by The Crunchy Canine | Jun 18, 2024 | Puppy Training
As dog owners, we often focus on obedience training and daily walks. But one important question we rarely ask is: are we doing enough to be better dog owners?
One of the simplest ways to improve your dog’s life is by making play a daily habit. Understanding the importance of play for dogs can completely change your pet’s health and behavior.
1. Physical Exercise Keeps Your Dog Fit
Play keeps dogs active and helps prevent obesity and related health issues. Activities like fetch, tug-of-war, or running improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness.
2. Mental Stimulation Prevents Boredom
Play challenges your dog’s brain and keeps them mentally engaged. Without enough stimulation, dogs can become bored and develop destructive behaviors like chewing or excessive barking.
3. Socialization Builds Better Behavior
Playing with other dogs and humans helps your dog learn social cues and proper behavior. It improves confidence and helps them feel comfortable in different environments.
4. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Play acts as a natural stress reliever. It helps release excess energy and reduces anxiety, especially for dogs that spend a lot of time indoors.
5. Strengthens the Bond With Your Dog
Spending time playing together builds trust and strengthens your relationship. Dogs that regularly play with their owners are more responsive and emotionally connected.
6. Improves Overall Behaviour
A dog that gets enough playtime is calmer and more balanced. Regular play reduces unwanted behaviors and promotes a well-behaved temperament.
Play is not just entertainment—it’s essential for your dog’s overall well-being. By adding play to your daily routine, you improve your dog’s physical health, mental stimulation, and behavior while building a stronger bond.
Make time to play with your dog every day—it’s one of the easiest ways to raise a happy, healthy pet.
What breed is best for a family with kids?
by The Crunchy Canine | Dec 17, 2023 | TESTIMONIALS
“I highly recommend Katherine and her team at The Crunchy Canine. Training is tactful and effective, for both humans and doggies. Big bonus if you can also tap into puppy socialization.
As a first-time dog owner, I gained confidence in how to handle all sorts of dog situations, and can take Benji with me to many places now. He walks beside me nicely, doesn’t snarl at other dogs across the street and has even grown to like the cat.
All through the guidance and education from The Crunchy Canine. Thank you.”
Karen with Benji in Hamilton, Ontario
by The Crunchy Canine | Dec 17, 2023 | TESTIMONIALS
“Amazing trainers! We completed the advanced off leash program with Katherine for our young GSD. The knowledge, guidance and support is second to none. Our boy now attends the awesome day camp every Wednesday as well. We have a dog we can go out with and enjoy living with because of the support we received and all we have learned. Highly recommend their services.”
Stephanie with Logan in Waterford, Ontario
by The Crunchy Canine | Jan 17, 2022 | Puppy Training
If you are a family with kids and are considering getting a new dog, we hope this question has crossed your mind! We see so many people get dogs that are just not a good fit for families and all because they maybe met one dog of that breed that they really liked, or they just like the look of the dog! It is incredibly important to do your research and really get a feel for what you are signing up for! Just because you met a really nice, friendly, and calm German Shepherd does not mean that all German Shepherds will be the same.
So to save you some time, we have compiled our list of favourite breeds for families with children!
Active families with young children – For active families with young children we recommend Beagles or Labrador Retrievers. Both breeds are known to have easy going dispositions, friendly, should not have stranger danger, and love to get out and have some fun. Both have their own unique instincts based on what they were bred for but they should be adaptable to family life. We feel strongly that if you have a household with people coming and going, you should steer clear of breeds that genetically are predisposed to have stranger danger or be weary of people who are not in their inner circle. Labs and Beagles should welcome guests into your home with a wagging tail, enjoy being around kids, and always be up for adventure! Of course your Lab will want to retrieve things, and your Beagle will want to sniff, but neither of those traits should affect them being an amazing family pet! Plus both are super cute! Unfortunately, both do shed though. When choosing a Lab breeder, make sure you pick one that does not breed for colour (and certainly no dilute colours). We prefer Black labs and Yellow labs over Chocolate for personality and trainability. Golden Retrievers are another fan favourite and we do love them, but over the past few years we have seen breeding go down hill so if you can find a really good breeder then they are also a great choice!
Families with young children who are not overly active – If you have young kids but you’re family is not overly active you need to make sure you can provide your new dog with suitable exercise. However, there are two of our favourite breeds that will require less exercise than most. We absolutely adore the Havanese and King Charles Cavalier Spaniels. Both breeds are small, non-shedding, and low energy. In fact they were basically bred to be lap dogs. Unlike many other small breeds, they should be friendly, easy to train, and up for adventure but also happy to spend the day bingeing Netflix. If you are looking for a larger breed dog you can luck out with a lower energy lab if you go with an English or “show” lab, and if you are open to a giant breed the English Mastiff or the Leonberger are our favourites.
Families with young children who want a “doodle” type dog – Doodles are all the rage these, but there are so many bad “breeders” out there that we strongly recommend you consider other breeds instead. While the Doodle type dogs are cute, they are often very high energy, can be neurotic, prone to running away, and just overall challenging to train especially when you have young kids in the house. If you like the look we would recommend a Portuguese Water Dog, Barbet, or Standard Poodle. You might even consider a Wheaten Terrier if you are up for the challenge of a terrier breed! If you do go for a Doodle type dog, stick with the original Labradoodle or Goldendoodle. There are some nice dogs who are other Doodle type mixes but keep in mind you get both the best and the worst of the breeds so that in itself can be very challenging!
Families with young children who want a dog for protection – Unless you are buying a dog to train for protection then avoid this train of thought. We are not saying that a German Shepherd cannot be a good family dog. We are saying they were not bred for that and unless you understand the breed really well and are up for the challenge then you might be very disappointed. We see so many Shepherd type dogs available for rehoming around the 6 months mark and many from families with young kids. Another trend we are seeing is power breeds like Cane Corsos, Rottweilers, and Bully type breeds common among families with young kids. Again, we are not saying it wont go well, but we very often see it not go well. These dogs may be great with your family but are often prone to stranger danger, resource guarding and dominant behaviour around lower standing members of the family.
So to sum that up…for families with kids we love:
- Labs
- Beagles
- Golden Retrievers
- Havanese
- King Charles Cavalier Spaniels
- English Mastiffs
- Leonbergers
We hope this helps you on your journey of selecting the right dog for your family!
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?
