http://www.orovilledogtraining.com/

For the Love of Dog Training, Oroville, CA (2025)

10/06/2025

If you’ve ever wondered why I don’t offer those short, “two-week transformation” style board & trains, here’s the truth: week one here, I’m not even training yet. I’m just laying the foundation for the dog to think. That means I’m addressing trigger stacking, sniffing, poisoned cues, and helping the dog actually settle into the rhythm of structure, rest, and decompression.

By the time I even think about layering in obedience, we’ve already spent days unpacking emotional regulation, environmental neutrality, and what it means to feel safe. And that’s before we’ve even touched a “sit.”

Most of the dogs who land here have already done a short board & train somewhere else. They come in knowing commands, but not context. They can “sit” when life is calm, but they fall apart the moment something moves, breathes, or blinks at them wrong. So, my job is to slow everything back down and rebuild trust from the inside out.

That’s why my Board & Train Retreats are designed to be immersive, not rushed. Every guardian gets daily video updates and lectures so they’re learning right alongside me. You’re not just sending your dog off for boot camp you’re being coached, too. Because if you don’t know the why behind what we’re doing, the change won’t stick once your dog comes home.

Training isn’t about how many commands a dog knows, it’s about how well they can think under pressure. You can teach a dog “down” in a day, but teaching them to choose calm when the world is loud? That takes time, repetition, and a whole lot of communication between you and your trainer.

So no, I won’t promise you a perfectly obedient dog in 14 days. But I will promise you a dog who’s learning how to breathe, think, and trust and a coaching experience that teaches you how to keep that progress going long after they leave.

Because the goal isn’t quick perfection. It’s lasting peace. And that’s never built in a week.

10/02/2025

“Why does my dog turn into a WWE wrestler every time he sees another dog?”
Congrats, you’ve just met the concept of triggers.

Triggers are those things in the environment that light up your dog’s nervous system like a pinball machine: other dogs, skateboards, the mailman, sometimes even a plastic bag floating by.

Here’s the good news: triggers don’t have to be villains forever. With exposure work (aka counterconditioning and desensitization), we can teach your dog that a trigger is a cue “I know what to do here” instead of “Sound the alarm!”

The science-y part: when your dog reacts, it’s the amygdala (fear/emotion center) firing before the thinking brain even clocks in. Exposure work helps rewire that response. This is literally neuroplasticity, the same brain magic that lets humans relearn after strokes or, unfortunately, master TikTok dances.

The process looks like this:

Identify the trigger (be specific: “dogs on leash at 20 feet”).

Find the threshold (close enough to notice, far enough not to explode).

Pair it with good stuff (food, praise, play).

Rinse and repeat (daily, short increments consistency beats intensity).

Slowly increase challenge (think ladder, not rocket launch).

It’s not magic, and it’s not a one-and-done fix. Just like fitness, you don’t hit the gym for 21 days and walk out with a lifetime six-pack. Progress is messy, maintenance is forever, and boring repetition is actually the secret sauce.

Your dog isn’t broken. Their brain just needs reps. And you’re the coach who keeps showing up.

09/29/2025

Sometimes training feels like you’re doing all the work while your dog just stares at you like you’re explaining taxes. And honestly, you kind of are.

Progress in dog training doesn’t always look like tail wags, sit-stays, or picture-perfect heelwork. Sometimes it looks like nothing happened. Nobody lunged. Nobody barked. Nobody chewed through the leash. That silence, that pause, that’s growth.

Dogs learn in layers, and half of those layers are invisible to us. Emotional regulation, nervous system shifts, and tiny flickers of self-control all count as progress, even when you don’t get the big “ta-da” moment at the end. It’s like going to the gym. You don’t walk out with abs after one workout, but the reps still matter.

I tell my students all the time:

The dog who almost didn’t lunge is progress.

The pup who gave you one second of eye contact before diving back into sniffing is progress.

The couch that survived another day without becoming modern art is progress.

It’s easy to miss this invisible work because we’ve been trained to look for the show-stopping moment. But dogs live in the “almosts.” That’s where the emotional brain rewires. That’s where safety is built.

So if you feel like training is stuck, zoom out. Is your dog recovering faster when startled? Are they finally taking food in situations they once shut down in? Resting calmly in their crate instead of whining? Those are gold stars, whether you write them down or not.

And here’s the kicker: your consistency matters even when you don’t see it. Every quiet “nothing happened” moment is a brick in the foundation your dog will stand on for life.

So today, celebrate the almosts. The little shifts that never make it into a viral reel. Because your dog’s nervous system doesn’t care about likes, it cares about practice.

