Wayward Hearts Dog Training

23/02/2022

13/11/2021

Happy Saturday 🌈 let's face it, social media is not my thing! But I wanted to offer an update to those who do follow me here, especially past clients and friends. Wayward Hearts Dog Training is nonexistent at the moment but I honestly couldn't be happier about that. Working for has been a gift, and I'm excited to continue learning and growing as a trainer alongside Nikki and Caitlyn and our wonderful clients.

01/10/2021

We know, we know... It's still only September and we're already talking about the holidays.
👻🦃🎄⛄🕎🎁

But hear us out! Right NOW is the time to start prepping your pup for calmly navigating family gatherings and leaving presents un-chewed under the Christmas tree. Join our webinar to learn about the most common problems dog parents face over the holidays and how to prevent them!

➡️ Sign up here https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=23128421&appointmentType=26532713

🎁 Join us live for a chance to win a session with one of our awesome trainers!

📼 Get a recording of the webinar sent to your email.

See you there! 🐕

30/08/2021

I've joined the team at Mod Dog Training!

27/04/2021

Mountain Mutts is now Wayward Hearts Dog Training in Pacific Grove, CA! I hope to be open for business in May, watch this space for details 💕🐶

Thanks to for my beautiful new logo.

29/08/2020

Happy Saturday! I wanted to share some of my favorite educational dog reads. Do your furry pal a favor and pick up one of these great books. I promise you'll gain a better understanding of your dog and their behavior, no matter which book you choose.

Since they are unable to communicate in our language, I think we owe it to our dogs to learn as much as possible so we can be better advocates for them.

27/08/2020

😍😍 All the heart eyes for this boy and his progress. Here's a short clip from this week with Scout - taking mat training to the next level. He's learning that me (and his parents) walking to the table and sitting down = go to your mat. This is his alternative behavior to begging at the dinner table. No treats or food from the table, only on the mat! Mat training may seem like an "extra" not so necessary thing but it's a very useful and important behavior for a puppy to learn. It's important to but that doesn't have to be complex. When you pull out his mat, Scout knows exactly what to do and will often go from zoomy puppy to calm and focused! What's your dog's job?

29/06/2020

‼️URGENT: DOG IN NEED OF HOME. ‼️ Abby is a loving hound/shepherd mix, about 1 year old, who will give you all the attention and affection you could ask for. I had the pleasure of working with this sweetheart earlier in the year. 🐾❤ For various reasons her owner could not continue with training, and has made the very difficult decision to find Abby a forever home better suited to her. Abby will need someone dedicated to helping her succeed. I can provide all the resources, training and support for her but cannot unfortunately take her myself. She is leash reactive but does fine off leash with dogs she knows and used to live with other dogs. Her leash reactivity can and should be worked on with training. Abby will benefit from an experienced dog owner who is dedicated to seeing her be happy and successful. She is strong and would do best in a home without young children or small pets. She is healthy, spayed and up to date on all vaccinations. Abby has had a troubled upbringing so far but is such a lovebug, she will truly love you forever! I would love to see her settled in her forever home. Her owner has asked me to post this to help find her the best possible home. Please contact me at 650-776-7444 if you are interested or know someone who can help Abby. @ Mariposa, California

25/06/2020

Touch! This is one of my favorite behaviors to teach. Not only is it cute and a neat trick, it can also be extremely useful. Teaching your dog to nose touch a target (in this case my hand🤚) can be used as a form of recall, for teaching helping behaviors (think service dogs) and can help fearful dogs desensitize to human hands. The cue "touch" can be transfered to any object!

Scout here is at the end of his first week with me and doing so well. You'll notice I use the ball as a way to help reset him. It's a great way to keep training fun, especially for puppies with naturally short attention spans! In this case he seemed more interested in those tasty treats 😋 What behaviors or tricks are you interested in teaching your dog?

