Smiles Dog Training

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Smiles Dog Training

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Smiles Dog Training in Phoenix, AZ offers behavior consultations and in-home private training support for pet families in North Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria, and more.

05/19/2024

It was such a gift to help Bumble and Moxie get these photos with their humans! Thank you Monica and Evan for being so patient and accommodating 😍

04/03/2024

I've had this mental image for at least a year and thanks to Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin it has finally been manifested!

To me, these are the three most important pillars of working with a dog, especially a fearful one. We want to build Confidence, Agency, and choices in our dogs.

02/22/2024

01/30/2024

The VFCE is working on a new canine study and we need your help! The Valley Fever Titer Comparison Study aims to improve the standardization of these titers across veterinary offices and laboratories. Advancements on this topic will help with future diagnoses of this disease and improve care for our pets. You can also get a $30 PetSmart gift card if you participate! To enroll in this study, visit here: https://redcap.link/vftest

For more information about the study, please email [email protected]

12/30/2023

⚠️New Year’s celebrations may not be fun for everyone in your family.⚠️

New Year’s Eve is often one of the busiest days for animal shelters across the country, as many pets get scared by fireworks and wander away from their homes. Here are some tips to keep your pets safe while ringing in 2024:

🎆 Proper Identification: Ensure pets have current ID tags and updated microchips.
🎆 Keep Pets Indoors and Distracted: Keep pets away from firework displays and distract them from the loud noises by turning on the radio or TV.
🎆 Know Pet’s Whereabouts: Do not leave pets unattended in the backyard as the sound of fireworks can send them over the fence or digging to get out.
🎆 Consider a ThunderShirt: ThunderShirts are a calming wrap that applies gentle, constant pressure to a dog’s torso to help them feel safe and calm.
🎆 Report Pets in Distress: To report signs of animals in distress, please call AHS' Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ at 602.997.7585 ext. 2073. For more information on lost or found pets, visit azhumane.org/lostpet.

12/07/2023

'CHIPS THE SEASON! We are offering FREE microchipping services for dogs through the end of the year! Give yourself some peace of mind for the holidays. 🎁 If your pup happens to bolt out of the door one day, this chip will be your greatest asset.

Schedule an appointment here: https://mcaccappointments.as.me/microchip

11/22/2023

A respiratory illness is affecting canines in some areas across the United States. Diagnostic testing has not yet confirmed the cause, but we are taking precautions to keep your dog safe.

Please see below for a few advisories we recommend to help reduce the risks of canine respiratory exposure and sickness.

11/21/2023

Since AZ has such an influx of snowbirds from places like Oregon, Colorado, and other northern states this is something to be aware of!

Veterinary laboratories in several states are investigating an unusual respiratory illness in dogs. Oregon, Colorado and New Hampshire are among the states that have seen cases of the illness.

11/12/2023

FYI, major recall on Mid America Pet Food (Victor, Eagle Mountain, Wayne Feeds, and certain Member’s Mark varieties):

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-and-cdc-investigate-cases-salmonella-linked-pet-food-made-mid-america-pet-food-multiple-brands

10/31/2023

PAWS Chicago administers the Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA) to a three-month-old puppy that was set to be euthanized at the city pound.

10/03/2023

We are looking for more participants for our canine fluconazole dosage study! The goal of this project is to determine the best dosing regimen for dogs of different sizes to have the best therapeutic benefit and minimize adverse effects. We especially need some smaller pups (less than 22 lbs) to be a part of this project. We also need 8-10 dogs who can participate in the all day arm of the study that determines how the drug levels rise and fall depending on dog’s weight after administering a dose of the medicine. If your dog has been diagnosed with Valley fever and has been taking fluconazole for at least 30 days, please consider enrolling them in this clinical study! You can find more information about the study on our website: https://vfce.arizona.edu/valley-fever-dogs/clinical-trials-dogs/fluconazole-dosage-study. Questions about the study can be directed to Dr. Lisa Shubitz, [email protected].

09/23/2023

Another heartbroken family is grieving after losing their beloved Corgi last Sunday when he suffocated in a chip bag. Jack Cabaness writes, "We lost our dog Seamus on September 17th when he suffocated in a Cheetos bag he got out of the trash. We are devastated. Seamus was a Welsh Pembroke Corgi. He was a tri-color, although he had only a little bit of red. We picked him out of the litter because of his adorable face, half white, and half black/red. He would have turned 9 years old on October 3rd.

