FolkTail Dogs

01/06/2024

I got to see my BFF, Ramona today! She is such a sweet little lady and as you can see, loves her belly rubs and walks. 💕

03/05/2024

FolkTails dog of the month for May is Joker. Joker is a 3 year old BALL OF ENERGY. He loves to go for runs and play with toys and just be goofy in general. Poor Joker has been at the shelter for most of his life. He continues to be passed over even though he’s a young, healthy, sweet boy. It breaks my heart that I took some of these photos in 2022. Joker would do best without any small children, (he’s a bowling ball that might knock them over). He also doesn’t like other animals. But if you’re looking for an adorable and spunky partner in crime to hike and go on runs with… Joker is your MAN. Please feel free to share and get this out there!
If you’re *seriously* interested in meeting Joker and adopting him, head on over to Worcester Animal Rescue League and fill out an application. He’d be so happy to meet you. 🃏💖🥹

21/04/2024

Send some Purina One to my pal Candy and her friends! Better yet - drop some off! 💕

Adoptable Candy and the shelter dogs enjoy their Purina One dog food. Don’t tell them but, we are REALLY low on both dry and wet food. If you follow us you know we have received MANY new arrivals this week so the need for dog food is high!

Donations can be dropped off at the shelter or shipped via our convenient Chewy and Amazon wish lists. Candy and all her shelter pals thank you!

https://worcesterarl.org/wish-list/

To learn more about our sweet girl Candy, visit her bio and complete an inquiry form if you would like to meet her. She’s a very good girl.

https://worcesterarl.org/pets/candy-04-03/

21/04/2024

“When we see a leash, we use a leash.” 👌🏼🫶🏼

Spring is here! More people are out enjoying the good weather with their dogs. Honoring leash laws and using leashes in public places is one way to be a thoughtful community member.

Safety: Leashes prevent our dogs from running into traffic, chasing wildlife, or approaching unfamiliar dogs and people, reducing the risk of accidents and conflicts.

Concern for others: Not everyone is comfortable around dogs! Some people may have allergies, fears, or past negative experiences with dogs. Many dogs struggle with being rushed by off-leash dogs. Leashing our dog shows respect and concern for others’ comfort and safety!

Preventing incidents: Even the friendliest dogs can react unpredictably in certain situations. A leash provides a physical barrier that can prevent potential conflicts or bites.

Even in places with no leash law, I leash my crew if I see an on-leash dog ahead. There’s really no downside!

Alt text: A drawing of a small brown dog on a yellow leash, a person in brown pants, and a pink and orange shirt hiking among green hills, wildflowers, and a shining sun. The person says, “When we see a leash, we use a leash.” The dog says, “Look at my snazzy long line!”

21/04/2024

Are you or someone you know looking for a way to help a shelter pup? Do you have room to give Short Stop a vacation? Reach out to Worcester Animal Rescue League! 💕 Shortie loves to snuggle and give kisses and play with his giant red ball. He’d do best without other animals. He’s having a hard time at the shelter… some dogs just have a harder time than others. He could use a break!

31/03/2024

I posted my very first blog! Check it out and let me know what you think. Go easy on me. ✨

How I balance having three dogs while going through a depression episode.

07/03/2024

FolkTails for March is my best girl, Sky. Sky is a 10.5 year old sassy lady with a lot to say about pretty much everything. She’s older but don’t let that fool you… she’ll surprise you. Sky is very food-motivated and eager to learn. She’s also house-trained! I’ve spent a lot of time with Sky and I can’t wait for her forever family to find her. She’s patiently waiting but definitely giving some back talk in the process. Share this so we can help her get a home for her golden years! Head over to Worcester Animal Rescue League for more info!

17/02/2024

I have a soft spot for… soft dogs. My Winnie is a fearful and reactive girl. I fell in love with her because of this. The world overwhelms her. And instead of punishing her or getting frustrated, the most important thing is to empathize and make her feel SAFE.

How might you feel if you had big feelings and were terrified but couldn’t express it in a way that everyone around you could understand? You might resort to the only thing that humans WILL listen to… growling and snapping.

I look forward to training soft dogs when I become certified and helping people understand the Winnies of the world and seeing how rewarding it is to be patient and compassionate with them. The payoff is immeasurable. Winnie trusts me completely because I advocate for her. She’s also on daily medication to help her navigate this scary and often unforgiving world.

Rescued By Training always has wonderful and concise info for people. And these are another example.

17/02/2024

I’m obviously and openly biased towards WARL but for very good reason. They’re nonprofit and put their whole hearts and souls into caring for the animals that stay with them. I’ve witnessed it firsthand for almost 7 years now.

They run *100%* off of donations, so please… don’t be shy about stopping by and dropping off blankets or food or crates or beds or anything you think they can use. They have a wishlist on their website and if you don’t have time to stop by in person, send them something from their Amazon wish list!

