Sit Happens Dog Training

Sit Happens Dog Training R+ Dog Trainer
📍PNW: Service area from Arlington to Everett, Wa
✅Licensed and Insured
Check out our website and schedule: www.sithappensnorthwest.com

Planning to Travel for the Holidays? Time to start prepping to help your dog feel as safe as possible! Here are some tra...
12/08/2025

Planning to Travel for the Holidays? Time to start prepping to help your dog feel as safe as possible!

Here are some trainer approved travel tips to keep the holiday merry!

Pack Their Comfort Items!
Their beds or blankets that they sleep with, a favorite toy or chew, and their regular dog food. The Familiar items and scents can help them feel a little more comfortable and help lower stress.

Map Out Potty Breaks!
Driving? Make sure you map out potty breaks every 2-3 hours on your drive. Even if your dog can hold it longer at home the excitement and stress can make it harder to hold it for as long.

Create A Safe and Cozy Travel Space!
Crates (and ones designed for the car) are always the safest way for your dog to travel in case of accidents. Create a comfy place for your dog to curl up and relax during the drive. Sometimes covering the crate with a blanket also helps a dog settle as well!

Set Realistic Expectations!
Travel is tiring and stressful for both humans and dogs! Make sure you give them extra rest breaks, provide calm enrichment time, and some quiet walks to help them decompress from the holiday fun.

Lastly, Practice Makes Perfect!
We have a couple more weeks before the chaos of the holidays arrives. Practice your holiday routine and travel. Get the dog set up in the car and take short drives so they can get used to the car in short increments before the long drive happens.

Safe Travels from Sit Happens Dog Training!

Winter walks may be chilly, wet, or muddy, but what you do after the walk is just as important as what you do during it....
12/07/2025

Winter walks may be chilly, wet, or muddy, but what you do after the walk is just as important as what you do during it. A quick end of walk check helps keep your dog safe, comfortable, and healthy through the winter season.

✨ Your Winter After Walk Checklist:
• Check paws for debris
Look for small rocks, ice, or bits of sidewalk grit caught between the toes. Gently remove anything you see.

• Wipe off deicing salt right away
Road salt can irritate paws and cause stomach upset if licked. Use a damp towel or dog friendly wipes to clean each paw thoroughly.

• Dry off fur and bellies
Wet coats and damp skin can lead to irritation or cold chills. A quick towel dry helps your dog warm up faster.

• Look for ice balls on long fur
Dogs with feathering on their legs or chest can collect tiny ice clumps. Break them up gently with your fingers or warm them with a towel.

• Do a quick sniffari indoors
After a cold or overstimulating walk, some calm sniffing around the house or a short foraging activity helps your dog decompress and settle.

• Check gear for wear and tear
Winter weather is hard on leashes, clips, and harnesses. Look for frayed edges or loose stitching so you can address any issues before the next walk.

🎁 A little extra care goes a long way
These small habits keep your dog comfortable and prevent irritation or injuries. Plus, it is a nice moment to connect and slow down together after braving the cold.

Stay warm and stay safe out there. 💛🐶

The holidays often mean more deliveries, more visitors, and more reasons for your dog to get excited. If your pup turns ...
12/06/2025

The holidays often mean more deliveries, more visitors, and more reasons for your dog to get excited. If your pup turns into a barking whirlwind or a jumping bean when the doorbell rings, you’re not alone. With a little preparation, you can help them greet guests calmly and with confidence.

✨ Tips for Doorbell Manners:
• Practice the sound ahead of time
Play a recording of a doorbell at a low volume while rewarding calm behavior. Slowly increase the volume over time.

• Create a “go to your spot” routine
Pick a mat or bed a few feet from the door. Practice sending your dog there, rewarding them for staying, and releasing them once the excitement settles.

• Reward for quiet moments
Reinforce any pause in barking or calm body language. Small wins add up fast.

• Use management when needed
Baby gates or leashes can help prevent door dashing and keep your dog safe.

✨ Tips for Calm Guest Greetings:
• Set your dog up for success before guests arrive
A quick sniffari, short training game, or a lick mat can take the edge off extra energy.

• Let your dog choose the interaction
If they want space, let them have it. If they approach, coach guests to offer gentle greetings. You can also send guests Day 1’s guest protocol post ahead of time to help everyone know what to expect.

