Belle's Bark'n Behaviors

09/18/2024

🦮🐕‍🦺🐕

08/05/2024

🐾ADOPT ME🐾
Another wonderful foster pup is training with Belle’s Bark’n Behaviors! Meet Elmer! Scroll to the second photo and take a look at those beautiful ears!!! 🐶

Elmer is a sweet and lovable beagle, hound mix. He absolutely adores every person he meets and gets along well with other dogs. Elmer is a great dog and is just working on some basic leash manners and impulse control. He loves to play in the yard and loves a good cuddle session afterwards. Please reach out if you want to know more about Elmer!!

08/02/2024

I’m excited to say I am officially a Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (PCBC) through the Pet Professional Accreditation Board! I spent the last year studying and completing the necessary requirements to demonstrate my competency and achieve this accreditation. Doing all of this while pregnant and then with a newborn wasn’t easy and I’m incredibly proud of myself. I chose the Pet Professional Accreditation Board because of their unwavering belief that there is absolutely NO place for shock, choke, prong, pain, force, or fear in pet training and behavior practices - something I firmly agree with. My goal is to empower dogs and to do so through humane practices. I also chose this particular accreditation because it is a perfect bridge between my behavior analysis certification and my dog training certification. If you didn’t know, I have a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis and am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. I’m thankful that my experiences have led me to dog training and that I’m even more equipped now to help dogs and their families with behavioral modification. Check out my website (linked in bio) to learn more about my professional background and my training methods!

07/18/2024

ADOPT ME!🐾

Meet Buddy!!! This sweet guy has been in rescue for several years. He moved into a foster home about 5 months ago and is patiently waiting to meet his forever family. He goes for multiple walks a day and recently took a vacation and got to play in the river. He is an incredibly loving and happy boy who is up for any adventure. His foster mom is investing her own time and resources towards training because she wants to give Buddy his best shot when he meets his new family! Buddy is working on leash manners and some reactivity when he is on leash. Because he was in rescue for so long, we are working on slow introductions to other dogs to see how he does. This guy has lots of love to give so please reach out if you’d like to know more about him! And please share this post!

06/18/2024

05/05/2024

Big news here at Belle’s Bark’n Behaviors!!

We are welcoming a new baby to the family!! Baby Shay is due May 7th, so I’ll be taking some time off when he arrives. 💜

My partner and I have been working on combining two households while preparing for the baby.

This means Dexter and Arya have officially joined our home. These two pups moved all the way from Colorado! Sarabi and Kiara happily welcomed them and made sure to help them acclimate to life in the Big Easy. ☺️

While I won’t be available for in person sessions for a while, I can still offer virtual sessions and will be available by phone or text to answer questions for any current clients.

04/19/2024

Meet Ollie!! This 5 month old puppy is an absolute gentleman. I met his sister, Josie, a couple years ago in a puppy class and have worked with her on and off since then. Ollie recently joined their family and his parents noticed that while Ollie is the sweetest boy, he wasn’t as enthusiastic about training as Josie has always been.

I got to meet Ollie yesterday and helped his mom make some small changes to the training she was already doing in order to set Ollie up for success. Ollie mainly just needed us to break skills down into smaller steps for him in order to maintain his attention and keep him motivated.

If you ever feel stuck or like you and your pup can’t seem to master a skill, consider how you can lower the criteria or break the task down into multiple steps. Many times dogs can’t figure out what you want them to do and this can lead to frustration for both the dog and human. Lowering the criteria and breaking skills into smaller steps allows your dog to succeed and access reinforcement more often. Then, slowly increase the criteria at a pace that works for your dog.

04/12/2024

Look at these beautiful paintings of my doggies!!! I stumbled across on Instagram a few years ago and immediately fell in love with her artwork. Every piece is so vibrant and colorful! She painted these 6 doggos for me and I will definitely be reaching out to her for more pet portraits as gifts in the future! She sent me progress pictures along the way and happily listened to all my questions/requests to ensure I loved the final result for each pup. 🥰

Please go follow and see the other amazing artwork she has to offer!

