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5 Ways to Protect Yourself and Your Dog from Dog Attacks

Joanna Scott, CPDT-KA, ABCDT, Head Trainer FLOPPS Dog Training, Edmonton

Did you know that the City of Edmonton Animal Care and Control Centre reports an 18% increase in dog attacks year-over-year? Dog attacks can be frightening and dangerous situations for both humans and pets. Here are five important tips to help protect yourself and your dog from potential attacks:

Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Stay vigilant and observe your surroundings while walking your dog. Be cautious of approaching unfamiliar dogs or owners who may have difficulty controlling their pets.
Practice Proper Socialization: Socialize your dog safely from a young age to help them feel comfortable and confident around other dogs and people. Positive interactions with other pets and people can reduce the likelihood of fearful or aggressive behavior.
Learn to Read Dog Body Language: Understand the body language of dogs to recognize signs of aggression or fear in other animals. If you notice signs of distress or aggression, avoid the situation.
Train your dog. It sound obvious, but a trained dog is more likely to respond to your cues or commands, which can help them stay away and avoid engaging in aggressive behavior.
Seek Professional Training: Consider getting help for a certified professional trainer to learn the skills and proper behavior in various situations. Force free and positive reinforcement training methods are a must to decrease fear in dogs.

By following these tips and staying proactive, you can help minimize the risk of dog attacks and ensure the safety of yourself and your furry companion. Remember to be safe and responsible with your dog while enjoying time outdoors with your dog outdoors.

To learn more go to the Understanding Dog Aggression: Signs, Triggers, and Solutions article

Protecting Your Dog During a Solar Eclipse

Essential Tips from Your Edmonton Dog Trainer

April 2, 2024

Joanna Scott, CPDT-KA, ABCDT, Head Trainer FLOPPS Dog Training

Keep Them Indoors: Avoid letting your dog outside during the eclipse to prevent them from looking directly at the sun, which can cause eye damage.

Stay Calm: Dogs may become anxious or confused during unusual events like a solar eclipse. Provide comfort and reassurance to help them feel calm and secure.

Monitor Behavior: Watch for signs of distress or discomfort in your dog during the eclipse. If they seem agitated or anxious, take steps to remove them from the situation and provide comfort.

Avoid Large Crowds: Veterinarians recommend keeping pets away from eclipse viewing events with big crowds, loud noises, and excited humans. These environments can stress out animals.

Human Behavior Matters: Most pets will be unaffected by the eclipse itself, but they may react to human behavior.

Consider the Noise: Think about the crowds, noise, and commotion during the eclipse. Pets may react to the excitement and noise from people, rather than the eclipse itself.

By following these tips, you can help keep your dog safe and comfortable during a solar eclipse.

Mastering Dog Safety: Your Top 15 Tips to Prevent Dog Bites

Essential Tips from Your Edmonton Dog Trainer

April 2, 2024

Joanna Scott, CPDT-KA, ABCDT, Head Trainer FLOPPS Dog Training

Did you know that April is National Dog Bite Prevention Month? At FLOPPS Dog Training, safety always comes first! That’s why we’re dedicated to promoting dog safety! In support of this important initiative, we’re sharing valuable resources and tips from https://www.petprofessionalguild.com to help keep everyone safe around dogs. Together, we can make a difference in preventing dog bites and fostering safer communities for both humans and our beloved furry friends.

#1 Teach kids learn how to speak dog
Dogs aren’t fans of hugs and kisses. It’s actually one of the main reasons for serious bites, especially to kids. Let’s keep everyone safe and give our furry pals some space!
#2 Teach kids to “Be a tree”
If dog is jumping on you spot moving, fold your arms in like branches on a tree, have your feet firmly on the ground like strong root of a tree and count in your head. Typically the more you move and the more noice you make the worse the jumping gets so try your best to stay still or leave the room immediately away from the dog.

