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By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE
Dog training apps seem like a blessing for dog owners, so I decided to review a few of them and report back. I selected Puppr, Dogo, and GoodPup. The apps are available in both Apple and Android OS. I will list the apps individually, but before I do, here are the standard features. 

All the apps are lure-based training, which, you know, we do not recommend or use. Lure training does not teach the dog how to think, problem-solve, or improvise new behaviours. I am a firm believer in teaching a dog to learn how to learn. Lure training poses a few problems. 

First, the lure loses its modelling power when a distraction occurs. Secondly, the client becomes dependent on the lure and must always carry food. Thirdly, the value of the lures needs to be constantly increased in value to distract dogs.

Another downside to these apps is that the client does not learn to read dog language. If a person cannot decode behaviours, the person can get bitten. In-person training from a science-based trainer will provide you with feedback to avoid an accident. 

The prices listed below are in Canadian currency.

Dogo
The app offers puppy basics, basic obedience, tricks, and service dog training. Although I have only tried the trial version, my experience is that the integrated clicker often lags in timing, reinforcing the wrong behaviour. My phone’s OS (S21 Ultra) could conflict with the app. Maybe it is faster in the paid version; I do not know. The app offers access to dog trainers; you will receive feedback through video analysis; it is unclear if extra fees apply.

Price: 
Free: 7 day trial 
1 month: $7.99 
6 months: $34.99
1 year: $59.99

Overall, it is a good app for basic behaviours. I would not rely on this app to help with an unruly puppy or adult dog. Furthermore, puppy socialization is part of the app; unfortunately, all the training is lure-based. You must give your credit card information to receive your training plan.

Google rating: 4.6/5
Dogue Shop rating: 3.2/5

GoodPup
Plans are detailed yet simple, and the interface is user-friendly. Unfortunately, this app relies heavily on lure training. The app is free to download, and you will pay a weekly fee after the trial. The app offers access to dog trainers; however, extra fees apply. The website does not provide much information. After you fill in the information about your dog to get your personalized plan, you must provide your credit card information. If you do not, you are blocked. I find this problematic because you cannot experience the interface.

Price:
Free: 7 day trial
Weekly: $44$ 

Although the app is science-based, this platform relies on lure-based training. Hiring an actual dog trainer might be more cost-efficient in the long run because the professional will help prevent other problems.

Google rating: 4.1/5
Dogue Shop rating: 3.6/5

Puppr
The developer has not updated the app since April 20, 2022. The app does have an integrated clicker, and the timing is perfect. After answering a few questions, the app prompts you to give your credit card info. However, you can bypass it and try the interface’s basic behaviours. The platform is simple to use and pretty. The clicker can be problematic if your phone sleeps after a few seconds, as does mine. You must change your setting to use the app’s clicker.  

Price:
Free: 7 day trial
Monthly: $17.99
Yearly: $134.99 (after a 7-day free trial) paid annually in one payment.

Google Rating: 4.6/5
Dogue Shop Rating: 3/5

Conclusion
My experience with phone clickers is that your dirty drooling hands turn the phone into a mess. When Hariette is in working mode, she drools, and my hands get messy. Plus, keeping your finger on the phone while you work is highly impractical. An excellent old clicker works best. 

The fact that these lessons are all lure-based training is a big turnoff for me, so I will not recommend them. Hiring professional science-based dog trainers is far superior to any app, especially when dogs display undesirable behaviours.

I understand people’s desire to save money, but training apps cannot replace personal dog trainers. It would be unrealistic to expect them to do so. If you want to teach your dog tricks, YouTube is a better bet, and the platform is free. 

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

The most common question we get when people call in for help is Can you fix my dog? First things first, for the most part, dogs are not broken. They are not objects we can repair, and they do not have parts we can change. Dogs often display desirable, aka normal behaviours or the occurrence of species-specific behaviours that occur the majority of the time. So, why are so many people calling in for behaviour problems? Let us look at the fundamental reason, and I am warning you, you might not like my answer. 

My pet peeve, and yes, the pun is intended!
One of my pet peeves is when trainers and other behaviour consultants write on their websites that they can address behaviour problems such as barking, biting, jumping, digging, stealing food, display aggressive behaviours, etc., and they can change your problematic dog into a well-behaved member of society. Here is the problem; none of those behaviours are problematic behaviours. The majority of dog behaviour problems are human problems. 

Dogs bark. In fact, humans breed dogs to bark. Compared to their wild counterparts, dogs are hyper-barkers. Any occasion is a vocalization opportunity in Fido’s head, so too are jumping, running away, digging, growling, and biting. Dogs love to react and pull on the leash; they enjoy chasing small animals; they like to eat trash or poop; canines roll in disgusting things; in essence, dogs display whatever behaviours they find enjoyable, and to them, that is not a problem. 

True dog behaviour problems
Problematic behaviours, or what professionals call clinical behaviour problems (CBP), are genuinely dysfunctional behaviours. We define a CBP as an action or reaction that prevents the organism from functioning normally. For example, a dog that guards its food does not suffer from a CBP; food guarding is a healthy dog behaviour. If a dog did not guard its food, it would have nothing to eat and it would die. A dog that guards its food to the point where it cannot eat can, and often does, suffer from anorexia. The dog’s weight will be dangerously low and will need pharmacological and behavioural therapy to help modify its eating habits. The same can be observed when a dog eats so fast it vomits and eats the food again. When the cycle goes on, the dog can suffer from bulimia and anorexia, and its overall health will suffer. 

