Happy Dog Institute

10/26/2024

Ready to Prepare your dog for holiday visitors?!?

Our Popular GET DOWN! workshop is looking for students.
Have an overexcited greeter? Maybe a shyer dog that thinks they want to visit, but needs more time to warm up?

Ashley will walk students through multiple ways to break down and build up happy visits with new people.

-open to new students- Dogs should be able to work alongside other dogs with minimal barriers

10/24/2024

Holidays seasons are a great time to practice being out and about with your puppy. Life gets so busy and it's hard to manage both training your dog AND running errands, so why not have a specific class time to continue to practice these vital skills.

Follow link in our bio to sign up!

10/23/2024

Show us your fall photos of your pups!

10/22/2024

Did you get your dog a costume this halloween season?
It's okay, most of our trainers did as well. Sometimes they are just too cute or on point to turn down.
For many of us, they have the practical purpose of helping keep our dogs warm AND in style.

There are reasons why your dog might enjoy wearing a costume (especially if you are taking time to build up interest in it).

Dogs who enjoy attention, dogs who require clothes to keep warm and/or comfortable, and dogs working on cooperative care skills tend to be some common groups that genuinely enjoy the process.

[Image descriptions: Set of 4 slides with black background and cream color block text. First slide includes some graphics of a sheet ghost, mummy, and jack-o-lantern and reads "reasons why your dog might enjoy wearing a costume". Second slide has two images, a merle smooth coated collie wearing a black pointy hat with orange frill and a thin german shepherd sitting up and looking at the camera wearing a headband with bee wings and antenae. The slide talks about dogs who might enjoy attention as a reinforcers. The third slide shows two different dogs wearing halloween theme sweaters, the slide discusses a variety of reasons why some dogs might benefit from wearing clothing. The fourth slide shows a Boston terrier wearing a fluffy monster costume and a herdy dog mix puppy putting her head through a donut shaped object. This slight discusses cooperative care and utilizing different objects can boost human motivation and help our dogs generalize.]

Mindful Pupper

10/10/2024

Tricks for Treats is back!

We have a full half day of tricks planned for you and your pup!
Join us October 26th and earn 1 (OR MORE!) AKC trick titles.
Novice + Intermediate start at 3:30pm
Advanced + Performer start at 5pm

Join us for one session OR sign up for the full afternoon.
Follow the link in our bio or comment "TRICK DOG" to be sent a direct class link!

10/08/2024

We love encouraging humans to expand the language they are using to describe their behavioral experience with their dogs!

So many times words are pretty charges with positive or negative associations and can sometimes imply judgements about what is happening.

I see a lot of people trying to communicate their dog’s issue and use very colorful, sometimes inflammatory language. Over time I’ve learned to temper their descriptions and get them to focus on observations, not extrapolations of what they think is going on.

Not only are colorful interpretations not terribly helpful from a training perspective but using negative or scary language about your dog colors how you see them. Instead of saying “my dog is aggressive,” tell me “my dog growls at me when I try to remove a bone from him.” The latter is much more informative, helpful and leaves little room for interpretation or misunderstanding.

The words you choose describe and express your emotions to others and repeated over and over, they begin to deepen those feelings and can even become what we experience.

Words are powerful and they always have emotion behind them. Choose them carefully.

09/28/2024

New door decals!
Sometimes it’s the small stuff that adds clarity.

09/27/2024

Moo Deng is the epitome of puppy attitude right now, and who can deny this adorable hippo?

The number one common concern we get is puppy biting. If Moo Deng is teaching us anything right now, it's that mouthing and biting is a very common behavior exhibited in early development my all sorts of species.

Maybe that doesn't feel reassuring...but we can totally help with that!

09/25/2024

We talk about this a lot for puppies: but it's really true for all dogs.

There are many reasons why your dog might be fading in training sessions. Here are a few examples of questions to ask your dog.

09/17/2024

Incase you missed it, we are continuing to grow our options for sports!

Fall and winter are a great time to highlight some hobbies for your dog to help keep them busy and (maybe) out of the mud.

Check out course calendar for signup options!

09/11/2024

Thanks Mitzi and Lynn!
We are so proud of the progress out Chaotic Canine students are making after graduation.

