Two holiday seasons ago, it was a season of goodbye for us.
We lost our senior black lab, Indy, on December 21st...
On January 3rd, we said goodbye to our senior Jack Russell, Bucky.
This holiday season we are celebrating the beginning of a lifetime together of love and memories for many years to come...
(God willing)
As a trainer I wanted to start our new puppy on the best foot possible, so when I brought home this little guy in October...
We treated it like every other puppy who comes to live with us for board and train in our home.
And the girls helped, as they always do, with house training and socialization etc.
As a Mom, I felt guilty not letting them know... but I knew it would be well worth the wait if we could keep it a secret!
They have learned to not get TOO attached...
So it really took them a bit to believe it wasnt a joke!🤣
Whether you are in a season of beginnings, goodbyes, somewhere in-between...
Or if you're grieving your first holiday without them...
May the memories and love you share over the years with your best friend bless you always.
"Life is full of meetings and partings. That is the way of it."
-Kermit the Frog, A Muppet Christmas Carol
Merry Christmas 🎄🐾💖
Did you know that puppies go through different stages of chewing? 🐶🦴
🦷 Teething (2-6 months):
Puppies start teething at around 2 months of age.
During this stage, they will chew on objects to relieve the discomfort of new teeth coming in. It's essential to provide appropriate chew toys to ease their teething pains.
🧭 Exploratory Chewing (3-6 months):
Puppies explore their environment by chewing on various objects.
This stage helps them learn about their surroundings, but it can also lead to destructive behavior if chewing is not channeled into constructive outlets.
✨️ Permanent Teeth (5-8 months):
By around 5 to 8 months of age, puppies have their full set of adult teeth.
Chewing during this period helps them establish strong jaws and maintain dental health.
🐕 Adult Chewing (6+ months):
After their adult teeth are fully in, puppies continue to chew for various reasons, including boredom.
Providing appropriate chewing outlets remains important.
The habit of chewing has a history of soothing them, so they will continue to look for that outlet if they are frustrated or bored... and you don't want your new boots to be the target of their desires.
Management is more important than ever at this teenager phase.
🦴 Mature Chewing (1 year+):
As puppies mature into adults, their chewing habits may stabilize. They may still chew on occasion, but it tends to decrease.
Providing mental and physical stimulation/exercise long term is essential to prevent destructive behavior.
Understanding these stages can help you manage your puppy's chewing behavior effectively and ensure their well-being.
*AVOID RAWHIDE CHEWS* as they are a leading cause of obstructions and opt for more natural options (like a bully stick in the video)
A fun successful training Masterclass today!
Ongoing education for our Academy members is a key to their long term success
Beautiful weather, good food, good company... and some very happy doggos
#dogtraining #dogs #dogtrainer
Ted's big adventure in Labbing #labrador #labradorretriever #dogtraining #boardandtrain #dogs #dogswimming
When dogs live with us for #boardandtrain they're one of our own. Tango here is an OG- one of the fam #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dog #boardandtrainprogram
We love sharing our home with the dogs that come back after board and train within our exclusive boarding club
Tango here has been coming to his home away from home with us for many years
We get to be there for families and their dogs from the younger years through the senior ones... and we are honored to do so
They're our extended family 🥰🐾
Walking your dog with a loose leash makes the sunny days so much more enjoyable
Day Train is a great way for us as pros to lay a foundation in training while they are still home with you throughout the week
The dogs come in for one or two days a week, and the owners are plugged into our supportive community and library
Through those resources we can provide coaching and guidance on how to have the training stick long term
The dogs always have a good time making friends and going out and about on field trips
And the owners see their dog start to make better decisions as the weeks go along
So much more productive than day care where dogs are allowed to act a fool all day
Our day train is structured but we still focus on play and having fun while we learn
If you would like the help of a pro to get some better manners going with your dog, while they still live at home with you, then day train may be a great fit
Give us a jingle, so we can discuss your goals and learn more about life with your dog!
