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MUTTLIFE • Alecia Muirhead • CDBC

@muttlifedogtraining

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Success station refill time!

Setting dogs up for success means planning ahead. I like to start every week by making sure the treat jars are well stocked and ready in easy access areas around the house. That way we have reinforcement readily available to capture and reward desirable behaviours!

Some of these spots and behaviours I like are:
-entry/exit doors: polite greetings, recalls from outside, alerting to people at door/in yard, quieting down after those alerts
-the kitchen: waiting during food prep/eating
-tv room/office: chilling out/laying down/self entertaining while we chill out or work

On this week’s menu: regular kibble, some extra fancy gourmet kibble, freeze dried turkey and cod.

These are a great way to work training tasks into daily life without feeling like it’s extra “work”.

I invite you to implement this into your routine if you’re not already! If you are, what are your favourite spots for success stations? Share in the comments!
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#accessibility Four glass jars of varying sizes on a grey counter. The jars are filled with an assortment of kibble and freeze dried meat. taken in Treaty No. 6 Territory by @muttlifedogtraining

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5 years ago

Would you like to experience a drastic improvement in your dog’s behaviour? Here’s how!

Let them sniff.
Provide opportunities to explore freely and gather information from their environment.
Many problem behaviours are simply a disconnect between a dog’s natural behaviour and human expectations. When we focus on fulfilling their needs they are less likely to seek outlets on their own.

There are no guarantees in behaviour, BUT when needs are met and dogs are fulfilled, you will experience change for the better!
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Video clips of Jack, a blonde mutt, sniffing on a long lead in different settings. by @muttlifedogtraining

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3 years ago

WOAH!! What an OVERWHELMING response to my video about overwhelm yesterday…

It’s reassuring to know that we are all feeling it, you’re not alone. At the same time, it’s hard to see folks struggling… The daily pressures are a lot to navigate. That is amplified when you share life with a dog who relies on you so completely, even more so when they struggle to navigate this world or have complex behaviour needs.

I hope you are able to find some space to slow down and breathe. Focus on the things that bring you joy and celebrate how far you have come! Give yourself (and your dog) grace as you figure things out together.

Wherever you are: you are doing great, you are doing your best, and you are doing enough. I see it everyday and I am HERE FOR IT!
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ID: texts reads: “You and your dog are doing your best. It is enough and it is awesome!” in bold, violet font. Text is centered on a sky blue background with cartoon white clouds, little stars, and a rainbow in the bottom right corner. taken in Treaty No. 6 Territory by @muttlifedogtraining

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4 years ago

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6 days ago

Advocate. Donate. Educate. Support.

This is not history. The oppression and systemic harm faced by Indigenous Peoples continues across Canada every day. There is much work to be done as a nation and as individuals to dismantle the systems we benefit from that continue to cause harm.

•Listen to and amplify Indigenous voices and stories in media you consume and conversations you have

•Support Indigenous-owned businesses, artists, makers, and performers throughout the year

•Follow and contribute to Indigenous-led animal welfare and rescue groups such as @enochanimalservices and @saverezdogs

•Advocate for Indigenous sovereignty and land back initiatives. Learn whose land you are on and what responsibilities come with that knowledge: native-land.ca

•Take the free Indigenous Canada course from @uanativestudies

•Donate to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at irsss.ca

•Stand behind calls for justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people

•Show up for Indigenous-led events, protests, and fundraisers in your community

•No fireworks! There is no need to celebrate colonialism by causing more trauma to companion animals, wildlife, and folks who experience PTSD

🧡🧡🧡

#accessibility White text on orange background reads: instead of celebration, pause for reflection, commit to education, stand for reconciliation. Each statement is on a separate line with the last word in caps for emphasis. taken in Treaty No. 6 Territory by @muttlifedogtraining

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4 months ago

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7 months ago

Putting dogs in stressful situations for a laugh is not cool- on April Fools Day, or any day.

Life with our dogs should be built on trust, safety, and clear communication. Pranks, teasing, or “funny” videos at their expense aren’t harmless- it can create stress, uncertainty, and erode trust.

The same goes for training and behaviour work. Ethical, effective training is about being fair, clear, and prioritizing a dog’s wellbeing over changing behaviour. Even with the best intentions, our interactions can become confusing or coercive if we try to pull one over on them.

