of joy in our lives, but as in any relationship, there may be challenges. Your dog may do things that confuse and frustrate you, or perhaps they develop behaviour concerns that are upsetting for all involved. The good news is that these are preventable and there are many things we can do to ensure we can enjoy a lifetime of happiness with...

Spring should be fun for your dog

Spring is a time of new growth, more sunshine, warmer temperatures and more people getting outdoors to enjoy the change in seasons. It is generally a happy time that we look forward to. However, Spring can be scary for our dogs. It begins to get busier outside with much more activity from people, animals and machinery. It is easy to forget the impact this can have on our dogs, so this month I am going to share some ideas on how to ensure your dog can enjoy the ...

Leash aggression is an embarrassing problem for dog owners, but one that can be easily modified

In today’s urban world, we are seeing more and more cases of leash aggression develop in dogs. Leash aggression used to be more often seen in dogs that were fearful of and/or had very little exposure to other dogs. However, it is now more common to see social dogs that are great off leash, but turn into barking, lunging and snarling dogs when they see dogs while they are on leash. So why is this? Why...

Calgary is filling with thick smoke from the forest fires. It is devastating communities and our thoughts are with everyone affected. The skies are filled with smoke and along with concerns for the impact on the people, many are concerned for their pets and wondering how to keep them safe. There are steps you can take to minimize the impact of the smoke on your pets along with ensuring they are remaining active and still receiving their exercise.

The greatest concern with the wildfire smoke for...

Getting a new dog is an exciting adventure! There’s nothing quite like a wriggling happy little puppy to brighten your life; or coming home after a long day at work to be greeted by a wagging tail and unconditional love. Finding the dog that will be ideal for your family and your lifestyle is the key to making sure everyone will be happy and stay happy in your home.

The first place to start is figuring out which breed will suit your lifestyle best. Each breed has different traits, needs and per...

Halloween is almost here and it can be a stressful time for our dogs, as well as providing ample opportunities for getting them into trouble. One of the main concerns is that they don’t get into the Halloween treats! Chocolate and raisins are two of the most common treats a dog can find at Halloween and are potentially fatal. Ensure you are supervising your dog and your child to ensure the dog doesn’t ingest anything dangerous.

In addition to the treat hazards, not every dog will find Halloween...

Despite the many things that may be going on inside your dog’s mind, we can get their focus back on us.

One of the greatest challenges you will have with any dog, but especially if you are living with a fearful and/or reactive dog, will be gaining their focus back to you. The outdoor world is a distracting environment for all dogs, let alone our modern urban environment! There are people, other dogs, wildlife, vehicles, bicycles, loud noises and so much more. We must also consider that a lot of...

There are many concerns about the use of food in training. First off, will it make our dogs fat? Secondly, will our dog only work for us if we have food? There are also many misconceptions about using food in training as well. First off, a dog owner may assume their dog is not food motivated. Or, they may feel like they are rewarding the dog for their reactive behaviour. We can understand all of these concerns and the below addresses each and why using food is so important.

Causing weight gain