To The Point Dog Training

03/01/2024

In 2022, we started our year by welcoming Pepper into our home, hoping to place her out after some serious decompression. Due to her willingness to bite under pressure, and her high maintenance needs despite her senior age, we decided it was most ethical to keep her with us.

Last year, I started my 2023 by connecting with OHS and helped pull Darla from the behavior program at Oregon Humane. Although our intention was to rehab and place out… she ALSO landed permanently in our house.

Lesson learned… we cannot foster fawn and black pointed dogs that aren’t associated with a rescue. They never leave. We accept our weaknesses as a household.

This winter, I connected with DGS and after laying the ground work for what we are and aren’t able to offer, I’ve partnered with , starting by donating a 4-Week Board & Train to Miss Pebbles. This felt like a very healthy compromise, balancing my desire to help dogs in need while also ensuring that they don’t end up living with us forever.

Pebbles was pulled from San Bernardino in CA, and spent seven weeks with an incredibly compassionate and experienced foster in Seattle, before realizing the Miss P had more emotions to work through than she was equipped to handle. What an amazing foster she was to recognize and ask for help!

Pebs is going to go to her forever home fully vetted, including a very expensive cherry eye surgery, AND with nearly $5000 worth of training under her belt. My hope is to get her confidence boosted, acclimated to people, dogs, and cats… and get some outdoor skills on her, of course.

She is very shy, but comes out of her shell quickly once she finds her “person”. I’ve worked with many dogs like her (Cheddar is a great example!), and by the end of the month, they are rockstars and ready to take on the world. She is the definition of a lover.

You can apply to adopt Miss P at the link in my bio.

I hope to continue to donate services to rescues such as DGS, in memory of my heart dog Miso. Without dogs like him, I would have nothing.

Here’s to a new start for Pebbles in 2024. Happy New Year!

20/12/2023

20/12/2023

03/12/2023

Hi friends!

I hope all is well in your homes between holidays and your hard work up-keeping training is showing in this season.

I am endlessly grateful to have such an incredible community built through To The Point, and I am thinking of my families and how surreal my life has become as a result of your support often. You and your dogs are SO important to me and I hope you have continued to feel that post-board and train.

My home has been full of dogs month to month solely as a result of word of mouth, and it has continued to bring the most incredible people from your circles into mine. I am so lucky to have become so intertwined with your friends and family and I am forever thankful for your trust to do so.

I’d love to read about your experience from your point of view, and share your stories with current and future clients. If you have a spare moment to leave a review, please feel free to do so on Google by clicking the link in my bio!

This helps appease the virtual powers the be in a way that organic referrals sometimes can’t compete with. Sharing my name and my posts in daily conversations and online is the number one way that new clients find their way to me.

For those that share my name, THANK YOU! I know who you are and I love you.

Happy Holidays,

Tayah and the crew at To The Point Dog Training

17/11/2023

ATTENTION CLIENTS:

Many clients have reached out regarding the surge in severe respiratory disease being reported in the Portland area. Up to date Bordatella (kennel cough) vaccinations have always been required, but for the safety and well-being of our client and personal dogs, we are taking firm precautions. We see dogs of varying health status and ages (including a 12 year old dog that lives here!) and believe that creating a safe environment starts with physical well-being. We are currently cleaning our kennel room with veterinary office grade cleaner and monitor dogs for signs of physical changes on a daily basis.

Starting immediately, we are implementing a 14 DAY DOG PARK/DAYCARE FREE policy. Before any boarding, board and train, or daycare services, your dog MUST NOT attend daycare and/or dog parks for two weeks to avoid any cross contamination and viral spread.

I can never guarantee that viruses will not come through my doors, but we will do our diligence. Help me help you!

If you have boarding booked and cannot/will not be able to adhere to this policy, please contact me ASAP to cancel your stay.

This business has been build on cornerstones of community, communication, honesty, and integrity. I will always show up for my families in any way I can. Please help keep my business and fellow families safe by adhering to these (hopefully temporary) new policies.

Thank you!

07/11/2023

This is Cheddar*, the most nervous of nellies!

4 days ago, he couldn’t leave the house without tucking tail and screaming. Today, we saw rowdy toddlers and chose to keep playing and chasing food instead.

