Michelle Giles-Payson Professional Dog Training

03/05/2025

These two adventurers 💕🐾

03/04/2025

That feeling when you come home orange from a weekend in Moab.

03/01/2025

Wyatt the Wondermutt enjoying a long weekend.

02/14/2025

Happy 13th Birthday to Wyatt the Wondermutt! 💕

02/07/2025

Overcoming Fear & Anxiety in Rescue Dogs

Anxious pups need extra care and guidance to feel safe and confident. Here's how you can help:

✔️ Fear of noises, people, or other animals: Desensitize gradually by pairing the trigger with positive rewards. Use a calm, soothing tone of voice to show there's nothing to fear. Minimize daily exposure to triggers to help reduce stress.
✔️ Separation distress: Establish a predictable daily routine for your pup. Keep coming and going quiet and calm.
✔️ Calming aids: Try puzzle toys, snuffle mats, or soothing music to keep their mind busy and stress levels low.

With patience and positive reinforcement, even the most anxious dogs can learn to thrive. If your rescue pup is struggling, consult with a professional trainer to help you adjust your pup's environment to set them up for success.

01/31/2025

Building Trust & Bonding with Your Rescue Dog

Welcoming a rescue dog into your home? Building trust is the first step toward an amazing adventure together!

✔️ Help them feel safe: Create a calm, predictable environment with a cozy space they can call their own.
✔️ Use positive reinforcement: Reward good behavior with treats, praise, or play. Show them you're their safe, loving guide.
✔️ Watch for signs of comfort: Tail wags, relaxed body language, and seeking you out for attention are signs your bond is growing!

Patience + consistency = a loyal, happy adventure buddy for life.

01/29/2025

5 Common Ways Puppy Parents Accidentally Sabotage Potty Training (Plus How to Fix Them!)

Potty training a puppy can feel like a challenge, but did you know many pet parents unintentionally make the process harder? Avoid these common mistakes to set your pup up for success!

❌ 1. Inconsistent Routine
Puppies thrive on consistency! Taking them out at different times each day confuses them. Fix it: Set a schedule for potty breaks—first thing in the morning, after meals, playtime, and before bed.
❌ 2. Not Supervising Closely
Giving a puppy too much freedom too soon leads to accidents. Fix it: Use a leash indoors or baby gates to keep your puppy in your sight. If you can’t supervise, use a crate or playpen.
❌ 3. Punishing Accidents
Scolding or rubbing their nose in it teaches fear, not better behavior. Fix it: Instead, calmly clean up (with an enzymatic neutralizer) and reward successful potty breaks outside.
❌ 4. Skipping Nighttime & Early Morning Breaks
Young puppies can’t hold it all night! Fix it: Have your puppy sleep nearby so you can hear when they wake up and take them out asap.
❌ 5. Expecting Too Much, Too Soon
Potty training takes time! Some breeds take longer than others. Fix it: Stay patient, reward every success, and celebrate progress.

Fast-Track Potty Training Tips:
✅ Take your puppy out every 1-2 hours and after meals/playtime
✅ Go to the same spot for potty breaks
✅ Use a consistent potty cue (e.g., "Go potty!")
✅ Reward immediately with high-value treats
✅ Clean accidents with an enzyme-based cleaner to remove scent cues

With consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement, your pup will master potty training in no time!

01/24/2025

Finding Your Perfect Rescue Dog Match

Choosing the right rescue pup for your family is about much more than love at first sight—it’s about finding a match that fits your lifestyle!

Consider energy levels, size, age, temperament, grooming needs/costs, training needs, and veterinary care costs. Do you want a cuddle buddy or an adventure partner? Are you fully prepared to meet a dog's exercise and socialization needs? Does your residence have any pet restrictions, or size/breed limitations? Is everyone in your family on board with caring for your new dog? Do pets already in the home really want a rambunctious new roomie?

