Clever Critters, LLC

08/09/2024

August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month!

Did you know that allergies can exacerbate behavioral issues in our pets? Being itchy can decrease our pet’s tolerance for coping with everyday stressors. Mills 2020 suggests that up to 80% of pets struggling with behavior issues may have a pain component, which includes allergies.

Pets struggling with allergies may also struggle with:
- Reactivity
- Overarousal
- “Attention-Seeking” Behaviors
- Touch Sensitivity
- Triggers Stacking
- Limited Progress in Training

Contact your vet if you think your pet may be struggling with allergies. Track physical and behavioral changes to discuss with your vet. Ruling out and treating medical issues is the first step to working on changes in behavior.

And remember, when our pets don’t feel their best, they can’t act their best.

08/02/2024

The fourth and final blog on "Why Dogs Do What They Do" has been posted. Thank you to everyone who contributed questions, and to Sydney Warner of Clever Critters, LLC, and the good people at Honey B's Pet Sitting and Pet Care Services LLC for providing us with answers.

https://darkdogposse.com/why-dogs-do-what-they-do-part-4/

07/21/2024

07/20/2024

07/09/2024

Come see us this Sunday to learn about Enrichment!

What comes to your mind when you hear the word "enrichment" for your pets? Enrichment does include puzzle toys and interactive feeders, however, this is only one small piece of the puzzle! Join us to learn how to further enrich your pets' lives.

Register here: https://clever-critters.com/public-programs/

06/19/2024

Happy Juneteenth!

06/04/2024

Your local Instinct is part of a national team of dog professionals working together to build a Kinder World for Dogs and Humans through Nature-Driven Nurture™!

05/30/2024

Do you have a dog that is overly energetic, reactive, wild, or "crazy"? Come learn how to promote a calm dog and why this skill is so vital yet so often overlooked. A calm dog is a happy dog and creates a happy relationship with their pet parents!

Register here: https://clever-critters.com/public-programs/

05/28/2024

We're also very pleased to introduce our business sponsor for May/June: Clever Critters (https://clever-critters.com/).

If you own a business and would like to sponsor an upcoming Rescue Spotlight, please contact us (https://darkdogposse.com/contact/).

05/18/2024

If you've ever had issues with your doggie companions not getting along, you'll want to check out this conversation with certified dog trainer and canine behavior consultant, Sydney Warner of Clever Critters, LLC (https://clever-critters.com/).

https://darkdogposse.com/understanding-play-versus-fight-behavior-in-dogs/

05/17/2024

Join us in congratulating Taylor on becoming a Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor - Knowledge Assessed through Grisha Stewart Academy and Empowered Animals, LLC!

To become a CBATI-KA, a trainer must:
- Complete over 100 hours of coursework
- Pass a multiple-choice exam
- Complete an essay demonstrating knowledge of BAT skills

05/14/2024

Come see us this Sunday at the Peninsula SPCA to learn how to make walks more enjoyable for both you and your dog! Only 5 spots left!

This seminar is for pet parents only! Please leave your pet at home.

Register here: https://clever-critters.com/product/walks-from-struggle-bus-to-no-fuss/

04/27/2024

Don't forget to vote! You can vote every day!

Official 2024 Community Voting Awards Platform for Norfolk, VA. Where the community votes for their favorites every year.

04/25/2024

The struggle for loose leash manners is real! Walks can be a challenge for both ends of the leash, but both want the same outcome - to enjoy their time outside! Come join us and learn how to make walks more enjoyable for you and your dog!

Register here: https://clever-critters.com/public-programs/

04/15/2024

We're so excited to have been nominated for this! Please take a moment to vote and share!

Official 2024 Community Voting Awards Platform for Norfolk, VA. Where the community votes for their favorites every year.

04/12/2024

It's National Dog Bite Prevention Week! Do you know how to prevent a dog bite?

03/14/2024

Happy Pi Day! Which slice of enrichment is your pet's favorite?

03/01/2024

Congratulations to Destiny on earning her Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Certification!!

02/29/2024

"What you may consider a “hard” dog is likely different than one that I may consider to be. Not because my dog is or was “worse”, but because everything is on a spectrum and is influenced by individual perception. For me, this idea of a “hard” dog means that in one form or another, there is a challenge for the caregiver and it is difficult to work through, manage, or overcome. It doesn’t even have to be the physical act of working through it. The mental energy that goes into being the guardian of a dog with challenges is quite a burden at times. I have two currently and I sometimes wonder why I knowingly put myself in this situation."

Read more here: https://clever-critters.com/2024/02/the-hard-dogs/

02/27/2024

Come see us at the Peninsula SPCA for our Crazy to Calm Seminar!

Do you have a dog that is overly energetic, reactive, while, or "crazy?" Come learn how to promote a calm dog and why this skill is so vital yet so often overlooked. A calm dog is a happy dog and creates a happy relationship with their pet parents!

When: Sunday, March 10th at 2:30PM

Register here: https://clever-critters.com/product/crazy-to-calm-pspca-seminar/

01/19/2024

A lot has changed in the dog world over the past decade and is continuing to do so. Whether you are considering getting a new puppy or recently introduced one, come join us to learn more about puppies!

