Timber and Co Dog Training LLC

03/09/2025

It can be tempting in our training to skip the little steps.

It’s great to have faith in our dogs but if we stick to small steps, it’s so much clearer to them what we want.

The result is getting to the end goal faster with a much more solid behaviour.

02/25/2025

02/18/2025

Does Your Dog’s Behavior Drive You Crazy? We Can Fix That!

Are you frustrated with your dog’s pulling, barking, jumping, or not listening—no matter how many times you call their name? You’re not alone. Many dog owners feel overwhelmed, embarrassed, or at their wits’ end when training doesn’t work. But the good news? Timber & Co. can help!

At Timber & Co., we turn chaos into calm with professional, results-driven dog training. Whether you need help with manners, obedience, or serious behavior issues, our expert trainers are here to provide real solutions that last.

# # # We Solve Common Frustrations Like:
❌ Pulling on the leash – No more getting dragged down the street
❌ Jumping on guests – Enjoy a polite pup who greets calmly
❌ Ignoring cues – Get a dog that listens the first time
❌ Barking & reactivity – Stop embarrassing outbursts on walks
❌ Chewing & destructive behavior – Save your shoes, furniture & sanity
❌ Separation anxiety – Help your dog feel calm & confident when alone

Why Choose Timber & Co.?
✅ Fast, effective results – No more wasted time on what doesn’t work
✅ Positive, reward-based methods – Strengthen your bond while training
✅ Certified, experienced trainers – Led by expert Kyra & her team
✅ Customized programs – training to fit your lifestyle
✅ Lifetime support – We’re here to help even after training ends

Imagine Life with a Well-Behaved Dog
✨ Peaceful walks without pulling or barking
✨ A dog who greets guests politely, not with chaos
✨ Confidence knowing your pup will listen in any situation

You can have the dog you’ve always wanted—and we’ll help you get there.

📞 Call 503-856-6780 today for a free consultation!
🌐 Visit timberandcodogtraining.com| 📍 Serving Salem and surronding areas.

Timber and Co. offers force-free dog training services in Salem, Oregon. Check out our private dog training, day training, board and trains, and day school option for your dog(s).

02/15/2025

Did you know that animal training isn’t a regulated industry? It’s unfortunate, but anyone can call themselves a trainer - even without any credentials. This can be incredibly detrimental to guardians who are trying to do the best by their fur kids, but are provided with outdated information and/or training techniques that could possibly affect their bond with their pets.

I could go on for days and days about the detrimental effects of positive punishment, but I won’t because it’s a subject I am very passionate about, as is finding a trainer that is credentialed as well as a good fit for you and your fur baby.

Don’t get me wrong, there are a ton of incredible, knowledgeable and credentialed trainers and professionals out there who also focus on welfare and positive reinforcement and I am so grateful for them and what they do.

If you’re considering finding a trainer, please do your research and ask questions! If you don’t feel comfortable doing something, it likely isn’t the right fit for you.

02/15/2025

Truth 🐶🎓❤️

02/15/2025

FUN LEARNING & THE POWER OF PLAY 🎉🐶

Did you know? Scientists have found that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to form a new synapse in the brain…

❗ UNLESS it’s done through PLAY! ❗

When learning happens in a fun, engaging way, it can take as few as 10 to 20 repetitions to build that same neural connection! (Dr. Karyn Purvis)

💡 What does this mean for dog training?
✅ Play speeds up learning.
✅ Play reduces stress and increases engagement.
✅ Play strengthens the bond between dogs and their humans.

So, next time you're training, make it fun! Less drilling, more playing = faster, happier learning! 🎾🐕

How do you bring play into your training sessions? Drop your favourite game below! ⬇️

Check out my games and exercise toolkit for games to help you play your way to success.
https://dogtrainingwithlauramars.co.uk/games_and_exercises_toolkit

02/15/2025

From Husky Pack South Africa

WORKING DOGS DO NOT MAKE GOOD PETS

All too often I see people complaining on rescue sites about how harsh the requirements are for adopting a Husky. Unfortunately, these are the people who don't understand the difference between a working dog and the average pet dog. These are often also the people who will dump their dogs once they see how much effort they really are.

The sad truth is, these dogs were never intended to simply be pets. Working dogs such as Huskies, Herding Dogs and Hunting Dogs were bred especially to work in their specific fields. The very characteristics that make these animals so unique from other breeds are what humans find to be problematic in their pets.

We all have a perfect image in our minds of coming home from work to have your dog greet you at the door. After that, both you and your dog walk over to the lounge where you get comfortable on the couch with your dog lying next to you on the floor. There, you spend a peaceful evening relaxing until both you and your dog head off to bed. This is what most people would call the perfect dog. Calm, relaxed and not irritating.

