Salty Dogs Obedience and Adventure

31/08/2024

ALERT!

Can confirm: Blix is a sweet, playful boy and the SPCA is doing a great job teaching him some skills both on and off leash. Share!

27/08/2024

Thoughts while working with Luca:

1. Be cautious when shopping for a trainer. Ask about their ethics, philosophy, education, experience, tools they use, and why. Ask to talk to previous clients. When I met with Luca’s family they were firmly convinced that using positive reinforcement wouldn’t work because of their experience with a previous trainer. Sometimes, even if a trainer uses all the right phrases and looks good online they’re not….competent. And lack of competency is just as bad for a dog (imo) as using methods or tools that cause pain.

2. However, even competent trainers make mistakes (oops). Because of Luca’s history I agreed to take him on as a day training client myself, something I almost never do. But I felt he and his owners were owed a chance to see how effective and efficient this way of training is. Luca is a 1.5 year old Big Boy and today was our second session working on leash walking skills and dog focused reactivity. He has made exceptional progress. Forty five minutes into our session today I made the mistake of taking him back out for a “quick fifteen more minutes of leash walking” lol ok ego. This guy was pooped (see photo in comments) Fatigue and its effects on behavior are real. About two minutes before we got back to his house he sat. Then laid down. He was Done. It’s easy in times like this to get frustrated with the dog, to try to force them (ha yeah right) or bribe them with food to get them up. I just sat down too and waited. Obviously that’s not always a solution but he was not being sTuBbOrN or willful or trying to exert his control on the situation, he was a very large very tired dog and I had asked him for too much. My fault not his. In general in training, look for signs your dog is starting to fatigue and end sooner. Slower responses, suddenly incorrect responses, disengagement from training are good things to look for.

3. One thing I always coach people with small dogs to do: treat your dog with the respect you would give a 150 pound Newfoundland. If you wouldn’t do it to them, don’t do it to your 10 pounder. It would have been easy if he were a smaller dog to just drag him a big to force him to get up. But maybe just slow down for a second. Take a breather, give your dog a chance to recover. If you wouldn’t try to pick up the Newfie, don’t pick up the Pug either.

26/08/2024

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a record breaking 11 (!!) teams to train at Group Walk Club!

23/08/2024

ALERT ALERT! We have a last minute spot open for ROCKET RECALL starting tomorrow (Saturday) morning! We want your dog to safely have freedom to run and play in nature so we’ll teach you:

❤️ How to start over with your recall and build it solidly from the ground up
❤️ Games to play to build a bond with your dog outside and help them choose you each time
❤️ Troubleshooting options for what to do when you don’t the response you need.

More about the class and sign up on our website! Message us if you have questions!

23/08/2024

YOU GUYS. MAKE SOME ROOM FOR HEMI. He has been at the Bucksport Animal Shelter for way way way too long. Like any other dog we’ve worked with in shelter he comes with FREE training from me when adopted locally. Please spread the word for Hemi ❤️

Hemi has been at the shelter for 1 year and 3 months! This sweet boy has lots of energy and lots of love to give. Hemi is a 2 year old pit bull mix who was abandoned by his owners at just a year old. Though this boy came with lots of energy and very little training, he has come so far in learning some manners and we are very proud of him! He is doing great with his training but is starting to show signs of stress in his kennel as he has been here for so long.

Hemi desperately needs a forever home. He is good with other dogs and LOVES to play and rough house with them but he will need a little extra help learning to settle around them. He is good with cats but wants to play with them so a dog-savvy cat would be best. Hemi is neutered, up to date on all vaccinations, and waiting for the right family to come get him!

Please email applications to [email protected]

https://tinyurl.com/BucksportApplication

20/08/2024

I have met many of these dogs at different facilities and am so relieved they are in good hands now ❤️

19/08/2024

Do you feel crushed by the weight of your family’s, friend’s, co-worker’s, or neighbor’s opinion of what you should be doing with your dog? Introducing our new custom line of MY TRAINER TOLD ME! This product works for a variety of problems and can be customized for each user:

Neighbor telling you to let your dog over to meet their new dog on leash? ✨No on-leash greetings sorry! My Trainer Told Me™️

Uncle Bill telling you your dog is biting people because you’re not assertive enough, you’ve gotta be the alpha!? ✨Sorry, can’t! My Trainer Told Me™️

Family pressuring you to throw your new pup in with their group of dogs to let them “work it out”? ✨ No new dogs yet, sorry! My Trainer Told Me™️

Folks walking down the road with their hand pushed out in your dog’s face telling you “dogs love me!” as your dog is lunging and growling? ✨ Sorry, no new friends yet, My Trainer Told Me™️

The best part about My Trainer Told Me? Free lifetime supply to all past, present, and future Salty Dogs! So try this revolutionary new product and feel the social pressure, bu****it expectations, and ridiculous advice melt away!

