Evolution Dog Training

07/25/2025

05/27/2025

Space is limited so reach out soon!
[email protected]

01/15/2025

Join us! Help us build a trusted community of pet carers in the PNW ❤️

Hi everyone,We* are going to be starting a nonprofit organization for ethical pet professionals. The goal of this meeting is to begin shaping what this organization will look like.

10/24/2024

If I had to describe training dogs, I don’t think I’d describe it as something I do.

It’s never like driving or writing or swimming; it doesn’t require the same type of effort. With those things I have to take control of thoughts and use them to order my body; with them I consider in charcoal, measure with a ruler and commit in black marker and I’m never completely happy with the outcome - but there is a pride in the effort that went in to the creation anyway. But the creation is separate to me.

Dog training is more like breathing or sleeping or drinking water. It’s a part of something I am combined with a part of something the dog is. It’s the space inbetween our thoughts filled with emotion and a collective that is more than the sum of its parts. Being around animals is built in - always a part of me. And training is never something I do to an animal it’s something we are together. And then afterwards we’re both forever something a bit different.

I guess that’s how it’s saved me so many times - people talk about family grounding them; or listening to music or journaling. None of that has felt possible in the hardest times but I’ve always nested into training - explaining it and how it feels and what I’m doing comes after. That’s the effort, never the being together with the dog. That just feels like breathing air. x

08/28/2024

Great. Now they all have the zoomies 🙄

08/26/2024

🐾 Show me your dogs! 🐾

08/25/2024

Today's Dog Training Myth of the Day: "Only tell them once!"

What if you ask a dog (whatever age, breed, s*x, background, training level) to do something, but there is no response?

Set aside the myth of "only tell them once." Good rule of thumb: if it were a toddler, what would you do? Probably wait a few beats, be sure you had the kid's attention, then ask again.

Just like us, dogs may not be tuned in 100% because they are busy having their own experience of life which may or may not include you at any moment.

If you *do* have the pup's attention, and they did hear you, next step is to consider that they do not understand and/or don't see the point!

I've often asked clients to stand on a chair and sing happy birthday. I've done it while they were trying to take notes. Result: no compliance, and they say usually say, "Sorry - I was focused on taking notes. What did you say?"

If they are paying attention to me but look at me as if I'm crazy, I ask, "Did you understand what I asked? You did? So why aren't you doing it?" Inevitably the answer is, "I don't want to" or "Why would I do that?" It helped them understand how their dogs might be responding.

So give your dogs the courtesy of clear communication, engage attention first, be sure there is understanding, and make it worthwhile for the dog to work with you. Respect, courtesy and taking responsibility for what we are communicating and how we are communicating -- those are all supportive of healthy dog/human relationships.

This does not mean repeating, Sit-sit-sit-sit-sit-sit which is not good communication no matter who you're talking to! 😊

If you want and need response to just one request (and this has great value!), you first have to teach understanding, understand that connection and attention must come first always, then develop the skill, tighten the criteria and make it worthwhile. Then practice!!!

08/09/2024

Hey, Seattle! I'll be teaching a round of classes for Sound Animal Services in Interbay!
I will be filling in for trainer Julie for the Thursday night Basic and Intermediate classes starting August 22nd.
Spread the word because they're filling up fast!

https://www.soundanimals.com/Basic_Dog_Classes.htm

https://www.soundanimals.com/Inter_Dog_Obedience_Classes.htm