Sit Happens Dog Training

04/24/2025

Don’t worry we didn’t forget about Charlie getting a chance to sniff for eggs. Charlie has less confidence but still loves to sniff so we made his hunt in more of a compressed area so he wouldn’t get too frustrated or overwhelmed!

04/23/2025

Moo spent some time on Easter to hunting some eggs! This was a great enrichment opportunity for him. I filled the plastic eggs with chicken and let him just sniff! At the end he was passed out on the couch!

04/22/2025

Another amazing group of students! Every pup here made such an amazing improvement over the course of 6 weeks! Congrats! 🐾

04/18/2025

Getting prepped for another group of grad students tomorrow! I am so proud of how far they have all come! Stay tuned for some cute grad photos tomorrow! 💜

04/12/2025

Go watch me play video games with the hubby 💚

Playing with the wife on stream for the first time ever.! Come on in check out how I fail as a duo on this game lol Live on The Greenside. Link on comments. See you at 7pm PST!

04/11/2025

Happy National Pet Day! Meet Moo and Charlie our two top notch puppy employees!

Moo (black lab) is our HR (Hooman Relations) Manager. He brings along an incredible 3.5 years of experience!

Charlie (pittie mix) is our Pawject Manager! Charlie has been rocking this role, though he does require many nap and snack breaks.. his experience is well worth it!

Show me all your cute and qualified pets! 🐾

03/31/2025

🐶🚶‍♂️ What to Do When Your Dog Pulls on Leash 🐾❌

Does your dog turn every walk into a tug-of-war? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Pulling on leash is a common struggle, but with the right approach, you can turn stressful walks into enjoyable strolls. Here’s what to do:

🔹 Stop Moving – If your dog pulls, don’t follow them. Stand still and wait for the leash to loosen before continuing. 🚦🐕

🔹 Change Direction – Keep your pup engaged by turning around when they pull. This teaches them to check in with you instead of forging ahead. 🔄

🔹 Reward the Right Behavior – Treat and praise your dog when they walk nicely by your side. Make it rewarding to stay close! 🦴💖

🔹 Use the Right Gear – A front-clip harness can discourage pulling and make training easier without discomfort.

🔹 Stay Consistent – Every step forward should be with a loose leash. If you let them pull sometimes, they’ll think it works!

Teaching loose leash walking takes patience, but the effort is worth it! Need expert help? Sit Happens Dog Training can guide you to leash-walking success! Contact us at [email protected] or 425-375-7733! 🐾✨

03/30/2025

🌳🚶‍♂️ Take a Walk in the Park Day – March 30th! 🚶‍♀️🌿

Step outside, take a deep breath, and soak in the beauty of nature—because March 30th is Take a Walk in the Park Day! 🌞🐦

With our busy schedules, we often forget how refreshing and therapeutic a simple walk can be. Whether it’s a peaceful stroll, a brisk walk, or a fun outing with family and pets, spending time in the park is a great way to clear your mind and boost your mood.

💚 Why You Should Take a Walk Today:
🌳 Relieves stress & improves mental health
🚶‍♀️ Boosts physical fitness & energy
🌼 Connects you with nature & fresh air
🐕 Perfect excuse for a dog walk (your pup will love it!)

So, grab a friend, leash up your furry companion, or go solo and embrace the beauty of the outdoors. Where’s your favorite park to take a walk? Share in the comments🌿

03/26/2025

Top 5 Tips for Handling Leash Reactivity in Dogs 🐕🔥

Does your pup turn into a barking, lunging tornado on walks? You’re not alone! Leash reactivity is common, but with patience and the right training, you can help your dog stay calm and focused. Here are five proven tips to manage leash reactivity:

1. Stay Under Threshold – Identify your dog’s “reactivity distance” (the point where they start reacting) and keep them below it. The goal is to gradually decrease this distance over time while reinforcing calm behavior.

2. Use High-Value Rewards – Bring their favorite treats or toys and reward them for calm behavior around triggers. This builds a positive association with what used to cause a reaction.

3. Keep Moving – Instead of stopping and letting your dog fixate, redirect their focus and keep walking. Try changing directions, encouraging sniffing, or using a "let’s go" cue to shift their mindset.

4. Train an Alternative Behavior – Teach a solid “look at me” or “sit” command to redirect their focus before they react. A well-timed cue can prevent an outburst before it starts!

5. Manage Your Own Energy – Dogs feed off our emotions. Stay calm, hold the leash with confidence (not tension), and use a relaxed body posture. If you're anxious, they will be too!

