Paws the Attitude, LLC

05/01/2025

🎉 Week 1: 🎉

It’s National Train Your Dog Month, and we’re kicking it off with a fun challenge! This week, we’re focusing on the "touch" behavior! Let’s see how well your dog can target an object or your hand with their nose. Whether you're teaching it for the first time or showing off your dog's skills, we want to see them in action!

🎯 How to Enter (and get extra entries!):
1️⃣ Post a video (up to 30 seconds) on your feed showing your dog performing the "touch" behavior.
2️⃣ Tag us and use the hashtag in your post.
3️⃣ In your caption, include your dog’s name and a quick description of what they’re touching (e.g., your hand, a toy, etc.).

🏆 Bonus Entries:
You must complete the video first before you can earn any bonus entries!
📲 Share your video to your story and tag us for an extra entry.
👯‍♀️ Tag a friend in the comments to earn another entry.
❤️ Follow us for one more entry.
🎥 Post a progress video showing your dog’s improvement for another extra entry!

🗓 Timeline:
📅 Challenge opens: Sunday at 12 PM
🕗 Challenge ends: Saturday at 8 PM
🏆 Winner announced: Sunday morning

🏅 Weekly Prize: A $10 gift card to Chewy!
🎲 All entries will go into a random drawing, so everyone has a chance to win!

🎉 Grand Prize:
🏆 At the end of the month, all weekly entries will be added up for a chance to win a grand prize: a customized training or enrichment kit!
📈 The more challenges you participate in, the more entries you earn toward the grand prize!

I will be posting an example of what an entry should look like. Let’s get started! Tag your post with and show us those pawsitive touches! 🐾

05/01/2025

🎉 It’s Almost Time! The First Training Challenge Drops Tomorrow at 12 PM! 🐾

Are you ready to kick off National Train Your Dog Month in the best way? 🐕 Tomorrow at 12 PM sharp, I’ll be announcing the very first Weekly Training Challenge—and you don’t want to miss it!

💡 Why Join the Challenge?

🐶 Build a stronger bond: Training isn’t just about teaching commands—it’s about creating a deeper connection with your dog.

🎯 Keep it simple and fun: The challenges are designed to fit into your busy schedule while making training exciting for both you and your pup.

🏆 Win prizes: Participate for a chance to win this week’s prize which will be announced tomorrow and work toward the ultimate grand prize—a customized enrichment kit!

📅 How It Works:
Check back here tomorrow at 12 PM for the challenge details and instructions on how to participate. It’s easy, rewarding, and a great way to celebrate your dog this month!

Let’s make January all about building communication, trust, and joy with our dogs. 🐕💖

Who’s ready to start the challenge? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s announcement—your journey to stronger teamwork with your dog begins here!

05/01/2025

🐾 The Power of Consistency in Training 🐾

The more your dog practices a behavior, the more natural and automatic it becomes—whether it's a behavior you *want* or one you *don’t*.

When speaking with potential clients who are hesitant to begin training, I often encounter two common misconceptions:

❌ A: “Training will add stress to my busy life.”
✔️ The truth is, effective training doesn’t have to be time-consuming or stressful. My approach focuses on integrating training seamlessly into your existing routine.
🔑 Small adjustments—like how your dog goes outside to potty or how and where meals are served—can create significant improvements. In my experience, simple, strategic changes often yield the biggest results.

❌ B: “My dog’s behavior won’t get worse if I wait.”
⚠️ This is a critical misunderstanding. Behaviors, whether desirable or undesirable, become stronger the more they are repeated.
🐶 If your dog is chewing inappropriate items or minor scuffles are occurring with other pets, these patterns can solidify over time, making them much harder to change.

💡 Think of it this way: Old dogs can learn new tricks, but like us, they’re more likely to revert to established habits. Without intervention, undesirable behaviors can escalate, potentially leading to safety concerns for both humans and animals.
🦴 Puppies don’t simply “grow out” of problem behaviors, and dogs don’t “get over” challenges with time.

🐕 Why Start Training Now?
✨ Investing in professional training as soon as possible sets your dog—and your family—up for a lifetime of harmony, joy, and companionship. Training is about building a foundation of trust and communication that transforms your relationship with your dog.

📩 Ready to Begin?
Reach out to me today to discuss your goals and how we can create a customized training plan tailored to you and your dog’s unique needs. Let’s work together to build the life you envision with your dog!

03/01/2025

🎉 National Train Your Dog Month is Here! 🎉
We’re celebrating all our amazing clients who value a fulfilling life with their dogs and incorporate training into their lives together.

