Wild Child Dog Training

03/17/2025

We are seeking a Kennel Technician to join our team! While prior experience is beneficial, it is not required as we provide on-the-job training. To apply, please send your resume to [email protected]

Candidates must be prepared to: maintain cleanliness in the kennels, take dogs for walks, engage with clients, carry out cleaning tasks, bathe dogs, and perform nail trims. The working hours are Friday to Monday from 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM, totaling 6 hours per day. The starting pay is $16.50 per hour, with the opportunity for quarterly performance bonuses. You will enjoy all major holidays off. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 910.378.9377. Please note, applicants must be able to pass a background check.

03/17/2025

If we suppress a dog for too long, their frustration can manifest in undesirable behaviors.

It’s important to let our dogs express their true nature most of the time and to seek obedience only when necessary.

This approach is part of a larger framework; cooperation is essential for fostering a happy and healthy dog.

After all, nobody enjoys a dictatorial approach. 🌱🐾❤️

Wcdogtraining.com

03/14/2025

Weekly Pupdate: 🎉

•Marley and Willie, golden retrievers, have been honing their off-leash skills and enhancing their recall abilities while also practicing walking on a leash.
•Grizzly, the golden doodle, has been focusing on car rides and improving his leash manners in public, working on staying calm when encountering new people.
•Mikasa, the pit mix, has been tackling her fear of strangers in public spaces, gradually building her confidence to thrive in off-leash situations.
•Ginny, the Aussie-Hound mix, is nearing the completion of her training with us. Throughout the week, we’ve been reinforcing her obedience commands amidst various distractions, practicing relaxation techniques in public, and addressing her resource-guarding tendencies.
•Ae**us, the husky-boxer mix, underwent a diverse range of training activities this past week. We initially aimed to get him off-leash quickly due to his high energy levels. However, even off-leash, he faced challenges with racing thoughts, leading us to shift our focus to play and fostering his enthusiasm for the game.
•Sadie, the day-training puppy, spent the week with us, concentrating on building her confidence and learning to trust, engage, and play with new people! ❤️

Here’s what’s new around here:

•We’ve just launched a fresh blog and training video on our website! 🌐
•Exciting news—our team has expanded, and we’ve welcomed a new trainer to our ranks! 💪
•Mark your calendars! We’re hosting a Dog Easter Egg Hunt event on April 12th at our facility—it’s going to be a blast! 🐣

And that wraps up our latest updates. ✨

We’re now booking private lessons and board-and-train sessions for May. If you’re looking for assistance with your pup and want to get results, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 910.378.9377. 🌱🐾

wcdogtraining.com

03/13/2025

Why On-Leash Greetings Are a Bad Idea

Letting dogs meet on leash might seem like a good way to socialize, but it often causes more harm than good. Here’s why:

❌ Tension Leads to Reactivity – Leashes create unnatural tension, limiting a dog’s ability to communicate properly. If one dog feels trapped, they may react defensively.

❌ Encourages Pulling – Repeatedly allowing leash greetings teaches dogs that pulling toward other dogs gets rewarded, making leash manners worse.

❌ Risk of Conflict – Dogs have different play styles and social preferences. A leash prevents natural movement, increasing the chance of a misunderstanding or a fight.

❌ Creates Over-Excitement – Constant on-leash interactions can build frustration, leading to leash reactivity when dogs see other dogs but can’t reach them.

Instead, focus on keeping your dog engaged with you and practicing calm behavior around other dogs. Leash manners and neutrality around other dogs are much more valuable skills in the long run!

Need help practicing being calm around other dogs? Give us a call! 📞 910.378.9377

03/11/2025

Environment and relationship matters to all dogs but it really matters when a dog’s genetics or initial exposure to the world (think puppies) was rough. Both environment and a relationship directly affects your dog’s behavior. For example, my wolfdogs live with a cat. They’re fine with the cat in the home and immediate backyard but if said cat is out front or different area, the chase will be on. Or replace the cat with one of the chickens and I’m supervising, the dogs are leaving the chicken alone but as soon as I’m not supervising it’s again, game on.

