For the Love of Dog Training (2025)

19/09/2025

I always remind my clients that dogs need breaks to process what they’ve learned, and the same goes for us humans. Which is why I’m giving myself a little breather from social media this week before the next round of board and trains roll in.

Taking time off isn’t me being lazy, it’s me practicing what I preach. If I ran every dog through endless drills without a pause, they’d burn out fast. If I keep myself running nonstop between training, messages, and the behind-the-scenes chaos of running a business, I’d burn out too. And let’s be real, nobody wants a cranky trainer running on caffeine fumes and peanut butter pretzels.

Breaks don’t mean nothing’s happening. They mean the work is settling in, the energy is resetting, and the brain is getting ready for the next challenge. It’s exactly what I do with the dogs: work, pause, reset, repeat.

So while I may be quiet here for a few days, I’m busy doing the same thing I’d ask the dogs to do — recharging, resetting, and getting ready to come back sharp, focused, and probably with a story or two about the chaos that comes when the new pack arrives.

Here’s to rest, here’s to progress, and here’s to showing up ready for the next round. See you next week.

18/09/2025

Let’s talk pack drive. Fancy science word for “why your dog loses their mind on walks.” It’s the instinct that tells dogs how to move, behave, and react in groups. Once you understand it, reactivity makes a lot more sense (and your neighborhood stroll stops feeling like a circus audition).

What is Pack Drive?
Dogs, like wolves, are wired for social order. Ethologist L. David Mech showed canids organize themselves into teams where roles matter. Your dog may not be leading a wolf pack, but trust me, the instinct is still alive and well.

Front dogs: wannabe CEOs, scanning for danger.

Middle dogs: chill coworkers who just want stability.

Rear dogs: the introverts, observing and judging everyone from behind.

These positions aren’t random. They’re survival hacks that reduce stress.

Why Dogs “Lose It” on Walks
When another dog comes at them head-on, most dogs go, “Nope, too much.” Straight-line greetings are rude in dog world. Beerda et al. (1998) found stressful encounters spike cortisol and heart rate, turning your floof into a furry stress ball. Cue reactivity loop: see threat → hormones spike → meltdown begins.

Reactivity ≠ Aggression
Your dog is not a monster. They’re just overwhelmed. Their biology screams “danger” before their training whispers “sit.”

How Structure Helps
Training and predictable routines literally lower stress hormones (Hennessy et al., 2001). Translation: structure tells your dog’s nervous system to chill out.

Why Pack Walks Rock
Our weekly pack walks are like group therapy with leashes. They:

Fulfill natural pack instincts.

Offer safe exposure to triggers.

Rewire stress responses with repetition.

Research (Rooney & Cowan, 2011) backs it up: controlled group practice makes dogs calmer and more resilient.

So next time your dog “loses it,” remember—it’s not stubbornness, it’s science. And if you’ve ever tried walking three “leaders” at once, you already know the feeling. It’s not a walk, it’s Cirque du Canine.

Where would your dog land in a pack? Front, middle, or rear?

15/09/2025

If your dog had a user manual, you probably wouldn’t be here scrolling looking for answers (and I’d be out of a job). But since they don’t, here are a few things I wish every dog owner knew before diving into training:

Training isn’t a Netflix binge you finish in one weekend. It’s brushing-your-teeth consistent, day in and day out. If you skip it, the plaque builds up, and by plaque, I mean jumping on guests, pulling on leash, and trying to eat your neighbor’s Amazon driver.

Your dog also doesn’t come with factory settings. They’ve got genetics, quirks, and life experiences that make them who they are. What worked for your friend’s doodle might flop with your shepherd. That’s normal.

And here’s the kicker: training isn’t just about your dog. It’s about you. Yep, the leash is attached to both ends. If you don’t practice, progress stalls. Think of it like a gym membership. You can’t buy abs, you have to show up and sweat a little.

