The Empowered Dog LLC

29/08/2024

The kids are back to school for most families now. As you settle into the new routine, why not do that other thing you've been putting off?

You know what I'm talking about. It's time to train the dog!

You've been putting up with the shenanigans for long enough.

The keep away game.
The jumping.
The darting through the door.
The pulling on walks.

Enough is enough. I can help. You and your dog both deserve quality training that will bring peace to your household and dramatically improve your sanity.

Whether it's a young ornery dog, or one who has anxiety and doesn't know how to manage themselves, or a dog who is fearful, you can count on The Empowered Dog for help.

If you brought home or plan to bring home a new puppy, it's never too soon for puppy training. In fact, a hundred dollars of proactive training under 12 weeks of age is worth thousands of dollars in remedial training later. It's important to work with a trainer who understands puppy development and the key phases of puppyhood.

26/08/2024

Happy National Dog Day!!

Share a picture of your pooch(es) in the comments!

20/08/2024

Did you know that ticks love to hide under leaf litter? As we welcome autumn, it’s very important to check your pets when they come inside. I’d like to introduce you to something I learned when I was a certified pet first aid instructor, and that’s called the nose to tail assessment.

This is a great habit to start with your pets anyway as it will be your first indicator to any medical issues that may also be brewing with your pet.

Start at the nose and look for a damp nose. It shouldn’t be crusty and dry nor should it be dripping. If it’s safe to do with your pet, lift their lips and check their gums. They should be bubblegum pink, not pale or red. Sometimes ticks will embed in the mouth. Do the teeth look good? Next we go up the muzzle to the eyes. They should be clear and evenly dilated. Unevenly dilated pupils can be a sign of shock and warrant a call to the vet. Gently rub your pet’s face and move to check the ears. Ticks hide here, too! Are the ears clean? Do they have an odor? Rub down your pet’s neck and shoulders looking for any lumps or bumps. Check between toes and around paw pads. Rub down their spine and rib cage feeling for abnormalities. Rub down their back legs and check their back paws as well. If they allow you, roll them onto their back to check for ticks in the armpits as well as the groin area. Your pet also has lymph nodes in these areas and their neck, so we are checking for any unusual swelling that could hint at a problem.

If you find any ticks, I recommend using a tick removal product like Ticked Off (Amazon). Any embedded ticks you pull off your pet should soak in a sealed jar with rubbing alcohol. It will kill the tick and preserve it in case it needs to be tested for any diseases like Lyme.

This is a particularly wonderful exercise to start with young puppies so that they are good for handing at the vet and the groomer. If you need help with safely handling your pet, it's time to call a professional for help.

I am currently accepting new in-person and virtual clients for training. 616-209-9690 call or text today!

[Photo courtesy Chelsea Hypes]

08/04/2024

Trained dogs have more fun! We took our little crew to Ohio for the solar eclipse.

Dogs who know how and when to relax get to enjoy a lot more adventures.

07/04/2024

Over the last 8.5 years I've been in business, I've noticed something about the clients, or students, that are working with me.

They want more. So much more.

They don't just want better behavior, they want a better relationship with their dog. They respect their dog as an individual. They want to truly understand their dog.

Empowered owners don't just want me to train their dog for them. They want to be the ones to help their dog, so most of my clients end up with the knowledge close to a novice trainer. I guide and teach the humans, and then they guide and teach their dog. Of course, I step in when it's needed. The joy people experience from having helped their dog is something that never gets old for me to see.

Flexibility is so important with our busy lives these days. It's very challenging for most of my students to be able to commit to six or eight weeks of training at the same time and the same day of the week. The training I offer is very flexible and I even have some self-guided options available. Yes, they really work if you commit the time.

My students want support between their lessons. They want to make sure they're heading in the right direction. I don't want them stuck or confused. Depending on your preferences, I have a variety of options available to provide support between lessons.

The ultimate goal for the vast majority of my cstudents is Adventure. Hiking, boating, and dog-friendly patios are all reasonable goals for most dogs. The education I provide teaches dogs how to relax when it's suggested, how to cope with stress, how to manage their emotions, and how to gain the impulse control needed to handle those dofferent situations.

