PetSmart Midwest City

09/29/2021

PetSmart Midwest city is looking for a high energy, bubbly, outgoing person to join their team as our new Pet Trainer. Please call the store and ask for Leslie and we will get you headed on the right path to a bright new career you will love! 405-732-7861

09/20/2021

This is something I stress so much. You have to manage the relationship. You have to work on taking turns appropriately. You have to be able to be in a cohesive household. If you just 'let them figure it out', that could mean at best a vet bill. At worst, you're crating and rotating dogs that hate each other.
Ask me how you can help your multi dog household exist!

09/20/2021

I am so excited that with the changes I have going on, it is also getting cooler! No more 100s!

09/16/2021

This is so important. Speak up! It's why I use positive reinforcement training. My job is not to just TRAIN. My job is to speak up for the scared. To listen when no one else does. My job is to educate you on what is right for your dog and why you need to listen!

The phrase, "shut up and train" has been around for a while, but it's gotten in my head lately. The phrase has it's merits. Wordlessness when training nonverbal animals is useful at times. For example, if we're constantly chatting to our dogs as we train, it's hard for them, and us, to focus on thin...

09/05/2021

This has been an amazing improvement and I am so excited to be a part of it.

BIG news! 🚨 We now offer Virtual Dog Training. Get access to live, one-on-one training instruction from an Accredited Trainer from the comfort of your own home! To learn more, visit petsmart.com/virtual-dog-training

09/03/2021

Reminder! Classes are canceled until Tuesday! Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

08/28/2021

Flash Sale!!
This weekend only! $20 off of Puppy and Beginner classes! We cover basics, socialization and distractions. All those kindergarten skills.
Let me know this weekend and we can look at dates!

08/27/2021

It's National Dog Day! Show me your babies!

08/24/2021

Every time you change a criteria, you need to lower your expectations and then build it back up slowly. Any distraction change means starting over a bit. But the more you work in distracting environments, the easier those distractions become each time and the less steps you have to take. Take it slow and don't expect to come in day one of Puppy class with the best behaved dog in the room. It's okay. We will get through if.

08/23/2021

Some awesome graduates from the past week. So excited to see how they all progress!

08/20/2021

This deserves to be shared. Akri will be 12 this year. I keep his pain managed as much as I can. And I cherish every day that he acts like a puppy. That means that he is doing okay that day. I manage the days that he isn't doing great and we move on. Him getting older sucks. But please don't discount your dog 'getting older and calming down' as just that. Talk to your vet. They may be in pain.

"OH, HE'S NOT IN PAIN"
I've been thinking a lot about pain for the past decade: how do I spot it, how do I talk about it, how do I help the animal, and how do I help the guardian recognize and address it....
I always thought that pain is difficult to spot and we just simply don't see it. But today, as I talked to a dog owner, I had a revelation. We do see it. We actually see it very clearly. But we either don't know or don't WANT to know it's pain. Hear me out.
On my morning walk with Rocco I ran into an owner of a 5yo energetic dog breed. I've know the dog since a puppy and because I haven't seen them in a while, I stopped to chat:
"How's your dog doing"
"Great! Really matured and slowed down quite a bit, turned 5 and like a switch flipped, truly middle-aged mature dog now"
At this point my eyebrow goes up...
"What do you mean?"
"Not a runner anymore, listens well, prefers to stick close to me"
knowing the breed very well, I see nothing but red flags, owner continues:
"We went on a long hike, I think it was a bit much, so now we don't hike much, doesn't seem to like it anymore, I guess lost confidence or is worried.
I ask the most obvious question:
"Do you think he injured himself, maybe he's in pain?
"Oh no he's not in pain! I think he's just matured"
I can count at least 10 statements in this short exchange that lead me to believe this dog is in pain. The owner clearly sees them too, they are naming them one by one, I even suspect they are starting to see a problem....but....are they scared? Are they in denial? Are they not ready to face the reality? I don't know.
But please, watch your language and the way you describe your dog:
⚠️They matured

⚠️They slowed down

⚠️They don't like xyz activity anymore

⚠️They're needy

⚠️They lost confidence

⚠️They're worried
And do your dog and yourself a favour and talk to your veterinarian, your dog might likely be in pain.
PS. Rocco is almost 13yo and his medical file rivals War and Peace at this point, but on a good day and given the opportunity he will still choose to run. If he doesn't, I know he's in pain.