On Sunday, September 17, we went to lunch at Chili’s to celebrate our daughter’s 9th birthday. When we got home, our daughter found Seamus on the floor of the den with a bag of Cheetos on his head. She pulled the bag off, and came to me and my wife and said, “I think Seamus is in a coma from eating too many Cheetos.” I walked back with her, and I discovered that Seamus was non-responsive. Since our daughter had pulled the bag off, I couldn’t figure out what had happened at first. I rushed Seamus to the vet hospital, though it should have been obvious that he was gone. On my way to the vet, I remembered our daughter saying that Seamus had had his head in the bag of Cheetos, and then I realized that he must have suffocated.

We think the bag of Cheetos had been in an open trash container. We almost always bought very small bags of chips for the kids’ lunch boxes, but this one time we had purchased a larger bag of Cheetos. Since Seamus’ death, I’ve been reading up on pet suffocation, learning how the Mylar adheres to their faces. I’m incredulous that Frito-Lay and others aren’t putting warning labels on their bags. Why is that? Thank you for the work you are doing."

Why won't Frito Lay and other manufacturers put warning labels on their chip bags and other food bags? That is a good question. It seems like a simple step to help warn their consumers about a potential suffocation danger to pets. That is why we at Prevent Pet Suffocation have our online petition to Frito Lay to add warning labels to their chip bags. If you haven't signed it, please do so in honor of Seamus and all the other animals who have lost their lives in a chip bag or snack bag. We have over 48,000 signatures. Click on the link to sign:
https://www.change.org/p/frito-lay-add-pet-suffocation-warning-labels-to-your-chip-bags

03/28/2023

Check out some behind the scenes from our branding session. So thankful for this opportunity to work with such amazing people!

Come along with us to scout a studio in downtown Phoenix! While we're there we took some self portraits and took branding photos for Smiles Dog Training and ...

03/09/2023

Trust me, this will make training sessions muuuuch easier for you and your dog.

But, what does it actually mean to set up for success?

Setting your dog up for success means managing your dog’s environment in a way that doesn’t give your dog the opportunity to fail the task or training lesson (also known as errorless learning). This can look like practicing in an environment with low distractions. Or using medium to high-value treats that are reinforcing for your dog. Or both!

Doing this will result in less frustration for both ends and make training sessions more fun!

[Image Description: Slide 1: If training sessions feel frustrating...try this tip! Slide 2: Set yourself and your dog up for success! Slide 3: How to set up for success: prepare a mixture of medium to high value treats, train in an environment with low distractions, if you are training in a new place, let your dog sniff around before training starts.]

03/03/2023

Have you ever tried a new enrichment toy or activity with your dog and they just didn’t engage with it? But you saw this on social media and the dog from that post really loved it?

This is because dogs are individuals! They all have different preferences and interests depending on their age, size, and breed.

If the toy or activity didn’t work for your dog, that is them telling you they need something different. They could find that toy or experience to be too boring or too frustrating.

When it comes to enrichment, you want to experiment and see what your dog likes best! Enrichment is about meeting their needs and making it fun FOR THEM.

[Image Description: Dogs are individuals & have different enrichment needs.]

03/01/2023

When it comes to loose leash training, it’s important to remember that the leash is simply a tool to keep your dog safe when you’re out and about.

The leash is not meant to be used for controlling your dog and forcing them to do things.

Trying to control them with the leash can make them pull even more!

To teach your dog to walk calmly next to you, start at home without the leash! You can practice indoors and in your backyard using positive reinforcement training methods and teaching your dog what TO do.

Rewarding your dog for the behaviors you want to see is the best way to teach them to walk on a loose leash!

[Image Description: Slide 1: The leash is for keeping your dog safe. Slide 2: The leash is not for steering, yanking, or forcing your dog to do things.]

02/26/2023

Even though I love a good food puzzle toy for dogs, I also really love making DIY enrichment too. It’s quick to make and good for your wallet too! 🤩

Which activity will you try this week with your dog? Let me know in the comments!

[Image Description: 5 Days Of DIY Enrichment: Monday: Soak carrots in chicken broth, freeze it & have your dog chew on it. Tuesday: Scatter treats in a towel and roll it up like a burrito. Wednesday: Hide smelly treats around the room and have your dog sniff them out. Thursday: Feed a meal out of an egg carton. Friday: Teach your dog a new behavior through shaping]

02/24/2023

So you want to hire a dog trainer…here are some insights I want to share with you.