🐾 Why Training Matters:
Training empowers our dogs to thrive within our lifestyles. It enables us to understand what our dogs are feeling and what their needs are, helping us become better guardians.

💡 Why I Love Training:
I believe training is the key to humans and canines living harmoniously together. It transforms life from parallel routines to a two-way line of communication—a true bond like no other.

🌟 Weekly Training Challenge 🌟
📅 Starting This Sunday: I’ll post the details of the week’s challenge and how to participate. This is a fun way to connect with your dog, try something new, and share your progress with others in our community.

🎁 Prizes:

🏆 Weekly Prize: Each week, one participant will win a special prize like treats, toys, or discounts on classes.
🐕‍🦺 Grand Prize: At the end of the month, one overall winner will receive a customized enrichment kit, filled with training tools, toys, and treats to keep the fun going!

📢 Stay tuned for the first challenge post this Sunday! Let’s make January all about building that bond through training. 🐶❤️

31/12/2024

🎆 Fireworks can feel like the end of the world for our furry friends. 🎇

If your dog struggles with loud noises, here are some tips to help them feel safe and calm when the fireworks start flying:

🐾 Get an exploratory walk in early to avoid accidental fireworks in the evening.
🎶 Drown out the noise with classical music, a favorite movie, or a noise-canceling machine.
🚽 Reduce potty breaks to the bare minimum to avoid exposure to loud sounds.
🦴 Give your dog a frozen Kong or a long-lasting chew to focus on something positive.
💊 Make sure to give calming aids or medications early enough for them to take effect before the fireworks begin.

🐕 If you’ll be around, get in some good snuggles! You can’t reinforce emotions like fear, but you *can* help your dog feel comforted and safe with a little extra love. ❤️

🎉 New Year’s is a time to celebrate, but with a bit of preparation, you can make it a more peaceful experience for your dog, too.

✨ What do you do to help your dog during this loud time of year? Share your tips in the comments! ✨

24/12/2024

🎄 Merry Christmas Eve! 🎄

Wishing you all a joyful holiday season filled with love and laughter. 🎁🐾

I'll be out of the office until January 2nd, recharging for an exciting new year ahead. Thank you so much for your support—I truly appreciate every one of you!

Have fun, stay safe, and give your pups some extra love from me! ❤️ See you in 2024!

✨ 🐕 🐾

Send a message to learn more

24/12/2024

Keep Your Dog Calm and Happy During the Holidays 🎄🐾

It can be really frustrating and embarrassing to be welcoming guests into your home while your dog is losing his mind.

These changes can be enough to throw off the harmony in your home and cause some unexpected behaviors in your dog.

Whether you’re traveling or having more guests over than usual, prepare your dog in these ways:

🐾 1. Give them their own space.
Designate a safe, comfortable spot just for your dog—a room, crate, or special bed—where they can relax and feel secure. Start introducing this space a few days before events begin, and make it a positive place by pairing it with treats, toys, or enrichment activities.

🎵 2. Use calming aids.
Classical music, white noise, or even DogTV can help drown out the extra stimuli that might spark anxiety or excessive barking.

🦴 3. Meet their basic needs consistently.
When routines are disrupted, your dog’s behavior can become unpredictable. Ensuring their basic needs are met each day can go a long way in keeping them calm and happy:

💤 12–14 hours of sleep daily to recharge
💧 Access to fresh water (this can be forgotten amidst holiday chaos)
🐕 Exploratory walks at their pace for mental stimulation
🧠 Food delivery methods that encourage problem-solving (like puzzle feeders)
🚫 Minimal table scraps or indulgent holiday treats to avoid upsetting their stomach

A tired, well-nourished, and mentally stimulated dog is far less likely to react to holiday chaos.

✨ During the holidays, it’s easy to overlook the essentials—but staying on top of your dog’s needs will help maintain the harmony in your home.

💬 What’s your go-to strategy for keeping your dog calm during the holidays? Share in the comments below!

21/12/2024

8 Ways You Can Reinforce Your Dog Without Treats 🐾

I always get asked if treats are the only thing I use when training dogs.

And while I love using food to train specific behaviors—like a sit & stay or come when called—there are actually an infinite number of ways you can reinforce good behavior throughout your daily life with your dog.

Here are a few reinforcers I’ve seen work:

🐕‍🦺 Sniff breaks on walks
🗣️ Verbal “good boy/girl!” from mom
🚪 A door opening to access a new space (indoors or outdoors)
🎾 A toy thrown
🤝 A toy to tug
🏃‍♀️ A game of chase
💆 A good chin or back scratch
🐕‍♀️ An opportunity to do another fun behavior (like heeling for the chance to weave between legs)

It all comes down to what your dog enjoys! 🐶

This isn’t always obvious for my clients, so I can help you decipher their body language to pinpoint the interactions and activities they’ll feel motivated to work for. 💡

Positive reinforcement-based training focuses on identifying and reinforcing behaviors you want to see more of from your dog.

