Custom Canines

Custom Canines Training for both ends of the leash through in person or virtual private lessons and board and train.

12/20/2025

I wanted to explain something about CHRI and my posts here, and shared information.

1. Mission: the purpose of all communications efforts is to provide perspective, education, information.

2. While everyone reads and looks at the information given through the lense of their own knowledge and perspectives, the intent behind this platform is to help.

3. Over the past few years, I have shared my journey with Bosch, and now starting to share a similar journey with Kate.

What I wanted to say is this:

I am always amazed when anything “works”. I have never gotten to a point where I assume that I am “in charge” of how a dog or human “turns out”. I am always humbled by any other dog, human, duck, cat, cow, that interacts and gives me trust, understanding, and makes an effort to trust.

I have to say, I believe the true key to reaching another living being is humility.

Confidence is built over long, long periods of time. A lifetime. But confidence has nothing to do with arrogance. Arrogance is a self view. Being humble is a self view.

You will be grounded properly if you hold amazement in every success and failure.

Sharing the stories about Bosch, Kate, Toffee, Callie, Bella, all of my dogs, is not to impress you. It is to show the process, and to provide real time growth of communicative clarity, trust building and the joy of becoming closer to this amazing species of animals that we share our lives with.

I am always surprised and amazed with what potential is realized. That is why I share.

Ruby and Bear are German Shepherd/labrador/hound mix siblings who were rescued as puppies and given to their senior peop...
11/23/2025

Ruby and Bear are German Shepherd/labrador/hound mix siblings who were rescued as puppies and given to their senior people as a gift. Each dog exhibited different traits from their genetics with Bear being more German shepherd like with more natural caution and Ruby being more hound like with her focus being solely on hunting critters. .

Many professionals will tell you that having two puppies at the same time is madness and is a difficult task, and they would be correct, but Ruby and Bears people stepped up to the challenge starting group classes and private lessons right away. The siblings have also graduated from our board and train program and I have the pleasure of having them return for boarding now and then.

Both dogs have struggled with some reactivity toward other dogs; Bear from his innate cautiousness and Ruby due to an off leash dog attack. I’m beaming to share Ruby’s recent update:

“Ruby and I are still doing great with her dog reactivity training. She hasn’t made a mistake for weeks now and we’re seeing dogs in our neighborhood that she used to react to intensely and is now able to pass calmly. I also take her elsewhere and she does well in those situations, too. Thank you again for your expertise and efforts on our behalf—it’s really changed our lives to be able to go out for walks without anxiety and incidents! I can sense that her connection to me and her trust of me is stronger than ever.”

Congratulations to Margo and Bodhi for graduating from our board and train program! These pups live in the same househol...
11/17/2025

Congratulations to Margo and Bodhi for graduating from our board and train program! These pups live in the same household and recently merged homes with a couple of cats. Margo has previously been getting into fights with the senior dog at home and things have become more hectic in the new home with the Margo and Bodhi wanting to chase the cats.

Margo is an exuberant confident happy pitty who pulls on the leash, doesn’t come when called, and jumps on guests. Bodhi is an insecure boy who also pulls on leash but is scared of the world around him and doesn’t come when called. While here we focused on each dog’s individual needs while also teaching them the basics like place, heel, come, sit, and down. Margo learned general impulse control and both learned impulse control with the cats. We build Bodhi’s confidence by showing him that he can trust his humans to lead and keep him safe and with environmental agility and overcoming obstacles.

They both graduated with success and ready to continue their training with their people at come. Margo and Bodhi’s people also stepped up to learn how to create more order and decrease the chaos at home by creating clear communication and properly advocating for each animal.

Since Jojo completed his board and train, I have had the pleasure of having him return to camp for boarding. I love hear...
11/17/2025

Since Jojo completed his board and train, I have had the pleasure of having him return to camp for boarding. I love hearing the updates from his mom. They are having a blast adventuring together and she truly appreciates the dog that he is, which is a beautiful thing. Being able to communicate effectively and understand each other has allowed Jojo to go on new adventures to beaches, mountains, and new trails. He even participated in rattlesnake aversion training for safety which has helped him stay safe on the trails. Go team Jojo!

The two princesses from different kingdoms, Bess and Sophie, returned to camp for boarding while their families were out...
06/18/2025

The two princesses from different kingdoms, Bess and Sophie, returned to camp for boarding while their families were out of town. They may be treated like princesses, but they love to kick the dust up while here at camp.

