Holy Sit Dog Training

01/29/2025

Do you have a dog that lives with trauma or other emotional and behavioral issues?

Want to take them on more adventures?

Before heading out, master these skills to make those outings smoother and more fun for both of you!

🐾 ATTENTION
Teach your dog to turn towards you (and away from distraction) on Cue. Use this to break their fixation on something before asking them for a more difficult action...

🐾 COME
The trained behavior most likely to save your dog's life is RECALL - the ability to quickly come back to you when called. This skill should be STRONG before even considering off-leash adventures.

🐾 STAY
The 2nd most important safety behavior! The ability to calmly remain in place until their human returns to release them. This skill is essential when dealing with emergency situations.

🐾 IT'S SAFE
A "conditioned safety cue", this skill is the ability to relax and self-regulate when told by their human that they are safe. A Cue that triggers not a motor skill but an emotional change. The most underused skill for dogs with trauma.

🐾 RELAX TIME
Being able to ask your dog to lay down and chill out in unfamiliar environments can make the difference between a nightmare outing and a calm serene adventure. This skill isn't just for patios and cafes!

With these skills in your dog’s toolkit, outings will be way more fun and, more importantly, SAFE!

Curious about how I go about teaching these skills? Comment “outings” and I’ll connect with some next steps you could take.

01/29/2025

01/28/2025

Do traumatized dogs just need firm boundaries, high energy activities, and lots of obedience?

Do traumatized dogs just need high energy activities, firm boundaries, and lots of obedience?All right dog friends, it’s myth-slaying time.I’ve seen too many toxic myths about dogs with trauma, ones that guardians must break away from in order to help their dog recover. Because with anything you...

01/24/2025

🐾 Have you ever felt like your dog is refusing to cooperate? Like they hear your request and quickly do the opposite?

😢 It feels intentional, doesn’t it? This situation can make you feel like it’s you vs. the dog.

It feels like your dog is stubborn, rebellious, and being an instigator.

It’s not what you wanted when you brought them home.

👨‍🏫 Let me explain what is happening.

Oftentimes, what we perceive as “stubborn” is actually confusion.

Confusion can look like taking off running when you ask them to come. This behavior can also be a demonstration of discomfort in how you interact with your dog when they have come to you in the past.

Dogs may act silly and play keep away when they’re uncomfortable with the request.

Dogs may burst out barking when they have no alternative skills to lean on when they feel frustrated or cornered.

Dogs may mark when they feel insecure about their environment.

The outward behaviors we see are symptoms of a dog's emotional state. Repeated enough times - they can become habits.

It’s important to work with a skilled trainer who can uncover the root causes of the behaviors that frustrate you so that solutions can deliver long-term improvements.

Comment or message me “train” to start the conversation about how I can help your unique situation.

01/06/2025

Karen Pryor passed away. :(

This is my copy of Don't Shoot the Dog. I read it so many times when I was in school. I think every animal trainer on the planet has read it.

You can see Nana's puppy fang marks in the corner.

Most of my teachers were graduates of her school.

Her impact on the world of dogs was heavy and positive. 🐕❤️ RIP

12/15/2024

🐾 Tucker building up some distance with his "Place" cue. This little guy has come a long way from the frantic monkey that first came to stay with us.

So proud of him!

12/10/2024

🐾 What does a relaxation training session even look like??

Bad news: it's rather boring!

Tucker is making great progress. When he first came to stay he couldn't sit still unless he was really tired. He's just so full of love for life that he couldn't control it!

Here he is practicing relaxation in the face of distraction and frustration. You can see he has trouble with a couple of steps but he is catching on so quickly and building up a lot of self control.

(Nana is assisting by being a distraction herself as well as demonstrating staying down - she loves helping with training)

12/02/2024

🐾 Meet Tucker
Cavapoo Cutie

This little heart stealer is joining us for a 2 week Board & Train. He can be a frantic young fella and we're going to help him learn to relax, focus on his humans, and develop some reliable basic manners behaviors.

Nana loves having a new friend over and is a big help in training!

11/28/2024

🐾😍 Show me a pic of your dog and tell me why you got then!

11/28/2024

Oakley and Suki are learning to relax together and control their behavior in the face of distraction and frustration.