25/06/2020

Is it possible to teach your dog to talk to you? Maybe. I knew about teaching dogs to answer yes and no questions such as "do you need to go potty?" But this is some incredible research being done on dog cognition. Check out and

23/06/2020

When and where does your dog know how to sit? This may seem like a silly question, but oftentimes we train our dogs to sit from a specific position, and nowhere else! If you're having trouble getting fido to respond, pay attention to when he normally sits. Is it when you're standing and facing him, and he sits in front of you? This is typically how most people train a "sit" and many dogs naturally offer it. If it has a strong history of reinforcement (getting treats/affection/toys) then it's likely to repeat. But your dog can't make the connection between this behavior and sitting when for example, you're sitting in a chair, or on the floor, lying down etc. Or at the outdoor dining area of a restaurant instead of your house.

Help him understand by going back to basics and teaching "sit" from the start in each new position. He'll start to catch on that you want him to "sit" wherever you ask! If you need a little help, you know where to find me 😊🐾 Then think of some useful applications for "sit" like the outdoor dining example. When do you actually need your dog to sit? Forcing him to sit all the time to get a cookie can actually create negative associations with the behavior, and some dogs are just not comfortable sitting. It's important to think of how useful a behavior is and to only use it when a) it's serving a function and b) you can reinforce it in some way. 🐕

22/06/2020

Say hi to Scout! I get to work 1 on 1 with this little guy for the next 4 weeks, aren't I lucky 😍🐶 We're working on basic obedience, recall and leash walking. Don't wait to start training until you see problem behaviors, get those foundations in as a puppy to help prevent future problems.

I have a new online booking system, check out mountainmutts.youcanbook.me to book your consultation!

09/06/2020

Mountain Mutts is back! If you didn't hear the good news, all training classes are open for enrollment with some modifications due to COVID-19. Get all the info on my new website! https://mountainmuttsmariposa.com/

Mountain Mutts offers top notch positive dog training, get help with anything from basic obedience to behavior problems. Enroll in a class today!

08/04/2020

I've been taking some "out of office" time as far as social media goes, but I'm still out here doing virtual classes with my clients, of course. I'm excited to start virtual training with this 4 month old cutie named Otter! We'll be working on puppy basics, especially impulse control, and proper socialization in the time of covid19. If you've got a new puppy this can actually be an awesome time to practice proper socialization without pushing your dog too far too soon. This can prevent behavior problems later in life such as over-excited greeters. When life makes you stay at home, train your dog🍋🍋

25/03/2020

Did you hear? Virtual video consultation is now available. And for a limited time I'm lowering the cost of 1 hour sessions to just $45. I know budgets are tight right now for everyone. If you need advice, help with problem behaviors, basic training, or just ways to kill time with your dog, sign up for a virtual consultation! We'll cover topics of your choice and you get to keep a recording of the session.

Also please consider buying dog training packages for when we are no longer quarantined! Contact me for pricing details. As a new business especially I am struggling right now. I am new to the area and did not have a large client base yet when we had to start isolating due to coronavirus. I'm trying to get advertising out but word of mouth helps so much! Virtual sessions can be done from anywhere, so tell your friends that live in other areas! Spread the word and share the love ❤ I'm trying to do what I can to support other local businesses during this time as well.

Thanks and stay healthy everyone!

21/03/2020

NOW OFFERING online dog training via Zoom video conference. Tell your friends, family, that neighbor with the dog who you can't stand! Get a dedicated 1 on 1 session with me, your certified dog trainer, and keep a recording of the class. Options listed below.

Weekly classes:
4 week pack $210
6 week pack $320

First have a consultation video call with me to discuss your training goals and I'll come up with a customized training plan that we will work through during each class. Consultation and each class are 1 hour.

Individual sessions: $60

Just need some help with a specific behavior problem? Purchase a 1 hour session where you can get some help, learn some training basics, or even learn new tricks to teach fido while you're both bored at home :) or maybe buy one for a friend!

I appreciate if you are able to share this post and support me however you can. I know money will be tight for everyone right now but we need to support each other. Thank you 🐶❤

20/03/2020

When they call it social isolation but it doesn't feel that different for you...

