11/08/2025
Let me tell you a little story about Marley 🐶
Marley has been part of our training program for over two years now, and she continues to teach us so much about what it means to truly understand your dog.
As a guardian breed, Marley takes her job seriously — keeping an eye on her property, watching over her family, and staying alert to every sound or movement. But over time, we’ve learned that leaving her outside during the day when no one’s home actually keeps her in that “working” mindset all day long. She feels responsible for everything, and that constant state of alert can be exhausting for a dog like her.
When she’s crated inside, though, she’s calm, balanced, and grounded. Her body relaxes, her mind settles, and she can finally rest knowing the responsibility isn’t on her shoulders.
Often, people think they’re doing their dog a service by leaving them outside and giving them the freedom to “look after things” — but in reality, it’s the opposite. For guardian breeds especially, that freedom can actually create more stress and anxiety. They never get to turn off.
Recently, Marley’s little brother forgot to bring her inside before leaving for the day — and when we picked her up, the difference was clear. She was wound up, stressed, and on high alert all day with us. Her anxiety leaving the house, in my car and when exiting the vehicle was next level and is honestly not Marley’s norm.
It’s such a powerful reminder that a calm dog is a happy dog — and sometimes, the kindest thing we can do is take the “job” away for a while. Structure, boundaries, and rest create clarity and peace of mind. 💛
Sammi Asuchak