The dog training industry is not regulated. This means that anyone can call themselves a dog trainer without the proper education and experience. If you see that a dog trainer can guarantee 100% results, this should be a red flag.

Why? Because just like humans, behavior is fluid and changes based on a variety of factors, and it shouldn’t be guaranteed.

If you want to hire a dog trainer, please take the time to do some research and learn about their ethics and experience. Who you hire affects how successful your outcome is and how safe your dog is while training.

Share this post with a friend who is thinking about hiring a dog trainer!

Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need referrals.

[Image Description: Slide 1: Working with a qualified dog trainer will not guarantee results…& there's a good reason why! Slide 2: Behavior is fluid! Behavior is impacted by environment, learning history, health, genetics, and effort. As these influences ebb and flow, so can behavior outcomes for better or worse. Slide 3: So…what can we guarantee? Slide 4: Things qualified dog trainers can guarantee: You will have a better understanding of your dog and how to communicate with them. You will learn how to manage your environment to prevent unwanted behaviors. You will learn how to set your dogs up for training success. You will gain new dog training skills that can be applied in many situations and environments.]

02/21/2023

Did you know I specialize in helping dogs with aggression?

One of the first things I do with clients is explore potential root causes. Learning about how these causes may influence a dog and their human increases the likelihood of long term success in the behavior modification process.

Here are 5 potential causes for aggressive behaviors in dogs:

Undersocialization & Fear ➡ Puppies show more fear and anxiety as they age if they get limited positive experiences during the early stages of life.

Pain & Illness ➡ Underlying medical causes can often result in lower tolerance and aggressive behavior.

Genetics ➡ There are some breeds that are more likely to display behaviors that we deem aggressive. This can be related to behavioral traits they’ve been intentionally bred for or inherited physiological issues that increase discomfort.

Learned Behavior ➡ If your dog has learned that showing aggressive behavior can make scary things go away, then they likely learned that this could work again in the future and will try it again.

Punishment ➡ Studies have shown that aversive tools and punishment-based training methods can increase displays of aggressive or fearful behavior!

If your dog is displaying aggressive behaviors, please work with a certified professional to implement management strategies, reduce stress, build skills, and keep everyone safe. Message me if you need help or referrals!

[Image Description: Potential Causes For Aggressive Behaviors In Dogs: Undersocialization & Fear, Pain & Illness, Genetics, Learned Behavior, Punishment]

02/18/2023

Hey you! I hope you know how amazing you are!

Take some time to acknowledge all of your efforts in being the best pet parent. You deserve a celebration 🎉

Which affirmation did you need to hear the most today?

[Image Description: Pet Parent Affirmations: My needs are important too. We’re going at our own pace. It’s okay to take a break from my dog. It’s okay to make mistakes. I’m doing the best I can. My dog doesn’t need me to be perfect.]

02/16/2023

Fear is an emotion, not a behavior. Comfort can actually help your dog and will not make them more fearful.

But, what does comforting your dog actually look like?

It’s different for every dog!

Some dogs will want to feel safe in your arms as you hold them and pet them.

Some dogs will want to be in a quiet space with you nearby letting them know everything will be okay.

It’s important that you tailor your comfort to your pup’s needs (not your needs, your pup’s needs!) so that you can truly help them through tough times.

What does your dog find comforting? Share in the comments.

[Image Description: Slide 1: Addressing emotional needs is the first step to building your dog’s confidence in our human world. Slide 2: Comforting your dog does not reinforce their fear.]

02/10/2023

Is your dog actually learning what you want them to during training?

It’s easy to miss those signs when your dog is feeling uncomfortable or confused during a training session. Disengaging from training activities, offering only previously taught skills, or showing body language like yawning or making contact with you through jumping or pawing can all be signs that you are confusing your dog.

If they are feeling confused during the training session (or in the environment), then just pause and take a break! Shake off that frustration and play instead!

Use this situation as a way of collecting information about your dog so you can better prepare for the next session.

How does your dog show signs of being confused during training? What did you do instead? Share and comment on your experience below!

[Image Description: Slide 1: What should I do when my dog shows signs of being confused during training? Slide 2: Take a break from training! Assess what was and wasn’t working so you can better prepare for the next training session. Graphic of a person thinking with multiple thought bubbles: should I use better treats? Were there any distractions in the environment? Does my dog need a refresher on that skill?]

