Canine Communication

11/19/2024

Check this out, we are on the list for best pet friendly location! I'm so honored to even be included this year ❤️ If you have a moment go vote for your favorites!

11/12/2024

We had some graduates this week! Talk about a cute group of puppies! Most have moved on to intermediate and I cannot wait to see their continued progress!

11/01/2024

We hope everyone had a great time today on Halloween. Here's the fun pictures we took of the pups last week in celebration 🎃

10/31/2024

October Dog of the Month: Gus!

Don’t let his big size fool you; Gus is one of the gentlest boys around! His goofy, silly personality makes him an easy pick for Dog of the Month, and he’s loved by all his daycare buddies. From romping around to playing with any pup who’s up for some fun, Gus is always a joy to have around. We’re so glad he’s part of our daycare family and love how he lights up our Wednesdays!

10/30/2024

Winter is around the corner, and doggy daycare is a great way to help your dog burn some of that energy in those colder months! We have limited spots available on Mondays and Tuesdays for our daycare subscriptions. Don't wait—these spaces will fill up fast once the snow starts to fly!

Give your dog the gift of socialization, play, and expert care in a fun, safe environment. Contact us today to reserve your spot!

10/15/2024

I'm a bit late posting these. But congrats to my latest beginner class! You all came so far with your dogs!

10/07/2024

The trick class is on my website for signup! If you haven't gotten signed up for it but are interested now is the time! My next one won't be until 2025 (probably Feb/Mar time frame. It starts October 17th, Thursday at 630pm. Get signed up at

At Canine Communication, my focus is on developing the relationship between you and your dog. I use positive training methods, basic manners, and enrichment activities to enhance the human dog bond. I specialize in puppy socialization, shy, hyper, fearful, and undersocialized dogs as well as dogs wi...

10/01/2024

I have a last minute opening for my basic obedience class that starts tonight at 630pm! If you're interested you can get signal up on my website www.canine-communication.com or you can give us a,call to reserve the spot at 989-884-2907

At Canine Communication, my focus is on developing the relationship between you and your dog. I use positive training methods, basic manners, and enrichment activities to enhance the human dog bond. I specialize in puppy socialization, shy, hyper, fearful, and undersocialized dogs as well as dogs wi...

09/30/2024

Dog of the Month: Ellie

Ellie is one half of one of our favorite duos, Ellie and Poppy. This sweet girl is truly one of the kindest souls around. She's always ready for an ear scratch and gets along effortlessly with every dog she meets. Wednesdays are always a little brighter with Ellie in our pack, and we absolutely LOVE spending time with her! 🐾💖

09/12/2024

I have a slot open to offer a course starting next week, Thursdays at 630 pm. I am thinking of offering a trick class. This class is pure joy, teaching the dogs all kinds of fun tricks like playing dead, roll over, bow, and wave. If I have enough interest in this I'll add it to my website for booking. Comment below if you'd be interested. It would be the same as my classes normally once a week for an hour for 6 weeks.

09/12/2024

Here’s a helpful tip for those with puppies or energetic dogs—perfect for those days when life gets too busy or you’re just not feeling your best.

This past weekend, we were hit with a summer cold, leaving our energy levels low. However, Alfred, our pup, was still full of energy. Since we couldn’t keep up with him, I turned to one of his puzzle toys. I mixed his lunch (a cup of dog food) with some Greek yogurt and stuffed it into the toy. It took him over an hour to work through it, and after all that mental stimulation, he took a long nap, which gave us much-needed rest in a house full of sick people.

Mental stimulation is an excellent way to temporarily replace physical exercise. Activities like puzzle toys can help burn off some of that puppy energy while engaging their brains, which is just as important as physical exercise. You can also freeze puzzle toys for an extended challenge by filling them with healthy treats such as Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, or peanut butter, mixed with fruits or veggies.

So, next time you find yourself short on time or stuck indoors due to weather, try this simple hack—use your dog’s regular food or favorite healthy treats in a toy that encourages problem-solving. It’ll keep your dog busy and give you a much-needed break!

09/03/2024

The Importance of the "Place" Command: How to Raise a Well-Behaved Dog

The "Place" command, whether you call it “go to bed,” “spot,” “park it,” or “go lay down,” is a crucial tool in teaching your dog to go to a designated area, lay down, and calm down. In our home, we use this command daily for a variety of reasons, and it has become an essential part of managing our dog’s behavior, especially around our young daughter.

For instance, pictured below: My 14-week-old Labrador, Alfred, was eagerly testing boundaries, getting his nose into my toddler’s hand, and even putting his paws up on her table during her lunch. While he’s still learning, it was the perfect opportunity to reinforce our rules and boundaries—no begging and no stealing food from people even when easy targets like my toddler are present!

By using the "Place" command, I was able to redirect Alfred’s focus to his bed while she ate. Although he remained interested in her food (understandably so, since he's still learning), he stayed on his designated spot. As he grows more familiar with this command, we’ll gradually increase the duration, the distance away in the bed and add more challenging distractions, reinforcing calm and controlled behavior.

Training sessions like these aren’t always perfect. This session over the weekend required plenty of patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. However, Alfred eventually relaxed and lay down on his bed, which was a small but significant victory. Training should always be engaging and fun, with lots of treats and praise to motivate your pup.

The key takeaway here is that whatever behavior you want from your adult dog, you need to start reinforcing it when they’re a puppy. Remember, you’re not just raising a puppy—you’re raising a future adult dog. Consistent rules and expectations from day one will help ensure your dog grows into a well-mannered companion.

If you have a puppy or know someone who could benefit from tips like these, follow our journey with Alfred as he learns and grows. Let’s raise great dogs together!

08/30/2024

We hope that everyone has a great Labor Day Weekend. We will be closed on Labor Day to spend time with our families.

08/23/2024

Day Training is Here to Stay!

We’re thrilled to announce that our popular Day Training program is continuing! While we had to adjust our schedules, we’re happy to keep offering this fantastic service, though with a limited number of spots each program. We’re moving forward with our 4-week, twice-a-week program for the next few months, and we couldn’t be more excited!

Due to our current wait list we are already extended through October, so if you’re interested, don’t wait—contact us ASAP to secure your spot. The progress we’ve seen with our recent Day Training dogs has been nothing short of amazing. Just look at Arlo! He was once nervous around new people, especially men, but in the video, you can see how relaxed and confident he’s become during one of his field trips.

If you’re ready to help your dog become more well-mannered and confident, give us a call or send us a message today. Let’s start your pup on the path to success!