Camryn Holtzen Dog Training

01/04/2024

My holiday break is over and I am starting training classes back up for 2024! I do have a short waitlist right now but it gets full fast. If you are interested in taking a class with me, please reach out so I can get you on my schedule!

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas from my snow puppies to yours! Let me see those snow loving dogs!

11/21/2023

Did you know that if you store your dog’s food in a container without the bag it came in, you need to wash it with every new bag of dog food?

The oil residue from kibble left inside your food container will expire and can spoil future dog food you put in that container!

I had one big wash day today. I luckily have 5 Vittle Vaults to keep washed and rotated. Next up, all food bowls and water buckets!

10/01/2023

I am booked through the rest of the year! I will be back to training after January 15th if you'd like to get your spot reserved for next year.

See you next year!

09/19/2023

We have some new Canine Good Citizens! Super proud of these dogs and their handlers who gone above and beyond in their training. Congrats to Eve, Willow, and Rosie!

09/14/2023

The end of the year is coming up fast! If you were wanting to do a class with your pup, we must get started before October 5th! Please let me know if you are interested in getting in before the end of the year.

I will not have any training classes until January 15th, 2024.

07/15/2023

Congrats to my most recent graduates Kelly Kiser-Mostrom & Cookie! You both have put in so much work and Cookie is making great progress!

07/12/2023

I know it's only July, but the end of the year is coming up quickly! That means I only have space for about 10 more private training classes before my holiday break starting in November. If you are interested, please let me know now before I am booked up for the rest of the year!

06/23/2023

Congratulations Mark and Andrea on graduating your obedience class! We did a more advanced obedience with Willow and you guys did excellent work with her!

Andrea Lund Way

06/12/2023

"He's afraid of X, so he must have been abused by/with X."

In rescue, a lot of dogs come into care with unknown histories. Many of these dogs present with specific or generalized fear and anxiety.

It can be easy - so, SO easy - to attach a story to their behaviour. In fact, it's becoming increasingly common for people to adopt dogs BECAUSE of their story. The more tragic, the better.

The problem with this is that it tends to freeze dogs into their neuroses. Their owner becomes so attached to the story, so emotionally invested, that they themselves cannot move past it. When the owner gets stuck, so does the dog.

Then the story becomes an excuse.

He's aggressive to the postman because one must have abused him.

He's leash reactive to other dogs because he was a 'bait dog'.

He runs from us when we grab the fly swat because someone has hit him with it.

In most cases, these behaviours are caused from a lack of experience in the critical period of socialization. Their inexperience can present itself as fear, anxiety, stress and aggression; mechanisms they develop over time to cope.

But what exactly caused their rescued dogs behaviour is irrelevant. It's a fools errand to try to figure it out; an addictive oxytocin-fueled quest to justify a lack of action.

He's afraid of men? Make men = good things. He runs from the fly swatter? Pick the damn thing up and throw the dog a handful of steak a few times. See what happens.

When we adopt a dog, we're making a commitment to BETTER their life. Holding on to their past is doing the opposite. Show them they're in a better place by overcoming their problems, not nurturing them.

06/10/2023

Heads up everyone!!!!

05/25/2023

Relatable, some days

05/24/2023

Congrats to Patti and Koda for graduating from their basic obedience class! You guys have become a great team!

05/23/2023

Our morning walk checklist:
✅ 11 month old in his stroller
✅ 2 giant schnauzers
✅ banana for breakfast on the go
✅ waters for everyone
✅ 4.5 miles

04/28/2023

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Dog trainers don’t possess any magic. What they do possess, if they’re good at their craft, is a highly developed set of skills. But remember, at one point they knew very little, and likely got into this line of work because they were struggling with their own dogs.

So what’s the difference between a skilled and knowledgeable dog trainer and a struggling owner? Yep, you guessed it, skills and knowledge.

These people that you now hire for help were once struggling much like yourself. What did they do? They developed within themselves—likely with the help of another dog trainer—what was necessary to be able to solve their problems, and now, with all that ability, they help others with theirs’.

But, and this is a big but, all they can do is help. They can share information, teach skills, coach, and root you on—but only you can put in the work to take what is being shared and make it something personal, integrated, and useful.

You don’t have to become a dog trainer, but you do have to become a skilled, and knowledgeable owner—to whatever extent needed to match your goals.

Otherwise you’ll have to settle for watching your dog “magically” excel with your trainer, and “mysteriously” deteriorate with you.

04/19/2023

I wanted to come on and say THANK YOU to everyone that shares my page and recommends their friends. I only been offering my classes again in the area since February and I have been filling up fast! I am loving doing the in-home personalized classes to focus on just you and your dog. It is so much fun seeing the progress my clients are making each week.

I am so grateful that I have been able to be so busy but now I'm officially booking the month of June! 🤭

It's been so exciting for me to get back to doing what I love all while being a stay at home mama. I appreciate all of you and I am so thankful to be doing what I am doing!