02/08/2023

Remember that you are doing the best you can with your dog. At the end of the day, that’s all that truly matters 💙

Sometimes dog training feels like a race. We can’t help but notice other people’s training progress on social media. We can’t help but be envious of the dog that’s walking nicely on a leash at the park. We can’t help but compare.

But here’s the thing: we’re all different. We all have different lives, different dogs, and different training plans.

You don’t need to put so much pressure on yourself. We often forget that time is limited with dogs. They grow up very fast and it’s easy to forget to enjoy the time we have together.

If you are doing your best and keeping your dog safe and healthy, then you are doing a great job already!

Did you need this reminder today?

[Image Description: It’s okay if you’re not at a place where you would like to be with your dog]

02/05/2023

Check out some of my favorite products designed to help reduce environmental stress, increasing your dog’s feelings of safety and relaxation!

Adaptil Calming Travel Spray -> Great for helping your dog feel more at ease when you’re on the move. Spray this on a bandana for your dog to wear or on their travel mat.

Adaptil Calming Diffuser -> Helps your dog feel more relaxed at home, when they feel a bit nervous about you leaving the house, or when there are loud noises outside like fireworks or thunderstorms!

Pet Tunes Bluetooth Speaker with Calming Music -> These small little devices are loaded with calming music for dogs. It helps block out any sounds if your dog tends to bark at noises outside of your house. They are also easily portable so it’s great for car rides and traveling.

*Please keep in mind that these products are intended to be used in conjunction with a quality training and behavior modification plan for maximum effect.

See a list of my favorite doggy products on my Amazon Storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/smilesdogtraining

[Image Description: Calming spray, calming diffuser, bluetooth speaker with calming music.]

02/04/2023

These are some of my favorite skills to work on for multi-dog households!

Not only are they useful skills, but they can also make your life much easier while living and training with multiple dogs at the same time. (Trust me, it can be a struggle 😅)

Pet parents with multiple dogs, what other skills would you add to this post?

[Image Description: 3 skills to work on if you live in a multi-dog household. Place: Helps you space your dogs out during training and gives them their own space to relax on during downtime Recall: Allows you to cue your dogs to separate or leave areas where triggers are present Leave It: Can prevent your dogs from engaging with something of concern.]

02/01/2023

There are a lot of misconceptions about using food in training. But here’s how I want you to think about it: rewarding your dog with treats is like investing in their behavior.

Just as many humans are motivated by money, dogs are usually motivated by treats, toys, or engagement.

When you work hard at your job and your boss gives you a bonus, you are motivated to continue working hard for the next task to earn more reinforcement.

When our dogs are doing skills/behaviors we like, we need to “pay” them with treats (or whatever they find rewarding) so your dog understands both that they got it right and there’s something in it for them when they do it.

Invest in your dog’s behavior to see more consistency and clarity!

Share this post & help educate another dog guardian! 🐶

[Image Description: Slide 1: Rewarding your dog with treats is like investing in their behavior. Slide 2: If we want consistent behavior, we need to add more investments!]

01/27/2023

If I had one goal to pursue in life, it would be to make quality dog training information accessible to everyone.

Thanks to the wonderful world of the internet, quality dog training can be accessible for everyone! There are tons of trainers, including myself, who have online courses and webinars (sometimes free!) with evidence-based humane information for dog guardians.

Due to the 2020 pandemic, virtual training has become increasingly popular and it works really well for many situations (contrary to popular belief)!

A virtual trainer can coach you step by step and tell you exactly what you need to do with your dog for success. Trainers working virtually focus a lot on helping you develop the skills you need so you can work independently without them.

And if those options don’t work for you, there is still tons of information out there on blogs, training podcasts, and of course, social media. Just make sure you are learning from qualified dog professionals! Don’t take advice from someone just because they say they are a dog trainer without doing due diligence on their education, qualifications and experience (Check out my pinned post on what to consider before working with a dog trainer).

Share this post with another pet guardian!

[Image Description: How to learn from a dog trainer without in-person training: take online courses and webinars, virtual behavior consultations and coaching, free resources such as blogs, podcasts, and social media]

01/26/2023

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from working with dogs and their people is the power of EMPATHY.

When we take a moment to understand our dog’s emotions as they relate them through their body language, we can better relate to them as pet guardians.

