SUNSTAR All-Breed Dog Training

06/18/2026

We had a great final class of the session last night where everyone did their individual Heeling with turns, about turns, slow and fast, Recall and figure "8", then group Sit Stay, Stand Stay, and Down Stay- what a wonderful class! I am so proud of everyone, as it was obvious to me that they all learned the training in class and then followed through each day at home and out and about, which is why they were all so successful!
We decided to do a group pic this time- kinda funny trying to get all the dogs settled for the pic but it worked out😄 Congratulations to Rosa❤️, Millie❤, Obie❤, Dug❤, Emma❤, and Duncan❤ and their families!
(Holly❤ my demo dog and I are on the right side)

06/16/2026

"Holly" got mail!!! Sunstar Holly of Chowchilla, CGC, TKN🥰🐾🐾

06/07/2026

I am so happy I can help our wonderful Waterland Community! 😊🐾🐾

06/06/2026

I love supporting our wonderful Waterland community events! 😊🐾🐾

A big thank you to Jan Magnuson and SUNSTAR All-Breed Dog Training for sponsoring the Waterland Parade & Block Party!

Jan is a longtime Rotarian who truly understands the importance of giving back to the community. After retiring from 30 years as the Animal Care and Control Officer for the Des Moines Police Department, she has continued helping local families through Sunstar's all-breed, all-age dog training programs, including basic obedience, good manners, and individual consultations.

Jan's commitment to our community doesn't stop there; Sunstar is also sponsoring the Senior Sit Spot at the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market ! If you see her there (today is opening day!), be sure to say hello!

Thank you, Jan, for supporting community events and the dogs (and their humans!) of Des Moines. 🐾❤️

05/25/2026

Warm weather is on the way, and here is a good article with some valuable info: https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/06/05/keep-dogs-cats-cool-safe-summer/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter
Also we should remember to think of our dogs' paws before going for a walk, to make sure they can sweat through them and they don't get burnt:
I recommend testing by putting the BACK of our hand on the surface (asphalt, concrete, etc.) for TEN seconds before allowing our dog there- if it is too hot for us, it is too hot for their paws!
When it is warm, we do our walks in parks, trails, etc. where there is grass and shade, to help keep us all cool in the warm weather🌞🐾🐾

Here’s how to prioritize their safety without ruining the fun.

05/21/2026

Holly passing her evaluation test and receiving her AKC TKN title, Yay Holly!!!🩷🩷🩷

05/21/2026

My "Very Good Girl" Holly passed her Novice Trick Dog evaluation test on Monday, and now has her second AKC title! She is now "Sunstar Holly of Chowchilla, CGC, TKN"!
I submitted to AKC for her formal certificate and ribbon, and am waiting on more pics too. Thanks Natasha for doing her eval!
Here she is after successfully passing on Monday- we did a nice, long walk afterwards and then when we got back home, she was very ready for a nap! Congratulations Holly!🥰🐾🐾

05/15/2026

This is a great article, we love all the cool jobs that doggos can do! The Beagle Brigade ROCKS!

Merla the beagle, who works at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, sniffed out 100 meat sandwiches that travelers tried to illegally bring into the country.

05/07/2026

We had a fun graduation class last night, everyone did GREAT! They have all come so far in just six short weeks, and I am proud of them for doing their "homework" every day to have happy, well-behaved doggos! Everyone did their individual heeling with turns, slow and fast, auto-sits, figure "8", and recall, then group Sit Stay, Stand Stay, and Down Stay- Congratulations to Arlo, Jasper, Luna, Lucy, Rex, and Max, and their families! 😊🐾🐾