Building Bonds

01/14/2026

January 29, 2026, 10 AM at the GVR Canine Club (members only).

When our dogs struggle to bounce back from stress or big emotions, life together can feel overwhelming. The good news? Resilience can be nurtured.

In this presentation, dog behavior expert Kim Silver, MS, KPA-CTP, PCBC-A, CBATI-KSA, FDM, PCT-A, joins us to talk about what resilience looks like in dogs, why some dogs find it harder to cope than others, and most importantly, how pet parents can help. We’ll explore practical ways to build resilience to make life easier for all dogs, and especially those who need extra support.

Whether your dog is sensitive, anxious, or struggles with change, this conversation will give you tools to help them feel safer, more confident, and ready to thrive.

01/08/2026

"Prevention is sadly, hard to sell."

You might be following the story of a well known dog influencer and the tragedy she faced of losing three of her dogs in one incident. A quick summary of what occurred is that this person had 7 bull breeds living together. Lots of content online that I skimmed through made me uncomfortable in terms....

01/07/2026

We’re exploring new ways to support dog-and-human teams who want to enjoy the great outdoors together — whether that’s hiking local trails, building confidence in new environments, or learning the foundations for camping with a dog.

Before we design anything, we want to hear from you.

We’ve put together a short survey (it takes about 3 minutes) to learn:

🏕 What outdoor activities you already enjoy with your dog?
⛰How confident you feel navigating new environments together?
🌅Which types of guided outdoor programs would be most helpful or appealing?

Your responses will directly shape what we offer next — and help us ensure programs are supportive, realistic, and dog-centered.

👉 LINK TO SURVEY IN THE COMMENTS

Whether you’re already adventuring or just dreaming about it, your input matters.

Thank you for helping us build programs that truly meet dogs and their people where they are.

01/02/2026

01/01/2026

50% Off Online Self Paced Courses—Starting at $14.50!
Dog Training That Works on Your Schedule.

Offer valid through 1/1-1/4/2026
Use code NEWYEAR50

Link for more details below.

12/24/2025

Congrats to Sunday's Puppy Preschool and Kindergarten Level One graduates!

12/20/2025

Join us for our upcoming Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) Deep Dive Online Class, which starts, Tuesday, January 20th, at 6 PM MST (Arizona). It runs for six consecutive weeks. Here's what you can expect to learn:

- Understanding the fundamentals of BAT
- Implementing BAT techniques to boost confidence, tackle fear, handle leash reactivity, and manage aggression
- Mastering leash skills in BAT and interpreting dog body language
- Using effective prompts to influence your dog's behavior
- Knowing when to take the lead in decision-making and when to allow your dog autonomy
- Practical guidance on BAT set-ups, executing Ninja BAT, and utilizing Double Dog BAT
- Identifying the right criteria to seek guidance from a Certified Behavior Adjustment Instructor or proceed independently

This class is for pet parents, shelter personnel, volunteers, and trainers.

Participants can submit up to three videos of their training sessions for personalized feedback from Kim Silver, Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor.

Don't miss out! The sign-up link is in the comments. The price is $199.

12/14/2025

💦 Water Confidence Starts in Puppyhood 💦

In puppy class this week, we worked on something that doesn’t always get talked about—learning to tolerate water.

From baths and rainy walks to muddy paws, water shows up in our dogs’ lives whether they love it or not. Instead of forcing puppies to “deal with it,” we teach them how to feel safe, curious, and in control around water.

During this session, we also learned something important about Ofi—he’s not a fan of having his paws touched or wiped. So we slowed things down and worked on building positive, predictable experiences with paw handling, too.

✨ What this looks like in class:
• Letting puppies explore water at their own pace
• Pairing tricks and treats with paw handling
• Respecting communication and adjusting the plan
• Building calm, confident responses for real-life care

These early lessons matter. When puppies learn that new sensations are safe and optional—not forced—we set the stage for lower stress all around.

Confidence first. Skills second. Relationship always 🐾

12/12/2025

Puppy class is about building skills that last a lifetime.

At Building Bonds, our puppy classes focus on:
• Emotional regulation
• Engagement with their humans
• Comfort with handling
• Learning in a safe, low-pressure environment

Because what puppies learn now shapes how they handle the world later.

🐾 Puppy classes now enrolling in Tucson
🔗 Link in bio

12/10/2025

Puppy parents — let’s talk about socialization and safety.

Yes, Arizona is seeing a rise in parvo cases. And yes, protecting your puppy’s health is absolutely important. But fear shouldn’t prevent you from giving your puppy the positive early experiences they must have during their critical socialization window. These weeks only happen once — and what your puppy learns (or doesn’t learn) now shapes them for life.

You can keep your puppy safe and socialize them thoughtfully.
Here’s how:
✨ Choose a reputable, force-free Puppy Preschool class like the one offered at Building Bonds.
– Vaccination records should be checked and updated regularly.
– The classroom should be sanitized before and after every session.
– Your trainer should work alongside your veterinarian’s vaccine schedule to keep your puppy protected.

✨ If your puppy is recovering from illness like Giardia or still shedding from a virus like parvo, you don’t have to pause socialization completely.

– Socialize your puppy indoors with novel sounds, objects and tactile experiences.
– Try stroller or wagon social outings.
– Watch the world from a safe distance in your vehicle.
– Pair new sights, sounds, people, and places with calm, positive experiences at home or outdoors where exposure risks are controlled.

Hiding your puppy away until they’re fully vaccinated means missing priceless opportunities for building resilience, emotional well-being, and social comfort in the real world. Balance is key — not avoidance. Safe, structured, confidence-building experiences are the goals.

Work with your veterinarian and a qualified force-free trainer to create a plan that protects your puppy’s health and supports healthy behavioral development.

Your puppy deserves both safety and opportunities to build resilience in this most critical stage of development. 🐶🧡

P.S. In the nine years of offering puppy preschool classes for undervaccinated puppies, we've never had a case of parvo in our classes. NEVER.

Keep up on your vaccinations for adult dogs. Adult dogs can get parvo too.
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We use Clean Break to clean our indoor areas.
https://rubberfloorsandmore.com/product/clean-break-disinfectant-detergent/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
We use Wysi-Wash to clean our outdoor areas.
https://www.wysiwash.com/products

We wanted to share an important update with our pet families. Several clinics in Arizona are seeing an unusual rise in parvo cases. The good news is that parvo is highly preventable with the proper vaccinations. If you’re not sure where your puppy is in their parvo series, or if they need to get started, please give us a call. We’re here to help keep your little one protected and healthy!

12/10/2025

Meet our new friend, Ruby Rose! 🌹🐾

Her mom shared that Ruby Rose usually hides and trembles when new people visit, so we set the bar low and let her set the pace. And wow… did she shine. ✨

Early in our session, she bravely peeked out from her hiding spot. Soon she was taking tossed treats, then gently taking them from my hand, and eventually even doing a little training with me, learning the nose-to-hand touch. 👃🤝

As the session went on, her confidence kept growing. She came closer, gave me a few curious sniffs, and even chose to lie down on the floor between her mom and me. This is a huge sign of trust for a very fearful dog.

For a first session, this was extraordinary. We’re so proud of Ruby Rose and can’t wait to see where her bravery takes her next. 💗🐶