Tag: dog walker invermere bc

10 Loose Leash Training Tips

Posted on by Invermere Pets

When Mavi was a puppy she pulled on the leash, so I bought her a harness. That didn’t stop the pulling. As her reactivity increased I knew I had to go back to the basics and build a solid foundation of skills. One of those skills is the loose leash and I have been using these training tips to help improve our walks. Having her in a follow state means she is not up front leading and being on-guard. When I’m leading the walk she is more relaxed and better able to manage her reactions.

Dog Walking Invermere BC

Here’s the list we put together for 10 Loose Leash Training Tips…

1. Choose the right gear. A slip leash is most recommended, or you can try a martingale collar and leash

2. Choose which side you prefer your dog to be on and then practice keeping them on that side

3. Relax your shoulder and arm, your arm should be able to hang and swing as normal

4. Have a firm grasp of the leash without holding it too tight – your dog will feel your energy and tension

5. If your dog is pulling, stop moving forward / walking in a straight line (see #6)

6. Change direction, walk in an unpredictable pattern – zig zag, serpentine or do quick 180 degree turns and cross in front of the dog

7. Slow down the walk – like extra slow… then go even slower!

8. Talk less – use the leash and your body language to communicate with your dog

9. Take a few steps, wait for your dog to sit and repeat! This should also encourage eye contact and engagement from your dog

10. Be patient and calm. For the first few walks you might not get very far, but they will improve with practice

(Bonus tip) Have fun! Changing habits (for you and your dog) is challenging but try to have fun and enjoy working with your dog! Need more help? Contact us for dog walks or training.

Happy dog walking!
~Shannen : )

Check your pets for ticks!

Posted on by Invermere Pets

Spring is here and as the weather gets warmer it is so tempting to take our dogs on longer walks outside and explore new hikes in the area. Keep in mind spring is also a time for ticks and other parasites to be lurking in the tall grasses and small shrubs near the trails. Always check your pet for ticks after any outdoor adventure and note any changes in behavior to your vet.

If you do happen to find a tick on your dog, it’s important that you know how to remove it. There is a rumor that using a match to remove a tick is the best way. However, you are more likely to end up burning your dog’s skin than removing the tick.

Instead, follow these steps to make sure you’re removing the tick from your dog’s skin properly:
Check your pets for ticks
Check your pet for ticks after each outdoor adventure!
  • Clean the area surrounding the tick with alcohol.
  • Use tweezers to grab the tick by the head, not the body.
  • Pull upwards until the tick detaches. Some vets advocate turning the tick clockwise if it has burrowed deeply into the skin.
  • If you pull the tick off, but the head is still attached to your dog’s skin, don’t worry. The head will most likely fall out on its own.
  • Clean the area to prevent infection, and you can always consult your vet if you’re still worried.
  • Once the tick is removed, do not crush it, as the blood it carries can be dangerous and harbor disease. Also, do not flush it down the toilet, as it can potentially crawl back out. Ticks are resilient.
  • Instead, put the tick in a closed jar and drown it with alcohol. Your vet may ask you to keep any ticks that you’ve found on your dog for testing. That’s especially likely if it’s a species known to carry Lyme and your dog hasn’t been vaccinated.

Consult your local SPCA or vet clinic for preventative treatments or concerns about fleas and ticks! We take care to keep all dogs on a leash and do a tick check after each walk in the local trails. Contact us for more details about dog walking services.