[Imagine Description: Photo of a light tan bully style dog snoozing on a couch. Text around the image is a review of their experience in class. Text reads "I have been meaning to post this for some time! I highly recommend Happy Dog Institute to anyone who could use some help with their dog. Mitzi has been there for two series of classes, and some private sessions, and the difference this had made for her has been amazing! It's not just about getting good behavior, it's about understanding your dog and their needs, understanding why they do what they do, and learning how to engage with them for positive outcomes.

Ashley and Paul at Happy Dog Institute are incredible! They both are so kind, caring, super patient, and totally invested in every dog and client they work with. The training has been very effective, but as importantly, it's been really fun! It has truly been a pleasure to work with them and I wouldn't hesitate to work with them again!"]

09/04/2024

For all our sports friends, if you are looking for a fun challenge that pieces together various heeling skills this is a wonderful opportunity.

I’m so excited to announce an upcoming training challenge, 21 Days to Tighter Heeling! Over the course of 21 days, we will provide you with daily exercises and training tips that will help you achieve a tighter heel position with your dog.

Registration will open next week, so follow along here for more details soon!

08/30/2024

Last weekend of summer?

No classes this weekend 8/31-9/3. Need some extra homework? All our classes connect to website portals that have additional material, video demonstrations, etc.
OR
Ask your instructor with extra games to do over the break!

08/22/2024

In this months Dog Nerd Corner, we discussed Classical Conditioning and how we might use that in simple training plans and approaches.

Classical conditioning is associative learning. When a dog barks and we suggest feeding your dog, or rewarding your dog for just watching a distraction. We are building in the association that the appearance of a sound or distraction will predict reinforcement from us.

We can use things other than food as well! Associative learning works in both directions so you want to make sure you are using something your dog actually finds rewarding.

08/21/2024

Have a Corgi and need plans this weekend?

Heather and Paul will be talking about Socialization opportunities and Reactive dog approaches from Saturday and Sunday!

RSVP form is now live! Join the Facebook group "Cardigan Welsh Corgi Extravaganza - PNW" for access. Can't wait to see you there!

08/14/2024

How are our puppy students so cute?!?

Congratulations to all our wonderful students setting the stage for confident adults.

Our puppy classes are Open Enrollment and run multiple times a week, feel free to check our schedule on our website.

08/11/2024

We have one spot left in this round of Advanced Manners.

Want to dabble in the world of obedience? Maybe take some more steps into having an appropriate Cafe/Brewery Dog?

Join Heather in this round of Advanced Manners and boost your skills while also challenging yourself and your dog. Check the link in our bio for signups.

08/07/2024

We have some more great classes opening!
This Friday starts another round of our Rally Introduction classes.

Feel like you are beyond the basics of manners? Maybe you are poking around for a sport that feels connecting and fun?

Follow the link in our bio for this next round of Rally. This class feeds into a continuing Rally membership for those that want to jump into the sport.

08/02/2024

Wanna know where we like to hike?
Our next newsletter is all about tips for hiking, and classes that help you learn better trail manners.

Check out a list of our favourite hiking/ walking trails by following the link tree in our bio.

07/27/2024

Thank you so much for the wonderful review Rhiannon!

We love hearing updates on how we have changed out clients relationships with their dogs.

We have some wonderful classes opening to help anyone get started OR continue learning with their pup! Follow the link in our bio for class registration.

07/25/2024

We have some openings in our upcoming Focus and Control classes!

These classes are appropriate for younger dogs ages 5- 12months of age. No pre-requisites necessary!

https://portal.busypaws.app/customers/happy-dog-institute-llc?booking_id=666863

07/15/2024

For those missing Paul this week, they are off in Springfield MA teaching at the Control Unleashed Conference.

They presented on Pattern Games in public access training for building resilience AND taught a working lab on modifying patterns.

Thanks .hollow.dogs for the great pic of Paul teaching!

07/10/2024

FAQ time!
It's okay to feel unprepared if your dog comes into season, and we don't want you to feel like you are out of options when it comes to being in class!

We are absolutely okay with you coming to class as long as your dog is wearing a hygiene cover while in the facility. To be honest, it can be a nice way work through any hormone feelings happening and structure of class can provide safety and comfort if you have to limit other outings during that time.