Mom was superb about always having a treat bag on her, did tons of growly dog group classes, but he was still terrified everywhere but home alone with her or daycare. Slip collar for more clarity, lots of high value food, introducing so much play, and using all of that to start building trust. We went to a (typically quiet, but not today) park and he CRUSHED it. We’ll add in some more things from my toolbox as we learn the dance. For now, I’m ecstatic.

Despite his deer-in-headlights looks… Cheddar is getting better. This kind of hope is what it’s about. 🫶🏼

*costco cheese box used for confidence building was a happy accident.

21/10/2023

11/09/2023

Buckle in… this is a tricky topic. While this is the most common conversation I have during and after board & trains, it is also one of the most sensitive.

The most common issues I see come through my doors are:

• over excitement (jumping, barking, an inability to stay calm in new places/situations)
• frustration (leash reactivity, demand barking, mouthing, pawing, kennel/door rushing, physically pushy behaviors)
• a lack of physical boundaries (counter surfing, fence jumping, kennel manners)

Within one week, with minimal corrections… a large portion of these problems start to fade on their own. As much as I wish it was magic… it’s a very simple answer.

Consistent structure.

The majority of dogs who come in have too much freedom, and not enough guidance. And nearly every time I ask “why not take preventative measures instead of reactive measures?” it’s almost always met with notions of “I feel bad” or “they SHOULD be able to by now” or “my last dog didn’t need XYZ”…

But when we boil down why the kennel is collecting dust, or the place cot has been up against the wall since the dog came home, and we unpack arbitrary feelings of guilt or unfair expectations… what it almost always comes down to is people wanting more from their dogs, while doing less.

If your dog was ready for that freedom, there wouldn’t be excessive problems stemming from situations that could be remedied with structure. Dogs don’t resent us for adding structure and dependability into their life, as long as they’ve been given the proper outlets for their needs. When their needs are met (physically and mentally), adding in additional structure helps continue to regulate their systems beyond all else.

Now, there is always the exception to the rule. Some dogs just fit right in, without a need for management. But if you’ve read this far? That’s probably not your dog.

I regularly tell my clients “Your dog will let you know when they’re ready. If you take some form of management away, and the problem comes back… they’re likely not ready, or the environment isn’t one that they’re ready to make their own choices in. Add it back in, if peace is restored… keep doing it.”

08/09/2023

Bosco, Willow, and Arnie are soaking up the last bits of sunshine before we swing into autumn!

I won’t sing the praises of “place” too much, but these three are loving the new routines and structured learning that their first week has brought. We’ve seen a dramatic decrease in anxiety, overexcitement, demanding behaviors, and a huge increase in functional learning, the ability to self soothe, and new perceptions of the human:dog relationship.

These three kiddos have just over two weeks to go, and the possibilities are endless. They’ve made so much growth already!

Our October books are full, and November is following closely behind. We already can’t wait to see Luna, Casey, Oscar, and Jane in the next few months! Fill out our contact form at the link in our bio to get your dog in before the holidays!

31/08/2023

It’s been awhile and we’re heading into a new season… so it was time for a “Get To Know Your Trainer”!

My name is Tayah (Tay-uh) and I own and operate TTPDT. To The Point Dog Training (previously Bauwauhaus for the people who’ve been around) is an accumulation of years of my personal and professional practice training pet dogs. What once started as a hobby with a dog aggressive pit bull, Miso, has turned into a ragtag group of my own misfit dogs and a business that focuses on helping yours, too.

My personal group includes Dexys, Lucifer, Darla, Pepper, and Mariska… all of which play important roles in our operations. Each of these dogs has played a massive role in pushing my development and understanding of dogs, allowing me to empathize with my clients beyond business. Living with management protocol, sharing space with difficult dogs, and seeing our pack as individual animals with individual needs instead of one conglomerate is a journey that often involves a lot of emotional, physical, and mental work, which I do not take lightly.

My training philosophy cannot be labeled and fit into one box, as my protocols change for every single dog and every single home. From interactive Michael Ellis courses with 1:1 feedback for foundational techniques mid-pandemic, to in-depth phone conversations about husbandry with , relationships with sport clubs around the NW, a my personal ongoing mentorship with … my outlook on training does not exist in an echo chamber. Sports, behavior modification, obedience, and trick training are all intertwined, and I try my best to stay (at least partially!) active in a little bit of all of the above to keep myself sharp and up to date.