01/12/2024

🎉Happy Golden Birthday to Sarabi and Kiara!!!!🎉

12 years old today!

These two girls are my favorite thing to wake up to every morning. They love to sleep and cuddle, but they also love a good adventure. They’re the greatest companions a girl could ask for and they love each other just as much as I love them. As the pictures show, they’ve been snuggle buddies since the beginning and Kiara is Sarabi’s favorite pillow. 🥰

I’m beyond grateful that these two girls ended up in my life. They’ve helped me grow and have also been the best helpers here at Belle’s Bark’n Behaviors.

Give these perfect girlies some birthday love! 💜

12/30/2023

Fireworks can cause fear and anxiety for our dogs. This weekend, consider ways you can help ease your dog’s stress and keep them safe.

🎆 Once the fireworks begin, keep your dog indoors. If they go in the yard, be sure to supervise them so they don’t get spooked and search for a way out. Use a leash or a carrier if you have to leave the house for any reason. Dogs tend to run when they are scared, so this will help ensure they stay close.

🎆 Secure all doors that lead outside. You can use gates or other furniture to block doors when you come and go to be sure that your dog can’t sneak out.

🎆 Be sure your dog has proper identification on at all times. Tags and microchip information should be up to date. A phone number and address ensure your dog can make their way home if someone finds them.

🎆 Play music, turn on the TV, or use a sound machine to mask the sound of fireworks. Close windows, curtains, and blinds to reduce sound and block flashes of light.

🎆 Spend time earlier in the day doing things that will tire your dog out. Go on a long sniffari, play fetch, go to the park, or give them lots of enrichment activities.

🎆 Make a safe space in the house. Provide them with soft bedding, food, water, treats, their favorite toys, and enrichment activities like a kong or lick mat. Make sure they have access to hiding places where they can go to self soothe.

🎆 If your vet has prescribed anti-anxiety medications, check how early they need to be given in order to be most effective. Many pills need to be given several hours before fireworks begin. Always check with your vet!

Remember this can be a difficult time for your dog and it’s important that you provide calming, safe environments for them. Never scold them for fearful behavior and do your best to distract and comfort them over the next few days.

11/14/2023

Meet Benny & Chico, the dynamic duo of long-haired Chihuahuas!

They recently completed a board and train program, focusing on play manners and reactivity.

Benny (1 year) and Chico (8 months) are inseparable besties with a passion for play! While their enthusiasm was adorable, playtime occasionally got a bit too rowdy. These clever pups not only learned to take breaks during playtime, but also learned to respond to cues seamlessly - even in the midst of their energetic play.

Their learning didn't stop at playtime! They also developed skills to manage their reactivity. Now, when they spot people or dogs through the window, Chico and Benny are able to disengage and put a pause on the barking.

Watching these tiny tail-waggers grow and learn has been a joy!

Is your dog reactive? Does your dog need help learning how to play appropriately? Reach out and get started on their training today!

11/08/2023

🐾 Welcome to Belle’s Bark’n Behaviors! 🐾 My name is Sonja Bacuetes and I started this company with the goal of improving quality of life for dogs and their humans. I’m dedicated to making training a joyful experience and creating a training program tailored to your dog’s unique needs.

🦴As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, a Certified Dog Trainer, a Family Paws Parent Educator, and a Fear Free Certified Professional, I'm passionate about building a strong and loving bond between you and your dogs.

🦴By combining my expertise in dog behavior with my knowledge in applied behavior analysis, I offer customized training programs that help you and your dog communicate better, build trust, and grow together.

🦴With my Family Paws Parent Educator license, I'm also able to support expectant families and families with children, ensuring a safe and harmonious environment.

🦴As a Fear Free Certified Professional, I prioritize the emotional well-being of your pets, making every training session as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.

🦴Join me on your training journey to create positive change and loving connections between you and your dog.