For Good Boy's Sake Dog Training

26/05/2024

On Thursday I had to say goodbye to one of my best friends.

For over a year, Sid had an illness that was causing his behavior to become unpredictable when he wasn't feeling well, and he was becoming more of a safety concern. We weren't really getting anywhere with his vet care and all the tests we had done came back normal.

He still had some good days, but his bad days were bad. He was unhappy enough of the time that I was becoming worried about his quality of life too.

Making the decision to euthanize was probably the hardest decision I've ever made. He was only 7. But seeing him so miserable and throwing up, unable to keep weight on, guarding, snapping, and biting because he was in pain wasn't the life I wanted for him. I spent the week and a half leading up to his death second guessing myself, feeling guilty and ashamed. Completely heartbroken. I do think he was ready, or at least close to being ready. He went very quickly, I couldn't have asked for it to have gone better, considering who he was.

This dog meant so much to me, he was silly and fun and always came to check on me when I cried. He was such a good boy. He loved his toys, he loved cats, he absolutely adored cheese. He taught me so much. He was the perfect partner for starting my dog training career. He's the reason I went so deeply into force free training, he's the reason I learned about behavior modification, reactivity, cooperative care, muzzle training, using long lines, utilizing management, understanding resource guarding and it's common link to pain, how pain affects behavior, canine diet and nutrition, allergies, the list goes on. I've been able to help so many other dogs because of him. His life will have a lasting effect.

This dog meant the world to me and I miss him so much. He's the reason this page exists at all. I have no doubt he'll be waiting for me and I will see him again.

30/12/2023

Sid has always chosen cheese over meat. 🤷‍♀️

#

11/11/2023

Love those golden hours

10/11/2023

04/11/2023

Taking turns on the long line

17/10/2023

Four years ago today, I adopted this wonderful dog, who has taught me so much and been the most amazing partner for my dog training career. Sid has provided me countless opportunities to learn about all things dog, and I couldn't be more grateful. ❤️❤️

29/09/2023

These two are precious 🧡🩵

07/09/2023

Gentle reminder to check your water bowls regularly. I check mine multiple times daily for refills but now I have a new reason to check them 😐☹️😅😩🕷️

06/09/2023

People watching at the gas station while we fill up 👀🧐⛽🧡🩵

28/08/2023

Sometimes normal things can be scary for dogs

28/08/2023

Another happy birthday, this time to the boy who started it all! I got Sid about a month into my force free dog training journey. He's so wonderful and 6 years old now, 4 of those years have been with me!
He loves his birthday present! 🥺🥳🩵

12/08/2023

Canteen has earned himself a normal name 😆

💙 Duncan 💙

12/06/2023

Happy Muzzle Monday!!

Muzzles are great when fitted, trained, and used properly!

These aren't all the reasons someone may use a muzzle. Do you use a muzzle for a different reason?

What kind of muzzle do you use? Is there one you don't have yet, but hope to get in the future?
🔸Sid's muzzle is a custom made, vinyl Mia's Muzzle. He has a Muzzle Movement Muzzle coming.
🔹Canteen's muzzle is a Muzzle Movement Muzzle that was originally for Sid, but too big. It fits Canteen.

Do you not use muzzles? Are you considering using one?

If you have muzzle questions, please reach out to me or another qualified trainer!

09/06/2023

Another reminder that while I am not taking clients right now, my friend Tommie is! Tommie is the best in the area, and she also offers virtual training! Your dog will be safe from fear, pain, and intimidation tactics with Tommie. ❤

Now is one the best times to learn how to train your dog and build a relationship using science backed, force free methods! ♥️🐾

For my private training program I will be offering the biggest discount to date since I started my business - ‼️15% OFF ALL PACKAGES FROM NOW UNTIL 6/18/2023‼️

Feel free to message me or comment on the post for more details.

Check out www.nhnfdogtraining.com for information about me and my professional dog training program! The direct link will be in the comments!

21/05/2023

Happy National Rescue Dog Day!! 💙💚

30/04/2023

Brothers 💕

27/04/2023

Many of you know I work at a shelter. I am part of a small team that specializes in behavior modification for high risk dogs at the shelter where I work. We work with a lot of dogs with behaviors ranging from shut down fearful, to extreme over arousal. This is how I met Canteen.

Yeah, his name is Canteen. Canteen came to my shelter last August, after having lived for an unknown amount of time in the woods at a campground with 8 other dogs. They all had to be trapped, as they were fearful of people. They were all given camping related names, which is why his name is what it is.

Canteen was very shut down and fearful when he arrived at the shelter. He moved up to the building where I work, which helps give very stressed shelter dogs a little bit less stressful environment to be housed in for a while. I quickly fell in love with him, and was his primary trainer for the past 8 months.

His progress was very slow at first, and we were worried he wasn't going to progress. But we found a few dog friends he really loved, who helped him learn that humans are ok. Turns out he not only adores other dogs but loves people too!

When Canteen was ready to be made available for adoption, I decided I couldn't let him go without at least trying him in my home first. I took him home to foster at the beginning of April. We did a very slow introduction between Canteen and Sid, and they hit it off so well!