From California to New Jersey, I have worked with people and their dogs across the country to help them calm their dog's anxiety, improve their manners, and get them out in the world and on the trail.

If this all sounds like what you want from a trainer, it doesn't matter where you live. Options exist for you! Hate talking on the phone? That's okay, I welcome you to text me at 616-209-9690 to learn more. It's never too soon and never too late to get the help you deserve.

25/03/2024

Spring is coming, eventually. You know, real spring!

There are two things that I want to address.

First is your reminder that ticks are active at 45° F and above. Make sure your pets are protected. This year is forecasted to be especially bad after our mild winter. For extra protection beyond what you use from your vet, I love to use Wondercide as a second layer of protection for both my dogs and myself.

Second is that with spring being so close, many of us will want to get out there and start hiking with our dogs. If you had a rough year last year and want things to go better with your dog, give me a call! If you added a new dog and want to teach them how to hike politely with you, give me a call!

I am now enrolling for my Foundations Program which will give you all the solid foundation of training that you could possibly want with your best furry friend. Manners, obedience, relationship building, improved communication, and improved understanding of your dog are all things you can expect to learn in this program.

Busy schedule? No problem. Lessons are pre-recorded for you to watch when it's most convenient for you.

Worried about the canine respiratory virus? No problem. You'll be learning from the comfort of your home! Group classes are included but optional.

Want to take things further? No problem. You can add additional in-home or "out and about" private lessons at your convenience.

Trained dogs have more fun, and so do their owners.

Want to learn more? Call or text me at 616-209-9690 today. Yes, you can text me!

Photo by Chelsea Hypes
Pictured: Quinnleigh, the frosty black dog and Sterling the dark gray dog with a little frost on his muzzle. Muskegon State Park.

25/03/2024

Spring is coming, eventually. You know, real spring!

There are two things that I want to address.

First is your reminder that ticks are active at 45° F and above. Make sure your pets are protected. This year is forecasted to be especially bad after our mild winter. For extra protection beyond what you use from your vet, I love to use Wondercide as a second layer of protection for both my dogs and myself.

Second is that with spring being so close, many of us will want to get out there and start hiking with our dogs. If you had a rough year last year and want things to go better with your dog, give me a call! If you added a new dog and want to teach them how to hike politely with you, give me a call!

I am now enrolling for my Foundations Program which will give you all the solid foundation of training that you could possibly want with your best furry friend. Manners, obedience, relationship building, improved communication, and improved understanding of your dog are all things you can expect to learn in this program.

Busy schedule? No problem. Lessons are pre-recorded for you to watch when it's most convenient for you.

Worried about the canine respiratory virus? No problem. You'll be learning from the comfort of your home! Group classes are included but optional.

Want to take things further? No problem. You can add additional in-home or "out and about" private lessons at your convenience.

Trained dogs have more fun, and so do their owners.

Want to learn more? Call or text me at 616-209-9690 today. Yes, you can text me!

Photo by Chelsea Hypes
Pictured: Quinnleigh, the frosty black dog and Sterling the dark gray dog with a little frost on his muzzle. Muskegon State Park.

08/03/2024

Operation Solo is a pretty amazing group, and we love our vets over at Glenpark Animal Hospital sounds like a win win!

I think I need one for my home office. 🤩

27/02/2024

My apologies for the long silence. I was quite unwell and had major surgery on February 6th to resolve the issues.

I am ready to enroll some new students in my hybrid Foundations Program!

What is a hybrid class, you wonder? It's a very cool program that has video based lessons featuring this handsome fella shortly after we adopted him. You're provided with a support group where you can ask questions any time, and group calls via video to touch base, ask questions, and troubleshoot any issues you're having after practicing the video lessons.

My videos are very detailed and taught showing a dog who did not have any previous training. Let's face it, it can be harder to learn by watching a dog who already knows how to do it perfectly. You'll get to see Sterling's mistakes, my mistakes (I'm human, I'm not perfect), how we work through those mistakes, and you'll learn a lot about body language. You'll learn how to build a stronger bond with your dog, communicate more effectively, as well as basic obedience and manners.