Another common dog behaviour problem that is not a problem is aggression. Dogs are predators and function under different rules when it comes to conflict management. When dogs tell other dogs to get out of their space, or face, they do it with growls and teeth, not with flowers and chocolates. Those behaviours might be problematic for people who are unfamiliar with dog behaviour, but in reality, these behaviours are necessary, thus, considered healthy behaviours. Aggression-related CBP often results in self-mutilation or phantom conflicts with a body part. You most likely have seen these behaviours on television, or YouTube, most often labelled funny dog video. 

Animal Behaviour Professionalism
In my professional experience, people do not know the difference between desirable and undesirable dog behaviours, and that is perfectly fine. That is why clients hire us. That said, I have an issue with websites that list dog behaviour problems that are not. The downfall with this type of approach is that clients are led to believe their dogs can be fixed when, in reality, they are not broken. When a human goes to a psychologist or psychiatrist, do we expect the person to be fixed? No, we do not! So, if we cannot fix a person, how can people claim, as dog professionals, to be able to fix dogs? 

Throughout my thirty-four years in the dog training and animal behaviour industry, I have seen and heard many strange things; however, I have never lost my direction when it comes to transforming a pastime into a professional business. Exotic and domestic animal trainers need to step up and answer the professionalism call. Trainers need to educate clients and tell them what are the differences between normal and abnormal behaviours. 

There needs to be a discussion on why training goals are critical components to outcome expectations. If you are training or modifying animal behaviour in exchange for money, your criterion need to be realistic and professional. To tell a client their Australian Cattle dog’s ankle-biting behaviour can be fixed is unrealistic and unethical. Working to eliminate dog behaviours that were created by humans is unfair to the dog, and in my opinion, cruel. 

Cheers.

Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

A topic that often comes up in professional group meetings is how do you deal with difficult clients, social media, and avoid burnout. There is no cookie-cutter answer to that question. However, l have nearly 35 years of experience dealing with people, animals, self-care, and a degree in family education. Let me share my experiences with you, and hopefully, my recommendations can help you. 

Difficult Clients 
Some people tell me during their interview to become a professional that they do not like working with, people; unfortunately, every single animal on earth is, in one form or another, controlled by humans. In our field, clients are those people. Some people are nice, while others are not. It is how we deal with each unique situation that makes us professionals. If clients can hire us, we can fire them because the client is not always right. Deviant behaviour from people places our professional reputations on the line. I have a few rules in place to help guide me when potential problems occur. I base my professional relationship with clients on these critical rules. 

1.    Clients must remain respectful even when emotions run high.  
      I.    Verbal and physical abuse are NOT acceptable. And by physical abuse, imagine a client asking you to walk their dog at -35°C with a windchill of -41°C, that is abuse to the dog and you.
2.    Clients must do their homework. 
      I.    Investing time in clients and dogs means we expect changes to occur. We get remuneration in return, but when people do not help themselves help their dog, we have a responsibility to ask ourselves is this acceptable to me.  
      II.   Dogs are your business card, so imagine a client with a reactive dog that meat another person. That person says You should get a dog trainer and the client answers I do; I've been working with them for eight months now! Each case is different, but if you know the client is not working on the behaviour, then your credentials go flying out the window, especially if the stranger asks for your name.
3.    Clients must be on time.  
      I.    There must be a plan in place to avoid late-comers, no-shows, or overstays. Trying to deal with a problem as it unfolds is difficult, not to say impossible, to manage. We have terms and conditions waiver each client must sign. On the waiver, it states how we will deal with each situation and the financial compensation that we expect. 
      II.    Firing clients who are chronically late, show-don't-show, or stay longer because they arrived later is reason enough for me to cease our professional relationship. I do not want clients that do not take their dog's behaviour issues seriously.
4.    Clients cannot take two types of training simultaneously. 
      I.    Over the years, I have had many clients to take two classes at once, our class and a punishment-based class. I ask these clients to stop, and if they do not wish to do so, then they will have to go. Remaining passive is contributing to an out-dated dog training practice.    
5.    Birds of a feather flock together. 
      I.    Saying no to future clients is OK. I understand the need to make a living, but money often buys into problems (all four previous ones), and that is NOT how professional service providers should think.  
      II.   Think of your job as a psychologist and ask yourself, Would I tolerate this or that situation?  Is this situation acceptable? Is anybody (dog or human) getting emotionally or physically hurt? Would a psychologist do this? Listen to your answer and go from there.  
      III.   If you have never dealt with a psychologist, I suggest you see one and ask him/her how they deal with certain situations, or better yet, consult the following link to read up about their professional order's ethics and rules.  
6.    Seek out mentorship when necessary. 
     I.    If you are new to the trade, find a professional that shares your core values and ideas and understudy your mentor during their sessions. The experience is enlightening and rewarding.  
     II.   How to interview and be interviewed are fantastic assets in our profession.  

Social Media 
Social media is a new reality, and unfortunately, most professionals do not know who, what, when, where, why, and how to use it, which can lead to the following topic or even ruin someone's career. When social media started to take on its own life, I decided to study it and establish a rule for myself, the Dogue Shop, and now the Dog Academy. Here are some of those rules. 