✨ Comment and share with us—what does your dog love most outside of food?

19/12/2024

Life with Rudy: Exhibit A. 🐾

1️⃣ My outfit? Courtesy of Rudy’s patented 'ball-in-lap delivery' system. Slobber stains and fur are apparently in fashion now.
2️⃣ Rudy waiting for round 597 of fetch, fully unaware of the chaos he's left behind.
3️⃣ The face of zero guilt. Absolutely none.

If messy means love, I’m drowning in it!

18/12/2024

Reinforcement: It’s More Than Just Treats

Reinforcement isn’t just about handing out treats—it’s about strengthening behavior.

Every time you reward your dog for a behavior you like, you’re increasing the chances they’ll do it again. It’s not bribery, and it’s not random. It’s science.

🔑 Key points about reinforcement:
1️⃣ The learner decides what’s reinforcing: What works as a reward depends on what your dog values, not what you think they should like. Some dogs love food, others prefer toys, play, or praise. Pay attention to what motivates them.
2️⃣ Marking the behavior("yes" or clicker): It’s important to mark the behavior right as it happens, so your dog knows exactly what they’re being reinforced for and then delivere the reinforcement.
3️⃣ Consistent: Reinforce behaviors you want to see regularly, so they become habits.

🐾 When I worked on sit, down, come, and stay with Bing, he decided playing with a lemon was the best reinforcement! It’s a perfect example of letting the learner choose what’s reinforcing.

What’s your dog’s favorite reinforcement? Share below—I’d love to hear what motivates them most!

14/12/2024

Doodle Friday Fun! 🤩🐾

What a day we had! Willie Mae and Mac were back for their weekly session, bringing their usual charm and energy. But the big excitement? We got to welcome two new doodle pups to the mix—Murphy (rocking his orange harness) and Toby (looking sharp in blue)!

Murphy & Toby's Big Day:
These 4.5-month-old cuties came to enrichment camp to tackle socialization and training. They’re inseparable now, but at the end of the month, they’ll be heading their separate ways (cue the tiny heartbreak). I’m here to help their owners ensure a smooth transition and teach these pups the skills they need to grow into polite, confident adults.

What they worked on:

Meeting and mingling with other dogs 🐕

Nailing "sit" and "down" commands 🐾

Practicing “off” (because doodle manners matter!) ✋

Learning recall (aka coming when called—super important!) 🗣️

They played hard, learned a ton, and left with tails wagging!

Willie Mae & Mac's Session Highlights:
These seasoned pros worked on:

Pattern games (mental exercise is key!) 🧩

Recall (never hurts to keep sharpening those skills!) 🐕‍🦺

A little fun with spin and twirl moves 💃

And then there was River…
Our special guest serenaded us all with her adorable “awroos,” stealing hearts as always! 🎶❣️

Every pup brought their A-game, and we couldn’t be prouder. Here’s to a day full of learning, playing, and lots of wagging tails! 🐶✨

13/12/2024

Amie’s throwing paws in the air like she just doesn’t care—because the weekend is almost here! Who’s ready to join the fun?

11/12/2024

What if one skill could completely transform your relationship with your dog and save their life in critical moments?

🐾 If they slip out the door unexpectedly.
🐾 If they’re racing toward something unsafe.
🐾 If they’re uneasy around a person or dog and conflict is brewing.

That one skill? ✨ Reliable Recall. ✨

Not just “come when called,” but a rock-solid recall where your dog sprints to you—every time—no matter the distraction, and comes close enough for you to safely grab their collar.

This isn’t just about commands; it’s about building trust, safety, and the kind of partnership that makes you proud of your dog—and yourself.

At Paws the Attitude, we help dog owners like you achieve results through tailored, practical training that fits your dog’s needs and your goals. Reliable recall isn’t just a skill; it’s a life-saving behavior and the cornerstone of a well-trained dog.

So, let’s talk: does your dog have a recall you can count on? If not, what’s the one distraction they find impossible to resist? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear!

Ready to level up your dog’s training? Message me today to get started!

09/12/2024

🎉 Bing’s Big Boarding Adventure! 🐾

What happens when a spunky pup like Bing stays with us for boarding with training? A whole lot of fun, learning, and even some unexpected surprises (spoiler: lemons are the best toys ever 🍋)!

