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Here's your quick tip for the day! I have posted on this before, but many people remain uninformed about how to select a dog trainer. For those who don't know, dog training is an unregulated business. That means, anyone can legally call himself or herself a dog trainer and make virtually any claim to fame they want and get away with it. In addition to calling themselves anything from a "behavioral therapist" to a "master trainer," they can legally function as a psychiatrist f

As pet owners, we all face a common issue - mixed messages that we tend to give to our furry friends. This is especially concerning if you have an anxious dog/puppy, as it can worsen their anxiety and make things even more difficult for them and you. Despite our best intentions, we often end up sending conflicting signals and cues to our dogs without even realizing it. These mixed messages can be incredibly confusing for them and can hamper our efforts to train them and build

Welcoming home two puppies at the same time ... Twice the love? Sure! Twice the fun? At times. Unfortunately, it is also way more than twice the work. As bringing home two puppies simultaneously, or even within a few months of each other, is such a unique situation with its challenges, I figured it would be a good topic for a quick blog. This most commonly happens when someone purchases two dogs from the same litter (a.k.a. littermates). Still, the situation can also arise wh

Here’s what to know about boarding and training before you drop off your dog. Have you considered sending your dog to stay with a trainer for some intensive training? This is commonly known as a “board and train” arrangement – but sometimes marketed as a dog training “boot camp” – and it comes with definite pros and cons. You dog may, in fact, learn a lot in a short amount of time. But you need to understand that you, too, will need to take some lessons so that you and your d

THE TRAP OF UNMET EXPECTATIONS There are different versions of the trap of unmet expectations. One of the most common is what I call the legacy of the ghost dog. This is the previous dog who has passed on, either recently or decades ago. I hear about how these dogs were “perfect” and they never .... insert undesired behaviour here .... The thing is, this assertion usually breaks down under a gentle query or two: “Gosh, he was immediately housebroken 👉Well, it turns out they

👉 "Our last dog was perfectly trustworthy." Maybe you were just lucky and picked a born-to-be-perfect puppy. Or maybe you were an excellent trainer. But can you still remember what you did back then and do you still have the time to do it? 👉 "Our last dog just loved kids!" One young family doted on their first dog and devoted a lot of time to his training. The whole family attended puppy classes and held puppy parties at home for the children's friends. So many children spe

Given that our canine companions are a social species, you might think introducing two dogs would be a simple matter of turning them loose together and letting them take care of the rest. If only it was so easy?! If you have ever been present when a canine meet-and-greet suddenly exploded into a whirlwind of growling, snarling, lunging dogs, you are probably aware there is more to it than just “Go play!” Certainly, some dogs are so socially adept that they can easily meet and

Ok, so lately I had been approached by a few clients of our boarding hotel facility and extended fur family members on one important topic PUNISHMENT and dog training. Before you all start going for my neck let's figure out WHAT PUNISHMENT MEANS IN DOG BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE. You'll be quite surprised if patient enough to read this one till the end. I promise you after reading this lengthy post you will feel completely different about certain things your dog or puppy does regardle

Dogs naturally like to jump up. It’s one of the ways they explore the world around them, including the humans they meet. Unfortunately for dogs, most people don’t like dogs to jump on them. A rambunctious adolescent Samoyed or adult Shiba Inu can get in a heap of trouble if they pounce on people, despite their friendly intentions. Even a tiny dog can trip an unstable senior or toddler, or put muddy paw prints on someone’s business suit. The good news is, you can easily solve

Clicker training is a good thing to teach your pup because it enables you to mark good behaviours in a consistent way. The clicker sound itself is used as a cue that your dog did something right. By using a sound cue you’re able to capture the exact moment he/she makes that good decision. It works amazingly with puppies by clearly communicating when they’re doing the right thing. Being able to mark the EXACT MOMENT your puppy does the right thing with a clicker works wonders,

Few things in life are more exciting than bringing home a new puppy! Adding a furry new member to the family sets you up for years of cuddles, playtime, and precious memories. But taking on a new pet also brings about considerable responsibility. Dogs require great care, from training to socialization to vet visits. Even the most cared-for puppies are at risk of being affected by common puppy health scares, and it’s up to you to avoid those whenever possible. Here are some si

The first weeks and months with a new puppy are a wonderful experience. You want to spend as much time as possible snuggling and playing with your new fluffy family member. However, while you enjoy this time, it is a good idea to also work on fun training/bonding games that will playfully teach your pup to focus on YOU, and be a great teammate. In my work as a professional dog breeder, I work with new puppy owners every single day. With my working breed puppies (especially Sh

8 Weeks – 6 Months First, welcome to our Last Samurai Kennel furry four-legged family! And congratulations on your new family member addition from our kennel! You’re at the start of a wonderful adventure and I wish you many years of love and health together. You are reading this blog because you are a well-informed pet-parent who wishes to offer the best nutrition possible to your puppy, and I would like to support you in your journey of raw feeding for the life and health o

I’ve had a few concerning calls over the past couple of months. Concerned owners sharing their not so great grooming experiences at grooming salons. I have posted some tips about choosing the right groomer for you and your furry family member before, but it doesn't hurt to post again. The pet grooming industry is unregulated, meaning anyone, with little to no experience can call themselves a groomer and offer grooming services and train others to groom. Yes, this is pretty

New to puppyhood? Be a responsible dog owner that knows that having a puppy/dog comes with a series of responsibilities. One of the most important ones is getting your new furry family member vaccinated. If you want to make sure that your puppy/dog will live a long, happy, and healthy life, you should stick to the vaccination schedule recommended by your veterinarian. Not all vaccines are necessary, especially if you know that your floof has virtually no chance of getting tha

For the past few weeks, as I have been saying goodbye 🥹 to each darling little sammie and shiba puppy face – sending them off with their new families to start of the best lives I can hope for them, with tears and kisses and last puppy snuggles 😙. While doing that emotional work, though, I’ve also been answering questions from the adoptive families: What food should I buy? Do they have to sleep in a crate? How many more vaccinations do they need? How soon can I walk them aro

As a breeder I'm used to dealing with tonnes of poop 💩 and pee and not just from cleaning the yard and my lawn. Puppies are not born programmed to know where they need to go do their “dirty business” for the first few weeks of life they don't even know how to poo or pee without gentle mama dog assistance (or human for an orphaned puppies scenario). As well as working with rescue dogs of various ages and various backgrounds and walks of life taught me a few lessons as well. �

When it comes to walking your adorable new puppy, the duration really depends on her age. For little ones around 8 weeks old, aim for short strolls of just five to ten minutes. It’s not just about the time—it’s about letting your puppy set the pace and choosing when to take breaks. If she starts to tire out, scoop her up and carry her home; she’ll appreciate the ride! As your furry friend grows and reaches around 12 weeks, you can gradually extend those walks to 15 to 20 minu

You’ve just welcomed your new puppy into your home, and the excitement of that first walk fills you with joy. You’ve envisioned this special moment for so long. As you gently fasten the leash and open the door, your heart swells with anticipation. But then, you notice your puppy just won’t budge. You gently tug on the leash, thinking she just needs a little encouragement to get started. But instead of following your lead, she stands her ground, her little legs firmly planted.

For dog owners, selecting a high-quality dog harness is one of the most important investments for your pet. A harness is crucial as it ensures your dog’s safety, control, and comfort during walks and various activities. If you're in the market for a dependable harness for your dog, this guide will help you find the best option tailored to your pup’s needs. As a proud dog owner, you’ve likely experienced the sheer delight of embarking on outdoor adventures with your furry frie