Zen Dog Training

03/04/2025

Excuse me ma'am. Are you in need of some assistance???

03/02/2025

You gonna share that bagel with me!!

02/24/2025

This questionable dog wisdom has circulated and been championed, without question, for years.

And while I get the sentiment, and the simple logic behind it, it’s one of those training concepts that’s leaning heavily on a short-sighted, superficial view.

What owners (and many trainers) miss, is that you can actually condition/train a dog to learn how to be calm, chilled, and relaxed, even without having run a marathon. We train this all the time. Duration work actually conditions the dog to turn off and relax, even when their batteries are fully charged. Along with that, simply having rules, or standards of acceptable behavior—which don’t get a pass because the dog hasn’t been exhausted yet—rules and standards which are enforced, teach a dog that good behavior is required, even when they’re brimming with energy.

Yes, a dog who’s too tired to misbehave might be considered a “good” dog while he or she is incapacitated, but as soon as the battery is recharged, the same “not good” dog will be present. And if repeated enough, the refreshed dog will gain stamina and strength, and what’s needed to make them “good” will only increase.

PS, no, this isn’t a suggestion (or excuse) to NOT exercise your dog. Exercise is a critical aspect of having a healthy, happy dog. What it is, is a reminder that good behavior shouldn’t be dependent upon your dog being exhausted—it should simply be the standard. Your dog is capable, and there will be many times in life where exhausting them won’t be possible. Teach them how to be good regardless, and then you’ll be good regardless.

02/24/2025

Update: Libby has found a home. Thank you everyone.

Fully Trained Service Dog Available for the Right Handler!

Zen Dog Training has a fully trained service dog looking for her perfect match! She’s a Miniature Golden Retriever, weighing about 22 lbs, and is already spayed, up to date on vaccines, and fully trained.

Originally trained for nose work, she turned out to be too handler-focused for the job, preferring to stay engaged with her person rather than search for odors. However, she excels at psychological task work and was trained to be a child’s service dog. She’s fantastic with children, gets along well with other dogs, has impeccable public access skills, and has great manners at home.

While she’s fully trained, she will need some fine-tuning to ensure her skills are tailored to her new handler’s specific needs. Private training lessons will be included to help with this transition.

There is a fee associated, and interested parties should be prepared to travel to pick her up or arrange for transport.

If you think you or someone you know could be the perfect match for this sweet girl, please send us a private message for more details!

02/23/2025

This is Mackie. He’s in our service dog program. What a smart boy!

02/22/2025

Balanced Dog Training: Clear Communication for a Better Bond

Balanced dog training means using the full spectrum of communication to help dogs understand what behaviors are desired and what are not. It’s about clarity, not conflict.

Rewards, such as treats and praise, are an excellent way to show a dog that you’re happy with their behavior. However, rewards alone are not enough to stop unwanted behaviors. A proper correction isn’t about punishment—it’s about providing information. It helps the dog understand what behavior is unacceptable while guiding them toward better choices.

Corrections don’t have to be harsh to be effective. A good trainer uses the lightest amount of pressure necessary to create reliable results, ensuring the process is fair and clear for the dog. This approach aligns with LIMA—Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive—a training philosophy I helped define as one of seven trainers on the International Association of Canine Professionals' (IACP) LIMA Committee, where we developed the official LIMA certification test.

LIMA means that while we use aversion when needed, it is applied in the gentlest and most effective way possible to stop negative behaviors. We do not subscribe to outdated dominance theory or techniques like alpha rolls, nor do we micromanage dogs with unnecessary rules like forbidding them from walking in front of us, going out the door first, or sitting on the furniture.

Many trainers overcomplicate things, but at Zen Dog Training, we keep training simple, clear, and stress-free for both owners and dogs. The goal is a well-behaved, confident dog and a happy, relaxed owner.

If you're looking for balanced training that makes sense, gets results, and builds a better relationship with your dog, let's talk!

02/21/2025

🛑 What Are The Risks of Spay Neuter?
We are often ask this question, so let’s dive in and take a look.
Desexing removes hormone-producing organs (the ovaries or testicles) that researchers are now finding are actually quite important to overall health. Studies also indicate that the earlier a puppy is spayed or neutered, the greater the likelihood of health problems later in life. Here are examples of studies evidencing some of these potential issues.
❗️BONE ABNORMALITIES
Studies showed that the hormone estrogen, which is no longer produced in spayed or neutered dogs, plays a crucial role in bone growth and development. The removal of estrogen-producing organs in immature dogs can cause growth plates to remain open. The dogs continue to grow and wind up with abnormal growth patterns and bone structure, which can result in irregular body proportions. (Shown in the photo example)
❗️ HIP DYSPLASIA
In a retrospective cohort study conducted at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and published over 10 years ago in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, results showed that both male and female dogs desexed at an early age were more prone to hip dysplasia.
❗️(CCL) Injuries
A study conducted at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center on canine cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries concluded that spayed and neutered dogs had a significantly higher incidence of CCL rupture than their intact counterparts. And while large breed dogs had more CCL injuries, sterilized dogs of all breeds and sizes had increased rupture rates.
❗️BONE CANCER
In a study of Rottweilers published in 2002, it was established that the risk for bone sarcoma was significantly influenced by the age at which the dogs were desexed. For both male and female.
Among the reports and studies pointing to health concerns associated with early spaying and neutering, you can also find mention of increased incidence of:
🔹Adverse reactions to vaccines
🔹Noise phobias
🔹Fearful behavior
🔹Aggression
Our recommendation is to wait until 2 yrs with responsible pet ownership.

Please take a moment to like our page for more great topics on living the healthy K9 lifestyle.

References used for this write up.
https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.2004.224.380
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8226247
https://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/11/11/1434
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6863800/

02/19/2025

📣 Zen Dog Training is Back in NWA! 🐾

After a decade away, we’re excited to bring our expert dog training back to Northwest Arkansas! 🏡🐕

Our 6-week private lesson program is designed to transform your dog’s behavior with guaranteed results—because a well-trained dog means a happier home.

✨ What We Offer:
✅ Personalized, one-on-one training
✅ Discounts for multiple dogs & group training
✅ Lifetime backup training—we’re with you for the long haul!

Let’s build a calm, well-mannered dog together! 📍 Now booking new clients in NWA.

📩 Message us today to get started!

02/15/2025

Having a bath! This place is really nice! After an 18 hour car ride, he needed re-freshed.

02/12/2025