Training

Ranger the Miracle Dog

By Dawn / May 19, 2023 / Comments Off on 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…

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A man covered his face with his palms

“Do Other People Go Through This?”

By Dawn / May 13, 2022 / Comments Off on “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,…

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A dog looking at a group of sheep

The Wonderful World of Working Dog Breeds

By Dawn / December 19, 2020 / Comments Off on The 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…

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Closeup shot of the dog with his tongue out

Know Your Trainer

By Dawn / October 15, 2020 / Comments Off on Know 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…

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Pros and Cons of Common Dog Collars

By Dawn / January 4, 2020 / Comments Off on Pros 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…

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Using Treats In Positive Training

By Dawn / January 8, 2019 / Comments Off on Using 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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Oh No! It’s Not the Dog – Part 1

By Dawn / April 14, 2018 / Comments Off on Oh No! It’s Not the Dog – Part 1

Before I became a certified dog obedience trainer, I had always been a pet owner. As I studied to become an obedience trainer, I quickly realized some of the mistakes I made as pet owner. I also realized how easy it is for humans to accidentally reward the same behaviors that they desperately want to…

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