Happy New Year! 🎊
Join the dogs and I as I walk and talk about how we can make walks more meaningful for our dogs.
Instead of focusing on getting from point A to point B, let’s think about what our dogs really need—time to sniff, explore, and take in the world around them.
Walks aren’t just about physical exercise; they’re a chance for mental stimulation and letting them be dogs.
Whether it’s using a longer leash, finding safe off-leash spots, or just slowing down, these small changes can make a huge difference. Let’s make walks more enjoyable for them (and for us too)!
www.DroptheLeashDogTraining.com
Enrichment isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity for your dog’s behavioral fulfillment!
🎄❄️ The True Gift of Enrichment ❄️🎄
If you know someone who could benefit from this information, please share this post!
This morning, at a brisk -11°F, Dobby was doing what he finds most enriching: surveying his territory (our farm) from the porch. This is his morning routine. He can go out and come back in to lie by the warm fire whenever he wants. With the snow-covered landscape spread out before him, he sat perfectly still, taking it all in.
It’s a beautiful reminder of how essential enrichment is—not as a bonus or luxury, but as a core part of our dogs’ well-being. The term "enrichment" often sounds like something extra, but for dogs living in captivity (yes, our pets count as captive animals), it’s vital to their mental, emotional, and physical health.
How do you discover what’s enriching for your dog?�
For Dobby, surveying his environment taps into his genetic heritage as a Guardian Group dog. He’s a combination of the Herding and Guardian Dog Groups, which means he thrives on both watching over his “territory” and working in partnership.
Most dogs belong to one (or more) of the ten group classifications, retaining many of the original traits that people selected them for over hundreds or even thousands of years. If you’re curious about your dog’s group, you can visit thedogkey.comfor insights.
The Guardian Dog Group includes breeds like:�
English Mastiff, Great Pyrenees, Tibetan Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Bullmastiff, Kuvasz, Komondor, Akbash, Anatolian Shepherd, Cane Corso, Maremma Sheepdog, St. Bernard, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Boerboel, Spanish Mastiff, Kangal, Leonberger, Sarplaninac, and Fila Brasileiro.
Guardian dogs were bred to watch over their families, flocks, and territories, ensuring their safety and peace. They’re not just “guard dogs”—their role is far more nuanced.
Guardians are typically:
❄️ Calm and composed, of
How Feeding Your Dog Can Be Enrichment!
I’m transforming dinner into an adventure by using food enrichment toys filled with my dog’s dinner to activate their natural seeking system. This taps into one of the core emotions in dogs, encouraging them to explore, sniff, and solve puzzles—all while getting their meal!
When we turn mealtime into an activity, we’re helping our dogs do what they naturally crave. With enrichment feeding, they’re not just eating; they’re discovering and engaging with the world around them.
Want to know how little changes can make a big difference in your dog’s behavior and happiness?
Drop me a message!
From enrichment ideas to addressing behavioral challenges, I’m here to help your dog live their best life.
Everyone’s Idea of a “Good Dog” is Different!
Everyone’s Idea of a “Good Dog” is Different
Everyone’s Idea of a “Good Dog” is Different
What makes a “good dog” can vary from person to person, and that’s okay! I don’t expect your dog to behave exactly like mine. Instead, I help guide you in fostering the behaviors you want in your dog.
Take Dobby, for example. Earlier today, we picked apples, and now he’s asking for one from the bushel—he’s right by them, groaning gently, even though he could easily help himself. In our home, our dogs have learned to ask for what they want, and we never punish them. We manage the environment, recognizing their limits and teaching them to self-regulate, just like we would with a 3-year-old child.
This approach goes beyond food. It’s about teaching dogs how to respect boundaries, both physical and social. In our home, the same skills apply to many behaviors, like:
Waiting at the door
Staying within property lines
Waiting outside the kitchen
Asking to go outside
Requesting playtime
But it’s not about control.
This kind of teaching is balanced with enrichment, freedom, and choice. For example, we focus on activities that meet our dogs’ needs too—like letting them express their natural foraging instincts, chasing toys, hunting, chewing, breed-specific drives like herding, and providing variety in their diet.
Offering outlets for these natural behaviors helps dogs manage themselves and feel more confident, while reducing anxiety and negative stress. It’s about giving them the freedom to make choices within set boundaries, building a deeper bond based on trust.
