Where dog training is like...
Like playing a game with your best friend. Like an adventure you embark on together. Like...magic.
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Like building the skills that mean the most to you.
Lots of new faces arrived in the last couple days! Did you see a few of them in the video this morning? Frequent visitor Lucy is here for the weekend, along with vizsla Yosi, who is here for the first time (but we’ve known for a long time!).
Joining us too is repeat boarders Obi and Colette, who have quickly become the best of friends, and Jasper is back for more recall-focused board and train!
It’s a full house this weekend but we’re going to have lots of fun with the pups!
Traditional manners and foundation classes provide instruction in a low(er) distraction environment to teach new skills and behaviors you can then take and troubleshoot in the outside world on your own.
Those classes are not this class.
Worldbuilding, for puppies 8-24 weeks, and Cheat Codes, for adolescents and adults over 6 months includes online behavior introductions at your pace, in your home.
On Thursday evenings, you'll meet with your trainer to take these lessons out in the real world, where your troubleshooting will take place with the assistance and coaching of your trainer.
Register now for Worldbuilding or Cheat Codes: available on Thursday evenings for 4 weeks at 6:00pm and 7:30pm in Ellicott City!
Summer Break? 🧐 Never heard of him!
In the next couple months, I’m planning to have some super cool new stuff coming out that I’m very excited for! Currently in progress includes:
🤩 September in person puppy and manners classes out and about in Ellicott City - available for registration now!
🤩 A “follow along” puppy training online course with live engagement and lots of new materials (stay tuned for who we will be following along with! IYKYK 🤫)
🤩 Full availability of Starting Zone foundational behaviors, including the last mini course in the set: Patios and Polite Hellos
🤩 Our Kids and Dogs online course, featuring Like Magic’s Junior Trainer Cassidy, Hero Kids, launching!
🤩 More private session and board and train availability starting in September!
🤩 Moving current online courses under my main website, which means easier and more updates, including a Scentwork Therapy module added to online Drama Class and for individual purchase.
What questions do you have? What training help do you need and what are you most excited to see next?
Soom Soom is back! Soom is one of my frequent boarders, we go way back 🥰 He’s here for a week to continue building his coping and reactivity skills, especially focused around *recovery* as well as polishing some “auto leave it” practice due to the Toddler Free Food Delivery System that’s now in his home 😂
Like Magic will be out of the office over the next week! I’ll be checking in on emails and texts but may not be available for response until Monday 7/29.
Puppies and adolescents are at their most challenging when distractions are present!
In these group classes we're turning the typical manners classes on its head - instruction and skill introduction is provided at home where you can focus on just you and your pup, and classes are held outside for real life, real world practice.
Puppies 5 months and younger will be focusing on confidence and socialization in Worldbuilding Class, and older pups (and pups-at-heart) build their manners skillset in Cheat Codes - four week classes beginning Thursday, September 12 with Like Magic Dog Training!
Got questions about Board and Train? Reach out now to talk through your goals so we can get you set up with the best service for you - Board and Train is currently booking packages for September and beyond! 🐶
It’s Lucy! Lucy’s here for her two week board and train working on all sorts of manners - loose leash walking, recall, polite greetings - with a little cooperative care work thrown in. We will be focusing on building engagement and focus in ways that make nervous Lucy feel safe as a little dog in a BIG world!
Brb crying 😭 Charzi and Teddy settled nicely in the same room. I’m so so proud of this whole team and the hard work they’ve put in building the relationship between these two boys. Amazing work 🥰
Not sure where to start with help for your reactive dog? Take advantage of the dog days of summer by jumping into online instruction, getting lots of feedback and your questions answered, and then joining our coaching class!
☀️ Start coursework right away with your reactivity orientation
☀️ Practice and progress with direct video coaching from your trainer
☀️ Join our community of reactive dog parents and work through set ups with people who understand
☀️ Enjoy lifetime access to the instructions in the course so you can always look back on exercises you need!
Visit www.likemagicdogtraining.com to start today!
Mo has been back here this week to brush up on his confidence and comfort! Did you see him hanging out with Eden in the video yesterday?
BRUCE! Bruce is back for 3 weeks to build skills and practice managing and coping with his big feelings about other dogs. Bruce had some negative interactions with other dogs right around the same time he hit behavioral maturity, which can create some lasting responses that are difficult to manage. His people have done a great job creating distance where they can and limiting his triggers, so we’re going to add to his skillset and strategies to live a more relaxed life, even in his busy neighborhood!
Need to brush up on some skills this summer? Let’s set your pup up for success and fun over the next few months with a customized training plan and package. Schedule your Session Zero today at www.likemagicdogtraining.com !
Believe it or not this connects to dog training. I live in a townhouse with a split level, so there’s a narrow entry way to a storm door that swings outward. I have spent *years* of frustration with delivery and door dash placing packages directly outside my door, meaning I can’t actually open the door to retrieve them. One minor modification to the environment - a small side table - and the problem is solved. This is why all new training packages start with a Session Zero virtual consultation. Training helps SO much, but sometimes your most immediate training headaches have nothing to do with your dog, and everything to do with how you can set your home up for success.
