Week 4 in our Exercises for Focus Series If you’ve been working on building your dog’s focus amid distractions—as outlined in our Week 2 exercise—you’re ready for the next step: proofing your dog’s focus with distractions. Proofing is how we help dogs respond to familiar cues even when the picture changes. Dogs don’t automatically understand […]
Proofing Your Dog’s Focus With Distractions (Without Pressure) Read More »
Dog toys for training and engagement How can you tell you’re on a blog written for neurodivergent dog lovers by a neurodivergent dog trainer? I’m sharing my favorite dog Christmas gift ideas less than one week before Christmas. The good news? Your dog does not care if these show up on December 25th… or the
Last-Minute Dog Gifts I Actually Love (From Tug-E-Nuff) Read More »
Week 3 in our Exercises For Focus Series. See Week 1 and Week 2. This week, we’re taking a look at something dog owners often overlook—but something that quietly supports every other part of your training. Building calm in dogs makes it easier for them to focus and respond. Before we move forward, it’s important
Mindful Monday: How Building Calm Helps Your Dog Focus Read More »
If you follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, you already know that I lost my heart dog this week. Havoc’s passing has affected me in ways that I’m still processing, but it also reminded me just how much she reshaped my life simply by being in it. The truth is: she’s a dog I
Learning to Slow Down: Mindfulness Lessons From My Heart Dog Read More »
Week 2 in our Exercises For Focus Series So, you’re successfully building your dog’s focus with the micro-training sessions from Week 1’s Name Game. Great job! But now it’s time for the next challenge: How is your Dog’s Focus Amid Distraction? And if you’re reading this in December… you already know the vibe. Holiday distractions
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December is one of the hardest months for training your dog at home. Between changing schedules, decorating, visitors, and holiday commitments, dog training can easily slip to the bottom of the list. If you’re overwhelmed and still want quick dog training routines or easy dog training games, you’re not alone. This month—really any month when
Mindful Monday: Building Your Dog’s Focus Read More »
In the United States, we’re gearing up to celebrate Thanksgiving this week. With all the cooking, visiting, and holiday chaos, it can be easy for your dog to get less attention than usual—or for all the activity to become overstimulating, leading to unwanted behaviors. That’s why I invite you to take a few moments this
Mindful Monday: A Dog Lover’s Gratitude Scavenger Hunt (Free Printable) Read More »
Dog enrichment toys aren’t just about giving your dog something fun to do. They can bring you peace, too—and they can help prevent unwanted behaviors from popping up or escalating. During my chat with Tracy Otsuka on ADHD for Smart Ass Women, she asked what my favorite ADHD workaround was. I told her, “Having lots
Top 5 Dog Enrichment Toys to Buy You Time and Sanity Read More »
Enrichment for dogs has become a buzzword in the pet world, and for good reason. Many dog owners are actively seeking dog enrichment activities and training ideas they can use at home. What you might not know is that there are different types of enrichment, and each one uniquely supports a dog’s well-being. So what
Dog Enrichment Activities & Training: How Visual Enrichment Works Read More »
A step-by-step guide to improving your dog’s impulse control and creating a calmer holiday home through short, positive training sessions. The holidays are basically a sparkle-covered impulse control test for dogs (and, let’s be honest, for us too). With the smell of roast turkey, shiny ornaments, and guests who think “just one cookie” won’t hurt,
Holiday Dog Training Tips: How to Teach Your Dog to Leave It Read More »
