Two Dirt Dogs, LLC

11/08/2023

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11/05/2023

We love big snoot pics here 💕

10/31/2023

Being off leash is a privilege, not a requirement when owning a dog.

I’ve run into so many dogs recently that struggle to recall when off leash, let alone engage with their owner while on leash.

There is plenty of training that needs to happen BEFORE being off leash becomes a reality.

Want to know more? Click the link in bio 🐶

10/27/2023

All dogs need both physical and mental stimulation 🧠

Many people assume the corgi or the chihuahua don’t need as much exercise due to their size… but do you know what they were originally bred for?

Corgi’s were used for herding cows and controlling rodents on the farm. They can be classified as a high energy dog due their need for mental stimulation.

Chihuahuas are expert rodent hunters and are one of the oldest breeds in the world. Yet, they still seem to be one of the most misunderstood.

Size can have little to no play in how much stimulation a dog might need.

For example, labradoodles, which are a cross breed between Poodles and Labrador retrievers, can need a ton of mental stimulation due to the poodles ancestral history.

So before you get a dog because they’re cute, make sure you are able to provide for them and have their natural needs met… both physically and mentally.

10/24/2023

And this doesn’t mean treats all the time. A simple ‘yes’ and a pet can do just fine.

Rewarding doesn’t have to be complex, it just has to do with engaging positively with your dog.

Creating clear communication starts by rewarding when they’re behaving in a way you prefer.

10/21/2023

Small wins are sometimes missed or over looked due to the fact that they aren’t as easy to appreciate… especially if you’re as hard on yourself as I am.

There’s always going to be this feeling of needing to compare progress or get down on yourself when an interaction goes poorly.

What we choose to do with this feeling though makes a huge difference.

Instead of comparing, let’s look at our OWN set of goals and what little things were accomplished today that align with those goals.

For example, Flint stopped and waited at almost every blind corner on our hike which aids the overall engagement I want from him as we enter the ‘terrible twos’.

As for lily, she was able to stay somewhat loose leash yesterday evening with a bit of guidance on our run despite her excitement to be running with me again.

By focusing on the small wins, we learn to appreciate the little steps it takes to get to our big overall goals. Whether it be your dog looking to you for answers or not having to micromanage while walking on leash, every little step is important.

What were your small wins from this week?

If you’d like, you can let me know in the comments below!

10/19/2023

Training isn’t linear!

And patience is required for a training session to be effective. So this is your reminder that it is okay to take a step back and simplify a task if the training session is getting frustrating.

Don’t compare your progress to someone else’s because they are on their own journey, much like you.

Relax, you’ve got this! ❤️

10/18/2023

Todays views 👀

10/15/2023

Small win Sunday!

This week the dogs were acting crazier than normal but that’s okay. Everyone has bad days, including dogs. So instead of focusing on the negative, I’m going to start bringing back the positives!

Todays small win actually happened yesterday.

Instead of lily choosing to herd a group of dogs playing, she automatically chose to heel.

For Flint, he was less demand barking and more willing to practice impulse control.

Last but surely not least, Cass is following through with a recall about 85% of the time now! Which is huge for that little smooth brain of hers.

What are your small wins from this week?!

10/13/2023

Putting the aw in autumn 🍂 ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

10/08/2023

Since Flint has a broken tooth, thought we’d switch up activities to agility! Cass wanted to join 😂 ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

10/03/2023

Happy Tuesday 🍂 ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

06/03/2023

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
We believe in equality for all, no matter your sexual identity. Love is love and isn’t conditional. Support exists (both in human and dog form) year round on this page.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Pride is more than just fun Instagram posts and rainbow outfits. It's about continuing the fight for basic human rights. We aren’t equal until someone can love whoever they want to love… safely.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Love ALWAYS wins
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
🏳️‍🌈

06/03/2023

Flint likes to follow the rules… Lily thinks that’s not as fun 😂

04/20/2023

Kujo update!⬇️🤭

He has finally graduated from puppy class and is not beginning day-training with us! He is a good listener in low distraction environments but we want to work on engagement when things get hectic. 👀

This big brained boy has the biggest paws you’ll ever see and I am so excited to show case his progress. We’ll be introducing some BAT (behavior adjustment therapy) training later on as well for some of the things that trigger his unwanted behaviors (excited lunging/barking at dogs, ignoring distance increasing signals, etc).

