Sierra Canine Training

09/05/2024

Our first of many (hopefully) merch drops!

A small dog training business in Reno Tahoe specializing in puppies, adults and problem dogs.

06/05/2024

Hi! Sierra Canine Training is doing a rebrand. Same owner, same company and same mission just an updated name and face 🤩

Thank you Kelsey with Oh Mother Hucker Design Co! I am so happy with the results and am so thankful for such a communicative and smooth process!

18/02/2024

We hope everyone is having a great weekend and took the time to get outside with their dogs before the next round of winter weather! ❄️ We had a fun hike with our friends from Freedom Dogs yesterday!

14/02/2024

Raise your hand if your dog is your valentine 🙋🏽‍♀️

We are feeling lucky today and everyday that we get to go to work with our best friends by our sides.

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

08/02/2024

Just found out we were nominated as one of 6 Pet Trainers in our area for Best of Reno 2024! Thank you to our loyal clients, new clients and friends!

Voting for this round starts today, February 8, 2024 and closes February 29, 2024! You can cast your votes below!

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Vote for the top nominees in each category and be entered to win a gift card!

08/01/2024

Raising puppies from the same litter is not as easy as letting them entertain each other all day. It’s quadruple the time, effort and energy in a very short window to ensure each dog is getting exactly what they need to become the best versions of themselves with age. The best way to prevent littermate syndrome or any type of dysfunction between multiple dogs in the same home is to start training early!
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26/08/2023

You must welcome change as the rule, but not as your ruler.⁣
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It is extremely bittersweet to officially announce that Alyssa is no longer working for Sierra Canine Training but now own and runs her own company Venture Canine LLC here in Reno. Alyssa has been an integral part of my business for a little over two years now, helping me grow the business to what it is today. Outside of the relationship I’ve formed with her over the years as a close friend she has inspired me with training ideas, held me accountable with my own handling, spent countless hours trouble-shooting with me and has been my go-to-girl for anything pictures or video related. I’m equal parts proud and excited to watch her kill it as a new business owner!
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Please show her account some love if you haven’t already (like, follow, share, leave a review). ⁣

27/04/2023

❤️ a good read

I have a variety of dogs. I have sloth like Rupert, my Basset, who is a delight to live with. And then I have uninhibited Harry, who is powerful, fast and strong. He is not delightful to live with. However, I am so grateful to have a challenging dog like Harry.

Over a month ago early in the morning I was walking my dogs. I have two strong males, Johnny and Harry, and also sweet Rupert. We were just starting our walk with Harry and Rupert up ahead, when I heard Rupert scream. Screaming is not normal and I knew something was wrong. I called both dogs back. Harry came running with full hackles from neck to tail - I’d never even seen hackles like that on him before. There was no Rupert, which was abnormal and not a good sign. I was worried and raced up the hill. I had not gotten far when Pippa was looking across my body and barking, with her tail straight up. I looked to see what she was barking at, and it took me a moment to see it. Right next to me, camouflage in the grass and branches was a big cougar, holding her ground, crouched, ears flat, and wagging her tail at me.

I thought she had Rupert so I charged her waving weapons. I was so angry and adrenalized thinking she had my Rupert. I ran at her wanting to kill her.

Time then stood still. I charged and she calmly awaited my arrival. It was incredibly demotivating to realize how powerless I was.

Here is where noble Kate stepped in and charged. My little Border Collie ran aggressively at an animal more than double her size. I think she bit the cat in the side. Even if she didn’t, she made a noble attempt as the cat swung around and swatted at her.

Both the cat and Kate realized she was a food source. Kate casually said, “I tried” and came and stood next to me. As Kate left, the cat squared up on me again, staring at me. Now all my dogs, but Rupert, were with me, awaiting instructions.

Not knowing if Rupert was alive or dead, I needed the cat to leave so I could find him. Plus, the cat’s focus was on me, in a crouched position ready to pounce, ten feet away. I sent Johnny in, and he charged barking. He did move the cat away momentarily, then she squared up on me and moved closer. Whenever she squared up, she was 10 feet away staring me in the eyes.