We live on an acre in Snohomish, WA and all of our operations exist in our home. I believe in strong personal connections with my clients, and form lifelong bonds with each dog that comes through my home. My home becomes your dog’s “vacation home”, and I love bringing them back for boarding fully trained, able to enjoy all sense of freedom and fun.

I am so thankful to do what I do. Thank you for being here. If we haven’t met yet, I can’t wait to meet you!

16/07/2023

Hot take: not every inconvenient behavior needs to be changed, altered, or fixed.

As someone who’s training style does allow for corrections and decreasing unwanted behaviors, I still believe that we have just as much of an obligation to adjust to our dog as they do us.

Imagine if you moved in with someone, and they said “I love running marathons, so you have to, too.” Maybe this isn’t something you have to imagine, and you have experienced an authority figure saying “you’ll love this or else!”. Maybe you will begrudgingly participate in every piano lesson, or slowly muck through every soccer game… and maybe you will grow to love it with the right motivators and rewards. But if you truly feel like staying home, reading about ancient civilization, contemplating the world… no amount of repetitions is going to create a love that truly isn’t there.

Now, this doesn’t mean that eating children just because your dog doesn’t like them is okay. But if they don’t love kids, I’m not chucking them in the middle of a 5 year old’s birthday party where “Tag!” is the main event.

Maybe your dog doesn’t love fetch… but tug and chase is awesome. Maybe they’re not a runner, but they are an fantastic couch buddy.

If the behavior is not harming anyone, or anything, but it may be a simple “this trait is slightly incompatible” instead- I urge you to consider changing your mindset and expectations before building future resentment between you and your dog.

01/07/2023

While I could apply this a million ways to the methodology conversation, I mostly want to touch on how training often appears to carry a one-size-fits-all approach in terms of what is offered in programs themselves.

From a marketing standpoint, this is not only cost effective, but also time effective. You can sell packaged training in mass proportion, knowing that after you get the dog in, every single dog just needs to check each box in a certain period of time and you’re good to go. Pay for 3 weeks, this is the checklist you get. 4? Here’s another 2 skills, etc.

Three years into this, I’ve learned through trial and error not only what works the best for each dog… but also what works best for each human.

Do you know what works best? Not assuming I know what’s best.

The human experience, our preferences, our lifestyles, our goals, they cannot be narrowed down into a 5 point checklist that works for everyone equally. If you live in downtown Seattle, will your lifestyle look the same as someone who lives on 15 acres in Bellingham? If you are a social butterfly and a frequent host, will you need the same skills as someone who lives alone and prefers an introverted norm?

During each evaluation, I am not only taking the dog’s behavior, personality, preferences, and what brings them joy into account, but also the human’s. When training, I frequently refer back to our intake sheet that each owner fills out with their long-term lifestyle goals. No dog goes home with the exact same skills and experiences because no human is identical.

You and your dog deserve to be seen as the individuals you are, not just packaged into a box, or becoming a number.

Find a trainer that seeks to build a deep relationship with you both. You deserve it.

19/06/2023

There is a fine line between mindful acceptance, and complacency. There is also a fine line between growth and excessive pressure.

This dichotomy of “not enough, too much” spans beyond any one training topic. We see this with puppies, brought home with big dreams… only to be halted by very typical developmental stages that make us wonder where we’ve gone wrong. We see this with emotional issues like reactivity, or fear. We see this with the expression of genetic predispositions like herding behaviors or a distaste for social interactions with other dogs. The unpleasant today can either become “this will be unpleasant forever” or “we can address this and change tomorrow”. (Note: most things don’t typically change overnight, let tomorrow be a stand-in word for any future length of time.)

There must be a delicate balance between radical acceptance of where we are today, who our dog is, who we are, and the hope for tomorrow. The process cannot be rushed, whether that process be time, our own knowledge and skills, or your dog’s understanding of the training.

