Furry Tail Training: For Dogs and Cats

08/06/2025

🌟 International Assistance Dog Week 🐕‍🦺💙
August 4–10, 2025

This week, we celebrate the incredible dogs who change lives every day — from guide dogs to service dogs, hearing dogs, mobility assistants, medical alert dogs, and psychiatric service dogs.

These highly trained canines offer independence, confidence, and hope to the people they assist. Behind every assistance dog is also a team of dedicated trainers, organizations, and loving families who help them succeed.

Let’s honor the paws that make such a difference. 🐾

08/05/2025

🐾 Happy Work Like a Dog Day! 🐾

Today we celebrate those who give it their all—just like the incredible working dogs out there who herd, guide, sniff, serve, and protect with tireless dedication.

At Furry Tail Training, we believe every dog can learn to work hard... when it's fun, fair, and rewarding! 💪✨

Whether your pup is learning basic manners or training to be a therapy star, we’re here to help you build a strong, motivated, and happy partnership. 💙

🎓 Got a rescue dog? Ask about our Training Scholarship for adopted pets!
📲 Check out our programs at furrytailtraining.com

08/04/2025

🐾 Mind-Blowing Dog Science! 🧠👃

Check out this brain scan comparison between a human and a dog. The colorful trails show the white matter pathways—the parts of the brain activated while smelling.

See the difference? While humans just get a little brain activity when we sniff, a dog’s brain lights up. In fact, around 40% of their brain is engaged when processing scent. 🔥

What’s even more incredible? There’s a direct connection between the olfactory bulb (smell) and the occipital lobe (vision) in dogs… meaning what they smell can influence what they see. 🤯

This is just one of the many reasons enrichment, sniff walks, and scent-based training games are so important for our canine companions.

📣 Want help engaging your dog’s nose the right way? Ask me about personalized training or my scholarship program for adopted pets and rescue families. 💙

📷 Image credit: Philippa Johnson

08/03/2025

💡 Do you feed your dog for free… or are they earning their meals? 🐾

If you’re worried that using treats will “spoil” your dog or make them behave only for food, you’re not alone—but you are missing an opportunity!

You’re already feeding your dog every day—so why not use that food to reinforce calm, polite, and desirable behavior?

✨ Instead of one big bowl for doing nothing, spread those meals out and use them to teach skills like sit, stay, come, and walk nicely.

In my latest blog, I break down why treat training makes more sense than a free bowl of food—and how this simple mindset shift can speed up learning and build a better bond.

🔗 https://www.furrytailtraining.com/my-blog/why-paychecks-work-better-than-free-lunch-rethinking-how-we-feed-our-dogs

08/02/2025

🐾 What do dog training and marine mammal training have in common? More than you'd think! 🐬

If you've ever wondered whether using treats, hand signals, or release cues really works with dogs… just look at how marine mammals are trained!

💡 If trainers can teach a dolphin to cooperate without force, surely we can teach our dogs and cats with kindness, too.

🎥 I’ve put together a short video showing how the exact same science-based methods used with marine mammals apply to training your pets at home.

💡 If trainers can teach marine mammals to cooperate without force, surely we can teach our dogs and cats with kindness, too.

👉 Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/GHakPLNfUlQ

Can you train a dog the same way you train a dolphin or sea lion? 🐶🐬Absolutely—and this video shows you how.In this educational video, we explore real-life...

08/01/2025

🎉🐾 Happy DOGust 1st — the Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs! 🐾🎉

Today we celebrate every rescue pup whose birthday is a mystery. ❤️ The North Shore Animal League America declared August 1st as the official birthday for all shelter dogs whose true birthdates are unknown—and we’re here to celebrate every single one of them with love and gratitude! 🎂🎈

At Furry Tail Training, we believe every adopted dog deserves a great start in their new home. That’s why we’re proud to offer a scholarship program to help adopted and rescue pets access positive, force-free training—because training saves lives too. 💪🐶

🎁 Give your rescue pup an extra treat today!
🎉 Share a photo of your adopted dog and tell us their story below!

And if you know a pet parent who could use a little help with training—send them our way!

07/31/2025

🐾 Happy National Mutt Day! 🐶
Today we celebrate the lovable, loyal, one-of-a-kind mixed breed dogs that make our lives better every single day. Whether your mutt is a couch cuddler, a hiking buddy, or a goofball with endless charm, they deserve some extra love today!

Mixed breed dogs are full of surprises—in personality, looks, and heart. 💖
Adopted a mutt? Drop a photo in the comments and tell us their story! Let’s see those adorable faces! 📸👇

07/30/2025

👃🐾 Your Dog's Nose Knows! 🐾👃

Did you know your dog can smell up to 100,000 times better than you can? Their noses have up to 300 million scent receptors (compared to our 5 million) — and they even have a special organ just for analyzing smells! 🤯

Dogs can detect everything from a missing person, to cancer, to how long ago you dropped a crumb on the floor. It’s no wonder they love sniffing on walks — it’s how they explore the world! 🌍

So next time your pup stops to sniff a bush for 45 seconds… let them! You’re giving their brain a workout and honoring one of their greatest superpowers. 💪🐶

07/29/2025

🚫 Why Aversive Training Should Be Avoided 🚫

Using fear, pain, or intimidation (like shock collars, leash pops, yelling, or “alpha rolls”) might suppress behavior in the moment — but it doesn’t teach your dog what to do instead. Worse, it can damage your bond, increase fear or anxiety, and even create more serious behavior issues down the line.

Dogs aren’t being “stubborn” or “dominant” — they’re often confused, scared, or trying to communicate. Modern, science-based training uses rewards, consistency, and kindness to teach lasting skills and build trust. 💛

If we wouldn’t teach a child this way, why would we do it to our pets?

07/28/2025

🐶👃 Did you know your dog’s nose is up to 100,000 times more sensitive than yours?

Dogs don’t just smell the world—they read it. From detecting emotions and locating missing pets or people, to sniffing out illness or changes in your routine, their noses are always working.

🐾 Sniffing isn’t just impressive—it’s essential enrichment. Let your dog stop and smell the roses (and the grass, the fire hydrant, the tree stump...). Every sniff is like reading a chapter of their favorite novel.

💡 Pro tip: Add a “sniff walk” into your dog’s week—shorter distance, more freedom to explore. Their brain will thank you!

What’s the weirdest thing your dog has ever sniffed out? 🤔👇

07/27/2025

🐶 Real "mom dog" behavior in action!
This adult dog is sending gentle play signals—not corrections or intimidation—to young puppies.

Let’s stop excusing harsh training with the “that’s how mom dogs do it” myth. Real dog communication is about guidance, not fear. 💛

https://www.facebook.com/reel/639905525746013

07/26/2025

So proud of my Graduates!