Offbeat Obedience

04/20/2025

Happy Easter!

Post your puppy-bunnies in the comments!

04/14/2025

Today is the start of National Dog Bite Prevention Week.

How do we (owners) prevent dog bites?
· Appropriate socialization
· Training and structure
· Being our dog's advocate
We are responsible for doing everything we can to keep our dogs from being a bite statistic. Prevention is the best medicine.

The American Veterinaty Medical Association (AVMA) have tons of great information for adults and kids at https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/dog-bite-prevention

It's National Dog Bite Prevention Week! What is most important to note is any dog can bite: big or small, male or female, young or old. Even the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest pet can bite if provoked, so it's important to know how to avoid escalating risky situations and to understand when you should and should not interact with dogs.

Here are a few scenarios when you should avoid petting a dog. You can find more helpful tips at avma.org/DogBite.

04/14/2025

Don't forget the rule about the Oklahoma wind...
‼️check your fences and gates‼️

04/12/2025

We're windblown and happy! Our Pack of three enjoyed all of the happenings at Scissortail Park this morning!

Farmers Market at Scissortail Park, free trees from Mitchell's Shade, and Oklahoma Humane Society's Poochella!

Well trained dogs get to enjoy so much life! Join our Pack Walks for socialization and obedience work out in the community!

Also, don't forget that there is still time to enroll in my upcoming Canine Good Citizen class!

04/07/2025

Last year's CGC class was so much fun! I'm excited to get started at the beginning of May!

This 5 week workshop will give you and your dog structured opportunities to practice skills and test for American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Community Canine (CGCA), and Urban CGC (CGCU). Each week we will meet at a dog-friendly venue or park OKC and work on the skills needed to pass the test.

Classes will meet around 10am on Saturday 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31, and 6/7. All classes will meet in Oklahoma City - exact locations will vary and will be announced as we get closer to the dates.
Testing will be held on Saturday, June 14th. Alternate dates are scheduled in case of Oklahoma weather.

Prerequisites:
Dogs must have a basic concept of Heel, Sit, Down, and Stay. If you need help, let’s set up a lesson ASAP so you can be ready to start group class in April.
Dogs must be non-reactive (not barking or growling) around strangers and unfamiliar dogs. If you’re working on this, I can help you with that in lessons. We’ll tackle the reactivity and revisit the class option once your pup is feeling more secure.

Cassie has been involved in dog sports and training since 2003. She is a AKC CGC and Trick Dog evaluator and is actively training/competing her personal dogs in obedience, rally, agility, scent work, barn hunt, dock diving, and more.

Cost: $200/dog for the 5 session workshop and testing.

Space is limited! Email me at [email protected] for more information and to enroll!

GoDog! Get out there and do dog stuff!

04/03/2025

In the spirit of my Canine Fitness Month challenge... I tried something new with my dog Nala. My other dog loves fastCAT, but this was a new experience for Nala.

It wasn't her favorite thing in the world, but you don't know until you try.

A big thank you to Sooner State Kennel Club for this run and 405 fastCAT & Canine Speedway for always being so welcoming and patient with newbies! Thanks for being Nala's biggest cheerleaders! ✨

Also, check out the crazy cool event photography at Blue Ridge Prairie Photography 📸

If anyone wants to try fastCAT this year, I can point you to the sign up sheet.
Get out there and do dog stuff!

04/02/2025

April is Canine Fitness Month!

Let's do something fun. Through April:

1) Try any *new* fitness activity with your dog.
2) Post a photo of your dog doing the activity and tag me in a public post (check your settings on your post!)
3) Get your friends involved, they can play too!

Each post earns you a free Pack Walk and an entry for a free lesson!

Rules:
• Posts must be public or I won't be able to see them.
• Winner of the drawing can use or gift the lesson.
• Enter the drawing as many times as you want. Each post must be a *new* fitness activity that you and your dog haven't tried before. It's an honor system situation, so play nice.
• If you haven't been on our Pack Walks before there is an evaluation process, but you will be able to use the free Pack Walks you earn as soon as you're evaluated.

Get creative! A fitness activity can be anything that gets your pup moving.
Maybe your dog plays lots of fetch, but have they tried a frisbee?
Go explore a park or hiking trail you've never visited!
Try a dog-sport!
Build up to walking/running a new distance!

04/01/2025

‼️Check you fences‼️

I'm sure I could think of some sort of cute April 1 post, but the wind is no joke today.

Keep an eye on your fence. I don't want anybody's pup escaping

03/31/2025

Springtime Pack Walk at Grand Boulevard Park!

03/27/2025

The happiest dog is a dog that gets to be involved in your life. The Canine Good Citizen Program is your gateway to a GoDog.

