When I originally began writing this blog we were in the grips of a deep freeze, but you wouldn’t know it now with the mild temperatures we’ve been experiencing lately.  Where has winter gone? Even though the weather is mild and borderline spring-like at times, this blog post is meant to help combat boredom with some safe indoor activities you can do when the cold air does finally return. We are in February after all! When winter comes around, we all tend to hibernate. Some dogs don’t get the memo and extremely cold conditions can put their health at risk if you’re out in the cold fo ..read more

We’ve made it halfway through summer and while the weather has cooled down, summer’s not over yet. I’m here to remind owners on summer safety when doing activities with their pets. Summer really is a wonderful time for dogs and their humans to enjoy all the great outdoors has to offer, but it’s important to keep their safety in mind when out having fun in the sun.  Here are some safety tips pet owners: Hydration: Ensure your pets have access to clean, fresh water at all times, especially during hot weather. When heading out on walks and outings, remember to bring water with you and stop ..read more

A story of true acceptance. It’s taken me a while to get to this place with Amelia. It’s taken me over 3 years to get here, almost 4 years to realize this, and nearly a year later to post this. Before we get into it, you can also head over to my podcast to hear it, if you choose. It’s challenging to live with a dog who struggles on a daily basis… pair that with your own expectations. I’m sad to admit that it’s taken me this long to learn. I train with kindness, love and compassion, but sometimes it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve unexpectedly learned as time passed, that ..read more

The holidays are fast approaching, so quickly in fact I nearly missed posting this blog! Here a few tips and reminders to help ensure your pets are kept safe and secure during this festive season. Safety Tips Some plants such as holly and mistletoe are poisonous. Keep plants out of reach. Poinsettia’s can be toxic when ingested in large quantities. Place candles in high out of reach areas such as the mantel and high shelves. Pets can knock them over with their tails or become curious and try to investigate. Never leave candles unattended. Pet proof your Christmas tree. Remove hanging orna ..read more

What is separation anxiety? Separation anxiety is a fear of being left alone. It’s a serious, involuntary condition where your dog becomes stressed when they’re apart from their owner. It can be just as stressful for the human as it is the dog. Working with separation anxiety is very delicate and takes a systematic approach.  Our Current Reality What a year it’s been! Thankfully we’ve had our four-legged companions by our side to help us get through the isolation.  Our dogs have been a constant presence during our stay-at-home orders, but soon we’ll be called back to work and li ..read more

So you made it through early puppyhood and now you’re faced with the dreaded teenage dog where your once sweet puppy seems as though they’re on a rebellious streak. Not to worry! This is a phase and it too shall pass. Adolescence usually starts between 6 and 12 months of age and could last up to 24 to 36 months of age depending on the breed.  You’re probably thinking, what now, we’ve been through puppy training? What do I do?! What are my next steps?  You support and manage as best as you can. The teenage/adolescent phase is critical as your dog develops into adulthood. I tend t ..read more

We all know how important a puppy’s socialization period is.  You must be wondering what you can you do with your puppy to expose them to various people, places and things during this short period in their life. A puppy’s socialization period begins around the age of 3 weeks and ends at approximately 14-16 weeks of age. Read on for tips of how you can safely socialize your puppy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Why is it so important to introduce your puppy to new things during this time? Your puppy’s brain is developing and it’s prime time to absorb and learn.  Puppy soc ..read more

How to Choose a Dog Trainer It’s a new year and with that comes new resolutions and goals. One of those goals may be to train your new puppy, perhaps brush up on your dog’s manners or enroll them in a specialty class. Whatever your reason it’s good to know what to look for in choosing a Dog Trainer.  The Pet Industry is unregulated and with that comes a slurry of trainers with various methods, experience and backgrounds. What does this mean? Some trainers have graduated from accredited schools and some trainers have experience being around animals and have had success training them, but t ..read more

Some may call me crazy, but I just love my animals and want to share my life with them so I bring them everywhere I can. It can prove a little bit more challenging for travelling with a parrot, especially into the states, but for Canada-wide trips it’s fairly do-able. And believe me it’s been done. So here are few a tips and tricks I’ve learned about travelling with my pets (dog and bird) over the years.  Please note when I say travelling, I mean road-trips. I’ve never travelled by air with them.  Have a checklist outlining all the things you need, i.e. poop bags, leashes (boy, have ..read more

It’s really funny that I write this as I’ve never hired a dog walker personally and now offer professional services. When I think of my business, I try to think about what it is I want for myself and offer those services to my clients.  I have incredibly high standards for the care and treatment of animals. Most people think dog walking requires no skill and anyone can do it – oh contraire – that’s what everyone assumes. So what should you look for when choosing a Dog Walker? There are many things to consider when hiring a dog walker such as their experience, services offered, t ..read more