Watching Johnny fail to scare her, I panicked and sent Harry. Harry flew in, never slowed down, and never made a sound. He’d been waiting his whole life for this moment. He intended to knock her flat, and she knew it, and ran away, in the direction of Rupert who screamed again. I now knew he was alive albeit terrified. Once she ran away, he ran back as fast as he could, and got into my car even faster.

Most of my client’s have Rupert type dogs - when a true threat is presented they scream and run away to hide. Some have Kates, filled with bluster, who can be a struggle to live with and control. The Johnny and Harry type dogs are of a different league, filled with courage and desire to fight. They are a disaster in most homes.

There are rumblings that the Harry and Johnny type dogs no longer have a place in society - why do we need dogs that want to fight?

This type of dog is bred for the military and police, and are bred to fight and enjoy it. Working dogs have an equally valued place in society as the Ruperts and Kates. In this scenario, this cougar wanted to fight me and my six dogs. Without Harry and Johnny the cougar would have won. I wouldn’t be writing now.

I live to hike and explore. With my boys, I know I’m safe out there. This type of dog is not for most, but that doesn’t negate their value and importance. These dogs have taken years and years to create. If we start to breed them softer so that the average dog owner can succeed with them, it would take many generations of breeding to get the hardness and desire to fight back.

Sports like IGP breed these dogs for the military and police. In competition the dog’s character and desire to fight are tested, and scored. This tiny little sport will seem odd to most, but plays a valuable societal role in keeping top genetic bloodlines available for police and military. Harry and Johnny both come from IGP bloodlines and Harry’s brother is a successful police dog in the USA. It is vital that this sport continues to test true character so that we do not lose the dogs with courage for easier to manage false bluster.

You might ask what Pippa did throughout this encounter. She laid down on the path, scared, wanting the conflict to stop, and was scared to go walking for the next week!

Monique Anstee
Victoria, BC
Author of As a Dog Thinketh

23/03/2023

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06/03/2023

Hey clients, friends and supporters!

We made it to the top 5 (final round) of the Best of Reno competition!

Make sure to cast your daily vote for your favorite trainer at the link below!

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Check it out now! Vote for your favorites.

27/12/2022

Hey everyone!

Nominations are open until 01/16 for The Best of Reno 2023. If you would like to vote for us just type Sierra Canine Training LLC in the Pet Training section under Pets.

Thanks so much for all of your support!

Nominate your favorite businesses through January 13, 2023!

26/10/2022

Whoever says you only fall in love once in your lifetime is clearly a freaking liar and has probably never owned multiple dogs 🤪
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There’s a saying that there are three defining loves in your lifetime. The first is when you fall hard and fast burning with intensity and passion. This intensity can be equally as devastating when things don’t work out the way you’d hoped • The second love will teach you the most about yourself. Through this love you will figure out what you want, what you need and what you deserve • The third is unexpected and creeps up on you when you’re not looking for it. You find yourself drawn to this someone and they compliment you in ways you never thought possible.
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We consider ourselves extremely lucky that we get to live and work so closely with our dogs each day. They have taught us so much about dogs over the years and have helped us figure out who we are as teachers and trainers and for that we couldn’t thank them enough.

13/10/2022

Are these not some of the cutest throwback photos!⁣ Thanks so much Alyssa!
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Roxy will be a year next month. We got back to training after a short break recently and I’m really happy with where her head is at. All of my dogs take me on different journeys but something about this girl makes me extra hopeful.
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12/10/2022

Everyone welcome Arthur! This guy joined us a few days ago for our four week program. I met him at a consultation a few months ago and fell in love with him, his exact breed combination is unknown right now but I have some speculations! He is a gentle giant who needs some clarity in his expectations and confidence building. A better version of him is coming soon 😊

08/10/2022

Henry, Roxy, Silas and Moose had a great adventure with Skye's The Limit Dog Trainings crew today! A highlight of our job is definitely getting to watch the dogs have fun and enjoy their off leash freedoms.
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19/09/2022