Taking care of a dog is not always easy, especially if you have a dog who is reactive or nervous. But practicing empathy can really inspire you to update your perspective and work on helping them feel better.

Your dog isn’t barking to annoy you and demand your attention.

Your dog isn’t reacting to other dogs to embarrass you.

There’s always a function to your dog’s behavior to meet their needs.

Take a moment to put yourself in your dog’s place, without any judgment.

What would you need if you were them? A little bit of empathy and patience can go a long way!

[Image Description: Empathy can inspire patience and commitment to training and helping your dog feel better about the human world.]

Address

7th And Thunderbird
Phoenix, AZ
85022

Website

https://smilesdogtraining.net/

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Videos

A scratchboard is a board with sandpaper glued to it so you can teach your dog how to file their own nails. This is perfect for you if you or your dog find nail trims to be stressful. We had the chance to work with Pup + Me Photo and her pup Sasha, and thankfully Monica took a video while we worked! Here are 5 steps to introducing your dog to a scratchboard: 1. Show your dog the board and be sure to put it on a non-slip floor, on top of a rug is great! Let them explore it as much as they want! 2. You will want to use a towel to assist in teaching your dog the scratching movement. Let your dog explore and sniff the towel and put some treats in there for them to dig out. 3. Once you can tell they are engaging with the towel, then you can move the towel on top of the board. 4. Hide some treats under the towel to encourage them to use their paw to uncover the treat. This will help them learn the “scratching” behavior. 5. Once they get the movement down, you can phase out the treat under the towel and start rewarding them by dropping a treat on top of the towel every time they use their paw (and arm) in a scratching motion. 6. As you capture this behavior more with reinforcement, you can add a verbal cue of “scratch” and a visual cue of pointing to the towel/board to put the behavior on cue. Does your pup know how to use a scratchboard? [Video description: Multiple clips put together of Sara, a white female, introducing a scratchboard to a pitbull. Text description: Introducing the scratchboard for the first time. 1. Put the board on a non-slip surface. 2. Start with putting treats in a towel. Let the pup sniff & explore. 3. Move towel to the board. 4. Hide treats under towel to encourage “scratching” behavior. 5. Once they’re consistently scratching, phase out the treat under the towel & just reward for the arm movement.]

This may be an unpopular opinion but I’m personally not a huge fan of dog parks! Based on personal experience, it can be extremely overwhelming and stressful for me and my dogs. Don’t get me wrong, dog parks can be awesome for some dogs! And sometimes you can connect with other regulars and help build play date options! Play dates have been great for meeting many of my client’s specific needs. Play dates allow you to know who your dog is playing with and how they will interact since you are already familiar with them. Of course, I know not everyone has the luxury of having good dog friends or space to schedule those play dates. So if you do like taking your dog to the dog park, here are some things to consider: -Health risks -Physical safety -What your dog really likes about playing with other dogs -When the park has slow attendance Does your dog prefer dog parks or play dates? (Or none!) [Video description: 2 small dogs walking next to each other on a leash. Text description: Dog parks are not for every dog. It doesn’t allow you to control the environment to meet your dog’s specific needs. When you schedule a playdate, you have an idea of how the other dog will play and it’s less stressful this way!]

One of the best dog training tips I can give to you… Is to observe your dog in their environment and utilize that information! If they are not responding to a basic cue, then the environment could be too distracting. But that doesn’t mean they’re not going to respond at all! What you can do is to try and experiment with different cues. In this training session, I tried to ask Finn to sit. He ignored me because of the distractions in the environment (wind, leaves blowing, smells in the air) so I learned that this behavior might be too hard for him IN THAT MOMENT. I tried to get his attention again by asking him to touch my hand. This turned out to be a much easier behavior for him to do in that environment! So I switched things up in our training session and got him to move around with me instead. We chased each other and also practiced recall! Look how much fun we are both having! [Video Description: Sara, a white female, is at the park with her dog. She asks him to sit but he doesn’t respond, instead looking off screen and moving slowly toward it. She asks the dog to touch her hand and he responds. Then the video switches to Sara asking her dog to come while he is at a distance. The dog runs to her with excitement. She starts running away from him and he starts running with her. She laughs and asks if he just wants to run around instead. Text Description: It’s okay if your dog doesn’t sit when you ask them to. You can use that as information to see how they feel about their environment and ask for different behaviors instead. This will make training more fun and less frustrating.] #dogtrainingtips