I also tell many of my clients that as much as I can potentially change your dog’s behaviors, I cannot change who they are as creatures. We must balance our expectations for dog ownership with the reality of our individual companions. We cannot let our own goals and aspirations outshine the reality of who our dogs may be. For example, your mature, quiet dog may never enjoy young puppies or humans, but we can teach safe management and fair boundaries for all. Your anxious, hyper-aware herding breed may never love farmer’s markets and breweries, despite your dreams of them going everywhere with you.

We must balance our dreams and accept today’s realities. It’s a delicate push and pull, and too much on either side can be detrimental.

09/06/2023

Wow, what an update!

I trained Coda almost two years ago, and to know that his training not only served his rural life in the NW, but is now serving his nomadic life around the US… what a treat.

These updates are so helpful, inspiring, and humbling. Thank you for letting me help you and Coda, Michael! Here’s to many happy adventures in the future.

03/06/2023

I’ve started to see an increase in inner household aggression cases at To The Point Dog Training.

Often times, the problem lies in high value resources (food, toys, spaces) being freely available in multi-dog households. Humans expect the dogs to “figure it out” or all be agreeably passive with each other over objects that in any natural situation, would be sorted out through competitive physical and social behaviors. There is also an aspect of genetic predisposition, wherein these behaviors sprout with adolescent maturity depending on the function of the breed, but seemingly come out of nowhere.

Yet, we assume because there is unlimited access (I.e., a lack of scarcity), or they weren’t like this as a puppy, that they won’t feel the need to compete and protect these valuable assets in our home.

When discussing inner household aggression, resource guarding, and same s*x aggression.. it will always end in a change of management. Long discussions regarding physical, mental, and emotional needs and management tactics, adjusting our expectations of each dog, and understanding the genetic predisposition of these behaviors is crucial to letting go of the disappointment, resentment, and confusion that can come from dogs being dogs, each with individual needs that may not align with our ideals.

Not every behavior has a cure, or needs a cure. Some behaviors are simply dogs being dogs. The sooner we accept this fact, the sooner we move into headspace that honors both our needs and wants, and the dogs in front of us.

12/05/2023

One of the most common requests for help I usually hear sounds something like this:

“My dog can’t handle ____! They just go wild every time they see/hear/go ____!”

Where the wild stems from? It varies with every dog. Sometimes it’s fear, sometimes it’s excitement, sometimes it’s confusion. Do you know what umbrella all of those fall under?

The answer is: STRESS!

Something I hear myself repeat time and time again with families is that, like us, a dog’s nervous system does not know the difference between frustration, fear, excitement, and everything between… which is why the symptoms of each can look eerily familiar. Elevated heart rate, dilated pupils, faster breathing, digestive upset, and a lowered tolerance for external stimulus. Enter barking, pulling, pacing, and jumping… and what do we have? A dog with an overwhelmed nervous system, and a frustrated human on the other end of the leash.

So, how do we fix this? Just like with people, we teach them to cope. We set expectations for what behaviors are unacceptable (just like we can’t scream in public!) and we teach them how to go from a mental 3 to a 1, a 5 to a 1, then a 7 to a 1, and finally a 10 to a 1 in controlled environments. We set them up for success using carefully orchestrated social situations, with the intent to guide them through the potential stress. If you’re lucky, you start this as a puppy with proper socialization (that’s for another post!) If not, that’s okay! That’s what we’re here for.

04/05/2023

We are headed into summer and Ben the Doodle is here to enjoy it!

Ben L., Rothy A., and Atlas S. are all here for Standard Board & Trains, and we’re on a roll.

We’ve started implementing a new routine, establishing new communication foundations through positive reinforcement markers, and chipping away at eliminating pesky habits like:

• Kennel & door rushing
• Leash chewing
• Jumping on people

We will build new habits such as:

• Waiting for a release cue
• Following the leash as a guide
• Polite greetings and keeping “4 On The Floor”

The gorgeous weather has made getting to work a blast for all, and we can’t wait to keep everyone up to date on how everyone grows!

***
To The Point is committed to taking the guesswork out of dog training, brought to you by professionals and methods that you can count on.

Located just outside of downtown Snohomish, To The Point offers local Board & Train services to families in Western Washington. This includes:

• Seattle
• Everett
• Tacoma
• Bellingham
• Bellevue

www.tothepointdogtraining.com

206-880-0722

***

22/04/2023

Implementing a new schedule protocol, our SUMMER books have opened up, and we are booking two more standard board & trains for June, and up to four (two custom, two standard) for July. We have no availability for August.

