Hilary Lemaster Dog Behavior Coach

04/07/2024

Last-Minute 4th of July Pet Safety Tips
1. Secure Indoor Environment:
Create a Safe Space: Set up a quiet, comfortable area for your pet indoors where they can feel secure. Ideally, this space is away from doors and windows. Include their favorite toys, bedding, and calming items.

Close Windows and Doors: Ensure all windows and doors are securely closed to prevent escapes.

2. Identification:
Update ID Tags and Microchips: Make sure your pet’s ID tags and microchip information are current in case they get lost.

3. Mask Noises Indoors:
Play Background Noise: Use fans, calming music, white noise machines, or the TV to help drown out the sound of fireworks.

4. Avoid Fireworks Exposure:
Keep Away from Fireworks: Do not bring pets to fireworks displays or let them near fireworks at home.

5. Secure Outdoor Areas:
Check Fences and Gates: Ensure your yard is secure if your pet needs to go outside for a bathroom break. You may even want to bring them out on a leash versus letting them roam freely.

01/07/2024

20/06/2024

Happy Solstice🌞

Summer has finally arrived. Whoop whoop!!

Remember to keep your best friend safe in the heat.

The pavement can burn their feet. You can test if it's too hot for them to walk on by putting your hand or barefoot on the sidewalk.

Cars heat up very quickly this time of year, even with the windows down. Don't leave your dog alone in a car for longer than 5 minutes.

Ensure your dog has access to shade and water when they are outside, and walk them at cooler times of the day.

Wishing you and your best friend a safe and fun summer! 🫶.

24/05/2024

13/05/2024

Calling all puppies!

12/05/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/VvwM6xFbq7zvqGPy/?mibextid=WC7FNe

09/05/2024

I did It!

08/05/2024

I am teaching Dog Training Classes at Kokoro Dog.
Sign up here: https://www.kokorodog.com/new-page-2

04/04/2024

I'm offering some exciting new classes at Kokoro Dog in Maltby.
More info and sign up link is in the comments.

12/03/2024

https://www.facebook.com/seespotlearn/posts/809631541172873

25/12/2023

Happy Holidays!

14/12/2023

Do your research before choosing what dog to bring into your family👍

RESEARCH REQUIRED!

Choosing a dog just because of the way they look.

We wouldn’t choose a partner or make a commitment to sharing our lives with someone based purely on the way they look – (I suppose there could be exceptions in some cases!)

We would first really get to know them, what kind of personality they have and who they really are before making that sort of commitment.

Yet people continue to choose dogs just because of the way they look.

Maybe they saw a dog like that in a movie that they enjoyed or maybe they just really like the way they look, without having any understanding or thought to learn about what that particular breed was selectively bred to do and what behaviour might be expected.

The way a dog behaves is not always specific to the breed. Dogs are individuals, with their own unique personality and their behaviour is shaped not only by genetics, but by specific life and learning experiences and environment, but problems can happen when the traits of that breed and their specific needs are not taken into account.

Some breeds may just simply not be compatible with a particular person or family’s needs, lifestyle, environment or expectations.

Is it fair or ethical to need to suppress, train out or even punish breed specific tendencies, calling them behaviour problems, when we hold a dog in a captive environment that is unsuitable for them.

First research the breed and learn all you can about potential traits and what to expect before making that choice.

14/09/2023

It sound’s crazy-stupid to say “Don’t Call Your Dog!” after your dog has escaped.So HOW will I get the dog to come to me? BY CALMING HIM and ATTRACTING HIM.

11/09/2023

I'm offering new classes at Kokoro Dog in Woodinville. Link to sign up in the comments.

27/06/2023

Random story of the day:

I am peacefully working out in the yard.

I am getting occasional whiffs of something 🤢stinky.

I look around and notice that "Somebody!!" is not in sight.

I call her name and nobody appears. I go and investigate.

I find her happily rolling on her back in the grass.

"Aw, it sure feels good to roll around in the fresh grass on a sunny day doesn't it", I coo.

Then I notice...the very ripe, long-expired mole in the grass.

🤮 That's what that smell is!

"You weren't just rolling in the grass...you were putting on doggy cologne 😵"

"Somebody" is going to spend the rest of the day enjoying the outdoors and not the couch 😂

("Somebody" is on the right)

21/06/2023

I just learned that this is a real concern in the PNW. It is easy to treat if caught early.

https://hospital.vetmed.wsu.edu/2021/10/29/salmon-poisoning/?fbclid=IwAR37gn8uOTQn7y6cqZOn859psJHCvsm9DBJxcIQ2d86lwyhX1tcPT3VwxGU_aem_th_Ad9lWTQvswL3GpB9cXbTj8EbtDA31nOC-S8ii-jhcgmXovQQOC4TV0Eh1-TqvOXwY8Y

What is salmon poisoning disease? Salmon poisoning disease is a potentially fatal condition seen in only dogs after they eat certain types of raw fish, like salmon and other anadromous fish (fish that swim upstream to breed), that are infected with a parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola. The para....

17/06/2023

I am teaching Puppy Camp this summer at Kokoro Dog. Puppy Day Camp gives your puppy a half-day with a professional trainer. This drop-off service provides the perfect balance of all the skills most critical to creating a happy and well-behaved puppy: socialization, training, exercise, and rest. It's specifically geared toward optimizing learning during the critical development period (the first 16 weeks).

09/06/2023

This is a great reminder.

31/05/2023

Have a new puppy? I would love to see them at Puppy Camp! I will be running Puppy Camp over at Kokoro Dog’s. Now enrolling for June 5th.

17/05/2023

🌟I recently completed Kim Brophey's L.E.G.S Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediator course and I'm now a certified Family Dog Mediator!

💥The course was phenomenal! It has added many tools to my toolkit and profoundly enhanced my understanding of dog behavior. I love being part of the diverse community of FDM dog professionals as we continue to learn and grow together.

17/05/2023

👍 The best way to spend a hot day is

Watching Canada Geese in the river🦆🐕 😁