Tree Frog Farm Dog Training

17/01/2025

Epic. Buzz word!!! Well it was epic. My friend Linda and I walked to a location we check out every spring when the herons are nesting. Obviously, they aren’t nesting now. What absolute magic to be able to walk on the marsh. Surprisingly, we did not see any wildlife tracks, just fat tire bike tracks. I was in my personal Heaven. The dogs ran freely on the packed snow. They were not slipping like they would have on ice. They had an absolute blast. Margo got to role in something luscious.

16/01/2025

Tonight, a friend of mine asked, “why do you take (dog) classes?” I replied, “there’s a lot of learning to be had.” New dog. Modern training. So much innovation. I also take tennis clinics. I am a moderate player and definitely have a lot to learn from instructors. I did a new clinic this past Sunday and the instructor mentioned his trainer. I thought, “oh. He has a trainer he’s learning from.” My other trainer has never mentioned this. I haven’t been learning much new. I’m going to stop one and go with another. That’s the game. We have to keep learning to improve our skills. If we’re not continuing to learn then why spend the money?
Margo and I are currently taking agility from and Control Unleashed at

14/01/2025

Saw this guy fly in while I was working one-on-one with a dog client. Such a treat.

14/01/2025

Training while I wait at the drive thru at the bank

11/01/2025

Always working on, and rewarding, recall. The first one recalls Margo away from the water. The second is recalling her away from a dog and also has some body language observations. Margo is rather insecure with dogs, though has had some very nice interactions recently. She exhibits strong appeasement (I mean no harm) gestures and then breaks into play gestures like a pro.

06/01/2025

💯

Why yes my dog would LOVE to say hi, but I’m still going to say “no thank you” and move on. Why?

1. Because I want my dog to learn that every time we see people it doesn’t mean it’s a party for him. I’d like him to continue his focus on us together as a team and not create conditioned excitement and expectation every time we are approached by someone.

2. Because I don’t know what saying hi means to you. Will you politely touch him? Will you allow him space to move away if he wants? Will you put your face too close to his? I don’t want him to have a negative experience so I’m going to avoid that by continuing our walk.

3. Because maybe I feel overwhelmed or stressed in public places and conversations with strangers may make me uncomfortable, so even though you’d like to talk and meet my dog, I’m protecting myself too.

4. Because we’re in a rush and have to get something done quickly.

5. Because I said no. Even social, sweet, friendly dogs and their handlers have every right to say “no” to a request to meet and be touched by people. This shouldn’t just apply to reactive, worried or bubble space dogs. Dogs are not public property, and saying “no thank you” to touching my dog shouldn’t be regarded as rude or unkind, any more than if a stranger asked to hold my baby.

Please normalize hearing “no” OR even better, normalize ignoring more dogs in public. Let them carry on with their handler and admire them from a far. It would do a world of good for dogs and humans everywhere, trust me.

- Helen St. Pierre

05/01/2025

Well said

Today, we honor the incredible life and legacy of Karen Pryor, a pioneer who transformed the world of animal training and left an indelible mark on our industry.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Karen Pryor’s groundbreaking work paved the way for trainers like myself, and countless others, to advocate for humane, effective training methods. While the fight for positive change would still continue, her visionary efforts undoubtedly accelerated the progress, bringing us to this better place much sooner than we might have otherwise achieved.

Karen Pryor was one of the first to show the world that animals don’t need to be trained with violence or fear. Her work with marine mammals in the 1960s, grounded in science and compassion, paved the way for positive reinforcement techniques that continue to shape the industry.

She didn’t just teach us how to train better; she taught us to see animals as sentient beings, deserving of respect, patience, and understanding.

Her book Don’t Shoot the Dog! remains a cornerstone in the field of behavioral psychology and animal training, introducing the world to the principles of operant conditioning and the power of positive reinforcement. The Karen Pryor Academy, founded in 2007, has trained thousands of professionals, ensuring her legacy endures in the hands of those committed to ethical training practices.

She laid the foundation for a movement that prioritizes trust, connection, and kindness. The positive changes we see in the industry today, our collective rejection of outdated, punitive methods, are a direct result of her fearless advocacy and unwavering belief in a better way.

Her work changed our field, but more importantly, it changed the way we connect with the animals who share our lives.

Thank you, Karen, for showing us what’s possible when science and compassion come together.

Your legacy will continue to inspire us, and we’ll strive to honor your memory by carrying your vision of compassion for animals forward. Rest in peace, and thank you for everything.

Zak George

05/01/2025

One of the greats passed today. Rest in peace Karen Pryor. www.KarenWPryor.com.
If you don’t know, know. Click!

About Karen Pryor Karen Pryor, publicity photo for Oceanic Institute, about 1968. Karen Pryor had many interests. She was an observer of the smallest detail (as a child she studied butterfly anatomy) but what made her life’s work exceptional was that she also saw the big picture. It would have bee...

26/12/2024

WINTER CLASS SCHEDULE: All puppy, family dog, and charm school classes start with a dog-free orientation. The orientation time may be different then the regular class time. Recorded versions are available following payment in full. Puppy and Family dog classes are a total of seven weeks. No class February break:
( Feb 17-20)
Puppy class start dates:
Jan 7, 9AM
Jan 7, 5PM
Jan 8, 9AM
Jan 13, 5PM
Jan 23, 5PM
Family dog class start dates:
Jan 7, 10:15AM
Jan 7, 5:45PM
Jan 8, 11:30
Jan 9, 10:30
Jan 23, 6:15

25/12/2024

Happy Birthday Pippi Girl!!!! Ten todayish

25/12/2024

Peace after gifts were opened and bones were chewed

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah

24/12/2024

My child is home and showing me dog videos. I thought this one was hilarious. I love borzoi’s too:)

Let me do it for you Didn't I do it for youKermit

22/12/2024

On to longer days

22/12/2024

7yo is middle aged for a dog. No kids.

18/12/2024

The OG. Fifteen years ago. Christmas tree acquisition with my three children and three dogs. They were/are so wonderful. Nora, Eamon, and Rylan have lived dogs. The pups have all passed. All three, so different. Same with the kids. I’ve been waiting to see what dogs my children will bring into their lives. All have said, I don’t have time to bring a dog into my life. I work too much. I asked how they know that. They said, because we listened to you. Wow. Dogs are so ideal but take so much time and energy. I admire their wisdom, the wisdom of my children.

13/12/2024

Winter schedule is up and running. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes available. Puppy, puppy 2.0, family dog, and charm school classes are available. And, as always, private lessons are available.
Check out the website for times and dates:

Tree Frog Farm is a facility that concentrates on building a relationship between you and your dog. We provide: Beginner training, advanced training, behavior consultations, confidence building, consultations and behavior modification counseling regarding fear and aggression. In addition, outdoor do...