Ask The Dog Trainer - Becks Jennings, Pooch Positive
Becks Jennings
Owner and Head Trainer of Pooch Positive Dog Training gives expert advice on common pet issues
About the trainer
Hi, my name is Becks Jennings.
I am from England and moved to Canada with my husband and our son in 2014. My husband’s work sent us here, and we were only supposed to be here for two years. But we quickly realized this is where we want our lives to be!
Dedicating my life to working with dogs is something that was always supposed to happen but it's a big leap leaving a career where you get a salary and benefits, so the timing was never there.
I've always trained and loved dogs. It's been a standing joke in my family for years and years that if you want your dog trained come see me!
During lockdown I got a chance to really sit and think about what I want to look back on when I'm old and in my rocking chair. Did I want to carry on doing a job for the sake of the salary or do something I am very passionate about? Well, obviously the answer was, "Go for it!".
What is a BC SPCA AnimalKind accredited dog trainer?
I am the first dog trainer in the city of Richmond to have gained the BC SPCA AnimalKind accreditation. It means that Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT) like myself have been assessed by the BC SPCA and meet their standards. The assessment includes the SPCA coming out to see training sessions, looking at the qualifications of the trainer, reading our Animal Welfare practices, and looking at our business practices. But best and most importantly of all—ensuring we are force free trainers or have the animals' best interests at heart.
I train without fear, intimidation, or stress and in a force free environment for your dog using scientifically researched methods. I can teach you about canine body language so you will have the tools to really communicate with your dog in a wonderful way.
I’m primarily based here in Steveston, so for all the Steveston People fans who need a little extra support with their dogs, I’ve put together some free expert advice that you might find helpful!
How to deal with 8 common issues that dog owners face
Aghhh my puppy won't stop biting!
I hear your frustration and can sympathize. Puppies are amazing and sweet but also come with teeth, which is how they like to explore the world. If your puppy is biting items, then the simple answer is to lift everything to where the puppy can't reach it to avoid temptation. If it is humans your puppy has a taste for, then you need to give them something else to chew on, and when they attempt to mouth you, put the chewable item between your skin and their mouth.
My dog barks at people walking past my window—what should I do?
Unfortunately this is what we call a self reinforced behaviour. The dog barks at the person outside who was going to continue walking. The dog thinks the barking encouraged the person to move along, and so the dog thinks it has been successful. I recommend restricting access to the window by either moving the furniture so your dog can't sit there, or use a window covering and then reach out to a trainer for some desensitization training.
My dog pulls on leash—should I use a prong collar?
Absolutely and 100% no.
Prong collars have to hurt your dog in order for them to work. It's time to figure out what your dog is pulling towards and do some training to help with that. I have trained a 135 pound dog to walk politely on leash, so I know loose leash walking training does work without the use of prong or electric collars.
My dog is leash aggressive, help!
The first thing I am going to ask is, "When was the last time you took your dog to the vet for a lovely wellness check to make sure it isn't pain related?" If your dog is experiencing pain, it may be that your dog is saying to other dogs, "Please go away and not engage me as I have an ouchy."
Another question is, “Has anything aversive happened to your dog on leash?” If your dog has unfortunately been attacked while on leash, it could be your dog is now scared.
Aggression is very complex, it could be anxiety, stress, overly excited or something else. As a team you and I need to get to the bottom of why this is happening and then we can counter that with some happy training and give your dog some new experiences while on leash.
It's hot outside, can I take my dog out in this heat?
Place your hand on the concrete outside. Can you leave it there for the count of 10 or do you have to lift your hand because it is too hot? If you have to lift it, I would engage your dog with an indoor activity such as sniffing and finding while the weather cools down a little.
I just want to go for a walk but my dog always stops and sniffs!
If you would like to get some exercise and go for a walk I suggest leaving your dog at home. Your dog should be sniffing while on a walk. Every urine laid down has a distinct message such as when that dog was there, the health of that dog, the sexual maturity, the list goes on. When your dog sniffs it, they are scrolling through their social media and if they overlay the urine with their own, they are leaving a like or a comment!
My dog jumps on people when they come in the house.
Simply restrict access to the front door using barriers such as baby gates, but the dog must have something to do behind the gate or they may get frustrated. Something yummy like a chew stick will help. We call this management of the situation. Training your dog to go to a specific place or waiting until your guest is sitting down before coming to say hello will help long term.
What is a positive dog trainer—does it mean my dog will get fat and bribed with all the treats?
A positive dog trainer uses scientifically researched methods to train dogs. We train using kind methods and listen to what your dog is trying to tell us in terms of body language and stress signals. When we train we do use treats, toys or real life rewards (such as be calm behaviour before getting out of the car to go for a walk). When training with treats it's important to know how many treats you use and remove that amount of food from their next meal. It isn't bribery! Your dog has to work and achieve what we are asking of them before we reward them. In essence your dog has to figure out how to get the treat and offer certain behaviours to get the treat.
Need more support?
Consider joining one of my classes or booking private sessions with Pooch Positive. We’ll start with conversation to determine if I’m the right trainer for you and your dog.