Purple Dog

06/01/2026

We're back from an amazing week at the 2026 NASDA Regionals! Bug and Kenobi and i did our very best! Bug made it to Shed Semi-finals! Kenobi showed me how talented he is at Lost Item! We learned tons!
Congratulations to Purple Dog Pipsqueak for making it to the Shed Dog Finals!! WOW!!
All of the organizers and competitors were amazing and gracious!
Regionals is always a good time to catch up w old friends and to make new friends. Its a challenging sport and regionals are a tough contest!
I especially loved getting to hang out with this year's Junior Handler crew! A stellar group of young people who definitely understand what sportsmanship is all about! We have so much to learn from them!

Thank you to Britt, Candi, and especially Joellyn, for making it possible for us to go!

I'm back online and catching up with all of you, starting today!! ttys

Photo - oh yes, my new puppy came home w me! This is Mor (more) - she's a mix of funny, sweet, chaos, and potential! And 100% magic!

05/30/2026

There are no classes or lessons or playgroups this week! Bug & Kenobi and I, along with several other GP area teams, are competing at the North American Sport Dog Association Regionals.
A week long competition!

We will be back in person on Tuesday June 2! See you then!

05/26/2026

These dogs can “give in” instead of growl.
And because of that, there’s no obvious conflict, but there can be discomfort.
“They’re OK together.”
“Let them work it out.”
“They’ll get used to each other.”

Tolerating something happening is not always the same as feeling safe with it.

Some dogs become very good at avoiding conflict instead of resolving it or escalating.
Some will just simply endure social pressure.

Being aloof can work for them too.

A quieter dog, that doesn’t move too much or isn’t vocal around others has sometimes worked out how to “fly under the radar”
Now there really isn’t anything wrong with that, but we need to be mindful.
Some freeze as a dog approaches.
Some repeatedly roll over and just stay there until the other dog loses interest.

But sometimes they can escalate only after ‘tolerating’ things for too long.

Unfortunately, these quieter dogs are often the ones people can miss completely.
They can also be put into social situations they don’t want to be in at all.

That quietness is mistaken for calmness, acceptance.

Not every struggling dog is loud.

05/24/2026

Excellent Itty Bitty Play Group today! These littles had the best good time (so did their humans!)

Thanks for coming out everyone!!💜🐾

05/22/2026

Purple Play N Train
Saturday May 23 at 10am!🐾

This week is Itty Bitty Dogs! It's the littles turn!
We will be outside if possible! Plan for anything weather wise including bugs!

Purple Dogs 30lbs or less! All ages! If you've ever taken lessons w Purple Dog, you and your small dog are invited!
Purple PlayNTrain participants should have no history of aggression toward other dogs or people. Dogs older than 2 years of age should be neutered/spayed to come play please.

As always, ALL Purple Puppy participants w pups less than 5 months of age, all sizes, all breeds, are encouraged to attend!

In September 2023, I moved! Purple Dog is located at 713002B RR80, 15 minutes west of GP. Once you're on the driveway, turn RiGHt at the Big Purple Chair!
Please text Tammy at 780 933 1320 if you have questions.

05/22/2026

https://www.sensorygarden4dogs.com/
Garden planning and planting has started!

Free information about sensory gardens for dogs: safe, enclosed spaces where dogs can sniff, explore and use all their senses without stress.

05/14/2026

Woohoo! The May long weekend! Purple Dog CLOSED Friday May 15 up to and including Monday May 18!
No classes and no playgroups!

K9 Frisbee🥏 Toss N Fetch is still running as scheduled!

The dogs and I will be busy doing acreage stuff and spending as little time online as possible!
Happy Victoria Day! 🇨🇦😉🌻

05/14/2026

What’s your dog’s “thing”?
Because it might not be the $70 enrichment toy sitting untouched in the corner.

Enrichment has become a massive buzz word lately.
Every second product promises mental stimulation, calmness and fulfilment.

But real enrichment?
It’s much simpler .

Some dogs would choose shredding cardboard over a puzzle toy every single time.
Some want to sniff every blade of grass.
Some thrive on running, jumping and movement.
Some love chewing and licking.
Some enjoy solving problems.
Some just want to quietly watch the world go by.

That’s the bit we can miss.

We start choosing enrichment based on trends, marketing or what other dogs enjoy instead of observing our own dogs and what brings them joy.

A dog walking away from a puzzle toy is not “failing enrichment”.
They may simply be telling you
“This isn’t my thing.”

So what is?💭

05/14/2026

Congratulations to Shannon & Luna for completing their private lessons pkg! Just in time to enjoy all of the trails and walks summertime has to offer! Well done Shannon! Good girl Luna 💜🐾