North Star Canines / Take a Bow Wow

11/14/2025

I have a really sweet FedEx delivery man who leaves ginormous biscuits for my ravenous pudels!

11/07/2025

My niece kindly helped me with some of Bond's body-handling work, helping to get him prepared for handling he'll receive during vet visits. The chin rest is both his stationing position and his way of consenting to the handling. If he removes his chin from my hand, handling temporarily stops so he can get relaxed again and, when needed, handling adjustments can be made to keep him 'in the game.'

In this video, a helper (someone Bond knows and loves) begins to do the body handling exercises with him. In this way, he begins to become more comfortable w...

11/07/2025

WildeBean, my snuggle partner while reading!

11/07/2025

Teaching a pup how to enter a crate and calmly spend time inside it can be a super-helpful skill when short periods of confinement are needed.

In just a few minutes, this visiting pup was happily entering a crate and then choosing to stay in it. Notice how the placement of a bowl of food on top of the crate acts as a subtle lure.

Tyler just arrived this evening, and one of the skills he needs to learn is entering a crate on cue. After setting up the crate in my kitchen, I left the do...

11/04/2025

💜💜💜

10/30/2025

Some useful puppy advice!

The last few months have been loaded with wonderful new puppy clients. Near universally, learning how to deal with the bitey landshark that's terrorizing the family is one of their most pressing issues.Playful nipping is a normal puppy behavior. When pups play together, they nip, nibble, and nosh on...

10/29/2025

This beauty is named Mabel and she was a former client of mine.

Seen here grinning at the new doggie daycare she attends. :-) I love her face!!!

[pic thanks to Jennifer W., CT]

10/28/2025

Food for thought! 😄

10/27/2025

Rockett the whippet, demonstrating the art of relaxation. 😍

10/23/2025

10/22/2025

Just received an update on Clementine, a wonderful Great Dane mix I worked with last year, and it totally made my day!

Her dad wrote: “You were a game changer when Clementine came home - since having you assist me understand her, she has become easily the biggest blessing in my life.”

How cute is she?!

[Pics thanks to Nick C.]