http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.yourcaninecompass.com en-us Tue, 02 Jun 2026 05:43:31 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/post/164679/stop-trying-to-distract-your-dog/ Picture yourself and your dog walking down the street. Your dog has recently started barking and lunging at other dogs when you try to walk past them, so you now frantically try to get a treat out and distract your dog with it when you see a dog. How is that working out for? It's all good when you see the other dog first right?But what happens when you don't see the other dog first because you're picking up poop? Or because it appeared around a corner? We're screwed now hey?!... Mon, 18 May 2026 15:51:54 +1200 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/#post164679 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/post/164454/wellington-dog-training/ On the weekend I took my springer spaniel out working on a pheasant shoot.He was in his element.Running through kale crops.Diving into bushes.Flushing birds.Retrieving.Completely lit up.Watching him out do what he loves, always makes me happy. But this wasn’t something I taught him, not exactly.I moulded and refined what was already in him. And that’s something I see all the time with my dog training clients in Wellington.Most of the time, your dog's natural instincts show up ... Mon, 11 May 2026 16:08:14 +1200 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/#post164454 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/post/163691/puppy-socialisation-in-wellington/ If you’ve just brought home a puppy, chances are you’ve heard some version of this advice:“Don’t take them anywhere until they’re fully vaccinated.”On the surface, it sounds responsible. Safe. Sensible.But in reality?Taken too literally, this advice can create a much bigger problem than the one it’s trying to prevent.Because while you’re waiting… your puppy’s most important learning window is quietly closing. The Critical Window You Don’t Want to MissPuppies go through... Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:54:18 +1200 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/#post163691 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/post/162070/what-to-do-when-you-have-no-treats-no-toys-and-a-dog-that-wont-listen/ You’re halfway through a walk with your dog.Your dog spots something.And then it hits you…I don't have anything!No treats.No toys.And that sinking feeling:“Oh no… this walk is about to fall apart.”Sound familiar?This Is Where Most People PanicBecause they’ve been taught that rewards = food or toys... Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:23:01 +1300 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/#post162070 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/post/159997/what-do-you-do-when-you-have-no-motivation-to-train-your-dog/ If you’ve ever felt like consistency is the hardest part of dog training, it's not just you!Most dog owners don’t struggle because they don’t care.They struggle because training feels like one more thing to squeeze into an already full day.Some day's you've got the get up and go and have the energy, stamina and all the stars align to do everything on your to-do list and train the dog. And another day, getting out of bed and brushing your teeth is an accomplishment!... Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:18:56 +1300 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/#post159997 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/post/158936/why-your-very-friendly-puppy-might-be-the-problem/ If you have a puppy who loves everyone and everything, this might surprise you:Your very friendly puppy could be the problem.I know, I know! But she/he's friendly, I can hear you saying!This article is said with love for owners of overly social puppies who:Drag them down the street to say hi to every dogAssume friendliness = good social skillsFeel embarrassed when your puppy ignores them around other dogs, because they're having so much fun!Think “it’s fine, they’re jus... Fri, 16 Jan 2026 22:06:25 +1300 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/#post158936 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/post/158826/why-more-exercise-isnt-always-the-answer-how-to-actually-tire-out-your-dog/ If your dog is bouncing off the walls, it’s easy to think the solution is more exercise. Another walk around the block. A longer walk. An extra game of fetch before dinner.But here’s the truth we teach every day at Your Canine Compass:Most dogs don’t need more walks, they need better quality walks.A fulfilling walk isn’t measured in kilometres. It’s measured in connection, engagement, fulfilment and mental enrichment.Let’s turn your everyday outing into the highlight of your dog’s ... Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:17:36 +1300 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/#post158826 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/post/155514/surviving-the-bitey-puppy-stage/ 🐶 Surviving (and Thriving in) the Puppy PhaseBringing home a puppy is exciting, but let’s be honest, it also feels like a full-time job. I can relate to just how tiring it is right now as we have Mav the 4 month old puppy foster with us at the moment! I may have taken a cheeky nap here and there when he's been napping too!Between the nipping, constantly keeping my eyes on him for toilet training, sleepless nights, and the crazy energy bursts, it’s easy to wonder if you’re doing it right... Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:16:02 +1300 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/#post155514 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/post/151723/am-i-failing-my-dog/ If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “I’m failing my dog”, you’re not alone. So many loving dog owners come to me feeling like they aren’t good enough, that their dog “doesn’t listen,” or that they’re doing everything wrong. And I'll be honest, sometimes I have those feelings myself about my own dogs too. Let me tell you the truth: you are not failing your dog.Why So Many Dog Owners Feel This WayLife with a dog often looks very different from the picture we h... Sat, 06 Sep 2025 14:46:05 +1200 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/#post151723 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/post/150357/why-your-dog-listens-at-home-but-struggles-outside-and-why-its-not-your-fault/ If you’ve ever wondered why your dog can respond perfectly in your kitchen but seems to “forget everything” the second you step outside…You’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything wrong either. Most dog owners are told to start their training at home where there are no distractions.But very few are shown how to progress that training into the real world - where life is messy, unpredictable, and full of exciting things your dog naturally wants to explore.This isn’t a failur... Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:44:18 +1200 http://www.yourcaninecompass.com/blog/#post150357