Ask the shelter staff questions, spend time getting to know a potential rescue pup, and remember: the perfect pup is the one who fits your family’s unique routine and rhythm. If the weekend arrives and your family enjoys kicking back on the couch having a Netflix binge...there's a specific match for you. Conversely, if your packing up the car and heading to hike the mountains like us every opportunity we get...there's a specific match for you. Being open and realistic with shelter staff allows them to help find the perfect match for you.

Not sure about the right fit for your family, call us and we'll happily provide some custom suggestions and considerations for you.

01/23/2025

Mastering Loose Leash Walking: A Game Changer for You & Your Dog!

Struggling with walks that feel more like tug-of-war? Teaching your dog to walk on a loose leash is a gift for both of you!

✔️ No more dragging you around – Protect your shoulders, back, and their neck.
✔️ Less stress for your pup – They’re calmer and more confident, reducing leash reactivity like barking at people or dogs.
✔️ Fewer meltdowns at distractions – No more standoffs when squirrels, cars, or other temptations appear.
✔️ More enjoyable walks – A happy, connected team means longer, joyful strolls!

Training tip: Practice patience, reward calm behavior, and make walks a positive experience. You AND your dog deserve it!

Get ready for gorgeous Spring weather now with some simple indoor and outdoor exercises designed to get you and your dog ready for outdoor adventures. Call us! We'd love to work with you!

01/21/2025

Give Rescue Dogs Time to Settle In

Bringing a newly rescued dog home is exciting, but please remember: everything is new and overwhelming for them. Allow your dog time to decompress before introducing too many activities, people, dogs, or places.

A calm, quiet environment helps them feel safe and build trust at their own pace. Patience now sets the stage for a stronger bond and a more confident, happy dog in the future. Hang out at home with your new family member and give them lots of praise and affection with no strings attached.

If your new adoptee seems very nervous, fearful, or defensive, please call us for some free tips on how to help your dog feel less stressed and more comfortable. We want to help ensure adopted dogs integrate into their new forever homes successfully.

01/20/2025

The Importance of Rest for Puppies and Adult Dogs

When families bring home a new puppy or recently rescued dog and notice behavior concerns, they often highlight all the exercise they’re providing—hours of fetch, long walks, dog park visits, or daycare. While physical activity is great, we’re often met with surprise when we ask: How much sleep is your pup getting?

Did you know puppies need about 18-19 hours of sleep per day, and adolescent/adult dogs need 12-14 hours? Rest isn’t just downtime—it’s essential for their growth, learning, and overall well-being.

Creating a daily routine that prioritizes relaxation and rest is key to a happy pup. Remember: An overtired dog isn’t a well-behaved dog!

01/19/2025

Patience Pays Off!

Training your puppy is an exciting adventure—but remember, all great adventures take time! Puppies are learning and growing every day. By practicing patience and using positive reinforcement, you’re not just teaching cues and tricks—you’re building a bond of trust and love that will last a lifetime.

Celebrate the small wins, stay consistent, and always reward good behavior. Your puppy will thank you with a wagging tail and a lifetime of fun!

01/17/2025

Often in dog training, big behavior problems have to be tackled by helping families break down their training goals into smaller steps that help them and their dog be successful right away. It can actually be harder for the human end of the leash to consistently take small actions daily to help change their dog’s behavior.

Your professional dog trainer will help reduce stress for your dog and your family immediately so that everyone is better equipped to begin implementing management and training strategies.

So when your trainer says we need to start with management and break training down into smaller steps, it's to ensure that behavior change is successful and lasting for both the family and the dog. We’ve got your back on this one…trust the process and be patient!

12/18/2024

Snow, lights, and mountains - a winter paradise.

12/18/2024

Winter escapades for Wyatt and Sierra.

12/12/2024

Meet Delilah! This sweet girl is working on being more comfortable when left home alone.

12/05/2024

Meet Archie! This gorgeous boy has found the perfect new forever home. His family reached out right away to continue his training and get him set up for success in their home. We love this!! Helping rescue dogs through the transition into a new home and getting a great daily routine established is so beneficial to reducing confusion and stress for these dogs. We can’t wait to watch Archie enjoy his new life!

12/03/2024