1.    Post on your social media content that reflects who you are and walk away.  
      I.    Remove the notifications and let your army do the rest. Your followers will fight your battles for you. This way, you do not risk screen captures taken out of context. 
      II.   Negativity affects us whether we want it or not. Social media can quickly explode into a chaotic situation and find yourself in damage control situations. 
      III.  Check your ego at the virtual social media door. Flared opinions destroy careers in an instant, i.e. Don Cherry  
2.    Think before you post, comment, like, or share. 
      I.    Make 100% sure what you are about to do is positive and educational.  
      II.   Some people like catchy news titles but do not read the actual articles. If that is the case, your comment should include a I did not read statement. 
      III.  Sometimes ranting is necessary; therefore, do it with someone you trust 200% and do it in private, ideally over coffee. 
      IV.  When you upload a client's video or photo, make sure you have their written consent in e-mail, text, or paper form. You are sharing a third party's information, and their privacy needs to be respected (see rule 5-II in the previous section).  
3.    Never go live on social media with animals. 
      I.    It can get you into sticky situations. Random photobombers can ruin your moment and your career, for that matter. Should a dog bite you, that too can mean the end.  
      II.   Stay clear of compromising associations. If you want to have a different private life on social media, create an alter ego profile. 
4.    Do not mixe professional and personal profiles. 
      I.    Your personal profile should include people you know, if not, make lists and choose your privacy setting when you post.  
      II.   I have three lists: friends, family, and acquaintances. Depending on what I share, I select the appropriate list. 
      III.  Your professional profile should be for everybody else. I direct friend requests to visit the Dogue Shop page and tell them how they can get our notifications in their feed.  
5.    Get to know your preferred social media's rules. 
      I.    Facebook rules, for example, do not allow for certain topics, words, or content. 
      II.   Social media algorithms work differently for different companies; make sure you know the basics to avoid redundancy and get negative feedback. 
      III.  Post different things on different platforms, it helps prevent viral defamation. 
      IV.  There is no need to share past posts; you are at another place and time.  
      V.   Report negative posts, whether they are directed at you or not.

Burnout 
Why are all these rules necessary? Because the number one reason people stop working with animals is that they burned out. We love animals, and we love to help, but taking on too much does nobody any favours—most people burnout within five years of becoming a professional. Trainers, groomers, vet techs, dog walkers, and dog sitters want to help; conversely, they cannot say no, fear not making ends meet, think they will fail, or do not know how to deal with clients and social media.

In a nutshell, professionals do not have effective coping strategies and rules set up beforehand. To avoid burning out, think of the above rules and try to adapt them to your specific service. You can also add the following rules to your list. 

1.    Learn to center yourself. 
      I.    Yoga* is an excellent place to start because its core philosophy is about centring the mind. Yoga in Sanskrit means to unite the mind with the divine.  
      II.   Meditation is all about clearing the ego's nonsense blabbering. You know, that voice inside your head that never stops, well it turns out you can quiet the chatter. 
      III.    Try mindful meditation classes or apps such as Calm or Headspace. 
2.    Learn to center your body. 
      I.     Asanas, aka physical poses found within the yoga philosophy, refers to being comfortably seated/established/rooted within yourself. Learning to center the mind by first centring the body can only be beneficial.  
      II.    Learning to breathe, aka prayanamas in yoga, can help clear one's head when other techniques are not available.  
      III.   Massages and acupuncture are beneficial too. 
3.    Learn to center your emotions. 
      I.    Healthily evacuate your emotions: movies, music, screams, cry, or flip through photos; do whatever it takes. Wine does not count. 
      II.   Art therapy is another fantastic option for emotional release. Animal-assisted therapy does not count. 
      III.  Go running, jogging, or do any other solo physical activity except going for a walk with the dog. You need to distance yourself to create a new mind space.  
      IV.   Write or journal then burn your paperwork; it helps to evacuate stored emotions.  
4.    Evaluate your Umwelt (oom-velt) 
      I.    The world experienced by the experiencer refers to how you evaluate your experience of any given situation. On a scale of 0 to 10, zero being dead and ten being euphoric, where do you find yourself. 
      II.   When events occur in our daily lives, we can assess our Umwelt by merely telling ourselves the number that corresponds to the feelings and emotions you are having at that exact moment. 
      III.   When your Umwelt in under five, it is time to go, make a change, reassess, move on, etc. 

If you feel you are on the verge of tossing everything out the window and screaming Screw you life! then you are already burned out. You need to make drastic changes. Ideally, do not wait until that moment to make adjustments. Preventing burnout is so essential I highly recommend you set up your own rules as soon as possible. Over the last thirty years, I have seen many talented professionals toss the baby out with the bathwater. I know first hand how our jobs wreak havoc on emotions, minds, and bodies, but I have never burned out because I have set rules for myself. Please consider doing the same. 

I hope this article was helpful and that you can start creating self-care strategies that work for you. The dog world can be a cruel one, but it can also be rewarding, not to say reinforcing when the right strategies are in place. In the meantime, try to find another professional that can lend an ear and empathize with you. 

* There are eight limbs to the yoga philosophy, they are Yama, Nyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Samadhi

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE 

I have been told by students, over the years, Thanks to you, my dream has been destroyed! I am here to tell you why I did it and why am happy I did. As a teacher and educator, my role is to make certain your career in the animal world is safe and long-lived. That process is based on the time we share together. The Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship (ABA) and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) programs are respectively 200 and 100 hours, which is a very short amount of time to become a professional, but that does not mean it is impossible... 

Why I Broke the Dog Trainer 
The first thing people write on their letter of intent when they apply for a program is I've been around dogs all my life or I just want to work with animals. The first realization that comes with being a student is you will always work with a human and an animal. It is not the other way around. Breaking the dream refers to the reality check future animal behaviour professionals get when they take one of the Dogue Academy’s programs. 

The second break comes when future professionals realize how little they actually knew about dogs. Even though a person might have been around dogs all their life, dog behaviour is far more complex than one imagines. Dog behaviour is an actual language canids use to communicate. When you learn it, you cannot unlearn it, and all the innocence of joyfully playing with dogs now turns from an emotional to a cognitive perspective. When students learn this harsh reality, my job here is done. 