If training has been hard for you, I want you to know that it’s okay to take a break. Take a break and just enjoy relaxing with your dog. You can also take a break AWAY from your dog. And do things that meet your own needs. Things that make you laugh and smile and bring joy to your life. It’s okay to rest without guilt. Self-care isn’t selfish! I promise you that this isn’t going to undo all of the training you’ve done. I promise you that you will feel much better and you’ll be ready to get back into training once your cup is filled. Did you need this reminder today? How will you take time to meet your own needs? [Video Description: A small gray dog is laying at the end of the couch. Then the camera shows another small black and white dog laying on the opposite side. Text Description: Being a pet parent can have highs & lows. Training doesn’t always go the way we plan. So it’s okay to take a break whenever you need it. And simply enjoy the time you have together.]

My favorite ingredients for baby food pouches: - Creamy peanut butter - Wet canned dog food (pate style) - Cream cheese - Plain non-fat yogurt - Pumpkin puree - Chicken or beef puree - Any mix of the above items! *Be sure to avoid ingredients that include xylitol (artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs)!* Do you use baby food pouches for practicing loose leash walking? What are your dog’s favorite ingredients? [Video Description: A golden lab walking next to their human. The human is rewarding them for staying close with a baby food pouch. Text Description: Easy way to keep your dog engaged on walks. Use baby food pouches filled with high value treats!] #dogtreats #dogtreatbag #dogtrainingtips #leashtraining #looseleashwalking

Let’s normalize ✨boring training ✨ On the surface, this video looks like it’s just a dog and person sitting at the park watching the world go by. But really, the dog is learning how to be calm in an exciting environment. The dog is learning that it’s normal to just watch other people and dogs do things at the park without trying to get involved. The dog guardian is rewarding the dog for this great behavior: being cool, calm, and collected around distractions! Do you practice doing this with your dog? [Video Description: A german shepherd is laying down next to their human on a mat at the park. They are watching another person & dog training. There is also another person waving a flirt pole around. Text Description: Sometimes training your dog is as simple as sitting at the park & watching other people while you reinforce your dog’s relaxed behavior.] #DogTrainingTips #DogTrainingAdvice #PositiveReinforcementDogTraining #DogsOfArizona #PhoenixAZ #GermanShepard

Living with more than one dog can be a handful…especially when it comes to training sessions! Here are some tips that can make training sessions easier: 👉Manage the environment and separate the dogs using a barrier like a baby gate. This way you don’t have to worry about them fighting for the treats or getting distracted by each other! As they master skills, you can start to remove barriers to add difficulty to your practice sessions. 👉Teach them “stay” or “place” - a wonderful skill for all dogs! This cue will help you keep the dogs separate at a distance from each other while you are training or working around triggers. Check out my post from earlier this week for 2 other skills to work on for multi-dog households. 👉 Reward the behaviors you want to see more of so they increase! In this video, the dogs are learning to go to place and remain there for additional cues and reinforcement while the other dog is present and also being rewarded. The barrier is acting to set both dogs up for success in staying on their own “place” and also helps to ensure safety while resources are present. Do you struggle with training multiple dogs at the same time? I have an online course developed to help people like you! Check it out here: https://smilesdogtraining.net/courses/ #dogtrainingtips #multidogs #chihuahuas #pitbulllife

While I typically recommend larger success stations for day to day living with dogs, I still like for all of my clients to work on crate training with their dogs as an emergency preparedness tactic. There are times when your dog may have to be in a confined space such as dropping them off at the vet for a dental or going on car rides. During natural disasters and animal rescue, crates are often used to transport and house animals! Helping your dog acclimate to crates before unexpected situations arise is ideal so your dog can stay safe even in these very stressful situations! #cratetraining #dogtrainingtips #dogsofarizona #positivereinforcementtraining #dogtraining101

There’s a misconception that small dogs or senior dogs don’t need training, but in reality, ALL dogs benefit from training. No matter what size, age, or breed the dog is. All dogs learn the same. And a lack of training can lead to unwanted behavior issues such as barking or chewing up the furniture. As I mentioned in a previous post, training gives your dog the skills to be more successful in the human world. Share if you agree! [Video Description: The video has multiple images of dogs. The first image says “Which dogs benefit the most from training?” The rest of the video says “All dogs do! No matter the age, breed, or size.] #Dogs #DogLife #DogLover #DogTraining