But really, let's take this seriously. If not for ourselves, for those working in hospitals, those with compromised immune systems, the at risk groups. Because we are all at risk. I will be switching all my classes to video conference starting next week. No one has to miss out on helping their dogs but we can all stay safe. I'll also be offering single session video consultations for training and behavior management. I'll make another post about these options soon. Thanks for your support ❤

11/03/2020

Comin' at u for those snacks. Let's talk about positive reinforcement/force-free training and some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding it. Because there are so many, I'll just cover a few today.

Myth 1: My dog will gain weight if I train him using food.

First of all, reinforcement doesn't always need to be in the form of food. Some dogs could care less about a liver treat but will do anything for a ball. It's all about finding what's reinforcing for your dog. That could be squeaky toys, tug play, throwing a ball, belly ribs and praise, etc.

Second, if you are using food and concerned about weight gain, there are a few ways around this. You can lessen the amount of kibble they receive at meal time, you can use their kibble for training, and you can (and should) only use teeny tiny treat or food pieces when training. If it's big enough to be percieved, it's big enough to be reinforcing.

Myth 2: Using food to train is bribery.

Sure, you could call it bribery. Or you can call it reinforcement/reward. You're a lot more likely to do what I ask if I offer to pay you for it. And if I started randomly paying you for doing things, you'd probably do those things a lot more often. So give your dog a raise.

Myth 3: If I use food to train my dog, I will always have to have treats with me to get my dog to behave.

False. When done correctly, training with positive reinforcement doesn't rely on food or other reinforcers once the behavior is learned. During the learning process, it's imperative to reinforce your dog for each success, but once the behavior is "installed", variable reinforcement is a more powerful way to keep behavior sharp.

02/03/2020

As we head into spring and hiking season, it's a good idea to think about trail manners with your dog. Not every dog will want to greet every other dog on the trail, and that's OK. Would you want to stop and talk to every person you walk past? That would be exhausting, and can be for dogs too. Keep your dog leashed or under voice control at all times, and please, pick up that p**p!

Mountain Mutts offers trail manners and leash training for dogs of all ages.

https://nancytanner.com/2014/07/07/our-trails-are-in-need-of-better-etiquette/

“Either they don’t know, don’t show, or don’t care about whats happening in the hood” – Dough, Boyz n the Hood. Our winters in the mountains are awesome. Awesome…

01/03/2020

Not all plants are safe for pets. Avoid these 12 common household plants that could cause serious health issues for your dog or cat.

Share this graphic to spread the word and keep pets out of danger.

http://ms.spr.ly/6180T3DiE

27/02/2020

Abby is joining the Mountain Mutts crew! Abby is a sweet 8 month old shepherd/hound mix who struggles with reactivity. She is a rescue pup and has found an incredibly loving home, but needs some help being comfortable around other dogs. I'm excited to work with this loveable lady.

26/02/2020

"The ability to experience positive emotions like love and attachment means dogs have the same level of sentience comparable to a human child, and this ability suggests a rethinking of how we treat dogs." - Dr. Gregory Berns

Dr. Berns was the first to achieve functional MRIs (showing brain activity as the subject is exposed to different stimuli) of a dog's brain. He was able to do this by training his dog to comfortably stay in the MRI machine while being scanned. He used only positive reinforcement training. This was a huge leap in understanding dog cognition, as it allowed researchers to see the direct effect of different stimuli on the dog. The results showed that adult dogs are at the cognitive level of about a 2 year old human child. They form similar associations and have an active pleasure center that responds to stimuli such as their human companion walking through a door.

Would you use a prong collar, e-collar, choke chain or similar aversive tools on your child? No matter the behavior issue, I doubt you would ever consider it. Yet these tools are all too commonly used in the name of dog training.

Let's all be better advocates for our dogs. You always have a chance to start over and do better, for them. 🐕

16/02/2020

We're here for the snacks.

12/02/2020

It's Otto! Otto is a repeat dog sitting client and a recent addition to the Mountain Mutts training family. I'll be the first to admit I'm awful at posting about my clients. I tend to get into a training session and completely forget to take pictures or video to share. While that level of involvement feels like a good thing, I know I need to be better at sharing with you guys!

