Mountainside Mutts

11/08/2024

Cozy up your pup for the season! 🐾❄️ These adorable woolen dog sweaters, now available at Riverside Vet, are perfect for keeping your furry friends warm and stylish. Soft, comfy, and made with love right here in Vermont, these sweaters will have your dog ready to brave the chill in style. Grab one while they last! Roberta, if you read this please dm us! "

11/02/2024

We all learn best when education is fun! At Mountainside Mutts we believe both the human and the canine student should enjoy the learning process.

10/28/2024

How you train your dog matters. Don't just take our word for it though. Have you read the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior position statement on humane dog training?https://fbb60a.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/AVSAB-Humane-Dog-Training-Position-Statement-2021.pdf

10/26/2024

“Pup rolled onto his back so he wanted a belly rub, right?” Not necessarily! This is a great post and the difference in the tense top row photos versus the relaxed lower ones is quite clear.

Does he really want a belly rub or is he asking for space? Learn more in this post: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2024/10/21/appeasement-behaviors/

10/23/2024

Long Dog School day, cool vibes 😴🐾 Bo can hardly keep his eyes open and is recharging on a comfy hammock bed - the perfect spot to relax and unwind. ❤️🌟🐾

10/21/2024

Ethical behavior change takes time. Dogs are a different species and will do doggy things unless we set them up for success. Got the Puppy Blues? Let us help.

10/19/2024

Just a pup chillin' on their Blue-9 KLIMB platform! 🐾✨ Whether it's training or lounging, this platform is the perfect spot for rest and focus.

10/16/2024

Puppy Start Right now enrolling for 4 November: https://pocketsuite.io/book/girl-friday-ack/item/puppy-start-right-(mondays)

10/07/2024

Welcome, Cheddar! 🧡🐾 We’re so excited to have you join us at Dog School—get ready for some fun, learning, and tail wags! 🎉

10/01/2024

Post a pic of your black bestie!

It’s national Black Dog Day! October 1 was designated as National Black Dog Day in 2011, to bring awareness to the “black dog phenomenon”. Black dogs in shelters are very often overlooked, and as a result spend significantly longer waiting for their forever home than their different colored counterparts. If you’re looking to adopt, consider a black dog- Rutland County Humane Society currently has several black pups available!
Post a pic of your black dog below to celebrate how wonderful black dogs are!

10/01/2024

Oh yeah!

09/25/2024

Some people love agility, others like nosework or dock diving. I’ve always loved musical freestyle, and this performance is why. Border collies need full time jobs and the amount of training that is on display here is tremendous. No Howie, no clickers - now. This level of working with a pup is way past “acquisition” on the learning ladder. But isn’t their investment worth it? 😍

Roni Sagi & Rhythm are performing a routine that's all about self-acceptance! Roni and her dancing dog Rhythm perform to "Scars To Your Beautiful" by Alessia...

09/22/2024

We know a number of pups who would be well suited for a Therapy Dog role…..

09/16/2024

We understand because we’ve been there too. The young, under-socialized “lab mix” who ignores recall, pulls like a freight train on walks, has a hard mouth, and is laser-focused on every bunny and Robin in sight. Friends suggested using a shock collar or prong, but that just didn’t feel right. Those tools would have only made things worse for an already socially awkward dog. Instead of forcing her into a mold that didn’t fit, I found ways to meet her needs while staying true to my values. It wasn’t always easy, but it was absolutely worth it. You have options. We’re here for all the dedicated pet parents who want to train their dogs without relying on coercive methods.

“Ultimately, you accept the use of methods that cause harm to dogs or you don’t.”

Balanced dog training using positive reinforcement (rewards-based) methods and aversives (physical punishment) is no better than simply using force-free positive methods and love.

09/14/2024

Walks together are just that - put your phone away, take your headphones off, really enjoy being with your best friend. Watch them, see what they find interesting, let them sniff. Bask in the glory of being able to go on this adventure together. 🙏

Walk with me; don’t just walk me. Slow down and see the world as I do. I know you’ve got things to do, places to be. But out here, with the ground beneath our feet and the sky above us, there’s a whole world worth noticing.

The autumn chill is in the air today, crisp and full of new smells. It’s different from yesterday, and different from the day before. Every day is new. The leaves crunch under my paws, and I stop to breathe in the rich, earthy scent of them. To you, it might just be a pile of leaves, but to me, it’s a story—one I can’t help but dive into, nose first.

There’s a squirrel somewhere nearby, I can sense it, darting up a tree, its tiny heart beating fast. And the wind carries whispers of things far away: a family cooking dinner, the trace of a cat that passed by early this morning, and the faint perfume of flowers holding on to their last bit of summer. It’s all here, swirling around us if you just take the time to notice.

You tug on the leash, eager to move on, and I can tell you’re thinking about something far away from here. But when we walk, truly walk, you and I can be in this moment together. Feel the cool air brush against your skin, let it wake you up. Notice how the sun filters through the branches, casting shadows that dance on the pavement. Hear the crunch of the leaves beneath our steps, like a secret rhythm just for us.

To you, it might be just another walk, a daily routine to tick off the list. But for me, every step is an adventure. Each scent is a clue, each sound a piece of a puzzle. When you walk with me, really walk with me, you’ll see it too. The world is bigger than what we’re rushing toward. It’s right here, in the small moments, in the quiet spaces between your thoughts.

So, slow down. Breathe. Let the chill fill your lungs and the colours fill your eyes. Walk with me, don’t just walk me. See the world as I do, if only for a little while. It’s all waiting for you, just beneath the surface.
Natalie P
2024
Picture created with AI

09/13/2024

Yes! Click, treat. And avoid head pats - many dogs really dislike the act of a hand coming over their head. Thanks Rutland Veterinary Clinic & Surgical Center for posting.

🐾 Important Reminder! Before you pet a dog, make sure to ask the owner for permission. Some dogs may be nervous or not used to strangers, and it's important to respect their space. This simple act of courtesy helps keep everyone safe and comfortable.

09/04/2024

If you search for dog training online, you'll encounter a lot of conflicting information. We're proud to offer modern, rewards-based training that focuses on setting your dog up for success through consistent, clear guidance. We firmly believe that all dogs can thrive with these methods, and our choice is not to use aversive tools like prong, choke, or shock collars, which rely on causing discomfort to stop unwanted behavior.

We've participated in the Pet Professional Guild's virtual competition, "Celebrating Life Together," which showcases the effectiveness of positive reinforcement techniques. Although we lost some of our momentum after saying goodbye to Olive in July, we've still submitted an entry and would greatly appreciate your vote—you can vote daily! Here's the link: https://woobox.com/ww33pm/gallery/tnAC7qVIuW8

10/31/2023

Ghosts and goblins, spooks galore, scary witches at your door, jack-o-lanterns smiling bright, wishing you a haunted night.