Seeger is showing his brother Lorca around during their quick boarding stay!
Radar is here for the weekend and ready for snuggles
Zuzu and Obi perfecting settling at a busy and chaotic trial environment today! They worked on loose leash walking with LOTS of distractions and relaxing in the sunshine as excited dogs ran past. Next up: Sniffspot!
Fig was my helper dog today at an elementary school presentation on dog training and safety! This was a new experience for us but was so much fun!
“Um guys it’s not Tuesday anymore…” Snoop is here for another stay and is pretty sure me and his mom have lost all track of our schedules 😂
Welcome Eri! Eri is here for just a week while her people are on vacation. She will be working on foundations with a focus on her loose leash walking skills!
I missed out on posting a few lovely dogs over the last week, but I’m back on pup profiles with Obi! Obi is here for two weeks working on polite greetings, neutrality on walks, and recall! Hes having great first day with Mouse and Fig at a Sniffspot!
Pickle went to the pet store and was not given any new stuffies. Please think of her in this tragic and difficult time.
Lucyyyyyyy we’re home!!!! Lucy is a little Italian Greyhound puppy and also my new obsession. She is here for a trial overnight and as you might have seen in today’s stories, has become fast friends with day school pup, Zola!
Handsome man Bruce is here for his acclimation stay! He will be back in June for some dog reactivity work, but for now he’s working on perfecting his snuggles in a new place 🥰 (he’s very good at them)
Welcome Zuzu!!! Zuzu is here for the next week (and then a few later in May) to work on some confidence building as well as some adolescent…ahem…selective hearing 😂 Look how pretty she shimmers in the sunlight ☀️ 🥰
Eri is here in advance of her board and train for some leash walking skills! She’s hanging with the big dogs during day school and getting used to the place 💕
Did you know that manners training is available right at your fingertips? Like Magic's foundational manners series, Starting Zone, individually targets behavior goals so you can work towards some of the most common needs dog owners express - whether you're dealing with an unruly adolescent, a newly adopted adult, or any dog who could use a tune up in one area or another.
Each course comes with an orientation session that covers some of the basics, and then moves through individual modules that introduces skills, habits, and behaviors that steer your training directly towards the results you want. The material is all self-led for a lifetime of access, so you can work at whatever pace is best for you.
Need some hands on help? Any online course member is automatically invited and encouraged to send videos, ask questions, and get involved in our online community so solutions can be tailored to your situation.
You can register for courses here at https://liz-s-school-9178.thinkific.com/collections
| Monday | 08:00 - 17:30 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 - 17:30 |
| Wednesday | 08:00 - 17:30 |
| Thursday | 08:00 - 17:30 |
| Sunday | 08:00 - 17:30 |
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Juno has some discomfort around people in his home - even if it’s people he’s generally familiar with. During his August Level Up session, we worked on his relaxation and transitions, especially in tight spaces, and looked for where his body language indicates increased conflict and where he demonstrated comfort. We also worked on his muzzle conditioning to provide an extra layer of security and safety as his family continues to build his confidence. Wanting to build your dogs comfort with guests? Board and Trains and Private Session packages both are available beginning in September! Visit the link 🔗 in the profile for more info! #dogtrainer #dogtraining #boardandtrain #positivereinforcement #canineenrichment #levelup #decompression #reactivitytraining #trainingclass #ellicottcitymd #supportsmallbusiness #columbiamd
“Handful Sessions” can make daily training possible for the anyone by leveraging small moments during the day for BIG training wins. “Handful Sessions”: 🤚 Encourage enthusiastic engagement from your dog 🖐️ Make consistent training possible 🖐️ Provide mental enrichment 🖐️ Keep training sessions from getting too long or boring 🖐️ Create opportunities for sustainable progress How do you make time for training duringg the day? #dogtrainer #dogtraining #boardandtrain #positivereinforcement #canineenrichment #levelup #decompression #reactivitytraining #trainingclass #ellicottcitymd #supportsmallbusiness #columbiamd
Nosework can be a great tool for your dog to work their body and brain! Seeking scent: 🧠 encourages your dog to use their natural skillset to engage with the environment 🧠 provides mental stimulation and burns energy - indoors and outdoors! 🧠 builds confidence by reinforcing your dog’s independent exploration of an environment 🧠 rewards them for focusing on their own task around distractions 🧠 calms them physically by promoting deep, even breathing in order to properly track odor 🧠 is a great way to build better communication and bond with your dog! Looking for new ways to enrich your dog? Level Up Subscription Service has a few open spots - reach out about building your dog’s training and enrichment plan today! #dogtrainer #dogtraining #boardandtrain #positivereinforcement #canineenrichment #levelup #decompression #reactivitytraining #trainingclass #nosework #scentwork #ellicottcitymd #supportsmallbusiness #columbiamd
Reactivity can stem from many emotions - but whether your dog is frustrated, anxious, scared, angry, or just excited to throw down - there are skills for you and your pup to learn together to help them cope better with dogs nearby! Let me know how Like Magic can help you and your reactive dog! #dogtrainer #dogtraining #boardandtrain #positivereinforcement #canineenrichment #reactivitytraining #trainingclass #ellicottcitymd #supportsmallbusiness #columbiamd