08/17/2021

Today is Amarant's Birthday and Gotcha Day. We have had him for 6 years.
Every dog teaches me something. My own as well as you guys. Am has taught me patience. He has taught me that tiny baby steps lead to big successes and new discoveries. From the dog who managed to find every single piece of food if left alone for more than half a second. To working on storm and firework anxiety and slowly building up our acceptance again after the neighbors scared him. To now, acknowledging that he is a fantastic and amazing hunter no matter what I try to say.
And I wouldn't trade it for the world. Happy Birthday Spams. I love you!

08/12/2021

Yall. Sometimes my job is too cute for words. Look at this class that started last night!

08/09/2021

Nature vs Nuture

08/09/2021

Why is it important to get your dog used to and learn to deal with the bath? Because when your super hunter border collie mix is 3 weeks and 3 skunks in, they need several baths.
This is the aftermath of this one. It got him in the eye pretty good. It must have put up a dang good fight today.

Ps. If anyone has good idea for keeping skunks out of the yard, I would be forever grateful.

08/05/2021

This deserves to be shared over and over and over. Dogs don't 'bite out of nowhere'. We gave them a reason. And then when they show us they are uncomfortable with something by growling or bearing teeth, we punish them until they stop doing it. This is how you get bit. If you wouldn't want someone taking something from you or waking you up while you are sleeping, stop doing it to them.
Training can be super helpful to teach you how to read your dogs body language, work on drop it, and most importantly, give your dog the ability and option to consent to something or not.
Let me know how I can help!

08/04/2021

My Akri boy would take home gold at his sploot and his shedding events. What Olympic event would your dog be amazing at?

Here are your Corgi Olympic Events 🥇

07/30/2021

Yes! Stop praising for coming when called and they stop coming to you. This is a life and death thing. You have to be the most exciting thing to your dog. All the time.

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter if your dog sits when you ask them to, but coming when called could save their life - it's worth paying for that behavior every single time (no matter how angry you are that they left your side to begin with.)

07/30/2021

https://www.tiktok.com//video/6988652312906435846
This is an awesome idea.
And then use the pool and the balls and fill it with water for an awesome way to keep cool and keep playing in the heat!

thewoofpacknc () has created a short video on TikTok with music HEADZUP WHATS UP MIX. | Canine Enrichment Ball Pit ft Shenzi | Enrichment Ball Pit | You need: | 1) kiddie pool | ...

07/29/2021

Congrats to some awesome Intermediate and Brain Games graduates.

07/28/2021

Does your dog have separation issues? Any isolation or separation anxiety? Or do you want to make sure that they do not develop any issues?
We talked about fear last night on the live. Now let's talk about separation. Our lives are starting to look the same as they did before covid. But to our pups, it was awesome. And now they are struggling with separation issues.
We have a new 3 week program designed to help you understand, manage, and mitigate some separation related issues.
It's called Stress Less and this is designed to help you make a good thing out of leaving the house for your pups.
I have a class that starts on August 22nd at 5:15pm.
Let me know if you are interested!

07/28/2021

07/23/2021

I can't say this enough. Stop feeding them out of a bowl. Feeding in training or out of a puzzle toy will change behavior. It gives mental exercise and keeps them focused on what is important. And it keeps them from gulping their whole bowl! Try a different method today!

07/20/2021

Family emergency today. No classes. Each of you will get a call.
Update. Mother in law is in hospital. She had a heart scare. She is okay but staying with her until she gets out.
Thanks for all the well wishes.

07/19/2021

Proactive management training IS training! Plain and simple. Be proactive. Manage the situations. Commands are great. But without management, commands don't do much because we can't always watch the puppy. Manage the situation, and train an alternate behavior.

07/16/2021

Please take precautions tomorrow. The heat abd humidity is officially here and it can be dangerous. No walks in the middle of the day. Only keep dogs out for 10 to 15 minutes max. Do not keep them in cars at all while you run in anywhere.

07/13/2021

The heat is back. Take the proper precautions. Walk early mornings or late at night. And make sure they aren't left outside during the heat of the day!

Hello Shawnee Animal Hospital family!

☀️ As the days get hotter, it's important to remember how the summer heat can impact our beloved pets. Please take a moment to read through our infographic below, and feel free to share it with your friends and family!
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07/13/2021

I am so happy for these Advanced class graduates. They have done so well and I am so proud of them!