Mosaic Dog Training LLC, Family Dog Mediation and Support

26/08/2025

Exciting news!! My Team Building Basics classes are back!!

Join me at Lake Mills Veterinary Clinic as we learn basic life skills, how to understand our dog's individual language and needs, how to guide our dogs safely as their advocate, and how to apply this all in the real world.

This class is small, only 3 teams per session. This allows for plenty of one on one time, a calm learning atmosphere, and lots of room to learn...

See you there!!

Lake Mills Veterinary Clinic - Veterinary Clinic in Lake Mills, WI

23/08/2025

Mosaic Musings...

21/08/2025

Mosaic Meditations...

The Calm app and YouTube channel is a wonderful way to ground, clear, and ease into meditation or restful sleep. There are free versions and paid ones.

Take a moment to sit and listen. Open your heart and mind to possibility...

https://youtu.be/ZsqUzz9PJ_A?si=n_TJo3lDu5uRvY_0

21/08/2025

Ohhhh, Charlie!!

Here is my buddy Charlie, looking proud of himself. He and his hu momma should be! They graduated from Team Building Basics private lessons with flying colors!!

This team grew together in such an awesome way. His mom learned so much about how Charlie sees his world and helped him feel safer in it. Both have gained confidence and trust in each other, and it shows as they navigate through life together in a calmer way.

It was a pleasure to guide you both!!

19/08/2025

Tuesday's Teaching...

I always seem to get this feeling of a deep awe every time I walk closely past, or have to step over Indigo as she slumbers...

Today, I reflected on this feeling as I sat in meditation. I realized how our trust has grown over the time Indigo has been with us. I realized the sacred gift she has given me as she feels safe enough to be in deep sleep as I move about so close to her. She doesn't flinch or open her eyes to see what I'm up too. She just stays in this trust fall with me, knowing that her momma will always do her very best to keep her from harm.

I am moved to tears at times, knowing that she feels seen, heard, loved, and honored. She has given me one of her greatest gifts, the gift of trust. It is my duty to her to cherish this gift and live by that contract...

Living with our dogs is a privilege. We must continue to work towards being worthy...

18/08/2025

The Tao of Dog...

Trust, it must be earned.

And when I give it to you, it's one of my most sacred gifts...

18/08/2025

Truth...

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GUuNpK9Np/

"Dogs expect us to treat them with dignity and respect, and when they become challenging and try our patience, we must never ever forget that they are sentient beings who thoroughly depend on our goodwill. It's a dirty double-cross to intentionally abuse them and commit them to a life of fear. It's a betrayal of their trust that we will always have their best interests in mind. It also demeans us." - Marc Bekoff, PhD

15/08/2025

Same goes for any person or organization you trust your dogs too. Ask questions of groomers, walkers, sitters, daycare providers. It's important for all the reasons stated here...

Thank you Canine Insights, LLC

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CQRwZYrJX/

Think professional dog trainers are expensive?
Try hiring a bad one...

Back in the day people would watch Cesar Milan on TV and the next day hang up a Dog Training sign. Today, they scan Tiktok and Instagram for ideas and call themselves a dog trainer.

When looking for a trainer look for their education.
Are they just following a video or do they have the knowledge and understanding to create a step by step behavior plan for YOUR DOG?
If they only understand step one or step 5 rather than the entire process how will this help you in the long run?

There are many ways to become a dog trainer from certifications, degrees, mentorships and apprenticeships.
But just one day saying hey, I need money so I'm going to train because I saw it on Instagram just isn't cutting it.

Ask about education.
Ask about credentials.
Ask about insurance.
Ask about first aid training.
Ask about their process and where they learned it.
Ask how they will set you and your dog up for success.
Ask if they use tools.
Ask how they maintain safety for you, your dog and themselves.

Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Pause and ask questions.

Being desperate is not a good reason to hire a person selling snake oil or potentially a dangerous trainer that could get hurt in your home (and sue you) , injure your dog or get you hurt

Great trainers don't take all cases! We can't specialize in everything so we refer out. Great trainers ask you questions and may refer you elsewhere.

Be careful out there. Dog training is currently unregulated and unfortunately many dogs and humans have been injured.

If you can't hire a professional trainer ask a professional trainer or veterinarian if they would refer to the trainer you wish to hire. They may have some alternatives for you if cost is the issue.
Some professional trainers offer low cost/free webinars and sliding scale rates.

Unsure where to look for a trainer?

Check the Karen Pryor Academy, IAABC, Academy for Dog Trainers, ABTC, Victoria Stillwell Academy lists of certified trainers.
Ask your local Fear Free or Low Stress Certified Vet staff.
Sometimes you can get great feedback at dog shows or dog trials if you ask for trainer information.

14/08/2025

If you need help navigating this tender time, or just need an ear to talk it out, I'm here. As an end of life doula for companion animals, I'm here to support you...

https://www.facebook.com/share/16W84RSGVm/

Deciding when the time is right is one of the hardest decisions we have to make.

Allowing our dog’s peace from physical or emotional pain is one of the final gifts we can provide them. But it never stops us wondering if we could have done more.

As their caregivers, only we can ever know if the time is right, sometimes only we are the ones who see their pain. Or their joy. We have to take some comfort in knowing that deep down, we did the right thing at the right time. We knew what was best for our dogs.

13/08/2025

Did you know there is more to fight flight freeze. Read on...

Thank you, Dogs Disclosed

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AehwxAywu/

WHAT THE F? –
Stress responses in dogs

Fight or flight are well known reactions to fear or stress, but these other “F” words are also important to understand and be aware of as they may not always look obvious.

Freeze, Fawn, Fidget and Fool around are also responses to stress or fear and are also commonly seen in people.

Some dogs may have a genetic predisposition to one type of response while some react based on previous or a learnt experience - what has worked before or what hasn’t.

Some dogs will have different reactions depending on the specific context.

Recognising and taking note of situations or circumstances where these responses are seen is important to understand how our dogs are feeling.
Take note and be aware of what an individual dog’s signs of stress look like and try to avoid exposing them to situations where they feel stuck or trapped.

Try to give dogs as much appropriate choice as possible. Look at using positive reinforcement to help dogs form new, neutral or positive associations.

When we take the time to recognise a fear or a stress response, we are able to intervene and advocate for our dogs before the situation escalates or becomes a learnt pattern.

12/08/2025