The official Speaking of Dogs Monthly Newsletter

   Ask the Trainer

   Is “Obedience” Necessary?

We all have different opinions about how we live and work with our dogs. The training industry does as well, it’s a wild west of methodology and myth. Add in the reality that there is no legislative or regulatory control and finding a trainer that fits you, your dog and your needs can be a very daunting task.

Training in my professional world can be working through aggression or reactivity and fear, teaching a teenage dog to control their Big Feelings while we all work towards a better adult dog or just hanging out with puppies helping them navigate the big new world.

I often have potential clients say that my dog “must be so well trained” which of course implies “perfectly behaved”. I always laugh a bit at that one and joke that while my dog is perfect FOR me she is far from perfectly behaved. Why do we need perfectly behaved? In what circumstances must ANYONE be perfect?

Pet dog training doesn’t need to be about OBEDIENCE and COMPLIANCE, nor should it be.  The world is stressful enough for us and for our dogs without adding compulsive training or extreme expectations to the gig.

What we NEED in our dogs in society is for them to be fulfilled, loved and trained enough that they can be safe to live in our world. It doesn’t matter if they know how to heel, or that they bark occasionally or even get into a bit of trouble.

With my dog what do I focus on? A good “drop” and “leave it”. A decent loose leash walk, often aided by a long leash for sniffery stops.  Able to be crated and hang out in the car without excess stress. Come when called. That’s basically all I need in MY life to enjoy my dog.

The rest is gravy.

Does this mean my dog doesn’t know anything beyond these things? No. She has a pretty good repertoire of basic behaviours and loves to work, but I rarely care if she sits or not. What she has been taught by me through living and gentle guidance is to be calm in the elevator. To wait to go through the door of said elevator and to wait before launching in or out of the car. All through proper management and a few cookies here and there.

You may want more or less or the same. A lot will depend on your home, family and lifestyle. This is where a good trainer comes in, one who can look at your dog and your family and help you work through what you need and what your dog needs to be behaviourally healthy and a good companion.

All dogs learn things all the time. Use GUIDANCE not compulsion and help your dog learn to make good choices, instead of expecting obedience and perfection. Choose a trainer who feels the same way. You will enjoy your dog so much more when you build a partnership instead of a hierarchy.

Written by

Maggi Burtt, CPDT-KA

Owner of Tailspin Petworx

www.tailspinpetworx.com

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

You just never know who might see one of our dogs and open their heart and home.

   Dogs Looking for Homes

Open your heart and your home to a rescue dog. You’ll be glad you did.

For complete information about the adoption process, please visit

www.speakingofdogs.com/adoption-process

 Meet Frosty – A Tender-Hearted Treasure Ready to Bloom

Meet Frosty, a 10-year-old Bichon Frise mix whose journey hasn’t always been easy. This little lady has shown incredible courage and resilience — and now she’s ready to find a forever home filled with patience, love, and gentle understanding.

When Frosty first arrived in foster care, she was unsure and hesitant around people. Trust didn’t come easily — especially when touched around her face, neck, or tail. But with time, patience, and consistent kindness, she has blossomed into a devoted, affectionate companion who adores cuddling on the sofa or snuggling in bed with her foster care giver. Today, Frosty thrives on positive attention and welcomes affection when approached with care and respect.

This girl is clever and knows how to sit, stay, and    will come running when you call her. She’s housetrained and also uses puppy pads when needed, making her an easy companion around the home. One of her favourite pastimes is exploring the garden — she delights in sniffing around and simply enjoying your company. Mention the word “treat” and you’ll see her light up with excitement!

Due to missing teeth, Frosty enjoys soft wet food twice a day and loves the occasional healthy treat like liver bites, watermelon, strawberries, and even broccoli! She’s a quirky little foodie with a big personality.  Walks are one of her greatest joys — she prances with excitement when she sees the lead and sits patiently while you clip it to her harness. While she may pull a bit at first, she quickly settles in, more interested in sniffing the world than paying any mind to passing traffic, dogs, or people. Car rides are another favourite — she’ll happily curl up and doze off once you’re on the road.

Frosty is fully vet-checked and up to date on all her vaccinations. Grooming can be a bit stressful for her, so she takes a mild calming medication beforehand — otherwise, she’s in great health and simply needs regular flea and tick prevention.

Frosty prefers the gentle presence of women and will do best in a quiet, adult-only home with an experienced, patient adopter who can give her time to build trust. Once she feels safe, she will shower you with loyalty, affection, and a level of love that only a dog like Frosty — one who has learnt to trust again — can offer.

If you believe in second chances and have room in your heart for a truly special soul, Frosty is waiting to meet you. Please fill out an application for our consideration.

Click here to visit our adoption application.

The Tsunami of Unwanted Dogs is a Dilemma

No one can argue that there are too many dogs on the planet right now.  In Canada, we are experiencing a homeless dog dilemma. We’re better off than some countries, in terms of numbers, but in a crisis, nonetheless. Where are all these dogs coming from?  And how did this overwhelming tsunami of unwanted dogs come to be?  It’s complex with various issues at play. While spaying and neutering has always been the first line of recommended action and one of the heavyweight solutions in our toolbox, it’s not a solo fix.

Since the COVID pandemic, unwanted dogs seem to be appearing from all directions, but the issue goes deeper than just the pandemic.

During COVID, isolation, loneliness, frustrated children, the need for companionship, and even an excuse to get outside, were among the reasons people acquired dogs. Demand surged—and supply quickly followed. Puppy mills and backyard breeders ramped up “production”, and even everyday dog owners began breeding their dogs to cash in.

