We are always striving to work with the whole dog which is why we are so excited about this new addition!
Welcome Bridget Nicholls, MA !
Bridget is a wealth of knowledge in many fields beyond the skill we think of when it comes to training a dog. She’s a forever student in working with her own dog and gaining as many skills as possible as well as her own skills.
We are very excited to offer this exclusive course to Niagara!
Cooperative Care Skills
What is that?
Is your dog nervous at the vet, struggle a the groomers? Hates getting their nails cut, or eye drops?
Cooperative Care refers to a variety of behaviors and skills that help dogs accept and tolerate physical care of all types. We often see the need for cooperative care in grooming and veterinary procedures.
Many families don’t consider proactively teaching these skills, they simply use pressure and force to get things done. Some dogs are fine with that. Others, however, are much more sensitive. In either case, training and practicing these life skills can make grooming and vet visits much less stressful for everyone involved.
These are fantastic skills to teach a young puppy, but are useful to a dog of any age.
Current Schedule for these classes
The essentials to cover in the 8 week life skills class are:
1) Settle
2) Lie on side
3) Restraint
4) Wear a muzzle
5) Foot handling
6) Mouth and teeth handling
7) Chin rest
8) Tolerating an injection or blood draw
9) Eye exam
10) Ear exam
A Little more from Bridget and why she fits well into the Unleashed Team!
“Before starting my journey working with dogs, I volunteered with Victim Services delivering crisis intervention to victims of crime and tragic circumstances. As a result of working with victims in a variety of situations, I became aware of the lack of consideration for the relationship between animals and humans.So, in a pursuit of knowledge, I returned to school in 2011 to begin my journey to get a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Windsor. My research focuses on harms (criminal and otherwise) against people and animals and the law.
In 2013, while in school, I rescued Lisa, a Chinese Crested/American Hairless Terrier. She transitioned well and convinced me that dogs were easy! It wasn’t until 2015, when we added Bubba, a Chinese Crested rescued from a puppy mill who needed help through his crushing anxieties and fears and so I began learning about dog behaviour. Through Bubba and Lisa, I found my calling, and
devoted myself to animal welfare. I began volunteering at shelters, as a therapy dog handler, and studying behavior and clicker training. After Bubba and Lisa passed away in 2020, I adopted Stevie, a Chinese Crested who with the help of Candice and Judith has transformed from fearful to fear free. In 2021, I expanded my skillset further by volunteering with the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides doing puppy raising, puppy sitting, and working with the trainers in the kennels.
I am excited to join Unleashed, the very place where Stevie and I blossomed under the support of Candice.”