Penny and Leila had their joint day training sessions working on polite greetings at the playground and polite patio behaviors at @experiencesavagemill #levelup #dogtraining #politegreetings #positivereinforcement #positivereinforcementtraining #dogtrainer #dogsofinstagram
Lexi enjoyed a water-focused decompression hike out with Fig today for her #levelup July hike! #reinforcementlearning #dogtraining #canineenrichment #sniffwalk #decompressionwalk #reactivity #reactivedogtraining #reactivedog
Snoop had a different kind of decompression/fun outing - with the heat we’ve had, swims were in order! #decompression #dogtraining #positivereinforcement #dogtrainer #levelup #dogsofinstagram
Bailey had a blast doing exactly as she pleased this morning on her Level Up Decompression Hike! Decompression hikes can vary between individuals but also between breeds - with my own German Shepherd, we stay on the marked paths and I’ll invite her to choose between two directions. Order in and of itself is calming and reassuring for her. For Bailey the Beagle, she’s following her nose, and off-roading is expected, necessary, and spontaneous! 👃 🐕 🌳 #beaglesofinstagram #dogtraining #levelup #positivereinforcement #decompressionwalk #reactivity #sniffari
One and one services mean more time and flexibility to explore new things! Snoop’s decompression hike included checking out a trail and exploring the river alongside it, and swimming- something brand new for Snoop! Level Up Training Club is already giving me the chance to impact dogs I’ve worked with for years in brand new ways as they continue their training journey. There is ONE spot remaining in the Training Club, which gives monthly subscription access to group sessions, online resources, and one on one services. Is that spot yours?
It’s a tough weekend outside 🥵 Temps have shot up quickly from the mild early summer we’d been having. It can be difficult to get out with your dog to burn that extra energy when you and your dog haven’t acclimated to the summer temperatures. Instead of braving the heat, you can try: ❄️ Training in the cooler hours of the day. If you need light, consider lit parking lots for working your pup! ❄️ Taking to the water! Even walking next to a creek will be cooler than not, and the opportunity for your and your dog to take a dip will be appreciated. ❄️ Play brain games in the AC! Whether your pup would enjoy sniffing out treats, shaping a new trick, or practicing their indoor manners, there’s plenty of exercise for the mind to be had inside. ❄️ Sneak in extra snuggles 🩷 A little extra rest time is never a bad thing - if you and your dog are happy with it, take advantage of the indoor time to just… chill 😉 What are your dogs up to this weekend?
Lots of reasons reactive B&T Bruce might have chosen to roll in the grass instead of the more structured relaxation I’d intended. Maybe he was blowing off some nervous energy, maybe he was inviting Korra to interact, maybe he was just itchy and hot and the grass looked inviting! Reactive work should always include flexibility on the part of the handler - as long as the dogs are safe and being reinforced for desirable behaviors, following the dogs lead might be totally fine!
Just a couple pups absolutely crushing it 💅
The Who’s Who of the Holiday Weekend at Like Magic!
So how DO you take an excitable young shepherd and turn them into the perfect demo dog for a training event? No surprise, it starts off well before the event begins. Fig has learned to settle and has really good crating behaviors already. She is environmentally sound and nothing much phases her, and she can work and be attentive to me around other people and distractions. Today I made sure her physical and mental needs were met before we set foot in the office, and we got there plenty early so she could acclimate to the place. She took breaks in her crate with her beef cheek when things were too exciting to be with me, and we went on walks to the other vendors so she didn’t get bored. I’m *very* proud of my girl and happily feel that she was set up to be as successful as she was! #dogsoftiktok #dogs #dogtrainer #reinforcementlearning #dogtraining #enrichment #canineenrichment
Video partially inspired by @hungrydogtraining ‘s wonderful post yesterday on Frankie’s session where “a lot is happening when nothing looks like it’s happening!” Mo is here to build confidence as well as working on some specific cooperative care and life skill behaviors. As one of his exercises, we are exploring the outdoors every day. As of yet, I haven’t asked him for much outside because he can be nervous in a new place and my first goal is to build independent curiosity before asking for anything from him. In these walks he gets to lead - he chooses the path (as long as I can fit!), he chooses the length of the walk, he chooses when to stop and sniff, and when to turn back. Through this video you can see him exploring new terrain, air scenting and sniffing around for new smells, and choosing to head towards the house as well as (big win for confidence!) choosing to continue the walk towards the court. While there were no cues, no treats, and no specific behaviors during this session, Mo absolutely came away with a strengthened skillset 🥰
Lots of featured pups today playing brain games! #dogsofinstagram #dogtraining #enrichment #tricktraining
Charzi is a nervous boy who can have some big feelings about handling that isn’t on his terms. While he’s being very sweet here I’m also aware he’s not in what he would consider a familiar, secure environment. How many “consent tests” for pets can you spot in the video?
Charzi is a nervous boy who can have some big feelings about handling that isn’t on his terms. While he’s being very sweet here I’m also aware he’s not in what he would consider a familiar, secure environment. How many “consent tests” for pets can you spot in the video?
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