Professional Dog Trainer based in central Maine, U.S. Virtual sessions available. Central Maine and virtual sessions.
Training for shelters, rescues, foster groups and vet staff in person and on line. KPA CTP certification #67518
Anthrozoology MSc
Wag It Games Instructor, Certified Trick Dog Instructor, Puppy Start Right Instructor
Offering workshops to Vet Staff, Shelter Staff, Rescue Groups and Student Groups. Building positive relationships and problem solving with dogs through tricks, games, play and cooperative care.
11/13/2025
Why do we train?
Yes, you can have a dog that listens to you and is fun and joyful!
The goal of training is not to create an obedient thoughtless robot. The goal is to create a joyful relationship with your thinking and feeling dog. Within that relationship both human and dog should be safe and fun to live with.
11/12/2025
☕ This is how a morning training session starts
Kettle on.
Treats ready.
I have just a few minutes.
Can you spare a few minutes in the morning while your water boils or coffee brews?
11/10/2025
🐈 Cats should be able to access their clean litter box easily and in peace.
A dog that develops a taste for cat p**p and knows exactly where to find those little gems will forever be in the litter box, but with a little management in the beginning your dog never needs to know that a litter box holds these tasty treasures.
🫧 Cat litter boxes should be cleaned frequently so hiding them away in places like the basement may work to keep the dog out but you may forget to clean the box.
Keeping a litter box nearby can be good to keep the box clean but bad if the dog keeps getting in the box.
What is a good alternative?
A gate can help!
The box is nearby but no available access for dogs.
I use a small closet to hold my cat's litter box.
📢It is always easier to never pick up an unwanted habit than try to "break" a habit later on.
New dogs and puppies should not have the opportunity to get in the litter box.
🐶 Has your dog developed a taste for litter box truffles?
11/07/2025
Gates don't need to just be "for training" or when you first get a puppy.
There may be some parts of your house that have too many temptations or unknowns.
How many times has a person gone to their vet shocked that their "fully trained" adult dog ate something that they really shouldn't?
A lot (Ask a friendly emergency vet sometime when they are not extracting 25 hair elastics and 13 and a half socks from an 8 year old golden retriever).
I have two spots in my house that will always have gates, no matter how trained the dogs are.
🧸 Kid Rooms. Between Legos, scented slime, hair elastics, socks, a hidden stash of Halloween candy, a random piece of gum under the bed and other random and mystery items this is a no go zone for dogs.
😺 Cat litter boxes. Why tempt a dog with a good time?
I am meticulous about cleaning my cat's litter box several times a day. It's pretty rare that a dog could discover a treat but I don't want to give them a chance.
Cat boxes are always gated off.
Plus, cats deserve space and privacy.
Hooded litter boxes can create issues - just think about a cat going in and a dog sticking their head in. The cat may feel blocked or trapped (because they are).
A gate, in my opinion is a much better option.
I use a closet as my cat's litter box area. The door is always propped open and she can easily get through the gate without jumping.
My dogs have never had access to the litter box so on the rare occasion that the gate is down they never seem to notice.
Gates have a million uses.
While I don't want gates all over my house and prefer training in many instances these are two area with far too much temptations and unknowns.
I never want my dogs to learn that treats come from these places and vet bills are expensive.
Why risk it?
🎄 Holidays are often a time people realize that a gate or two will be useful.
Dogs need to learn to live with gates. Start now.
11/06/2025
When we change our wording and think of the real need behind the behaviour. We can meet it with more purpose and calm.
11/06/2025
❄️ Gates near the doors can be an easy problem solver, especially with guests or kids around.
🐕 But did you know that many dogs need to learn how to live with gates?
🎄 Gates can help make busy holidays a bit more stress free if your dog learns how to live with gates.
👑 Gates are an easy management win especially if you can't watch the doors all the time which you can't.
🚂 Baby gates on kid bedrooms can save a lot of socks and Legos.
🩲 Baby gates on spare bedrooms can help relieve worry and embarrassment. No one wants their dog running around the house throwing the guest's underwear in the air but it does happen.
Thinking you might need a gate or two for the holidays?
Get the gates now
11/04/2025
Fear is the enemy of learning. It's the negator of joy, the precentor of play, the inhibitor of trust and love. Fear just gets in the way, slows things down, and causes unnecessary pain.
Karen Pryor
Reaching the Animal Mind
11/03/2025
Store the food in a variety of places. You will want to be able to reward the dog many times through the day and having nearby reward sources is essential in the early days of learning for puppies or new dogs.
I keep a pot by the kettle; every time I put the kettle on some training for the pup. I keep a pot by the back door... These "thank you" moments make every day life a blessing, each interaction is not an argument but a moment of ease and rewarding.