This understanding is particularly important if you have children, other pets, or family members coming and going. The environment and the nature of your relationship with your dog can greatly amplify or suppress their behavior. So, if you notice your dog acting out of character or doing something they’ve never done before, take a moment to consider the bigger picture. Reflect on the details of their situation. A dog’s unusual reaction doesn’t necessarily mean they are “bad”; rather, it could indicate something we overlooked in their training or environment. 🌱🐾✨

Wcdogtraining.com

03/10/2025

From my morning read, and before my brain wanders, I wanted to share…
“The training of the dog seems to have been the first art invented by man, and the fruit of that art was the conquest and peaceable possession of the earth.” G.L. Buffon

If that doesn’t explain a true dog man or woman, then I don’t know what does. 🖼️🎨

Wcdogtraining.com

03/07/2025

Happy Friday! Here’s your weekly update: 🙌🧨
• Mikasa, our pit mix, has dedicated her week to enhancing her off-leash skills, honing her playtime, and finding her calm. We’re thrilled with her development!
• Grizzly, the gentle giant doodle, has been practicing his leash etiquette while enjoying some free play and learning to respect personal space. He’s become such a joy to train!
• Marley and Willie, our golden retriever siblings, have just started their results-driven program with a focus on leash reactivity towards other dogs. They’ve been diligently working on foundational leash skills to build a strong base for their training.
• Ginny, the Australian Hound mix, has been refining her obedience commands in public settings while also addressing her resource guarding issues.
• Tully, our adorable Poodle puppy, has successfully completed the first half of his training package with us!
• Luna, our German Shepherd, has been concentrating on boosting her confidence and relaxation during her recent private sessions.
• Grayson, the foster German Shepherd, has been improving his socialization skills in preparation for his upcoming move to his foster home!
• Ae**us, a husky-boxer mix, has embarked on his training journey this week! He’s enrolled in our results-based program focusing on manners like not jumping or nipping, as well as off-leash listening.
• Zeppelin, our German Shepherd, participated in day training this week where we focused on his leash manners and impulse control, including outings in public!
• Beau, Daisy, and Barkley are back for some refresher training during their stay with us. We’re working on leash walking, responding to “drop it,” and public outings. It’s always a delight to have our Wild Children return!

In other news…📰🤹‍♀️
• I’ve uploaded new training videos to our website and have a sale on some merchandise. Check it out here -> wcdogtraining.com
• Don’t forget, we’re hosting a St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl tomorrow exclusively for clients! Message me for more details or join our private group -> Wild Child Dog Training Group
• Lastly, we’ve been discussing the possibility of an Easter event for everyone at the facility. Would you be interested?

That’s all from us! Have a fantastic weekend and remember to let your dog enjoy being a dog! 🐕🍀💞 👇

03/05/2025

Let’s talk about some of the common mistakes we see in play!

-Not letting the dog win.
-The game lacking rules and structure.
-The game lasting too long.

Are you guilty of any of these? What mistakes do you see?

03/03/2025

A dog eager to engage with you will always outshine one that needs to be instructed to join you...just some words of wisdom this Monday morning. ☕️


910.378.9377
Wcdogtraining.com

02/28/2025

It’s time for your weekly update on our Wild Children!

• Tully has been busy socializing in different public areas and learning obedience commands.
• Ginny is honing her obedience skills and working on her impulse control, while we’re also tackling her aggressive tendencies towards other dogs.
• Chief, our bluetick coonhound, is nearing the end of his results-based board and train program. He’s now proficient in leash walking, basic commands, playtime, has gained confidence, and has mastered off-leash recall!
• Mikasa, a sweet pit mix, has just started her results-based program, where we aim to boost her confidence in the coming weeks.
• Grizzly, a large doodle, is also beginning his results-based training. He has some challenges with leash walking and working well with everyone in his household.
• Grayson, our foster German Shepherd, is learning good manners, including no jumping or mouthing, and is beginning to make eye contact.
• Loki, an Australian Shepherd, returned for a follow-up lesson to demonstrate how he’s overcoming his fears and general anxiety.
• Rose & Kora, a pair of Australian Shepherds, are participating in private lessons to address their leash reactivity.