I’m so excited 🐾🥹

04/05/2023

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this dogs drive and will to please 🤯❤️

03/15/2023

Sometimes you just have to let them do it 🐾😂

02/25/2023

Everybody!

Let’s give a warm welcome to our newest pack member… Silvio!

Silvio is a very intelligent Australian Shepherd with the most gorgeous blue eyes! The plans are to have Silvio stay with me and address some unwanted behaviors while mom is out having fun!

So let’s see what we can do! Keep an eye out for some super cute training videos with him! ❤️

Welcome to the team Silvio.

02/04/2023

Quick success story from today:⬇️

Flint has finally, at 14 months, begun to act like a true border collie💨 and it is so impressive to see!

When it comes to how you hear border collies are suppose to act (herding vehicles and children, decent prey drive, going non-stop, etc), Flint did a little of each but had NO prey drive.

The herding vehicles and children we curbed when he was about 4 month old since, at the time, we lived in a high traffic area.

The going non-stop was regulated with frequent crate breaks and teaching him how to self regulate. I also wish he had a bit of a prey drive… but it has made him being my service dog🐕‍🦺much more amazing!

Long story short, I was worried I had trained certain things out of him that make the breed unique. We started practicing how to stalk his frisbee and now it’s his favorite thing to ask me to do with him.

So my excitement is unmatched when he finally woke up this morning and decided to start acting like a border collie with the stalk during fetch. Here are some cute close ups of him being as low to the ground as possible! 📸 ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

02/01/2023

02/01/2023

Everyone, please put your hands together for the newest pack member… Kujo!

Kujo is a purebred GSD 🐾with quite the personality! His mom reached out to make sure she was on the right track with the handsome boy, and now I get to see his face both virtually AND in person!

With him already being able to mellow out in a crate at just 10 weeks old (great job, .elizabeth )… I think we are going down the right path! 🦴

01/25/2023

Welcome to our pack, Loki!

Loki will be with me two days a week for a little extra exercise and consistency! This boy is so sweet and gentle. Plus, Flint and Lily are obsessed with him! I mean, how could you not be?! 😍

More Loki content to come, so stay tuned! Also, another new member to our pack will be announced tomorrow and I can’t wait for y’all to meet him/see his training progress🥹⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

01/09/2023

Why do they always pose the same? 😂

Happy Sunday! What are your training goals for 2023? It is never too late to change your relationship with your dog for the better. Creating a few realistic goals for you and your pet is a great start!! ❤️

12/25/2022

Merry Christmas! 🎄

May all be merry and bright 🎅

12/18/2022

Everybody, say hi to Hank!

Hank is a chow chow, one of the oldest breeds in existence. Originating from China, this opinionated fluff ball had a job to do.

They were often bred as guard dogs until they revealed how great their hunting skills are (although, this breed is not very fast).

Surprisingly this is one of the breeds in know the most about. Want to know why?

Ask your questions in the comments below👇🏼

12/13/2022

Out on the town for some more barkour 🤌🏻

Have you ever seen a border collie jump? It’s almost as if they are floating. This breed is very agile and Flint continues to prove that to me every day!

Jumping can be stressful on your dogs joints though, so it’s not everyday he gets to soar (even though he wants to). At least this time, I was able to capture some of his calmness on 📷

Swipe to the end for my favorite photo 🥺❤️

12/01/2022

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11/25/2022

Happy thanksgiving! 🦃🍽

May your dogs be well behaved and healthy 🥺❤️

11/17/2022

"Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen." - Orhan Pamuk 🧠

As a dog trainer, it is my job to help YOU learn how to communicate with your dog in a way that makes sense to them.

Like every skill, practice makes perfect. Communicating is a skill, hence why you went to school to learn this very task for several years ✏️📚

The only way things will get better is if YOU take the first step.

But just know, we are accepting new clients who are looking to change their relationship (for better, not worse) with their dog and I am more than willing to hold hands through the process!