Dances with Dogs, Inc.

06/01/2025

🌟 Big or Small, We Walk Them All! 🐾

Ever seen a cute Cavalier strutting confidently alongside a gentle Golden? It’s not just adorable; it’s the magic of their walks and the loving care we bring to every dog—no matter the size, breed, or personality!

At Dances with Dogs, we believe that every pup deserves exercise, companionship, and tail-wagging fun. Whether your fur baby is pint-sized or supersized, we’re here to make their day brighter with engaging walks tailored just for them.

💬 Let’s start the conversation:
Do you have a little dog with a big personality? Or a big dog who thinks they’re a lapdog? Share their quirks in the comments below!

🐾 Ready to book a walk that fits your furry friend perfectly? Visit us at http://bit.ly/43Nlfe1 and let’s make it happen!

05/01/2025

What Great Dog Training Really Looks Like 🐾

Great dog training isn’t just about teaching commands—it’s about anticipating your dog’s actions and guiding them toward the right behaviors. By staying two steps ahead, we can create a successful learning environment where your dog can thrive.

Here’s how we do it:

- Creating the Right Environment: We set up your dog’s surroundings to make the “right” behavior the easiest and most natural choice.
- Timing is Everything: We catch their attention at the perfect moment to reinforce good behavior.
- Bringing the Right Tools: Leashes, harnesses, treats—everything we need to navigate different situations and reinforce training.
- Teaching the Right Skills: We know what to teach and when to introduce new behaviors to make life easier for both you and your dog.
- Understanding Your Dog: We get to know your dog better than they know themselves—understanding their fears, preferences, and tendencies.

As trainers, our experience and knowledge help us influence your dog’s behavior in a gentle, effective, and positive way. Since dogs can’t tell us why they do what they do, we use our understanding of behavior science to guide them.

Every dog is unique, and there are so many nuances to consider in their behavior. That’s why working with a professional can make all the difference in your dog’s training journey.

Curious about how this works for your dog? Send us a message or comment below with “nuance” and let’s talk about how we can help your dog succeed!

05/01/2025

Meet Yuki, one of our long-time feline friends!
🐾 We've been caring for Yuki for years, and she’s been nothing short of a joy to care for. But here's the fun part—can you guess her breed? 🤔 Drop your guesses in the comments below!

We love seeing her and are grateful for our time together. ❤️

04/01/2025

I recently had this conversation about what dog training should or shouldn't be.

Dog training is not about…
Turning your companion into a robot.
Having your dog follow arbitrary rules because someone on TV made a blanket statement.
Rigid, impersonal interactions with your dog.
Being your dog's boss.

Dog training IS about….
Finding the joy in the dog you have now, rather than the dog you wish you had.
Establishing two-way communication with your companion so that they enjoy time with you as much as you enjoy time with them - and vice versa!
Finding the best ways to live life together and understand each other.
Knowing why your dog behaves the way they do so, you can change their behavior for the long term.
Showing your dog alternative ways of behaving.

Ready to get to know your dog on a deeper level? Start the conversation by sharing your favorite part about your dog in the comments below!

03/01/2025

🐾 New Year, New Walks for Your Dog! 🐾

Was one of your New Year's resolutions to get more exercise? 🏃‍♀️ What about your dog? 🐕 Or maybe your goal was to help your dog get more exercise in 2025! 💪 We’ve got you covered!

At Dances With Dogs, we provide stress-free, fun, and enriching walks tailored to your dog’s needs—whether it’s a brisk walk to burn off energy or a leisurely stroll for some fresh air. Regular walks are key to your dog’s health, happiness, and well-being, and we’re here to make it happen!

🎉 Start the year off with happy, healthy walks! 🎉

Let us help you keep your dog’s exercise goals on track this year. Contact us today to schedule your dog’s next walk!

31/12/2024

31/12/2024

Oh hey! Are you here to feed me?

30/12/2024

For our furry friends, fireworks can feel like the end of the world.

If your dog struggles with loud noises, here are some tips to help them feel safe and calm when the fireworks start flying:

Get an exploratory walk in early in the day to avoid any accidental fireworks in the early evening.

Drown out the noise with classical music or a movie.

Reduce potty breaks to the bare minimum.

Give your dog a frozen Kong or a long-lasting chew to focus on something positive.
Talk to your vet about calming treats or sprays they recommend.

If you’ll be around, get some good snuggles in. You can’t reinforce an emotion such as fear, but you can help your dog feel comforted and safe with some extra snuggle time.

New Year’s is a time to celebrate, and with a little preparation, you can make it a more peaceful experience for your dog, too.

Share in the comments - what do you do to help your dog during this loud time of year?

30/12/2024

When you’re not a fan of the rain but your daily walk is non-negotiable 🌧🐾 Big thanks to Tux for powering through with us! Rain or shine, we’ve got your pup covered. 💙 ”

28/12/2024

How to spot confusion in your dog.

You tend to call them “stubborn.”

You call them to you, but they run the other way.

You have to repeat a word several times before they comply.