A dog’s nose is soooo powerful so why not encourage them to use it?! When we stop and give them opportunities to sniff, it’s extremely enriching and helps meet multiple needs at the same time! Dogs collect information with their noses so an extra few minutes of sniffing provides lots of mental stimulation. How is it quick and easy? This enrichment activity takes no extra prep time on your part, but gives your dog a unique experience every time. Having a balance of physical and mental exercises is a simple way to enrich your dog’s life, without a lot of effort! #DogEnrichment

Scatter feeding is one of my favorite ways to feed my dogs to provide them with extra mental stimulation. Since my dogs know this game well, I like to make it more of a challenge by putting “obstacles” around the food. This helps encourage lots of sniffing and slows down their eating. The type of obstacles used in this video (toilet paper rolls) can also be used as shredding enrichment, and if your dogs need a more advanced puzzle you can put treats inside the rolls and pinch the ends! Have you tried this game with your pup? [Video Description: A hand scatter treats on top of empty toilet paper rolls. The dog is sniffing for the food. “Enrichment game for sniffing. Scatter empty toilet paper rolls onto the floor. Then scatter treats on top and have your dog sniff them out!”]

Chasing critters with my dog

👀 Who is usually better at spotting out the critters, you or your dog? Finn is really good at spotting critters, so we worked on making it a game to increase safety and engagement around big distractions like animals. When Finn spots something, he typically freezes and then stalks before an all out chase. This is instinctive for him and I wanted to make this experience safer for both of us (and the critters!). I added a wait cue during the freeze to keep him still until I can assess the safety of the environment reinforced with a “sneaky” cue so we stalk it together and then I added a “let’s go” cue to indicate we would both chase it together too (the ultimate reinforcer!). He would also originally try to dive into the bushes after critters which can be very unsafe in the desert! Since he was getting the chase reinforcement that he wanted plus my engagement, it helped reduce his overall frustration levels and allowed me to shape a stop behavior at the bush line with a food reinforcer to close the behavior chain and keep him out of the bushes. Now I have much more reliable engagement with him at each step in these situations, which allows for more safety overall. This strategy was appropriate for my dog and our situation, but it’s always best to have a qualified professional trainer assess the best strategies and criteria for your pup and situation! We also always use a leash in public and I make sure the critters are aware of our presence before we engage in chase so we don’t startle them.

Busy for the holidays? Try adding in more sniffing opportunities to your dog’s enrichment activities! Sniffing is mentally stimulating and it will help relieve more stress and promote calmness. Some of my favorite enrichment activities for sniffing include feeding meals out of Snuffle Mat, play the “Find It” Game, go on a Sniffari, play Nose Work, make an enrichment box with different treats, toys, and puzzles! [Video Description: A dog eating food out of a snuffle mat. Audio Description: “My life is good. Really good.” Text: “When dogs get to sniff and find food”]

it’s important to NOT repeat our cues especially when it comes to recall training. Otherwise your dog learns to ignore those cues if you keep repeating it over and over again, only coming when they’ve decided there is nothing else exciting to do. Try to give your dog a bit of time to respond when you call their name. If they don’t come, try to use a positive interruptor sound (like a kissy noise that you’ve previously paired with treats) to get their attention and then you can cue them again! You may also need to get a little bit closer so what you’re asking seems easier! How’s your recall training going? [Video Description: A small black and furry puppy sniffing in the grass. “Recall Training Tip: Give your dog time to respond to your first cue instead of repeating it”] #dogtraining #recalltraining #puppytraining

No Lickimat? No Problem! A silicone hot pad can serve the same purpose! I especially love that it has a hole you can use to hang it up. This is great for working on grooming such as brushing their coat. You can even put it up in your bathroom for fun bath times! #doghacks #dogenrichment #dogtips

Healthy ingredients for LickiMat

Did you know licking can help your dog relieve anxiety and stress? I love making lick mats for my dogs and it’s a great opportunity to add more nutrition to your dog’s diet. You can pretty much smash and spread anything to the lick mat as long as it is soft! What other ingredients do you like to use for your lickmats? [Video Description: A small dog licking up a mix of pumpkin puree and canned food from a lick mat. “Healthy ingredients for lickimat: Pumpkin, smashed banana, peanut butter, plain yogurt, sardines, soaked kibble”]

