Pawz 4 Peeps Dog Training

08/14/2024

Good evening! Meet Oat (Oatie)--she's a 2 year-old Great Pyrenees mix who may be big in statue but lacks confidence. This makes her very nervous in new places and when meeting new 2-legged and 4-legged friends. She recently moved to the area and had previous training in her last town, but the move was just too much for her to take and set her progress back. We got her back on track today and will continue to do so until she gains enough confidence to tackle the world every day. Please encourage this beautiful girl to gain the courage she needs on her journey to full confidence!

08/13/2024

Good evening! Meet Gracie--she's a 13-week old Vizsla pup with the cutest face but a TON of energy! Her dog parents have had many Vizslas in the past and "showed" most of them, but they are at a bit of a loss with this firecracker! We learned how to tame her impulse yesterday which made a world of difference. As I stated yesterday, having a smart dog is a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because she learns quickly. It's a curse because she learns quickly and also learns the "art of manipulation" in the process. She's so sociable--she wanted to "boop" the camera to let you all know she loves each and every one of you!

08/09/2024

Good morning! Where’s breakfast? C’mon, Mom, get with the program!

08/08/2024

Good afternoon! Meet Honey Badger--she's a 7 month-old Aussie shepherd and cattle dog mix who is tremendously smart but has a TON of energy. She's like a "jack-in-the-box" on speed! Her cute face got her adopted, and the family loves her dearly, but they are looking for a way to channel her energy in more productive and body-friendly ways. We got a great start on training last night, and she learned and picked up on a lot, so I only see her excelling from this point on!

08/08/2024

Good afternoon! Remember Jessie? This young Collie was absolutely terrified of EVERYTHING and did not want to venture out ANYWHERE. It took me almost 3 sessions to get her to actually come to me to take treats and let me pet her. I am happy to announce that Jessie has made remarkable progress and finally started relaxing at the training center. We even tested her by taking her around the strip mall where lots of people and cars were passing by, and she did great! Here are the before (left) and after (right) training pictures. Notice the relaxed look. She even played with me using a squeaky ball--she perked right up and even surprised her dog mom! We are sooooooooo proud of you! Way to go, Jessie!

08/04/2024

Has it been awhile since you've been on a date? Getting cabin fever with running from air-conditioned building to air-conditioned building? Pawz 4 Peeps Dog Training is assisting The City of Moraine Parks and Recreation at Doggie Date Night on Saturday, August 24 from 6-8pm at Wax Park. Come out and get some fresh air with your favorite fur face or fur faces for an evening of "pawsome" fun!

Sign up by scanning the QR code or click on this link: https://moraineoh.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29957

We use evidence-based practice methodology in solving dog behavior problems. Our training philosophy

08/03/2024

Good afternoon! I wanted to share an experience we had at Pawz 4 Peeps Dog Training which was very upsetting for a client and her dog and very disappointing, not only from a business standpoint but also a personal one. We have been working with a client for a few months now to get her dog trained as a service dog to perform a specific function to assist with her medically documented disability. A large part of training is to subject and test the dog in a variety of environments and situations to see how the dog performs using new skills taught in training and determine what further training is needed.

A month ago, we set up a training session at the Beavercreek PetSmart on N. Fairfield--a perfect location with a combination of dogs and people to expose a dog to natural distractions. We started our training at the front of the store, away from the cash registers but in direct line of sight of the front door. We were there about 5 minutes when an employee (wearing a company shirt and an earpiece but no name tag) approached me, my client, and her dog (who was wearing a similar vest to the one in the picture but marked with "Service Dog In Training" patches). He curtly stated he and his staff was recently reminded of their policy and that no outside trainers were allowed in the store for training. I explained this was no ordinary training as evidenced by the vest; in addition, I also stated I was not competing with PetSmart's Dog Training program since they did not offer service dog training as a product line. He stated it did not matter and promptly escorted us to the door and told us to leave. I asked the employee if he was really willing to go against rules and regulations established by the American Disabilities Act and Ohio Administrative Code that protects service dogs and service dogs in training. He again stated it did not matter, and we needed to leave. I would have made a much bigger issue of the situation, however my client became visually upset by the encounter and very cold reception. Understanding what was best for the client and her dog, I encouraged her to follow me outside the establishment where it took almost 30 minutes to reduce her anxiety created by the situation.

