Dogs in Harmony

08/08/2025

Nuevo Dog Park in Santa Clara closed after multiple reports of dog illness.

Santa Clara said that over the last two months, it has received multiple reports of dogs becoming ill after visiting Nuevo Dog Park.

07/29/2025

🎯 Training Tip Tuesday
Reward placement matters.

Try delivering treats where you want your dog to be. For example, if you want a loose leash, reward at your side. Want a down-stay? Drop treats between their paws. Placement builds pattern.

07/28/2025

🐾 Socialization is a deadline, not a goal.

Harmony School is designed for the critical 8–16 week window. During this time, puppies form life-long associations about the world. That’s why we do more than playtime — we build vet handling skills, sound desensitization, and emotional resilience.

Get it right, right from the start.

07/27/2025

✍️ Sunday Blog Drop

“Why Adolescent Dogs Are the Real Challenge (and How to Survive It)”

From barking to backtalk — this week’s post breaks down how to handle the teenage stage without losing your cool (or your shoes).

Link below — grab your iced coffee and dive in!

(Oops-- we didn't grab our coffee. Here's that link! https://www.harmonydogs.net/forum-1/adolescence/why-adolescent-dogs-are-the-real-challenge-and-how-to-survive-it)

07/27/2025

It's important to choose the right breed for your lifestyle.

07/26/2025

📩 Want to upgrade your leash walks?

Leave a comment with your dog's breed/mix/or best guess and your biggest least walking challenge and we'll message you a free list of 5 loose leash games you can try today — indoors and outside. Small changes = huge gains in focus.

07/25/2025

🐾 Saturday Socials = More Than Just Play

Sure, there’s puppy play. But also: wobble boards, tunnels, textures, and body handling drills that set your pup up for grooming and vet visits-- all under the guidance of our Certified Professional Trainers.

Pre-register now — limited spots available.

07/24/2025

💬 Private Lessons = Customized Results

In-home or at our training center, our private sessions meet your dog where they’re at — leash reactivity, door manners, counter surfing, jumping on guests? We’ve got you.

Schedule now, start seeing changes fast. Email us at [email protected] to schedule a free consultation with one of our Professional Trainers.

07/23/2025

🧠 Teen dogs are not being “bad” — they’re growing up.

Adolescence is when the wheels come off. That’s why Harmony High is built for dogs 6+ months: leash reactivity, selective hearing, over-the-top greetings? All normal. All fixable. Let us help you make sure this stays a phase, not a lifestyle.

We don’t just train behaviors — we coach through the chaos.

07/22/2025

🦴 Training Tip Tuesday

Don’t just say “no.” Say “do this instead.”

Training is about giving your dog options that work — not punishing the ones that don’t. You’ll get faster results, a happier dog, and a whole lot less frustration.

Jumping isn’t your dog being bad—it’s your dog not knowing what to do right to get your attention.

Telling them “no” doesn’t teach that. It just shuts the moment down and leaves them guessing.

Instead, give them an actual option that works:
Sit = attention. Sit = pets. Sit = yes, I see you and I love you too.

Dogs repeat what gets rewarded. If “sit” is the magic button that makes humans engage, they’ll choose it—because now they know what to do.

“No” stops the behavior.
“Sit” replaces it.
And replacement is how real training works. Because at the end of the day, training is just communication—and good communication builds trust, not tension.

When you show your dog what to do instead of punishing what not to do, you’re not just stopping bad behavior.
You’re building a language you both understand.

06/13/2025

Breed Fact Friday: Löwchen 🦁✨

Looking for a small dog with big personality (and an even bigger hairdo)? Meet the Löwchen, aka the "Little Lion Dog." Originally bred as a companion animal in Europe—likely France or Germany—this ancient breed was beloved by nobility and often featured in Renaissance paintings... usually in a fancy lion cut, because obviously.

Despite their posh appearance, Löwchen are not delicate lap dogs. They’re bright, playful, and surprisingly sturdy, with a temperament closer to a miniature sporting dog than a pampered ornament. Historically, they were bred to be alert and interactive companions—cheerful little watchdogs who kept their people entertained.

Modern-day Löwchen are affectionate, trainable, and excellent with kids when raised and socialized well. They do require regular grooming to maintain that iconic cut, but they don’t shed much and tend to do well in a variety of home environments, including apartments—as long as they get daily mental and physical engagement.

Thank you to Bex Munson / Photos by the Bucket for the little lion pics!

04/03/2025

🎉 Dogs In Harmony was voted a 2024 Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave for Best Pet Services!
Huge thanks to our Sunnyvale community for the trust, the votes, and most of all—your incredible dogs. 🐾💚

We're so proud to have earned the trust of our puppy parents and local veterinarians with our Harmony School puppy day training program as it continues to be the top rated vet recommended early socialization and training program in the South Bay! From puppy socialization and training to teaching old dogs new tricks and everything in between, we love what we do—and we’re honored to be your go-to team.