The Paid Pup: Modern Dog Learning & Advocacy

20/03/2026

An obedience mindset is ego-driven and myopic.

Here’s what I actually want my dog to learn:

I am safe. He is safe with me.

His needs will be met—without conditions.

He has choice, and his voice matters.

He can predict his world.

Engaging with me feels good.

He gets to be exactly who he is.

Link to the rest of the post in bio

19/12/2025

The rage-bait got me. Here is my rant in reply to this I, Anonymous submission to The Stranger. [Article link for accessibility: https://www.thestranger.com/i-anonymous/2025/12/10/80367449/the-seattle-fido-freeze]

Don’t be this kind of person.

While this could be a case of WILD ignorance, their comments show an utter lack of awareness and excruciating entitlement.

People and dogs don’t owe you S**T. Not their time, not their attention, not their energy.

These are the kind of people I can spot from a mile away and will ALWAYS avoid. If Rilo and I are being stared at by a human or dog or both—it cues me to get us out of dodge ASAP because neither of us want to stop & chat with strangers who are obtuse with space and social cues.

Reasons that guardians and their dogs may not want to “say hi” are endless. They are all legitimate, and don’t need explanation. I'm purposely not listing them here.

To you, I, Anon: Your aggressive incuriosity is profound. Both your general EQ and your dog knowledge are pitiful. Look inward.

Your subby-energied dog requires consent, not captive bystanders.

You don’t build community by forcing yourself on someone who is clearly trying to get space from you.

Again, if you didn't hear it the first time: PEOPLE AND DOGS DON’T OWE YOU S**T.

And quit trying to rub your simple-minded extroversion all over us.

Big ups to this non people-pleasing Gen X-er for advocating for themselves and their dog!

The Stranger

31/10/2025

"I think the main takeaway is that when we are training or interacting with our companion animals, using aversive methods causes suffering—for them. The side effects of positive reinforcement training can be inconvenient at times, generally for us, and they depend on our skill levels. If food is creating unwanted consequences, a skilled trainer can generally use the same food to change the consequences. These side effects need not be long-lasting."

To email subscribers: I have changed my notification service again, which means that you may have to unsubscribe again if you did so from the previous email. I apologize. I hate bothering people. I am now locked into a service for a year so this won’t likely happen again. I propose that “fallout...

28/10/2025

Another round of rhyming reminders for spooky season. 🥀💀

Roses rot, violets decay, control is out, choice & agency are here to stay. 

Roses rot, violets decay, behavior’s not moral, it has something to say. 

Rose rot, violets decay, dogs spooked by costumes shouldn’t be put on display. 

Roses rot, violets decay, f*ck obedience, play all day.

Roses rot, violets decay, pain changes behavior in every way.

Roses rot, violets decay, put rugs on your hardwoods to keep joint pain & arthritis at bay. 

Roses rot, violets decay, follower count means nothing, ethics over influence all day.

Roses rot, violets decay, you can scare a dog silent, but their underlying emotions will stay.

Roses rot, violets decay, systemic oppression touches everything, including how we teach dogs every day. 

Roses rot, violets decay, alpha theory is disproven, if you hear otherwise, run far away. 

Roses rot, violets decay, force-free is a lifestyle, call me an extremist any damn day!
[Description: 11 graphics, words on an orange background with an icon of a skull holding holding a dead rose in the mouth. Words match exactly with the caption.]

18/09/2025

🌶️ Maybe it’s time for a class called Human Manners 101.

Seriously, don’t be this person. It’s rude and it makes you look like a total as***le.

Giving other people and dogs space SHOULD BE THE NORM.

Cross the street. If you can’t do that, make a big arch around while keeping your dog’s focus until you get past the other dog.

The bare minimum for being a kind, conscious human is noticing what’s going on around you and considering beings other than yourself.
Visual description: A screenshot of the notes app with the words “good morning everyone except for people who run or walk their dogs up directly behind other dogs in general—especially when those dogs are mid p**p. Have you no decency or sense of personal space?

02/08/2025

Hi! I thought it was time for a little life update—and I had zero photos of Rilo and I together, so here we are.

When new client requests started slowing down earlier this year, I dove into a frenzied part-time job search and let me tell ya, it was bleak—but I’m glad I persisted because the right fit at the right time came along.

I’ve accepted a position teaching puppy play classes at and I cannot wait to be back in the classroom environment! And with puppies and their guardians!

After working almost solely in behavior consulting for the last three years, it makes sense for me to take a little breather and work with puppies and young dogs on foundational life skills again. Transparently—I need it.

I’ll absolutely still be taking new clients at , and I have openings for regular “walk & learns”, and private lessons in-person or virtual.

This new chapter is exciting. I cannot wait to have co-workers to bounce ideas off of again, and to learn from some wonderful people. I start tomorrow!

Bring me all of your puppies! I’ll drop the link to sign up for classes in my bio and stories.

ps: peep at Rilo and see how handy a chin rest is for photos! 🥹

08/05/2025

Just Rilo being ridiculously adorable. 🖤
Description: A Photo of a small white and brown chihuahua type dog in a dog car seat in the car. His paws are placed on top of the seat and he’s partially standing up and looking back at the camera with big eyes and floppy ears.

01/05/2025

It’s wild to want any being in your life to be obedient to you.

Flaunting how you can command your dog into arbitrary behavior isn’t impressive, and you look like an absolute tool.

Who else in your life do you expect this kind of behavior from? 🤔

There’s a Venn diagram somewhere with obedience obsessed trainers, Andrew Tate fans, and booklickers for colonialism. 🤮

If this is the kind of relationship you want with your dog (or anyone)—it’s time to look inward and do some soul-searching.

[Description: Words on a red background that say: Hot take (with fire emojis): It’s wild to want any being in your life to be obedient to you.]