Once I am healed enough from my surgery, then you can take advantage of the two in-person group classes that are included with the Foundations Program.

As an added bonus, you won't have to worry about that scary canine respiratory virus while you're working through the video lessons!

Call or text me at 616-209-9690 to learn more and sign up!

26/12/2023

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, Happy whatever you celebrate!

Sterling is worn out from all the excitement.😆

07/12/2023

My dogs have very large vocabularies largely because of the way that I train them.

I was up doing some laundry and Sterling found me to indicate that he needed something. I asked him if he needed to go potty. No response. I asked, "do you want to go on the deck?" Nothing. 🤔 Hm. "Do you want to cuddle?"

His ears popped up, he flung himself in a quick spin, and he made a dash toward my seat on the sofa. I told him I had to finish the laundry and then we would cuddle. As soon as I sat down, he was right next to me and put his chin on my legs. 🥰

Welp no question he definitely knows what "cuddle" means now. 😆

I like giving my dogs choices. Options. Pick this or that. While it's not a free-for-all, their desires matter to me. Sometimes they ask for things I'm not willing to do, so then I give them other options as a compromise. This is part of the reason they have such large vocabularies.

My dogs are respected as sentient beings in this house and in our lives. Their comfort and happiness matter to me, and I do my best to show them that. Maybe I'm weird, but I want my dogs to feel important to me. I want them to feel treasured. They are here for such a short time, don't they deserve that?

At the same time that I want them to feel important and treasured, I also have expectations of their manners and behavior. They know that. It's a balance. They show me a great deal of respect on the daily.

If you'd like help growing this kind of relationship with your dog, get in touch with me via phone or text at 616-209-9690. I'd love to help you grow your bond with your dog and improve their manners along the way.

Sterling settles in for a cuddle with me in the photo. 🥰

25/11/2023

I encourage everyone to practice due diligence with this illness. It is no joke and taking many lives.

I am implementing a temporary policy to not do any in-person work with dogs who have any kind of cough. Virtual appointments are an option.

Stay safe out there.

A mysterious illness is spreading in dogs across the country. While no official cases have been reported in Michigan so far, some veterinarians said they are seeing sick dogs that are not responding to typical treatments.

23/10/2023

Thank you for your patience during a period of silence from me. I have not communicated effectively through the last few months.

My mother had been recovering from cancer surgery and treatment when she took a turn for the worse. We were told she had a couple of months. She did not. She passed away October 12. My life has been a whirlwind for a couple of months.

Tonight, however, I returned back to work. I'm scheduling private lessons and accepting new students to the Foundations Program. It fuels my soul to help dogs and their people.

Tonight I met with this sweet boy, Roscoe. He was recently adopted by his family and developed an odd phobia. In addition to his phobia, he's just a very excited boy with no impulse control.

We got started on relaxation exercises and he took to it very well! I see so much promise and potential in this handsome dog! It will be such a joy watching him improve. He's eager to please and very bright.

05/07/2023

Fireworks story time! It's a long read, but worth it if your dog struggles with fireworks or thunderstorms.

Sterling had a really big weekend. He's rather afraid of fireworks and we hadn't had a lot of opportunity to work on that in the past. However, we've upgraded boats to something with a cabin where the dogs can retreat if needed. We wanted to be able to take our dogs with us all the time.

Sunday night I had the opportunity to work with Sterling while we were at the marina and fireworks were going off all around us. He had be frantically zipping around the boat with every pop, bang, and boom.

I implemented the Perception Modification that I used many years ago to help Kona overcome her firework phobia. Within about 20 minutes, he had gone from 8/10 anxiety to maybe a 2/10. And then I took him home before it got dark.

Last night, he was managing and coping incredibly well so my husband and I discussed whether or not to take him home, or dive in and see how it goes.

I'm not going to lie. Right about the time we pulled away from the docks to go watch the fireworks near the Shoreline Inn, he started falling apart and I began to wonder if I'd made a terrible mistake.