Need some help with reactivity or putting some of these tips into place? Reach out to us either by email or phone! ⬇️🐶✨
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 425-375-7733

03/24/2025

🐶🚶‍♂️ Teach Your Dog to Heel – Walks Made Easy! 🐾✨

Tired of your dog pulling on walks? Teaching a heel cue helps keep them close to you for better control and safety, especially in busy areas! 🚗🐕

🔹 Pick a Side – Choose which side you want your dog to walk on (left or right) and stay consistent.
🔹 Lure Into Position – Hold a treat near your leg and guide them into place, rewarding them when they’re next to you.
🔹 Add the Cue – Say “heel” as they move into position and take a few steps forward. Reward for staying in place! 🦴🐾
🔹 Start Small & Build – Begin with short distances and gradually increase as they get the hang of it.
🔹 Make It Fun! – Keep sessions short, use high-value treats, and practice in low-distraction areas before taking it to the real world.

With consistency and patience, your dog will learn that sticking close to you is the best place to be! 🐕💖

Need help perfecting the heel? Sit Happens Dog Training is here to guide you! Contact us at [email protected] or 425-375-7733!

03/23/2025

🐶🎉 Happy National Puppy Day! 🎉🐶

March 23rd is all about celebrating our furry little bundles of joy—puppies! 🐾

Whether you're a proud pup parent or just a dog lover at heart, today is the perfect excuse to shower some extra love on these adorable four-legged friends.

💛 Ways to Celebrate:
🐕 Adopt or foster a pup in need 🏡
🐾 Donate to a local animal shelter or rescue 🐶
🎾 Spoil your pup with new toys & treats 🍖
📸 Share your cutest puppy pics (we wanna see them!) 📷

Puppies bring unconditional love, endless cuddles, and pure happiness into our lives. Let’s give back to them today and every day! 🐕❤️

Drop a pic of your precious pup in the comments! ⬇️

03/19/2025

🐶🚶‍♂️ Leash Training? Here’s How to Add Distractions the Right Way! 🐾✨

You’ve been working on loose leash walking, and your pup is doing great—until a squirrel, another dog, or a blowing leaf enters the picture! 🐿️🐕 If distractions throw them off, it’s time to introduce them gradually so they can learn to stay focused.

🔹 Start Small – Begin in a low-distraction environment (like your backyard) before moving to busier areas.
🔹 Distance Matters – If your dog reacts to distractions, increase the space between them and the trigger until they can stay engaged with you.
🔹 Use High-Value Rewards – Bring out the good treats (think cheese or chicken) when distractions show up to keep their attention on you. 🦴✨
🔹 Level Up Slowly – Once they can walk nicely around mild distractions, gradually introduce bigger ones—new places, people, and eventually other dogs.
🔹 Keep It Fun! – Training should be positive. If they struggle, take a step back and try again with lower distractions.

Building focus takes time, but with patience and consistency, your dog will learn that sticking with you is more rewarding than any squirrel! 🐾🐕

Need help with distraction-proofing? Sit Happens Dog Training is here for you! Contact us at [email protected] or 425-375-7733! 💖

03/17/2025

🐶✨ Teach Your Dog WHERE to Walk—Not Just Where Not to Walk! ✨🐶

If your dog pulls on the leash, it can be tempting to correct or punish them. But instead of focusing on what they’re doing wrong, show them where it’s rewarding to be! 🎯🐾

🔹 Reinforce the “Sweet Spot” – Reward your pup when they walk nicely by your side with treats, praise, or a chance to sniff. 🦴💖
🔹 Be Proactive, Not Reactive – Instead of waiting for them to pull and then correcting, set them up for success by guiding them into position before the pulling starts.
🔹 Use Directional Changes – If they get ahead, calmly turn and encourage them to follow, making YOU the focus.
🔹 Consistency is Key – The more they learn that walking near you = good things, the more they’ll choose to stay close!

Training should be about teaching, not punishing. When your dog sees walking with you as the best option, you’ll have a loose leash and a happy pup in no time! 🐕💖

Need help mastering leash skills? Sit Happens Dog Training is here to guide you! Contact us at [email protected] or 425-375-7733! 🐾

03/12/2025

🐶✨ Building Human Relevance on Leash – Be More Than Just the Leash Holder! ✨🐶

Does your dog see you as an active part of the walk, or are they just doing their own thing at the other end of the leash? 🚶‍♂️🐕 If they’re pulling, distracted, or uninterested, it’s time to build human relevance—making YOU the most important part of their walk!

🔹 Engage, Don’t Just Walk – Talk to your dog, change direction, and keep them checking in with you.

🔹 Reward Connection – Every time they look at you or walk nicely by your side, reinforce it with praise or treats.