Rewards? Not bribes. I promise your boss doesn’t say, “Ugh, I guess I’ll bribe Tiffany again with money so she shows up on Monday.” It’s payment for effort. Same for your dog.

Progress also isn’t linear. Some days you’ll feel like you’re raising a genius, and other days you’ll swear your dog lost all prior knowledge because a leaf blew by. Both are normal.

Oh, and socialization doesn’t mean letting your dog run wild at the dog park. Real socialization is calm exposure, neutrality, and teaching your dog to handle the world without losing their mind.

Crates, leashes, and baby gates aren’t “mean.” They’re safety tools. Think seatbelts, not punishment.

And finally, patience. I know, not the sexy answer. But slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. If you rush it, you’ll end up redoing it anyway.

So, take a breath, grab some treats, and remember: your dog doesn’t need perfection, just progress.

14/09/2025

Of course I have to do a little individual post for my guy, Hefner. He and I haven’t competed in scent work in over three years. Most of my focus has been on Ryu, and I stepped away from AKC to dedicate time to him

when Hefner started struggling with separation anxiety one way I decided to help him was to put him back to work, so we got back into scent work.

He’s already titled through advanced, but since it had been so long, I entered him in novice just to see where we were at. He beat his personal best on buried with an 8-second find, which was pretty amazing. The rest of the searches took us a little longer, mostly because I’m not as sharp at reading his body language as I used to be. I wanted to be extra careful, and avoid false alerts but we still finished and qualified in every element: exterior, interior, container, and buried. In buried, he even placed fourth.

What I love about Hefner is his tenacity. People often forget that this little dog is a true working dog. He’s not just a cute accessory, he’s a dog who thrives when given purpose and fulfillment. That’s one of the reasons I got him in the first place. I’m honored to be his handler and so excited to see where his journey takes us.

13/09/2025

Huge congratulations to the women in our group who stepped out of their comfort zone today and entered their very first AKC Scent Work trial. The conditions were no joke. There were enough environmental distractions to make even a seasoned dog pause, let alone a novice. Both teams held their own beautifully, and I couldn’t be prouder to be their coach.

And I also have to give a little brag to my little man. He hasn’t competed in over three years, and he rocked a buried search in just eight seconds, placing fourth against some very tough competition.

13/09/2025

I am not a trainer who is going to roll my eyes when you call your dog your fur baby, your child, or whatever name you’ve lovingly come up with. Those are just terms, and honestly, they show me how much you care. But here’s the thing I want you to hold onto: your dog is begging you to treat them like the species they are.

Here’s where it gets tricky. When we lean too hard into the “my dog is basically my kid” mindset, we start trying to meet human needs instead of canine ones. Kids need bedtime stories. Dogs need sniff time. Kids need screen time limits. Dogs need outlets for instincts like chewing, chasing, and problem-solving. You can reason with a child about brushing their teeth; a dog is just going to stare at you like you’ve suddenly started explaining calculus.

The danger in comparison isn’t that it’s wrong to feel that bond, it’s that it can blind us to what the dog actually needs. Your dog doesn’t understand “time-out” like a toddler does, but they absolutely understand the calm clarity of a leash walk, the mental workout of scent games, or the stress relief of a well-structured crate rest.

Dogs aren’t tiny humans in fur coats. They’re incredible, emotional, instinct-driven creatures designed to move, sniff, chew, chase, and problem-solve. When those instincts go ignored, that’s when the chewed furniture, reactivity, or non-stop barking shows up.

So yes, love your dog like family. Call them your baby, knit them sweaters, celebrate their birthday with a cake made of meatloaf. I’ll cheer you on for all of it. But don’t forget to meet their needs as a dog, too. Because the greatest gift you can give them isn’t just love, it’s understanding.