All bookings will be done on a rotating open/close schedule for the remainder of the year. Once these slots are full, bookings will close until the next block of dates!

Please fill out the form at:

https://www.tothepointdogtraining.com/contact-8

And we will be in contact shortly!

19/04/2023

Today, we get to officially roll out our new name AND website!

After two years, it was time for a branding makeover. Things have grown, and we’ve changed. We’ve moved into beautiful Snohomish. We have clients all over the US, we’ve consistently pursued continued education, our systems and methods have become fine tuned, and we’re producing results that we are beyond proud of. Beyond that, our social network has expanded and we’ve become a trustworthy source for clients, trainers, and other business owners to bounce ideas off of and ask for guidance.

We have 500 followers, all of which have been gained through word of mouth. We’ve helped dozens of families with tough to crack cases, without gimmicks and mass advertisements.

We’ve created a business that feels right to us. We’ve held onto not just a passion for dogs, but the people that come with them. A phrase we often use is:

“I want to be a dog trainer who happens to pay their bills offering a craft and skilled trade, not a business person selling a product that happens to be dogs.”

With that being said, we wanted a name that was easy to share and embodied what we want our families to feel. We want to offer reliable, compassionate, direct, and customized training for people AND their dogs.

To The Point Dog Training is ready for this change, and we can’t wait to bring you all along for the ride. We can’t wait to keep helping families in the Seattle, Everett, Bellingham, Tacoma, and Bellevue areas + beyond.

Check out our new website. Link below.

www.tothepointdogtraining.com

30/03/2023

Checking in from Salem, MA with Felix!

So many new things, changes, and updates coming. You may have noticed the new name… this is just the beginning!

17/02/2023

Looking back, I don’t think I ever properly introduced one of the most important members of my “team”!

Mariska (yes, like ) is a resident animal that works overtime helping proof our visiting dog’s obedience, impulse control, and even helps assist our cat-obsessed clients learn that felines are friends, not food.

Mariska is a polydactyl (26 toes!) domestic stray that we pulled from last August, following the loss of my dog Miso. She exudes confidence, asserts strong boundaries with all dogs, yet remains cool headed while I’m training. She’s extremely food and socially driven, which means she also has learned a few tricks in her time here! She enjoys her time with my Malinois, has chosen my partner as her soulmate, and loves to lounge, run, jump, and talk to me while we work.

If your dog is struggling to coexist with your cats, Mariska accepts chicken, fish, and miscellaneous strings as a tip for her hard work and would love to help out during their stay here!

11/02/2023

Sorry for the silence… we’ve officially got the keys to our new house! We are so happy to have relocated onto an acre in Snohomish. We have a beautiful view of Harvey Airfield, the Snohomish River, and a lush acre to run on. There is so much work to be done, but we are beyond ecstatic!

None of this would be possible without all of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

17/12/2022

What the last two months have looked like 🥳

Big news: I’ve started partnering with and taking their overflow dogs, servicing King and Snohomish County. Bauwauhaus is still functioning at the exact same capacity with the same services, you’ll just see more new faces in updates and more friends in photos!

✨ Need a last minute gift for someone who needs some help with their dog?

I am currently booking ONE more February Board & Train and two March Board & Trains! The small business support deals that I posted on my previous post are still active until the 31st of December and can absolutely be gifted!

26/11/2022

Happy Small Business Saturday!

What a whirlwind this year has been. I’m so thankful for the community that’s been built, and the support I’ve had through the highs and lows.

I’d love to give back by making sure I have a little something for not just new clients, but for our pre-existing friends as well!

For CURRENT clients:
All two week “move up to off-leash” board & trains are 15% off until 12/31/2022. This will elevate your dog’s current skills from on leash management, to building a strong, reliable off-leash recall, down, sit, and heel. This will allow you and your dog to have freedom beyond the leash! Dogs eligible must have completed private lessons or a 3-week board & train. Dogs who have been introduced to the e-collar are eligible for a refresher with the same discount.

