So Much PETential

01/08/2026

It is Throwback Thursday! I thought I'd share this video of teaching this sweet dog to sit with her head held neutral while I attach her leash, RATHER THAN her previous behavior of jumping, moving around, and mouthing. When you are problem solving in dog training, instead of simply thinking about stopping the unwanted behavior, ask yourself what would you rather your dog do INSTEAD. And then teach it!

Is this helpful? Please consider liking and sharing it!

01/06/2026

Registration for my first kids' class of 2026 is now open! I offer these important education opportunities FREE in partnership with my hometown Wyoming Ohio (at the Wyoming Civic Center) for ages 6 to 11. Students learn how to be a safe and fun dog friend, teacher and playmate.

Date is January 28 at 6:30 pm. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED at: www.SoMuchPETential.com/kids-and-dogs

If you live in Cincinnati, and have a dog and a child, please look at your calendar and register! Space is always limited to allow full participation of students.

Sycamore Township, Ohio dog trainer Lisa Desatnik offers dog training classes and education for kids to support the relationship between your child and dog.

01/06/2026

Yesterday was National Bird Day...and in recognition, I am sharing my story of how I solved my own pet bird screaming problem. Solving this with my sweet African Grey, Barnaby, is actually what inspired me to study pet behavior over 20 years ago.

Barnaby came into my life when he was about 3 months old. He was then my third pet bird, and he thought it would be cool to produce ear deafening noise.

I did not; however, think it was so neat. Parrot screaming issues are one of the most common complaints in households, yet the problem is solvable. Definitely the most common reason pet bird guardians reach out to me for support.

Way back then, I did not have the knowledge I have today. I was just a pet guardian looking forward to having a talking African Grey. So, when my little boy decided his first sound would be imitating my Alexandrine Ringneck Parakeet (who sadly passed years ago) at decibels way beyond what came out of Chester…throughout the day, I just needed it to stop.

NOW!!!

I tried the strategies I read online – talking to him in quiet words, yelling NO, trying to ignore him, cover his cage. (Thankfully I did not sq**rt him with water.) Nothing worked.

I was at the end of my rope when I discovered an international online list of Dr. Susan Friedman, Ph.D., that taught parrot owners like me about ABA to live successfully with their pet.

What she taught me was life-changing and relationship changing. Susan was my first teacher/mentor. She is the reason my boy today speaks human much of his day. She is also the reason why I became hooked on studying behavior.

You can read about my behavior modification plan in my blog post:
https://somuchpetential.com/how-i-solved-my-parrots-screaming-problem/

01/03/2026

You brought home a precious little puppy, and you are smitten already. Oh my gosh, I totally get it!

If you had researched online, you may have a long checklist of what to do and what to train your puppy. Teaching your puppy to sit, walk nicely on a leash, sleep in a crate, go potty outside or on a p*e pad, and exposing your puppy to 100 new things before next month (socialization) may be on your list.

Woaza, that can be overwhelming! I am here to tell you…take a deep breath, relax, and don’t pressure yourself or your puppy. This is all new for all of you.

Instead of focusing on puppy training milestones, that first week, focus on helping your puppy to feel safe and secure, understood. Help your puppy to meet his basic needs.
THIS week is your puppy’s orientation to your home, your family, your environment.

Among your puppy’s first lessons should be learning that you are the source of good things. That you are trustworthy and predictable. That fun happens here.

01/02/2026

Happy New Year!

For my clients and all of you, I want to thank you for learning, growing and having fun with me in 2025! I look back upon the lives (human and non-human) that were uplifted because of our work together and I feel so much gratitude. These are the reasons why I do what I do as a dog trainer (and parrot behavior consultant).

Here is to many more opportunities for growth and joy in 2026!

May your new year be filled with abundance, feelings of achievement, new surprises, laughter and kindness.

~ Lisa

12/30/2025

Have a reactive dog on leash?