Everyone say hello to Fili and Kili the 5 month old beagle brothers!
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These two littermates are currently split up between Alyssa and I to focus on healthy separation. Prior to coming to our program they were always together and have had little exposure to the outside world. The owners have described occasional tussles between the two over high value items and when play escalates so it will be extremely important for us to get ahead of and prevent these situations from escalating further if these guys have any chance of healthy coexistence as they age into adults.
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This separation that Alyssa and I can provide during their training will give each dog an opportunity to form a relationship with their handler, learn skills and explore life independently from each other. This is just the beginning for these crazy kids!
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19/09/2022

Henry is one of our new students who started this week!
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This boy is sweet, smart and extremely impulsive. His owner has done a really great job with his foundations but ultimately they wanted more control and reliability in his behaviors so that they can have fun doing more things with him! We are super stoked to have him here and to take his training to the next level with an Ecollar!
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06/06/2022

Behavior Modification is a term just like “balanced training” that in my opinion has become overused and misused among trainers. ⁣
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I do think that is it important for anyone seeking out behavioral help from a professional to know the difference between behavioral suppression and behavior modification. The subtle difference between the two is like slapping a coat of paint on a crumbling foundation versus actually calling an engineer to repair the root cause of the issue and re-level the home (not my analogy).
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Dogs who are struggling with reactivity/aggression/fear will typically display behaviors such as whining, looking away or growling before maybe/ultimately biting someone or something. Suppression training focuses on eliminating these signaling behaviors (that the dog needs space) with the expectation that the dog will not escalate. By suppressing these signals the dogs behavior will be suppressed giving the owner the false belief that the dog is now “okay” or “safe” with the situation. When warning signs are removed, reactions can come from seemingly “out of nowhere”. One example of this would be: your fearful/reactive dog may no longer bark at strangers coming into your home so you think it’s ok for your guests to approach them. Your dog is no longer giving you clear signals that they are uncomfortable but the underlying emotions are still very much there. It will not take much to cause a dog like this to cross a threshold and bite to make the stimuli go away because they were never taught alternative responses or coping skills to stressful stimuli. ⁣
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Behavior Modification focuses on interpreting those signaling behaviors and taking into account any underlying emotional reactivity that may contributing. True behavior modification focuses on rewarding acceptable/appropriate alternatives while helping to develop more positive feelings and associations with stimuli that may cause a reaction. ⁣
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Dogs trained through suppression are more often than not, not moving freely or offering engagement to their handlers. Dogs will often times look uncomfortable or avoid stimuli and there will be a delay in performing behaviors as well as a lack of motivation to do so. ⁣
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True behavior modification will help and encourage dogs to learn new responses to a stimuli by teaching alternative behaviors and changing any underlying negative emotions. Dogs trained with these methods are usually engaged with their handler, giving appropriate signals and being rewarded in exchange. ⁣
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17/05/2022

Everyone welcome Walker! ⁣
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He is one of our newest board and trains here to sharpen his skills and become a better, more reliable version of himself. He has a tendency to be overly excited in social settings, counter surf when the opportunity presents itself and is a master puller on leash but otherwise is a really lovely lab!
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02/03/2022

Most trainers will say that dog training does not consist of playing with puppies all day, but sometimes it really feels like it does! ⁣⁣
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In all seriousness I LOVE puppies and wish that I could convince every owner to send their puppy to me at this age. Although it’s not “all in how you raise them”, it’s a major contributing factor in how your dog grows up.⁣
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Poppy (the on the left) is very true to her Bernese traits. She’s a solid little dog, very forward in her interactions, bouncy, uses her body, is vocal, affectionate, smart and oh so silly. Millie (the on the right) is softer and is less confident with new interaction but when she warms up she is extremely affectionate. She’s getting quicker with training and more engaged each day she is here! ⁣
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Although these two have very different temperaments, they are learning a lot of the same stuff. How I handle them, expose them, teach them and interact with them specifically is what will help me bring out the best in each individual puppy. More to come on these guys soon!
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14/01/2022