I cleared off a cushy bench seat in the cabin and took Sterling down there with me to address his fears. Once again, I implemented the tools of Perception Modification to get him "calm enough" but I could also tell that as soon as I attempted to leave to watch the fireworks, he would want to follow me.

How can I make this feel more safe and more comfortable for Sterling? Well, he sleeps in a crate in our room at night, and we play white noise every night, so I grabbed my phone, propped it up against the wall and started blasting the white noise. I also turned on the cabin lights to help reduce the flashing. Right about then, the perfectly calm Quinnleigh came looking for us. It didn't take long for her to decide to curl up behind Sterling and rest her head on his rump. I saw him relax a little more with the comforting touch of his calm companion.

Now I added in familiar conversation and told Sterling it was time to "go to bed" and "go night night." He moved his head in a manner to acknowledge familiar words. Ever so carefully, I slid my leg out from under Sterling's chin, and he stayed where he was. I reminded him to "stay in bed and go night night" and I slipped away to watch the fireworks.

He popped out twice to check on different sounds, and he quickly retreated back to his "bed" to go "night night" as soon as I made the suggestion.

Was he perfectly calm? No. Did he enjoy the fireworks? No.
Did he manage himself really well? Yes. Would he prefer to be with us rather than home alone? Yes. I have zero question in my mind. His anxiety last night was about a 3/10. He was panting a bit, but not heavily. His body was not trembling at all. I call that a massive win, and I bet next year will be even better.

I share all these stories over and over again because your dogs don't have to suffer. There is an answer. There is a solution. This isn't just magic because I'm a trainer. My dogs aren't smarter than yours. These techniques work incredibly well to shift the dog's mindset toward the fireworks.

Our friends that were on the boat with us were shocked and amazed at the transformation they got to witness over the course of a few days.

There are times it still shocks and amazes me too, just because these techniques are so powerful and life-altering for our dogs. My heart swells with joy to see Sterling coping and managing so much better. He deserves to live a life with less fear and anxiety.

Here's a picture of him just enjoying the boat with us earlier in the day.

30/06/2023

We hired Tranquil Crossings last year to guide us in our long goodbye with Kona, and our not so long goodbye with Kodi. She provided us with so much peace of mind throughout the process.

Dr. Goodsell is kind, compassionate, and knowledge. She can help you to assess your pet's quality of life so that you can make informed decisions.

We are forever grateful and will call upon her again in the (hopefully very far) future.

Schedule an in-home hospice consultation if you want me to look at how your pet struggles with their daily tasks.

27/06/2023

Kayce mentioned Kona and I during this podcast! We love shout outs!

It's relevant because Independence Day is nearly upon us, and once again I'm going to tell you that your dogs don't have to suffer every noisy holiday.

There are solutions, and I can help!! I have some time to squeeze in local clients yet this week, and even virtual clients.

There's not a lot of time left, but if you dig in and work hard you can make a massive difference, if not full resolution, before the booms. Honest.

I had one client dog largely resolved in just one lesson. Kona took a few.

616-209-9690

https://open.spotify.com/episode/61YF9KchcAh4y9bgZTnYM3?si=AgXhoyAbQQKq0EEFukMMlw

27/06/2023

I stepped a little outside of my comfort zone recently. I was invited to speak on a podcast!

The invitation came from one of my mentors, Kayce Cover to speak about my former foster dog, Bud.

Bud came to me with severe containment phobia and separation anxiety. He challenged my confidence as a trainer. He was not normal. I was doing *everything* right but he struggled to make progress.

Find out how I took this dog who couldn't be in a crate for five seconds to a dog who was able to be crated long enough for a successful placement. I couldn't have done it without help from fellow trainer friends and Kayce.

You may get to hear a couple of stories about Kona, too.

Warning, there may be a little bit of mild colorful language.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6hpWrFtHYk2vl5nRdW1NRX?si=SL_2YWYSTOqXB68OmtTuRw

11/06/2023

Sterling, Quinnleigh and I had a lovely afternoon at Muskegon State Park last Wednesday. I've been wanting photos of me with my dogs for a very long time, and a my dear friend Chelsea Hypes rose to the occasion.