🔹 Be Unpredictable – Speed up, slow down, take a sudden turn—keep them tuned into you!

🔹 Use the Environment – Let them sniff and explore as a reward for good engagement.

When your dog realizes that walking with you is way more fun than pulling ahead, you’ll have a partner on leash—not just a dog dragging you around!

Need help making walks more enjoyable? Sit Happens Dog Training can help! Contact us at [email protected] or 425-375-7733! 🐾💖

03/10/2025

🐶🚶‍♂️ 6-Foot Leash vs. Retractable Leash – Which is Best for Walks? 🤔

Choosing the right leash can make a big difference in safety and training. Let’s compare:

🔵 6-Foot Leash – Provides better control, keeps your dog safe, and makes training (like loose leash walking) easier. Ideal for everyday walks, busy areas, and teaching good leash manners. ✅🐾

🔴 Retractable Leash – Can encourage pulling, reduce control, and pose risks like tangles, burns, or sudden snapbacks. While they might be fun for open areas, they aren’t the best for structured walks or busy environments. 🚫⚠️

Our Pick? ✅ A 6-foot leash! It promotes better behavior, keeps walks safe, and strengthens your bond with your pup.

Want help mastering leash skills? Sit Happens Dog Training is here to guide you! Contact us at [email protected] or 425-375-7733! 🐾💖

03/05/2025

🐶🚶‍♂️ Front-Clip Harness vs. Prong Collar for Loose Leash Walking – Which One is Best? 🤔

If you’re working on loose leash walking, choosing the right tool can make a huge difference in your dog’s success! Let’s break it down:

🔵 Front-Clip Harness – Ideal for teaching polite walking with gentle guidance. It discourages pulling by redirecting your dog’s movement while keeping things positive and comfortable. Great for beginners, puppies, and dogs who need a confidence boost! 🐾✨

🔴 Prong Collar – A more aversive tool designed to apply pressure when a dog pulls. While some argue it gives clear communication, improper use can lead to discomfort, stress, and even worsening behavior. For most dogs, positive training methods and proper leash skills will achieve better long-term results!

Our Pick? ✅ Front-Clip Harness + Positive Reinforcement! Teaching your dog to walk nicely should be fun, stress-free, and built on trust.

Need help mastering loose leash walking? Sit Happens Dog Training is here to help! Contact us at [email protected] or 425-375-7733🐕💖

02/24/2025

🐶🚫 Are You Slowing Down Your Dog’s Training? 🚫🐶

Training your dog takes patience, consistency, and understanding! But sometimes, without realizing it, we make mistakes that slow down progress. Here are some common ones to avoid:

❌ Inconsistency – Using different commands or allowing behaviors sometimes but not others confuses your pup.

❌ Punishing Instead of Teaching – Yelling or scolding can create fear, not learning. Instead, redirect and reward good behavior!

❌ Skipping Socialization – Not exposing your puppy at a young age to new people, places, and situations can lead to anxiety and reactivity.

❌ Expecting Instant Results – Training takes time! Stay patient and celebrate small wins.

Need help getting on the right track? 🐾 Sit Happens Dog Training is here to make learning fun, effective, and stress-free for both you and your pup! Contact us today at [email protected] or 425-375-7733 and start seeing real results. 🐶💖

02/19/2025

Is Your Dog Bored? 🐶💭 Signs They Need More Mental Stimulation!

A tired dog is a happy dog—but did you know mental exercise is just as important as physical activity? If your pup is showing these signs, they might need more brain games in their routine! 🧠✨

🛑 Destructive Behavior – Chewing furniture, digging, or shredding things? That could be a sign of boredom, not bad behavior!

🐾 Excessive Barking or Whining – If your dog is constantly vocalizing, they might be looking for a job to do.

🚀 Zoomies on Repeat – While zoomies are normal, frequent episodes can mean they have too much built-up energy.

😴 Sleeps Too Much – A lethargic dog might not be getting enough mental engagement. Boredom can lead to a lack of enthusiasm in daily life.

🐕 Attention-Seeking – Pawing at you non-stop? Nudging your hand? They might be begging for a mental challenge!

🌀 Obsessive Behaviors – Tail chasing, licking paws excessively, or pacing can all be signs of a bored mind.

🧠 Easy Ways to Add Mental Stimulation:

✅ Puzzle toys & snuffle mats
✅ Short, fun training sessions
✅ Nose work games (hide treats & let them sniff them out!)
✅ Interactive play like fetch with a twist (make them sit/stay first!)
✅ Food-dispensing toys instead of bowls

A mentally stimulated dog is a happy, well-behaved companion! How do you keep your pup engaged? Drop your favorite brain games below! ⬇️🐶🧩