Smartypaws LLC

02/12/2025

📢Smartypaws is proud to announce that we are now a Certified Family Dog Mediator!

What does that mean?

We have completed “the ONE comprehensive course available to teach dog pros the WHY of canine behavior and the HOW of solving their problems at their source.”
This rigorous course helps professionals understand the true scientific roots of what’s really going on with a dog’s behavior, why they’re struggling, and tailor services to help them thrive.

Contact us today for knowledgeable, humane and effective dog training in the Kansas City area. 816-743-4077
[email protected]

01/12/2025

❄️Whoa! We’re getting dumped on this Monday! ❄️
☃️Take your pups out to play, but stay safe and warm today. The roads are frightful, but doggy snow play is delightful!⛄️

30/11/2025

If you've hired me to train you.... errrr, I mean your dog ;) - how to walk nicely on leash, then you'll recognize this as what we called the "reinforcement zone". Just a reminder that mechanics matter. Happy Training!

27/11/2025

25/11/2025

🎁It’s the Pawliday season and Smartypaws has the best training 📦 packages for you! From prepping for your new puppy or welcoming home an adolescent or adult dog, Smartypaws customized training packages are what you need for a well mannered furry family member.
🎁See our website for details:
🐾Puppy Prep - Smart Start puppy Consultations to prepare for bringing home your new puppy
🐾Polite Puppy Packages for puppies under 5 months old
🐾Basic Dog and Elite Pup Packages for dogs over 5 months
🐾Family Dog Training - Kids & K9 sessions

We look forward to training with you!
Contact us today to get started. 816-743-4077
Smartypaws.net

19/11/2025

Adopting a new dog?
Use the Name Game to start simple and pawsitive training by teaching them good things happen when they hear their name!
The Name Game:
✅Begin in a quiet area with few distractions
✅Say your dog’s name in a clear, happy tone.
✅As soon as your dog looks at you, immediately say “yes” and give a high-value treat.
✅Repeat: Do this several times a day in short, 15 to 30-second sessions to build a strong association between their name and a reward.

Contact Smartypaws for help progressing in your training or starting off on the right paw!
One December sessions still available.
816-743-4077 Smartypaws.net

15/11/2025

I never like saying this.🫣
We see it as affection.
Dogs can see it as a restraint.
That's the issue here.

As humans we feel a desire to show our love and affection the exact same way we show it to our family.
We wrap our arms around, pull closer and squeeze tight.
They may wriggle, so we hug tighter.
We might playfully wrestle with them when they move away or try to leave, we often do that to other people we know well.

That doesn't mean it translates well to dogs.

If a dog is trying to leave or is not accepting or receptive to a hug, don't insist.
If we need to use our strength to hold our dogs from leaving, they don't want a hug.
They want space.
Space equals safety to a dog.

Don't take it personally, many dogs don't like hugs.
It goes back to feeling restrained and having their freedom of movement restricted.
Being able to move away from anything they're uncomfortable with builds trust way more than insisting they accept that very close, tight physical contact.

Children often greet family dogs with hugs and that's absolutely fine if that dog is happy to be hugged by that child, but this may form a habit of greeting other dogs by getting low, face to face and restraining/hugging a dog they don't know.

Hugs aren't a right we should insist on.
If a dog accepts them and enjoys them, that's trust built over time and feeling safe.

It's not from restraining and removing options to move.

11/11/2025

STOP causing your puppy distress and leaving them to cry it out. They will learn independence and confidence once they feel safe!

A damaging myth surrounding dogs, particularly puppies, when they get to their new homes is that, if the cry, they should be left alone so they learn to stay quiet overnight. This is absolutely not the best way to help that new family member feel safe and comfortable in their new home.

From :

"A puppy is like a human child. They cry when there is something they need, including comfort and connection. If they do not get a response when they are crying then yes, they will stop, but not because they have settled. They have learned that nobody is coming and so they give up trying. This will have a serious and damaging effect on the bond between them and their family, and at probably the most vulnerable time in their lives emotionally. One of the most important things we can focus on in these early days and weeks of our shared lives is helping them to feel safe and secure and responding to their needs is absolutely the best way to go about this."

In those early days have them sleeping close to you, and respond when they are distressed. It does not mean that they will always cry at night. It will, however, help them to realise that they are not alone and that they can sleep safe and sound knowing you are there if they need you during the night.

10/11/2025

Meet our new puppy friend, Hazel! At 8 weeks old, she’s a lil bundle of fluff who is rapidly growing, changing… and learning!

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting event and is the perfect time to start training. Puppies are eager to learn and full of potential. We’re here to guide you through those crucial early weeks.
Smartypaws LLC specializes in positive reinforcement to teach foundational skills and offers puppy packages specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of young pups under 5 months old!

From manners, obedience and socialization to the tougher stuff - like biting, potty training, crate comfort, and building calm behavior at home - we make your perfect puppy parenting partner.

Contact us now and start your puppy off on the right paw today! 816-743-4077 Smartypaws.net

10/11/2025

31/10/2025