Happy Dog Acres

When the snow hits just right and you have to rub your whole body in it ❤️

🦃Thanksgiving in the Happy Dog kitchen! Our happy dogs are having some Thanksgiving special treats! 🐕 Turkey Sweet Potatoes 🍠 Green beans and some apple slices 🍎 *Our bone broth is no salt added

The trees continue to be a big hit even if not always for the reasons we expected 😂

Hi! Check out this video to see our puppy set up!! We have all the essentials in easy reach so that our puppies don’t get into mischief - or accidentally go potty in the house - while we run around looking for things. We keep it easy on us so that the puppies have the best chance for success. What’s your puppy set up look like?!!

Sully and Murphy becoming buddies!

We hope these adorable dog zoomies and BFF vibes warm your heart on this cold morning! 💗🥶

Confident puppy!! Brave is playing one of my favorite confidence games - Recycling Restaurant! Developing confidence in the pups is one of our top goals for them. Being able to climb into things, stick their head into things, and hear noise in there is one way to work on it! (safely of course). We started very easy, with just a low box, or a box on it's side with something tasty in it. Then we work our way up to an exciting array of items. I collect up my boxes, packing paper (NOT plastic), cardboard egg cartons, paper towel tubes.... pretty much any safe recycling items, and then put some of their food in for them to sniff out! This game is amazing for so many reasons - not the least being that it will occupy your pup for a good amount of time! Questions on raising your puppy? Send us a message!

Meet Brave! 💖 You met Rourke last week, and now it is time to get to know Brave! He is a smart, fun, puppy who loves a good adventure. Check out this video to learn more about him, and stay tuned to see some upcoming videos with him!

Meet Rourke! *Edit* This is the full version of the video. One of our two new puppies, Rourke is a 14 week old Irish Wolfhound. Watch this video to learn a little bit more about him!! ❤️❤️🥰

Just 1 week to go before Christmas. With so many new pet parents, would love to hear about your top three things you LOVE about being a dog parent. Drop it in the comments below👇 I'll go first... I love how my dogs want to snuggle with me. I love how my dogs enjoy hiking with me in the woods. I love how my dogs choose to hang with me whatever I am doing. Your turn.. Drop it in the comments below👇

Going Live with the third installment of our Holiday Trick series! Join us at 1 pm for a fun filled finale to our story. Here are the details: Join us every Saturday 1 pm EST starting Decmber 4 for a fun interactive class "My Christmas Story " to do with your pup. No matter how young or old your pup is this class with be a fun way to bond, learn, and show off you pups amazing skills. Click here to register for FREE class: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZUqcuqurD0vHdc9zHHZarudv8FQ2... In this interactive class you will learn and practice a series of tricks that are pulled from a cute holiday story that you can perform over the Holiday for your family or friends. You will receive a link to make your own Holiday Story Book featuring your own dog so you can share and send out to your family. Class will be taught by Julie Fryman KPA CTP, of the Canine Learning Academy, and Kelly Kendall PDT, of Happy Dog Acres with some help by Yo Amendariz. Class is each Saturday 1 pm EST starting Dec 4. Class 1- December 4 at 1 PM EST (recording available!) Class 2- December 11 at 1 pm EST (recording available!) Class 3- December 18 at 1 pm EST LIVE today! Happy Dog Acres and Canine Learning Academy want to spread the joy to our community, this class is FREE so invite your friends and share a link to invite your friends and family to this fun class. Remember once register you will have access to the recorded class so you can practice with your dog anytime. Register in advance for this fun class: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZUqcuqurD0vHdc9zHHZarudv8FQ2... See you soon! #myholidaystory2021

Christmas is getting closer! Only 12 days left! What is Santa bringing for your pup? Let us know in the comments - we promise not to tell! #HappyDogAcres #ChristmasCountdown