This is my fav boy George, (don’t tell the others), doing his best blue steel to promote Wagtime. Unfortunately, he won’t be there, which stinks because I don’t have a date, but the proceeds will help him and the other animals at the shelter in so many ways.

If you’re unsure about going to Wagtime.. a bonus is that I’ll be there being awkward and that’s always fun for people to watch. 🥴🙃

17/02/2024

Another small business in the Woo that I love and go to often… Tatnuck Pet Supply! They’re conveniently located and have so many curated options for our little furry friends. Birdie would like to tell everyone specifically about these antlers and how delicious they are.

Primal Antlers, moose, elk and stag..Sourced from the forest floor, these naturally shed antlers are handcrafted for pet size & safety for a perfect chew.

17/02/2024

I love this wonderful city and all of the businesses we have. Especially women-owned! If you haven’t been to Crompton Collective yet, you’re missing out. Big time. They have an awesome selection of unique dog accessories too!

14/02/2024

Impossible choice, in my mind. Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️

23/01/2024

For like, two weeks now, I’ve assumed my back door handle was broken because I would come home and the dogs would just let themselves out. I found out tonight that it’s actually just that BIRDIE TAUGHT HERSELF HOW TO OPEN THE BACK DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. Keep your eye on the seam of the door to see the mechanism unlock when she pulls down the handle.

Dalmatians are scary smart.

(Don’t mind the missing handle - haven’t had time to fix it.)

13/01/2024

One of my very favorite trainers and a dear friend, Lizzy, has the very best advice to help you with your “teenage“ dog. She even offers a class to help you with your energetic teen!

06/01/2024

GOOD BOIS AVAILABLE!
These dogs all need homes… or maybe you can give one of them a staycation? Either way, meet Moe, Joker, Benson, and Kobe. All amazing pups and all available for adoption. You can find them all and more .
Moe, Benson, and Joker are all high-energy dogs who will require training, so keep that in mind. Moral of the story: they’re all very good bois, so please share!

01/01/2024

One of my 2024 resolutions is to walk Winnie more. Winnie struggles with reactivity to other dogs, and admittedly, I’ve slacked on walking her because it can be very stressful for both of us.
I took her for a walk around the neighborhood today and she even met a neighbor and did great. We didn’t see any dogs, but I kept an eye out. I have to keep my head on a swivel constantly while walking, which can make it very stressful. However, I know as a trainer that the more we walk and train, the more it will help build both of our confidence levels.
Winnie isn’t highly food motivated, so in order to reinforce her for being calm around other dogs, I’ll have to really bring my A game with treats, (steak, smoked gouda, etc). I’m reframing “I don’t want to walk her because what if we see another dog” to “seeing other dogs is a training opportunity.” As long as I keep her under threshold and continue to reward her for not reacting and let her know that she is safe, we’ll be golden.
Happy New Year and I hope 2024 is wonderful to everyone! 🎉🫶🏼

30/12/2023

This may seem gross at first, but it’s really about honoring your dog’s needs at their core. Let’s stop putting so many of our own expectations on our dogs and start letting them be dogs more often. 👏🏼

30/12/2023

Although for now, I’m only offering dog walking & drop-in services, (that will change in 2024!), my website has plenty of other info and resources for dogs and their humans.

You can find recommendations for local trainers, books & articles, and soon-to-come - a blog & list of dog-friendly businesses in and around Worcester. And even more to come that I haven’t thought of yet!

It’s all *free* and there to help dogs & their humans. 🫶🏼

Need a Worcester dog-walker? FolkTail Dogs: offering force-free dog walking services to Central MA.

29/12/2023

Hi everyone! Apparently, in order to get the word out about my business, I have to get some ratings on the Google machine. I hate to be “that guy,” but if you’ve worked with me, please take a minute and give me a rating! Click the link below to rate me on Google. A rating on Facebook would be a real bonus for me!

Here’s a bonus picture of Birdie doing her best “stay” while visiting my office as thanks in advance!

https://g.co/kgs/sgnt27

29/12/2023

At first glance, this probably looks like a video about a dog who did something wrong. Quite the opposite! I set this up specially FOR the dogs. I realize not everyone is open to this level of mess, but I promise, it’s not that bad to clean up, (grab a trash bag and stuff it with the stuffing and maybe a vacuum after that).
I bought some stuffed animals from Savers for about $20 total and rationed out a few of them for the dogs to shred and have their way with. (Make sure the toys don’t have beads or plastic eyes or glitter, etc.)
I let them go to town, shredding and throwing and dissecting and playing until they’re done. Then, I clean up. After an hour tops, I usually have two very mentally and physically exhausted dogs who are ready for a nap. It’s a small price to pay for my dogs’ mental health. They have SO much fun… and I have so much fun watching them.
I know this might sound scary to some people, but a gentle reminder that some dog play sounds scary and dangerous to humans, but is usually just normal dog play. Winnie is an extremely vocal player and I know how to interpret their play very well. Note Winnie telling Birdie to back off and Birdie listening VERY well.