And if you’re sitting there thinking, “Okay, but how do I actually do that?” … that’s where I come in. Helping humans understand their dogs’ needs is my job, my passion, and frankly, my favorite thing to do.

www.orovilledogtraining.com

12/09/2025

I first interviewed with Barley’s family back in March of 2025, and the earliest opening I had for a board and train retreat wasn’t until early August. That’s a long wait when you’re living with a reactive dog, and they had already been to a couple trainers, but something told them this would be worth it.

Barley is what I often describe as a dog who feels everything. Almost like an empath, he’s in tune with his environment in a way that’s both beautiful and challenging. He notices subtle changes in routine, and when things shift, whether it’s the same old triggers or something new, his low threshold can send him into a tailspin. What many people didn’t realize at first was that Barley also had health issues contributing to his reactivity. That constant discomfort was lowering his ability to cope in everyday life.

His family said after our first Zoom meeting they knew moving forward with me would be a great decision. And I’ll be honest, the thing that set them apart was how devoted they were. They both have incredibly demanding careers, yet they made the time to watch virtual coaching sessions together, ask thoughtful questions, and commit to making changes in their home. They weren’t just looking for a quick fix. They wanted to understand the psychology, the why behind Barley’s behavior, so they could support him better and create a more peaceful life together.

During his month-long retreat, Barley’s transformation was visible, not just in him but in his people. They shared that the videos and updates helped them feel connected and prepared. And since he’s been home, they’ve stepped fully into their role as his teachers and advocates. Their words say it best: “She’s helped us to get Barley to a more calm and controlled state of mind and to get us comfortable with clear communications with him. We look forward to a lifelong relationship with her.”

I am so honored when anyone is willing to wait months to work with me, but I’m even more grateful when they lean into the process the way Barley’s family did. This is the kind of partnership that changes everything.

If you’ve been considering a board and train retreat for your own dog, I have one opening left at the end of December for an approved dog. Reach out soon if you’d like that spot to be yours.

https://www.orovilledogtraining.com/board-and-train-retreats

11/09/2025

Let’s talk about something that makes puppy parents Google at 2 a.m. with a glass of wine in hand: fear periods.

So, what are fear periods?
Your pup hits two big ones:

8 to 10 weeks old: when you are still begging the universe for a housebroken puppy.

6 to 14 months old: when your dog basically becomes a teenager who thinks you are ruining their life because you will not let them eat socks.

During these times, your puppy’s brain goes into “high alert.” The amygdala (their fear center) is yelling “Danger!” at random objects. One day, the recycling bin is fine. The next, it is clearly plotting your entire family’s demise.

The science (without the lab coat):

Stress hormones like cortisol spike, meaning your puppy’s nervous system is running on the equivalent of three Red Bulls.

Their brain is wiring up what is safe vs. terrifying. Think of it like a software update that comes with a few glitches.

Memories made now are sticky. Great experiences? Awesome, that sticks. Scary ones? Congratulations, your dog now thinks mailmen are serial killers.

What you should (and should not) do:

Do not overwhelm them. This is not the week to host your neighborhood block party with fireworks.

Pair scary with fun. If the vacuum is “possessed,” park it across the room, toss some chicken near it, and let your pup decide it is not a demon.

Keep it chill. If they spook, do not baby them or bark back. Be the calm friend who says, “Yep, that was weird. We are good.”

Teach recovery. The goal is not to make a fearless dog. It is to make a dog who can bounce back from being startled without auditioning for The Exorcist.

Fear periods shape lifelong habits. Puppies who learn to cope come out the other side confident. Puppies who get overwhelmed may decide hoodies, men with beards, or a plastic bag blowing across the street equals mortal danger.

Your job is not to bubble-wrap them. It is to guide them through the scary stuff like a coach saying, “Yes, the world is weird. But you have got this.”

Fear periods are temporary. Your puppy’s current sworn enemy might just be… a leaf.

👉 Want more help raising your pup right? Comment PUPPY and I will send you my free puppy guide.

