All Smart Pets Training

07/30/2024

CGC test in Ada next Monday evening at 6pm

07/20/2024

I'm now a UKC SPOT evaluator! It's similar to the AKC's CGC, but the exercises are quite different. And the scoring is more comprehensive than the CGC. I like the program a lot.

07/05/2024

My latest CEU classes for my Fear Free certification just put me over the threshold for Elite status! That wasn't even on my radar. I'm super excited about it and am planning on developing some classes teaching you Fear Free techniques to help your pet be more comfortable at the vet and with care you may do at home, like nail trims. Let me know what you're interested in regarding Fear Free handling.

07/04/2024

Come join us! Whether you're interested in earning Trick Dog titles or having fun with your dog, this is the place to be!

07/04/2024

I'm so excited! I just can't hide it! Pippin was featured in the AKC's Family Dog Magazine in an article about dogs who have overcome serious challenges and earned various titles in the Family Dog Program. Those include the CGC titles, Trick Dog titles, Fit Dog titles, and the brand new Fetch Dog titles.

Take a look at my upcoming Fit Dog class - starting next Wednesday.
And I'll be adding a couple Trick classes starting in August - I'll post the date & time in the next day or two.

07/01/2024

Many of you know I love earning titles through Do More With Your Dog. In honor of the Olympic gymnastics tryouts this weekend, I completed Quinn's Balance Beam title - and then did an extra title using one kind of prop - a balance beam - to do a total of 20 (actually 24) tricks. Some are repeated in the 2nd video, but not all. My big learning curve was figuring out how to add voiceover. And editing the voiceover tracks.
Here's the first video: https://youtu.be/__7VJlroE0Y
The second one (20 Tricks 1 prop) is in the first comment.

Quinn's taking on the entire USA Gymnastics team for a spot on the Doglympics team. She's going for gold on the Balance Beam!

06/26/2024

https://youtu.be/hNrSC2jT6rQ
Keep those precious pups safe this Fourth of July!

Keep your dog safe this Fourth of July! Here are some tips to make sure you'll be reunited with your dog Just In Case they get away from you.

06/15/2024

Had a great time walking at Buffalo River! Join us for the next Fit Dog Club walk!

05/30/2024

I've posted this elsewhere and on my personal page, but it's definitely a training win, and belongs here too. Pippin, who's deaf and has very limited vision, is reactive, especially to new people, changing light conditions, unfamiliar places. He also pulls like crazy so walks aren't pleasant. But last night, we walked almost 3 miles without a single bark or even startle. AND he proved that he can walk on a loose leash - at least when he's exhausted. It's been almost 2 years and I fully admit walks are far less regular than they should be, but we're making a lot of progress and I'm so impressed with him. Training isn't exciting but these "little" successes aren't little at all. What are some little successes you've had with your dog? Share them in the comments!

03/03/2024

Dog training is not exciting. It doesn't make good TV. And yet, I'm sharing a boring video of Pippin checking in with me and walking on a loose leash. Knowing how far he's come, this IS exciting! Let me know something boring your dog has accomplished! https://youtu.be/txpMTnK-Iqs

01/01/2024

12/25/2023

Sending all your pups warm Christmas greetings and holiday cheer! May you all find what you want under the tree!

12/17/2023

Pippin (who's blind/deaf) finished this fun title the other day - 2K9 Ruff Run with Do More With Your Dog. What's remarkable and why I'm sharing is that he did the whole thing without a single reactive explosion! Only one slight startle without a bark at a parked car whose shadow fell across his path. And I didn't have to use treats to distract him at all. He recovered and kept moving. He's also now finished with the AKC Fit Dog Bronze title.

12/11/2023

I'm so excited, I couldn't wait to find a place to hang this! We're officially an AKC Fit Dog Club! I'll post some more Fit Dog Club walks and classes in the New Year.

12/08/2023

Pippin wants someone to play with him! How does your dog ask for playtime? Post your pics and videos below.

10/25/2023

Quinn got mail today! Her title certificates from the UKC rally trial in Sept -

10/20/2023

All Smart Pets Fit Dog Club November walk!