Distance is an important factor when it comes to changing a dog’s reactive behaviors on leash.

How do you know how far away you should be from your dog’s triggers? Only your dog can tell you. You should be far enough away that your dog can see the moving kids, dog or car but still be relaxed and able to turn back to you.

For this sweet pitbull mix dog, even seeing the boy on a bike and dog walking by from this distance would have caused her to react in barking and lunging when we began working together. But on this day, she was able to see the boy and the dog and stay relaxed. (This was taken a few months ago. She is doing even better now.)

What you do not see is all of the time and energy her guardians invested (with my help) into -

➡️ management to prevent her practice of the lunging

➡️ learning their own leash handling skills and practicing

➡️ giving her plenty of enrichment and exercise in safe areas

➡️ having fun teaching her lots of behaviors

Remember, it is important to:

➡️ prevent rehearsals of unwanted behaviors
➡️ support your dog’s need for safety and enrichment
➡️ teach your dog new skills and replacement behaviors

Oh yes, and have fun!!

12/28/2025

For me, the greatest reward for my doing what I do is experiencing the joy alongside my clients as they learn, grow, have fun, and build their relationship with their puppy or dog. I loved getting to know and teach the Loscher family…including their then puppy, now adolescent dog.

It meant so very much for me to see Lindsay’s (mom) review. They have been really awesome students, I am so proud of them!

Have a puppy or dog? I'd love to be of help!

This is Lindsay’s full review:
Looking for a trainer who will help you and your dog LOVE training? Lisa is your person! My family hired Lisa to help us get off to a good start with our rough collie puppy. She has been there with us every step of the way, from giving us advice before bringing her home, to a "Puppy 101" in the early days, to currently helping us navigate adolescence! She has really helped me learn to tailor training to my dog's interests and motivations. As a result, Lucky absolutely loves to be trained, and she is a joy to work with. My family loves that Lisa uses only positive training techniques, so the training work just feels good. Lucky has never heard a harsh word in her young life--yet, friends who visit marvel at her behavior! Lisa has spent a lot of extra time teaching my elementary-aged children how to work with Lucky, and Lucky performs just as enthusiastically for my daughter as she does for me.

Lisa really goes above and beyond. Any time I ask her a question, she says, "I'll send you an article" or "I'll send you a training video" on that! She offers free classes for children and for her students, just to help them learn and improve. I truly can't recommend her highly enough.

12/24/2025

Happy holidays everyone! I want to take this time to remind you how very much I appreciate your being here...to learn and be inspired. I love this work because it allows me to support positive growth in lives and relationships. May you have much to cherish this season and beyond!
~ Lisa ♥️

12/22/2025

My morning conversation with my dog after our walk. Can you relate?

12/20/2025

I brought in one of my tug toys for puppy yoga this morning at 50 West benefitting League for Animal Welfare. We got a little yoga in. Mostly we had fun!

12/20/2025

My dog training client thought of everything! This is called the EVERYTHING Dog Treat Belt!

12/20/2025

Hi Everyone - Please help me share this valuable and relatively inexpensive gift idea for the young dog lover in your life! (This is good for adults too) It is an excellent gift all year!

It is so very important for all of you to learn dog language so that you can recognize when your dog or another family's dog is enjoying the interaction...or needing space.

You can use the book to practice with your child pointing out what body language you see your dog use.

Speaking dog not only can prevent dog bites but also can go a long way toward helping everyone to feel more comfortable around each other.

Parents, this is valuable for you too, as active adult supervision involves knowing what signs of stress to watch for, and when to redirect your child, your dog or both.

As a reminder: gates and other barriers keep moving kids from approaching your dog when they have not been invited; and keep your dog from getting in the middle of activity, stealing, jumping, or grabbing at your kids.

Need help managing your busy household that includes kids and a dog? Please reach out to me!

Here is a link to the book on Amazon: https://rebrand.ly/mway2j4