The problem is, people tend to choose a pet based on a breed they find beautiful, like a husky for instance, and decide that it will be their breed of choice. Once they've bought the dog and try to force him into their lifestyle, they realize how difficult it is to live with the creature. Their dream dog has thus become a nightmare for them. He jumps up, bites their hand in an effort to get attention, runs around the room while constantly howling and moaning. When he is closed outside, he tries to escape or dig holes and pulls out plants. Eventually they've had enough of his behavioral problems, so they put him in the car to drop him off at the nearest SPCA, thinking that they acquired a problem dog.

But they didn't get a problem dog. The dog isn't hyperactive. This dog comes from a long line of dogs that have been bred for centuries to run long distances. The dog didn't have a behavioral problem either, he was simply behaving the way he was bred to behave. These working breeds were designed, physically and mentally, to be able to move all day, working both their bodies and minds. These dogs need lots of exercise and lots of mental stimulation to release the energy that centuries of selective breeding had produced.

The fact that people choose breeds based on their appearance is an all too common tragedy. What people perceive as behavioral problems are actually caused by the dog being forced to live in an inappropriate environment.

Does that mean that these dogs shouldn't be our companion animals? Of course not. If you are able to supply the adequate environment as well as physical and mental stimulation for this breed, you will have a happy husky. But if you aren't willing to sacrifice comfort or leisure time, a husky definitely isn't for you. The best thing would be to do as much research as possible on a specific breed, or by asking a rescue organization if you will be a good fit.

Not everyone should own a husky. Not because they aren't good people, but because they won't be good husky owners. The large amount of Huskies in shelters across the world is proof of that.

Edit - This applies to so many working dogs like Border Collies, GSDs, Malinois, Dachshunds, JRTs, Shepherds, Yorkies, etc. that should not be adopted or purchased because they are cute and fun to have...

02/15/2025

02/15/2025

Please vote for PNW Pooch, LLC. They truly are the best in Salem for grooming and deserve the title of best grooming service 🐶

Official 2025 Community Voting Awards Platform for Salem, OR. Where the community votes for their favorites every year.

02/15/2025

😭😭😭😭😭

02/15/2025

Sienna says, “will you be my Valentine?”

Happy Valentines Day from Timber and Co. pack of dogs!

02/15/2025

🌟 We are THRILLED to announce that we’ve been nominated for the Best Pet Training Service in the CommunityVotes Salem, OR awards! 🌟 We are absolutely over the moon and want to take a moment to thank each and every one of YOU for your incredible support that’s gotten us this far. Without the amazing dog owners, furry friends, and the heartwarming community we’ve built together, this wouldn’t be possible. 🐾

Our team works day in and day out with a true passion for helping dogs and their families build strong, loving, and well-behaved relationships. To be recognized for that work is such an honor, and we are so grateful to be part of such a wonderful community. Now, we need your help to take this to the next level!

✨Here’s how YOU can help:

🔹 VOTE for us in the Pet Training category! Your votes mean everything, and we’re counting on you to help us win this award. You can even vote multiple times, so let’s make every vote count!

🔹 Spread the word! Share this post with friends, family, and fellow dog lovers! The more votes we get, the better chance we have to bring this win home! 🏆

To vote, just click the link below and show your support. It’s quick, easy, and every vote makes a HUGE difference. We truly appreciate each one of you and couldn’t be more grateful for your trust in us.

👉 Vote here: https://salemor.communityvotes.com/2025/01/pet-and-pet-care/pet-training 👈

Let’s win this together and continue to serve our furry companions with love, care, and dedication. Thank you again for being part of this journey – we couldn’t do it without YOU.

02/13/2025

❄️ Due to the snow and the possibility of freezing rain later today, Timber and Co. will be closing for training sessions to ensure everyone stays safe. However, we will remain open to care for our daycare pups and boarding dogs as usual! 🐾

We understand that the weather might make it tricky to get around, so please stay safe and take extra care when heading out. We’d love to see how your furry friends are enjoying the snow, share your favorite snowy pup pics with us in the comments! 🐕❄️

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing you and your pups soon. Stay warm! 🌨️

02/08/2025

SINGLE EVENT LEARNING

I would say that most guardians are aware that puppies go through sensitive periods where it is crucial that they have positive experiences in order to build confidence and resilience as they grow and learn. It is becoming more widely recognised that there is far more to socialisation than simply repeatedly exposing a puppy to anything and everything, having as many experiences as possible. Positive associations must be made in order for a puppy to thrive and develop an optimistic outlook.