What’s one tiny “almost” win your dog gave you this week? Let’s celebrate the invisible progress together.

09/26/2025

Untangle the Chaos: Get Your Dog Ready for the Holidays!

We have one last opening in 2025 for our Board & Train Retreat, perfectly timed for the Christmas and New Year holiday.

Instead of worrying about where to board your dog, give them the gift of training while you enjoy the season.

Here’s why our program is different:

✔️ Owner education is included. You get daily coaching videos and lifetime support, not just a “trained dog” dropped off at your door.

✔️ Real-world training. Your dog won’t just learn in a kennel, they’ll practice in public places, on walks, and around real-life distractions.

✔️ Focus on emotional regulation. We don’t just teach commands, we teach your dog how to settle, cope with stress, and handle excitement.
✔️ Personalized plans. Every dog is unique, and their training plan reflects that.

And here’s what this solves for YOU:
✨ No more holiday chaos with a dog who bolts under the tree or jumps on visiting family.

✨ No guilt about leaving your dog. Boarding time becomes productive training time.

✨ Start the New Year on the right paw. No “back to square one” in January.

✨ Peace of mind knowing your dog is safe, fulfilled, and learning.

📅 This is the only Christmas and New Year spot left for 2025. Give yourself the gift of a calmer, better-trained dog when you ring in the New Year.

https://www.orovilledogtraining.com/board-and-train-retreats

09/24/2025

I hear this a lot, and honestly, I understand. From the outside, it might look like I just hang out with dogs, hand out a few treats, and call it a day. If that were the case, your neighbor’s cousin with a bag of Costco chicken would’ve fixed every dog in town by now.

Here is the truth. When your dog comes into my program, they are not just boarding. They are living in my home, sleeping under the same roof as my family, with my cat who believes he runs the HOA, and my own dogs who definitely have opinions. Training does not stop at 5pm. Your dog is learning from the moment they wake up to the moment they curl up in their crate for bed. Structure, rules, and guidance continue around the clock.

Every coffee shop visit, pack walk, or trip to Home Depot is intentional. It costs me time, gas, and planning, but the goal is always the same: to help your dog succeed in the real world you actually live in. Training is not about showing off a perfect “sit.” It is about teaching your dog how to stay regulated, safe, and confident in a world full of strangers, noises, and temptations. Sometimes it also means explaining to random people why your dog just tried to romance a garden gnome.

My program is small batch on purpose. I only take a handful of dogs at a time so that each one gets real progress instead of being a number in a kennel. And here is what makes it unique: while your dog is with me, you get six days a week of virtual coaching. You are learning right alongside your dog, not waiting until the end to play catch-up. When your program ends, you are not cut off. Every student receives lifetime support, including free follow-up Zoom calls and in person coaching whenever you need them. Because training is not just about teaching your dog. It is about building your confidence as their guardian.

Yes, board and train is an investment. But it pays you back daily when your dog can relax at home, walk calmly on leash, or sit at a café without you breaking into a stress sweat. That freedom, that bond, that peace of mind is priceless. Your dog is not just worth it. They are the reason you are here, and they deserve the best.

09/22/2025

Some words in dog training get people fired up for no reason. They hear them and immediately think of old-school dominance, intimidation, or punishment. But the funny thing is, these words aren’t the problem. It’s the baggage we’ve attached to them. Let’s walk through a few that deserve a second chance.

Take the word pack. For years it’s been linked to alpha theory and wolf hierarchies. Say it out loud and someone will swear you’re running a cult in the woods. But the dictionary definition? A group. That’s it. A pack of gum, a pack of kids at a birthday party, a pack of dogs. Belonging, not control.

Or obedience. That one makes people think of Stepford dogs marching around with blank eyes. But obedience literally means “to listen.” Imagine if we reframed it as communication instead of control. Your dog listens, you listen back. Way less creepy, way more accurate.

Then there’s correction. Cue the dramatic music, right? Everyone thinks “punishment.” But correction just means “to set right.” If my kid spells “cat” with a K, I don’t exile him from the family. I just show him the C. Same goes for dogs correction can be as simple as “oops, try again.”

Command (I tend to use cue) sounds harsh too, like drill sergeant energy. In reality it’s just an instruction. A command doesn’t have to be barked. It can be a whisper, a hand signal, or even a smile. Dogs need clarity, not megaphones.

Discipline is another one that makes people nervous. It’s often tied to punishment, but its root is the same as disciple to teach. True discipline is structure and consistency, like bedtime routines. And trust me, I get just as cranky as a toddler if I’m up past 10.