This 5 week workshop with Cassie Hartman (and me!) will give you and your dog structured opportunities to practice skills and test for American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Community Canine (CGCA), and Urban CGC (CGCU). Each week we will meet at a dog-friendly venue or park OKC and work on the skills needed to pass the test.

Classes will meet around 10am on Saturday 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31, and 6/7. All classes will meet in Oklahoma City - exact locations will vary and will be announced as we get closer to the dates.
Testing will be held on Saturday, June 14th. Alternate dates are scheduled in case of Oklahoma weather.

Prerequisites:
Dogs must have a basic concept of Heel, Sit, Down, and Stay. If you need help, let’s set up a lesson ASAP so you can be ready to start group class in April.
Dogs must be non-reactive (not barking or growling) around strangers and unfamiliar dogs. If you’re working on this, I can help you with that in lessons. We’ll tackle the reactivity and revisit the class option once your pup is feeling more secure.

Cassie has been involved in dog sports and training since 2003. She is a AKC CGC and Trick Dog evaluator and is actively training/competing her personal dogs in obedience, rally, agility, scent work, barn hunt, dock diving, and more.

Cost: $200/dog for the 5 session workshop and testing.

Space is limited! Email me at [email protected] for more information and to enroll!

GoDog! Get out there and do dog stuff!

03/17/2025

Reminder:
‼️ Watch your fences and gates! ‼️

Even if you didn't have any issues last Friday, fences and gates could have been weakened in the wind. Don't let your guard down in the next few days! Check your fence before letting your dogs out.

03/17/2025

Happy St. Patrick's Day! We are so lucky to have dogs!

A well behaved dog is rarely just luck. Training pays off. Reach out to train before the summer heat hits.

Show me a picture of your leprecanines! ☘️

03/16/2025

We absolutely love that Red Coyote Running and Fitness hosts some dog-friendly events!

Well behaved dogs get so many more opportunities. Doing the work means your dog gets to live a bigger life.

If you're not sure whether you and your dog are ready for a 5k, my Pack Walks are a great place to start! Your team can build stamina, refine obedience, and learn to manage big distractions. Come walk with us!

I'll be out at the Nate the Great run in two weeks. If you see me and Leni, come say hi!

03/14/2025

You probably don't need me to tell you this but...

‼️CHECK YOUR FENCES AND GATES‼️

The wind is going to keep us on our toes today. I don't want anyone's dogs escaping from a downed fence.

03/09/2025

Bluff Creek walkabout! This is probably my favorite time of year for Pack Walks because there are so many other people and dogs out as well.

If you want to join Pack Walks, holler at me!

03/08/2025

Goals always take time and dedication.

Learning to play guitar, running a marathon, training your dog - time and dedication.

I'm here to teach you and your dog the skills, to give you all the tips and tricks, and to make sure you feel confident in your journey. I want you to meet your goals efficiently...

But...
There's no easy button. There's no magic wand. There's no skip forward.
It's me, you, and the dog putting in the work together!

It's worth it. Let's goal.

03/07/2025

✨NEW DATES! ✨

Workshop announcement time!

It's time to enroll in the AKC Canine Good Citizen test prep workshop with Cassie Hartman - part of my GoDog workshop series!

This 5 week workshop will give you and your dog structured opportunities to practice skills and test for American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Community Canine (CGCA), and Urban CGC (CGCU). Each week we will meet at a dog-friendly venue or park OKC and work on the skills needed to pass the test.

Classes will meet around 10am on Saturday 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31, and 6/7. All classes will meet in Oklahoma City -  exact locations will vary and will be announced as we get closer to the dates. 
Testing will be held on Saturday, June 14th. Alternate dates are scheduled in case of Oklahoma weather.

Prerequisites:
• Dogs must have a basic concept of Heel, Sit, Down, and Stay. If you need help, let’s set up a lesson ASAP so you can be ready to start group class in April.
• Dogs must be non-reactive (not barking or growling) around strangers and unfamiliar dogs. If you’re working on this, I can help you with that in lessons. We’ll tackle the reactivity and revisit the class option once your pup is feeling more secure.

Cassie has been involved in dog sports and training since 2003. She is a AKC CGC and Trick Dog evaluator and is actively training/competing her personal dogs in obedience, rally, agility, scent work, barn hunt, dock diving, and more.

Cost: $200/dog for the 5 session workshop and testing.

Space is limited! Email me at [email protected] for more information and to enroll!

GoDog! Get out there and do dog stuff!


For more information on CGC visit: https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/training-resources/

03/05/2025

It seems early for this reminder, but it looks like storm season is gearing up!

There's still time to start training for spring weather. Reach out if your dog needs help with:
• General storm conditioning
• Getting in the shelter
• Crating in an interior room
• Sensitivity to lightning or thunder
• Being still while your whole dang family is crammed into the smallest interior room.

I’m here to help! Let’s work through it together.