You may look at this and think the only reason I have these two dogs walking so well is because I'm a dog trainer. It's not. I promise.

I'm very much of the "good enough" mentality with my dogs most of the time. We don't compete. We don't do trials. I prefer spending my weekends hiking or at the lake rather than at obedience trials.

My dogs do not have super remarkable "obedience" but they have outstanding manners. My expectations for their manners are very high. My expectations for their ability to control themselves in public are very high.

This is obtained largely through relationship-based training models that I teach through my private in-home lessons as well as my virtual Foundations Program.

It may be difficult for you to believe that I could teach you how to walk your dog through training videos, but if you ask my other Foundations Program students, it works. I go into great detail about how to use the leash to communicate, and yes I can effectively teach you without ever stepping foot in your home or touching your leash.

It's not enough to be a good dog trainer these days. We must also wear the hat of educator. You could find a great dog trainer who is a horrible educator. That's not going to be effective for you. I have honed my educator skills to be able to teach my human students how to wear a dog trainer hat. 😉

You may find that my online program is priced higher than most. Yep, it sure is. The Foundations Program is designed around the way people learn. A significant amount of time was poured into the structure of this program.

In addition, I have shared the years of knowledge and experience not only as a dog trainer, but as a foster home for rescue groups. I know how to help troubled or anxious rescue dogs acclimate quickly to their new homes, how to build trust, create the relationship, and help that dog know they are safe.

Hit me up if you want to learn more!

02/06/2023

Did you know that I offer swim lessons for dogs?

That's right! I sure do, but only to existing clients as there is a certain level of obedience required before we can swim safely.

Pictured is the late Kona and myself at the lake (in Indiana before we moved). As a puppy, she was a terrible swimmer. Terrible. She moved where she wanted to go, but she splashed like mad to get there. As a result, she didn't much care for swimming.

Well, our goal for her was to be an awesome lake and boat dog, so this simply didn't work for me. 😂

I spent a good deal of time with her getting her acclimated to the water and teaching her how to swim properly. I learned the tricks to get her to stop splashing. As soon as she made the connection, she LOVED swimming! I would love to share my knowledge with you, too!

Here's the benefit of this early heat, the water will be warm enough pretty soon to be able to get out there for some swim lessons.

Hit me up at 616-209-9690 to get started.

31/05/2023

Hey Michigan friends!

This gorgeous 7 month old Catahoula Leopard Dog, needs a new home through no fault of his own. The family is experiencing severe medical difficulties. Any negative comments will be removed. There are times when rehoming a dog is the most loving and appropriate thing to do. This is one of those times.

We've been training together and he is showing dramatic improvements. He walks well on leash, is improving in his recall and sit/stay. He is housebroken and crate trained (but he will destroy bedding, so blankets or towels only). His owners only ask a small rehoming fee and will include his crate, bowls, toys, leashes, and everything for him.

It is even harder for his family to let him go due to his improvements through training and his eagerness to please. My heart breaks for them while I agree with their decision. He is a high energy hunting breed, so he does require a good deal of attention and exercise. They simply won't have the time with all the doctor appointments care needed by other family members.

He is loving, good with kids (including a 10 month old baby), good with all people that he's met so far (though he's still learning about appropriate greetings), takes treats gently, loves to play, and he's super smart.

If you think Gus might be a great addition to your home, reach out to me and I will get you in touch with his owners. I will be offering one free private lesson with the new owners to get you caught up on his training, skills, and the communication that he's used to.

Please share with your West Michigan friends. Let's help Gus live his best life with someone close who will be willing to keep in touch with his first family. They really do love him so very much. Thank you!

27/05/2023

I started a new client last week and she told me something that both made me feel good and made me disappointed at the same time.

She said she learned more from me in 40 minutes than she learned throughout the entirety of a four week class she took at one of those big box pet store trainers. It made me feel good about the quality of information I'm delivering, and it made me disappointed that my new client had wasted their money on training that didn't do much of anything for their dog.

