Our Blog
Found a Tick on Your Dog? Here Is What to Do Next
Ticks used to feel like a spring and summer problem. Not anymore. In Ontario and many other parts of Canada, ticks are showing up earlier, staying active longer, and in some areas, remaining a concern well outside the old “tick season.” Public Health Ontario tracks...
Natural vs Commercial Tick Prevention for Dogs: What Actually Works, What Doesn’t, and What You Need to Decide
Tick season used to be predictable. Not anymore. Across Ontario and much of Canada, ticks are showing up earlier, staying longer, and in some areas, never really leaving. I’ve already pulled ticks off my own dogs this week, and we’re not even into peak season yet. So...
From Reactive to Responsive, How Owners Build Better Reflexes on Walks
A lot of owners think leash walking falls apart because the dog “forgets” everything outside. Sometimes that is true. But often the walk falls apart because the owner does not yet have the reflexes to lead clearly when real life shows up. They know what they should do...
Why Your Dog’s Reaction on a Walk Is Not a Personal Attack
There is one mistake dog owners make on walks that quietly makes everything worse. They take their dog’s behaviour personally. The dog barks at another dog, lunges at a squirrel, stiffens at a person, or erupts over something unexpected, and the owner instantly feels...
What Calm, Assertive Leadership Actually Looks Like on a Walk
People love to say “calm, assertive leadership.” It sounds good. It sounds wise. It sounds like something you would stitch onto a decorative pillow and place somewhere nobody actually lives. But when owners are out walking a dog who has just spotted another dog, a...
How to Recover After a Bad Walk Without Losing Confidence
Not every walk is going to be a good one. Some days your dog walks well, checks in, stays connected, and makes you think, “Look at US, walking together like bread and butter - being CIVILIZED.” Other days, your dog barks at another dog, lunges at a squirrel, tangles...
Dog Bite Prevention: How to Stay Safe Around Dogs and Prevent Bites Before They Happen
April 12 to 18, 2026, is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. It’s a timely reminder of something more people need to understand: most dog bites are preventable. Dogs don’t bite out of nowhere. In many cases, there were warning signs long before the bite happened, but...
Squirrels, Cats, and Sudden Chaos, What To Do When Your Dog Reacts Before You Can Prepare
Some distractions give you a chance to prepare. An approaching dog across the street usually gives you a few seconds to notice, think, and move. Squirrels and cats often do not. They appear like tiny chaos agents and suddenly your calm walk becomes a scene. This is...
How to Handle an Approaching Dog on a Walk Without Losing Your Mind or Your Dog’s Focus
If your dog walks nicely until another dog shows up, you’re not alone. That’s where many owners discover whether they are truly leading the walk, or just enjoying a temporary stretch of peace. In the first two articles in this leash walking series, I talked about...
Stop Letting Your Dog Pull: 5 Leash Walking Fixes Every Owner Should Know Before Spring Walks Begin
Spring is almost here, and for dog owners, that means longer walks, warmer weather, and more time outside. But if your dog turns every walk into a tug-of-war, the season can feel more stressful than enjoyable. Leash pulling is one of the most common frustrations dog...
How to Create a Following Mindset in Your Puppy or Rescue Dog
Every time you walk into a room, your puppy or rescue dog is deciding something. Not whether they know how to sit. Not whether they understand the word “stay.” They’re deciding: “Is this someone I should follow?” If the answer is unclear, your dog will follow their...
Loose Leash Walking Starts Long Before You Step Outside
If you think loose leash walking begins at the end of your driveway, you’re already behind. It begins inside your house. It begins with this shift: Stop trying to control your dog with the leash. Start becoming someone your dog wants to follow. Because here’s the...
Ontario Dog Trainer
Copyright © 2022 Ontario Dog Trainer.