We focus on finding opportunities to reinforce good decisions. As puppies, if they pause before grabbing something, we either tell them it’s okay to have it (reinforcing their decision) or offer them an alternative reward that’s just as good or better. Over time, they learn to ask for things we don’t necessarily want them to access on their own—not just food, but many other desirable things.
For example, if Dobby or Roo were
Did you know?�
Every dog, no matter the breed or mix, has a story that’s been shaped by generations of selective breeding for specific traits. Some breeds were designed with intention for tasks like hunting, herding, or guarding, while others evolved naturally, adapting to their environments. These inherited instincts are part of what makes each dog unique, and they often drive the behaviors we see today.
Take my dogs, for example—they’re displaying their natural hunting instincts when they work together to chase a chipmunk. This kind of behavior, rooted deep in their genetics, is more than just fun for them—it’s enriching. It gives them a chance to use their minds and bodies in ways that fulfill who they are as dogs.
Many of the struggles people face with their dogs today come from living in environments where their natural instincts are stifled. Dogs often experience a kind of captivity—limited in their ability to make choices, express themselves freely, or simply be a dog. That lack of freedom can lead to behaviors that seem problematic but are really just a reflection of unmet needs.
Understanding your dog’s unique history and what drives their behavior is a key piece of the puzzle. This applies to mixed breeds, too! Not sure where your dog’s instincts come from? You can visit thedogkey.com to learn more about your dog’s breed group.
The key to a more harmonious life with your dog is knowing how to meet their needs in a way that honors their natural behaviors. If you’re struggling to connect with your dog or feeling overwhelmed, I can help you create a plan that makes life better for both of you—rooted in understanding, not control.
Farm Dogs
Did you know?
Every dog, no matter the breed or mix, has a story that’s been shaped by generations of selective breeding for specific traits. Some breeds were designed with intention for tasks like hunting, herding, guarding, sitting on your lap while others evolved naturally, adapting to their environments.
These inherited instincts are part of what makes each dog unique, and they often drive the behaviors we see today.
Take my dogs, for example—they’re displaying their natural hunting instincts when they work together to chase a chipmunk (No chipmunks were hurt). This kind of behavior, rooted deep in their genetics, is more than just fun for them—it’s enriching. It gives them a chance to use their minds and bodies in ways that fulfill who they are as dogs.
Many of the struggles people face with their dogs today come from living in environments where their natural instincts are stifled. Dogs often experience a kind of captivity—limited in their ability to make choices, express themselves freely, or simply be a dog. That lack of freedom can lead to behaviors that seem problematic but are really just a reflection of unmet needs.
Understanding your dog’s unique history and what drives their behavior is a key piece of the puzzle. This applies to mixed breeds, too! Not sure where your dog’s instincts come from? You can visit thedogkey.com to learn more about your dog’s breed group.
The key to a more harmonious life with your dog is knowing how to meet their needs in a way that honors their natural behaviors. If you’re struggling to connect with your dog or feeling overwhelmed, I can help you create a plan that makes life better for both of you—rooted in understanding, not control.
Interesting conversations about joy.
Roo and Dobby enjoying the bounty of nature. Wild blackberries.
Yesterday we practiced some cue discrimination. Roo and Dobby had to listen for their name and then listen to which behavior I was going to ask them to do. Of course cookies were generously dolled out along with praise and pets.
What is that?
Cue discrimination is the ability of a dog to distinguish between different cues or signals and respond appropriately to each one. It’s a vital skill that goes beyond basic training, helping dogs navigate the complexities of their human-centric world with confidence and ease.
At Drop the Leash LLC, we see cue discrimination as a pathway to deeper communication between you and your dog. It’s not just about teaching your dog to follow commands—it’s about fostering an understanding where your dog can make distinctions between different situations, environments, and expectations. This clarity reduces confusion, minimizes stress, and builds trust.
The benefits are manifold: improved cognitive function, stronger bonds with you, and a more adaptable, resilient dog. Cue discrimination empowers your dog to make better choices, contributing to a harmonious life together.
My Rip man
Happy Independence Day from my gone but not forgotten heart dog Rippy.
Here we are practicing his 10 part chain for our KPA test final of which we passed. Not bad for a 10 year old, partially blind dog.
The 10 behaviors were, twist, pick up flag, drop flag, sit, salute, touch, back, down, bang, chow
Simple and effective solutions for your dog’s behavior. Virtual Behavior Coaching for People Living with Dogs My education and experience speak for themselves.