Learning to work safely with animals is also a belief crusher. Once a person learns what dogs are truly saying, they realize just how much dogs really do not want to serve us unconditionally. Dogs are living organisms and at times, they have an agenda of their own. Dog behaviours are not always the direct result of human intervention or lack thereof. Dogs do have clinical behaviour problems, and dogs do not love everybody unconditionally. When students learn to work safely with dogs, my job here is done. 

In my class, you are faced with the realization that you do not have a special connection to animals, you just had luck, thus far. When the stars align, bites happen, regardless of the number of papers on the wall, and when aggression manifests itself, careers can end abruptly. So the question becomes, do you prefer a short pleasant emotional passion or a long cognitive animal career? When you can answer the question, my job here is done. 

Why I Am Happy I Broke the Dog Trainer 
I am happy I break my dog trainers because the process ensures a long and healthy, bite-free, career. Broken trainers are able to professionally safeguard the public from possible disastrous situations. I am happy I broke my students because they can uphold objective discussions void of emotional interference. I am joyful of the fact that future professionals improve the lives of dogs and people who take care of them. That statement is actually part of the Dogue Shop's mission statement. 

Finally, to my past, present, and future Dogue Academy students, I must say I am happy you are living your dream, but most of all, I am delighted you will have a long and safe career because I Broke You! 

My job here is done.

Cheers,
G.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

After chatting with Dogue Shop graduated students, I decided to summarize our discussion to help other novice trainers and clients alike. It might seem like a clear-cut process, but an unregulated profession yields unregulated prices. The following article attempts to shed some light on the topic. 

Dog Trainer Profession 
The dog training profession is not a regulated industry; consequently, the question of pricing in an unregulated service becomes an interesting topic. Some dog trainers might not agree with my ideologies, but if you think about it, it makes much sense. In an unregulated profession, one should act professionally to be considered professional. 

A professional should be ethical, educated, efficient, and effective. As a professional, ethics requires one to impart the necessary information, in the least amount of time, and at the lowest cost possible. In other words, get in; get out, as fast as possible. Professionals should never make their clients dependant on their services. 

Dog Trainers vs. Psychologists 
I teach my students to be ethical about pricing. I explain why I chose psychology as the closest profession resembling our own. Psychologists must adhere to their professional order in order to practice. Although their order does not regulate prices, psychologists have developed an unofficial price average most members adhere too. Their pricing guideline sets a precedent for our industry because it states a clear message. Before we talk about amounts, please take a look at the following table. It illustrates the different requirements needed between professionals after graduation. 

Dog Trainers: 

Ethical Prices 
Prices for a psychologist, with a Ph.D., varies between 80$ and 130$. This pricing scale is also accurate for the national average. A psychologist in Quebec will roughly cost you the same in Alberta or New-Brunswick. Just like other experts, psychologists who specialize in a specific area of the human psyche cost more per hour. Specialized professionals might cost 150-200$ per hour. The price is still affordable for someone with a Ph.D. if you ask me. 

It baffles me when dog trainers charge upwards of 300$ per hour with three years of experience in dog training. I have seen many things in the last 32 years, but the craziest thing I heard is I client who paid 800-900$ for life, for dog training, and only did three sessions before they came to me. That is 300$ per hour. That should not happen. 

“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to train your dog, wait until you hire an amateur!” - Unknown 

Pricing Strategies 
There are different ways to set prices in the service industry. I will explain the sliding-scale, cost-oriented, value-based, and competition-oriented pricing models and give an example. Pricing models help standardize service fees. Once implemented, your model should not change. As a point of reference, the most prevalent pricing models for psychologists are value-based and sliding-scale, but in the dog training industry, competition-oriented and cost-plus pricing seem to be the preferred strategies. The following explains the three models. 

- Sliding-scale: is a variable price for a service based on the client’s ability to pay. In this model, you create the amount based on a previously established percentage of your maximum and a minimum charge. Proof of revenue is customarily required to benefit from this form of payment. This payment method might seem drastic, but in reality, it is a very fair approach.  - Value-based: the price is based on the estimated value of the service to the client. The base price plus an added cost for a specialization reflects the overall service fee. The experience of the professional might also be considered in this pricing model. For example, your flat rate is 90$/h, but since you specialized in aggression, the cost jumps to 175$/h. 

The difference in price is validated by the risks encountered. Value-based is a very subjective pricing strategy because you must base the value from your perceived worth and not actual market value. Cost-plus and competition-oriented should be established in order to offer the best cost/value for your clients. 

- Cost-plus: the cost price for a session plus a certain percentage. Typically the cost price plus 10% is a standard. To figure out the cost price, you must first calculate ALL your monthly expenses associated with a session: car monthly payments, gas, registration, driver’s license, files, paper, ink, printer, pens, electricity, computer, internet service, cell phone, cell phone provider, rent, heat, insurance, leashes, collars, poop bags, harnesses, etc. 

The amount is then divided to reflect an hourly fee. For example, if the total of the above expenses comes out to 2740$/month (≈ 32 900$/year). Say you plan on working 30h/week; your hourly cost would be 22.83$/h. To this amount, you would add 10%. Therefore, your hourly salary would be 25.66$. 

- Competition-oriented: this method of pricing requires a lot of finger work, aka Googling. The objective is to find out what your competitors are charging and make an average based on those findings. The average price might be on the higher or lower end of the scale, depending on which neighbourhood you live in. Say you find five professionals in your area; you would add their prices and divide by five; therefore, your price would be the result of that average. 

For example, the hourly rate of your five competitors is #1 = 95$, #2 = 87$, #3 = 125$, #4 = 95$, and #5 = 80$. The sum of those prices is four-hundred-eighty-two. Now divide 482/5 and you obtain 96.40; consequently, your hourly rate would be 96$ per hour. 