However, once a puppy reaches maturity, this does not exclude him from the risk of developing fearful behaviours later on. Single Event Learning, also known as One Trial Learning, can occur at any stage in a dog's life. Just one encounter resulting in a negative experience can trigger a fearful reaction which becomes ingrained in the memory, having a long-lasting impact. If this fear isn't addressed appropriately, it can lead to emotional shutdown, long-term fear, trauma, anxiety, and phobias; therefore, we must always respect how our dogs are feeling, regardless of whether we view their fear as justified or rational.

Dogs do not simply outgrow fear, so doing nothing is not an option. Equally, continued exposure to make them "face their fear" is likely to result in their fear becoming generalised to other things. It may be tempting to keep exposing our dog to a trigger in the hope that they will just get over it, but without careful behaviour modification through counterconditioning and systematic desensitisation, the most likely outcome is that we flood them and they will become further sensitised instead. A neutral level of exposure is essential, allowing the dog to feel safe and remain below threshold; a stressed, worried dog will not have the mental capacity to facilitate learning and the creation of new emotional responses.

If you would like you read more about the science behind the art of counterconditioning, check out this two-part blog:

https://www.trailiepawsforthought.com/post/part-one-a-guide-to-counterconditioning-it-s-both-magic-and-science

Although we cannot shield them from every potential stressor, we can help them feel safe by managing them and their environment, and by not placing them in situations in which they do not yet have the skills with which to cope.

© Trailie Paws For Thought
www.trailiepawsforthought.com

I’m very happy for all of my content to be shared, but please do not copy and paste (to avoid sharing from source), screenshot, or download any part of it. THANK YOU! 🐾 🐾

02/08/2025

02/08/2025

BEWARE THE ALLURE OF APPEALING ADVERTISING

I have noticed just recently that there is a huge increase in adverts in my facebook feed which feature some gimmick or other, making wild promises to fix all manner of behaviours and conditions.

"Got an anxious, reactive & fearful dog? Fed up with the excessive barking, reactivity, whining or destruction? Spent a small fortune on trainers, drops & plug-ins?

Exhausted all options and 'DIY' hacks?

These little chews are the last things you'll ever need to calm your dog.

Sceptical? So were 150,000+ other owners before they tried them, and now they are all (insert name) LOVERS... The only thing they wish is they had tried (insert name) sooner!"

This kind of thing drives me potty. There is such reluctance to ask for veterinary help as a first port of call, and it makes no sense at all. With any health or behavioural concern, why do we avoid seeking help from those who are educated, highly trained, qualified, and have the power to improve the welfare and quality of life of our precious pets in the first instance, rather than trying this, that, and the other, which may or may not work? It's just bonkers.

"I didn't want my boy to lose his cheeky personality or leave him sedated, but we desperately needed to sort his reactivity and excessive, constant barking.”

It is also very wrong to perpetuate the stigma against medication and repeat misinformation in order to push a product. Anxiolytic medications are absolutely essential to so many for quality of life, both canine and human, including myself.

With up to 80% of behavioural cases involving a pain component, (Dr. Daniel Mills of Lincoln University, https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/2/318) it is insane to recommend anything other than a visit to the vet for a thorough health check, then enlisting the help of a qualified trainer, behaviourist or vet behaviourist as needed. How are these companies able to get away with making their claims, and no doubt contributing to guardians not seeking veterinary help when they should? I just don't get it.

This particular company also claims that only 25% of all dogs are fearful, stressed or anxious, based on a study (which is quoted but not referenced) observing reactions to dogs meeting strangers or going to new places. This doesn't take into account the many other situations which induce stress and fear, nor the number that may suffer from anxiety, regardless of exposure to triggers. Being in a constant state of stress due to feeling anxious is hugely debilitating, so this is both very worrying and misleading.

I appreciate that advertising is often very appealing, especially when finding certain behaviours extremely challenging. But please, don't fall foul of it.

If in doubt, PLEASE get them checked out!

©️ Trailie Paws For Thought
www.trailiepawsforthought.com

I'm very happy for all of my content to be shared, but please do not copy and paste (to avoid sharing from source), screenshot or download any part of it. THANK YOU! 🐾 🐾

02/08/2025

🚨 Join us in Welcoming Ali! 🚨

Ali is starting our six-month Apprenticeship Program and will be shadowing her first lesson this Saturday with Head Trainer/Founder Kyra. You’ll likely see her face quite often over the next few months as she works alongside our training team!

Ali brings valuable experience from her time as a veterinary receptionist and kennel attendant, where she developed strong animal handling skills, a solid understanding of canine health, and the ability to read dog body language in various settings.

Having grown up around a variety of breeds—including St. Bernards, Chihuahuas, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Golden Retrievers—Ali has a deep appreciation for different temperaments and training needs. She is currently training her own Doberman Moose, as a psychiatric service dog, furthering her skills in obedience, task training, and behavior shaping.

We’re thrilled to have Ali join us and look forward to seeing her grow in her training journey!