• Keep greetings short and sweet
A few seconds of calm petting, then encourage your dog back to their mat or cozy spot.

• Give guests clear instructions
A simple “We are practicing calm greetings so please let them sniff first, then pet under the chin” can make a big difference.

🎁 A Calm Holiday House Starts at the Door
Small habits create big changes. With a little practice, your dog can learn that the doorbell means opportunity, not chaos.

Winter walks in the PNW can be cold, dark, and soggy, but the right gear can make them safer and much more enjoyable for...
12/05/2025

Winter walks in the PNW can be cold, dark, and soggy, but the right gear can make them safer and much more enjoyable for both you and your dog. Here are some of my favorite winter walk essentials to help you stay comfortable through the season.

✨ My Top Winter Walk Picks:
• Reflective or LED gear
Light up collars, clip on lights, or reflective harnesses help keep your dog visible on dark mornings and early evenings.

• A well fitting harness
Harnesses give better control on slippery sidewalks and help prevent pulling injuries.

• Paw protection
Paw balm or well fitting booties can help protect your dog’s feet from ice, cold pavement, and rough trails.

• Warm layers for skinny coated pups
Short coated or smaller dogs often appreciate a sweater or waterproof jacket during chilly walks.

• A sturdy leash with good grip
Wet weather can make leashes slippery, so choose one you can comfortably and safely hold.

• High value treats stored in a waterproof pouch
Perfect for practicing loose leash walking, checking in, and rewarding good choices along the way.

❄️ Pro Tips:
• Keep a small towel by the door to dry off paws and bellies after your walk.
• Keep dog friendly wipes by the door in case you encounter deicing salt so you can quickly clean your dog’s paws and prevent irritation.

Here’s to staying safe, warm, and connected during your winter adventures. 💛🐶

Holiday cooking means delicious smells, busy kitchens, and lots of tempting opportunities for curious noses. If your dog...
12/04/2025

Holiday cooking means delicious smells, busy kitchens, and lots of tempting opportunities for curious noses. If your dog loves to sneak a sniff or help themselves to the counter, now is the perfect time to practice some prevention.

✨ Simple Ways to Keep Your Dog Out of Trouble:
• Set up a cozy holiday hangout
Place a comfy bed, blanket, or mat just outside the kitchen. Give your dog a chew or lick mat to keep them busy while you cook.

• Practice a solid stationing or place cue
Reinforce calm behavior on their mat with treats and praise. Reward often in the beginning so your dog learns staying in their space pays off.

• Use management when needed
Baby gates, pens, or closing the kitchen door keep everyone safe, especially with hot pans and sharp tools.

• Keep counters clear
Put food, wrappers, and ingredients away right after use to remove temptation.

• Offer alternatives before cooking begins
A sniffari in the yard, a puzzle feeder, or a quick training session helps meet their needs so they are less likely to wander into mischief.

🎁 Why This Matters:
Counter surfing can be dangerous. Holiday foods like chocolate, cooked bones, grapes, onions, and fatty dishes can make dogs very sick. Prevention protects your pup and keeps the kitchen chaos free.

Wishing you safe cooking and stress free snacking this holiday season. 💛🐶

Between holiday shopping, online deliveries, and gift wrapping, most of us already have plenty of boxes, packing paper, ...
12/03/2025

Between holiday shopping, online deliveries, and gift wrapping, most of us already have plenty of boxes, packing paper, and tissue paper around the house. Instead of tossing them, you can turn them into enrichment.

✨ What’s a Holiday Sniff Box?
It’s a simple DIY foraging activity where your dog gets to dig, sniff, explore, and unwrap treats hidden inside layers of paper and cardboard. It taps into their natural instincts and provides mental stimulation without needing to brave the winter weather.

🎄 How to Make One:

Grab a cardboard box such as a shoe box, Amazon box, or gift box.

Fill it with a mix of crumpled packing paper, tissue paper, or empty TP rolls.

Sprinkle a handful of kibble or small treats throughout the layers.

Close the box loosely or leave it open depending on your dog’s skill level.

Set it down and let your pup forage, dig, and enjoy.

🧠 Why It’s Great:
• Builds confidence
• Reduces boredom and winter restlessness
• Encourages natural foraging behaviors
• A perfect indoor activity for freezing temps or heavy rain
• Budget friendly and earth friendly

Pro tip: Start easy. If your dog is new to this, leave the box open so they can see the goodies. You can build difficulty over time.

