Animal Smart Training

23/03/2026

Settling in a busy park environment is a big ask for adolescent Labrador Duke , but such an important skill and he is doing great !!

11/03/2026

Training is more than tricks like “sit” and “stay.” We put your dog’s mental state first before asking for simple things like “down.” One of the main reasons your dog doesn’t listen in public is because of overstimulation. We help your dog cope in real life situations, so they can be their best selves!

24/02/2026

We love getting updates from former clients living their best lives ❤️❤️

Scout the mini Aussie has just blossomed since her puppy program with us and we can’t wait to see her continue to thrive as she grows up!

20/02/2026

We absolutely LOVE Kim at . Both of my pups have had TPLO surgeries less than a year apart. We couldn’t have done it without the help of Kim and her compassion and knowledge. If you’ve got a pet who needs physical therapy, she’s the best around!

17/02/2026

Hello friends! We would love your support by nominating us for The Bend’s local’s list pet training category. 🐾

Select the best in local attractions, cuisine, entertainment and more in the Coastal Bend.

30/01/2026

We are committed to continue training even when Texas weather toys with us!

21/01/2026

This sweet rescue collie experienced her very first beach outing! She has been working diligently on building confidence around other dogs and people. By understanding each breed’s natural tendencies, meeting dogs where they are, and providing safe outlets and choices to meet their needs, we help create confident, well-rounded companions.

26/12/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year , from the Animal Smart Training family ❤️🎄

31/10/2025

31/10/2025

28/10/2025

We love when things just click✨🐶👏

Super proud of Hosey and his mom for killing their leash training session this week! He trained with us as a little puppy and did so awesome, but started struggling with pulling and some reactivity since he turned one (a very common side effect of growing up and maturing through adolescence) so we did a refresher session with them to help address these new challenges!

Our goal is of course that we give you the skills to maintain your dog’s training and skills for life, but we are always available for clients, no matter how long it’s been, for additional training and support as needed!

23/10/2025

Puppies go through what we call “fear periods.” These are normal, developmental stages where the brain is making excess cortisol and dumping it into the system. This is basically nature’s way of saying, stay alive! and giving the puppy a reason to be cautious and stay safe for a bit.

There are typically three main ones as a puppy grows up. The first sometime around weaning, so between 6-12 weeks. The second sometime around adolescence, so between 6-9 months roughly. And the third sometime after they turn a year old.

Again, these are completely normal phases in a puppy’s life, so don’t be concerned ! If you think your puppy is going through a fear period, here are a few tips to get through it !

1. Go Slow! Limit purposeful exposure to new things during these phases, and really focus on confidence building exercises in familiar environments! We don’t want to accidentally create a negative association because a new experience was tainted by the extra cortisol in the system during a fear period.

2. Prioritize Rest! One thing that often comes along with a fear period, in my experience, is a growth spurt. And making sure your puppy is getting enough rest to support their system through these changes is so important.

3. Move On! If and when they do get spooked, don’t make a big deal out of it. You can encourage them and comfort them, and I like to pair scary things with good food always, but don’t force interaction and if they are struggling, it’s ok to just move on !! Sometimes, you interacting with the object while they watch at a safe distance can help too! It’s ok to leave without “fixing” the fear in the moment and often times when you come back after the fear period is over, they’re more confident than ever!

4. Play Play Play! Play is one of the best ways to help your dog feel at ease! Toy play, personal play, food play. Whatever your dog likes best! Sometimes it can help work them through a fear response, but even if they won’t play in the moment, initiating and inviting play when the scary thing has passed is so good for helping them recover and not dwell on it!