CONSULTATIONS & PROGRAMS


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In-home Assessments

Our Head-Trainer will visit you in your home to determine the best training alternative for your dog.

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Behaviour Consultations

It may be that your dog is exhibiting some difficult behaviour problems such as separation anxiety,  excessive barking, chewing, thunder-phobia, digging, door-crashing, destructive behaviour, biting, or aggression to name a few.  A detailed evaluation of the situation and what triggers the problem would be in order.

The Head Trainer, Lynn Hyndman, will visit you and your family in your home to discuss these concerns and she will gather as much information as possible on the history and health of the dog as well as a "picture" of your family. She will ask for a description of a typical day in the life of the dog, its interactions with others, and time spent alone.

During this time of conversation, she will observe the dog in its home environment, and note such things as time to settle after greeting, any anxiousness displayed by the dog, and any behavioural tendencies. If appropriate, she will spend some time interacting with the dog with you in-sight and out-of-sight. She will then make an assessment and recommendations as to the suggested course of action. A detailed implementation program will be offered with regular follow-up on the progress that has been made.

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Are you thinking about getting a dog?

If you've never had a dog before, or even if you have, a consultation prior to your final decision may be helpful.  We will look at some practical issues surrounding a puppy or new dog in your household:
  • What is the right breed or mix for you?
  • Big or little?
  • Adult or puppy?
  • The age your puppy should be before you bring him or her home.
  • Equipment or gear you will need.
  • Proofing your home.
  • Healthy care.
  • Where to find that special dog.
  • The introduction of your dog to his/her new family and environment.
  • Realistic expectations.
The first 16 weeks of a puppy's life is a critical learning time. Taking a puppy too soon from its litter is courting disaster.  Puppies learn appropriate "dog" social skills from their mother and litter mates during the initial 6 to 8 week period.  They learn how to interact with each other and what is acceptable behaviour.  Most importantly, they learn bite inhibition and what constitutes too rough a play.  Once home with you, it is critically important to handle, touch, and socialize your puppy extensively to provide a sound base from which he or she will learn to be confident and unafraid in his/her environment.

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We just brought our new dog home.  What should we be doing now?

After the big decision is made, our Head Trainer would be happy to come to your home to discuss the big transition of having a new puppy or dog in your home.

For those who have a new puppy in your household, the 8 to 16 week period in their life is a critical learning time. Proper handling and socialization is essential. The results of improper handling will stay with the pup for his or her lifetime and may well result in behavioural difficulties in the future.Topics that will be covered:
  • Crate training - yes or no?
  • Inadvertent teaching - avoiding bad habits.
  • He may be small now, but just wait...do you really want him thinking it’s OK to jump up?
  • Undoing some bad habits learned by your new adult dog.
  • Potty training - are you ready for the cold weather?
  • Let sleeping dogs lie – puppies need their rest.
  • Learning the language - your dog’s way of speaking to you.
  • Learn the commands now - it will reduce confusion later.
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Getting ready for the unthinkable.  My dog got lost!

We offer a sample Lost Dog Kit and instructions on beginning and continuing your search.  This includes Lost Dog flyer hand-outs, where to post them, who to contact, creating a search area, organizing your search teams, receiving "contact" reports, and following up leads.

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Bringing Baby Home

An exciting time for your family and an exciting time for your family dog.  A new baby is in the house. Just as you have prepared for this big event (decorating your nursery, buying supplies, going to prenatal classes etc..) you really need to properly prepare the family pooch for this huge change in his or her life.  Things will be different.  There's no doubt about that.  Routines are going to change.  New smells will abound.  New sounds will come forth. And your dog will be at sea and perhaps a little unhappy with all the changes.

We would be more than happy to visit you in your home offering practical and easy steps to help make this big transition easier on your dog and consequently easier on you.  Such items covered will be:
  • Upping obedience training
  • Introducing your dog to all the new equipment in your home
  • Taking a test drive with the stroller
  • Desensitizing your dog to the baby swing (remember, dogs love to chase moving items)
  • Introducing "baby smells" that will be new and differen
  • And much much more...
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Doggone Safe: Be A Tree™ Programs for Children and Adults

Dogs in Harmony is proud to offer the Doggone Safe and Be a Tree™ programs to both children and adults. These programs promote child safety and dog welfare. Concepts covered in the presentation include:
  • "Be a Tree" if a strange dog approaches or any dog is threatening or frightening.
  • What a safe dog looks like.
  • What a dangerous dog looks like.
  • How to interact safely with a dog.
  • How to meet a dog safely.
  • How dogs talk with their tails and other body language.
  • How dogs warn in subtle ways that they want to be left alone.
  • Understand what constitutes dangerous behaviour around dogs.
  • Don't talk to strangers even if they have a cute dog or have lost their dog.
Please contact us for further information and to schedule a presentation at your child's school or club (e.g. Boy Scouts, Brownies, Girl Guides, sports clubs).

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Doggone Safe: Be Doggone Smart at Work

 This program is for workers who encounter dogs as part of the job such as hydro workers, meter readers, cable installers, postal workers, real estate agents, social service workers and domestic workers.  It is presented in a seminar format at your work site/office and runs about 2 hours in length.  Detailed instructions, using photos and video, are given to help you avoid a potential "dog bite" situation.

Please contact us or have your Health and Safety Officer contact us for more information.

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Doggone Safe Inc.
Be a Tree™



   
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