13 Days 'til Christmas! Today we have our top tips for getting that great holiday pic of your dog. 1) Make sure that your dog is comfortable in the setting. That means: decorations, the room (or outdoors), the "outfit" they are going to be wearing, the pose, a person with a camera... anything that will be present and maybe different from their normal routine. Practice with these elements one at time before putting them all together. 2) Remaining still can be tough! Practice your dog's sit and stay before the big photo shoot. Use plenty of treats! 3) Keep your camera low. This is a good angle for pet pics. 4) Make sure to have plenty of light. Your pet facing towards the light helps to show up their cute features! 5) Use something to get your pet to look at the camera. This might be a squeaky toy, or treat held near the camera. Or it might just be your photographer talking to them, or making interesting noises! 6) Plan to take lots of pics!! The more you take, the better. 7) Most important - have fun! You want this to be a good experience for you and your pup. So even if it doesn't go quite as planned, you got to spend time together. Give them lots of loving for being good sports about the photo shoot! Remember to always be safe with your pets. Any decorations or costumes should be safe for your dog. Watch your children - things that look cute in pictures are often stressful for your dog. Share your dog's holiday pics - we want to see those pooches!!

14 Days til Christmas!!! Isn't Zuri the cutest! I bet she gets lots of kisses under that mistletoe. Post a pic of your cute dog! Bonus if you have them under the mistletoe!

15 Days and Counting!! Today we have another recipe for you! Good nutrition keeps your dog healthy for winter activities! Ingredients 1 Sweet Potato 1 tbsp Coconut Oil (melted) Spices - Turmeric, Cinnamon Instructions: 1) Preheat oven to 425 degrees F 2) Wash and peel the sweet potato 3) Cut the sweet potato into evenly sized long skinny (fry shaped) pieces 4) Coat with oil and spices - Mix in a large bowl or Ziploc bag 5) Place fries on baking sheet in one layer 6) Bake for 15 minutes 7) Flip over fries for even baking 8) Bake for another 10-15 minutes Let cool before giving to your dog! If you have a favorite healthy recipe for your pup, let us know in the comments!!

16 Days to go and it time to talk trees and decorations!! Does your dog think that all your Christmas decor is a toy? Or maybe they are scared of the tree, and new items appearing in their space? Taking the time to get your pets used to the new set up is worth it! Step 1 - if you are going to be moving any of their usual items - think crates and beds - spend some time with your pup at the new location. Treats, and calm relaxing time together will help them learn to love the new location! Step 2 - Teach your pup a leave-it cue. Then decorations are a definite "leave-it"! Step 3 - Work with your dog on playing around decorations and the tree - but not with them. Practice playing with their toys - but calmly - in your decorated spaces. Top Tip! If it isn't safe for your pup to be around your decorations, it is OK to use their crate, or use a gate to keep them in another room.

17 days to go!! Has your dog ever seen snow? Maybe a white Christmas is a little scary for them. Getting your dog used to snow can be fun! - Start with short trips into the snow - make sure that your dog is prepared with a coat or boots if necessary - Pair snow time with fun games with you and also tasty treats!

101 Things to do with a box is a really fantastic game to play to tire out your pup! It's a great tool to practice your timing skills! Fun game to help encourage your dog to be creative and to try new things. Added bonus for fearful dogs, you can teach them to interact with novel stimuli--even things that are potentially scary are now potential sources of treats! All you need is your dog, a box (bigger is better for this game, but cut down those sides to make it less tall), and some yummy treats. 1. Place the box down on the floor in the middle of a room your dog feels comfortable in. Mark ("yes") for your dog looking at the box. Treat. 2. If the dog steps towards the box, even if it's by accident, mark. 3. Next, after you mark, toss the treat near or in the box. When your dog steps to get the treat mark and toss another treat. 4. The idea is to just see what your dog offers naturally and take in the information. End the first session with a click for no reason and treat or even a jackpot. Goal is for your dog to want to play even more next time. We will expand on this little later on. Play this game a few times with your pup and share in the comments what your dog does with the box.