These are all scenarios I see REALLY often.

We’ll start by saying it isn't your fault if you’re seeing this in your dog.

Dog training is extremely nuanced.

Sometimes it comes down to something as simple as the treat being delivered in a way that the dog doesn’t appreciate.

Sometimes it's as complicated as a deep-rooted fear you didn’t even realize your dog is experiencing.

That’s why it’s incredibly important to work with a knowledgeable trainer who can spot the issue and provide an intentional, smart solution to getting the right behavior out of your dog.

Each client we work with is unique and it’s part of why we love this work so much. Everyone comes to us with a mystery and we get to uncover what is truly needed in each scenario to meet the needs of the family and their dog.

Comment “mystery” if you’re experiencing a perplexing situation with your dog and let’s chat to see what your next steps could be.

27/12/2024

When your nose gets a little too close to the grass, but you’re still all smiles! 🌿😊

27/12/2024

Raising a happy, well-mannered dog starts with the right habits! 🐾

Whether it’s regular exercise, positive training, or proper socialization, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Here are some simple do's and don'ts to help your pup thrive and become the best companion possible! 🐶✨

Need help with walks, training, or potty breaks? We’ve got you covered!

27/12/2024

🐉 Meet Puff the Bearded Dragon!

This holiday season, we had the pleasure of caring for Puff, a charismatic bearded dragon, while his family traveled. 🦎✨ Puff enjoyed his daily meals of worms and greens, basking in his cozy tank, and receiving plenty of attention from our team!

Caring for unique pets like Puff is one of the many reasons we love what we do. Whether it’s feeding, habitat maintenance, or just a little companionship, we’re here to provide top-notch care for all kinds of pets while you’re away. 🏠💕

Have an exotic pet at home? We’d love to help! Contact us today and let us give your scaly, furry, or feathered friend the care they deserve. 💌

26/12/2024

When we work together, we are not looking to create a robot.

We are looking to develop a deep bond and understanding. Because joy and companionship are the goals when we work together, not obedience for the sake of compliance.

You welcomed a dog into your life to bring in joy and adventure—snuggles on the couch, peaceful strolls, and the unwavering presence of a loyal companion.

But building that dream connection doesn’t always happen seamlessly.

That’s where training comes in.

It’s not just about teaching commands; it’s the foundation for a smooth transition into life together. Training provides the tools to communicate effectively, creating clarity and confidence for both you and your dog.

New cues - such as “sit,” “stay,” etc - for your dog will become the skills he will lean on to navigate life with you.

His schedule and routine will become his guiding light for predictability and understanding of your expectations of him.

How he is reinforced for good behaviors will influence his feelings about his new family.

As trainers, we are here to share proven ideas, creative solutions, and best practices to help you and your dog thrive.

Together, we can accelerate the process, avoid common pitfalls, and make your shared life as fulfilling as you imagined.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about having a well-behaved dog—it’s about having a happy, connected companion by your side.

26/12/2024

We love these pictures of Forest playing with his new Christmas toy! 🎄🎁🐾

We had such a blast giving out the gifts and treats our clients left for their pets to enjoy on Christmas Day.

25/12/2024

We got to deliver Christmas sardines to the lovely Kira and her siblings today 🥰

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas from all of us at Dances With Dogs! 🎅🎄

24/12/2024

What’s the difference between emotions and behaviors?

These two often get mixed up, especially in the dog training world.

You might hear advice like, “Don’t cuddle your dog when they’re scared—you’ll reinforce their fear,” or “Don’t pet your dog when they’re hesitant—you’ll make them more unsure.”

But the truth is, emotions and behaviors aren’t the same thing.

Behaviors are the actions we can see, like sitting, barking, jumping, or wagging a tail.

On the other hand, emotions are internal feelings and chemical reactions in a dog’s body.

For example, fear triggers a biological “fight or flight” response that we can’t see, even though we might notice its effects in a behavior like trembling or hiding.

Here’s the key: emotions drive behavior.

How a dog feels about a situation influences how they react.

A scared dog might bark or back away, while a confident dog is more likely to wag their tail and engage.

This is why how we teach a behavior matters so much—it’s not just about what a dog does; it’s about how they feel while doing it.

Using positive reinforcement, like treats, praise, or play, helps shape not just your dog’s actions, but also their emotions.

A dog that feels safe and happy while learning becomes eager to participate, trusts you, and enjoys working with you.

On the flip side, harsh or negative methods can leave lasting emotional scars, making a dog reluctant or fearful, even long after the training is over.

When your dog lives with you, you control so much of their world—when they eat, what toys they have, and how they experience life.

That gives you incredible power to reinforce the behaviors you want to see more of, whether it’s staying calm when guests arrive, sitting politely, or simply enjoying time by your side.

The emotions you help foster in your dog will last much longer than the training sessions themselves.

A happy, eager dog who loves to learn and listen isn’t just well-behaved—it’s the kind of companion that turns training into a lifelong bond. And that’s the ultimate goal, isn’t it?

Comment “bond” if a stronger bond and more cooperative dog is your goal.