Happy Dance

11/10/2025

If Harley could describe herself in one word, it would definitely be driven. Whether it’s fetch, zoomies, or chasing the perfect squeak out of her favorite toy, this girl is all gas, no brakes 😍

She’s one of those dogs who makes every backyard feel like the Super Bowl, eyes locked in, tail wagging, heart full of joy. Harley brings 100% of her energy, every single time and it’s contagious. You can’t be around her without smiling!

💡 Fun Boxer Facts:
Boxers were originally bred in Germany in the 1800s as athletic, loyal working dogs known for their strength, intelligence, and playful spirit.

They’re nicknamed “the Peter Pan of dog breeds” because they never really grow up, always silly, always curious, always ready to play!

Boxers are incredibly expressive dogs, from head tilts to soulful eyes to their full-body wiggles, you always know what they’re feeling.

Their name comes from their playful tendency to use their front paws to “box” during play!

Harley’s spirit is the definition of what we love at Happy Dance; joy, confidence, and that big-hearted energy that turns an ordinary day into a full-on celebration.

💕

11/06/2025

🐾 The Kennels Are Full ❤️

Every kennel at the Sarnia Humane Society is full right now, and more dogs are still arriving. But here’s the thing: we can actually do something about it.

Meet just a few of the incredible dogs waiting for homes, including our two longest residents, Pierogi and Bandit, a pair of beautiful Huskies who have been waiting the longest for their people to walk through the door.

These dogs are smart, loving, and so ready for a fresh start. They don’t need pity, they just need a chance. 🐶

💡 Fun fact and a big reality check:
The Humane Society isn’t government funded.
Everything, from the food to the blankets to the vet care, comes from donations and community support.

That’s why every single adoption, share, and donation matters so much.

And let’s not forget the amazing staff and volunteers who show up every day to walk, feed, and comfort these dogs. They work nonstop to keep tails wagging and hope alive, even when space is tight. 💪🐾

✨ How you can help:
❤️ Adopt and give one of these pups a forever home.
🤝 Donate because even small items make a big difference.
📣 Share this post because the more eyes, the better their chances.

Let’s keep showing that Sarnia has the biggest heart.
Together, we can help every dog find their happily ever after. 🐾

❤️🐾

11/06/2025

Our daylight hours are shrinking fast, but Harley’s energy definitely isn’t! Even with the sun setting before dinner, this girl still finds time for play, structure, and skill practice. Here are a few quick ways to keep your dog’s brain and body engaged through the darker months.

💡 Training Tips for Shorter Days:

Shift focus to mental work.
If you can’t squeeze in a full walk, replace it with 10–15 minutes of scent games, short obedience drills, or toy control exercises (like Harley’s fetch sessions!).

Use porch or backyard light sessions.
A quick “sit–down–stay–come” routine in the yard every evening helps maintain reliability in real-world settings. Don’t underestimate those 5-minute refreshers.

Bundle training into daily moments.
Ask for calm behavior before feeding, sitting at the door before walks, or practicing “wait” when you grab the leash. Structure doesn’t need a time slot, it can weave into life naturally.

Get reflective gear and bright toys.
Harley’s favorite fetch toy glows just enough to keep games safe as the light fades. If you walk later in the day, reflective leashes and collars are a must!

Protect your routine.
Even when it’s dark or cold, keeping consistency helps your dog stay balanced. Dogs thrive on rhythm so find ways to keep the pattern, even if the pace changes.

✨ Harley’s motto: It’s not about how long the session is, it’s about how much fun and focus you bring to it. Short, purposeful play goes a long way this time of year!

💕

11/05/2025

This handsome boy had a little training date at Blackwater Coffee in downtown Sarnia; short, sweet, and perfectly structured. He brought his Halloween stuffies along for moral support (because emotional support skeletons are valid 🎃💀).

✨ Training Tip: Keep “public place” sessions short and sweet!
For most dogs, 15–20 minutes in a stimulating setting is plenty. The goal isn’t to sit still for hours (you need to slowly build duration over time) it’s to build confidence and calmness in small doses. Quality over quantity every time.