Dog Trainer Ethical Pricing 
There is no cookie-cutter price for the service industry; as such, I propose you do the following calculation. Shop for prices and do the equation from the competition-oriented model. Then, look at each person’s credentials and see which one offers the best value for your money. You should look for a long list of education opportunities (2) for a reasonable hourly cost. I know it can be a lengthy process, but it is worth the effort in the long run. 

A professional dog trainer should cost you between 70$ and 250$ per hour, depending on their expertise. In my opinion, prices that exceed these costs are abusive and unprofessional. Remember, a psychologist with a Ph.D. earns between 80$ and 130$ per hour. Granted, our four-legged customers bite, but exploiting clients is unethical and unprofessional. 

Cheers,
G.

References: 
- Association des Psychologues du Quebec. Distinction Association/Ordre. Retrieved from https://www.apqc.ca/ May 2019 
- Nagle, T.T., Hogan, J.E., and Zale, J. (2016). The Strategy and Tactics of Pricing: New International Edition (5th Edition). Oxford, United Kingdom:    Routledge. 
- Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec. Combien ça coute? Retrieved from https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/web/ordre-des-psychologues-du-quebec/combien-ca-coute- May 2019 
- Smith, T.J. (2012). Pricing Strategy: Setting Price Levels, Managing Price Discounts and Establishing Price Structure. OH, USA: South-Western Cengage Learning. 

1 Newly graduated psychology students require a Ph.D. to practice. 
2 Make sure to verify the professional’s credentials.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Much time has passed since our last entry, and I think it’s fair I give you an update. Last summer, during the dangerous dog crisis, I graduated from Concordia University’s Family Education program. Following graduation, I returned to school. Regardless of the summer madness, we’ve been very active in the dog community. Here’s a summary of what happened and what’s to come. 

Summer 2016 
We walked, protested, and worked with a great group of people to try and change the new (I really want to say stupid, but I’ll remain professional) by-law. We took time out of our busy schedules to communicate and explain to politicians what this by-law proposal really meant. We are confident the November 2017 election will bring on a change of power and leave room for a grounded, educated, and politically savvy party. 

In August, the Dogue Shop hosted the Do As I Do workshop with Claudia Fugazza, the woman behind the social learning revolution. It was an honour to meet, talk and hang around Montreal for a week with her. The entire experience was remarkable and filled my brain, our brains, with new projects. 

Fall 2016 
As mentioned above, I got my letter of graduation and my acceptance letter into the psychology department one day apart, so back on Concordia University’s benches, I go. For the next couple of years, I’ll be studying to become a cognitive-neuroscientist. The focus of my studies will be on merging two topics: attachment and social-cognitive learning in Canidae. 

Fall yielded a wonderful brew within the Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship level two (ABA-2). That being said, it’s with a sad heart I made the decision to no longer offer the ABA during the summer. We are working on different programs and it was very difficult to schedule all the upcoming events. No worries, we still offer fall and spring sessions, but for those who like to plan, you’ll want to check for dates as spring 2017 is full and the fall session only has two spots left. 

Dogue Shop training centre hosted the November Networking Wine & Cheese and we were happy to talk with Guillaume Lavoie from Projet Montréal. He stayed extra-long to discuss future plans for the dog by-law. What an educated and articulate gentleman. It was an honour and we all felt heard. 

Winter 2017 
After a challenging 2016, we look to the future with new amazing workshops and learning opportunities. Dog research is a highly productive field, and we try to stay scientifically current; therefore, I have put together a series of workshops on dog social learning: attachment theory, imitation, and cognitive stimulation. On January 26th, we hosted the attachment workshop with great success. 

The Dogue Shop team is expanding its human team. Ann-Marie Bourassa and Amélie Martel have graciously accepted my offer to join the ranks of trainer and behaviour consultants. Follow the link to read their respective bios (still under construction). In a nutshell, Ann-Marie is my new assistant in charge of group classes and other office duties. Amélie will present a series of French workshops on topics such as possession aggression and common behaviour problems. To learn more about our events, click on the Dogue’s Event page. 

Spring 2017
On the Dogue Shop website, you’ll find a new page titled Dogue’s Staff. If you hover over the tab, you’ll see the three active members, but you’ll also see a list of graduate students. The idea behind the page is for clients or professional to use the page in order to find a service or resource. The page is under construction at the moment and looks a bit strange. Please come back soon to visit. 

As you can see we’ve been pretty busy. I hope this little update can make-up for the lack of educational material I haven’t posted. I wish you tender days filled with dog joy. Ohh, and enjoy the Super Bowl.

Cheers 
G.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT

The variety of people who read this blog is astonishing. Some followers are dog trainers, behaviour consultants, groomers, dog walkers, doggy daycare workers, rescues, veterinarians, veterinary assistants, and pet owners. With this knowledge, you can see how difficult it is to write articles which are relevant to everybody. Instead of writing about another taboo topic, I decided to share my thoughts about the job. 
  
Dog Trainer Definition 
My job covers various areas of expertise such as consulting clients, teaching animal behaviour, training domestic and exotic animals, and networking. If I could describe my job in one word, it would be educator. The fields of practice mentioned have one theme in common, education. I educate pet owners on how to train their animals, I teach students about behaviour and training, I teach animals to execute certain behaviours, and talk about the animal profession in the media. 
  
Training animals is certainly exciting, but it’s not all fun and games. We are faced with communication barriers, frustration from clients, aggression or fear from animals, lots of human emotions, and euthanasia. Sometimes we act as trainers, coaches, and consultants, and at other times we become counsellors or confidants to our clients. One thing’s for sure; we need to be flexible and resourceful. 
  
