Winsome Wags Dog Training

07/03/2024

CALLING ALL PUPPY OWNERS! 🐶💗🐾

Did you just get a puppy? Not sure where to start with training? Let’s chat! I’m offering all new puppy owners (under 6mos old) a new package that includes:

🌟 FREE 10 minute phone consultation
🌟 10% off of your first session
🌟 10% off of your first drop off puppy preschool.

Text, email, or DM “PUPPY10” to sign up today. This offer is valid through August 1st. 🐶🐶

07/02/2024

TEACH YOUR DOG TO PULL! 🐕‍🦺

What if I told you that if your dog pulls on walks, you’re likely teaching and reinforcing this behavior without even realizing it?

First off, announcing your walk and amping your dog up before the walk. It makes sense when you think about it… why make your dog crazy for something you don’t want them to act crazy for? And then we clip the leash on, telling the dog this behavior works to get you to your next step, good job! From there, we open the door and there goes the dog without a care in the world. Immediately they’ll pull you to go sniff and p*e as we follow behind. They pull, we move forward. Practice this over and over and very quickly our dog learns that they can just fight pressure to get wherever they’d like. Add a cherry on top with pulling to greet people and other dogs and now we’ve got a recipe that’s going to cause frustration on both ends - hello dog reactivity!

Does this happen with your dog? Leave questions below.🐾

Happy Training,
Breeㅤᵕ̈

07/02/2024

GROUP CLASSES 🤝🏼 PACK WALKS

Summer is in full swing! I’ve added group classes and pack walks to the website up through September. Text to sign up, limit to 10 dogs per class to ensure everyone gets the individual support they need. See you there!🤩🐶🐾

06/30/2024

4 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR WALK🐕‍🦺🐾

Your walk begins before you leave your house. If you aren’t setting expectations inside of the house, how confusing for your dog is it going to be to meet expectations outside of the house? Lots of dogs get excited when they see the leash. While it’s normal, that doesn’t mean we want to encourage or reinforce it (with most dogs).

• wait for calm behavior before putting on the leash
• utilize place if you need to get a little more zen
• practice thresholds

During the walk, don’t just try to get from point A to point B as quick as possible. Slow yourself (and in turn, your dog) down.

• start off with leash drills and continue to incorporate them on the walk
• practice sit/down to break up movement
• reward engagement

If you notice your dog is still jazzy after the walk, utilize a place command or give them a structured nap in the crate. Dogs can have a hard time transitioning, just like people, @ me sitting in my car for 15 minutes after I do anything.🥲

Happy Training,
Breeㅤᵕ̈ㅤ

05/28/2024

It’s almost my favorite month - JUNE! 💛🧡💗

I am very happy to say I have limited availability this month (you guys have been amazing at booking in advance).

In-Home Training:
6/6, 6/12, 6/13, 6/14 at 11:30am, 2:00pm, or 4:30pm

Day Trains:
6/4, 6/11, 6/25

Boarding:
4 spaces available 6/1-6/16 and 2 spaces available. 6/21-6/25. If you are in a pickle and need dates that aren’t open, reach out to me ASAP to see if we can make something work.

As always, thank you for trusting me with your four-legged family members. Happy training and happy vacationing! ☀️🐾🐶

03/05/2024

03/05/2024

Here’s what I focus on in the first 30 days of bringing a puppy home.

🏠 Make sure the entire household is (mostly) on the same page. Everyone will have their individual preferences, but remember that above all, what’s best for the puppy’s growth and development comes first.

🛒Shop for your supplies BEFORE you pick up your puppy. The first day you have them is absolutely not the time to take them to the pet store. They are processing so much, take them home to decompress and adjust.

⏰ Create a realistic schedule. Give yourself & the puppy breaks with crate time to lessen frustration and accidents. Be intentional with the time your pup is out of the crate & always keep watch.

While you can start shaping obedience cues at anytime, I find it more beneficial to focus more on the very very basics with pups between 8-10, even 12 weeks. Crate, potty, hand feeding, name, markers, socialization, confidence. These are all foundational elements of a well rounded dog and the first 16weeks are pretty darn important. I of course reward behaviors I do like and throw some obedience shaping in here and there, but it’s not my main focus.

Send me your questions! 🐶

02/11/2024

Love is in the air and so are some sweet deals!💕

1️⃣0️⃣% OFF ❗️❗️

💓 1st Session🐶

💓 Group Class Punch Cards (updated class list will be posted this week!)

💓 Walks and Drop Ins when you sign up for daily or weekly visits.

💓 Weekly or EOW Day Trains.