Otto and his mom are currently working on loose leash walking, a "bed" cue, reliable recall, and curbing his tendency to bark for attention. All while strengthening that dog/human bond through positive reinforcement and enrichment/playtime.

12/02/2020

How well can you read your dog's body language? Dogs are incredibly in tune with our body language, facial expressions and mood. It's the least we can do to learn a little more about theirs so we can better understand and care for our best buds.
https://positively.com/dog-training/understanding-dogs/canine-body-language/

Because dogs don't speak our language, the only way to truly communicate with them is for us to understand and appreciate what they are telling us through their body and vocal language.

09/02/2020

"Thorns may hurt you, men desert you, sunlight turn to fog;
but you're never friendless ever, if you have a dog."
-Douglas Malloch

04/02/2020

"My dog is so stubborn" is something we hear a lot. In all likelihood, when you think your dog is being stubborn or is blatantly disobeying you, they have no idea what is being asked of them.

Dogs have to be taught to generalize behaviors, so "come, Maddux" in the backyard won't instantly translate when you're out hiking and there's a million and 1 distractions. Set your dog up for success by teaching them the skills they need to navigate the situations you put them in. It'll be more fun for both of you, I promise. 🙃

Also stay tuned for my logo reveal later today!

06/01/2020

Happy New Year! We are enjoying the sun and warmth before the cold and snow return. Did you know that taking your dog places is really important? For puppies, it's important to socialize with other dogs, get comfortable riding in cars and with people and crowds, and to work on training in different environments. Many dogs are only well behaved at home because they haven't been taught to generalize. For older dogs, going on adventures is important enrichment. Sniffing and exploring are great mental and physical stimulation, which help mix up their sometimes monotonous day to day life. Yes, dogs love routine, but new experiences are just as important!

17/12/2019

My new years resolution is to be more active on social media. What do you mean it's supposed to be the opposite? I'm not talking about scrolling through cute dog pics or enrichment toy inspo ()... 🐶 I want to be more intentional about my time here, not only to help grow my business but also to share more of what I do with this community!
Sometimes it's easy to be caught up in the day to day of running my own business --meeting clients, scheduling, actually training or caring for dogs-- and forget to be working towards my goals: learning and growing. This is so important especially as a new business. So stay tuned for more cute dog photos, but also a little more about me, training insight, and general dog tips! 💫🐕 Thanks for supporting me Mariposa ❤ here's my buddy Samson working that "spin"

20/11/2019

Lexi relaxing after working hard in her training session today. She's learning how to be a certified good girl! If you dream of a well mannered pup who comes when called and stays when told...call Mountain Mutts and set up your free training consultation!

10/11/2019

Cholla enjoyed a couple of walks and lots of snuggles today while mom was away. Daytime sitting is $15/hr!

27/10/2019

Mountain Mutts is here for you and your dogs! Welcome and thank you for liking my page. I'm Megan. I offer dog training, dog walking, and pet sitting in Mariposa County. My prices vary depending on your needs so give me a call or email for more info. I teach a range of positive reinforcement training, from basic obedience to behavior modification, advanced training, and even tricks! Training is important for all dogs, young and old. If you're struggling with an unruly housemate or just want fido to walk nicely on a leash, I can help! It's been a longtime goal of mine to start a business that serves a community of dog owners, and I'm so excited to be living that dream. I look forward to working with you and your dog!

27/10/2019

Loved taking care of this angel the last few days! Sometimes I'm not sure who's luckier...me or the dogs 🐶 If you're looking to book dog sitting for the holidays, contact me soon! My schedule is filling up fast. Hope everyone's having a lovely Sunday, it's finally feeling like fall! 🍁

22/10/2019

Goldie says no take. Only throw.⚾️🐶

21/10/2019

Flyers are here! Look for them at your favorite small businesses around town. 😁

21/10/2019

The smile of a happy client! Maddux is learning leash manners and getting some exercise. Stick breaks are mandatory, flower crown optional.
@ Mariposa, California