19 days left until Christmas! Who's excited? Today we share our Top Dog Bathing Tips Tip#1 To be sure your dog has a stress- free bath you'll want to go slow - don't start with the full bath. You want your dog to have a positive association about bath time. Bring your dog into the bathroom or near wherever their bath will be. Play a game they love to play, do some tricks or simply reward them for approaching the area calmly. End the session. Repeat for a few days in a row. Next- repeat toss their toy or treats near the dry tub. Goal for them to get near the tub or area they'll be bathing. If you're using a tub goal would be to place your dog in a dry tub and reward them. End session and repeat a few more days before moving on. Next time, the goal would be to let the water trickle for a few seconds with your dog in the tub and reward them. You can use this method to build up to full baths. It may take persistence and many training sessions, but it’s an effective way to build long-lasting favorable behavior. Tip #2 Brush That Pup Before Bathtime- Brushing your pooch before they get wet will help you avoid worsening mats and tangles during baths. You can take this time to use the best brush type for your doggo to give their coat a thorough combing to make sure they’re mat-free. Water makes tangles infinitely worse, so brush BEFORE you bathe! Tip #3 Gather Your Supplies ahead of time- Whether you’re at home or using our dog wash stations make sure you have everything you need for a successful dog bath within arms reach. Being prepared for the bath will help you keep your dog contained during bathing. Supplies include: - Dog brush and/or comb - Couple of towels - Dog-friendly shampoo - Dog-friendly conditioner - Cleansing facial wipes or a washcloth - Favorite treats or a good chew - Non-slip bathmat - Leash (optional) - Dog Blow dryer (optional)

Are we there yet? Today's Christmas Countdown is a challenge using a Santa Hat! Options: 1. Ask your dog to fetch the santa hat from the floor and give to you (bonus if your dog can pick up the item on cue) 2. Fetch a santa hat from your head, and give to you 3. Place a santa hat on your head while in front of your dog, and then cue a simple behavior while you wear the hat Incorporate using the santa hat in some way for you training time with your dog. Have some fun! Can you snap a pic? We want to see them in the comments! (Let us see those funny attempts too! We love the "fails"!) Photo taken by @toothedogsphotpgraphy 2 years ago of Kona the Australian Labradoodle. This was his first Christmas in 2019. Such a model and such an amazing adult dog now. #christmascountdown #HappyDogAcres #dogtrainingtips

21 Days to Go Aw its Julie and Opal Blossom, are't they adorable? Teaching your dog to give you a kiss on cue is one of our favorites to teach for some dogs (the more calm dogs). It also happens to be one of the easiest tricks to train a dog to do. There are so many ways to teach, we will show you two options. If you dog has a nose target to your hand, you can use targeting to teach "give me a kiss on cue". 1. Begin by doing a few nose target to hand, mark & reward. 2. Next you'll want to sit down or get on your knees on the floor. Continue to ask for a nose target to your hand, but gradually move your hand towards your cheek. Each rep your hand gets closer and closer to you cheek. With the goal of placing the back of your hand on your cheek and asking for a nose target to your hand. 3. Next training session, after you do a few reps to your hand (back of hand placed on your cheek), you can begin to gradually move your hand and have your dog nose target directly to your cheek. 4. Might take a few days or week but you can eventually place a verbal cue such as "give me a kiss" or even make the kiss sound to be the cue. Other option... Grab a towel (to wipe off your face) and some yummy treats. Use a spreadable treat such as peanut butter or cream cheese, it's easy to smear a small bit on your cheek or hand. 1. Take your spreadable treat and place a dab on your cheek (or wherever you would like your dog to kiss). 2. When your dog leans towards you to investigate the smell you can say the cue phrase "kiss." You can also say something like "give kisses" 3. The dog should be eager to lick the treat from your cheek. 4. Repeat and practice this trick for a few minutes several times a day. It won't be long before your dog comes over to give you a kiss every time you give the cue. Other option is teach your dog to give kisses on the hand rather than on the cheek. Have fun with this one- let's see those videos share them in the group