Dog Trainer, It’s Just a Job 
I don’t like telling people what I do for a living because it makes me feel uncomfortable. First, I dislike being the centre of attention during parties; secondly, I hate working during a non-animal related event. Don’t get me wrong, I’m passionate about the work I do, but it’s still just a job. 
  
When people realise what I do for a living, it quickly turns into a consultation. People will talk to me not because I’m a cultivated or funny; but because they have a dog that… I’ll let you fill in the blank. When these situations arise, I find myself in a precarious situation because I don’t want to work, yet I don’t want to be antisocial either. 
  
I try to make this funny and tell people (in my best radio/message recording voice) I’m sorry, but I’m not in right now, please leave me a message at the sound of the beep, and I’ll contact you as soon as possible, thank you. I beep and laugh. I’m sure all service market professionals experience the free service situation. 
  
Google Dislike 
I love people, but just like anyone else, I want to enjoy myself and have fun. As I said, I’m passionate about animals, behaviour, and training, but there’s a place and time for everything. If I’m in a networking event, am with students or other animal professionals, then yes, hit me up for a conversation and ask me your questions. If not, you’ll be faced with tongue flick, turn eye, turn head, curve, and walk away. 
  
The worst of these situations is when people Google my name during an event and see I work with wolves. At this point, the proverbial shit hits the fan. Everybody wants to meet the wolves because it’s a dream they have. I understand the curiosity and the enthusiasm of possibly scratching something off your bucket list, but life doesn’t work that way. 
  
Service vs. Product Industry 
Keep in mind the service industry is a kind of invisible product. Even though our services might seem abstract, we do supply people with knowledge, and the exchange of information for money is the source of our income. In other words, I use my education to gain money, and although in Quebec it seems earning a living is frowned upon, I don’t feel guilty in providing top quality services. Other professionals shouldn’t either. 
  
Should you Google my name in a non-animal related event and approach me to talk about your dog, please take note, I might decline your request. However, I’ll be happy to talk about art, culture, spirituality, or cooking.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT

It's snowy and rainy today. The overcast weather is predicted for the entire day, ugh! This is the type of day I dread the most because I feel grumpy, tired, and unproductive. I look at my dogs and like to imagine they too feel the same way. They sleep curled into a ball, and I, on the couch, wish I could do the same.

I don't know about you, but sometimes I just want to stop and discover new worlds. Living your passion is like living in the same clothes year round, but at some point in time you just want to wear a dress. What does this have to do with dog training or dog behaviour? Everything! 
 
Passionate Dog Job 
Our moods influence training and our ability to judge efficiently. When the weather, family, friends, or our health affects our person, we have to acknowledge these changes and work with them. As mentioned before, it's overcast, rainy, grey, and somewhat depressing. If I tried to train my dogs, I would be setting us up to fail. When dogs feel dreary, it's best to leave them be.  

If clients are scheduled for the day and I feel like I'm feeling at this very moment, I have two options: reschedule or proceed with caution. The former is self explanatory, the latter not so much. Let me explain. When I see clients on days like today, I know I won't be at my best, then again, the client won't notice and we'll still reach our session's objectives. However, with time my professionalism might suffer, and without notice I might start to work at a diminished level of competency and productivity.   

Dreary Dog Trap 
The dreary dog trap is the phenomenon by which professionals inadvertently and subconsciously accept mediocre performances from themselves. Clients then train their dogs and obtain, well, mediocre results. Catching one's self working at an impoverished level of satisfaction isn't easy. What are some ways to counter the dreary dog trap? Here are a few pointers. 

- Reschedule you session if you feel physically sick, are emotional, suffer from brain fog or confusion, are stressed, or simply are not at you best. 

- Film your sessions or client sessions (do get their permission first). 

- Thirty minutes before a session, do a few yoga or other physical exercises to stimulate your vitality and mental awareness. 

- Have a fellow professional watch your session and give constructive feedback.
 
- Summarise your session carefully writing down weather conditions, room conditions, your state of being and other influential factors.  

Doggone Good  
All of the above should be practiced at variable times throughout the year because these methods will further develop your professional skills. I film myself regularly and can honestly say I am not productive on rainy or snowy days. If I can, I will reschedule the session and curl up next to my dogs on the couch.

I want to start off by wishing you a happy new year. May you cross off something on your bucket list and may it include your pet. In this first article of 2016, and I want to discuss professional aspirations, or should I say how to sort through the unlimited possibilities of choosing an animal career.

The Beginning 
I went through what I'm about to discuss with you, so don't worry, I know how you feel. You might feel confused and insecure about your new career choice. This is normal. I've been teaching for many years, and I can tell you students still come to me with the same questions I once had. They seek guidance, therefore, the problem of direction hasn't changed much since I began as a professional. Beginners normally feel lost and frustrated. No worries, I'm here to guide you. 

You recently discovered you could make a living as a groomer, trainer, behaviour consultant, walker, sitter, rescue, and have realised there's much to do in the animal world. Your head spins and you don't know in which direction to go. You register for classes, read books, attend conferences, and watch countless videos on YouTube. But, in the end you still struggle to find your true calling. 

The Middle 
I want to share with you how I found my path. First, I have to say there's an easy way and a hard way. I unfortunately started with the complicated, costly, and very long way and let me tell you, it's not the way you want to go. 

The following is an easy approach to figuring out who you are and where you want to go. The results won't be instantaneous, but I assure you the process is a tried and tested approach that works. Here's what you'll need: paper, pen, an electronic device that allows you to go online, Google, and trusted family or friends. 

1. Make a list of everything that you want/wish to do in the animal world. You'll need to keep this record somewhere because we'll get back to it later. 

