Blueprints Dog Training

28/11/2024

Roxxy says Happy Turkey Day!
I'm incredibly thankful for all of the dogs and families I get to work with each week!
Take some time for you and your pups to enjoy this beautiful weather today!

03/07/2023

Just a few of the awesome kiddos I've been spending 2023 with.
Blueprints is still in operation, just not too active on social media.
I'm still accepting Solano County clients but no longer able to serve Woodland and Davis. I'm now teaching group classes at Napa Humane!

28/02/2023

Looking for a reason to get out on Wednesday night? Check out this yummy fundraiser option at Hank and Hazels to support Solano County Animal Care!

This week!

Need an excuse to not cook dinner? Look no further!! Stop by on March 1st from 4pm-7pm and order some of the BEST food Vacaville has to offer! Come out and support the animals of Solano County!

28/02/2023

Great info for anybody who fosters! Especially as we head into kitten season!

Calling all shelter staff, volunteers, and foster parents! Join Tabitha Kucera, CCBC, RVT, KPA-CTP, VTS (Behavior), as she discusses how to support foster parents and provide a Fear Free medical fostering experience for animals in need. It’s happening Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

Register: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/283/pyqnptz8

15/05/2022

Happy National Family Day from my family to yours! 💙💜🐴🐒🐄🦎🦎

14/05/2022

Recommended treat sizes! Think kibble-sized!
One of my go to treats are hot dogs. They're convenient, affordable and store well.
I typically go for chicken or turkey or other single protein types.
(Pro tip: Beef hot dogs can be a lil greasy and that makes holding clickers and leashes a challenge)
I'm always sure to dice up my hot dogs and usually cut them into quarters before chopping them. Some people use veggie choppers to cut them as well.
We often try to give dogs huge pieces. Most dogs would opt for many small pieces over one large piece. Smaller treats won't fill your dog up too quickly and should be easier on the stomach.

🌞Summertime tip! Dice your hotdogs and then freeze them. They'll help keep your pup cool as little meatsicles but will still be easy to digest! ❄️🌭

13/05/2022

✨️🐾Simple, yet effective enrichment. 🐾✨️
My boy likes a good crunch. Juice cartons and large plastic bottles are his favorite! For my more average sized girls, simple watter bottles are their jam. My xl boy loves to help me recycle ♻️ ❤️
⚠️Be sure to remove lids and watch your dog's while they play.

💡Many people add kibble inside of the bottle for a fun twist. My guy gets a little *too* aroused by that game. Simply chewing on the empty bottle and tossing it around by himself usually leads to naptime. If I fill it with food he typically spends the next 30-40 minutes panting and searching for the pieces, then proceeds to annoy his siblings. Not all enrichment is created equal!

11/05/2022

Simple but effective enrichment! Enrichment means providing your pet opportunities to practice behaviors that are normal to their species. For dogs, that looks like sniffing, foraging, chewing, licking, diffing, chasing, shredding, and more.
Toys that can be stuffed can be a wonderful way to keep your dog enriched but also provide them with a way to soothe themselves. Licking and chewing are great stress relievers.
We often overthink enrichment, focusing on making food toys harder or last longer as a way to provide enrichment. We typically forget the most important part - our dogs get to decide what's enriching! Try out different games or toys and see what your dog engages with. Then watch their behavior after. Are they less stressed, more relaxed, hyper aroused? Keep tabs on what enrichment helps your dog the most. Find a balance. It's not all about exhausting and frustrating them. Especially for a dog already under stress, activities that are soothing can help them decompress and self regulate. They spend enough time stressed, frustrated and aroused, help them find some peace. This is especially true for reactive or anxious dogs or for dogs whom recently have been quite stressed. For example, after a vet visit or a long morning romp at the park.
So here's a simple recipe: kibble and canned food.
Canned dog food can be a healthy way to fill food toys. While peanut butter is affordable and easy, you have plenty of options for fillings! Too much peanut butter can give your dog an upset tummy and peanut butter can have unhealthy ingredientsin it.
Today my kids just got a simple filling of kibble and canned food. I like to use up a whole can and fill as many toys as I can. This way I won't need to store the can and I have a few toys prepared.
If your dog is a pro at food toys, they may enjoy a frozen one. Not all dogs have the patience for a frozen kong. If your dog is easily frustrated or anxious, you may have more luck if you give it to them fresh and not frozen. There are thousands of ways to fill these toys. A few of my favorites are canned food, baby food purees, Greek yogurt, rice and mashed potatoes.
A pro tip: by putting the kibble at the base, you'll have an easier time cleaning as will your dog. You don't have to push the sticky stuff all the way to the bottom. Oh and one more thing, canned food and baby food are WAY easier to clean up after 😉

03/05/2022

Blueprints Dog Training has been in business for officially ONE year! I am incredibly thankful to all of my clients as well as all who have referred or shared my posts. I am incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to work with so many amazing families and their pets.
For anyone who has worked with me in the past year, I'd love your feedback! https://forms.gle/nGFGHXAKGQymRX9K8

17/03/2022

Living with multiple, reactive dogs, can be a challenge. At times it can be easy to feel disheartened and overwhelmed. If you're struggling with reactivity, you're not alone. Know that there can be progress and there is support for you!

I wanted to share this moment of pure joy with my girls yesterday. They're both reactive. But with a perfectly empty park, long lines, a pouch full of chicken and a LOT of training below threshold, we got 20 minutes of joy. All of their practice and hard work allowed them some freedom to smell, run and roll out in the world, without all of stress, anxiety and frustration that their walks used to hold. While it was short, it was sweet, successful and absolutely what we all needed to fill up our emotional cups.

Training doesn't have to be hard all the time. In fact, it shouldn't be hard at all! If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, reach out to a certified trainer! You don't have to do it on your own!

To those of you avoiding all the neighborhood dogs, managing your dog's environment and advocating for your dog's needs - we see you! You're doing awesome. Savor your moments of success, no matter how little, a win is still a win!