Training for compliance is not the same as training for motivation. ⁣
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Everyone welcome O’Roxy Loups Du Lac (Flinke x Capone). We’re super thankful to have her and to get the opportunity to play with her for a bit. Her dad was one of the first dogs I saw compete in French Ring a few years back with a really beautiful routine and her mom is a dog I’ve been watching for the last year or so. Genetics are cool and so are these crazy brown dogs! 🤎🖤🧡 ⁣
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30/10/2021

Wanna hear something spooky? 👻 ⁣
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Did you know that over 80% of owners travel with their dogs? And that only 16% of them are actually using proper restraints. Idk about you but that is a SCARY statistic. ⁣
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What happens when you get rear ended and your dog isn’t properly confined? What happens when they jump into the front seat and distract you? Are they going through the window? (probably) Did they make it? (who knows 🤷🏽‍♀️) Did they get spooked and run off? (and now they’re running through traffic 😳) What about a seat belt? Your dog is probably going to get tossed around at best (better call a chiropractor) and in the event there’s a serious impact, may or may not get crushed/thrown from the vehicle. ⁣
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Heavy stuff right? We are passionate about kennel safety whether that is in our home or our vehicles. The management, safety and structure that a decent kennel provides for each dog is extremely important throughout their life. It makes all the difference in potty training your puppy, preventing unwanted anxiety and destruction and keeping you and them safe during travel. ⁣
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I have heard horror stories about dogs jumping into the front seat causing their owners to swerve and hit oncoming cars or trees. Other stories have involved people being hit by other vehicles and dogs being ejected from the car to only be lost or hit by traffic in the chaos. A firefighter once told me a story about debris hitting a dog in the face who had its head out the window enjoying the fresh air 😳 knocked him straight out of his car and into the highway. So, do yourself and your dog a favor and ditch the wire crates and the seat belts. Don’t become a statistic! ⁣
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💥We love our Ruffland kennels for our house and van but some other highly recommended brands are Gunner kennels, Dakota 283 and Lucky kennels💥

27/10/2021

Yesterday was a beautiful day to get out and train!

16/09/2021

Everyone welcome Samson to the crew!⁣
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This guy was referred to us by another trainer who thought he could benefit from a longer more thorough program (thank you Josh!). This guy although relatively chill, has had some not so great experiences with dogs that can make him a bit unpredictable when given the chance to interact with them at free will. ⁣
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We’ll be working on making his obedience more reliable, conditioning him to the Ecollar for off leash control and building his confidence through exposure and interaction with safe and appropriate dogs.

03/09/2021

Last but not least, everyone meet Lincoln!
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This 5 month old Springer Spaniel is your typical happy go lucky, energetic and curious puppy. We have seen some slight reactivity to approaching people us in some situations but nothing extremely concerning.
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One of the benefits to starting training sooner rather than later is getting to know your dog as you expose them to different environments and stimuli. Seeing the subtle signs of potentially concerning behavior and being able to then manipulate scenarios in a way that help your puppy and build their confidence can make ALL the difference as they grow.
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03/09/2021

Estelle!
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This 11 month old Beagle is here to work on her foundations and life skills. We plan to build her confidence, teach her some more reliable behaviors and work on better potty habits.
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03/09/2021

Bongo!
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The 8 month old Pomeranian is here to work through some anixiety related behaviors. Our first goal is to create more value to his food and daily activities.
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Isn’t he cute?!
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06/07/2021

Prim Rose transitioned home over the Holiday weekend!⁣⁣
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Prim came to us for a puppy starter program for 2 weeks when she was younger and then came back for E-collar foundations when she was of age. Whether you are investing in lessons with your puppy or a board and train remember that puppies are only puppies for a small blimp in time. I think a lot of people worry about missing out on the “puppy stage” but choosing to start training at such a crucial developmental age will allow you to build a healthy relationship with your puppy where desirable habits can be formed and undesirable behaviors can be extinguished early on before they become a bigger issue. ⁣⁣
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📸: Alyssa Corcoran