Now let’s talk about pressure. Most people assume pressure equals force, but that’s not the case. Pressure is what moves us forward in life deadlines, goals, even the gentle stress of showing up for something important. Without it, we’d probably never get off the couch. In training, pressure can be as simple as leash guidance or stepping into a dog’s space to ask for movement. The important part is knowing when to ease off. Just like with people, constant pressure doesn’t build growth, it builds burnout. The skill is in applying enough to encourage progress, then backing off so your dog has room to succeed.

And finally, leadership. This is where all the other words tie together. Leadership has been confused with dominance, alpha status, and intimidation. In reality, it’s about fairness, guidance, and safety. Dogs don’t want a king. They want someone worth following.

Language matters. When we change how we talk about dogs, we change how we treat them. Which of these words surprised you the most?

09/19/2025

You ever notice how the word pack gets people more riled up than pineapple on pizza? Somewhere along the way, “pack” got hijacked by the whole dominance theory and “alpha” myth. You know the one, growling at your dog’s food bowl to “show who’s boss” and pretending to bite their ear. Spoiler: not only is that weird at dinner parties, it’s also been completely debunked.

Let’s clear this up once and for all. The actual dictionary definition of pack? “A group of similar things.” That’s it. Nothing scary. Nothing macho. Nothing about making your dog watch Wolf of Wall Street for leadership tips. A can be a pack of dogs, a pack of wolves, a pack of kids in a minivan, or even a pack of sodas (yes, your LaCroix counts). It simply means “a group.”

But because the word got glued to bad science and outdated training methods, people hear it and immediately think of dominance charts and alpha rolls. The truth? Dogs move together in groups because, shocker, they’re social animals. They cooperate, they find comfort in one another, and they slot themselves into positions that help the group function. Front, middle, back, it’s about balance, not about who’s paying the rent.

So, when we say “pack walk,” it doesn’t mean we’re trying to resurrect the 80s dominance craze or crown somebody’s doodle the CEO. It means dogs walking as a group. Just like people do marathons, book clubs, or Costco runs. It’s social, it’s natural, and it’s good for them.

If the word makes you itchy because of its history, I get it. But here’s the fun part: language evolves. If humans can reclaim the word savage and make it a compliment, we can reclaim pack without summoning the ghost of the “alpha wolf.”

So yeah, pack just means group. Don’t let outdated theories scare you away from a perfectly good word. And if calling it a “group walk” makes you feel better, fine. But let’s be real, “Group Walk Saturday” doesn’t quite slap on a flyer.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOxDpNsCXKC/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

09/18/2025

Let’s talk pack drive. Fancy science word for “why your dog loses their mind on walks.” It’s the instinct that tells dogs how to move, behave, and react in groups. Once you understand it, reactivity makes a lot more sense (and your neighborhood stroll stops feeling like a circus audition).

What is Pack Drive?
Dogs, like wolves, are wired for social order. Ethologist L. David Mech showed canids organize themselves into teams where roles matter. Your dog may not be leading a wolf pack, but trust me, the instinct is still alive and well.

Front dogs: wannabe CEOs, scanning for danger.

Middle dogs: chill coworkers who just want stability.

Rear dogs: the introverts, observing and judging everyone from behind.

These positions aren’t random. They’re survival hacks that reduce stress.

Why Dogs “Lose It” on Walks
When another dog comes at them head-on, most dogs go, “Nope, too much.” Straight-line greetings are rude in dog world. Beerda et al. (1998) found stressful encounters spike cortisol and heart rate, turning your floof into a furry stress ball. Cue reactivity loop: see threat → hormones spike → meltdown begins.

Reactivity ≠ Aggression
Your dog is not a monster. They’re just overwhelmed. Their biology screams “danger” before their training whispers “sit.”

How Structure Helps
Training and predictable routines literally lower stress hormones (Hennessy et al., 2001). Translation: structure tells your dog’s nervous system to chill out.

Why Pack Walks Rock
Our weekly pack walks are like group therapy with leashes. They:

Fulfill natural pack instincts.

Offer safe exposure to triggers.

Rewire stress responses with repetition.

Research (Rooney & Cowan, 2011) backs it up: controlled group practice makes dogs calmer and more resilient.

So next time your dog “loses it,” remember—it’s not stubbornness, it’s science. And if you’ve ever tried walking three “leaders” at once, you already know the feeling. It’s not a walk, it’s Cirque du Canine.

Where would your dog land in a pack? Front, middle, or rear?

09/15/2025

If your dog had a user manual, you probably wouldn’t be here scrolling looking for answers (and I’d be out of a job). But since they don’t, here are a few things I wish every dog owner knew before diving into training:

Training isn’t a Netflix binge you finish in one weekend. It’s brushing-your-teeth consistent, day in and day out. If you skip it, the plaque builds up, and by plaque, I mean jumping on guests, pulling on leash, and trying to eat your neighbor’s Amazon driver.

