by The Crunchy Canine | Oct 19, 2021 | Dog Training, TESTIMONIALS
Nika the Husky Mix | Dog Training Brantford
We had such a positive experience working with our trainer Katie (Dog Training Brantford). Very professional, well experienced and worked around our schedule for training. NIKA really benefited from all the little tips and tricks we learned along the way and was a really great fit for our needs. Even though Covid through a curve ball at our training schedule, Katie was always so accommodating and in the end we feel confident that the training was one of the best things we could have offered Nika for a happy dog life. Thanks so much to everyone at The Crunchy Canine for creating such a positive experience!
Heather with Nika from Brantford, ON
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by The Crunchy Canine | Aug 9, 2021 | Puppy Training
If you have a dog, or know someone with a dog you have probably heard about the importance of socialization! As new puppy owners, the term “socialization” gets drilled into your head. You MUST socialize this puppy otherwise it will be aggressive as an adult! Rescues often put in the description of their dogs who are either leery of humans or dogs (or aggressive towards them) that the dog was undersocialized as a puppy.
While we totally agree that proper socialization (key here is proper, and not just letting anyone and everyone tough and pick up your puppy, and definitely not taking them to the dog park) is super important, it may not be as crucial as you think. But how can that be? Socialization is the answer to all of your dog’s problems right? Nope! In fact over socialization is certainly a thing and cause it’s own set of issues. However, what we are talking about here is the fact that “training” and/or “socialization” cannot always and often does not override genetics.
Take for example children, sending them to school and doing all the extra curricular activities…while yes we should be getting our kids out and doing things with other people, these do not guarantee that your child will be an outgoing, super social butterfly who loves all the sports and activities. I myself attended public school, participated in countless activities (competitive dance, cheerleading, swimming, horseback riding, piano, skiing and more). I however, am extremely introverted, hate public speaking, have social anxiety and would take a small group of 2-4 people over a large party any day.
In fact, the thought of going to a large social gathering often makes me physically ill. My son who is now 6 attended daycare, preschool and Junior Kindegarten, played soccer, T-ball, took swimming lessons and gymnastics. He is also very shy, takes awhile to warm up to people and situations and would prefer 1-2 kids to play with than a big group. There are also plenty of people out there who did not participate in tons of activities, and many who were homeschooled and they are very outgoing, love big groups and gatherings.
Just like people, our dogs have their own distinct personalities. They are also specific breeds, and they are a product of their ancestors and genetics. On top of that, the real socialization window is actually from 3-14 weeks, so unless you are actively working on it then, you will just be training to undo whatever lack of socialization or bad experiences they had during that window. Due to this, finding a quality breeder who knows all about the critical window of opportunity is going to also play a huge role in who your dog becomes (but again not guaranteed because of course there are backyard breeders who have friendly dogs out there as well).
So while socialization is important, and proper socialization gives your puppy the best chance at being a well rounded adult dog, it does not guarantee they will love everyone and everything! We strongly suggest that you do focus on proper socialization to give your puppy the best chance at being a well rounded, friendly adult dog, remember that it does not guarantee anything!
by The Crunchy Canine | Jul 8, 2021 | Puppy Training
We often find our clients not understanding why their dog struggles with certain behaviours. Most of the time the human has set a certain expectation and the dog fails miserably. Leading up to this failure no criteria was set, not enough training time was put in, and expectations were not met. So how do we dissect this and get passed it?
Take for example a dog who is reactive to other dogs while on leash. Most dog owners have no idea what the criteria should be and have high expectations of their dog. What does that mean? All they know is that they want their dog to walk politely past other dogs right? However, if we raise our criteria and lower the expectations we can make major headway in our training. So when we are working with reactive dogs we raise our criteria; you must be able to stay calm, listen to my commands, accept food, and keep moving while we train. That will most likely mean you need to move further away from the trigger.
We are in turn lowering our expectations in that I do not expect my dog to be able to do any of those things at a certain distance from the trigger, rather I figure out where I can be successful at raising my criteria. So if at 20ft your dog loses his mind when he sees another dog, cannot accept food, and does not respond to any commands then you need to lower your expectations. It is unreasonable at this time to expect him to be successful at 20ft. If at 40ft he can stay mostly calm, accept food, listen to commands and keep moving then you have raised the criteria but lowered your expectations.