Fred, the Golden Retriever, stopped in for some boarding camp while his people were out of town. We had a nice walk arou...
06/18/2025

Fred, the Golden Retriever, stopped in for some boarding camp while his people were out of town. We had a nice walk around the park with our trainer friend and her board and train visitor. Once dogs have been taught skills to be successful, it is important that get the opportunity to practice their skills in real life situations, like a park busy with people, kids, dogs, geese, bikes, cars, etc. We can only expect fluency if we have opportunities to practice.

Ozzie, the stock guardian, graduated from his four week board and train camp! Ozzie lives in a full house with his two a...
06/18/2025

Ozzie, the stock guardian, graduated from his four week board and train camp! Ozzie lives in a full house with his two adults and two favorite kiddos. They were struggling with his on leash reactivity to people, sneaking off to go to the bathroom in the house, jumping on people, mouthiness, pushiness, and recall. They were told management with a crate would be impossible for him. Ozzie has the makings of a great family dog and needed some clear instructions on what that looked like and how to be successful. While here he built social skills with other dogs and neutrality to them when on walks. He now has solid off leash recall so he can go on adventures with his family and a routine, that includes time in his crate, to help him be successful with his potty habits. He gets his mental and gentetic needs met in addition to his physical needs. He has learned how humans like to interact and to respect healthy boundaries. Ozzie is a gem of a dog! Go team Ozzie!

Bodhi, the lab/border collie mix has one week left of his four week board and train and is a star student! He came to bu...
05/08/2025

Bodhi, the lab/border collie mix has one week left of his four week board and train and is a star student! He came to build confidence, work through reactivity toward other dogs, refresh some obedience and leash walking skills, and gain off leash freedom. Learning that he can trust his people to advocate for his needs and keep dogs respectful has allowed him to feel safe and be curious and neutral instead of defensive.

📈Several years ago a research study found a CORRELATING between feeding grain free dog foods and heart disease in dogs. ...
05/07/2025

📈Several years ago a research study found a CORRELATING between feeding grain free dog foods and heart disease in dogs. A correlation is not cause and effect but shows where more research is needed. If your dog is a breed prone to murmurs and heart disease, take it more seriously.

🫘A number of dogs have allergies to grains (corn and wheat at the top of the list) so grain free food was created and took off in popularity. Legumes (beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans) are often found in grain free dog foods as a replacement filler for carbs (grains) and protein.

💝A lack of taurine can aid in heart disease. Taurine is found in quality MEATS and ORGANS. Past research has show that a high quantity of legumes in a diet can inhibit or block the intake of taurine. Recent research shows that peas are the worst. Even if Taurine is added, the dog may not benefit from it.

🚨This does not mean that your dog needs grains. It does mean

🍗 Choose a diet with actual meat as the first and main ingredient(s). Not “by-product”, “meal”, or fillers.
🍖 Choose a diet without grains or legumes.
🌾 Choose a diet with healthier grains, but still an ample amount of meat. No corn or rice.
🤤You can alternate between diets.

There is much more, but these are some of the big ones. If you are concerned, speak to a canine nutritionist instead of a general practitioner.

Congratulation Fred, the Golden Retriever, on completing our three week board and train! Fred lacked confidence with gue...
04/16/2025

Congratulation Fred, the Golden Retriever, on completing our three week board and train! Fred lacked confidence with guests entering the home, refused to come when called when he was having too much fun, and had sled dog tendencies on leash. While here we worked on building confidence, impulse control, and creating a clear communication system so both ends of the leash could be successful. He now walks nicely as a partner, can enjoy off leash freedoms WITH his people, and is more secure with guests at home. Way to go team Fred!

Congratulations to Bernie, the puppy Bernadoodle, for completing our two week puppy board and train!Bernie’s family have...
04/16/2025

Congratulations to Bernie, the puppy Bernadoodle, for completing our two week puppy board and train!Bernie’s family have been struggling to keep up with this busy puppy and decided there’s no better time to start training than now. While here we started teaching Bernie the basics of engagement, rules of play, basic puppy manners, and socialized and confidence building by having positive experiences with new things. Bernie will be returning for an adolescent board and train to work on more skills once his puppy brain is ready for more complex skills

02/02/2025

We still have spots available for our first Healthy Dog workshop of 2025! Join us to learn more about how you can help your dog feel their best through their bowl! 😍

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Clayton, CA
94517

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+19253328411

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