Focused Fun

03/25/2024

Look at Elvis go 🔥.

Elvis and Elena have worked there way up from just minutes to an hour and a half. Today, we are celebrating that accomplishment along with the peace of mind that comes with it.

I am so thankful to have walked along side you both 🥰

03/23/2024

Today is National Puppy Day 😍. It can be easy to look at the overwhelming cuteness of a puppy and forget how much commitment it takes to to raise a puppy. Being proactive can help safeguard your puppy from a whole host of problems as they grow into adults.

One thing we often forget when working through socialization, potty training, and skill acquisition is home alone training. While being home alone comes more easily to some puppies than others, remember to make this a priority with your puppy.

03/20/2024

Raise your hand if you prefer to stay in your comfort zone 🙋 I am right there with you!

However, I think we both know that we need to push ourselves to tip toe over that line so we can grow, reach new goals, make new connections, and learn new things.

Helping your dog become comfortable while home alone does force you out of your comfort zone. You have to ask for help, learn new things, experiment with technology.

You don’t need to do it alone! I am here for you if you’d like someone to walk along side you during the process ☺️

03/18/2024

For all the struggles your dog might have with staying home alone, they still bring you so much joy.

Since today is Awkward Moments Day, I thought it would be a good time to remember all the smiles, laughs, and maybe even snorted tea/coffee/some other drink they bring us.

03/17/2024

A big part of reaching your home alone goals for your dog has to do with having a great training plan, not that we’d say ‘no’ to luck 🍀

Do you feel like you need help with a plan to support your dog? Reach out! I am here for you ☺️

03/12/2024

Having goals for your dog to be comfortable while home alone is fabulous! Sometimes, since it can be a long process, we let go of those goals and start doubting the process.

The way forward is to hold on to the vision and trust the process. There will be ups and downs along the way as learning is not a straight line. There will be tweaks to the plan to reflect your individual dog’s needs. We might need to make changes to accommodate you or your family. However, we will always use kind methods and go at your dog’s pace.

You have got this 💪

03/07/2024

When learning something new, we make mistakes. Let’s not get stuck there in the guilt, shame, and disappointment.

Instead let’s learn from those mistakes and grow. We can use kind methods in training our dogs, tweak the training plan to suit them as an individual, make sure their needs are met, go at their pace, and be committed to continuing our learning.

Let’s do this 💪

03/05/2024

Marsha Penner at Learning to Dog is one of my favorite local trainers 🥰 Let’s help her out!

This is a quick temperature check on this issue, because it's one that I encounter frequently. And some folks have really strong opinions. There are two questions: please answer ONE based on whether you're a professional dog trainer/behavior consultant/behaviorist or a non-professional. Thanks for h...

03/04/2024

Are you starting this week on empty? Here are some ideas on how to fill your cup 🥃

Making some or all of these suggestions a regular part of your self care routine is not just another thing to do, it is a critical part of being healthy.

03/01/2024

Did you know that today is Peanut Butter Lover’s Day 🥜?

It is a big favorite for many of our dogs, so I thought you’d want to know so you could help your dog celebrate. You know how I like to advocate for them ☺️

Rowan loves peanut butter, but I have to limit it because he is watching his calories. We sometimes mix it with something lower calorie, like canned pumpkin, mashed bananas, or apple sauce, so he can enjoy it in a Kong or lickimat. Luckily he is not a peanut butter purist 🙌

What is your dog’s favorite way to enjoy peanut butter?

02/29/2024

I know we have all been there! You have goals, but achieving them seems overwhelming and maybe even insurmountable 😬

You can do hard things like help your dog overcome separation-related behaviors… and you don’t have to do it alone. As a SA Pro Behavior Consultant I can walk along side you through the process. My guidance along the way means I give you training plans, answer your questions, educate you on what your dog’s body language is saying, and help you tweak the training when needed.

You don’t have to do this alone. I am here for you!

02/14/2024

Have a fantastic Valentine’s Day 🥰

02/14/2024

Congratulations to Team Elvis for blowing past the 15 minute mark! Anyone who has done home alone training knows what a big accomplishment this milestone is! Well done putting in the hard work to get there🎉

Team Augie is experiencing some of the variability that comes with learning something new. Kudos to them for embracing that learning is not a straight line, making things easier for him, and sticking to the process 🤩

02/09/2024

I sure hope you have some time this weekend to do some of the things you love! Please take care of yourself 🥰

02/08/2024

It is so easy to focus on building duration when helping your dog feel comfortable while home alone. However, the most important thing is that your dog is exposed to absences where they are not feeling any anxiety. This is what allows them to learn that being home alone is safe.

02/06/2024

It is time to celebrate 🙌 We’ve got some special wins this week 🎉
- Team Elvis for busting through the 10 minute mark! If you have done home alone tracing, you know this is a big milestone.
- Team Augie for making training a priority even though life was trying its best to get in the way.
- Team Allie for starting training which involves a lot of new skills.

Well done, Teams!

02/05/2024

Jenifer is such a superstar for reaching out for guidance and support quickly after Allie started showing signs of separation-related behaviors.

Let’s all cheer them on in their journey 🙌

02/05/2024

The thought of working through home alone training with your dog can feel really overwhelming, especially since it is a long process. Remember that there is no change where there is no action!

Get started today! All those little steps add up to meeting your goal of helping your dog feel comfortable while home alone. You can do this 💪

Need help? I am here for you!