715-629-7240
What to do... if your dog walks YOU
The snow is gone, and the sun is out...and it's time to get out and enjoy this spring day
Your dog's eyes light up as you grab the leash...and you head out the door together
Taking in a deep breath of fresh spring air, you are SO happy to feel the sunshine on your face
⚠🐿 ** SQUIRREL! ** 🐿⚠
Your arm is immediately jerked to full extension and you stumble to catch your footing, and fumble to re-position the death grip on your leash
⚠🐶 ** DOG! ** 🐶⚠
Your sweet, loving companion instantly turns into a possessed, frustrated whack-a-doo...
And it's embarassing
It's overwhelming
And that yank on the leash just may warrant a trip to the chiropractor ASAP
What do you do? Do you turn around and go back home? Do you avoid walks all together?
Do you bring treats along next time in an attempt to bribe your dog for their attention... that's what the YouTube videos showed...right??
Here's the deal: Feeding a hectic mind will only feed a hectic mind
Focus on control FIRST
Control is not achieved by just correcting your dog for unwanted behavior
If you correct a dog without an effective communication plan put into place... your issues WILL get worse
Control brings CALM
Once you have calm & ONLY when you have calm...reward your dog for good decisions made
If you're struggling to gain control, know that you don't have to go it alone
Reach out. Get help! Spring (and life) is too short to not ENJOY it with your dog!
Hey there, cabin fevered dog owners! 👋 Do you hear that? It’s the spring thaw…
The sun is shining… the snow is melting… and we’re all cautiously optimistic that spring is here
You may also be cautiously optimistic on how taking advantage of the nicer weather with your dog will go this spring after being cooped up all winter
All seasoned Midwesterners know that’s it’s not time to take the snow scraper out of your car just yet… 🌱❄🤷♀️
But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be planning for warmer days and grass under our feet, because it’s just around the corner! 🌞
We see it year after year without fail: Once the weather starts to warm up sporadically in March/April…many dog owners spend a good one to two months being frustrated by their dogs:
👉Pulling them all over on a leash
👉Not coming when they’re called (seriously… selective hearing is a THING)
👉Having a total inability to control their enthusiasm with every dog and person they meet (because let’s be real… we all hole away in the winter)
👉Losing their mind over every squirrel they see 🐿‼
👉Barking at everything that moves
The list goes on…
And then, when it’s all just so frustrating and stressful… they start looking for a pro to help them with getting it all turned around
We prefer helping our clients avoid stress whenever possible. We prefer being their GPS: Guidance with Proactive Support
This approach allows us to navigate our clients around all of the delays, crashes, and potholes that can occur in life with your dog without having a guidance system in place
We know how all of this goes… and there is SO MUCH relief that happens in knowing you’re not alone and you don’t have to take the hard road to get to where you want to be
You don’t have to spend this summer with your dog’s lack of manners dampering your ability to enjoy it to the fullest
You and your dog deserve better than that
The key is being proactive this
Mental Stimulation: Because your dog's mental health affects their behavior 💯
It doesn't matter whether we're a dog, or a cat, or a human
A happy mind gives us a better quality of life
Interactive toys are one of the easiest ways to incorporate more enrichment for your 4 legged pals
Animals have a natural hunt drive, and interactive toys can satisfy that drive with just the extra effort from you to fill it up
If you already incorporate interactive toys, feel free to show us a pic of your pet with their favorite interactive toy in the comments below
❄️ It's a snow day ❄️
But since we approach training as just inserting better communication and boundaries into everyday life...
We're still training because dogs live with us 24/7
They become one of our own over the years
Just like Novy here- tucked between trainer Riley and our 1st grade daughter
Teamwork makes the dream work
If you would like to get the whole fam on the same page in the new year...
We can coach anyone who is motivated to learn- no matter their age
Because the truth of it is... our kids are the next generation of dog owners
And when you invest in education and support for your family, you set everyone up for a lifetime of responsible dog ownership
Are you thinking about Board and Train?
Are you thinking about Board and Train with your dog?
