Dog Training By Lynzee

11/07/2025

Please check out Lucy! She’s a great pup, a little barky and her favorite game is being the fun police, but given time and proper intros she could be a good addition to your household.

Let's talk training!

Nirvana dogs are set apart by our emphasis on training and positive behavioral development before placement in forever homes. Most of our dogs receiving basic training from their foster families, and a select few get to learn from the professionals. Check out the professionally trained smart cookies below! 🍪

⛴ Noah and foster mom received a lesson from K2 Pet Training and Resources this week! He's always been very enthused by food, but that started to display itself negatively as he became more intense. As a young puppy, it's important we address this ASAP to prevent any long-term problems as he grows. His foster family have a training plan in place and are already seeing improvements!

💜 Our longest resident finally got a turn in training! Zainab began lessons with Cold Creek Dog Training, where she'll be e-collar trained, perfect basic obedience, and address her protectiveness of her home and people. We are saving the final two lessons for a future adopter who can use them to help Zainab get acclimated into a new home, totally free of charge!

⚾ Laszlo completed a board and train last summer with Active Dogs, LLC, where he was e-collar trained, mastered basic obedience, and perfected leash walking. His fosters have reinforced this training over the past year, making Laz a perfect gentleman who is so easy to handle!

🧡 Lucy completed a board and train last year with K2 Pet Training and Resources and recently had lessons with Dog Training By Lynzee. Lucy is a super smart and extremely driven dog who thrives with daily mental workouts as well as physical exercise! She's been working hard on her leash reactivity and her fear of car rides. She does just fine with suburban living and a fenced-in yard, but we'd LOVE to see her on a large piece of property with a securely fenced in yard! (Fellow Perry county people, looking at you!)

🩷 New arrival Giselle is lucky to be fostered with K2 Pet Training and Resources. She's getting lots of positive socialization and is in the early stages of puppy training. She can't wait to give a good name to her breed and prove that chihuahuas are lovely pups when raised properly!

Thank you to all our training partners who help our dogs be their best selves for their future families. Let's good these good boys and girls adopted!

https://www.nirvanaanimalrescue.org/adoption-application

PA Kennel License #18366

30/06/2025

These old ladies got their first walks in after the heatwave last week. I met my exercise goal for the day and these two are pooped!

Macie is available for adoption or fostering, through Furry Friends Network.

Reagan, aka T***s, is available for adoption or fostering through Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance, CPAA.

Both girls come with free lifetime training.

29/06/2025

This boy worked his tail off helping HOPE Alum Cassie learn to be chill around people and dogs…and then did a half session with Reese at Lowe’s too!

He said, “sorry, not sorry” for snapping at each dog once, but this old man is pretty good at “correcting and forgetting” when he’s around other dogs. He’s come such a long way in his life! Malley, Gage, Sophie and Archie would be so proud! ❤️🐾❤️

29/06/2025

Yes!

Here’s why this matters... scientifically, emotionally, biologically for you and your dog:

Both you and your dog are biologically wired to seek connection, not control.

From birth, mammals (including dogs) thrive through social bonds that regulate their nervous systems, influence brain development, and shape behavior. This is co-regulation, and it’s not optional.

This is how we survive, learn, and feel safe.

In humans and dogs alike, connection activates the social engagement system (Porges, 2011), quiets the amygdala (the brain’s fear center), and boosts oxytocin, the neurochemical of trust, love, and safety.

So, what happens when we lead with correction instead of connection?

Even well-meaning micromanagement or over-correction can tip dogs out of their window of tolerance, a concept grounded in neuroscience and trauma psychology (Siegel, 1999). In this state, the brain shifts from learning to surviving. The result? Less responsiveness, more stress, and a fragile bond.

But here's the key: Correction isn't inherently wrong. Boundaries are necessary. Safety matters. But corrections that come from a place of relationship and trust, rather than fear or frustration, are processed differently in the brain. A secure attachment and a foundation of empathy soften them.

Dogs thrive when they feel safe, not scrutinized. They learn best in environments where their autonomy is respected and their agency is honored.

A “connected teacher” fosters emotional resilience; a “corrective enforcer” can inadvertently build anxiety.

📣 If you’re ready to shift from managing your dog’s behavior to seeing sustainable and healthy changes that benefit your dog AND your mental health, follow along!

28/06/2025

CPAA's 20th Annual WoofStock is fast approaching on SUNDAY, September 28, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Riverfront Park, Harrisburg!