As you progress in your training you will be able to continue to raise the criteria. For example the criteria is to be able to do the above listed things at a closer distance, but keeping your expectations reasonable based on the amount of training you have been doing.
Another very basic example for this would be lets say you are working on your dogs sit command. You want your dog to be able to listen to your command the first time and hold a sit in any environment. However, when out in public around people he cannot do it just yet. So, how do we raise the criteria but lower our expectations? Raise the criteria; you must sit the first time when I ask, you must hold the command until I release you, and I will enforce this no matter what.
My expectation that my dog can do this needs to be lowered as I know he struggles. So I have to think how can I set this up so my dog is successful? Train at a further distance, make sure my leash is on so I can enforce the commands, and then make it happen (no matter what). I am not expecting my dog to be perfect, but I am raising the criteria and helping him be successful. As he gets good at this we move closer while still maintaining our criteria.
So if you are struggling with your dog’s behaviour, the best thing to do is to take a step back, think about what it is you need your dog to be able to do (or not do), lower your expectations, and raise the criteria for training.
by The Crunchy Canine | May 23, 2021 | TESTIMONIALS
“We did private lessons with Katherine for a dog we adopted that had some issues. She was great to work with and very knowledgeable. We saw a lot of improvement in our dog once we started to work with Katherine. It’s been great to see the change in his confidence! Would 100% recommend!”
Christine with Marmot
by The Crunchy Canine | Oct 27, 2020 | Puppy Training
Leash reactivity…what is it? Does your dog have it? Is it aggression?
Leash reactivity is one of the most common challenges dog owners face. If your dog barks, lunges, or overreacts on walks, the good news is that this behaviour can be improved with the right training approach.
What Is Leash Reactivity?
Leash reactivity happens when a dog reacts to triggers—such as other dogs, people, or noises—while on a leash. Reactions can range from mild signs like stiff posture to intense behaviours like barking and lunging.
Importantly, leash reactivity does not always mean aggression. Many reactive dogs are simply excited, frustrated, or fearful.
Why Dogs Become Leash Reactive
1. Overexcitement
Some dogs become reactive because they are overly friendly and want to greet every dog they see. This is common in dogs that frequently visit dog parks or daycare.
2. Barrier Frustration
The leash acts as a barrier. When dogs cannot reach what they want, frustration builds and leads to reactive behaviour.
3. Fear-Based Reactivity
Fearful dogs may react aggressively to make a perceived threat go away. This often comes from past negative experiences or lack of socialization.
4. True Aggression
True aggression is rare but more serious. These cases often require long-term management and professional guidance.
How to Fix Leash Reactivity
Regardless of the cause, most successful training plans follow the same core principles:
1. Manage Distance (Threshold Training)
Work at a distance where your dog can stay calm. If your dog reacts at 35 feet, start training at 40 feet where they can still focus and learn.
If your dog is already barking or lunging, they are over threshold and cannot learn effectively.
2. Use Movement to Reduce Pressure
Keeping your dog moving helps prevent tension buildup. Standing still often increases frustration, while controlled movement keeps your dog more relaxed and focused.
3. Focus on Neutral Behaviour
The goal is not to force your dog to ignore everything, but to remain neutral. A healthy response is noticing a trigger briefly, then disengaging and moving on.
4. Use Timely Corrections (When Needed)
Corrections should be fair, well-timed, and used carefully. They are most effective before the dog escalates, not after.
However, relying only on corrections is rarely effective. Training should always include guidance and positive reinforcement.
5. Reward Good Choices
Reward your dog for calm behaviour, even small improvements. If your dog chooses to look away from a trigger or stay relaxed, reinforce that behaviour immediately.
You can also use simple cues like calmly naming what your dog sees (e.g., “that’s a car”) and rewarding calm responses.
6. Practice with Repetition
Consistency is key. Leash reactivity does not improve overnight, and regular practice is essential.
Set up controlled training sessions and gradually expose your dog to triggers while maintaining calm behaviour.
Fixing leash reactivity takes time, patience, and consistency. By managing distance, rewarding calm behaviour, and practicing regularly, you can help your dog become more relaxed and confident on walks.
The goal is not perfection—but steady progress toward a calm, neutral response in everyday situations.
What was your dog bred to do?