16/12/2023

I’ve begun featuring an adoptable dog of the month on my website. For the first month, it’s my boy George! 👏🏼

George is an energetic and playful boy who needs someone who has experience with dogs. He has been doing amazing with training and impulse control and is VERY smart. His ideal adopter would agree to continue his training and understand his needs. He takes awhile to warm up, but once he does, he's your friend for life. George is a very special boy who just needs the right family. WARL will take great care of him until that time comes.

https://www.folktaildogs.com

25/11/2023

Happy Holidays from FolkTail Dogs! I hope you have a relaxing, love-filled, wonderful holiday season in whatever way that looks for you.
Birdie says sorry for her obscene position, but her puppy legs are very floppy and to let her live. 🙃

02/11/2023

Jim gets up to go p*e in the middle of the night every night (don’t @ me… it’s cool with me. He uses a p*e pad.)

Lately, when he jumps back onto the bed, Birdie has begun resource-guarding me pretty hard. You can see her notice him in the video and then turn metal pretty quickly.

Two points here:
1: THIS IS NORMAL. I am not going to punish Birdie for a natural reaction. Punishing her in this situation would likely just make her think, “I was right! There IS something to worry about!”
2: What’s the solution? Creating a positive CER or conditioned emotional response. I want to make Birdie LOVE IT when Jim jumps on the bed. I want her to look forward to it.

How will I do this? When I feel Jim jump on the bed, (which I do), I’ll grab a high value treat from my bedside table and offer it to Birdie before she has the chance to react. After several nights of doing this, she will hopefully begin to understand that Jim jumping on the bed = tasty treats.

As for me having the coordination to wake up from a dead sleep, slip a treat into a puppy’s mouth, and time it right? We’ll see. Wish me luck!

13/10/2023

This is my lovely client, Aspen. Aspen has pica - so she tries to eat things she shouldn’t. Her wonderful guardians have worked SO much with her and done so well, that she wears it without any issues on every walk. Isn’t it pretty?! (Not as pretty as her, obviously.)
Muzzles are an amazing tool. When trained and used and fitted properly, they give peace of mind to the guardian and immeasurable safety to the doggo. What a good girl!

01/08/2023

🚨🚨CHECK YOUR BIRD FEEDERS🚨🚨
Birdie has been in the ER since Sunday night. She took one of my bird feeders out of a tree and ate the entire contents of the feeder (that I had just filled). I didn’t think much of it until something (✨) told me to double check the ingredients. When I did, I was horrified to find out that there were raisins in it. I’ve been buying bird seed for years and never knew this was a possibility.
After beating myself up for letting this happen, I realized that there are so many people that have bird feeders and dogs and have no idea that there are potentially deadly raisins in it.
Raisins are just dehydrated grapes and for those who don’t know, ‼️THEY ARE POTENTIALLY TOXIC FOR DOGS‼️
The scary thing about raisins and grapes is that there is no known toxic dosage. It’s completely random. One dog may eat grapes their entire life and be fine. Another dog could eat one and die. They cause acute kidney failure, which, by the time the symptoms show up, is irreversible and deadly.
Birdie and I were lucky. I got her to the ER within a few hours and she vomited up 4 large piles of almost pure bird seed. They found 15 raisins. The next day, she had two 💩 while I was visiting her. 100% bird seed. They gave her fluids to flush her system, activated charcoal to bind the toxins, and monitored her kidney and blood levels several times per day.
I got the news today that I get to pick her up tonight and I couldn’t be more relieved or excited. It’s a ghost house without her puppy energy. She was a model patient and the people at were beyond compassionate and helpful. I recommend them to ANYONE who has an ill pet. Although it was a cool $5,000 for Birdie’s stay, it was worth it down to every penny. They even send texts and photos, including the foolish last photo. Happiest patient ever.
Moral of the story: CHECK YOUR BIRD FEEDERS. Maybe you can avoid buying a $5,000 bag of bird seed, unlike me. 🥴

20/07/2023

Got to see Kyra today after a few weeks of her being on vaca (jealous). She looks adorable with her puppy cut. It was so good to see her!

04/07/2023

Got to see my pal George at Worcester Animal Rescue League yesterday. He gives *the* best hugs. Also - check out the expert side-eye. George is a very energetic and smart boy who needs a lot of enrichment mentally and physically. He is looking for a forever home with someone who can work hard with him on impulse control and advocate for him. SERIOUS adopters can make an appointment to meet Mr. George in person at www.worcesterarl.org. 🎾☺️

28/06/2023

Birdie has been working on a free-shaped retrieve with me for The Academy for Dog Trainers for 4.5 months and we finally passed the other day! A fun byproduct: she’s now randomly presenting me items throughout the day. It is one of the cutest things IN THE WORLD.