Posts by Dawn
Ranger the Miracle Dog
I love all of my clients and their dogs. I am so blessed that I can meet and help so many humans and their precious dogs. The joy it brings me cannot be measured. Not long ago, I had the great honor and privilege to meet two sisters that had rescued two beautiful Catahoulas, Ranger…
Read More“Do Other People Go Through This?”
Wow! Great question! Doggie folks may not realize what a common question this is from pet parents with new puppies or with dogs experiencing behavior issues. My answer is almost always YES! I answer this question so often, I decided to write a blog about it. Let’s face it, without mixing canines into the mix,…
Read MoreLoose Leash Walking – HELP!
There are so many reasons a pet parent may contact a dog trainer because excessive pulling. The conversation may start with HELP!!!!! A few of the more common reasons: Dog is reactive or demonstrates aggression toward other dogs and/or humans (lunging, barking, growling), making control of the dog difficult. There is a mismatch between the…
Read MoreHuman Topical Creams and Canines
Most pet parents, at one point or another, have suffered while watching their precious fur-baby wear the “cone of shame” – the awful cone that prevents a dog from licking a wound or topical medicine. I have to admit, as a pet parent myself, I was never very successful living up to my vet’s expectations,…
Read MoreThe Wonderful World of Working Dog Breeds
Many people know that I have always had a great love for working dogs. My father was a rancher until the day he passed away, so there were always working dogs on the ranch. I adored each and every dog that entered my life, regardless of breed. For more than two decades, I have rescued…
Read MoreKnow Your Trainer
When potential clients contact me for the first time, I walk them through my training philosophy. I have learned over the years that many pet parents are unaware that there are three different types of trainers. Each type of trainer has different training philosophies and use different training techniques. In this blog, I want to…
Read MoreHow Are Dog on Human Bites Assessed?
When I left Corporate America to found Wishes and Wags, treating canine aggression was not in the picture. One of the primary reasons I founded Wishes and Wags was to help shelter and rescue dogs stay in their forever homes. I was driven to help humans and canines build strong relationships through education and obedience…
Read MoreDog Training in the World of COVID-19
COVID-19 has impacted everyone. It has impacted the way we work. It has impacted our daily routines at home. It has impacted our fur babies. People often ask me “What has been the most difficult issue to deal with in this evolving COVID-19 environment?” My answer – Dog trainers all over America and internationally, for…
Read MorePros and Cons of Common Dog Collars
I receive many questions related to the various types of collars and head halters. Different collars serve different purposes. Besides trainers, there are a number of sources where pet parents turn for collar recommendations – for example, pet supply stores, shelters, rescues, or online. Because there are so many choices, types, and brands out in…
Read MoreUsing Treats In Positive Training
Positive and balanced trainers use A LOT of treats during training sessions when a dog is food motivated. We use positive reinforcement to motivate dogs to learn and make the right choices. In other words, we want the dog motivated to “choose” (on its own) the appropriate behavior over the inappropriate behavior. During initial consultations,…
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