04/18/2023

If I could empower every one of you out there whose dog is struggling with reactivity to say “thanks for your opinion but no thanks…” ANY time someone tries to blame or shame you.

One tactic I keep seeing out there is to tell the guardian they are to blame, your “energy” and lack of leadership have created this problem. And then charge money to punish the dog or slap a device around their neck.

Nope.

You aren’t too soft.
You don’t need to go against your instincts that a heavy hand will do more harm.

Don’t fall for it.
Thanks but no thanks….

04/13/2023

What a great review!

All my training clients get a form to fill out after their training class to let me know how I did and what improvements I can make to the class. I love having happy pet owners!

03/10/2023

Dreaming of warmer weather…..

I have 2 openings for in-home training sessions starting in April! Message me to get registered!

03/03/2023

It was nice to get out of the house and stretch our legs. Worked a few minutes of long stays too! Sitka will happily do anything for his jolly ball.

03/02/2023

Never say never.

🥵

02/25/2023

Not dog related but my sister makes such amazing stuff for a really great cause! 🥰

02/10/2023

What is your favorite thing you’ve taught your dog? What is the most useful thing you’ve taught your dog?

⬇️ Drop them down below! ⬇️

01/24/2023

I use place EVERY SINGLE day with my three! We use it when we’re eating, letting Barrett play on the floor, or just to help the dogs settle after play time. Picture of my pups in the comments! 👇🏼

Best way to get rid of an unwanted behavior?

Train an incompatible behavior!!

🏘 Dog barking out the window? On Your Pillow
🥦 Kids feeding off the table/dog begs at dinner table? On Your Pillow
🚪 Door Dashing when UPS show up? On Your Pillow
🧦 Velcro dog underfoot while your trying to cook/put away laundry? On Your Pillow
🐈 Chasing the cat? On Your Pillow
🐶 Siblings kabitzing? On Your Pillow
📺 Couch hog? On Your Pillow

On Your Pillow solves all my 🌏s problems. It is also one of your AKC Virtual Home Manners tasks. Earn your Title for Train Your Dog Month 🗓

01/20/2023

Hello everyone! My page has been down for a little while but I am open to taking clients for in-home training sessions in the York area! These are personalized training sessions where I will come into your home to help you reach your dog obedience goals! My availability is limited at this time but I’m excited to start working with dogs again! If you know anyone looking for dog training, send them this way!

01/20/2023

My name is Camryn Holtzen and this is a little about me and my experiences with dogs!

In 2010 I attended my first ever training class with my grandma and her dog. It was because of this class that I met one of my greatest mentors, Kathy Johnson. She saw my passion for animals and allowed me to sit in a few of her classes. Well a few classes turned into almost every training class she had for the next 6 years. I also began volunteering in her boarding kennel to gain experience working with dogs. I did this until my parents told me I had to get a job so I asked Kathy for a job! I was with her until she unfortunately had to sell her boarding business until 2015. I then worked for Dr. Tim Sullivan at his companion animal veterinary clinic for two summers. I helped care for the boarding dogs as well as bath dogs for the groomer, Laura. Dr. Tim was another huge supporter in my life and encouraged me to pursue my passion of dogs. In 2016 I left for college at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. The summer after my freshman year, I was back in town attending one of Kathy’s training classes when I met my now husband, Christian. He had no idea how much he would be learning about dogs in the years to come. In 2019 I graduated with my bachelors degree in Animal Science focusing on companion animals. During the 3 years I was in college I was working at a veterinary clinic that supported my training aspirations and let me start my own dog training program! I learned a lot about hosting training classes and working with clients. I learned how to sell myself by sharing my experiences and connecting with people through their dogs. I sadly had to leave this position when my husband and I got married and bought a house in York. It wasn’t long after this I started managing The Alps Bark Park in Seward. This was a different role from what I had done previously but it was an exciting challenge. I wanted to create a place where people could confidently leave their dogs and know they would be well cared for. But in 2022 after only a year in my new position, my husband and I welcomed home a new baby boy. We decided the best route for our family was for me to be a stay at home mom and take care of our little guy (and dogs!) Now that I am home, I am want to again pursue my passion of training and helping people be able to truly enjoy their dogs!

MY DOGS:

Denali is our female giant schnauzer who was born in 2018. She has been my demo dog and side kick for all of my training ventures. We also compete in obedience, rally, and conformation.

Gracie is our little rescue lab who was born in 2020 and surrendered to the vet clinic in Lincoln at 16 weeks old when it was discovered she was diabetic. My husband and I snatched her up and has been a joy to have the last few years.

Sitka is our male giant schnauzer who was born in 2021. We imported him from Canada and is my show dog prospect. We are hoping to begin that journey in 2023.