10/09/2025

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Monthly Office Hours – submit your videos & questions for personalized coaching

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200+ Training Videos – covering everything from leash pulling to over-excitement in the house (and everything in between)

This membership is built for dog owners who don’t just want training tips—they want a real community, ongoing support, and a clear path forward with their dogs.

👉 Join the K9 Guardian Membership today and stop guessing. Start training with confidence.

https://www.orovilledogtraining.com/k9-guardians-membership

08/09/2025

I get asked this a lot: “Can you just swing by and pick them up?” And I get it, life is busy, traffic stinks, and maybe you were hoping I’d just show up like the doggy Uber Eats. But here’s the truth: drop-off day matters, and not just for logistics.

When you bring your dog, it sets the tone for everything. You get to walk in, see exactly where your dog is staying, check out the setup, and watch me in my natural element with coffee in one hand and a leash in the other while probably wrangling three dogs who think they are auditioning for Cirque du Soleil. That’s called transparency, and it’s important. You shouldn’t have to guess where your dog is living or how their retreat kicks off.

Now let’s talk about stress. If I show up, leash your dog, toss them in my car, and drive away, your dog is thinking, “Uh, excuse me, stranger danger??” That’s not exactly the calm, confident start I want for them. But when you walk them in and hand them off, it’s clear. This is a planned transition, not a doggy abduction. Less stress equals more success.

And let’s not forget you. That drive to drop-off is weirdly therapeutic. It’s like parent pre-game. You get that quiet time to think about what we are working toward, the struggles at home, and the role you are going to play in all of this. Because yes, it’s not just your dog getting a reset. You are part of this equation too.

From my side of the leash, here’s the deal. I’ve already got dogs in my care. If I leave to get yours, the dogs here are basically stuck twiddling their paws waiting for me to come back. That’s not fair to them, and it wastes precious training time. When you drop off, I can keep momentum going with everyone, then focus fully on your dog the second they arrive.

And don’t worry, you are not missing out on me seeing your home setup. I’ve probably already asked you to send me videos ahead of time, or that will be homework once we dive into your dog’s specific needs. So your dog isn’t losing context, they are gaining clarity.

Bottom line? Drop-off isn’t just about convenience. It’s about respect for your dog, for you, and for the process. It’s the first step in setting your pup up for success. So load up, grab that coffee, and make the drive. Trust me, it’s worth it.

05/09/2025

Picture this: you’re walking down the street, latte in hand, enjoying your day, when suddenly a stranger yanks you into a hug because, “You looked friendly!” Weird, right?

That’s basically what an on-leash greeting feels like for your dog.

Here’s the thing dogs weren’t built to walk nose-to-nose on a six-foot leash. In dog language, that’s like skipping “hello” and jumping straight to “let’s share a toothbrush.” When dogs meet naturally, they curve, sniff, move away, come back.

On a leash? None of that’s possible. Their body language gets cut in half, the leash adds tension (literally and emotionally), and suddenly things can go from “cute” to “chaotic” real fast.

Why I skip the leash greetings:
Frustration factory: Dogs can’t move freely, so all that bottled-up energy can explode into reactivity.

No exit strategy: If one dog feels uncomfortable, there’s no polite “I’m out.” Just awkward staring and tangled leashes.

Not socialization: Sniffing a stranger’s armpit in Costco isn’t socializing for humans, and sniffing random dogs on-leash isn’t socializing for dogs.

Injury waiting to happen: Ever been tripped by your own dog? Now imagine two dogs, two leashes, and a lot of enthusiasm.

Instead, I teach dogs that the real flex is walking calmly past another dog without turning into a Tasmanian devil. Think “polite head nod at Target” instead of “bear hug in aisle seven.”

Here’s the truth: your dog doesn’t need every on-leash dog they see to be their new best friend. They need structure, calm confidence, and interactions that actually set them up for success.

So the next time someone says, “Can they say hi?” you can smile, channel your inner bouncer, and say, “Not today, buddy.”

For the Love of Dog Training

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