For NEW clients:
All 3-week on-leash (with introduction to off-leash learning) board & trains are 10% off until 12/31/2022! This will introduce your dog to clear, concise learning and communication. This includes sit, down, and place with an implied stay, loose leash walk/heel, basic recall foundations, door manners, and addressing basic problem behaviors. Behavior modification such as reactivity, aggression, fear, and anxiety is not included.

As an additional perk, new clients who book on-leash board & trains AND an off-leash upgrade are eligible for a discount on the combined cost of a 4 week stay!

📲 All interested clients may contact me via DM on Instagram or Facebook, text me at 206-880-0722, or fill out our contact form at bauwauhauspnw.com/contact

19/10/2022

Thank you, Hippie Hounds Grooming for always being available when I bring a whole gaggle of dogs with me!

Their self-wash option allows for me to bathe even the most shy of dogs without throwing them over threshold. Some dogs get extra dirty (especially with Fiona and Axel’s trips to the farm in Oregon!) and need a good old fashioned scrub before heading home. They have a variety of shampoos, conditioners, bathing tools, extra towels, and even high velocity dryers available for self-use.

Their staff is always respectful of the dogs I’ve brought through, have accommodated me when I needed to line brush and dry a standard poodle, and never force interactions between people or other dogs walking through.

Fiona and Axel have had an eventful and fun three weeks with me, and I can’t wait for their owners to see their new and improved (and squeaky clean) family members!

Swipe to see my personal dog, Dex, throwing himself the biggest pity party he could. Oh, the drama! 🧽🛁

14/09/2022

Working on our recalls, Hank loves running towards me… but doesn’t love to STOP running!

Knowing when and how to wean off of the longline is totally dog dependent, and there is nothing wrong with using a “seatbelt” until YOUR dog shows fluency and reliability in their recall.

The risks of recall being blown off are too high to allow anything more than a truly minimal margin for error. There is never a 100% guarantee, but we better be pretty damn close before trusting our dog to make the safe, right choices.

For now, we use a longline while teaching Hank the parameters that off leash life consists of. And that’s okay!

04/09/2022

Don’t let these stunning eyes fool you… I’ve never met a more dedicated p**p eater. 💩

Our private lesson client, Rory, is going to start weekly lessons to revisit what he may have learned with his trainer in New Jersey, and also build new skills like engagement, p**p refusal, off leash recall, and more! Excited to have you, Rory and co.!

We are back in full swing of operations with two board and trains just starting, and new private lesson folks booking. Now is the time to get Thanksgiving and Christmas boarding booked. These slots fill quickly, and are in high demand. We are booking training services into the new year, and boarding often follows in suit!

🖤

10/08/2022

You may have noticed my silence over social media for the past couple of weeks, and I have finally gathered enough emotional momentum to update my beloved clients.

As many know, I have several personal dogs that have made this entire operation possible. My 13 year old, Miso, was what my friends have lovingly dubbed “The OG”. He was the dog that started it all, he was my first run in with genetic predisposition for temperament issues, and the dog that spurred my love for training and connecting with others. He’s my heart dog, my soul, and is completely irreplaceable.

Miso has some form of rapid growing cancer, and 72 hours after I received a call informing me that my grandfather had passed away suddenly and traumatically, his surgeon called to inform me that his primary mass was too out of control and invasive to operate on from this point forward. His mass had ulcerated 24 hours after my world had already been flipped upside down, and I was quickly informed there was nothing they could do after months of waiting for his scheduled surgery. Miso will be released from his physical body this Saturday, being surrounded by loved ones at home with , and his body will be processed by . I am endlessly thankful for the compassionate animal care we have dedicated to end of life services in the area.

I worked through a Grade 3 meniscus tear, two months of post-COVID symptoms, and countless other hurdles this year. I am not a quitter, and I am not one to wave the white flag. But two of my beloved’s deaths back to back has forced me to slow down and process this immensely heavy grief without the stress of my standard workload.

This month has halted my usual ability to keep my head up and keep on moving, and I am endlessly thankful for the grace and understanding of the clients that I had to postpone or cancel with.

I am anticipating a smooth transition into September, but if you don’t receive a response this month… know it is not you. It’s me.

Thank you for your time with Miso and I in this end of life shoot. She is a priceless gem and I couldn’t recommend anyone else more.