17/08/2024

ALERT: Wanna learn about a new sport and have fun with your dog? We have one spot left in our Agility I class starting tomorrow (Sunday) morning.

You don’t need to know a single thing about agility, obstacles, or dog sports. This class is for anyone who wants to work on communication, learn new skills, build confidence in their dog and handling skills, try something new, and have fun!

We do want folks have previous training with us before joining, but do make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for teams who have done training elsewhere. So send us a message, we’d love to see you in agility!

15/08/2024

Can confirm: Mims is a very, very, very good girl. Please consider adding her to your home ❤️

Edited to add: Old Mimsy is fine with cats!

Two weeks ago we were called to help with a local situation that has literally blown our minds. The worst of "rescue" right here in our own backyard. We can't talk too much about it until the case is resolved, if you know-you know, but we need to start getting some of the victims from the case the help and family they 've long deserved.

This is Mims. She's a sweet old girl and she doesn't ask for much. She was put through the ringer and she is still a joy to be around. She's been fine with the other animals here, but she doesn't want to share her food with anyone else because she is still in the mindset that basic necessities are insecure, so we're looking for a place for her where she won't have to worry about sharing too much space or resources. In other words, she wants to eat and sleep in her own space bubble.

We are looking for a foster to adopt, or even better- an adopter- who will cherish her for the time she has left and show her she won't be let down again.

She's looking for a home who will give her the old age experience she needs- lots of attention, a comfy bed, food on time, and some compassion.

We have not yet posted Mims on our website. But to review the adoption info please go to : https://peaceridgesanctuary.org/adopt/

Have questions about Mimsy? Email [email protected]

14/08/2024

IMPORTANT: what’s their band name?

Ft. Hamish, new girl Siena, and Bucky🤘🏽

13/08/2024

12 years old: still climbing, jumping, sometimes still going on tours of the neighborhood 🙃, and conquering everything she can. A few years ago our lovely vet Dr. Jones at Ellsworth Family Veterinary Clinic told us movement is key for keeping senior dogs thriving and Lana took that to heart.

12/08/2024

Agility week at Maine Canine Academy starting off with Hamish!

Every dog who comes to us through this program starts at a different place, needs help with different skills, has a different background. Hamish started with us several years ago, BT (Before Twins), for dog-focused reactivity. His parents have worked so hard and I’m so proud to see him here, getting to play with other dogs, really for the first time in his life. Part of the reason we’re able to accomodate dogs like Hamish at MCA is because our groups are small. Today Hamish is with just two other friends, Seamus and Betty who paired to be successful with him. Three dogs to one professional trainer for a full day is a standard you don’t see in any other facility, but it is why we are able to be so successful at helping dogs. Helping these dogs and creating an environment where they can safely play and learn will always be more important to us than how many dogs we can bring in to increase profit.

10/08/2024

What kinds of dogs come to Maine Canine Academy? All kinds!

Featuring MCA students O’Connell, Monkey, Stipe, Mabel, Remy, Billy, Seamus, Frank, Shoto, Jasper, Hamish, Bucky, Artie, Naomi, Lily, Maple, and Bindi!

09/08/2024

ELLSWORTH/BLUE HILL SALTY DOGS! We have so. many. classes. starting for you soon! There is truly something for everyone: adolescent dogs needing help with the basics and problem behaviors, puppies, folks wanting to try out something new, advanced dogs, those struggling with recall…truly, everyone!

Send us a message for more info or head to our website to sign up!

Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and Dog Trainers serving Blue Hill, Ellsworth. and greater Downeast

09/08/2024

Who says big girls can’t be agility queens? 👑

07/08/2024

Sweet Shelby! We could not love you more on your birthday and every day! The cheerleader you always want having your back: endless support for colleagues, dogs, and clients. We would not be the same Salty Dogs without her. Share your Shelby love below! ❤️❤️❤️

06/08/2024

REQUEST: all five of us at Salty Dogs have been sick in at least one way over the past few weeks. We’re in rough shape! Requesting photos of your Salty Dogs for medicinal purposes.

Also, happy birthday to O’Connell: MCA student, Salty Dog, and Very Brave Boy ❤️

04/08/2024

One of the perks of joining Maine Canine Academy? Continued owner support. In addition to transfer sessions, emailed notes and videos, we hold monthly (free) workshops where the teams get to practice the skills they’ve learned in a new setting. Joining us this month we had Jasper, Mabel, Radar, Bindi, and Frank! So proud of them all!

