The Mindful Pupper

11/02/2025

Y'all know I love a list. This is not comprehensive but I want to give people reaching out for service dog training a reference point.

A lot of people feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start with service dog training. Maybe you have researched but don't know how to vet information you are finding.

I LOVE starting people out in my group classes so we can get a sense of the team before we start thinking about public access or task training. I'm providing this FREE list on my website to help people gauge their own starting point.

06/02/2025

Rally classes are open in two locations now!!!

I'm really enjoying sharing this sport with so many people. Whether you want to brush up on manners, un-learn some old school obedience approaches, or just have something regular to do with your dog, jump in to my continuing Rally (and obedience) sessions.

28/01/2025

So many questions on where to focus our energies, support our communities and still get information out!

There are plenty of other places to find me!

I also have a youtube channel that will be having more regular long form training videos!

27/01/2025

Holding space for what is happening and what is next to come.

I have opened up a Discord community for past and current (and heck, future) clients to stay connected.

Follow this link to get access.
https://discord.com/invite/pqGzkXYF6r

More resources and services:
https://linktr.ee/mindfulpupper

Check out the Mindful Pupper Community community on Discord - hang out with 6 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.

12/01/2025

Building a community of mindful dog training.

I always want to support clients in reaching out between sessions, connecting with each other, and asking questions.

I’m opening discord access to past, present, and even future clients. We have private chats for each class, and training specialty (even service dog teams).

Link is in my bio.

08/01/2025

Tonight was a blast!!! All the students get bonus points for being fully prepared for class, and we were able to set all the dogs up for success!

I’m so excited for this next 6 weeks or classes.

Interested in joining in? We will be getting registration up for the next 6 week series shortly!

29/12/2024

Trying to get into classes for January?

Check out our current class openings!

Puppy Class (Basic Life Skills)

15/12/2024

Just some personal wins: after a long break from Rally to help build up Detmer, I decided to sign her up just to see where she was at training wise.

Well, over 3 trials we finished our RN. We consistently places in first or second and I could t be more proud.

It’s a little intimidating trialing a dog who didn’t grow up with dogs shows being a normal part of their experience, so we continue to take things slow and build confidence.

Shout out to my wonderful partner who is learning to take photos of animals/trials/in weird lighting. I absolutely adore these images.

12/12/2024

In-person class signups are available!

Woof Wisdom - Dog Training and Behavior Consultations and I have been having a blast meeting more community members and support other small businesses .

We are offering a FREE meet the trainer event this coming Tuesday at SteamDonkey Brewery in Aberdeen.
Join us for dog related crafts and enrichment and share all about your dogs!

Compassionate Canine Collective

04/12/2024

Noticing some changes? Our new class options are up on the website!

We have some super exciting additions happening and even more fun collaborations with other trainers (who can turn down teamwork?)

Take a look at our new courses for Tumwater and Aberdeen locations.

27/11/2024

Adolescent brains do some funky stuff! When you add mental and physical development to the mix, it’s not good enough to just do it once or twice.

Spotted these stairs in the wild, and even if I don’t have to go the second floor, I’m not gonna miss an opportunity to work on my dogs depth perception and body mechanics.

What are some cool things y’all have seen recently that you wanted to go back and work with (whether you could or not)?

27/11/2024

Setting Holiday Boundaries Service Dog Style!

I'm coaching some clients on how to handle the first holiday season with a service dog, so I thought I would share some thoughts.
1) Setting expectations: both internally and externally- what do you hope your SD to get out of this, what do you want to get out of this, and what do you want to share with others?
2) Take strategic breaks: even if things are going well! I encourage people to practice moving away and coming back just to help keep everyone as regulated at they can.
3) Make a list of common talking points: think about your answers ahead of time. Questions about your disability, specifics about your dog, what they are training for... it's okay to set limits on how much you share.
4) Plan calm break areas: preplan some opportunities for your SD to chill or be out of the way and relax. These can also be a signal for others to leave them alone (mat time, a bone or kong, a nap in a different room are all great practice opportunities.

26/11/2024

Clients have been sharing their concerns with me about how to talk to family members who have different training philosophies.

I think that is such an individual situation and so important to guage and preplan to defuse conflict. That said, if it's specifically about having your dogs around during the holidays, either visiting someone else or others coming to your home, here are some ideas to help make things go a little smoother.

24/11/2024

In October, I spontaneously signed up my lab for our first Rally debut, and she did not disappoint. Our focus for the past years have been on growing up, service dog skills, public manners, and adjusting to my own disability shifts. My dreams of Rally kept fading into the background.

I've been really enjoying teaching my rally classes for the past six months and it's been a huge reminder of how much I miss being in the ring with my own dogs. Because Detmer wasn't raised as a showed dog we are catching up to some core training and exposure to all things dog trials. That said- she blew me away- I love those moments where your training comes together and the next steps become clearer and more realistic.

My partner was able to join me (with some bribery) to get a few lovely pictures of us in the ring.

11/11/2024

Why do I use foundations of mindfulness to inform my dog training? Because it's so important to acknowledge what isn't working and the feelings driving that. As opposed to just forcing things to work. And hey, maybe some things do work but they don't feel good.

This last week was rough, in a variety of ways. I know I was personally already exhausted and I hate it when I am left with more questions than answers.

So join me in holding space for some training moments that left me frustrated and angry.

[image description: Center square text reads "Mindfulness is not about focusing on positivity. It’s about sitting in the moment honestly, without needing to find resolve." Top left square is image of Dog not pottying in a dog relief area at the airport before a 6hr flight. Top right is black lab sitting and watching obedience ring from a distance to help work on big dog feelings for sports. Bottom left is Paul sitting helplessly in a chair on the side of a private rally course feeling mad and disconnected from black lab partner, bottom right is Paul sitting on the floor with smooth collie looking at them after barking from frustration in a training session.]

25/10/2024

What a great demonstration!

You ever try to have someone explain a new concept AS you are going through the steps? Frustration,mental fatigue, general confusion can and does affect how we remember the problem.

Making small changes to the environment and training setup is going to help improve learning ability.

23/10/2024

I used to hate dog clothes and costumes, but then I got a 7lb chihuahua that easily freezes if the sun isn't out... and then I got a collie who thinks the attention he gets with putting on costumes is hilarious. On top of that you add in Service Dog training, where these dogs need to be okay with thinks touching them.

There is a lot of solid overlap as to why your dog might like costumes, or why you might want to use costumes in training. The goal is to make sure you are actually training them through it.