The Modern Dog Training

08/11/2024

We’ve enjoyed the 🇫🇷 Paris Olympics SO MUCH!
🇺🇸 I loved the equestrian events and Bear loved all of the sports with a ball. 🏀🏐⚽️🏓
Huckleberry’s favorites were diving and swimming 💦but turns out he was rooting for Team Australia 🇦🇺 the whole time! 🤪 Sad it’s over, can’t wait for 2028!

08/04/2024

See ya later Roxie! Proud of you! 🥲 She came in an impulsive, STRONG, and very opinionated puppy. She had her own ideas about what was and was not worth doing, complete with big feelings and some big behaviors to communicate that.
She left calm and biddable with a clear communication system for her owner to rely on and the right amount of sass and sillyness to enjoy and appreciate without causing conflict.
Bye Roxie! I'll see ya round good girl!

08/04/2024

Roxie making her way around the farm on the last day of her training stay. During her board and train program we worked on e-collar conditioning, reliable recall, leash training, crate training, manners training, obedience training, public access, and more. She did so well! All of that and she is only a puppy! Her owner had her off to a good start, it was a pleasure to refine what Roxie knew and add even more to her lifestyle. She will be missed around here!

08/04/2024

Tractor Supply run with Roxie! It was her very first time here so it was all about her. We practiced obedience commands, recall, walking around on leash, walking around with the cart, staying in one spot for a looong time without whining or getting impatient, and checking out at the register. She did awesome and is well on her way to being a wonderful errand buddy!

08/04/2024

Bear has been practicing appropriate manners around the house while in training. One place that needed improvement was on the furniture. Bear's household has unique needs that require consideration and accommodation. Specifically calm behavior and some space when needed. The furniture is not an appropriate spot to be energetic or overly excited in his home or mine. Not to mention jumping off furniture from any ole' spot isn't safe for little dogs either. So I have implemented some new boundaries with the help of Bear's cot where he already understands the expectations and by practicing coming on and off the couch via puppy safe steps. He is doing well enough that the cot and leash are being phased out more and more.

08/04/2024

Evelyn and I were joined by Roxie for lunch on the patio. In Roxie's home, grand kids are part of the mix. Helping her learn how to accompany kiddos in the car and on patio dates will open up the opportunity for more fun within her family. She was wonderful company and I wish she had a longer training stay so we could do this again!

08/04/2024

🐈 Kitty Helper Highlight

Kitty assistant #1 Onyxia 🐉
Skill set includes chowing down on stray kibbles and treats the dogs miss, keeping empty cots warm, and distracting trainees by putting on a zoomies show every night.

She came from the Friends of the Stokes Shelter Inc.

Most people will never see her but the dogs in my care certainly do. She doesn't think new people are worth her time but always shows up when she hears training in progress in hopes of snacks. We always share.

She knows 1 trick, how to "sit pretty." Bless her heart it took about 5 months for her to learn this. 🫠

08/04/2024

It was HOT! But we still put in the work. Roxie worked on impulse control, place, and sits and downs. I'm especially proud of her sits and downs because she really really really hates working in the heat. Thrilled she put that aside and just did the target behaviors with me anyway. Goooood girl!
Also thankful for my toddler assistant that helped provide a bit of distraction outside for us. Thank you Evie!

08/04/2024

Post park walk pit stop and another new spot for Roxie. We both hung out and enjoyed some refreshment. 🥤 Roxie politely made some new friends and fans here too.

08/04/2024

Roxie smashed her first field trip with me! We walked around the park practicing changes of pace, breezing by dogs and people, chit chatting with fishermen and women without invading their space, and waiting quietly to enter and exit the vehicle. We also practiced posing for pictures. It was a great day!

08/04/2024

Part of Bear's training program included teaching him to use a litter box! The litter box is a great alternative to potty pads and the yard. It is very important that dogs be comfortable pottying in the yard, but it isn't always the best or most convenient spot.

I don't have to worry about stepping on a 💩, the yard being urine burned, Bear bringing ticks back inside, (they are prolific this time of year), or him tracking in water or debris from outside. We play fetch on the porch when he is done and he very proudly brings his prize back inside for more fun.

Here is a small compilation of his progression. From having absolutely no idea what this was all about and not wanting to step on the bedding at all, to using the box reliably on command.