#3 Teach kids to be a rock

#4 Let sleeping dogs lay
If you spot a dog snoozing, taking a break, feeling under the weather, or cuddling with puppies, it’s best to give them some peace and quiet. Let sleeping dogs lie, and make sure they have plenty of room to stretch out and relax. Make sure not to trip over them or startle them! It’s important to be extra careful around resting, injured, or older dogs, as well as puppies when they’re laying down. It’s important to make sure our furry friends get the peace and quiet they need to rest up!
#5 Walk away from dogs
When a dog is on the bed or furniture, it’s best to give them space. Remember, dogs need their own chill zones! If you see a dog in a car, they’re like behind a fence, so it’s good to leave them be. And if you come across a dog on a chain, it’s best to respect their space and leave them alone.
#6 Learn to recognize a happy dog
Learn how to identify a relaxed happy dog is a crucial skill for any dog guardian. A relaxed dog typically has a relaxed facial expression, and a soft wagging body. It’s important to carefully observe a dog’s overall body language, including its facial expression, and body posture. Being attentive of these subtle signals, can help you gain deeper understanding into your dog emotional state and create a harmonious relationship between you and your dog.
#7 Play safe games with a dog like fetch
Play safe games, that don’t involve kids or adults running around. No rough housing with the dog. Playing games like fetch which are safer for everyone involved.
#8 Don’t pet a dog the wrong way.
Giving hugs and kissed to dogs can make them uncomfortable. It’s important to pay attention to their body language and let them take the lead. If a dog wants space, always let them walk away. And when it comes to petting, avoid reaching over their head or petting them on the top of thier head.
#9 Don’t dress a dog up (unless it’s to bundle them up to go outside in cold weather)
Let’s skip dressing up our furry friends in play clothes. Stuffed animals are perfect for that! If your dog needs a coat for chilly weather, leave it to the adults to handle. Dogs shouldn’t be dressed up for our amusement, it isn’t their thing, so let’s keep our family safe and keep dogs comfortable.
#10 Keep dog safety first
When it comes to petting, teach kids and adults to do it right by gently petting the side of the dog’s neck or under their chin and not over or on top of a dogs head.
#11 Always keep an eye on kids and dogs when they’re together
It’s crucial to supervise all interactions between kids and people who are new to your dog. And if you can’t keep an eye on them, make sure to use tools like crates, baby gates or other barriers to keep them apart. It’s safety first for our two and four-legged pals!
#12 Using positive reinforcement training is key
Positive reinforcement is key, and it’s always the way to go! If you’re getting your dog ready for a new baby, kids, or a big gathering at your place for the first time, there’s gonna be a ton of new stuff to sniff and see, hear and lots of action. It’s a good idea to reach out to a positive reinforcement training pro to help you navigate this and make sure you’re starting things off on the right paw.
#13 Make sure to keep kids and dogs apart during meal times
It’s important to manage the environment to stop dogs from snatching food and ensure everyone stays safe during meals. Let’s keep our furry friends and little ones happy and secure during mealtime!
#14 Pet a friendly dog the write way
It’s crucial to approach petting with caution, especially with dogs. If a dog can’t see your hand coming toward them, it might startle them, and they could accidentally bite in response. That’s why it’s essential to teach both kids and adults the proper way to pet a dog. Gently petting the side of the dog’s neck or under their chin is not only safer but also more comfortable for the dog. By following this approach, we can ensure positive interactions and avoid any potential accidents.
#15 Teach kids and newcomers how to give treats to your dog safely
Turn it into a fun game while you keep an eye on them. Kids can drop treats on the ground, toss them gently, or offer them from their hand. This way, we can ensure everyone stays safe while having fun with our furry friends!
For more information on this go to:
https://www.petprofessionalguild.com
https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/programs/doggone-safe/doggone-safe-educational-resources/

What is Force-Free Dog Training?

March 14, 2022

Joanna Scott, CPDT-KA, ABCDT, Head Trainer FLOPPS Dog Training

Read our trainers article contribution to Home Alive Pets blog explaining the benefits of Professional force-free training services.

Read More

Understanding Dog Aggression: Signs, Triggers, and Solutions

May 13, 2024

Dog aggression can be a concerning issue for pet owners. Signs of aggression may include growling, snapping, or lunging towards people or other animals. Understanding the triggers behind your dog’s aggression is crucial for effective management and training.

Common triggers for dog aggression may include fear, territoriality, resource guarding, past traumatic experiences, pain or health problems. It’s essential to identify these triggers to develop a tailored training plan.

A certified professional dog trainer in Edmonton like the trainers at FLOPPS, can provide guidance and support in addressing aggression issues. Positive reinforcement techniques, behavior modification exercises, and desensitization methods are commonly used to help dogs overcome their aggressive tendencies.

By working with a qualified dog trainer, families can learn how to manage and prevent aggressive behavior in their dogs. With patience, consistency, and the right training approach, dogs can learn to behave appropriately in various situations, ensuring a safer and happier environment for everyone.

If you’re dealing with dog aggression issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to us as your reputable dog trainer in Edmonton for assistance. Together, we can help your furry friend become a well-behaved and socialized member of the community.

Top 5 Training Tips to help your dog stop pulling on walks

April 17, 2024,

Joanna Scott, CPDT-KA, ABCDT, Head Trainer FLOPPS Dog Training

#1 Opt for Safety:

Skip the Flexi lead! Opt for a sturdy 6-foot leash to ensure safety and avoid rope burns.

#2 Say No to Pain:
Avoid choke, prong, or electronic collars, which can cause harm. Instead, choose a comfortable harness for your pup.

#3 Harness Up:
Harnesses are a game-changer! They minimize pulling and prevent discomfort for your dog.

#4 Lead the Way:
Don’t let your dog dictate the walk by pulling. Redirect and reinforce good behavior instead.

#5 Gentle Guidance:
Avoid pulling back on your dog, as it may encourage them to pull harder. Use gentle redirection instead.

With these tips, you’ll enjoy stress-free strolls and strengthen the bond with your furry friend! 🐶✨