Custom Canine Design

08/07/2024

Forte had his senior wellness exam today at Yellow Springs Veterinary Clinic and got a clean bill of health and lots of treats. Thanks for helping make it a positive experience for Forte 🐕🥼🩷

12/05/2024

Happy Mother's Day from Custom Canine Design use code at checkout for 10% off

08/02/2024

Just a giant lap dog 🐕

04/12/2023

Birthday dinner at Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar in downtown Frederick. (A little late posting, sorry)
Highly recommend, amazing food and really great celiac safe menu options. Seafood is especially wonderful there, but everything is great.
Fantastic birthday dinner.

26/11/2023

When your dog is so well trained not to jump on you they look confused when you give "up" command and point to your lap.
You could see him pause to think, look at me - look at lap - look back to me ... Just making sure he understands one job from me and he hoped right up.
In retrospect I'm glad this plastic chair could hold us both lol.
Lap dog Cane Corso style lol
Good boy as always 🐾

25/11/2023

A pickup line that works every time 🐾

23/11/2023

Thanksgiving with Celiac's looks a little different than normal, but crab feast was delicious and cleanup's a breeze! 🦀
Finished the day with a sunset trip to the horse horse farm, because horses deserve yummy treats on thanksgiving too. 🐎
Don't worry, Forte got his favorite treat today too🐕‍🦺

31/10/2023

Happy Halloween 🎃 👻

24/10/2023

Forte got an all new look for Maryland Renaissance Festival this year.
It's challenging to come up with a costume design that's compatible with my Custom Canine Design mobility harness so I can still access both handles (see pic: counterbalance = black and forward moment= brown).
I wanted to go for the barbarian/leather armor look you see on a lot of guys sporting at ren fests. It worked great with his gear, he was comfy and he was definitely a huge hit! Forte got tons of compliments on his costume and he had a great time. He was so comfortable he actually took a quick nap under my seat during the jousting show. He deserved it since I was having to rely on his strength to help me walk around. I'm still recovering, but it was well worth it!
We saw several other service dog teams there and he ignored them all.
He had a ton of fun and he got an extra special treat when we got home. He keeps nudging his costume; it's like he's asking to go again. 🐕‍🦺🏰👑

23/10/2023

Renaissance Festival Fun!
We all dressed up, including my service dog, Forte.
I made a new costume for Forte this year, he fit right in with the armored barbarian/Viking crowd. He was more popular than ever, but everyone was exceptionally respectful of the fact he was working and while I got lots of compliments on his costume and training, no one tried to pet him without asking. We got a surprising number of requests for photo ops which he happily posed for, and we even got recognized from the Shakespeare play he was in at Port To***co Players.
We went with a fairly large group this year of friends and family. Most of us had gone before, but this was my mother's time and I think she really enjoyed it, especially the jousting and hair braiding booth.
Amazing vendors, performances, and fun games, like ax throwing! It's more than you can fit in a day, but I think we saw our favorites and even had the chance try some new activities I'd never done before.
Forte was fantastic! He slept through part of the jousting show, roaring crowds, sword fighting, and even a pistol firing didn't faze him.
Thanks Forte, you are the best!!!
And thanks to everyone in my group who patiently waited for us to catch up every time someone stopped to talk to me about Forte.


Maryland Renaissance Festival

03/08/2023

30/07/2023

Forte's senior wellness exam at was great: all tests were normal. He's 💯 health 🐶🩷

Doing everything I can to keep this guy happy and healthy. He might be 9 years old, but you'd never know it watching him play with the younger dogs.

23/07/2023

What is your favorite story about your dog?

11/07/2023

My dog is a better judge of character than I am...

10/07/2023

Giant Lap Dog Problems

04/07/2023

Happy birthday to the bestest dog in the world! 🎉💫💝🥳
More birthday weekend photos coming soon!

03/07/2023

Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July and is an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community.

Full article: https://thearc.org/blog/why-and-how-to-celebrate-disability-pride-month-2023/

02/07/2023

Travel tips for dog owners 🐶

24/06/2023

Can't escape the pup-arazzi 🐶📸

15/06/2023

Forte wants to remind everyone traveling with dogs this summer to be mindful of the heat.
Dogs don't sweat all over to cool off like humans. Panting provides evaporative cooling, but dehydration is problematic so ALWAYS pack water!
Panting dogs should get frequent water breaks. If you have an excited puppy or a shy dog that's refusing water on a hot day, you may need to lead them somewhere calm and quiet before they will drink.
Cooling vests can help, but expect to smell like a wet dog.
Some breeds handle heat better than others; just because you feel fine doesn't mean your dog must be fine too.
Lastly, don't forget, hot asphalt can burn paws! You can train your dog to wear shoes. Pack and plan parking accordingly.

As a service dog team Forte and I have loads of experience traveling together and are happy to share that experience as a resource to
Feel free to contact us if you have questions.
Note: there are plenty of pet friendly travel opportunities provided you plan ahead. Please do not claim a pet as a service dog- it is illegal, dangerous, and disrespectful. Service dogs are highly trained to work for people with disabilities.

👇Comment & save if you're summer travel plans include your dog.

13/06/2023

I'm proud of my niece; she graduated 8th grade today! (Update: technical difficulties delayed posting, but sharing it now because she's worth celebrating 😊)
They held the ceremony in at the highschool so the kids got a sneak peek of next year.
Beautiful auditorium!
Got a cute shot of her mom doing her hair before the ceremony.

Sidenote: I was extremely impressed by the students, staff, and family members impeccable service dog etiquette. Not one person tried to pet Forte without asking me. While he's in work mode he doesn't like to be petted, but once outside I did put him in "puppy mode" so he could get pets from a few of my niece's friends; then it was back to work mode.
Hard to believe it was only 6 years ago I "tricked" her into doing her reading homework by saying Forte needed a bedtime story so she would practice reading to him. Forte's proud of her too! 🐾💖

29/05/2023

I forgot to pause my Audiobook before I started recording... Accidental perfection! 🤣

Custom Canine Design

28/05/2023

Dog Training in Downtown Frederick with

26/05/2023

PSA: NOT ALL DOGS CAN SWIM!
If your plans involve water and dogs please be aware that while most dog breeds can swim those with shorter noses, large blocky heads, short legs and/or non-webbed feet are usually poor swimmers.
It is not a reflection on the dog's health or fitness. Forte is a muscular healthy dog, but he cannot swim without help for a lifejacket and me.
Even if I just take him on a dock or Pier he wears a lifejacket just in case he falls in.
Forte trusts me enough that even though he sinks like a rock on his own he will brave the water and swim with me, so it's up to us to decide what is and is not safe for our dogs; their love is such that they will follow us into danger. (Not to mention the puppies who can't resist chasing a ball or ducks).
Lastly, if you are swimming and your dog is not, take proper precautions to prevent heat stroke.
If you have any questions about how to keep your dog safe this summer please feel free to message me.