Your dog also doesn’t come with factory settings. They’ve got genetics, quirks, and life experiences that make them who they are. What worked for your friend’s doodle might flop with your shepherd. That’s normal.

And here’s the kicker: training isn’t just about your dog. It’s about you. Yep, the leash is attached to both ends. If you don’t practice, progress stalls. Think of it like a gym membership. You can’t buy abs, you have to show up and sweat a little.

Rewards? Not bribes. I promise your boss doesn’t say, “Ugh, I guess I’ll bribe Tiffany again with money so she shows up on Monday.” It’s payment for effort. Same for your dog.

Progress also isn’t linear. Some days you’ll feel like you’re raising a genius, and other days you’ll swear your dog lost all prior knowledge because a leaf blew by. Both are normal.

Oh, and socialization doesn’t mean letting your dog run wild at the dog park. Real socialization is calm exposure, neutrality, and teaching your dog to handle the world without losing their mind.

Crates, leashes, and baby gates aren’t “mean.” They’re safety tools. Think seatbelts, not punishment.

And finally, patience. I know, not the sexy answer. But slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. If you rush it, you’ll end up redoing it anyway.

So, take a breath, grab some treats, and remember: your dog doesn’t need perfection, just progress.

09/14/2025

Of course I have to do a little individual post for my guy, Hefner. He and I haven’t competed in scent work in over three years. Most of my focus has been on Ryu, and I stepped away from AKC to dedicate time to him

when Hefner started struggling with separation anxiety one way I decided to help him was to put him back to work, so we got back into scent work.

He’s already titled through advanced, but since it had been so long, I entered him in novice just to see where we were at. He beat his personal best on buried with an 8-second find, which was pretty amazing. The rest of the searches took us a little longer, mostly because I’m not as sharp at reading his body language as I used to be. I wanted to be extra careful, and avoid false alerts but we still finished and qualified in every element: exterior, interior, container, and buried. In buried, he even placed fourth.

What I love about Hefner is his tenacity. People often forget that this little dog is a true working dog. He’s not just a cute accessory, he’s a dog who thrives when given purpose and fulfillment. That’s one of the reasons I got him in the first place. I’m honored to be his handler and so excited to see where his journey takes us.

09/13/2025

Huge congratulations to the women in our group who stepped out of their comfort zone today and entered their very first AKC Scent Work trial. The conditions were no joke. There were enough environmental distractions to make even a seasoned dog pause, let alone a novice. Both teams held their own beautifully, and I couldn’t be prouder to be their coach.

And I also have to give a little brag to my little man. He hasn’t competed in over three years, and he rocked a buried search in just eight seconds, placing fourth against some very tough competition.

09/13/2025

I am not a trainer who is going to roll my eyes when you call your dog your fur baby, your child, or whatever name you’ve lovingly come up with. Those are just terms, and honestly, they show me how much you care. But here’s the thing I want you to hold onto: your dog is begging you to treat them like the species they are.

Here’s where it gets tricky. When we lean too hard into the “my dog is basically my kid” mindset, we start trying to meet human needs instead of canine ones. Kids need bedtime stories. Dogs need sniff time. Kids need screen time limits. Dogs need outlets for instincts like chewing, chasing, and problem-solving. You can reason with a child about brushing their teeth; a dog is just going to stare at you like you’ve suddenly started explaining calculus.

The danger in comparison isn’t that it’s wrong to feel that bond, it’s that it can blind us to what the dog actually needs. Your dog doesn’t understand “time-out” like a toddler does, but they absolutely understand the calm clarity of a leash walk, the mental workout of scent games, or the stress relief of a well-structured crate rest.

Dogs aren’t tiny humans in fur coats. They’re incredible, emotional, instinct-driven creatures designed to move, sniff, chew, chase, and problem-solve. When those instincts go ignored, that’s when the chewed furniture, reactivity, or non-stop barking shows up.

So yes, love your dog like family. Call them your baby, knit them sweaters, celebrate their birthday with a cake made of meatloaf. I’ll cheer you on for all of it. But don’t forget to meet their needs as a dog, too. Because the greatest gift you can give them isn’t just love, it’s understanding.

And if you’re sitting there thinking, “Okay, but how do I actually do that?” … that’s where I come in. Helping humans understand their dogs’ needs is my job, my passion, and frankly, my favorite thing to do.

www.orovilledogtraining.com

For the Love of Dog Training

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