Happy Dog Institute

07/04/2025

Just a reminder that we will not be holding classes on July 4th and 5th.

Great opportunity to get some extra homework OR just relax and find some easy and novel and enrichment to help satisfy your pup over a busy weekend.

06/29/2025

We have classes opening all throughout summer!

Get a new rescue and looking for a place to start? Dive right into our Foundation Skills for adults class to brush up on some basics and see what skills your dog already has!

Maybe your new dog is under 1? We have Focus and Control as well as our Zesty Teens class all lined up for you. These offer great foundations to understand important developmental stages, find proper breed specific outlets, and get those building blocks for improved manners.

Follow the links in our bio for signups!

06/28/2025

Following out long-line post. Preventative Vet has this nice article on how to train with them. https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/long-leashes-for-dogs

Want a solid recall? Maybe you want to explore offleash skills? or you have some property and want your dog to be better with livestock (or the neighbor dogs) all those skill s start here, with building trust!

Long leashes are a popular training tool but takes practice to learn how to use! Get trainer tips on how to choose a long leash and use it safely.

06/24/2025

Summer safety: let's normalize the use the longlines!!!

So many dogs will get lost over the summer, between Fireworks and traveling to new places it's important to prepare for issues before they arise.

Don't discredit that being seen using a long line can also help normalize this for other people in your community to try as well.

Here at Happy Dog we have so many classes that you can join in to help improve your long line skills. From Puppy LifeSkills, to Chaotic Canine, to Scentwork!

06/22/2025

This question has come up in all of our classes recently. Most of the time it's from people who have already had undesirable run-ins with off leash dogs.

We can't always control our environment so here are some ways to help you and your dog respond appropriately to off-leash dogs.

06/18/2025

Great seeing everyone at Dog Days this past weekend. We love connecting with other organizations and checking in with past clients!

06/14/2025

Come visit us at Dog Days this afternoon at Pioneer Park in Tumwater - we’ll be here until 2! Forrest, Ashley’s Great Dane, will be happy to have another visitor 😊😍

06/13/2025

Trick Title and CGC Testing at Dog Days TOMORROW from 10-2(ish)
Registration to hold your spot in available on our website. Drop-in testing will be first come first served.

Either way it's a great day to work on public skills with your pup!

06/10/2025

Let's celebrate all the hard work and patience that goes into raising a puppy!
This week we had TWO new S.T.A.R Puppies join the sports family!

Did you know that AKC changed the STAR puppy program from a certificate to a real title?

05/23/2025

We will be off an a sniffari this weekend!!! That means plenty of time to do you homework from class!

Take a break, enjoy the sun, experiment with some decompression and enrichment. We will see you back on site Tuesday the 27th!

05/18/2025

Truffle season came to an end, but not before Liz and Milo got to celebrate some great finds!!

It's so great when we can put some of our training to real-world use! and yes, that is always our goal, but getting something tangible out of it is always rewarding as well.