2. Google all the possibilities and write their definition. 

3. Write a one sentence definition of what you have learned from your mother. Even if you've had it rough, you still have learned something positive. 

4. Write a one sentence definition of what you have learned from your father. Even if you've had it rough, you still have learned something positive. 

5. Write one word which summarizes your mother's sentence. 

6. Write one word which summarizes your father's sentence. 

The following are examples of what steps three to six might look like. Yours will be different and that's normal. Take your time and feel it through. Don't over think the process. Spontaneity should guide you. You know that soft little voice in your head, the one that comes from your true self, the voice which guides you, that's the one you want to listen to. 

From my mother I've learned to make anything out of everything, thoughts included. 
One word: CREATIVITY 

From my father I've learned to stop talking and listen to mother nature's voice. 
One word: COMMUNICATION 

8. Add your own personal sentence and word.

I've learned animals tell us what's wrong with ourselves.
In one word: EDUCATE

9. Put all three words together and your path will become visible. 

10. Now, cross out what DOESN'T resonate with your words, or what you don't want to do. This is the most important step as you'll need to make choices that will define your future. 

11. Sit with family and/or friends and go through the remaining possibilities on your list. 

Read the definition and discuss with family members or friends what you would do if you had an unlimited budget. The people around you will help you keep it real, which is essential for the final step. This is your emotional self telling your cognitive self what you want to do, or aspire to achieve. 

12. Devote your time to the choices you've made. I seriously recommend you write a mission statement for yourself, it will guide you throughout the process. 

The End 
I had a long list on my paper, and I was going nowhere fast. Actually, the first decade of my career is a compilation of irrelevant experiences and exhaustion. I'm fortunate to have a friend tell me Just stop doing what you don't like anymore! Sounded simple, it wasn't. I eventually did start to stop. No more regional director for dog associations, no more rescue work, no more writing, and no more training obedience. Once I stopped doing things, I felt so much better. 

You might, as I did, love certain things on the list but you can't do it all. You have to make choices. I decided more competent people were able to run professional organisations or animal rescues. I would do my part to help them, but it had to be in line with my mission statement. If I couldn't find an educational component, I didn't interfere. When you decide what you don't want to do, you'll move forward much faster.

Remember, sometimes walking the wrong path is the right path.

Cheers.

• 6:00 - Mingle
• 6:30 - Meet & Greet
• 6:40 - Official round table
• 6:50 - Personal presentations
• 7:30 - Network / Card exchange
• 9:00 - Raffle prizes
• 9:30 - Closure

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT

Professional recognition is one of my life goals. I believe Dog training and behaviour consultation are at a turning point in history. Too many improvised professionals or outdated practitioners are inadvertently causing harm to animals and people. Consequently, we must pull together and make a stand. Bellow, you'll find information by which we can unite and create a new reality for domestic and exotic animal professionals.  
 
Dog Training Description
Although the Canadian government mentions a high school diploma is normally required to exercise the dog training profession, the  National Occupational Classification doesn't stipulate why it's required. This is where dog training and behaviour consulting fall into the unregulated cracks. High schools and other post-secondary institutions don't offer such programs. You'll find on the Canadian government website, under the NOC, the following description: 
 
6 Sales and service occupations

• Major Group 65 Service representatives and other customer and personal services occupations
  • 656 Other occupations in personal service
    • 6563 Pet groomers and animal care workers

Unit Group
Animal care workers feed, handle, train and groom animals and assist veterinarians, animal health technologists and technicians and animal breeders. Pet groomers clip coats, bathe and otherwise groom pets. Workers in this group are employed by animal hospitals and clinics, animal shelters, breeding and boarding kennels, zoos, laboratories, retail pet shops, dog training schools, pet grooming establishments, or maybe self-employed.
 
Example Titles
Animal care worker (except farm)
Dog groomer
Dog trainer
Kennel attendant
Laboratory animal attendant
Pet groomer
Pound attendant
Veterinary attendant
Zoo attendant
 
Main Duties
Workers in this group perform some or all of the following duties:

• Prepare food and feed animals, fish or birds at scheduled intervals
• Clean and disinfect cages, pens and surrounding areas
• Shampoo, clip and groom animals
• Assist veterinarians and animal health technologists and technicians to inoculate and treat animals
• Assist animal breeders to handle and nurture animals
• Assist scientists and researchers in conducting laboratory tests with animals
• Monitor and document animal behaviour
• Train dogs to obey commands and perform specific duties in response to signals.

Employment Requirements
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Depending on the type of work performed, training courses in animal handling, grooming or dog training are usually required. Animal health or veterinary assistant college courses may be required for animal care workers.
 
High Schools
Dog training is clumped in with the following groups: 6561 Image, social and other personal consultants: colour consultant, fashion, etiquette consultant, fashion and wardrobe consultant, image consultant, make-up consultant, public speaking consultant, wardrobe consultant, wedding consultant, weight loss consultant, 6562 Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations: beauty treatment operator, cosmetician, electrologist, electrolysis technician, esthetician, hair replacement technician, manicurist, pedicurist, scalp treatment specialist, tattoo artist, and 6564 Other personal service occupations: astrologer, chat line agent, dating service consultant, fortune teller, psychic consultant, psychic reader.

While groups 6561 and 6562 require high school diplomas and college degrees, group 6564 requires no educational background. Our trade isn't taken seriously because of the lack of educational standards. I would like to change this reality because our clients have animals that can and do cause harm. Let's face it, our profession is a dangerous one. As such, I believe it's our responsibility to make sure the general public remains safe from potentially dangerous interventions.
 
Dog Trainer and Behaviour Consultant Future
I have a dream. I wish trainers and behaviour consultants would come together to design a certification program. School boards could implement the program and call it a professional high school diploma in dog training and behaviour consultation. From there, professionals could pursue their Red Seal Endorsement which would ensure a national standard for our professions.

