Modern Beast Dog Training

01/11/2023

This little white bat enjoyed a frozen pumpkin treat this Halloween. Since Zelda is not invited trick or treating with the kids we had to keep her busy during the day. Working for their treats keeps dogs busy, body and mind. Happy Halloween! 🎃 👻

24/10/2023

Is Coco not the cutest pomeranian puppy ever? She might also be the softest! Coco is working on wowing her owners with her intelligence as their first dog, and annoying her cat brothers at the same time. I'm so proud of how much work they've put into Coco and how well she's growing up. Crate trained? Check. Potty trained? Check. Working on sit, down and stay? You know she's doing great. Good girl, Coco!

03/09/2023

Because I waited until the end of our session to try to grab a photo of the incredibly gorgeous Zuul, she looks a little tired and derpy here, but this girl worked so hard at each lesson. She's a great example of what you see isn't always what you get, because whatever she's mixed with looks intense, but she's actually a very sweet family dog, gentle even with the resident 2 year old child at home. I wish her and her family all the best this fall as tackle her next stage... adolescence!

13/08/2023

We finally graduated from puppy kindergarten! Yes, even puppies owned by dog trainers go to class! Do you know how she acted in class? ... mostly like a total maniac. Truly. Pulling to play with other dogs, barking when frustrated, jumping up from a sit or down when she got bored, all of it. Because she's a puppy and that's what they do! But she progressed a little every class, and that's all that matters. It's ok to be a little embarrassed, just focus on the small moments that were better than last week. The second photo is her in a "down stay" at the park... we're still a work in progress and she's lucky she's cute!

28/07/2023

Fred the miniature dachshund is just the cutest boy, and here he is learning to sit on a step instead of rushing the door when people are walking through. I love getting to meet all different breeds when training and showing that all dogs are capable can be trained.

12/07/2023

I had a request for more Zelda content and I'm here to oblige! We went to a local open space this morning in the 90 degree heat because the dog beach is unbeatable. I'm pleased to say that Zelda has overcome her aversion to water and was a splashing fiend! She's a compete bulldozer on land, but found a worthy match with a similar age Great Dane. Arlis hung with a dog much closer to her vibe. The best part is that Zelda is currently too exhausted to cause trouble this afternoon. I wish we could go every day!

26/06/2023

Can you believe I've got two "Frugs" in training at the same time? (That's a French bulldog and pug mix, for the uninitiated). These darlings are both the epitome of sweet and loving, with a dash of enthusiastic jumping on the side. I'm excited to keep training fun for both pups and their humans to bring them closer to the perfect family pets they're designed to be.

15/04/2023

Mini socialization update: all puppies must go to the vet and get their vaccines, and Zelda did a great job! I brought a chicken baby food pouch for her to gobble during the scary parts and I'm not sure she even noticed she was getting 2 shots. I definitely don't want her to be nervous at the vet's office in the future, so creating fun (or neutral) experiences as a puppy is crucial. I think the excitement did wear her out, however!

02/04/2023

Socialization Diary #2

All about surfaces! We sometimes forget about where puppies put their feet, so it's important to expose them to different surfaces early. Zelda hates getting her feet wet, which makes potty training in the rain frustrating. When this old sled in our yard filled with about 1/4 inch of rain water it was the perfect opportunity for lunch. She overcame some of her distaste for food. In the second photo, we were watching geese on some large gravel, which is present on many of the future hikes we'll be taking. What surfaces does your puppy need to be familiar with over it's life? Tile? Leaf litter? Sand? Something that wobbles? Start now and make it easy!

29/03/2023

Socialization Diary #1

Taking your puppy shopping is a great way to expose them to tons of smells, sights and sounds! Just remember to keep them in the cart (I had to line the cart with paper bags in the 2nd photo because I forgot my towel) and to leave if your puppy isn't having a fun time. Definitely only shop for a few quick things. Zelda got fed tons of treats for sitting quietly and she loved meeting friendly people!

09/01/2023

That feeling when you introduce client dogs to their new favorite toy! The look on Ellie's face said it all...this Kong where it's at, and her dad hadn't even stuffed it with anything! Here's hoping with her new toy she let's her human friends have a moment of peace; being a Golden, the whole world is her friend.

07/11/2022

Inspired by a client, my dog Arlis came with us on an impromptu trip to Hammonasset Beach on this 70 degree November day. She had great fun exploring on a long line and we got some nice photos using the Stay cue. Several people were shocked that she is 13, but she's just got a youthful spirit. I'll take training credit, gets the photography credit.

24/10/2022

Mansa is a 9 week old Cane Corso, and right now he's a wrinkly sweet mush, but at already 23 pounds his human parents are on the right track by starting his training journey early. He's anticipated to reach 120 pounds! I can't wait to watch him grow over the next few months.

20/10/2022

A birthday cake for the newly minted 9-year old! He requested a Diglett cake and I obliged, in fact, insisted - it was the easiest Pokemon possible to create in edible form. Actual Diglett picture included for reference. Happy Birthday, Toby!

13/10/2022

This mini goldendoodle Piper has earned the nickname Hyper Piper in her house, but during our training sessions she is focused and ready, even at only 12 weeks! I can't wait to see where her training is over the next month!

01/10/2022

A little video I made with tips of practicing recall. An important skill that needs too be practiced often!

shared a post on Instagram: "Arlis and i practiced her recall on a recent hike. Sound on to hear my advice. Such an important skill at any age, and one worth keeping sharp! ". Follow their account to see 6 posts.

25/09/2022

A little training snippet with Kendall the pit mix!

shared a post on Instagram: "Kendall the 1 year old pit mix is doing a great job practicing her stay at a local park. She makes it look easy but there was a big lawnmower nearby plus kids playing at the playground, so lots of natural distractions. She even let her mom hide b...

18/09/2022

THIS is what I've been telling clients! Teens are hard, but they do grow brains again. Consistency helps, as well as patience. Contact me if you need help for this rough age!

As at so many times during early life with dogs, patience is due. It is just a phase.

06/08/2022

Poor puppy Kendall doesn't want to move to fast in this summer heat, but she's still practicing her recall to her mom. Love to see that happy encouragement when it's hard to be outside!

02/02/2022

A great article by the amazing Patricia McConnell on why shelters attempting to identify dog bed mixes before adoption can hurt the dogs and the adopters.

Spoiler: the guesses are almost always wrong...

Bark magazine has a great article on the benefit of not labeling a dog’s breed–or more likely, it’s supposed breed, on its cage in a shelter. A Shelter Dog’s Fate Can Rest on What Breed He is Labeled describes how breed labels are first, often wrong, and second, influence buyers of all dogs,...

06/11/2021

Sweet and energetic Simba just finished his training package with a field trip to practice his good behavior in new places and around strange dogs. You can see that's he's all smiles after knocking it out of the park; lots of checking in with his human and a lot less barking!

It can be really hard for all the "covid puppies" out there to learn how to politely greet other dogs and humans; they never got the chance when they were little! Luckily learning never ends and there's so much we can do to get them comfortable with the wider world.

16/09/2021

5 month old Loki is working SO hard to pay attention to his family as he learns to walk politely on a leash! Nothing phases this pup and he is so fun to work with.

11/09/2021

When someone had a strong understanding of the Wait command and knows she gets a cookie for being a patient girl. Training doesn't have to be just for obedience; it also helps get good photos!