Tail-Blazers Dog Training

01/30/2025

Tail-Blazers provides not just dog training and walking, but also personalized visits for your dog.

Kobe, for example, absolutely loves chasing his ball in the backyard. We play fetch to let him expend some energy before we set off on our walk.

Does your dog enjoy chasing a ball in the yard, solving puzzle toys, or getting some loving pets? No matter their favorite, we've got you covered!

01/22/2025

Some people expect dogs to automatically know the difference between good and bad behavior. However, it is our responsibility to teach them. We need to help them succeed, which is why management is important.

Management is the first step in training your dog. Once your dog understands your expectations, you can evaluate them in their usual environment with supervision. When they are ready, you can set everything back to how it was.

01/15/2025

Did you know that when your dog barks at someone or another dog walking by your house, they are rewarded every time, even if you’re not there? The image in this post shows how this works. Each reward reinforces their barking behavior.

A dog barking out the window may seem like a simple issue to fix, but without management, it’s unlikely to change. Management is about modifying your dog's environment to prevent them from practicing unwanted behaviors. This approach helps set your dog up for success. I’ll share more on this next week.

01/06/2025

Mateo and Rafael are 8-month-old chihuahua brothers who have been in their new home for a little over a month. Before this, they stayed with their original breeder, but unfortunately, it seems that they did not get the socialization that puppies need during their key development period.

Without proper socialization, they have become fearful of new people, items, and experiences. Thankfully, they have grown close to their new owner, who has shown them love and patience. We are currently working on building their confidence.

They’ve made great progress so far and no longer jump back when a hand comes toward them. They’re also okay with being petted by some people, which is a major accomplishment for them.

12/12/2024

Christmas is a wonderful time for thoughtful gifting, especially when it’s something you know will bring joy.

And let’s be honest, who doesn’t find puppies adorable? Still, loving puppies doesn’t automatically mean someone is prepared for the responsibility of owning one. They require a lot of time and dedication, which is a serious commitment that shouldn't be taken lightly.

12/03/2024

11/21/2024

Many people have faced injuries from retractable leashes becoming entangled around their limbs. When the leash is thin and applies enough pressure, it can result in deep cuts or significant rope burns.

They also reduce control. These leashes can let dogs get too far away from their owners, which makes it hard to respond quickly in urgent situations, such as pulling your dog away from potential danger or oncoming traffic.

11/11/2024

Tail-blazers will be offering classes on Wednesdays at Pet Supplies Plus (3340 Sheridan Drive, Amherst) 🐶

With a 2:1 dog-to-trainer ratio, our classes are designed to provide you with the dedicated attention you require. This means that spaces are extremely limited. Register today to secure your spot!

11/06/2024

Luna was adopted from an Amish farm in Ohio when she was about 5 months old. At first, she was very nervous, afraid to walk through doorways, and extremely cautious around strangers.

Sadly, Luna's fearful and jumpy behavior suggested that she was likely mistreated. But, over the course of our 6-week sessions, I watched her become more confident. It took some time, but with her owners' love and patience, she is now a completely different dog compared to when we first met.

It warms my heart to know that Luna has found happiness with a family that truly cares for her.

10/29/2024

Identifying stress signals in dogs is often more straightforward, but there are also behaviors and body language that suggest your dog is happy and content.

Keep in mind that context is key. Noticing one of these signs doesn’t automatically mean your dog is happy or content. To truly understand your dog's feelings, it's essential to look at everything happening around them.

10/24/2024

Every dog has their own unique learning style and pace; some catch on right away, while others need a bit more time to grasp the training process before they can really excel.

Bolt was one of those dogs that needed a little time to get the hang of training, which isn’t surprising considering how easygoing Saint Bernards are. But once he learned that doing certain things would get him treats, he started to pick up the pace significantly.

With each training session, he not only learns new behaviors more quickly but also excels in the skills he had already acquired since our first session.

Getting frustrated with your dog can hinder their training success and stop them from reaching their full potential. It’s important to remain calm and be patient while they figure things out 🐶

10/15/2024

Some dogs, such as Ellie, adjust to the presence of a baby in the household quite smoothly, while others may encounter challenges in adapting to this new situation.

It is important to have a plan in place, regardless of how well you think your dog will cope. If you are expecting a newborn or know someone who is, here are some things to consider:

• If possible, make alternative arrangements for your dog while you adjust to life with the newborn.

