WAGSniffAScent

23/06/2025

Treats are reinforcement as they are offered following a behavior, making that behavior more likely in the future

We want to make training and asking our dogs for mutually compatible behaviours as fun and enjoyable as possible.

This doesn’t change the fact that we are asking our dogs to work for us. To do something they might not naturally choose to do.

Just like our dogs, we know our motivation would drop without payment, and we would stop showing up. Most importantly we would loose respect for our boss, not gain it.

19/06/2025

Sniffing is an easy and enriching activity for all dogs

14/01/2025

We love keeping our senior pups moving and engaged. Pepper is 15 an absolute Super Senior! Did you know you can order the recorded version of the Super Senior session:
https://www.wagsniffascent.com/courses

08/01/2025

Little dogs smell too...

11/11/2024

We love Super Seniors! It is so important to keep our senior dogs active and engaged, and may even delay or prevent cognitive declines.
Here Gus is searching for cheese, there are yoga mats down as he is sliding a bit more due to arthritis, but we've set an environment where he can move safely and use his brain

14/08/2024

What is your dog up to this summer?
Pics pls
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27/06/2024

Does your dog have a nose? Then you have what is needed to join Every Dog Smells! A KPA online class👇

18/06/2024

Registration is OPEN!
https://karenpryoracademy.com/live-classes/every-dog-smells-live-with-ann-waterbury/

18/06/2024

If your dog had a theme song, what would it be?
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17/06/2024

Registration OPENS tomorrow! Join as an excel student and enjoy the interactive exchange. All you need is a dog with a nose and internet. boom!

This five-unit class is a deep dive into nose work and a dog’s incredible scenting abilities. The curriculum and practice exercises use your dog’s innate scent skill to boost confidence, build resilience, and have fun at the same time.

30/05/2024

Thank you to all who shared pictures and identified where you get your rescue pups. First, I mean no disrespect to breeders or dogs from breeders. There are so many good breeders that are devoted to their breed and their pups future. No shame or blame here ..
Always avoid puppy mill set ups, but that is not my point either.
All of you fabulous humans who have and have had many dogs from rescues, shelters or other means are probably like me very grateful for our dogs. I am thrilled that someone gave up Chai as he was a border collie with loads of energy that was lunging at people. They made the tough decision to give him up to a reputable breed rescue (Phoenix Rising Border Collie rescue). I was thrilled that O'Riley and I spent 9 years together after adopting him from Animal Services as a 7 year old stray border collie. Because someone dropped their border collie at the vet and did not pick him up.. led to Rusty in my life and my extraordinary frisbee dog who took me to many competitions including international.
I would like to eliminate the shame about rehoming a dog. I hear "I would never give up a dog" but what that looks like for some is a dog living in the yard, or garage....living a less than enriched life.
People who make the agonizing decision to give their dog to a shelter or rescue are often making the best decision for the dog.
The humans that have made the hard decision to "give up" their dog, by which we benefit, all of us who love and have loved a rescue dog or second hand dog or whatever you call them.
Tell your dog I said hi!

02/05/2024

Interesting information on heartworm disease in the PNW. As I often say...it is a great conversation to have with your veterinarian.
Having lived in an area when heartworm is very common and witnessing how hard and complicated the treatment is, prevention might be worth it, a decision best made with your dogs/cats doctor

Heartworm disease is more prevalent in warmer southern states, but it's becoming more common in Oregon and Washington as temperatures rise.