Not pictured:
• Pepper, German Shepherd, had her first private lesson focusing on building her self-confidence.
• Luna, a German Shepherd, is engaged in a series of private lessons aimed at redirecting her energy positively.
• Mei & Satsuki, two Shiba Inus, attended a private lesson to improve their manners, particularly on the leash.
• Raven, another German Shepherd, is working on her reactivity and anxiety through private sessions.
• Scarlett, a lab mix, has started private lessons focusing on her recall skills.

On the home front, you can definitely feel the arrival of Spring! We’ve spruced up our outdoor yard and kennels as we prepare for a busy season of training and boarding. If you have Spring Break plans and want your dog to join us for training, don’t hesitate to call us at 910.378.9377 or visit our website to fill out a form at Wcdogtraining.com.

That’s all from us! Wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with sunshine! ☀️🌱🐾

02/24/2025

It’s Monday, and it’s Lindsey’s birthday! 🎂
If you see her out and about today, make sure to wish her a good one! 🙌💞🦮

Here’s a picture of Mikasa enjoying her evening walk. She just started her training journey with us! Recently rescued from the local shelter, she is here with us to work on her listening skills in distracting environments! I’m excited to see her transformation as we guide her spicy energy into something more appropriate and give her owners true control. 🌅

Wcdogtraining.com

02/23/2025

If they’re training dogs significantly cheaper than anyone else in the area, pushing their fear-induced agenda to make their training the “right” choice, constantly commenting online on every single thing but not producing their own content, and teaching your dog to place or stay for every single behavioral problem, they are probably a trainer I would avoid. 🚩
But what do I know? I’m just an annoyed trainer who has put in the time to learn the art and has seen one too many red flags on the local community pages. 🫠

I’m going to go train now. 🦮

02/21/2025

It’s Friday, so you know what time it is!!! Weekly pupdate! 🔊🙌

• Ginny, an Aussie Hound mix, is enrolled in our results-based program to address her resource guarding and anxiety. Over the past week, we’ve focused on building her confidence, strengthening her “drop it” command, and introducing muzzle training.
• Tully, a red Poodle, is currently in our full puppy package. During his two-week stay, we are working on foundational puppy manners, including kennel training, potty training, and socialization. He will return at six months old for more advanced obedience training.
• Astrid is a miniature golden doodle who is here finishing her puppy program. She is learning her off-leash recall and the importance of cooperation with her handlers and impulse control through play and obedience work.
• Hank is a Staffordshire Terrier who is finishing up his program. When he came to us, he was reactive around select dogs and would get into a high state of arousal very quickly. With play and teaching him a strong “drop it” command, he has made leaps and bounds in his progress.
• Chief is a Bluetick Coonhound who is working through the results-based board and train program. Chief had a rough start to life, but he is learning how to work through stress (like the leash touching his hind end) and how to relax. Chief is starting to enjoy the good life and understand what is expected of him with structure and boundaries.

Nothing fun or exciting on our end to report, other than that we’re over this cold weather. 🥶 What about y’all? Anything big planned this weekend? 👀

wcdogtraining.com
👆👇👆👇
•Online video library
•Private Lessons
•Results-Based Board and Trains
Serving Eastern NC

02/19/2025

When I saw his face, I couldn’t let him be another statistic as time was running out.
To give him a new chance at life, are you able to help get this big guy to us?

Please message the original poster if you’re able to help with transportation, and share this with your friends.

Transport filled! Thank you❤️

This huge guy needs to hitch a ride to his foster home in Maysville, NC from Newton, NC this Friday, February 21st! It’s a long haul! If you can help with a leg, or legs, of the transport, please email [email protected] with your cell number and which leg you can take.

Leg 1: Newton, NC - Clemmons , NC: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. *FILLED*

Leg 2: Clemmons, NC - Pittsboro, NC: 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. *FILLED*

Leg 3: Pittsboro, NC - Selma, NC 12:45 pm - 2:00 p.m. *FILLED*

Leg 4: Selma, NC - Kinston, NC 2:15 p.m. - 3:30 pm *FILLED*

Leg 5: Kinston, NC - Maysville, NC 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. *FILLED*

02/18/2025

Hank sliding in to remind you that we have our off-leash class “Come When Called” starting in less than two weeks! 🎾

To sign up, click 👉 wcdogtraining.com/events.
While there, don’t forget to check out our new sweatshirts 😘🌱🖤

02/17/2025

Recently, I had a conversation with someone about working dogs, from their historical roles to their present-day significance. We discussed how dogs that are mentally resilient and can find internal motivation typically perform better. This led me to think about the connections in the realm of pet dogs. While many pet dogs may not naturally possess a strong drive for tangible rewards like food or toys, every dog has something that internally motivates them.