I certainly hope I'll see our respective fields become standardized. I'm still young and have great aspirations we'll change the future. We simply need to come together, sit, and design a workable field of study. What do you say? If you're from another country, what are your government, if any, standards when it comes to dog training or behaviour consultation? Leave a comment or link below.

References
- Government of Canada. National Occupational Classification 2011. Retrieved from http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/QuickSearch.aspx?val65=* 09-2015
- Red Seal Program. Retrieved from http://www.red-seal.ca/c.4nt.2nt@-eng.jsp?cid=22 09-2015

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT

Thousands of articles and books are written each year on how to achieve success. Corporations set examples for young entrepreneurs, but when it comes to animal-related business, do success tips apply or should they be taken with a grain of salt?

Recently, I gave an interview to a university student on my definition of success. The lovely young woman was curious and open-minded. We sat and drank coffee in the Dogue Shop's lounge and discussed the many tips normally taught in university business classes. More specifically, the topic covered my definition of success and the steps I thought were appropriate.

My Definition
I define success not by an amount of money, but rather by the actions I've completed in order to transform my passion into a working and self-sustaining model. To me, success is the ability to not only do what I love but be who I am. I think everybody can work their passion, but if you're not yourself in the process, you'll fail. Why? Because emotions and insecurities influence decisions. I see many dog trainers and behaviour consultants burnout and return to the non-passionate workforce, not because they didn't love what they did, but because they lacked the inner leadership required to transgress their own emotional limits.

Certainly, leadership can be learned, but to lead yourself towards the desired goal and remove hurdles along the way requires a certain ability, characteristic, a motivational force if you will, to take the steps necessary an assure victory. Being in business is a stressful adventure not intended for the weak of heart. If you are a natural leader and have decided to follow your dream and turn your passion into a full-time business, as Axl Rose would say Welcome to the jungle.


Services, The New Product
The top ten business tips for beginners are listed below. I've added my thoughts to illustrate differences between service and product industries. If you're thinking of starting a business, I highly recommend you write up a business plan with a senior service industry professional, if only to clear your thoughts about tip number one and seven.

1. Do some soul-searching. If you don't know what you're passionate about, you can find a multitude of personality tests that can help you discover your inner calling. Most people who'll read this article already have an idea. Actually, more often than not, people have too many ideas.

2. Pick the right type of business. If you know number one, there's no need to spend time on this. The only thing I would recommend is to wean out products. Service professionals who sell products are not taken seriously. Think about it, would you buy supplements, clothing accessories, or food at your psychologist or chiropractor's office? Pet stores are product businesses and your service clients are not looking to buy pet food or leashes.

3. Figure out how much money you'll need. True, but this should really come last, once you've made your business plan. Don't try to jump hurdles before you get to them. Finances and projections will come soon enough.

4. Hire the right people. Kevin Costner said it best in Fields of Dreams If you build it, they will come. Most animal professionals are independent workers, but if you plan on expanding, find people who share your vision and mission statement. If you stay true to yourself, the right people will show up at the right time.

5. Create a winning culture. This is really about leadership. If you stay true to yourself you'll be surrounded by the right people because a winning culture is a consequence, not a goal. I've never set out to create a new culture, let alone a winning one. I believe people rally around a successful business because of the authentic nature by which it evolves.

6. Learn empathy. OK, let me simply point out that if you haven't learned how to be empathetic by now, you most likely have an antisocial personality disorder. Empathy is the first thing we learn as infants, so cross this one off your list of things to do. On the other hand, you might need to take a few classes on interpersonal communication, interviewing, and group dynamics.

7. Find the metrics that matter most. This refers to what services will you offer. If you haven't answered that question already, I suggest you start by what you DON'T want to do. As mentioned in tip number one, future professionals want to do everything, unfortunately, they often burn out and end up doing nothing.

8. Use incentives. As mentioned above, training and behaviour aren't products, they're services. The service industry normally doesn't use incentives. Have you ever contacted a plumber, electrician, psychologist, or chiropractor because he had a special two for one offer? I didn't think so! Your work should speak for itself. If you want your clients to return that's fine, but service professionals normally don't use promotions to attract clients.

9. Experiment in stages. Tip seven should make this stage obsolete. When you know what you want to offer, stages should only mean new services or better services. If you grow as a business and hire people, remember no one is exactly like you and clients might not want to deal with your colleagues. Which, if you think about it, is a good thing.

10. Keep your eye on the future. Although being aware of what goes on in the animal industry is required, innovations should not come from others, they should come from you. Always Think Outside the Box and be creative. Again, there's no one else exactly like you; therefore, you should allow yourself to experiment, evolve, grow, flourish, and transcend the present moment. The future will come soon enough.

My Thoughts
In the end, owning your business is extremely rewarding. I've met wonderful people, worked with amazing animals, made connections I never could have dreamt of, and have been blessed by unique experiences. I've never set limits for myself because I've never believed in boundaries. I like to go with the flow in a structured kind of way. Most importantly, I try to live in the eternal moment because I truly love the discoveries I make. In that way, I can relate to dogs, for the journey allows me to savour my passion and frolic in the wind.

References
- John Molson School of Business. Concordia University. Retrieved from http://www.concordia.ca/jmsb.html 07-2015.
- Minda Zetlin. 10 Steps for Success as an Entrepreneur. Retrieved from http://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/10-steps-to-success-as-an-entrepreneur.html 07-2015.
- Government of Canada. Service Industry. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry Profile. Retrieved from https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/si-is.nsf/eng/h_ai02289.html 07-2015.