• Give your dog a blanket or something that smells like the baby to help them get familiar with the scent before they meet.

• Provide a safe place for your dog to retreat to and relax when they are feeling overwhelmed.

• It really helps if your dog knows basic obedience cues, as it’ll make your life easier when you’re busy with the baby.

• Go slowly when introducing them, starting at a distance. It's a good idea to keep the dog on a leash for better control.

• Reward your dog when they are calm around the baby.

• Always keep an eye on the dog and baby when they’re together; never leave them unsupervised.

• Don't force interaction. If the dog doesn't care to be near the baby, it's important to respect that.

• If you notice any aggressive behavior, separate them right away and get professional help. It's best to address this early, as things can become more difficult once the baby starts to crawl or walk.

10/08/2024

You might not always notice, but dogs have their own way of showing when they're stressed out. These subtle signs, or "stress signals", can mean they're feeling stressed, anxious, confused, scared, or even excited.

Context plays a huge role in interpreting a dog's body language. If you want to get to the bottom of their stress when you see those signals, you have to consider everything happening around them.

Dogs may display stress signals even when they're experiencing a good type of stress, known as eustress (see previous post for the differences between eustress and distress). During moments of excitement or during a training session, you might notice them shaking off or yawning. These behaviors help them relieve stress, which is a healthy response and suggests that they are in the process of learning.

Shaking off and yawning in dogs can also be signs of distress, that's why it's crucial to take a step back and assess the situation to understand what's going on.

By recognizing these stress signals, you can better understand your dog and, if necessary, take action to help them feel more comfortable and less stressed.

10/03/2024

Dogs, much like humans, can go through stress. Sometimes it’s a good kind of stress that is a natural part of their development, but other times it can be harmful to their health. Below, I’ve outlined the differences between eustress and distress.

Keep an eye out next week for my post about the subtle ways dogs show they’re stressed, often referred to as "stress signals."

10/01/2024

Muffin, an 8-month-old Yorkie, has just finished mastering her basic obedience skills. During one of our training sessions, her owner's grandkids were eager to join in. They've really contributed to Muffin's progress by practicing the skills we've been working on every week.

Including your child in the dog training process can be beneficial for both of them. It strengthens their connection, and the dog will learn that kids are a good thing—unless you're using any harsh methods, which I definitely advise against. It also teaches your child about responsibility, builds their confidence, and encourages emotional growth.

As long as you think your child is the right age to participate, you can't go wrong by letting them join in!

09/25/2024

Romeo is currently working on mastering the ‘place’ cue.

The ‘place' cue instructs your dog to go to a designated area and remain there until you say the release word. ‘Place’ can be anything from a bed to a rug or even a towel, as long as it has clear boundaries. Once your dog has a good grasp of ‘place’, you can change the location or the object you want them to use.

This is a bit different than asking for a stay; the dog has the freedom to move around, as long as they remain within the space you've chosen as 'place.'

‘Place' is really helpful in lots of situations, like when friends are visiting, especially if your dog likes to jump, while you’re enjoying dinner, or if your dog is getting a bit too energetic and needs to settle down.

09/19/2024

The most common orthopedic surgery in dogs is the repair of the Cruciate Cranial Ligament (CCL), which is sometimes referred to as the ACL.

Daizy is an 8-year-old dog with degenerative arthritis in her right back leg. While playing with her sister, she ended up tearing her CCL in her left back leg. This made walking a challenge for her, and she would often sit down whenever she was not moving.

Since Daizy has arthritis in her other back leg, surgery looked like the best option to help her return to her joyful life. Just three weeks post-surgery, she’s doing great and is way more mobile than she was before! Currently, she’s working on rebuilding her strength by going for short walks.

One of the most important parts of a dog’s recovery from CCL surgery is rehabilitation. It plays a big role in helping them regain strength and movement in the affected leg. It also keeps them from putting too much stress on their other legs, which helps prevent further injuries.

09/12/2024

Teaching your dog to come when called is very important.

This skill, known as recall, can be a lifesaver in different situations, especially during emergencies.

If your dog doesn’t come when called, it’s possible that you’ve unintentionally poisoned the cue, especially if you are calling them by their name, which is often the case.