A week later, I signed the papers to officially adopt him.

Welcome home, Canteen. Happy life. 💕

04/02/2023

I'm so excited to announce my completion of the Apprentice Level of my dog training certification through DogNostics! The Apprentice Level has been amazing! Even with prior experience, I have learned so much in this course and have really enjoyed it! Not only has the information and coursework been enjoyable and informative, but I have had all of my questions answered by the wonderful course instructor, Louise Stapleton-Frappell. She has been so helpful and kind, and really makes me feel seen and understood. She responds to questions in a very timely manner and offers great advice! Overall, this course has been wonderful and I am so excited to continue on with the rest of the course! I highly recommend it!

03/02/2023

I highly recommend Tommie!!
Because I'm working full time at a shelter, I am currently not taking clients. But don't worry, my friend and mentor, Tommie Piccinini, of No Harm No Foul Dog Training is!
Tommie is amazing! She has so much knowledge and an amazing skill set. She is one of very few I would trust my own dog with. And she's local in my area! Please consider going to Tommie with your dog training and behavior needs. I know I would!

Dog training solutions for puppy to senior dogs. Behavior modification training. Science backed methods.

29/12/2022

Because I'm working full time at a shelter, I am currently not taking clients. But don't worry, my friend and mentor, Tommie Piccinini, of No Harm No Foul Dog Training is!
Tommie is amazing! She has so much knowledge and an amazing skill set. She is one of very few I would trust my own dog with. And she's local in my area! Please consider going to Tommie with your dog training and behavior needs. I know I would!

28/12/2022

So excited to finally have a day warm enough we can go on a small trail hike. ❤

21/12/2022

📣 RECALL 📣

How's your dog's recall right now? What would happen if your dog got loose today? How would he respond to you calling him?

I'm relieved to say my dog would come to me.

A few days ago, I let my dog out in my fenced in front yard to run for a bit, since it's bigger than my backyard. I went to the kitchen and about a minute or two later, I went out to check on him. He wasn't around. I started to panic and immediately looked at my front gate. The angle from my front door made it look like the gate was closed, but once I stepped outside, I saw it was open. I fully panicked inside, but tried to remain calm, and started scanning the road. My dog was in front of my neighbor's car, looking at me. I held my arms out wide and said in a super exciting voice, "come here!" He immediately came running back to me, very excited! I was so relieved and he got a lot of cheese! 😄

This is a scenario that many of us dread. It could have gone very different, and I'm so grateful it didn't. Regardless, it was scary. I practice recall with my dog almost every day for this reason. I always want my dog to come back to me, especially in emergency situations.

So what do you think? How would your dog respond?

21/11/2022

A fun day exploring! We went to the lake, but since Sid finds water aversive, we went down the other side of the hill and explored the fields on our 30ft longline. Then we got a pupcup and did a bit more sniffing in a massive parking lot before we went home.

Let them sniff.

02/11/2022

Do you want to be a dog trainer? Did you know that we have a new need-based scholarship for the Grisha Stewart Academy, so you could take classes for free?

The membership is normally $29.99/month, which we are deliberately holding steady during this time of inflation.

It's an excellent value to access every class in the online school, but I recognize that not everyone can afford that.

This 6-month scholarship for free membership is available to anyone who truly can't afford $1/day. In particular, I encourage applications from people in need whose communities are also underrepresented in dog training.

Diamond members get access to every class in the academy, including my recent Evolution of BAT 3.0 webinar and the upcoming webinar with Shay Kelly on Enrichment and Affective State.

The classes required for CBATI-KSA certification are all in the Academy and most of our courses earn CEUs for CPDT and IAABC, so this also allows for a significant career boost. At this time, Diamond members only have to pay for the CBATI-KSA exam, which is discounted to $100.

grishastewart.com/diamondscholarship

16/10/2022

"Maybe each day is the chance to answer the big question “what am I going to do with my life?” in a lot of little ways."

I'm not sure who said this (if you know, please comment!), but I really like this quote. Our lives are made up moments. Some of my favorite moments are spent with my animals. I treasure moments like this with Sid, where he is just doing normal dog things. These moments are so beautiful.

What am I going to do with my life?

This. A lot of this.

Letting my dog be a dog.

These are the kind of moments I want to fill my life with.

11/10/2022

Sometimes, some dogs wear ✨muzzles✨

There are LOTS of reasons why a dog might wear a ✨muzzle✨

Just ONE reason why my dog sometimes wears a ✨muzzle✨ is so that others will leave us alone while we are out.

Sid does not like strangers, whether they are human or dog. I don't really like strangers when they are human. And his ✨muzzle✨ can help deter others from getting too close to us.

This is just ONE of the reasons Sid wears a ✨muzzle✨ sometimes.

Does your dog wear a ✨muzzle✨ and if so, why?

03/10/2022

Small adventures with my dog are big adventures in my heart 💕

01/10/2022

Happy National Black Dog Day 🖤🖤🖤