You and Your Dog Training & Services

01/10/2025

Last week, we talked about what "fluency" was when it came to dog training.

This week, we have a challenge for you!

It's easy to think your dog "knows" a word, but in a lot of cases, the dog is actually responding to the context of the situation or our body language! Give this challenge a try and share your results, and what you learned about your dog!

01/09/2025

Winter can make it hard to get out and exercise our dogs... which is why we are offering our Energy Outlets Workshop this winter!

This one hour workshop shows you and your dog a variety of indoor games designed to get that energy out... without having to freeze outside. Visit our website to enroll online!

01/08/2025

Have you taken our Intro To K9 Nose Work®, or an equivalent class?

Then this next class is for you! Our Intro To Odor class will introduce your dog to the essential oil target odor, birch. Building on the skills from Intro to K9 Nose Work®, this class focuses on teaching your dog to identify and search for this specific odor in various settings, sharpening their scent-detection abilities. Class starts January 18th so enroll today!

01/07/2025

Congratulations to our Connection, Cooperation & Control (CCC)™ Level One graduates!

01/07/2025

Too Cold to Play Outside? Check Out These Indoor Enrichment Spots for Your Pup! 🌬️🐶

When the temps drop and it’s too chilly for long walks, don’t let your pup miss out on fun and enrichment! 🐶 We’ve compiled a list of our favorite indoor spots for quality bonding time and mental stimulation.

From cozy indoor play areas to unique enrichment classes, these places are perfect for those frigid winter days! 🌬️

Now, we want to hear from YOU! 💬

👉 Where do you and your pup escape to when it’s too cold to stay outside? Share your go-to spots in the comments.

01/07/2025

Have a new puppy?

Congratulations! Now, it's time to get signed up for our Beginner Puppy Class. This class is for puppies aged 8-18 weeks at the start of class and is designed to help you set your puppy up for success.

We cover topics like:
🐾 Potty Training
🐾 Socialization
🐾 Foundations For Manners
🐾 and More!

Our class size is kept small to ensure you and your puppy will get plenty of attention and time to answer questions. Visit our website to enroll!

01/06/2025

Is your dog a cuddler?

We believe EVERY dog cuddles... in their own way!

It's important to respect the way your dog wants to "cuddle" with you. Some dogs might consider being in the same room as you cuddling, while others want to be in your lap! Some dogs enjoy snuggling up with other animals, while others need their space. Wherever your dog falls on the "cuddle" spectrum, it's OK.

Now share a photo (or tell us) how your dog likes to cuddle!

01/06/2025

Why yes my dog would LOVE to say hi, but I’m still going to say “no thank you” and move on. Why?

1. Because I want my dog to learn that every time we see people it doesn’t mean it’s a party for him. I’d like him to continue his focus on us together as a team and not create conditioned excitement and expectation every time we are approached by someone.

2. Because I don’t know what saying hi means to you. Will you politely touch him? Will you allow him space to move away if he wants? Will you put your face too close to his? I don’t want him to have a negative experience so I’m going to avoid that by continuing our walk.

3. Because maybe I feel overwhelmed or stressed in public places and conversations with strangers may make me uncomfortable, so even though you’d like to talk and meet my dog, I’m protecting myself too.

4. Because we’re in a rush and have to get something done quickly.

5. Because I said no. Even social, sweet, friendly dogs and their handlers have every right to say “no” to a request to meet and be touched by people. This shouldn’t just apply to reactive, worried or bubble space dogs. Dogs are not public property, and saying “no thank you” to touching my dog shouldn’t be regarded as rude or unkind, any more than if a stranger asked to hold my baby.

Please normalize hearing “no” OR even better, normalize ignoring more dogs in public. Let them carry on with their handler and admire them from a far. It would do a world of good for dogs and humans everywhere, trust me.

- Helen St. Pierre

01/05/2025

We may be on our holiday break, but we are SO excited to see all of you in class this January! Be sure you enroll soon, our classes are filling quickly!

Not only is class a great way to bond with your dog and work on your dog or puppy's manners, but it's a great winter activity to beat those winter blues!

Not sure what class is right for you? Send us a message!

01/04/2025

Congratulations to our “Puppy” Intermediate graduates!

01/03/2025

If you've trained with us, odds are you've heard someone mention the term "fluency" in relation to dog training.

But what does it actually mean?

"Fluency" is a stage of your training with your dog, and should be a goal when training your dog. It means your dog can accurately, reliably, and without hesitation, perform a cue you ask for. This means when you ask your dog to "sit", they sit! They don't lay down, or stand and look at you until you ask again. Once you achieve fluency in a known and easy location (like in class or at home), we move forward to the next stages of training!

What skills has your dog achieved fluency with? Let us know in the comments!

01/02/2025

Traveling with your dog can be fun... but did you know it can be dangerous?

🐾 If you're in an accident, even a fender bender, the adrenaline rush can cause you to accidentally leave a window or door open. A scared dog may dart out of the car, and be in danger of getting into the road or becoming lost.

🐾 In faster speed accidents, loose dogs can become projectiles, putting you, your human passengers, and the dog at risk of injury.

🐾 When loose in cars, dogs can also become distractions, and as we know- distracted driving is dangerous driving!

That is why our number one tip for traveling with your dog is to secure them in a crate or with a doggy seatbelt!

How do you travel with your dog?

01/01/2025

Happy New Year!!!

We will be back in the office tomorrow and will respond to any inquiries, messages, and emails then.

In the meantime, we want to know... do you and your dog have any New Year's Resolutions to work on together? Ours is always to spend more time having fun with our dogs!

Let us know yours in the comments!

12/31/2024

We want to wish you a safe and happy New Year's Eve!

This is a holiday where lots of dogs go missing every year. Be sure you take precautions to keep your dogs safe and inside during the fireworks!

Learn more on our blog:

Fourth of July, fireworks, gun shots, thunder and lightening, and most things percussive are common sounds that scare dogs. Sound sensitive dogs struggle with anxiety and worse during the summer seasons. Here are tools to help your dog.

12/27/2024

New Year's Eve is just a few days away. This is a holiday were SO many dogs go missing. Don't let your dog become a statistic. Follow these tips to keep your dog safe!

Do you have any tips to share? Let us know in the comments!

12/26/2024

Did Santa leave a new furry friend under your Christmas tree this year?

Or maybe someone you know got a new puppy? If so, be sure to join us for our FREE puppy play group and our upcoming Beginner Puppy Class! Visit our website to enroll!

12/25/2024

No matter what you are celebrating today, we would like to wish you a Happy Holiday, from our family to yours!

12/24/2024

The perfect holiday Toppl/Kong recipe doesn't exist.... oh wait! Yes it does!

Here is one of our favorite ways to stuff a food toy, with lots of layers for your dog to uncover. Feel free to substitute layers with the dog-friendly goodies you have on hand.

What do you like to stuff your dog's food toys with?