WoofStock is the largest festival for dogs and their humans on the east coast AND was voted "Simply the Best" community and charity event by Harrisburg Magazine!

WoofStock features animal rescues and shelters with dogs looking for their forever homes, vendors and food trucks galore, a low cost vaccine and microchipping clinic, live music by the Lancaster-based band, Fierce, a pet costume contest, and a dog lure course run by the amazing Chris Darhower from Off Leash K9 Training, Harrisburg.

The incomparable Art Selby, producer at WHP 580, will be back again this year as WoofStock's emcee!

Registration deadline for vendors and sponsors in September 1!

To register as a vendor, go to: https://www.centralpaanimalalliance.org/vendor-opportunities

To register as a sponsor, go to: https://www.centralpaanimalalliance.org/sponsorships

CPAA is SO VERY GRATEFUL to this year's "Man's Best Friend" Sponsors Faulkner Subaru of Mechanicsburg and Faulkner Subaru Harrisburg, Greenlin Pet Resorts, and TeamBrandt Marketing! They are amazing businesses, and CPAA is blessed to have their support!

Hope to see you at WoofStock--it's SIMPLY THE BEST!

28/06/2025

Booker has had a good couple weeks, splashing in the doggie pool and making some new friends!

Booker is sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance, CPAA

Read more here https://www.centralpaanimalalliance.org/booker

28/06/2025

I ❤️ Ellie so very much and I hope she finds her furever home soon!!!

Ellie keeps watching her friends get adopted, when will it be her turn? She loves people, other dogs, and does well with cats too! She’s looking for someone who wants a lap dog while you enjoy your morning cup of coffee and then takes her for a walk.

Ellie Mae is sponsored by Furry Friends Network, Kennel License 5011.

Learn more about Ellie here https://www.centralpaanimalalliance.org/ellie-mae-furry-friends-network

28/06/2025

Shadow has really been coming out of his shell lately and letting his personality shine!

Shadow is sponsored by Rowquin Rescue, Kennel License 18669.

Follow along on Shadow’s journey here, https://www.centralpaanimalalliance.org/shadow-rowquin-rescue

28/06/2025

Sherman has been an amazing edition to the HOPE Program and we kinda don’t want to see this tank of a dog ever leave us!

Sherman is sponsored by ARI, Animal Rescue, Inc., Kennel License 3441.

Learn more about Sherman and see if he’s the perfect companion for you here, https://www.centralpaanimalalliance.org/sherman-animal-rescue-inc

And FYI he would be PERFECT for anyone!!!

28/06/2025

Ruby joined HOPE just a couple weeks ago from Adopt a Homeless Animal Rescue Inc and she’s just a shy girl looking for someone to teach her what love is really about!

Read about her first two weeks with us here, https://www.centralpaanimalalliance.org/ruby-adopt-a-homeless-animal

28/06/2025

Last week we also welcomed Charlie from 2nd Chance 4 Life Rescue. His journal entry from his first week with us will be posted soon, to stay tuned!!!

20/09/2024

BEYOND CESAR MILLAN

20 YEARS LATER.....The following review was submitted to National Geographic by Dr. Andrew Luescher, DVM, Ph.D, DACVB (board-certified veterinary behaviorist).

Dr. Luescher, former director of the Purdue University Veterinary Behavior Clinic was asked to provide feedback on "Dog Whisperer" tapes prior to the show's airing.

In this letter to National Geographic (date unknown), Dr. Luescher writes,

"I think this series, if aired, would be a major embarrassment for National Geographic. It is not stimulating or thought-provoking, since none of the presented techniques are new. They are outdated and have long been abandoned by most responsible trainers, let alone behaviorists, as inappropriate and cruel. I very much hope National Geographic will pull the plug on this program."

Please read the entire letter (It's not long.) and share: http://beyondcesarmillan.weebly.com/andrew-luescher.html

This program and trainers who have mimicked the behavior seen in this program have done so much damage to the dog training industry, dogs, and the human-animal bond.

I have met and spoken to Dr. Luescher personally, and I share his sentiments, as do all other trainers in the evidence-based, best practice camp. Meanwhile, much of the unsuspecting public still looks to National Geographic as an authority and has no idea it has thrown science to the wind, at least in terms of dog behavior and training.

Cindy Ludwig, MA, BS, RN, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Canine Connection LLC
Willard, MO

Image copyright Valder Beebe Show, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Cesar_Millan_Mar_2018.png