08/03/2024

Bear and Roxie learning how to ride safely. It looks a bit different for each of them. Bear rides in a car seat and Roxie rides in the back seat. Both dogs have been taught that wherever they are put in the vehicle thats where they must remain. No jumping around, changing seats, or distracting the driver. Its just not safe!

07/23/2024

Fireworks popping off all around outside, three dogs and a cat in the same room and all is peaceful here! Everyone is tucked in for the night and indifferent to fireworks. Great job guys! I am especially proud of Roxie who had never been crated prior to her training stay. Now she enters and exits on command and enjoys naps and her chew toy inside after training exercises.

07/23/2024

Practicing some obedience commands and watching the thunderstorm roll in with Bear.

07/23/2024

Have a happy and fun 4th of July. Happy 248th birthday U.S.A.!
Throwback of Jonas in 2014

07/23/2024

The CUTEST dinner guest is getting conditioned to his new car seat AND I'm continuing to challenge his impulse control at the same time. Bless his little heart he 100% thought this plate was for him when I placed it in front of him. 💔 His little tongue was at the ready! So pleased with how little communication it took for him to understand and accept this dinner plate was none of his business. Also, thanks to the work we put into the place cot it was very easy for him to adopt the same parameters in the carseat too. Good boy Bear!

07/23/2024

Roxie and I enjoying a peaceful evening with Kiki the cat. She is doing so well with everything I've worked on with her so far and great company. Kiki confirms. Kiki won't share space with just any dog and I don't always permit her to. Roxie is very appropriate with cats, both the inside cats and outside cats. Yay!

07/23/2024

One of the behaviors I am working on with Bear for his owner is ensuring that she be able to eat in peace. No whining, scratching, or other shenanigans she shared he may do.
He can smell this delicious 🥓🥬🍅🍞 and he is doing a great job quietly giving puppy dog eyes instead of whatever he was used to doing before. Good job little dude! On to more temptations!

07/23/2024

Roxie is being introduced to the place cot. Hanging out during downtime and while other dogs are let inside and outside or playing around her is so valuable for her training. Is she bored? Probably. Is she frustrated she can't run around loose and get into whatever she wants? Definitely. I'm proud of her for adapting and for doing so calmly and quietly. Impulse control is hard for puppies. Impulse control while also being quiet is even harder! Good girl Roxie!

07/23/2024

Yoooo... Its so hot outside 🥵 Quick romps in the shade while we refine Bear's recall command outside.
His biggest challenge was bypassing the house where he knows it's nice and cool in order to come to me instead. A few reps later and he nailed it the rest of the day.
Great job Bear and great job Huckleberry for being a reliably neutral distraction.

07/23/2024

Ashley and Winston putting in the work! 💪
I am always impressed by what these two accomplish during each session and how far they advance in between sessions.

🐕‍🦺 Here they are shaping alert behaviors together.

🦄 Teamwork makes the dream work and this is an AWESOME team to work with!

07/15/2024

☀️Happy Monday from me and Bear and Jonas!

🤎 Bear is still rocking bed head on our coffee run this morning. 🥱

🛻 We’re working on getting Bear past the car sickies so we’re putting lots of miles into his training.

🩵 Couldn’t ask for cuter copilots this morning! 🐻

07/10/2024

🐾 Roxie making friends, getting to know the place, and easing into new training concepts. 💕 Huckleberry is always happy to help welcome newcomers too.💙

07/10/2024

🎈Wishing Bear a Happy Birthday! 🥳 He turned 5 months old today! 💙 I wish you one million more toy tosses and lots and lots of squeakers!

07/10/2024

🐻💙🎾 Little guy LOVES toys and loves to work for them! I can teach so much to a toy driven puppy. 🙌

07/09/2024

Welcome board and trainee Roxie! This beautiful girly will be learning better manners, impulse control, and all the necessities including leash training, crate training, and e-collar training. Isn’t she just gorgeous!

07/09/2024

07/09/2024

Bear is making new friends and learning allll the things!

07/06/2024

Welcome Bear to training! 🐻 He will be learning better manners and all the necessities needed to be a great dog for his mom. This little yorkiepoo is one of the smallest dogs I’ve ever hosted and I am so excited to have him here!