Tail-Blazers Dog Training

07/02/2025

It's estimated that 40-80% of dogs react to fireworks.

It's tempting to do everything possible to comfort our beloved pets, and comforting them is fine, but only to a certain extent. Be cautious not to behave differently, such as saying "you're okay, you're okay" in a high-pitched voice repeatedly. If gentle petting helps calm them, that's okay, but avoid reinforcing their fear.

Keep in mind that when they are frightened, they depend on us (their owners) to judge if there is a genuine threat. If we act anxious and differently than normal, they will assume there is a reason to be worried.

Here are some tips to keep your fur babies safe this 4th of July!

06/26/2025

06/18/2025

To successfully introduce cats and dogs in the same household, it’s important to prepare and plan ahead. Taking a 'let's see what happens' approach is not advisable.

06/11/2025

Many cats and dogs can live together peacefully and form strong bonds. While some might get along right from the start, it usually takes careful planning, management, and patience.

For example, Tulip, a 7-month-old puppy, found her forever home with two loving owners and four cats. Tulip is thrilled she has cat siblings, although she has had to learn they are not toys to chase. As you can see, she has been doing an excellent job of learning how to behave appropriately around them.

The best way to work on creating harmony among your furbabies, especially with an easily excitable puppy, is to reward calm and relaxed behavior. It's also important to prevent unwanted behaviors like chasing, nipping, pawing, etc. Keeping your puppy on a leash can be useful for intervening when necessary until they learn to behave well around the cats.

It's important to note that some cats and dogs may not be suited to cohabitate with the other. You should never force any interactions.

Next week, I will explore this further with a post on the dos and don'ts of introducing cats and dogs.

05/28/2025

Sometimes, it’s more about what we can do to make our dogs’ lives easier and better, rather than our own.

Roxie, Jack, Cena, and Chai have a permanent management setup. Roxie, a German Shepherd, is separated from Jack, Cena, and Chai. After Roxie joined the family, Jack, an older chiweenie, was not okay with her being in his space.

Rather than choosing to rehome any of them, they decided to make it work. They built a gate that sections off the living room from the rest of the house. Since the small dogs love to cuddle on the couch, the living room is their area. Roxie is kept apart from that space.

Being a German Shepherd, Roxie needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation, which her owners are fully on top of. She goes to training, engages in nose work, enjoys walks, plays with the flirt pole, etc.

Making a situation like this work is challenging, but their owners found a way and did a fantastic job. They ensure everyone has everything they need to live a happy and fulfilling life.

05/26/2025

Let us never forget the sacrifices that were made 🇺🇸

05/14/2025

With the arrival of spring, you might notice your dog eating grass. This behavior is completely normal.

Dogs can eat grass for many reasons, and it's usually harmless. But if your dog is eating grass excessively, especially if accompanied by vomiting or lethargy, it could indicate a medical issue and should be brought to your vet's attention.

It's also important to keep your dog away from grass treated with pesticides or fertilizers, as it can be harmful.

05/08/2025

German Shepherds are well known for their trainability. Their high intelligence, desire to please, and strong work ethic contribute to this. They were originally bred as working dogs, which makes them good at following instructions and learning new tasks. Zaria shows this well.

Throughout our private lessons, Zaria has excelled, swiftly understanding new cues and successfully performing them in a short amount of time.

05/01/2025

“Before you get a dog, you can't quite imagine what living with one might be like; afterward, you can't imagine living any other way.”

- Caroline Knapp

04/24/2025

Did you know, just looking at a puppy can trigger dopamine production in your brain, leading to feelings of joy and satisfaction?

Meet Pickles, a spunky 9-week-old basset hound 🥰🐾

04/16/2025

Petting your dog can be very beneficial, helping to reduce stress, elevate your mood, and improve the overall health of both you and your beloved companion.

It's important to remember that not every dog wants to be pet. Be sure to respect your dog's individual preference.