UpSwing Canine Behavioral Services

08/22/2024

Butler families, please note that Parvo exposure has been reported at Jade's Dog Park. As a precautionary measure, we recommend confirming your dog's vaccination status. We can provide recommendations for trusted veterinarians if your pet needs an update.

There was a reported exposure of PARVO at Jade’s Dog Park.
This is a very serious disease and Jades’s Dog Park will be sanitizing however this does not guarantee anything. The claim did not confirm the dog was in contact with anyone or went to the restroom, however, the risk is still there.
Please treat everyone with kindness, this was not intentional, everyone loves their pets and wants them to be safe. This is why it was reported, out of caution.
Please pay attention to your pet and contact your vet with any symptoms.

08/20/2024

Happy Tongue-out-Tuesday from Lochlan!

08/19/2024

Java: I think I'll wear my ear like this! So stylish!

08/17/2024

Agent Marlowe on duty!
This adolescent pups favorite thing is to take things apart, so we'd been tasked with the mission of helping him make better choices. A big part of this is giving him safe ways to engage in behaviors that he enjoys. Increased enrichment where he can eviscerate appropriate items helps keep Marlowe happy.!

08/16/2024

Last week, we spent tons of time with little Biscotti, and he made quick friends with our own Lochlan. Lots of pictures were taken. Biscotti sure is one super photogenic little guy!

08/11/2024

It's Charlie!
Charlie is a super friendly and exuberant boy who we're helping to make better choices while on walks and when his family has company. He is making progress thanks to his dedicated dad!

08/09/2024

It's Misia Wafels!
We totally love this little girl - she's just a little puppy, but she's learning some big things! She has such a bright future ahead, all thanks to her amazing family!
All of our training is family-friendly. We can get the kids involved and make it fun for everyone. 😊

08/07/2024

Here's a clip from the seminar we attended last weekend! Behavior is just a barometer.

08/07/2024

1 minute of trick work with Tiangou! Jumping through the legs is new to him, as is the cue 'around'. Tiangou is a fun boy, and those 1 minute things really do make a difference!

08/05/2024

Nash has come such a long way in the weeks we have worked with him. His guest protocol is a pretty big success so far, and we are tickled with him learning so much.
He's a good boy - really, he is the BEST BOY!

08/05/2024

Rachel attended this amazing seminar all weekend with Behavior Vets - and it was an incredible journey into the workings of the canine brain!
Continuing education is so vital for professionals in our field and we are always thrilled to be a part of learning!

Day 1 of The Resilience Framework has begun!! We are so excited to be at Animal Friends in Pittsburgh! 🥳

Neuroscientist, Dr. Kathy Murphy, is speaking about the gut-brain connection and how it influences behavior. 🙌🏼

08/04/2024

Buddy is a sweet dog who struggles with some big feels - we are so happy to see him making better choices recently and learning great skills
Go Buddy!

08/03/2024

Colby brings out Rachel's cheesiest expressions for sure! This sweet and sensitive Dane is doing amazing! We adore her so much!

08/02/2024

Q: How DO you pick the cutest photo of Nova!?
A: You don't. You just post all of them.

08/01/2024

Sometimes work just takes you to the woods! Here is Rachel and the best little helper, Tiangou, walking along a trail while working on reactivity with a client and their dog.

07/31/2024

Meet Roxie and Rosie!
We were called in to help Rosie with her big feelings and give her better coping skills. Her sister, Roxie, is just along for the ride. Together, these girls are so adorable - and we love working with them!

07/30/2024

Lochlan the puppy is such a big boy these days!
Remember to enjoy every single moment with your dog - their time with us seems so brief in our lives. Make every moment count!

07/29/2024

We made a small casual appearance in FurKids live yesterday.
We had a great time talking to adopters, supporters and dog families. Thanks for having us! 😊

07/29/2024

We got to hang out with our old friends Sammy & Lucy last week. We had so much fun!!!

07/28/2024

It's Java time!
Java is a very special and sensitive girl that we've worked with for some time now. This particular day was all about working on engagement outside. She's such a wonderful dog. We simply adore little Java!

07/26/2024

Meet Maverick, Barkley, Wookie & Gordy!
These 4 adorable pups are working so hard to develop some skills to deal with their reactions to guests and environmental triggers.
They are such great pups, and their family has done a really amazing job with them!

07/15/2024

This is T-Bone - and here is some of his story!

His impressive physique is actually holding in quite a sensitive soul. When we first met, strangers triggered fear and reactivity in him, leading to behaviors that could be intimidating. His family was worried that he would hurt someone. During our very first visit, we quickly formed a bond with T-Bone, recognizing his need for understanding and the power of choice in his training journey.

For sensitive dogs like T-Bone, traditional obedience training often falls short. While "sit," "stay," and "come" have their place, they simply don't address the root of the problem: fear, frustration, and anxiety. In fact, demanding compliance without considering the dog's emotional state can often worsen the issue over time.

This is where a qualified and credentialed Behavior Consultant comes in. Unlike Trainers who solely focus on obedience, Behavior Consultants delve deeper into the dog's emotional well-being and develop a personalized plan that empowers the dog to make good choices.

For T-Bone, this meant building trust, gradually and rewarding him for making appropriate choices. We also give him the agency to choose when to interact, creating a sense of safety and control. Moving forward, we will be exposing him to triggers in a very controlled environment and rewarding calm behaviors.

The results have been remarkable for him so far, and we are quite proud when those charming brown eyes peer up at us. T-Bone is slowly showing more confidence, and we will soon be embarking on new situations for him. We can’t wait to see him again this week!

Obedience isn't everything! If your dog is struggling with fear or reactivity, please look beyond basic obedience commands and choose your professional wisely. Since it is an unregulated field, not all trainers are created equal. Seek out a certified professional who understands behavior and utilizes modern, positive, and choice-based methods. Always empower your dog - give your dog choices and allow them to communicate their needs to you. Once you have this understanding, each day gets better and better. Celebrate even your smallest victories! It can take many small steps to run a marathon, but each tiny advancement is movement forward!

If you're ready to help your dog overcome their challenges, improve their quality of life, and thrive, reach out to us today. Your dog will thank you! 💙

07/14/2024

Helping with fearful dogs is kind of my thing! When asked to do video consults to help this little chi with big fears, I jumped right in!
Little Paris is now making big progress and Senior Hearts is working hard to help her.

07/13/2024

Yesterday was a very special day!
We've been working on some trick dog things with little Paisley, and yesterday, we got to work with her on her birthday! Happy 2nd Birthday, Paisley! We love you!

07/13/2024

Our friends at Wandering Wags are at Cranberry Community Days!
Go check them out!!

07/06/2024

Butler folks!
Please be on the look out!

07/04/2024

Happy 4th of July from UpSwing!
Remember to keep your dogs safe this evening - not just in a physical sense, but make sure they FEEL safe too! Comfort your dog if they need it, allow them to have quiet safe spaces, keep doors and windows shut, play calming music and have a fan going to drown out the sound if your dog is struggling.

07/01/2024

We are back on the road and very busy! If you see us around town, say hi! It'll surely be a crazy couple of weeks catching up with everything that was missed while we were down between vehicles.