10/15/2023

3 days left! Class starts on Wednesday! There's still room in both classes.

10/08/2023

Spent the day in Fargo conducting CGCA and CGCU tests. Quinn was able to test as well, and earned both titles!
(That's Canine Good Citizen Advanced and Canine Good Citizen Urban.)
That's us with the other evaluator, standing next to the woodchipper from the movie Fargo.

10/07/2023

A new blog post...
I learned an important lesson about vanity recently, and wrote about it here:

I enjoy earning titles with my dogs – that should not be a surprise to anyone who knows me. One of the trick dog organizations I’ve been working with is Do More With Your Dog. Trick training can be extremely beneficial in a number of different ways, which I write about in other posts. I often suggest trick training as an enriching activity to clients.

But I’ve had a bit of a mental block about one aspect of DMWYD. They also offer “specialty titles” some of which are available for a limited time and require very little to earn the title. Now some of the entry level titles that I’ve earned are pretty easy, too. I justify that by saying this is just the foundation for more advanced titles. Seems like these specialty titles are a bit of a money grab, so I don’t pay much attention to them. I’ve got more important things to train.

The other week I came face to face with my prejudice. I’ve been working with a client for many months now. When we started, her dog could barely walk to the end of the block because of his severe anxiety and reactivity. It’s been slow, but they’ve been able to get around the block and occasionally even a second block. At our most recent lesson, she shared that not only did they earn a trick dog title, they also earned a title for walking a total of five kilometers – by walking OVER A MILE at a time! It’s the farthest her dog has ever been able to go, and they did it three days in a row. They worked hard and deserve that title. For them, this was the culmination of almost a year of work, and they’re not stopping.

I am more proud of them for earning a title I used to think was pointless than I am of my own dogs’ titles. They did something she never thought they’d be able to do. It’s not about the number of titles, or about what the title is. It’s about the mountains you climbed.

10/04/2023

My favorite... apple season! Quinn's showing how it's done... bobbing for apples. Let's see your dogs!

10/03/2023

My second announcement is to please be aware someone is contacting clients who have already contacted me, without my knowledge or permission. If you have filled out an intake form and are contacted by someone other than me - Stevie Mathre - or from an email other than [email protected], please let me know! I am trying to stop this as she is not my representative! She is stealing clients from me.

10/03/2023

I have two announcements for you, my friends! First of all: There's still room in both Fit Dog classes starting Oct 18! Let me know if you are interested. We had so much fun the first time the classes were offered, and the exercises are challenging, and very doable.

09/27/2023

Here are Pippin's two trick dog videos: https://youtu.be/NqYu8CbhzG4 This one is for Do More With Your Dog

Pippin's novice level trick video for Do More With Your Dog

09/27/2023

Pippin got mail! Actually, he earned the titles earlier this month, but the certificate came yesterday.
I write a bit about the titles he's earned, and more to come, here:

Positive, proven training to improve life with your pets!

09/26/2023

Hey, everyone! It's Deaf Dog Awareness week! I'm going to try to post something every day about Pippin, our training, and why deaf dogs are AMAZING! https://allsmartpetsmn.com/2023/09/26/why-i-choose-not-to-use-a-vibration-collar-for-my-deaf-dog/

09/22/2023

Looking for more Fit Dog challenges? Level 2 class starts Oct 18 at 7:30pm. Email or contact me here to register!

09/22/2023

We had so much fun learning about fitness during the Fit Dog 1 class, we're going to do it again! Oct 18 6pm
Email or contact me here to register.

09/11/2023

This weekend Quinn and I competed in Bemidji in rally obedience.  she finished her RO1 title on Friday, moved up to the level two class that afternoon, and finished her RO2 title Saturday afternoon. On Sunday we moved up to the RO3 class and qualified two more times! That’s six qualifying runs including three perfect 100s. And two titles completed! 

07/17/2023

I just started working with this adorable baby. He's going to be staying with me for a board & train, and we're already having fun!