You Silly Dog, LLC

07/03/2025

Choose a dog trainer who will only use modern, humane approaches!

For the welfare of pet dogs, it’s important for more people to learn about the value—and effectiveness—of reward-based dog training methods.

07/03/2025

07/03/2025

Did you know that more pets go missing on July 4th than any other time of the year? They bolt from yards, homes, cars, backyard BBQs, and firework celebrations. Let’s change this now!

Join me in reimagining the way we celebrate! While fireworks may dazzle some, they pose a tragic risk for many, from our beloved pets to veterans and others who suffer from PTSD.

Keep your fur kids safe:

First and foremost, if you are attending firework displays—LEAVE your pets at home where they feel most secure. Or better yet…

Stay home and snuggle up indoors (don’t forget pet ID tags!) and shield them from the overwhelming noise.

Pets might resort to desperate measures to find safety, so take precautions—don’t leave gates and doors open, shut pets behind closed doors when answering the front door, crate and use a leash for more control.

Increase the ambient noise with soothing music or white noise to help drown out fireworks.

Close curtains to create a cozy and serene environment.

There are many natural calming remedies to help soothe an anxious pet’s nerves without reaching for pharmaceuticals with harmful side effects. It is very hard to recommend any particular one because every pet is unique. I’ve personally given my pups L-theanine, Bach’s Rescue Remedy, Melatonin, and CBD with varying degrees of success. I encourage you to do some research on any of the following: Valerian, L-Theanine, Bach’s Rescue Remedy, Calming treats and biscuits with a combination of calming supplements, CBD /H**p oil (which can also help with joint pain), and Melatonin. And PLEASE share your suggestions in the comments below!

Extreme anxiety cases may call for professional guidance‚ consult your veterinarian for prescription sedatives if necessary.

Let’s create a world where every celebration includes the happiness and security of EVERYONE, including our cherished pets. Together, we can make a difference. Choose love, choose safety, and make this year’s festivities a joyous occasion for all, both big and small! x0Amy

07/01/2025

All dogs can overheat in this ridiculous heat, but with these breeds you need to be especially careful! Snuffles will be hibernating until fall.

06/30/2025

Puppies are babies!

A baby animal is a baby animal. They are still developing, figuring out their world and societal expectations.

They need to feel safe, being alone is scary, not knowing what’s happening from one moment to the next is scary.

We accept this in human children. We have a better understanding of what’s expected although we can never prepare. But do we go in with these expectations and anything that doesn’t meet them is a bonus.

With puppies we are surprised, feel like there’s something wrong and often question what is happening. If we all went in with the same idea that this is a life changing, challenging but very rewarding journey, we might see better choices when bringing home our pups.

06/30/2025

Please, for the love of dog(s), rethink your plans to set off fireworks! 💥
~ Dogs Everywhere

06/29/2025

It’s a boy!

Meet Pinky* Peters, our newly adopted family snuggle bug. You might notice that Pinky’s an odd-looking Pekingese. We asked our Schmoo angel to send us someone to receive his allotment of love and daily devotion. You can’t argue with an angel—you get what you get. And oh my gosh! Pinky’s a dream. He’s six pounds of cuddlishousness. His favorite spots in the house are in our hands or lap or nestled beside us on the sofa.

* You better believe we’re changing his foster name.

06/29/2025

Celebrate responsibly!

06/27/2025

Let dogs do the things they like to do in ways that you find appropriate.

Dogs come with many pre-installed behaviors like shredding, interacting with their own species, running/chasing and hunting to name a few. All too often, domestic dogs don't have appropriate outlets for them.

This can lead to boredom, destruction, frustration (for owners and dogs!) and decreased quality of life.

Enter enrichment.

Enrichment is more than work-to-eat toys; it's providing outlets for natural behaviors. And often, it's a big part of behavioral problem solving and part of my overall training plan for clients. It's not a nice little extra thing we add it. It's a critical part of the puzzle.

If you've thought "my dog just needs a yard" or "he needs to live outside the city" or he'd be "happier on a farm" because he's a herding dog, read my post this week.

https://rescuedbytraining.com/2025/06/23/yard-dogs/

06/27/2025

Potty training in dogs…

POTTY TRAINING MYTHS & TRUTHS‼️

❌💧 MYTH: Limiting water will help prevent accidents.

✅💧 TRUTH: Limiting water can actually cause more potty problems (and possible health problems). When you limit water intake, a dog will drink a whole lot when the dog does get access to water. This then fills up the kidneys quickly and therefore the body will eliminate it more frequently. When the dog has water at all times (yes even when in a confined space) they will learn to regulate their intake and will then be able to regulate their urine outflow.
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❌👃🏼 MYTH: Rubbing your dog's nose in it will teach the dog that it's wrong to go inside the house.

✅ 👀 TRUTH: This has to be the oldest trick known to dog training but is 💯 horrible advice! However, this is very inaccurate advice and will not help during potty training. In fact, it often causes your dog to sneak away and potty when you aren't looking.

Rubbing your dog's face in the potty accident or pointing out the accident to the dog and telling her she is bad does nothing to help your dog connect the dots. Dogs learn by association and timing is everything. If your dog isn't caught literally "in the act," then anything after that is pointless, and quite frankly your fault for not paying closer attention to your dog.