I wanted to share this experience to provide education to all who do not fully understand what "service dog" actually means. A service dog is a dog that performs a task or behavior to assist a person with a disability through the use of commands and/or response to specific triggers or situations. Service dogs are different than working dogs, emotional support dogs, or pet therapy dogs. Working dogs are those who perform specific work such as bomb sniffing, police K-9, and search and rescue. Emotional support dogs provide comfort just by being with the person. Pet therapy dogs go to various locations to provide comfort and support to the general population--often found in hospitals, airports, and schools. The AKC has a great article on the differences at: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/service-dog-training-101/.

Emotional support and pet therapy dogs DO NOT have the same access rights and training requirements as service dogs do. While the ADA does not cover rights of handlers and trainers of service dogs in training, Ohio Administrative Code 955.43 clearly states that service dogs in training along with their handlers and/or their trainers have the same access rights as fully trained service dogs.

So, PetSmart, you might want to re-think your "policy" and actually enforce one that is compliant with the law. Here's a heads-up--you might want to come up with a plan on how to ensure this NEVER happens again when the Ohio Civil Rights Commission gives you a call in the near future.

We use evidence-based practice methodology in solving dog behavior problems. Our training philosophy

08/01/2024

Good morning! Remember Violet? This beautiful German Shepherd had a rough start in her life but has made miraculous improvement in managing her anxiety and acceptance of other people and dogs during her training experience. Over the course of treatment, we worked with a variety of combinations of training tools and techniques to get her there. For her capstone, he hung out near the liquor store and v**e shop (on a Thursday evening--perfect timing!) and tested her skills. Violet did amazing!!!! We are sooooooooooooo proud of you! Way to go, Violet!

07/25/2024

Good afternoon! Well, it's been a busy week for the Pawz 4 Peeps family. Peanut is on convalescent leave from the training center because of surgery she has this week. She and Harley played a little too hard one day, and we noticed she was limping and not bearing any weight on her left leg. After icing it over the weekend and giving her pain meds, it really didn't get better, so off to the vet we went, only to find she had torn her cranial cruciate ligament (equivalent to a human's ACL) in her knee and needed surgery. After a consult with the orthopedic team at OSU Veterinary Medical Hospital, surgery was the best option. Unlike with humans, the CCL cannot be reattached. The surgery team performed a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) in which they had to cut the back portion of her tibia (shin bone) and move it back, decreasing the joint angle and creating a level joint to prevent the femur and tibia from sliding apart from each other. They then keep the loose bone they just cut in place with a plate. She did great! They kept her overnight to observe her progress, and we got to pick her up the next afternoon. She greeted us with a new "cone of shame"--she is not a fan of this gadget. They had to shave all around her left leg and hip--who knew she had so much dark skin under all that blonde hair? The last pictures show before and after pictures of the repair. These are not Peanut's x-rays, but they are very similar. Recovery is 6 weeks long. We want to thank the entire OSU Vet Team, especially Dr. Nina Kieves, Dr. Juli DiMichele, and Dr. Jacqueline Shook. Please wish her a speedy recovery so she can get back to playing with Harley!

07/25/2024

Good morning! Remember Biere (right)? Well, here is his new little brother Biscuit (left--another Frenchie) also learning to "do the right thing." If you've ever walked a Frenchie, you know how much they LOVE to pull everyone and everything! These two are no different. So, their dog parents wanted some suggestions which results in a much better walking experience all around before they moved to their new location. We worked with a tandem leash attached to their harness, and they did much better on their walking test! Because Biscuit is still a pup, we recommended spending a little more time on solo walks, getting him used to the leash experience before attaching him to Biere on a routine basis. Great job, Gentlemen--keep up the great work! We will miss you!

07/25/2024

Good morning! Remember Willie? This 3 year-old adorable sheepadoodle made great progress during his training! While he has a little more to go on his demanding and resource-guarding issues, he has made incredible progress on his impulse control and energetic behavioral issues. We are proud to say he graduated from his training this week! Way to go, Willie!

07/19/2024

Good afternoon! Meet the 3 Amigos (from left to right)--Ginger, Cooper, and Koda--they are 1 year-old sibling white shepherds who are super loud when you first get to their house but super sweet when they finally let you in the gate. We determined their primary issue is barrier aggression--they get so mad at the fence because they can't engage with the new person who just arrived that they get loud and are perceived as "scary." After a controlled entry, they were sweet as pie and eager to learn! We are working on greeting new guests much more politely. Please encourage these three fur faces to keep up the great work!

