Building Bonds

08/31/2025

Building Better Manners Starts Here – Sahuarita!

It’s never too late to help your dog become the calm, well-mannered companion you know they can be. Our Manners Level One: Foundations for Real Life class is designed for dogs and their humans who want to:

Strengthen communication and trust

Improve everyday behaviors without harsh corrections

Learn real-world skills through fun, practical games

Build focus and confidence in busy environments

In this six-week course, you’ll learn how to use clear marker cues (clicker or marker word) and well-timed rewards to teach your dog skills they’ll use every day—without boring drills or outdated obedience routines.

Class Details:
📍 Location: Anamax Park Multi-Purpose Room (Sahuarita)
📅 Sundays at 4 PM – Starting September 7th
Class Dates: Sept 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12

This is not your typical big-box store experience. At Building Bonds, we keep classes small and personal so both you and your dog feel supported and successful.

Ready to build better manners—and a better bond?
👉 Reserve your spot now: Registration Link in the comments

08/30/2025

https://mailchi.mp/buildingbondstraining/make-vet-visits-nail-care-stress-free-enroll-now

08/30/2025

💡Did you know?
When your dog licks their lips, turns their head away or lowers their body, they might not just be being cute - they're showing appeasement behavior. 🐕

✌These are non-threatening signals dogs use to avoid conflict or show they're not a threat. Other signs include gentle tail wags, yawning, rolling over, or even bringing you a toy. Dogs use these gestures when they're feeling anxious, uncertain, or just trying to keep the peace. ☮

If you notice your pup doing these things often, it could mean they're stress or uncomfortable. Pay attention to the context and give them lots of reassurance and a safe space.

08/30/2025

Do Dogs Hide Pain?

Yes, they do and often very well. Dogs are experts at masking discomfort, so obvious signs like limping or whining may only appear when pain is severe. More often, pain shows up as subtle changes in behaviour: irritability, avoiding touch, sleep changes, or reduced playfulness. Because of this, pain can easily be overlooked in quick vet visits or dismissed as a “behaviour problem.”

Why Short Pain Trials Aren’t Enough

Many owners are given a one- to two-week trial of pain relief medication “to see what happens.” The problem is that this period is usually too short to capture meaningful changes, especially in cases of chronic pain such as arthritis, spinal problems, or nerve-related pain.

Here’s why:
Chronic pain is complex – it involves long-term changes in the nervous system, which take time to respond to treatment.

Pain fluctuates – some days are better than others, and short trials may miss improvements.

Medication takes time – drugs often need weeks to reach consistent levels in the body.

Stress masks pain – adrenaline during vet visits can temporarily hide discomfort, making in-clinic checks unreliable.

A short trial may wrongly lead to the conclusion that “your dog isn’t in pain,” when in reality, they may need longer observation, adjusted medication, or further tests.
Just like humans with long-term pain, dogs adapt over time. They may shift weight, change posture, or hide discomfort, which makes pain harder to spot in a 15-minute vet check. Trials usually need 6–8 weeks to give a reliable picture.

If your dog is put on a pain relief trial, you are the key observer. You see your dog every day. Don’t expect your dog to be pain-free in two weeks. Improvements are often subtle at first; better sleep, being keener to play, less reactivity, more willingness to be touched. Observe your dog, give feedback to your vet, and advocate for longer trials if needed.

08/29/2025

08/27/2025

Bodie’s been working hard at Good Life Academy and today he nailed his whistle recall! 🚀🐾 One sharp whistle and he came running with so much joy. Building reliable recalls is all about making it fun, positive, and worth their while — and Bodie is crushing it! 👏

08/24/2025

May your Sunday be full of snuggles, naps and treats!

08/24/2025

September Classes! - https://mailchi.mp/buildingbondstraining/september2025classes

08/24/2025

🐾 Big win for Beans & JoJo today! 🐾Not long ago, these two had an altercation. But on their walk today, Beans showed so much bravery—she actually went up and sniffed JoJo’s butt! 👏 That’s huge progress in dog language, and JoJo handled it beautifully too.I couldn’t be more proud of both of them for how calmly and confidently they walked together. Small steps, big victories. 💛