5 Things I Would Never Do as a Professional Dog Trainer

Here’s my explanation ⬇⬇⬇ ❌ Train using punishment: The more I work with dogs, the more I love teaching with positive reinforcement in all types of cases. Punishment is not necessary, and can be harmful to the learner! ❌Installing a doggy door. I live in Arizona, which has A LOT of creepy crawlies that end up in the backyard. If a dog is left unsupervised, it can lead to safety issues. Additionally, it can also lead to destructive (but fun 😉) behaviors like barking and digging. ❌Hiring someone of ANY profession without learning their ethics and experience. The dog training industry is unregulated. So, who you hire matters on how successful your outcome is and how safe your dog is while training. ❌ Sticking around anywhere there’s an off leash dog - Respectful dog owners will put their dogs on leash, or keep them on leash, when other dogs are around! Anyone that lets their dogs run off leash and doesn’t recall them back when other people show up, are most likely overestimating their dog’s skills and appropriateness of their dogs being able to approach other people. ❌Expecting my dog to be good in EVERY. SINGLE. SITUATION. The more I work with dogs, the more I understand how much they have individual needs and skill sets. The expectations we place on them are often unfair. Make sure your dog gets lots of practice in situations they’ve never been in before you make any assumptions about your dog’s ability to be successful! [Video Description: A White female with light brown hair sitting in the car. “5 things I would never do as a professional dog trainer. 1. Use punishment to train. 2. Installing a doggy door. 3. Hiring someone of any profession without understanding their ethics and experience. 4. Sticking around anywhere there’s an off leash dog. 5. Expecting my dog to be good in every situation.”]

Holidays are approaching sooner than you think and you may not have time to go on your typical sniffari walk with your dog on the days you’re super busy! No worries - here are some things you can try to keep things interesting at home: 🐕 Practicing canine fitness on different equipment once you get home. You can even build your own obstacle course using items you already have in your home! 🐕 “Find the toy” is an awesome game to get your dog sniffing and “hunting” for their toy. Sniffing is great mental exercise for dogs! 🐕 Frozen pupsicles can help meet their foraging needs. If they are new to pupsicles, you can start without freezing it. Once they have mastered that, then you can begin freezing it! 🐕 Tug allows dogs to express their natural behaviors and engage with you! A quick 10 minute game of tug can really meet your dog’s activity and engagement needs. 🐕 Snuffle Mats mimic foraging opportunities in the outdoor environment. You can scatter your dog’s kibble or treats to sniff out! What other time-saving enrichment ideas do you recommend? Share in the comments! 👇 👉 Download my free enrichment guide here: https://smilesdogtraining.net/sdtdaily10/ [Video Description: A clip of Sara, a female with light brown hair talking and then switches to clips of photos of different dogs doing various enrichment activities. “No time to take your dog out? Here are some things you can do! Canine Fitness Equipment. Find the toy. Frozen enrichment toy. Tug. Snuffle mat.”]

💙 Tag a pet parent who is working hard with their dog on their training journey! Great results take time. If you are working on your dog’s behaviors, keep going. It takes time and dedication but the results pay off in big ways. [Video Description: A small black and gray dog walking on a loose leash. “What people see from this video: a well behaved dog on a loose leash. What people don’t see: daily training, building a relationship based on trust, meeting needs first, rewarding check-in’s, hard work, consistency”]

Consider these tips below! 🐶SLOW INTRODUCTIONS: I get it, you’re eager to introduce your new pup to your old pup. But going slow and letting them acclimate to each other in short guided sessions is actually better for both dogs in the long run! 🐶“CRATE AND ROTATE” SYSTEM: Each dog should have their own designated safe space that they feel comfortable being in. This could be a crate or behind a playpen. After meeting their needs, you can put one dog away in their safe space while you take the other out to train or play! 🐶KEEP SESSIONS SHORT: I recommend keeping training sessions short and sweet with lots of appropriate reinforcement to keep the dogs engaged with you while they give each other space. Be sure to say each dog’s name BEFORE you ask them to do something so they know you’re talking to them. This can be a big challenge for lots of folks! Please contact a certified trainer if you’re struggling with introducing your dogs. Let me know if you would like more multi-dog training tips!

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Smiles Dog Training offers force free and scientifically optimized training techniques for dogs and cats. We specialize in a wide range of behavior issues and shelter/rescue animals. Services include: puppy training, puppy preparation, dog training, day training, behavior consultations for dogs and cats, private training, training packages, help with rescue/shelter dogs and cats.