07/19/2024

Good afternoon! Meet Jessie--she's a 1.5 year-old rough collie with a ton of cuteness but a load of anxiety. She is afraid of EVERYTHING! We spent most of the first session gaining her trust, and while we weren't at 100%, we certainly made tremendous progress. Without trust, training cannot occur. We will get her there, but it will take some time. Please encourage this little girl to give herself a chance to experience the world in a positive way!

07/17/2024

Good afternoon! It must have been National Doodle Day yesterday... Meet Griffen--he's an 11 month-old Goldendoodle who is a sweet boy, very smart, but sometimes acts like a clown. Look at the markings on this guy--not sure where the "golden" is. His dog siblings call him "moo-cow!" He came to see us for some recall refining and help with pulling during walks. He picked up training so quickly and wanted to learn more! Keep up the great work, Griff! You got this!

07/17/2024

Good afternoon! Meet Andora (Dora)--she's a 10 week-old Goldendoodle with sweet personality and lots of energy, but is a rambunctious little girl! Her dog mom has her elderly mother moving in with her and wants to make sure Dora is well-behaved and doesn't accidentally injure her doggy grandma! We made great progress during her first training session. The leash is a very useful tool inside the house, especially when it comes to jumping on people. Dora learned quickly that jumping is not acceptable and kept her furry paws on the floor! We also learned to walk up and down stairs--it will take a little longer but we are certainly getting there! Keep up the great work, Dora! Isn't she absolutely adorable?

07/17/2024

Good afternoon! Meet Linda (on the left)--she's a 10 week-old pittie/staffie mix who is now Gordon's new little sister! Gordon was once labeled a dog who "could not be with another dog due to reactivity" and now look at him! He's happier now than I have ever seen him! Linda accompanied Gordon to his training session this week and did great! Not only did she learn from the training, but she's learning lots from her new big brother.

07/16/2024

Good morning! Meet Jax--he's a 3 year-old Belgian Malinois mix who may look like he means business, but is really a big softy with a bit of a confidence issue. Upon arrival to his first training session, he paced and constantly panted which indicated he was tremendously stressed and anxious. This, in addition to his high impulse, contributes to his lack of listening when his dog parents recall him. In addition, this also contributes to his want to pull his dog parents down the street on a walk. We discussed a few drills to build Jax's confidence and worked with a specific harness that really helped keep him from pulling (not the one in the picture--that one is a large part of the problem). Please help boost this big boy's confidence to continue to do good things by giving him some words of encouragement!

07/15/2024

Good afternoon! Remember Tori? This adorable little girl successfully completed her training this week! Her capstone training involved not jumping on and taking treats gently from her dog nephew (3 year-old) and excessively barking at her dog sister (who is married and has the 3 year-old, so she is not at the house a lot). Tori did amazing with both challenges! We are soooooooooo proud of you! Way to go, Tori!

07/15/2024

Good afternoon! Remember Otto? This young man, while has a very adorable face, can really wreak havoc on a walk! His dog mom asked if we could work on walking on a busy path so I could see the "demon" come out in him when encountering walkers and bikers. I am happy to report that after I taught his dog family how to distract Otto when walkers and bikers approach, giving enough distance so that he can process these new "fast and surprising" distractions, he settled down and did not react to anyone or anything! Congrats, little man! You did it! We are soooooooooo proud of you! Way to go, Otto!

07/15/2024

Good afternoon! Remember Pancakes (lower right picture)? Well, her siblings (Waffles--middle right and Biscuits--top right) joined her in training and with a lot of persistent work done by their dog mom (Tracy Zerba), they are now very well-behaved young ladies who just discovered they LOVE the dog park! This "Breakfast Club" did great engaging with other dogs after a very controlled assimilation. Biscuits did meet a dog who was not as fond of her "loud talking," but the two were easily redirected away from each other without incident. These 3 rescue pups did amazing during their training. We are sooooooooo proud of you! Way to go, Pancakes, Waffles, and Biscuits!

07/15/2024

Good afternoon! Remember River? This pup was terrified of EVERYTHING, to include her own shadow! She made tremendous progress during her training, but I am confident that as long as her dog family continues using the training tools they learned, she will continue to work on her fear. While she is not 100% over the fright, she now lies down in the bed with her dog dad (which she would not even come near him in the house at first) and came to greet us at the door at the beginning of her third session--that's huge! Keep at it, little girl! We are soooooooo proud of you! Way to go, River!

