The Diligent Dog

09/04/2024

🐶🐕🐾 MAGNOLIA/THE WOODLANDS/CONROE DOG OWNERS! 🐾🐕🐶

New Group Class dates for the Cultured Canine / Small Breed course starting Wednesday 09.11 for pups over 9mo and under 30lbs.

Classes held at Dogtopia - The Woodlands West near FM1488

Max of 6 pups per course - Reserve your pup's enrollment today!

Sign-up at https://form.jotform.com/232635011486048

07/31/2024

New Group Class dates for both small (29lbs) breed dogs.

Dogs of all breeds over the age of 9 months are welcome to participate! Teach your pup the Five Core Cues - Sit, Down, Stay, Come, and Place - while also developing a comprehensive understanding of body language, conditioned relaxation, and other key factors that support lifelong successful habits for your dog. This course consists of a weekly 60-minute group training session for five (5) consecutive weeks.

More information including the enrollment form can be found at www.theDiligentDog.com under the Group Classes tab.

Small groups mean classes fill up fast so save your pup's spot today!

03/25/2024

Finn (the derpy Flat Coated Retriever who greets you with a hearty High Five on my landing page) was a perpetual black hole of snacks and all things snack-like.

Flat Coats are 66% more prone to this mutation. 😱

New research finds around a quarter of Labrador retriever dogs face a double-whammy of feeling hungry all the time and burning fewer calories due to a genetic

03/20/2024

* Bringing this post out of the vault, because it’s so important * 👇🏻

I think it’s common to think that when our dog is unruly, there is something wrong with them. 

Especially when we look around us and see perfectly behaved pups strolling happily down the street with their owners. 

But the truth is…

Everything your dog does is NORMAL. 

Chewing…

Digging…

Barking…

Pulling on the lead…

Lunging at other dogs or joggers…

Growling…

It’s all NORMAL. 

This is  a normal response for a predator (because that’s what dogs once were) that got plucked out of their natural environment and dropped onto your sofa. 

What’s not normal? 

Walking on a leash at a mind numbingly slow pace as you stare at your phone…

NOT chewing things, or mouthing you…

Holding a sit stay or a down stay as you chat to a friend…

NOT losing their mind around another dog. 

Sure selective breeding has curbed some of the more natural responses our dogs have…

But the truth is…

Your dog’s behavior is a NORMAL response to them trying to adapt to an environment that truthfully is NOT normal for them. 

So tell me…

What does that shift for you? 

Because your dog isn’t “Bad”. There’s nothing wrong with them. Everything they are doing is completely normal.

03/19/2024

Yep, you read the message on the image right - we’re going to talk about when NOT to utilise a muzzle. 👇

The thing is, I see people use muzzles to enable them to continue to put their dog in uncomfortable situations, with the belief that this is okay because at least the dog can’t bite..

For example:

👉 Muzzling around children when your dog finds the experience scary or confusing.

👉Muzzling when you have visitors when your dog feels uncomfortable or threatened.

👉 Muzzling but continuing to force your dog to have unwanted interactions with other dogs.

👉 Muzzling and restraining for nail trims, grooms or vet visits without additional cooperative care training.

Now I’m not saying you shouldn’t use a muzzle at all in these situations, because safety is paramount!

But, you should be utilising a muzzle ALONGSIDE behaviour modification and management.

To simply continue making your dog feel uncomfortable without considering their emotional well-being is not okay.

Ask yourself, am I muzzling my dog because I am about to do something I know they don’t like? And then ask, how could I make this easier for my dog moving forwards?

A muzzle alone is not enough if you aren’t also manipulating the environment, investing time in changing the way they feel or working through a training programme with a reputable trainer!

Share if you agree 💗

03/19/2024

Join Doggone Safe Today!
Help promote education initiatives for dog bite prevention and increased child safety around dogs.
https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/programs/doggone-safe/

03/19/2024

It’s Review Time! Why take your dog on a Sniffari?

Sniffing is a dog’s primary means of collecting information about the world around them. Detecting and processing smells is enriching and energy-intensive. The ability to sniff freely and investigate the environment has been correlated with increased optimism and lowered pulse rates. We have discovered that dogs’ nostrils can wiggle independently, and that specific nostrils are used to investigate specific smells. Dogs have retained the ability to identify the scents of large predators even when they never have contact with those predators.

We have used sniff-related research to determine that dogs can identify the scent of a familiar person in their absence, and that the dog-human bond is strongly reinforced in dogs’ brains. Dogs can detect drugs, explosives, changes in emotions, and changes in human cell metabolism during illness like cancer and diabetes, and are currently being trained to see if they can identify Covid-19.

Rather than marching your dog along at a brisk pace on every walk, try some walks (or portions of walks) where you let your dog sniff freely. It can be enriching not only to them, but to you as well. Watch how your dog catches a scent in the air or on the ground, and the zany path they take following the scent. Watch to see what catches your dog’s attention enough to sniff deeply and intensely. See if you can notice your dog switching nostrils to sniff a specific smell, and if you can see their nostrils wiggle. Take a moment to ponder and appreciate the similarities and differences between the way we vision-focused humans perceive our world and the way smell-focused dogs do. At the end of the day, for both man and man’s best friend, a big breath in and a big exhale makes us all feel better.

03/13/2024

03/13/2024

🐾🐕💜 ATTENTION AUSTIN AREA PUPPY OWNERS!

This is a stellar opportunity to work with an exceptional trainer who will provide you and your puppy with invaluable skills for life.

This is a class you don't want to miss!