Happy sniffing and happy holidays! 🎄💛

The holidays are fun for us… but for our dogs, all the extra guests, noise, travel, and schedule changes can feel overwh...
12/03/2025

The holidays are fun for us… but for our dogs, all the extra guests, noise, travel, and schedule changes can feel overwhelming. Keeping an eye out for early stress signals can help you support your pup before they hit their limit.

✨ Common Holiday Stress Signals:
• Lip licking or yawning (when they’re not tired)
• Shaking off like they’re “drying off”
• Turning their head away or avoiding eye contact
• Excessive sniffing, pacing, or suddenly needing space
• Freezing, stiff body language, or pinned ears
• Hiding behind you or trying to retreat from guests
• More vocal than usual — barking, whining, or grumbling
• Sudden “zoomies” that feel frantic, not playful

🎄 How You Can Help:
• Give them a quiet retreat space away from guests
• Use enrichment (lick mats, chews, snuffle mats) to decompress
• Keep greetings low-pressure and optional
• Stick to their normal potty + feeding routine as much as possible
• Advocate for them — if they’re done, they’re done

A calm dog is a happy dog, and holiday peace starts with noticing what your pup is trying to tell you. 💛

Holiday gatherings can be overwhelming for our dogs with new people, new smells, louder energy, and lots of commotion. T...
12/02/2025

Holiday gatherings can be overwhelming for our dogs with new people, new smells, louder energy, and lots of commotion. This is especially true for dogs who are in training, easily aroused, or a little shy around new people. Setting visitor expectations ahead of time protects your pup’s emotional well-being and keeps visits smooth, safe, and stress-free. 🐾✨

Here are a few simple “Guest Protocols” you can send before friends and family come over:

• Please ignore the dog at first and keep greetings calm
• Let them come to you when they’re comfortable
• Keep greetings low-energy and grounded
• Don’t feed the dog without asking
• Close doors and gates behind you
• Respect rest spaces like beds, crates, and corners
• Supervise dogs and kids together at all times

❤️ Your dog will thank you and so will you.
🎄 Happy Dogmas!

It’s officially the most wag-worthy time of the year at Sit Happens Dog Training!Every day from now through December 25,...
11/30/2025

It’s officially the most wag-worthy time of the year at Sit Happens Dog Training!

Every day from now through December 25, I’ll be sharing fun and helpful holiday tips, training reminders, enrichment ideas, safety notes, and little nuggets of dog-loving joy to help you and your pup stay merry and well-mannered all season long.

✨ What to Expect:
• Bite-sized training tips you can use the same day
• Holiday-themed games and enrichment ideas
• Safety reminders to keep your pup out of mischief
• Behind-the-scenes peeks from Sit Happens
• Special shoutouts, freebies, and helpful resources
• A few sentimental posts because this season is for the heart, too

🎁 Plus… a Little Holiday Hint:
Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing some sneak peeks at new services launching soon for 2026. If you’ve been waiting for more puppy support or daytime training options, keep an eye out. Big things are coming. 👀✨

Thanks for being here, supporting small business, and letting me be part of your training journey. Let’s make this the calmest, coziest, least-chaotic holiday season yet. 💛🐶

Have you been considering a sweet companion for your home? Check out this cute little baby waiting for their family at J...
11/27/2025

Have you been considering a sweet companion for your home? Check out this cute little baby waiting for their family at Juno's Den

Thank you KokoCraft for the perfect ornament to remember our best friend.
11/23/2025

Thank you KokoCraft for the perfect ornament to remember our best friend.

Yesterday I got to spend time with Roxie! Roxie came into her dad’s life just a couple months ago as a shy rescue.. so i...
10/30/2025

Yesterday I got to spend time with Roxie! Roxie came into her dad’s life just a couple months ago as a shy rescue.. so it’s been very important to take things nice and slow while she figures out the world is not so scary.

Roxie and her dad are working on some confidence building (especially around putting on her harness), potty training (which she is doing amazing at now), and leash walking skills. After 3 sessions of just building some positive skills around the harness she was finally able to put it on ALL the way and walk around for awhile why she periodically got some treats and some praise to continue building those positive feelings.

Address

Arlington, WA
98223

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 1pm

Telephone

+14257602856

Website

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