Ready, Pup, Go.

09/10/2025

Punishment may silence behavior, but it also erodes your dog’s trust. Rewards, on the other hand, teach what to do while strengthening your relationship. Training isn’t just about obedience. Build trust that lasts a lifetime. 💛🐾

09/09/2025

✨ Training Tip Tuesday ✨
Puppies learn best in short, sweet bursts of training just 1–2 minutes at a time! 🐾

Here’s the secret:
✔️ Pick one skill
✔️ Train for a minute or two
✔️ End on a win
✔️ Celebrate with play!

Consistent mini-sessions keep training fun, fast, and frustration-free. 💕
👉 Save this post for your next training session!

09/09/2025

09/08/2025

If you’re trying to figure out where to take your pup for training, I just wrote a new blog that might help you out. 🐾

There are soooo many options out there! Petco, PetSmart, local classes... it can feel like a lot to sort through. So I broke it down in plain English:

What actually matters in a class (spoiler: the trainer + curriculum)
The good and not-so-good of Petco & PetSmart
Why smaller, local classes often end up being way better for you and your pup

👉 Here’s the blog: https://buff.ly/V928ihM

And since you’ve got that little cutie at home, here’s the scoop: my own classes will be starting in October at The Friendly Bark in Lynnwood. If you want first dibs on a spot, hop on the waitlist:

Tiny babies under 4 months: Join the Puppy Socialization Waitlist https://buff.ly/VipuqbM

Pups 4+ months: Join the Foundations Level 1 Waitlist https://buff.ly/He1BTrf

Seriously, don’t wait too long! Those puppy weeks fly by faster than you think. 💛

09/07/2025

We had a blast today at in today! Lots of awesome dogs and awesome dog people out enjoying the great weather and good vibes!

So happy to see everyone enjoying the sunshine and the music.

Thanks to for hosting us. We're so excited to partner with their indoor dog park to bring group classes to

Want to join our waitlist? Looks like we're going to get things rolling in October! Check my link in my bio for more info!

09/04/2025

🐾 Exciting news! 🐾

I’ll be at WagFest this Saturday (Sept 6th) at Evergreen Playfield in Mountlake Terrace! Stop by the Friendly Bark booth to meet me and learn about my new group classes coming to Lynnwood this fall/winter.

This program, based on the internationally recognized Pet Dog Ambassador Program, helps your pup learn real-life skills like:
✔️ Loose leash walking
✔️ Reliable recall
✔️ Polite greetings
✔️ Handling & grooming prep
✔️ “Leave it” & trade games

✨ Waitlist is now open, spots are limited!
👉 Scan the QR code in the post or click here: https://buff.ly/Uw0kOkI

09/03/2025

🐾 Are you asking yourself the right questions about your dog’s training?

✔️ Did my dog actually learn a new skill, or did they just stop moving?
✔️ Is my dog’s stress going down, or are they simply quieter?
✔️ Do I feel closer to my dog, or more like I’m controlling them?
✔️ Am I meeting my dog’s needs, or just reacting to their behavior?

If those questions make you pause, it might be time to rethink your approach. You and your dog deserve training that supports both of you 💛

👉 Check the comments for the blog link.

09/02/2025

Potty training can be a major pain point for new puppy guardians. Remember that accidents are normal for young puppies and potty training takes time and consistency.

09/02/2025

✨ Training Tip Tuesday ✨

Potty accidents happen and that’s okay! Puppies don’t have full bladder control yet, so your response matters more than the mess.

Here’s the game plan:
✅ Stay calm and gently guide to the right spot
✅ Reward successes like crazy
✅ Clean thoroughly so no scent lingers

With calm consistency, your puppy learns faster and your bond grows stronger. 💕

👉 Save this post for those inevitable “oops” moments!

09/01/2025

When your dog struggles, it’s not because they’re being stubborn. It means the situation is too difficult. Instead of pushing harder, adjust the setup by lowering distractions, shortening the training session, or breaking the task into smaller steps. Success builds confidence, and confidence builds behavior. 🌟

08/31/2025

🐾 Big news for Lynnwood puppy parents! 🐾

I’m thrilled to announce that Ready, Pup, Go! group Dog Training classes are coming to The Friendly Bark this fall/winter. These force-free, science-backed classes are part of the internationally recognized Pet Dog Ambassador Program from The Pet Professional Guild, helping your pup master real-life skills such as polite greetings, recall, loose-leash walking, and more!

Each session is 8 weeks with 5 levels of competency to progress through.
Perfect for Dogs ages 4 months and up!
You can learn more about The Pet Dog Ambassador Program here: https://buff.ly/n7BxrUm

✨ Spots are limited, so join the waitlist today to be the first to know when registration opens!
👉 https://buff.ly/Uw0kOkI

Looking to get a puppy soon? I'll also be offering Puppy Socialization Classes. A 6 week class to help you navigate socialization for your puppy and learn foundational skills to be ready for PDA Level 1. Reach out for more details!

📍 Location: The Friendly Bark, Lynnwood WA
💌 Training with Michelle Thomas Fear Free Certified PDA Instructor/Assessor