The most important thing we can teach our dogs is that they are safe. Everything else is a bonus!
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#accessibility green text on a lavender background reads “Dogs aren’t fools.” Purple, yellow, and green sparkle stars surround text, @muttlifedogtraining in bottom right taken in Treaty No. 6 Territory by @muttlifedogtraining

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7 months ago

en·rich·ment
noun
the action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something.

Enrichment isn’t just about the activities you offer your dog, but the result of those activities!

It is about meeting your individual dog’s needs and desires to practice natural canine behaviours, as part of their daily routine.

For me, enrichment is the commitment to enhancing the quality of life for dogs. That means making time in my schedule to do something, every day, to make my mutts’ lives fulfilling and enjoyable for them.

What does enrichment mean to you and your dogs?
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#accessibility: sage green background with hearts, purple text reads: Slide 1-“Nothing says “I love you” like providing opportunities for dogs to practice natural behaviours!” Slide 2- “Roses are red, Violets are blue, Their lives are enriched by the things that we do.” Slide 3- “We guide where they walk, we decide when they play, We owe it to them to fulfill their day.” Slide 4- “Let them sniff, and dig, and shred, and chew, Give them outlets for the things they were born to do.” Slide 5- “Dogs are a gift and their love is so true, Let’s meet their needs, it’s the least we can do.” taken in Treaty No. 6 Territory by @muttlifedogtraining

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8 months ago

The results are in… Lala is officially the muttiest mutt that ever mutted!

According to Embark, she is:
•Supermutt (Malamute, Lab, Boxer, Collie,+)
•American Pitbull Terrier
•German Shepherd
•Akita/Akita Inu
•American Bulldog
•Rottweiler

I’m not super surprised by any of the breeds, they are common mixes for the “Alberta Special”. German Shepherd and Pitbull were my top guesses based on Lala and pics of her mom and littermates. I am a bit surprised there are no “shortie” breeds contributing to her extra special low rider cuteness! Her family must just have a fun little genetic mutation giving them their short little legs (chondrodystrophy).

Mutts will always be my favourite “breed”. I love everything about them, all the unique combos, traits, and personalities that come along with having a mixed breed dog!

Thanks to everyone who played along, got your guesses in, and was just as invested as we were in learning more about our unique girl. This special mix gave us our precious little creature and she’s PERFECT! by @muttlifedogtraining

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9 months ago

Little Andrew Pancakes, (LaLa,) is an adorably weird looking little critter.
Everyone on the street yells, “what is that?!?”
“She looks like a child drew a dog, without knowing what one looks like!” “Are her parents related?”

First of all, rude.

So, to put these baseless rumours to rest, we’ve sent in her DNA and the test results are coming soon!

Think you can unravel the mystery? Drop your breed mixes in the comments!

#muttlife #dogsofinstagram #dogsofinsta #dogsofig taken in Edmonton, Alberta by @muttlifedogtraining

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9 months ago

Happy New Year!

May we all make opportunities to slow down and appreciate dogs everyday. We are truly lucky to share our lives with these special creatures.

I look forward to supporting you and your dogs in the coming year! ✨
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#accessibility in comments taken in Treaty No. 6 Territory by @muttlifedogtraining

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10 months ago

As I reflect on this past year, I feel full in the best way- grateful, proud, and happy. I’m thankful to have connected with so many amazing dogs and the people who love them through my MUTTLIFE.

Losing Jack this year has been incredibly hard- he was the mutt who started it all and the heart of MUTTLIFE. I love knowing that he gets to live on through every dog I work with and through the care, compassion, and commitment you all show to your dogs.

Thank you to everyone who invited me into your journey. Being trusted to support you and your dogs means more to me than I can put into words, your dedication to them continues to inspire me every day.

Here’s to the year ahead!

May we meet it with compassion, optimism, and grace, extending kindness to ourselves along the way.

Did you spot your mutt in the photos?

What are you most proud of in your relationship with your dog this year?
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#accessibility Slideshow of many of the adorable doggy faces I worked with this year- a variety of dogs of different size, age, and breed. Some are posed for the camera, some are candid, and the back hour of are their homes, with toys and enrichment, and out in the world. taken in Treaty No. 6 Territory by @muttlifedogtraining

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10 months ago