Paws Up VT

05/02/2024

Vermont folks, here’s a great therapy dog prep class!

Does your dog want to be a therapy dog?

Well, we’ve got a course for that! This 6-week course gives dogs and handlers the necessary skills for not only passing the test, but also for working successfully as a therapy dog team. The course is taught by Deb, who has been a therapy dog handler since the mid-1990s, has had 6 therapy dog partners over the years, and has directed a large therapy dog certification and training program since 2005.

Read more about it: https://www.goldstardog.com/therapy-dog-academy-1

UPCOMING CLASS!!!
ST ALBANS: Tuesdays, June 4—July 9, 7:15pm

For a comprehensive list of all our classes, along with convenient registration links, please visit our website: https://www.goldstardog.com/register

04/27/2024

Hey San Francisco, I’m back and ready to help you with your dog walking and training needs! And Vermont, I’m still available to you for virtual training so don’t be shy…email me to set up your sessions!

Stay tuned for location of group training classes or send me an email to get on my mailing list. 😎

03/21/2024

Dear San Francisco, I am now booking private training sessions beginning at the end of April. I can do private coaching with you and your dog in your home, at a park, or day training with just your dog. Please email me to book sessions. I look forward to working with all of you soon!
-Llyr

03/09/2024

Hello everyone, this is an announcement to let you folks know that I am moving back to San Francisco this summer in May! I will be happy to help with dog training and walking needs so please do message me to start scheduling sessions. I am sad to leave the community that I have built in Vermont but it is time for me to go back home.

I would like to thank Central Vermont Humane Society for the opportunity to reach so many people and dogs through classes. I also want to thank Fetch the Leash in Burlington for the opportunity to help with their day training program when I first moved to VT. These two opportunities have helped me grow as a trainer to meet different needs of dog and humans in more rural settings. I will still be able to offer virtual training for Vermont folks!

I am excited to return to the city setting to help dogs and people thrive in chaotic and urban environments. ;)

I can help you and your dog with things such as:

-Loose leash walking
-Recall (coming when called)
-Basic Obedience

Other specialities for behavior modification include but are not limited to:

- Leash reactivity
- "Stranger Danger"
- Resource guarding
- Inter-household aggression
- Cat and dog peaceful cohabitation

I will be offering private training, classes (eventually), and day training/private walks and substitute dog walking for group dog walkers.

Message to book me! ;) Can't wait to be back by the Bay!

01/07/2024

Would you like to learn how to help your dog feel comfortable wearing a muzzle? Join us over Zoom for a super fun tutorial! Class will be held on Thursday evenings from 5:30-6:30 for 4 weeks. Please click the link in the bio to head to the website for registration.

12/20/2023

One of the ways to assess the welfare of dogs trained using different types of training methods is to look at cognitive bias, or whether the dog is optimistic or pessimistic. This study by Casey et al 2021 finds "We demonstrated that dogs appear to show a more pessimistic cognitive bias where trainers report using two or more aversive training methods, and this has important implications for the kind of advice given to dog owners by veterinary surgeons, breeders, behaviourists or trainers, particularly for new owners or those acquiring a puppy." This is just one of many studies that shows it's important to stick to reward-based dog training methods.
Read the full paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-97743-0