I recently saw a video of a trainer teaching relaxation, the dog was tethered to the ground, muzzled, and in both a prong and shock collar. The dog was trembling, any experienced dog person would recognize the tenseness, the stressed eyes, the trembling – it was the farthest thing from relaxed. Was the dog down? Yes. But was it relaxed? No.
Category Archives: Blog
Giving Thanks for a Prepared Dog
Thanksgiving is coming – it is my favorite holiday! Mainly because of the stuffing, but also because we get to gather with family, friends, and relax and enjoy some great food. Thanksgiving for the dogs can be tricky for the same reasons though: lots of temptation and not a lot of supervision, and sometimes wellContinue reading “Giving Thanks for a Prepared Dog”
Preparing for Halloween and Dogs
I love Halloween! I currently live in the country and no longer get trick or treaters and I miss it, I love seeing the costumes and talking to the kids and prepping fun things to hand out (pencils, slime, candy, etc!). When I lived in Albany it used to be a steady stream of kidsContinue reading “Preparing for Halloween and Dogs”
“But e-collars aren’t shock collars!”
Petco announced they would no longer sell remote shock collars, a huge step forward for the dog training industry, and I join the many voices applauding that change and their #StopTheShock Movement. You can read more about it here. But as I read the posts what is jumping out is the amount of people inContinue reading ““But e-collars aren’t shock collars!””
Socialization and Social Distancing
With puppy classes on hold, and people practicing social distancing I have had a few clients reach out and ask what they can do to keep their puppy socialized, and to expose them to new things. I did my best to put together some things to do, this is not a definitive list, it isContinue reading “Socialization and Social Distancing”
Daisie!
Daisie came into our lives when her life turned upside down, and we were happy to have a spot for her. Daisie arrived a little stressed and unsure, which translated into an easily excitable dog, which meant there were lots and lots of walks that first day helping her burn some of that excitement off. Continue reading “Daisie!”
Quarry Quest
Wag It Games’ Quarry Quest is something I did not get the chance to try with my own dog so when I started to teach it I don’t think I realized how much fun it was, now I am a total convert and I think it may be one of my favorite scent classes! BestContinue reading “Quarry Quest”
Happy Birthday Jackson!
When you are taking Beginning Scent Work on your birthday, sometimes the finds are a little extra special! Happy Birthday Jackson, aka Bubs, aka The Cheese Thief! And thank you for bringing treats to share with your friends. And great work to all the dogs in class, I’ll be posting more videos soon –Continue reading “Happy Birthday Jackson!”
Sweet Potato Jerky
If you ask my dogs one of the best things about Thanksgiving is the post-Thanksgiving sales on sweet potatoes, because sweet potatoes mean sweet potato jerky! When you have a chubby senior pup with a thyroid issue treats can be a problem. Well, as far as the Elkhound is concerned the lack of treats isContinue reading “Sweet Potato Jerky”
Low Impact Agility – Week 1!
I am just so impressed, so impressed! Three dogs, all seniors, two of which have never even been to a class of any kind, and by the end of one session they were all doing small courses! These guys are the perfect example of older dogs still enjoying learning, and being active – look atContinue reading “Low Impact Agility – Week 1!”
Old Dogs New Tricks Dog Training 