Puppy socialization checklist! If you have a new puppy you have to make every day count on introducing them to new people, dogs, objects, and situations. All the while making sure they're having a GOOD experience in order to grow up confident around these things. Best Puppy class is a great way to stay on track with your puppy's socialization and puppy manners!

Sign up for Best Puppy class beginning next Thursday on my website (link in comments)

03/07/2024

Use the code at checkout to redeem this FREE course!

As all of those who follow the southend trainers page jump on to my page to give me abuse, it's worth pointing out that the ONLY reason my video went viral is because hundreds of qualified educated competent dog trainers agreed with me and wanted their dog owning followers to be aware of the potential damage you can cause to your sticking your puppy in a crate and letting them cry it out.
If you are a fan of his, and jumping on my page because he has 'rallied the troops' my only message is that we have all been in a position that we strongly believed x was true, only to later in life realise that maybe you were mislead.

I am going to make my Understanding Pet Dogs course free for the next 48 hours for those who are open to learning more about training without using pain, fear or intimidation.
Just go to free courses available for those who are willing to educate themselves, just input the code knowbetterdobetter at check out.
https://www.nancicreedon.co.uk/product/single-course-flash-sale-understanding-pet-dogs

03/06/2024

Finding time to train your dog can be a tall order for many owners with a full-time work schedule. If only there were a program out there bringing your trainer into your home to help offset your work load...

Look no further - Day Tutoring is the program for you!

Check out https://www.thediligentdog.com/daytutoring for more info.

02/13/2024

Sweet Monty has recently begun our Dayschool @ Dogtopia program on Mondays and is already making huge strides for his 2nd day! This is a training option provided to daycare pups attending

Give the fine folks at the front desk a jingle or reach out directly here for more information on enrolling in our Monday Dayschool program!

02/08/2024

This adorable little pistol is Rory and she is a superstar! 🤩 After a solid ramp up in our Smart Start Puppy program, she had her first day of Dayschool and had a fabulous time. Highest marks!

Thanks to her new pal (Homer) she came right out of her shell and hit the ground running. We are super excited to have Rory join our Dayschool group!

Check out www.theDiligentDog.com for more information on enrolling your pup in a training program today!

01/02/2024

Looking for a quick way to jumpstart your dog's training goals this year??

Come out to Dogtopia West near FM1488 for one of our Workshops! We provide one-time Solo Sessions on topics that include conditioned relaxation, cooperative leash skills, and prep sessions to review for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.

(NEXT UP - Intro to Retrievers coming soon!)

Our next solo workshop series will be Saturday 01.20.24 - sign up with a friend or for all 3 sessions to receive deeper discounts!

Sign up at https://form.jotform.com/232635011486048

Happy training!

12/27/2023

🐶 JANUARY PUPPY CLASS 🐶

This 4-week group class provides a blend of puppy behavior coaching with basic manners and cues, as well as structured group playtime with size and age appropriate puppies. In this course, we will cover topics such as:

• Cognitive growth & development stages
• Constructive environmental exposure
• Introduction to the 5 Core Cues
• House training practices
• Healthy play behaviors
• Brain games & tricks
• ...and much more!

Sign up at https://form.jotform.com/232635011486048

12/13/2023

My heart is overflowing with gratitude for this amazing (and handmade!) gesture by Flint and his momma. Their presence has been such a BLESSING in our lives, and as the temps continue to drop, I can't wait to curl up in my lovely blanket with a hot mug of cocoa.

While his momma looped each knot by hand, Flint did the hard work of quality control, as seen in his thorough inspection. Check out the nifty Santa ornamanent she also made, along with last year's pawprint ornament!

Many thanks to Flint, Catherine, and John for such thoughtful gifts. ❤️💚❤️💚❤️

12/07/2023

THUMBS UP THURSDAY 👍
(part two)

Have you seen the price of chew toys these days? Few things are more frustrating than shelling out big $$$ and watching it disappear in minutes. Here is a yummy, cost-effective alternative for your pup!

All you will need is:
🔸️ Bell peppers
🔸️ Peanut butter (NO xylitol!)
🔸️ Filler such as blueberries, raspberries, peas, or green beans

🔹️ Start by slicing the top off of the bell pepper. Leave as much side wall as possible.

🔹️ Discard the core and seeds.

🔹️Fill the bottom of your bell pepper bowl with a layer of peanut butter.

🔹️ Insert your filler (in this series, inserts are frozen yogurt with raspberries and blueberries)

🔹️Cover filler with another layer of peanut butter (optional toppings for garnish)

🔹️ Freeze before giving to your pup.

🔹️ Use as a daily enrichment treat or as a yummy coping tool for anxious pups.

This treat will undoubtedly win you a big THUMBS UP! from your dog. Bell peppers, blueberries, and raspberries are loaded with healthy nutrients that support overall wellness.

An excellent alternative to peanut butter? YOGURT!

www.theDiligentDog.com

12/07/2023

👍 THUMBS UP THURSDAY 👍
(part one)

Looking for a new healthy treat for your pup? Tired of going through countless chew toys that end in confetti glittering around your home? Check out this healthy alternative!

All you will need is:
🔸️ Chicken stock (low sodium)
🔸️ Carrots

🔹️ Start by bringing a pot of low sodium chicken stock to a boil.

🔹️ Clean and peel (optional) several large carrots - or small carrots for small breeds.

🔹️Place carrots in pot and boil until tender.

🔹️ Store in freezer.

🔹️ Use as a daily enrichment treat, or as a yummy coping tool for anxious pups.

This treat will undoubtedly win you a big THUMBS UP! from your dog. Carrots are loaded with healthy nutrients that support eye health and overall wellness.

In the event of chicken allergies, swap chicken stock for beef stock.