Watch this as you do your research
Your dog trainer should set you up to succeed from the very beginning
If you want some personalized guidance- reach out for a phone chat
We take only a few dogs at a time- if we're not a good fit, we'll point you in the direction of someone we think might be
It’s Halloween! Our Board and Train and Day Train students are here to greet you!
Come and join us for Trick or Treat 🥰 we’ve got a whole crew waiting for you!
Coming when called tip: once the dog comes to you, reward them lavishly... but then... send them back to what they were doing
Bonus if you allow yourself to get goofy with your dog because spoiler alert: dogs like it when you make training fun for them
If most of the time when we call our dogs it's to do things like coming inside... getting a leash put on... getting put up in their crate...
Then you're ending their fun when you call them... and pretty soon they'll be tuning you out and blowing you off to keep their fun going instead
So... show them that 90% or more of the time when you call them its to have a fun check in party and then send them back to what they were doing as a reward
Over time, the history of fun they have experiencrd when they come into your space will start to trump the distractions you come across
Training Social Hour: Relaxation & Stress reduction techniques for you & your dog
Ladies Night Out - River Falls, WI was going on as well
Hey dog owners… has your dog’s behavior ever brought the glow of embarrassment to your cheeks?
Have you ever been out walking with your dog and gotten dirty looks or the classic *gasp* and chest clasp from someone because your dog is so dang excited?
Perhaps you have been sitting at the corner of your street while some kind hearted but way too nosey individual starts talking to you about how the collar you’re walking your dog with is inhumane
Unsolicited advice served with an air of condescension… ahh yes… what a pain in the peach
When your dog’s behavior isn’t the best- it can feel really gross thinking about putting yourself out there in front of others
So, you might find yourself avoiding going out and about with your dog because it’s more stress than fun
If this resonates, please know it doesn’t have to go this way
You are not alone and we have known about the shame that many dog owners feel and face when they have a dog who is a little too much sometimes
It’s part of the reason why we actively curate our community here at the Academy to be a judgement free zone
Anyone who works with us goes through an interview process to ensure that we are truly a good fit for working together
Don’t worry- we’re not jerks… we do give people recommendations on where to turn next if we end up not being a good fit
Some things we look for:
Is this dog owner wanting to have a proactive approach….
Are they committed to learning on a deeper level…
Do they really want the high level of support that we provide…
And do they have a good sense of humor (it is so necessary sometimes)
Not everyone wants to go that deep or get that involved- and that’s OKAY… but those that do, they find their tribe here
And it’s a game changer
Happy Mother's Day to all the Dog Moms out there 🌷🐾
We had so much fun tonight!
Puppies Making Good Decisions
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆?... 𝗜'𝗺 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁:
The second you bring a dog home you start training them 🤯
Whenever you are with your dog, you are influencing them and they're influencing you
It is never too young to start with puppy training basics
In fact, your puppy is a SPONGE for learning those first couple of months of their life with you
Truthfully if you think about it, parents don't wait to parent until their kids reach a certain age... or put parenting sessions into dedicated parenting blocks...
The most successful dog owners get a well mannered companion by approaching their dog ownership from the same kind of perspective
Having a new puppy or just a new dog in general can really feel like you've become a new parent in some aspects 🐶
There's a lot to navigate, and you don't know what you don't know
Thankfully, if you view training a dog as just living life together and providing the right guidance and feedback to your dog as you go through life together, it starts to make a lot more sense
Then you can be a part of the proactive bunch that are preventing a TON of unwanted issues down the road, and honestly navigating around a lot of just unnecessary stress
Give us a jingle so we can have a conversation about you and your dog, or message us to schedule a complimentary consult call
From there, we build a customized training plan that will take all of the guesswork out, and get you the results that you want while you live everyday life with your dog
715-629-7240
We have been having a lot of fun in our CGC/Canine Good Citizen workshops where we train for the different items of the CGC exam
St Patricks Day training social has been a blast so far today ☘️