While his parents enjoyed family time, Bing embarked on his own little getaway, filled with tailored activities and enrichment:
🏞 Out and About: Bing explored new places, soaked in exciting smells, and grew more confident with every outing. By the end, he was strutting his stuff like he owned the world!
🧩 Brain Games: Mealtime was anything but boring! Bing tackled puzzle toys, keeping his mind sharp and showing off his problem-solving skills.
🐾 Enrichment and Playtime: Forget regular toys—Bing discovered the joy of lemons! Who knew batting them around could bring so much happiness? 🍋
✨ Training Made Fun: We worked on building his confidence and skills through activities that felt more like play than work. Bing had a blast while learning along the way!

Boarding with training is the ultimate way to maximize your pup’s stay. It’s not just about care and comfort (though we’ve got plenty of that!)—it’s about helping your dog grow while they’re here. Whether it’s building confidence, practicing good manners, or adding a splash of enrichment to their day, they’ll leave happier, calmer, and more fulfilled.

✨ Imagine heading home to a pup who’s not just been loved and cared for but has also gained new skills and confidence. It’s the ultimate win-win for you and your dog!

Ready to plan your dog’s next adventure? Let’s make it unforgettable! 🐕💕

04/12/2024

Jessie is an absolute treasure! We have used her services for daycare and boarding. We rest easy knowing Clover will be cared for and protected. Her knowledge and passion for dogs makes both me and our dog so happy. Jessie is kind, communicative, and confident. Cannot recommend highly enough. She even sends pictures throughout the day which is above and beyond.

03/12/2024

Variety is the spice of life, right? 🌟 And guess what—your dog feels the same way! 🐾

While you might grab dinner out to mix things up 🍔🍣, your dog doesn’t have that option. But here’s the good news: adding some excitement to their mealtime is easy, quick, and can even help their learning and problem-solving skills! 🧠🎉

Here are four simple ways to spice up your pup’s meals:

Muffin Pan Challenge 🧁🐶
Drop food into a muffin pan and cover the cups with toys or tennis balls. It’s like a mini puzzle for your dog—and super fun to watch them figure it out!

Food Toys & Puzzles 🎲🍴
Food-dispensing toys and puzzles are everywhere—online or at pet stores. These turn mealtime into a playful adventure and help keep your pup busy. 🐕💡

Towel Roll-Up 🌀🐾
Sprinkle food on a towel, roll it up, and let your dog unroll it to get their meal. Simple, quick, and totally engaging!

Scavenger Hunt 🔍🍽️
Hide their food bowl—or several small bowls—around the house. Use a fun cue like “Find your food!” to guide them the first few times, and soon they’ll be sniffing out their meals like a pro. 🐕👃 Watching them use their nose is so rewarding!

Keep your dog’s unique needs in mind—avoid items they might accidentally eat with their food. 🛑❌

Tell me in the comments: what’s your dog’s favorite meal game or treat? I’d love to hear your ideas! 🐶💬

28/11/2024

🦃 Keep Your Pets Safe This Thanksgiving! 🐾

Thanksgiving is a time for celebration, but some holiday foods and habits can lead to emergency vet visits. Here’s what to watch out for and how to prevent problems:

❌ Common Dangers
Rich Foods: Fatty items like turkey skin or gravy can cause pancreatitis.
Bones: Cooked turkey bones can splinter and cause blockages.
Toxic Foods:
Onions, garlic, raisins, grapes, chocolate, or xylitol (in desserts) can be harmful.
Trash Trouble: Aluminum foil, string, or leftovers are irresistible but dangerous.

✅ How to Protect Your Pets
Skip Table Scraps: Share plain, cooked turkey (no skin, seasoning, or bones) if you must.
Secure the Trash: Keep leftovers and food waste out of reach.
Set Boundaries: Create a quiet, food-free space for your pets during the feast.
Educate Guests: Ask visitors not to feed your pets.
Enjoy a safe and happy Thanksgiving with your furry friends! 🧡

What’s your go-to pet-safe holiday treat? Let us know!

27/11/2024

Where do I even start. We met Jessie when we got our first puppy almost 3 years ago. Our girl was a timid, anxious, fearful pup due to a backyard breeder. Her Doggy day care, private training lessons and group classes have all played a part into molding our girl into the best dog we’ve ever had. Jessie taught us about puppy culture, confidence building, socialization and everything in between. She was even able to be apart of our wedding with Jessie! Fast forward to now with our new 8 month old puppy that has been added to the family and we are starting over with Jessie by our side and all of the tools and knowledge that we have gained from her. She even helped us pick a breeder. Jessie is not just a dog trainer she has a care and love for her clients that is unmatched. She feels like family and we are so grateful to have met her! HIGHLY recommend!!