Sit Stay Play Michigan

03/14/2025

Photo Friday.
Today we will use Photo Friday to remember the pups who have touched our lives, but have moved on past this life.

I thank God every day for the time I had with the 4 dogs below. They taught me so much, and were such wonderful companions. These 4 welcomed more foster dogs and puppies than I can count. They were gentle and patient with every dog who came into our home. We also boarded client dogs back then. This is our driveway in Colorado, and the dogs watching the Prong Horn (also known as American Antelope) run across the field next to our property.
Dash was able to help reactive and dog aggressive dogs learn to relax and feel safe. He was amazing in so many ways.
We miss them all, every single day.

03/13/2025

Over and over, I ask, "How are you meeting your dog's needs?" Over and over I hear, "I need my dog to..... or I need my dog to stop ..." How about, "What can I do to help my dog, so he doesn't do .......?"
Can you make a Border Collie puppy or adolescent a couch potato?
Can you make a Basset Hound your marathon training partner?

If you are not athletic and don't enjoy exercise, you may not want to join a competitive travel soccer team. What if you were forced to do that and go to practices daily and play an important position? Would you be happy?

How about if you were ADHD, super athletic and loved the outdoors, and were put in a room with no pictures on the wall, no TV, computer, no door to get outside, no windows. Only one book about the history of the house slipper. Would you feel fulfilled?

Imagine how our dogs feel when we CHOOSE them to come live in our household. Are we doing everything we can to make sure their needs are met, so we can BOTH be happy?

03/12/2025

Your dog has so few choices in life, and then we (humans) get upset when our dogs speak up, act out, or show behaviors that are expressing their displeasure with some of those choices. Where do we see this? When we have an older dog, and get a new puppy. When we move, and their environment changes. When we take them to daycare, or a dog park and they get overwhelmed with pushy, rude, or enthusiastic dogs. When we choose their food, and then feed it several times a day (when we decide they should eat) for their entire life. When we have a working breed, and expect it to lay on the sofa and relax with us after we get home from work. When we put a dog in a crate for 8 hours a day, and then expect the dog to be chill upon our return. When we have a herding breed and get mad when it is chasing bikes, cars, children, etc.... but we don't provide anything for the dog to use that herding instinct. It is madness.

We need to consider the dog, the dog's needs, and the dog's breed when WE make those choices for our dogs.

03/11/2025

Don't go too fast. Take your time. Reinforce the behaviors you want and PRACTICE the skills you are taught. Do those activities we do in class. Do them again and again until they are easy for your dog. THEN add to the difficulty.
You didn't learn an entire language in 6 hours. Neither will your dog.

03/10/2025

Be a partner, a guide and a loving guardian to your dog. Don't be a dictator.

03/09/2025

Sunday Funny!

03/08/2025

03/07/2025

Photo Friday!
Let's see some DIRTY DOGS!

03/06/2025

Do you have a Labrador Retriever? Did you know this?

Labradors and flat-coated retrievers could have a gene that causes hyperphagia

03/05/2025

I have posted about his, and said this in classes so many times I can not count. I see so many people struggle with leash walking. There are no tools that "teach" leash walking, and it pains me when people say, "this makes it so he doesn't pull" or "his behavior changed immediately when we put ###xx on him." Sure - you may have easier walks now. Maybe it solved a problem for YOU - but what about the dog? What has the DOG learned? Take the time. PUt in the effort. Stop expecting too much too soon! STOP hurting your dog. Please and thank you.

03/04/2025

Training often fails when humans try to move to fast, or expose their dogs to too many things at once. Go slow and master skills in one environment before adding more distractions or difficulty.

03/03/2025

We now have private lesson packages! Register for yours on our website at www.sitstsayplaymichigan.com

03/02/2025

Sunday Funny

If roles were reversed!

03/02/2025

Truth
🐾

03/01/2025

TEACH your dog how to be "off duty." Do not just expect your dog to know that guests do not want to be greeted with a cold nose in their face, or giant paws in their gut. You must TEACH, and then PRACTICE the behavior you want. THEN practice more. Slowly add steps. Begin with practicing going to the "off duty" spot. Make it really valuable. They get the best of the best treats on that spot. THEN have a helper knock on the door or have somebody ring the bell. Again, the best of the best treats and chews happen on the spot when that happens. THEN add the cue "we have visitors" and walk the dog to the "off duty" spot when there is a knock or bell ring. Practice each step until there is no arousal, barking, or unwanted behaviors. The sound warns the dog of the "we have visitors" cue, and the dog goes to the "off duty" spot. THEN add the opening of the door (no visitors yet) - when that has been achieved with no movement from the spot, THEN have practice visitors who just come inside, and then immediately leave (a few times.) THEN have somebody come and stay for a few minutes. Build up to guests who stay longer. This will create a lifetime of good habits when guests come visit.

02/28/2025

Photo Friday!
I am feeling the “ick” today, but being kept warm and loved by this dude.

Show us how your pups keep you, or somebody else, warm and loved.

02/27/2025

If you have ever felt overwhelmed, or unsure in any environment, it is always such a comfort to have somebody step in and support you, tell you what to expect, or how to navigate the situation. Clear and concise instructions and communication helps put us at ease. Do that for your dog.