Have questions? Send me a DM or leave a comment, let’s chat! 🤩

*Sign up deal valid through 02/20/2024*

09/20/2023

Reminder that anyone who adopts a puppy from Paws Across Pittsburgh is eligible for 50% off of their first training session!

09/20/2023

Sign ups for Paint & Place end Wednesday the 27th, make sure you claim your spot!

🐶 Dog-inspired paint activities.
🐶 Snacks & non-alcoholic beverages provided.
🐶 Dogs get their own canvas!
🐶 BYOB (limit to 2 drinks for safety & sanity)

Even if you don’t want to bring your dog, you can come paint with us! You do not have to be a training client to attend without your dog. Bring your friends & family for a unique experience that’s sure to give you something to bark about.

09/18/2023

We are looking to fill slots for daytime dog walks and drop in visits Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. If you’re interested in giving your 4 legged family member some TLC while you’re away during the day, please send a message or email [email protected]

🐶 6 years of professional dog handling.
🐶 Happily accept all breeds.
🐶 Insured.

Contact:
PM: Winsome Wags Dog Training
Email: [email protected]

09/16/2023

Boarding for Summer 2024 is now OPEN! ✨⭐️💛☀️

I have limited room to ensure each dog gets the individual care they need. If you have a trip planned, reach out to me as soon as possible to secure your spot! These spots will fill up FAST, don’t miss out.

Dogs must be comfortable in a crate or 4x4x6 room to ensure their safety. I am taking new clients as well! 🤩🎉

In-home sitting is available upon request. 🏠

09/12/2023

Hello Linus!☀️🧡

Mr. Linus is here for a 3 week B&T. He will be adoptable through Paws Across Pittsburgh oncehe graduates.🧡✨

09/11/2023

The cutest duo!😍

09/11/2023

Your dog isn’t the only one who needs training!

One of the most common issues amongst dogs and humans is miscommunication. We unfortunately do not speak the same language, and we accidentally butcher what they are capable of understanding far too often.

To be fair in training, we need clear communication. We have to slow ourselves down and analyze what we are *really* saying to our dogs. If I’m going to ask my dog to sit and want them to be reliable on a verbal cue, I have to say the command without leash pressure and/or a hand signal. If you’re doing it all at the same the dog will be confused because body language & leash pressure speak much louder than verbal cues by nature.

08/25/2023

08/24/2023

New website is up and running! Check it out.

We’ve helped hundreds of dogs just like yours. Sign up today for a training experience tailored specifically for you and your dog.

07/21/2023

Hey everyone! Just a reminder that boarding is only available for training clients. Gabby is currently doing all of our in home sitting. Thank you for your understanding!

07/07/2023

Halfway through 2023! Here’s what my year has looked like so far.

Foster kittens, foster pup, new friends & amazing clients, new house, new goals, the list goes on. 2023 will be a year I look back on and appreciate, even if right now it feels a little chaotic. If you’ve supported me through this process, you mean more to me than you’ll ever know. 💗

I post regularly on Instagram @ winsome.wags with tips & tricks, as well as the occasional live Q&A. So if you want to follow along, I’d be happy to have you. Let’s win some wags!😉

07/04/2023

Tucker is 4 years old today! 🥳

Big thank you to this dog for being the best guinea pig and dummy dog for all my training needs. Whether it’s letting me work client dogs off of him or keeping my sanity in check, he’s always helping me out. Through many, many changes, he’s been my one constant since the day he came home and I wouldn’t want any other dog to go through my 20’s with.

If I’ve helped you and your dog, you have Tucker to thank. I wouldn’t be training dogs if he hadn’t come into my life. Make sure you wish him a happy birthday!🧡🧡

06/26/2023

Four tips for your new puppy! 🐶

06/07/2023

PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION.

I want to share a quote that I saw earlier this week -“Perfectionism is an avoidance tactic. It promises that if we use it, we will avoid feeling negative emotions, rejection from others, and feelings of failure. The problem is, it doesn’t work.” Whew, if that ain’t the truth!

I find many dog owners (and trainers, myself included) tend to be perfectionists. We care SO much about how we are perceived, we end up doing a disservice to ourselves AND our dogs.

I always challenge my clients to let go of perfectionism and strive for progress instead. As we all know, progress is far from linear. You will have good days, you’ll have bad days, you’ll have days that you feel stuck. It’s safe to say that living, with or without a dog, can feel like a never ending rollercoaster. Today I challenge you to find the beauty in that. Have your highs, work through your lows. Love your dog regardless.

Happy Training,
Bree♥