This educational seminar aims to discuss how puppies learn and how to help them grow into happy and healthy adults living in a human world! We'll be covering what socialization is and isn't, and how to set your new puppy up for a successful life!

Please be aware that the seminars are for pet parents only. Please leave your pets at home.

Register now: https://peninsulaspca.wufoo.com/forms/public-programs/

10/12/2023

Show up for your dog

While living with dogs adds so much joy and happiness to our lives, it is not without it’s challenges. No dog is perfect, but some dogs are more challenging than others. Having a dog with social and emotional challenges is no easy thing to navigate. There are several ways that I have found dog guardians generally respond:

• Denial – refuse to recognise that there is a problem and continue to put the dog in situations that make the dog extremely uncomfortable and actually endanger other dogs or people.
• Fix at all costs – treat the dog like a broken appliance and subject them to whatever training and tools might sort them out, including harsh aversives.
• Opt Out – stop trying in any way shape or form to improve the situation and abandon the dog to an existence on the periphery of life, where they are tolerated to a point, but never really included.
• Show up for the dog you have – recognise that your dog has some difficulties, accept them and love them regardless of those challenges, explore ways to improve their emotional welfare and be prepared to constantly balance seeking to help them feel and cope better, while not placing too much pressure on them with unrealistic expectations.

It is a lot easier to remain in denial, to become obsessed with fixing everything or to opt out completely than it is to walk that line of constant evaluation, reflection, care and accomodation and to be able to celebrate those small steps of progress, because caring for a dog with emotional or social difficulties is draining and can make us feel incompetent and helpless.

But there is nothing incompetent or helpless about those who recognise the difficulty their dog is facing, love them despite this and continue to try and make their lives better, in every way that is within their power. Those who are willing to drive to a quiet place so their dogs can have a relaxing walk, rather than wrangle them around a neighbourhood of barking dogs or leave them at home. Those who get that sitting at a café is their idea of fun, but not their dog’s. Those who accept that their dogs have a comfort zone and work on gradually expanding it, rather than shoving them out of it altogether. Those who set their dogs up to succeed so that their confidence grows, rather setting them up to fail and punishing them for it. Those who are always a safe haven that their dogs can depend on and turn to for comfort.

Showing up for your dog in any and all circumstances is real strength and what we should all be aiming to do.

10/12/2023

10/12/2023

Join us at the Peninsula SPCA and learn how to provide enrichment for your pet!

Register here: https://peninsulaspca.wufoo.com/forms/2023-public-programs/

09/29/2023

Come see us this Sunday at the Peninsula SPCA!

Sign up now - https://peninsulaspca.wufoo.com/forms/2023-public-programs

09/19/2023

Do you have a dog that is overly energetic, reactive, wild, or "crazy?" Come learn how to promote a calm dog and why this skill is vital yet often overlooked. A calm dog is a happy dog and creates a happy relationship with their pet parents!

Register here: https://peninsulaspca.wufoo.com/forms/2023-public-programs/

09/15/2023

VENDORS WANTED: We are excited to be partnering with Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home / Parklawn Memorial Park for an after Thanksgiving Walk and Fundraiser.
Our goal is to get people and their dogs out and moving after the Thanksgiving holiday AND to raise money for the Animal Aid Society. We will be targeting the Animal lover with this event but ALL are welcome to participate.
This 4 - hour event will include a Dog Fun Walk for Prizes, Vendor Booths and other fun activities. This will be the perfect time to remind people of your services AND/OR kick of the holiday sales season.
Vendor And Sponsor Opportunities:
Set up begins at 8am. Vendors must bring their own canopies, tables and chairs. Everyone will be invited to Co-Host the FB Event page. https://www.facebook.com/events/709020961074449 and will need to assist in the marketing. You are encouraged to post on the page.

PRIZE SPONSORS- $30 In addition to vendor space, your Company logo will be included on the event webpage with links to your website or social media pages and company name listed on all promotional materials.
VENDOR - $20 Vendors will be listed on the event page and on all promotional materials. Payment must be received to confirm registration. Set up begins at 8am.
RESCUE/SHELTER/NONPROFIT- FREE Your organization will be listed on the event page and on all promotional materials.

Register on our event page: https://crittersittersandmore.com/wobble-off-the-gobble.../
** this is intended to be an outdoor event, HOWEVER if the weather is not favorable, we will move activities indoors.
Know another Vendor who might be interested in participating in this event? Sharing is caring!

08/03/2023

Come see us on Sunday at the Peninsula SPCA and learn how to make Vet and Grooming care for your pet FUN!

Sign up now! https://peninsulaspca.wufoo.com/forms/2023-public-programs/

07/28/2023

Do you want to TAG it to WIN it? Join us at the Pup Days of Summer Fest to play!

Check out the event here: https://fb.me/e/7EJERXFsk

07/27/2023

Have you ever wished you could understand what your pet was trying to tell you? Come join us this Saturday, July 29th at 2:30 PM at the Peninsula SPCA!

Spots are limited! Sign up here: https://peninsulaspca.wufoo.com/forms/2023-public-programs/