Heal Cove Dog Training

25/06/2025

Does anyone need a class for loose leash walking? Here’s an awesome one coming up in Brunswick soon! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Does your dog struggle with loose leash walking? Are walks a shoulder pulling nightmare? Do you DREAD passing distractions because you know your dog is unmanageable? Do you find yourself avoiding leash walking with your dog because you just KNOW it won't be fun for either of you?

If you answered YES to any of these questions - you and your dog need the Loose Leash Walking class!

Thursdays at 6:15pm starting July 31st, this four week class focuses on the skills you and your dog need to have the loose leash walk of your dreams.

Learn:

🐾 How to get the behavior you WANT on a leash
🐾 How to reduce pulling without it taking months and MONTHS of practice
🐾 How to teach your dog to stay connected and focused on you around distractions they may see on walks such as other people and dogs
🐾 And above all else, how to make the leash walk a FUN and POSITIVE experience for BOTH you and your dog!

Space is limited in this class, so sign up now at www.problemsolvedtrainingmaine.com/classes and secure your spot in this comprehensive loose leash walking class!

23/06/2025

Staying Cool in the Heat (Wave) of the Moment ☀️🐾

When the world outside feels like a giant hair dryer set to scorch, it’s more important than ever to stay cool—physically and emotionally.

For you and your dog.

💧 Physically Cool Tips:

Early mornings & late evenings are your best bet for walks.

Keep a fan blowing on both of you. Bonus if you add a cooling mat or damp towel for your pup.

Frozen lick mats, bone broth cubes, or water-rich treats like cucumber and watermelon (no seeds!) can help beat the heat.

Never leave your dog in a parked car. Not even for a minute.

Short-nosed dogs, seniors, and puppies are especially vulnerable—watch for heavy panting, drooling, or lethargy.

🧘 Emotionally Cool Tips:

Skip the training if everyone’s melting. Some days, success is just surviving with your relationship intact.

Dogs pick up on our stress—your calm is their calm.

Practice stillness. Lay on the floor together. Breathe. Drink some water. That’s enough.

Let your expectations melt a little, too.

This heat wave will pass—but the way you show up with empathy and awareness will leave a lasting imprint.

Stay cool, friends. Inside and out.
☀️💛🐶

18/06/2025

Picture this scenario: Your dog is performing a beautiful, focused heel in training class. Suddenly, another dog appears around the corner. In a heartbeat, your dog's attention vanishes, and no amount of calling their name or waving treats will bring them back to you.

What just happened? In neuroscience terms, your dog's Ventral Attention Network (VAN) just ran roughshod over their Dorsal Attention Network (DAN). Understanding this process can transform how you view and address attention issues in training.

Read more at the blog:
➡ https://suzanneclothier.com/when-van-takes-over/

18/06/2025

Here's what going on....

New session of Drink With Your Dog (R) Brewery Manners classes start July 2nd @ Boothbay Craft Brewery, Tavern & RV (Wednesdays @ 5:15pm)

I also have a new session of novice Rally classes @ Positively Best Friends coming up soon! (Tuesdays @ 5pm)

PM for more details or check out my website

www.healcovedogtraining.com

18/05/2025

We are in the middle of day 3 of this year's Family Dog Mediation conference: LEGS in Motion; At Home in the World

Here’s a glimpse if what we are talking about:

Working with people and dogs is about SO MUCH MORE than teaching sit, down, stay, place, etc. We also need to recognize that dogs are animals living in captivity.

The dogs we are living with today are descendants of the specialists that we created to help us do some serious work. Our changing lifestyle and exploding technology have essentially unemployed our canine companions and so many dogs are struggling to understand how to be a pet in a home where all their needs are met with very little freedom or opportunity to work.

So how do we help dogs have a “good life”? What does it mean for a dog to have a good life, and how can we measures it?

The behavior issues we see in dogs living as pets are often symptoms of much larger issues and very much related to each dog’s:

L - Learning
E - Environment
G - Genetics
S - Self

To dig in and really help today's pet dogs, we have to start asking bigger questions. WHY are so many pet dogs struggling with fear, anxiety, reactivity, aggression, and more? The dog training industry is exploding with more and more trainers who are talented and ready to help. So why are behavior problems in pet dogs increasing year after year?

These are the questions we are wrestling with here this weekend, and we are so grateful to be surrounded by friends and colleagues who are willing to ask these big questions, explore answers, and remain kind, positive, and professional in both agreement and disagreement.

Most of what I’ve written here comes from Kim Brophey’s keynote presentation and the other presenters.
Giving the credit for encouraging dog professionals to get beyond the “how” to train argument and look at dog welfare from a higher and frankly, much more relevant level, where it’s due.

Very grateful to be here 🐾💜 and grateful to have so many colleagues jumping in and exploring this big questions together.

09/05/2025

Being relaxed yourself is super helpful for having your dog also relax. Dogs feed off their handler's energy, as well as the surrounding energy. If you're in a hectic brewery or cafe area, it might be hard for your dog to settle. Help them (and you!) out by finding a quieter area.

Be the energy you want your dog to be!

🐾 Cheers! 🍻

06/05/2025

Great info on recalls from Nicole Wiebusch!

Struggling with recall? Learn why your dog won’t come when called and how to fix it with simple, effective training techniques.

05/05/2025

Hard working brewery staff need your help! Keep your dog(s) out of their paths and aisles to keep them safe while they carry drinks or food. It also helps to keep your dog safe from being tripped over or stepped on.

I still have openings for the brewery manners course that starts in 2 days! (Wednesday May 7th @ 5:15PM at Boothbay Craft Brewery, Tavern & RV)

Message me for more details or to sign up! Cheers!

04/05/2025

Spring is here and my Brewery Manners classes are starting soon! These classes are held on select Wednesdays 5:30PM at

FMI https://healcovedogtraining.com/brewery/

04/05/2025

Great…. Now I know what I pulled off my neck. Ick 🤢

Can you tell the difference between a deer tick and an American dog tick? Use the color and decoration on the shield on the back and body color to determine which tick you are dealing with. Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.