More info about MCA is at saltydogsobedience.com

02/08/2024

Blue Hill group walk ❤️

31/07/2024

Lana’s recall lesson: if you don’t use it, you lose it. If we want to be free to run the words every day, we are practicing every day. Sometimes people talk to us about the difference in their dogs between “practice time” and “real life time”. What we need to understand is there’s no difference for our dogs. They are learning in every interaction, every situation. If there are skills you’d like to become habits for your dog, you need to treat your real life time like you do your practice time.

27/07/2024

Summer is blazing by and we’re admittedly a little lax about posting on social media. But! One of our groups at Maine Canine Academy is showing off their group place to alert you to some updates:

☀️ We’re opening up a couple of spots for August at MCA, send us a message for more info!
☀️ Small Dog Monday! We have a new group for small dog training on Mondays and can take one more dog.
☀️ New group classes for August are up on our website, with a few fun ones to be announced shortly.
☀️Whitney’s schedule for behavior modification and private training is booked but we’re announcing a few extra slots for August, message us if you’d like to be notified.
☀️Belfast Adventure School has started up and Violet can take one more dog. Check out our website for more details. Ellsworth remains full with a waitlist.

24/07/2024

As the saying goes: dogs who roll together, stay together 👌🏻

23/07/2024

Having children has changed a lot about how I interact with and think about my dogs. Probably not in the way you’re thinking and definitely not in how I train with them or how much I love them. One of the things that’s changed the most, which should be no surprise, is my availability to spend individual time with them. I have never been busier or more tired than as a mom of twins.

I was recently taking them out for an evening walk and thinking about the other things they didn’t get to do that day. Their walks are a little shorter, they’re not always off leash, they don’t get to go as many places, new training and important mental stimulation happens less than I think it should. 

I try very hard as a trainer to be compassionate towards folks who are struggling to understand their dogs. Very often in training I talk about gaps in important things like exercise or enrichment or social time and even though I would never judge someone if they said they just couldn’t do all of these things all the time I certainly did not personally understand. I really, really get it now.

Certainly parents aren’t the only ones who are so tired and burnt out that important things don’t always get done. Whether there’s too much work, or stress, or a chronic illness, there are lots of reasons we don’t have the capacity to provide our dogs with everything we feel they should have.

I think what I’m trying to say is if all you can do is strap on the harness for 30 minute walk down the road or toss a food scatter into the yard that day it’ll be OK. Shame about the inability to do more is certainly not gonna fix anything and I think sometimes as dog trainers we go too far into emphasizing how important these needs are for the dogs on our care that we forget about the people in our care. Long term, yes our dogs need more. If you find yourself struggling with that, send us a message. There are lots of creative solutions and we can help you figure them out.

Photo from a yard whole family walk in our woods this week ☺️

22/07/2024

Want your dog to be able to enjoy off leash adventures with your family? We have another opportunity to join our Total Recall workshop (humans only!) this Wednesday at 5:30!

$50 per family includes our Total Recall Workbook with everything you need to teach a super solid, reliable recall. Sign up at https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=21579048&appointmentType=65276109

21/07/2024

On Sunday, July 28th from 1-4 we are hosting a dog adoption event for pre-approved adopters.

We announced this special day 2 weeks ago and created an event here, but it doesn't seem to be circulating because of new algorithms, so here we go again!

What to do: first please go to our adoptions web page and review the narrative that we have posted there about what we're looking for in our adopters, then you can review the contract to make sure you agree and fill out the application-- it's as easy as that!

Within the week Daniella will get back to you to talk available dogs, do some match making and invite you to meet our canine crew!

We have lots of dogs for adoption that are not listed on our website. This will be your chance to meet them, take them for a little walk and play in our fence. It's also a good time to talk about who you're looking for in a new best friend in case you don't meet anybody that day!

So please put in your application for pre-approval and come to meet the new furry love of your life!

And if you're shy and you don't want to come to an event, well that's okay too! We can process your application the way we usually do and invite you for a meet-and-greet appointment!

Check out our comments thread for web info!

19/07/2024

BELFAST SALTY DOGS! New basic obedience classes starting this week! Learn how to build attention and stronger communication out in the world for better, happier leash walking, off leash skill, stay, and more!

Sign up at saltydogsobedience.com/classes

Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and Dog Trainers serving Blue Hill, Ellsworth. and greater Downeast

18/07/2024

Is it even an agility class without a minimum 3 Aussies?

A new round starting in August!

18/07/2024

Kittens & Free Pet First Aid Kits, oh my!

Today through Saturday, come get a free pet first aid kit from the SPCA of Hancock County!!!

As a bonus, we finally have some kittens that are ready to find their furever homes! You can visit our pets, adopt if you have an approved application, or just come by to grab a free first aid kit! We look forward to seeing you 😊 💙

18/07/2024

We got to meet Cleo yesterday and can confirm: she’s an A+ dog!

Cleo's insightful, extraordinary Thursday Thoughts:

👁️ 👅 👁️

Thank you for listening!