Instead, take your pup out frequently and keep an eagle-eye on him when he's out and active. 🙈 Potty accidents on your watch are actually your fault, not the puppy's!
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❌ 🐾🚪 MYTH: A doggie door and/or another dog will teach your dog to go outside.

✅ 🐾 TRUTH: A doggie door is a way for your dog to get outside and back in, nothing more. If you have not taught your dog that going outside is the appropriate place to potty, then the doggie door isn't going to do that for you.

Your dog has to be taught where the appropriate location is to go potty. This involves you going out with your dog for each potty break and then praising him for going outside after he’s finished.
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❌ 😈 MYTH: Dogs can p*e or p**p out of spite.

✅ 🕵🏼 TRUTH: If your dog is going potty as a new behavior and you think this means your dog is "mad at you" then we need to evaluate what's going on. Dogs don't possess the ability to be spiteful.
The most common reasons a dog will start to potty inappropriately

😰 anxiety and/or stress
😷 medical issue that's not been diagnosed
😕 dog is simply not fully potty trained
You should always have your pup checked by a veterinarian as a starting point. If it is anxiety, you’ll want the proper professional to be able to help you with that.
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❌ 📆 MYTH: All dogs should be potty trained reliably by 6 months of age.

✅ 🕰 TRUTH: There is no age that your dog will magically be potty trained. Some breeds take longer than others, so to put a blanket statement on a time frame would be inaccurate.

Size often isn't a factor either. I know that Greater Swiss Mountain dogs are a breed that can take some time to potty train according to breeders and owners of these large gorgeous dogs. They are usually 85 lbs and up to 120 lbs. So they are large dogs! While Great Danes are famously known for their ease and sp*ed of potty training.

Smaller breeds are notoriously known for taking longer, some more than others, such as Bichons and Yorkies. I do believe their very tiny bladders don't help them out in this area either. However, this isn't an excuse for a dog to take longer to potty train. There are definitely many small breeds that are easy to potty train quickly.

The reality is that you have to be diligent, consistent and proactive. This is the only way to potty train your pup reliably regardless of breed, size or age!
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❌ 🧮 MYTH: Puppies can hold it for one hour for each month of their age.

✅ 🧘🏼 TRUTH: There is no magic equation for a dog’s ability to hold it for any length of time, just patience & consistency. There are some dogs that can hold it for long periods at a very young age and some dogs that cannot do that for quite some time, regardless of age.

If potty training were as easy as a math equation this would be much easier but alas this is a sentient living being that cannot be predictable in that manner. Each dog is different and should be treated as such, respectfully.
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WANT MY FREE HANDOUT WITH ALL OF THESE MEMES IN HI RESOLUTION⁉️
Comment with "Potty Meme" and you can get a free download with all of my potty memes in beautiful color & design!

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Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© 2025 Stacy Greer
All rights reserved. Feel free to share via the “Share” link to the original post. Downloading for redistribution online or in print form is strictly prohibited.

06/27/2025

Adopting a pet? Congrats! You've just picked someone up in your car who isn't great at communicating, just got out of a tough situation, and isn't sure if they trust you yet. Sound familiar? That's because the first three days with a new pet are basically a 72-hour first date.

It's exciting, it's awkward, and it's definitely not the time to start planning your holiday cards or giving them a bubble bath.

No judgment, but some of y'all might need a quick refresher on first-date etiquette. So here's your official guide to early red flags (from you, not them).

🚩 Leaving them unattended like it's no big deal
Imagine showing up to a blind date and immediately getting ditched at a party where you know no one. That's how your pet feels when they're left alone right away.

Bottom line: Don't ghost your new pet. It's day one. Stick close.

🚩 Being too handsy
They're cute. You're smitten. But this isn't the moment for kisses, cuddles, or TikToks with voiceovers. You just met. They don't know your intentions yet.

This isn't a fling; it's the start of something real. Let them come to you. (Consent matters, even in pet parenting.)

🚩 Introducing them to your entire cast of characters
You ever meet someone and they immediately want you to meet their mom? Yikes.

Your pet doesn't need to meet your whole social circle (or animal crew) right away. Let them settle in, one face at a time. Save the group hangs for later.

🚩 Giving them a bath
You wouldn't give someone you just met a bath, and if you would… we don't want to talk about this anymore.

Yes, shelter pets can be a little stinky. But baths are a lot. They're wet, stressful, and weirdly intimate for a pet who doesn't even know your hobbies yet. Spritz some pet-safe essential oils around the house and give them time to decompress before sudsing them up.

🚩 Taking them on a spontaneous adventure
You are not on The Bachelor. No one wants a surprise helicopter ride on day one.

Keep things calm and close to home. No breweries, dog parks, or road trips. Your pet's just trying to figure out which room has the snacks, don't make them learn a whole new location yet.

🚩 Expecting instant love
Some folks swipe right, go on one date, and expect sparks to fly immediately. The same energy applies to new pet parents who expect instant attachment.

Sometimes it does happen, but more often, it's a slow burn. They might hide under the bed, bark at the fridge, or side-eye you for three days straight. It doesn't mean it's not working. It just means you're still getting to know each other.

💘 The Bottom Line: Love doesn't always strike like lightning. Sometimes, it starts with awkward silences, side-eyes, and mutually agreeing that you won't make any sudden moves. But give it time, stay patient, and keep showing up, and you just might find yourself in the best relationship of your life.