In my experience with pet dogs, I often see two extremes: motivation that is out of control due to a lack of guidance, or a suppression of that motivation caused by stress, leaving the dog feeling like a “bump on a log.” Unfortunately, I rarely encounter dogs that strike a happy medium, as those tend to be the most balanced and enjoyable companions. Instead, it often feels like it’s either chaotic or there’s no motivation at all.

Humans can relate to these emotional extremes as well. Depending on the individual, one may bounce all over the place with no progress, or, conversely, retreat into themselves and let life happen—essentially dissociating. I’ve experienced both sides of this spectrum, and I’ve learned that excess in any form can be detrimental.

With this understanding, I believe it is crucial to teach essential life skills—such as focus, clarity, resilience, and the ability to rebound from setbacks. In the wild, there’s no time for wallowing; survival demands action, and being reckless can lead to dire consequences. Stress and life experiences will inevitably occur, as the world waits for no one.

Instead of resorting to drugging, suppressing, ignoring, or avoiding, we should focus on understanding who our dog is and equipping them with the skill set that allows them to live fully and function in day-to-day life. By giving them the guidance and freedom they so desperately deserve, we create a valued member of our family who lived a life worth living. 🌱

Wcdogtraining.com

Picture of Waya sunbathing in the front yard. She’s lived such an incredible life, and I’m so happy to share these little moments with her. 🐺

02/16/2025

The jump to medicating dogs, kids, us is out of control. We need to start addressing the environment that got us to the point of not being able to function in day to day life.

For years, fluoxetine (Prozac) has been pushed as the answer to behavioral problems in dogs. Veterinary behaviorists and force-free advocates love to cite “science-backed” studies to justify long-term medication use. But here’s a big problem, most of these studies are flawed, biased, and rely almost entirely on owner-reported data.
Take, for example, the 2009 study on fluoxetine for compulsive disorders in dogs (Irimajiri et al., J Am Vet Med Assoc). It claimed fluoxetine helped, yet the only improvement came from owners’ OPINIONS, not actual behavioral measurements. When researchers looked at objective data the dogs’ actual behavior logs they found NO SIGNIFICANT difference between the medicated and placebo groups. But guess which result gets cited?🤫
How about the 2007 study on fluoxetine for separation anxiety (Simpson et al., Veterinary Therapeutics). The conclusion? Fluoxetine was effective … but only when paired with a structured behavior modification plan. And yet, thousands of dogs are medicated without any meaningful training, as if a pill can replace actual learning.
Sad reality is that Dogs are being drugged, not rehabilitated.
Ask any serious trainer what happens when they get a dog that’s been on fluoxetine for years. They take the dog off the meds, implement a sound training plan, and SHOCKINGLY the dog improves.
Not because fluoxetine “worked,” but because the dog finally got what it needed: clarity and proper training.
Yet, the AVSAB keeps pushing these medications while dismissing legitimate training as “aversive” or “outdated.” They’d rather chemically suppress behavior than actually address it.
The real question isn’t whether fluoxetine has some effect but why so many dogs improve when you REMOVE the drug and train them properly?!!!
Behavioral change comes from learning, not sedation. It’s time to stop pretending otherwise.
I know I am not the only one noticing that dogs on fluoxetine don’t get better - they just get dull.
The dog isn’t learning or adapting, just becoming more passive.
This can actuallY DELAY proper rehabilitation, because the dog’s emotions and responses are chemically suppressed rather than modified through learning.
Thinking about making a solo podcast to talk about the dog I have in training right now, one of the many that end up euthanized after YEARS of being on SSRI’s and the pandemic of prescribing psychotropics like flea medication