This type of work makes everything else we do easier by building up their emotional resilience and self control.

11/21/2024

🐾 Meet Bernie
This working breed puppy will herd your heart directly into her paws

She is working on puppy basics and really enjoys Recall practice, relaxation training, and learning to use her body in more precise ways.

She is part of an active and fun family and gearing up for a life of adventure!

11/19/2024

11/16/2024

Are these questions you’d ask?

❓ Will you come in and tell me NOT to let my dog in bed?

❓ Will you tell me NOT to give my dog table scraps?

❓ Will you tell me that I need to run my dog a mile a day?

These are questions I’ve received as a dog trainer and I want to put your mind at ease…

My training will be intentionally integrated into your life so that you can have the relationship you WANT with your dog.

It isn’t you vs. the dog.

It’s not a boot camp. For you OR your dog.

Our time together will enhance your and your dog’s experience together.

I want you both on the same page. AND the same team.

Curious to know what this looks like?

Comment “me” and I’ll chat with you about what this would actually look like for your unique situation.

11/11/2024

🐾 Meet Sgt. Stubby
Terrier Mutt War Hero

Stubby was the most decorated war dog of the Great War and was the only dog to receive a promotion to sergeant for deeds in combat.

His feats included:
🐾 Participating in 17 battles and 4 offensives
🐾 Warned his fellow soldiers of incoming gas attacks and artillery
🐾 Comforted the wounded and dying
🐾 Single handedly identifying and apprehending a German spy in his ranks
🐾 Wore a custom gas mask into battle after surviving a mustard gas injury
🐾 Wore his iconic chamois coat made for him by the women of Chateau-Thierry after he was injured by a gr***de during its liberation
🐾 Earned 2 wound stripes and a Purple Heart in addition to the many medals that adorned his coat
🐾 Led many parades after coming home
🐾 Became the mascot for the Georgetown Hoyas where during halftime he would nudge a football around the field to the delight of fans

Sgt. Stubby died peacefully in his sleep in March 1926 in the home where he lived with the soldier who had originally taken him off to war.

11/11/2024

Does your dog seem to be on constant lookout duty? 👀

Is your dog hypervigilant? Does every noise or every movement get a reaction out of them?

Finding it hard to relax on the couch when you don’t know when he’ll bark or jump up next?

This is a more frequent occurrence than you might realize.

Fortunately, I have some tricks in my toolkit that can drastically reduce your dog’s hypervigilance to uncontrollable environmental changes - a cat running by, a kid learning how to skate, or jingling keys in the walkway.

If this is something that’s got you perplexed and on edge, let’s talk! Comment “jingles” below and I’ll connect with you about the next steps.

11/09/2024

🐾 Meet Oakley and Suki
Chocolate Lab sweethearts!

These girls are learning to relax, control themselves in the face of distraction and frustration, and build up important safety behaviors like Recall and door manners.

Learning to relax together and co-regulate is an important skill for any multi-dog household.

11/06/2024

Looking for new, fun places to take your dog?

Here are five dog-friendly outing ideas where you can bond with your pup while exploring together:

1. Pet-Friendly Bookstores
Some independent bookstores or national chains allow well-behaved dogs to browse with you. It’s a great way to socialize your dog in a quiet, calm environment while you pick out your next read.

2. Home Improvement Stores
Large home improvement stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot often welcome leashed dogs. It’s a fantastic environment to practice leash manners and expose your dog to new sights, smells, and sounds.

3. Pet-Friendly Cafés or Coffee Shops
Many cafés, especially those with outdoor seating, allow dogs to join you while you enjoy a coffee or snack. It’s a nice way to relax together and people-watch, all while working on your dog’s socialization in a low-key environment.

4. Outdoor Shopping Centers
Dog-friendly shopping centers are perfect for a leisurely stroll. Many stores even offer treats for your dog as you browse. This outing helps your dog adjust to busier environments while getting some exercise.

5. Dog-Friendly Breweries or Wineries
Breweries and wineries with outdoor spaces often welcome dogs. They’re usually laid-back environments where you can enjoy a drink while your dog soaks in the scenery and socializes.

Next time you’re looking for an outing with your dog, try one of these locations to enrich their day while you check off some errands or relax. It’s all about bonding and making fun memories together!