Kay Laurence
Learning About Dogs
2003
10/31/2025
A few Halloween tips:
👻If your dog could be scared by trick or treaters be sure to take them out for a walk or potty early today.
👻Be extra cautious if walking tomorrow where trick or treaters have been. There may be irresistible treats on the ground.
👻 Scaring animals with masks or costumes is never funny. Keep your pets safe and comfortable.
👻Trick or treating is not the time to socialize your puppy.
👻No tricks, only treats. A frozen Kong, a West Paw Toppl or high value chew toy may be a good option this evening.
👻If the door bell is going to cause chaos at your house think about sitting outside to meet the little goblins and ghouls or put a note out with candy.
👻If you have kids in your home be careful with the candy!
You don't want to be at the emergency vet tomorrow because your dog ate 2 pounds of Nerds and peanut butter cups. Hint: you wouldn't be the only one there. This is not the dog club to join. It's scary expensive and possibly life threatening. ☠️
🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
10/30/2025
🐕 🐎
Big Red Flag - Dog or horse training that puts dogs in unsafe situations.
Whether that is to "test" or "correct" .
This often requires putting the animal in situations that they cannot handle and letting them become scared, aggressive, "lose it" in some manner or all of the above and then punish them for it. It's a set up for failure.
Unfortunately it is a really popular thing to do in some worlds of dog and horse training.
This "training" can have some major fall out, maybe tomorrow, next week or another time.
This "training" can possibly look like it worked in the immediate because the animal becomes tired, exhausted, fearful, in pain or confused.
There are some really cute names used to deceive people on what is actually happening to their animal and the misinformation on this is common on social media.
This isn't learning.
This is not behavior modification. It's dangerous.
10/29/2025
If your vet says that your dog needs-
💚Crate rest
💚Bed rest
💚House rest
💚Limited exercise
📢Ask them for specifics.
Things you may ask-
Can they go on any walks at all? How many a day? For how long? On or off leash?
Can potty breaks be off leash or on leash?
Can they do training or exercise at home? For how long? What can that look like? What movements need to be avoided?
If they say "crate" rest- do they mean in a crate? Can it be a room? On a leash with you?
Can they play with the other dog in the house?
✏️ If you forget to ask these questions while in the office, call or email. Be sure to take notes!
✏️As the caretaker you need to fully understand what to do to take care of your dog.
Robin is currently on limited exercise which means we can do short on leash walks, all the car rides he wants, some training but limit twisting or slipping.
How do we relieve boredom without him gaining weight?
Rotating new toys, Kongs, High value chews in a crate, training that doesn't require running.
Would you like to hear more about keeping a high energy dog from getting bored on house arrest, I mean house rest?
10/27/2025
The best plan is one that you're willing to change as needed.
It's not give up. It's adjust as needed.
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Group Classes, Private Lessons and Play and Train dog walks available.
Working with dogs, cats, small “pocket” pets and more.
Talks and workshops offered for vet clinics, humane societies, sanctuaries, rehab centers, pet stores (selling small animals) and more. Topics include enrichment, husbandry, animal care training and more.
KPA-CTP certified trainer.
Fear Free Certified.
Wag It Games Instructor, Certified Trick Dog Instructor, Puppy Start Right classes, Dog Parkour, Behavior consultations and modification, Games, Enrichment and more.
Offering Dog body language and Dog Bite Prevention workshops to adult and student groups.
Pet Professional Guild member and certified in Pet First Aid.
Serving the Waterville, Skowhegan, Pittsfield, Unity area.
Building positive relationships and problem solving with dogs through tricks, games, play and more.
Saturday Morning and Wednesday Evening classes held in Pittsfield.
Friday morning Classes held at Waterville Pet Quarters .
Find out more about protecting wild carnivores here: http://farmingwithcarnivoresnetwork.com/
Project Trade:
How Would You Like to Trade Your Old Dog Training Equipment for Great Discounts?
We want to swap great discounts on our most popular services FOR your choke, prong or shock collars or any other qualifying pet gear. By participating in “Project tRade” you can earn up to 15% off our most popular services simply by giving us old pet gear* you have laying around. It couldn’t be easier!
What is “Project tRade”?
Project tRade is the Pet Professional Guild's (PPG) international advocacy program that promotes the use of force-free pet training equipment by asking pet guardians to swap choke, prong and shock collars (and any other devices that are designed to change behavior through pain or fear). Because we want all pets and their guardians to experience the huge advantages and long-lasting effectiveness of force-free training and pet care, we will give you great discounts on our most popular, effective, fun and pain-free training and pet care services in exchange for your old gear.