This is why I'm not the cheapest trainer in town. The quality of information and training you're getting from my 12+ year career is what you're paying for.

I've owned, fostered, and trained some of the most challenging anxiety cases. From dogs with extreme phobias (thunderstorms, fireworks, and one time an insulin pump), to dogs who didn't get properly socialized, to dogs with trauma from their past, I've helped these cases find peace and relaxation. You won't find me pushing drugs or Velcro compression vests to help your dog.

What I do goes way deeper. I help dogs on a mental and emotional level. Not just that, but I also teach their owners how to get these results. The dogs who see the best results are the ones with the most dedicated owners. I'm not a magic pill. This type of training only works if you put in the time. How much time? Depends on the dog.

The reality is that traditional obedience simply doesn't fix everything. If you have a dog with any level of anxiety that has "flunked out" of other training programs, please don't give up on getting help. Your dog needs more specialized attention from someone who understands them and their struggles.

While I'm not the cheapest trainer, I'm also not the most expensive as I don't have any packages that will cost you four figures. Many trainers are now having packages into the thousands of dollars. I try to keep my training affordable while also respecting myself as a business owner.

Don't be shy, text me at 616-209-9690 to see if I can help you and your dog!

04/05/2023

One of the things we focus on in training at The Empowered Dog is teaching dogs when it is appropriate to relax.

We are visiting my mom in the nursing home. Neither of these dogs are therapy dog certified, but family dogs are allowed.

They have never been in a nursing home before. Today is their first time.

We regularly socialize our dogs to different places, so I shouldn't be too surprised that they are doing so well, but that doesn't stop me from being proud of them.

It takes work and practice. One of our cues for relaxation, as you can see in the picture, is placing a foot on the leash.

And listen, I'm gonna be totally honest that my dogs are not perfect, they are not robots. This isn't magic because I'm an incredible dog trainer. If I can do this, so can you!

Are you ready to put the work in? Text me at 616-209-9690 for help. Just be patient with a reply since I'm visiting mom, my replies might be a little slow for the next couple of days.

Let's get you and your dog on the right track for summer adventures!

22/04/2023

I know what it's like to sit hopelessly by watching your dog tremble in fear over thunderstorms and fireworks. The season is upon us and now is the time to seek help.

My sweet Kona had a debilitating fear of thunderstorms and fireworks. I tried everything to help her. We did exercise, obedience, distraction, medications, a thunder shirt, and more. Nothing helped. Sure, the obedience solved _my_ problem that a 60 pound Weimaraner made of solid bone and muscle was trying to sit on my shoulder like a parrot. No thank you. Place solved my problem. However, while Kona was sitting on her place, she was still quaking like a leaf in the wind and panting her brains out. She was terrified and I was not okay with that.

I scoured the internet trying to find a solution. My research lead me to Perception Modification. My husband even looked at me and asked if I really thought this was the thing that was finally going to fix this dog.

After a couple of weeks of practicing our new skills, Independence Day was upon us and our neighborhood lit up like a war zone. On our third day of practice, it finally happened. Kona relaxed and starting chewing on her bone while there were still MORTARS going off across the street in our quarter-acre-lot-subdivision. Across the street. Shaking our house. She just laid there and chewed her bone. I was shocked.

Then shortly after, we had a chance to address thunderstorms. Kona went from being the dog that refused to step a single paw out the door for a minimum of one entire hour after the last audible rumble of thunder to the dog that could sniff the yard while storms were happening in neighboring counties. And to be clear, she looked at the sky, she was aware of the sound, and went back to sniffing and wandering around the yard.

I stood there watching her through tear-filled eyes. She was six years old and we finally squashed her anxiety. She was finally like a normal dog able to cope with loud sounds.

For me, dog training isn't just about solving my problems, but it's also about solving my dog's problems all the way down to the emotional level. That's what Perception Modification does. It requires a lot of help from humans in the beginning, so this is only for owners who are truly dedicated to helping their dogs.

Don't allow your dog to suffer needlessly through another season of Flash Bang Boom. Get in touch with me today to schedule help. You can text or call me at 616-209-9690 for your convenience.