<![CDATA[Okanagan Heavenly Dog - Blog]]>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 02:04:15 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Meet the Trainer]]>Fri, 29 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.okheavenlydog.com/blog1/meet-the-trainerAshley Hunt (woman behind the curtain) will be at Bosley’s in Oliver on Friday afternoon April 12th 2019 between 1-3pm. It will be a great opportunity to ask questions about behaviour and learn about how positive reinforcement/clicker training works. There will be goodies for your pup and lots of info about teaching your dog with kindness and respect.
​
It’s always a good idea to research your dog trainer ahead of time to see who will be the right fit for your family and to see if you’re on the same page regarding how your dog is taught. Always look for someone who is up to date on scientific data and who uses positive reinforcement. Ask lots of questions regarding training methods and why they use those methods to teach animals. If you’re dedicating your time and resources into a trainer, you want to be comfortable working with them and get long term results.

Ashley's credentials and training philosophy can be found here. If you have any questions or would like to speak with Ashley directly to discuss training methods, please feel free to call her at 250 818 5171. 

]]><![CDATA[Tips and Tricks for Traveling With Your Dog]]>Thu, 28 Mar 2019 19:23:17 GMThttps://www.okheavenlydog.com/blog1/tips-and-tricks-for-traveling-with-your-dogTraveling as a family can be so much fun, it’s wonderful to include our dogs in our vacations. Here are some tips to make the trip enjoyable for everybody:

  1. Take lots of breaks along the way. Dogs can’t necessarily tell us when they need to go to the bathroom or if they’re thirsty so it’s smart and considerate to take frequent stops. Dogs also need to stretch their legs and enjoy getting out of the vehicle for a good sniff around. If your dog is a puppy, a senior, or unaccustomed to long car rides, they may need to take more frequent stops.
  2. Make sure your pup is buckled in or in a crate. Car safety is important for our dogs too. Teach your dog to accept being buckled in the vehicle or be comfortable in their crate for longer periods of time by taking short trips with them around town to get them accustomed to car rides in this way- if they’re not already. Taking some extra time to desensitize them to a car harness or a crate in the car is extremely beneficial for both of you.
  3. Get them used to car rides before a super long drive. If you’re planning on taking boat or bikes rides, make sure they’re accustomed to those experiences first before forcing them into something they’re not comfortable with. If you’re the hiking type, make sure your dog is in good enough shape to handle the hike, and comfortable wearing hiking gear such as booties for tough terrain or backpacks.
  4. Take time to train your dog along the way. Greeting strangers politely, coming when called, settling on a mat and going to the bathroom on cue are extremely handy behaviours for your dog to learn- making the trip more enjoyable for all of you.
  5. Check out dog friendly places to visit, and make sure your accommodations allow dogs. Some hotels allow pets only up until a certain size or weight, so it’s a good idea to check ahead of time to find out what each establishment allows.
  6. Pack for your pup. Making sure you have collapsible water bottles, enough food and water, comfort items such as familiar toys and blankets, proper identification, proof of vaccinations if you’re crossing a border, jackets for short coated dogs in cool conditions, life vests for boating dogs, dog-friendly insect repellent etc. Depending on what you’re doing your dog’s needs will vary, but always be prepared!

Above all, take time to enjoy your dog on your vacation and do all you can to make sure they have an awesome time too!

17 year old Chica on our final vacation together. 💕
A cabin beside the lake was our style
]]><![CDATA[Separation Anxiety: The Difference Between Boredom and Panic]]>Tue, 26 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.okheavenlydog.com/blog1/separation-anxiety-the-difference-between-boredom-and-panicIf you’ve ever owned a dog with separation anxiety, you know it’s a heartbreaking and debilitating condition that dogs suffer from. Owners of dogs with separation anxiety have an extremely difficult time leaving their dog anywhere. Some even report coming home to walls and bloody window sills excessively chewed on. Some cases are more severe than others, but most cases of true separation anxiety are very traumatic for both the dog and the owner.

How can you tell if your dog is suffering from true separation anxiety or if the cause of their behaviour is something else entirely? Symptoms of separation anxiety include house soiling, chewing on furniture, excessive vocalization, pacing and other destructive behaviours. House soiling can be caused by incomplete house training, and barking and chewing can be a cause of boredom or inadequate exercise. The difference varies with each dog, it’s always a good idea to contact a professional to talk about your dogs’ symptoms and come up with a solution.

Training plans for curing boredom or house training are a lot less complicated than executing a plan to treat separation anxiety, so it’s smart to contact a positive reinforcement trainer sooner rather than later. Fourtunately, dogs who suffer from separation anxiety in most cases can be rehabilitated. It takes a lot of dedication and commitment but it is possible! If you’re concerned that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, please contact a professional as soon as possible. 

]]>