The pandemic ends. Life returns to normal. Parents head back to work, kids to school, and the routines of pre-COVID times resume – but for the dogs who had been acquired during that time, everything changes.

Suddenly, no one is home. Time is tight. Money is tighter. ‘Covid Dogs’ start to feel more like a burden rather than a cherished companion. Unwanted dogs landed in shelters, in rescues and on Kijiji in record numbers. Some believed the wave of surrendered dogs had subsided—but boots on the ground tell a different tale. Shelters remain constantly overflowing and rescues are always at capacity. Unethical breeders continue producing puppies. Unplanned litters keep arriving—often due to financial struggles, limited access to veterinary care, or the lack of affordable spay/neuter services. International organizations continue transporting dogs into Canada, further flooding an already overwhelmed system.

Post-COVID, the cost of living skyrocketed almost overnight—both for people and their pets. Food, clothing, medication, rent, veterinary services are all more expensive.

Our rescue works daily with dog owners seeking our rehoming services. After 25 years of operating a dog rescue, our team has heard nearly every rehoming scenario imaginable.

Shaming, judging, or alienating someone who reaches out for help with their pet can lead to detrimental outcomes. Some may abandon their dog or choose to keep it, which could lead to a dog crated for long hours, abused, chained outside, or left without necessary medical or behavioural care—simply to avoid dealing with an unfriendly system.  Life happens. Circumstances change.

Here’s the thing: it’s not about the owner. It’s about the dog.

Considerations before you get a dog:

• Think carefully before acquiring a dog—do your research.
•  Can you afford medical care? Call your local vet if you’re unsure.
• Do you have the time, energy, and stability to give a dog a fulfilled life?
• Choose a dog who fits your lifestyle and family dynamic.
• Don’t make impulsive decisions.
• Always meet the dog in person before committing.
• Avoid online shopping – you are most likely dealing with an unethical commercial mill or backyard breeder – adopt don’t shop!
• Look into purchasing pet insurance or open a ‘doggy’ savings account

The dog overpopulation crisis is real but, by staying informed, choosing responsibly, and leading with compassion, we can all be part of the solution—for the sake of the dogs.

By Lorraine Houston

Did Our Newsletter Fetch Its Way to You?

We’re sniffing out a little mystery…
Has our newsletter been a good boy and landed in your inbox, or has it wandered off into the spam yard?

Help us track it down! Just paws for a second and send an email to contest@speakingofdogs.com letting us know if you found the newsletter in your inbox or spam/junk folder.

When you do, you’ll be entered to win a $25 e-gift card of your choice—treat yourself!

Deadline to enter is October 11^th 2025 at 11:59pm EDST.

Thanks for your help, you’re pawsome!

(Draw will be held October 13^th)

   Happy Tails

   a.k.a. Recent Adoptions

Brownie

Calvin

Daisy

Eva

Kimbo

Lincoln

Luna

Maggie

Mandy

Millie

Myrtle

Oreo

Roy

Rusty

Shawn

Tammy

Tilly

WAG FOR THE CAMERA!

Have a great photo of your furry best bud you’d like to share? We’d love to include it in the 2026 Speaking of Dogs Rescue calendar! It could be a photo of your pup having fun in the sun, chilling out a home, out on an adventure, enjoying the snow, or any other shot that warms your heart and makes you smile. Maybe an autumn photo, since we usually don’t receive enough of these.

Photos should not include people but can include a four-legged friend. There is no charge to submit, but please only send one photo per dog. Photos should be between 1 and 2 MB in size.

Please email your favourite snapshot to speakingofdogs@gmail.com before October 22^nd!

   Adoption Update

Dear Speaking of Dogs Rescue,

Star is the most wonderful little dog and a joy to have. I wake up every morning with her curled up against me and her tail thumping on the bed like crazy. (We have nicknamed her “Thumper” because her tail is always wagging and thumping against something.) She and Roxy enjoy a walk around the property every morning and Star has learned about rabbits. She greets visitors to the house like long lost friends and is a very social and affectionate little dog with everyone. She is very well housetrained and is excellent at telling us when she needs to go out. Star puts on a whole performance of jumping, turning circles and “talking” to remind me that it is almost dinnertime. She brings us a lot of laughs and joy with her behaviour.

We thank you again for letting us have this wonderful little dog and for all the joy she brings.

Sincerely,

Speaking of Dogs is in search of its next Newsletter Designer & Editor Volunteer

Are you — or someone you know — creative and crazy about dogs? Are you passionate about finding the best ways to communicate how to help our adoptable and foster dogs? Do you get excited about sharing Speaking of Dogs’ powerful stories and remarkable initiatives? Do you want to volunteer with Speaking of Dogs but can’t always contribute in person?

If so, this remote volunteer opportunity might be perfect for you!

In this role, the ideal candidate will be:

• Very comfortable using computers
• Creative and media-savvy, with the ability to create engaging graphics
• Flexible with their schedule, particularly during the last week of each month
• Able to dedicate 7–9 hours during the final 3 days of each month to prepare the upcoming newsletter
• Reliable and self-motivated
• Willing to learn how to use our WordPress-based website to design the newsletter
• Comfortable editing articles (a nice-to-have, but not required)

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. If this sounds like someone you know, we would love to hear from them too, please share the word!

Please reach out to us at speakingofdogs@gmail.com 

Want to help our dogs?

Consider making a donation from our Amazon wish list of priority dog supplies.