PuptodateDogs

Doing photos with your dogs, but not worrying if they're "perfect".

I love all of these because it captures my relationship with my dogs sooo well.

My main priority has always been making sure my dogs feel safe, loved, and are having fun.

Squishy faces, looking at the treats and not the camera, just doing what we do best by being silly. I just loooove it.

Thank you for these and for embracing whatever my dogs felt like doing during the photo session🥹

Tips for your new puppy:

1. Focus on building your relationship, not obedience.
• You have a puppy, a baby! Spend your time together building a solid foundation of trust, love, and safety. The technical stuff can come later.

2. Socialize early. Teach your dog that watching the world pass by = great things!
• Socialization is more than just playing and meeting dogs. It's watching dogs play without needing to be in the action, watching cars, people, dogs go past the window. It's learning to be calm in the chaos of the world!

3. Make sure they get lots of quality rest (18-20hrs/day).
• Puppies need a lot of rest. It's up to us to help them wind down during the day so they don't overdo it.

4. Hire a qualified force free trainer ASAP when issues come up.
• Don't wait to see if they'll "grow out of it". They won't.

5. Set them up for success & find humour in the moments "things go wrong".
• Management is a puppy's best friend. Sometimes management fails, and in those moments try to laugh it off. Your puppy is not trying to test you, they're just living their best life 😂 and yes, everyone goes through the "witching hour(s)".

Most importantly HAVE FUN! You'll sit there waiting for them to grow up, and once they're grown up you'll wish for the puppy days back. So enjoy it while you can♥️

Big appreciation for Miss Bailey. ♥️

I've been working with Bailey (+ her two siblings) & her guardian for quite a bit now.

Bailey can be reactive to people and dogs.

She barked at me and I only got within about 10ft of her our first session.

Bailey comes from an aversive background (spray bottles and pet corrector). She wasn't shut down, but she was definitely anxious when we started working together. She was afraid of making mistakes.

How we helped Bailey:
• consistency
• encouragement
• enrichment that's just right for her
• slow introductions to dog neutral dogs

Bailey has come a long way. She no longer barks at people she sees on the street. When she pulls on the lead to dogs, it's now because she wants to say hi. We still have a ways to go but I'm so so proud of this dog & her human.

But, my favourite part about working with Bailey and her human, is watching her personality come out.

She's not afraid to make mistakes because of the punishment that might come after.

She's confident in trying new things, in meeting new dogs (her circle grows bigger almost every month!)

& her human reports she's a lot more cuddly as well 😜

These are all things I love about force free training. The bond you get with your animal. The relationship you build. The connection between human and dog.🪄

🙏