07/15/2024

Good afternoon! Meet Lady--she's a 3.5 year-old pointer/beagle mix who is very smart and LOVES her new found freedom after spending a good amount of time at the shelter. This brings a bit of a challenge to get her to come back when recalled by her new dog dad. We spent the first training session teaching her dog dad drills to work with her at home to increase the bond between the two of them and improve her response to commands. Isn't she adorable?

06/25/2024

Good morning! Remember Tessa? This little girl was terrified of EVERYTHING except her dog dad. Her dog mom struggled with gaining her trust and get Tessa to come to her willingly. While Tessa has made tremendous progress with decreasing her fear in public places, she still struggles a bit with seeing her dog mom as an equal to her dog dad. To help with this, we have created exposure experiences in which her dog mom is the primary handler during these new experiences. Her dog mom is now giving her commands as well and participating in her training, so the bond has improved. While Tessa still has a ways to go, she continues to move in the right direction. She completed her training this weekend with a field trip to PetSmart to engage with other dogs and people--she did great! We are sooooooooo proud of you! Way to go, Tessa!

06/25/2024

Good morning! Meet Basil--she's an 8 week-old mini schnauzer who is a cute as a button! Her dog mom called us BEFORE she even picked her up to ensure she was setting herself and Basil up for success upon arrival to her new home. We made a home visit the day after Basil was brought home, and we discussed the basics of kenneling/playpen, potty training, appropriate toys, appropriate bedding, consistency in training, etc. This little puffball did amazing and picked up the new good habits right away! Please encourage this little girl to continue to do good things!

06/20/2024

Good morning! Meet Violet--she's a 9 month-old Shepherd mix who is such a sweet soul but afraid of everything! Her start in life was a very sad one--found abandoned in a locked room and left to die as a puppy with her siblings. At 4-8 months, a puppy undergoes the fear-learning period--the exact timeframe Violet was found. No wonder she is so fearful! She shares very similar characteristics with River--another pup currently being trained by Pawz 4 Peeps Dog Training. We are setting her up for success with training to boost her confidence to lower her fear of everything. Please encourage this beautiful face to keep at it!

06/20/2024

Good morning! Meet Winnie--she's a 1 year-old English Shepherd who is tremendously smart and energetic but has some herding and protective traits that are a bit problematic when her dog parents are involved. She can get a bit loud, pushy, and nippy with other dogs and people when they get too close to her prized possessions. She means well, but her anxiety is elevated which accentuates these behaviors. We are working on raising her threshold and tolerance so her experiences are far more pleasant at the dog park. You got this Winnie!

06/20/2024

Happy Birthday, Harley and Peanut! Harley (large doodle) celebrated her 3rd birthday on June 15 and Peanut (tan chihuahua mix) celebrated her 12th birthday on June 18. We had a combined birthday party on Sunday to celebrate the great occasion with doggy snickerdoodle cookies and whipped cream! We were joined by our neighbor dog, Khalie (Silkie), who absolutely loved the party and snacks! Happy Birthday, dear little ones!

06/20/2024

Good morning! Meet River--she's a 10 month-old Shepherd/Rottie mix who is sweet as pie but afraid of her own shadow. She's a rescue who had a rough start, but ended up with a wonderful family who only wants the best for her. It was foundational to gain her trust before we could even start training. Training boosts confidence, and her family has seen a miraculous transformation in River after just one training session and within one week of applying the training techniques. She still has a long way to go, but she is making great progress. Please encourage River to continue her journey to confidence and decreased anxiety!

06/14/2024

Good morning! Meet Willie--he's a 3 year-old mini Sheepadoodle who is a beautiful boy with a sweet disposition but has a terrible case of separation anxiety (and some counter-surfing issues). His dog mom just wants him to be happy in his current environment, even when she is not there. Separation anxiety is tricky, but it can be mitigated with the right training tools and set-up at home. He has the most unique markings, to include one brown eye and the other is half-brown/half-blue. Please encourage this little guy as he takes the journey to independence!

06/14/2024

Good morning! Meet Biere (yes, French for beer!)--he's a 4 year-old Frenchie who is tremendously sweet but freakishly strong. Taking him on a walk is a challenge for his dog mom, especially when they just adopted a new Frenchie puppy. As you can see, he is now sporting the 2 Hounds harness, and with a little instruction on technique to properly apply and use the harness and leash, his pulling is not almost non-existent! Way to go, Biere! Look at this face--what's not to love???