Here’s how to make your own mini outing count:
Pick calm, low-traffic times: success builds faster when the world feels predictable.

Bring comfort items: a familiar toy, blanket, or chew can help your dog relax.

Keep expectations realistic: reward calm observing, not perfection.

End before they’re overwhelmed. Always leave on a high note so the next outing feels easy.

Every short, positive exposure adds up and before you know it, your dog’s “city manners” will feel effortless.

💕

11/05/2025

If you know little Moey, my chihuahua mix, you already know she’s that girl.

(Usually) the tiniest one in every group, but always the first to jump into an adventure. From cozying up in her carrier like a baby kangaroo to trotting down sidewalks in her leopard coat, Moey is living her best life, one random adventure at a time.

She’s grown up surrounded by a hundred dogs, and her best friend Charlie (the golden girlie herself 🐕✨) has played a huge part in helping her confidence bloom. These days, Moe doesn’t bark at everything that moves, doesn’t flinch at new sounds, and definitely doesn’t think every leaf blowing by is a threat to national security. She’s calm, social, confident, and so proud of herself and honestly, so am I.

💡 Tips for Small Dog Owners 💡
So many little dogs struggle with fear, barking, or “Napoleon complex” behaviors but most of it comes down to being underexposed and overprotected. Here’s what helped Moe become fearless:

Exposure builds confidence.
Take your small dog everywhere; walks, patios, car rides, parks. Keep it positive and let them observe without forcing interaction. Confidence grows from familiarity, not coddling.

Ditch the baby talk (sometimes).
It’s okay to love them like a baby, but talk to them like a dog. Calm, clear communication helps them feel safe and capable, not fragile.

Socialize with big, calm dogs.
Moe learned more from her gentle big-dog friends than she ever could from other tiny dogs. Just make sure the big dog has good manners first!

Teach “calm” as a skill.
Reward stillness and quiet moments. Small dogs are fast thinkers slowing the brain takes practice and patience.

Confidence is contagious.
Your dog reads your energy. If you act relaxed, your little one will start to believe there’s nothing to worry about.

✨ The goal isn’t to make your small dog “tough” it’s to make them secure. Moey proves that even the littlest dogs can live big, brave lives when they’re treated like capable creatures instead of fragile ornaments.

💕

11/04/2025

Sookie, Walden, and their new friend Geddy had a fantastic time during their backyard buddy visit! 🐾

The trio enjoyed sunshine, gentle play, and calm moments together, exactly the kind of easygoing social time that helps dogs thrive.

Special shoutout to Geddy for doing so well, he is new to the Buddy Visit routine! He settled right in, showed great manners, and matched the group’s energy beautifully. 💕

We love seeing dogs build confidence and friendships one visit at a time.

11/04/2025

HEEL YEAH! DOG180 Pre-Enrollment Is Officially Open! 💕

Most dog programs rush you through in a few weeks and call it done.
At Happy Dance, we call that a warm-up. 😎

DOG180 is different, it’s built for real life, not just obedience drills. You’ll get:

✔️ One private session every 3 weeks (6 total) giving you time to actually apply what you learn before leveling up.
✔️ Real-life skills & adaptability training not cookie-cutter obedience. We help you build focus, calmness, and control anywhere: at home, at the park, even at the vet.
✔️ Behavioural assessment included
✔️ Unlimited group training access
✔️ Lifetime support text me in 2030, and I’ll still remember your dog by name 🐾

DOG180 isn’t about teaching “sit” it’s about giving you and your dog the confidence to handle anything that real life throws your way.

✨ Save $200 when you pre-enroll!
Offer expires Nov 28, but don’t wait; spots are limited based on availability.

Email [email protected] to lock in your spot before they’re gone and join the only program where the support never expires. 💕

11/04/2025

Remember Yoshi? 🥹 We posted him back in the summer time, saying this sweetie was adoptable. Well, this handsome boy was rescued by a wonderful family. Yoshi was spoiled from day one. Yoshi was so spoiled… that he eventually became the boss! 😝

His parents were smart and proactive. The moment they saw the signs of Yoshi being hard to control, they joined our 100% free Second Chance Program for Sarnia Humane Society adopters. This program is where dogs with big hearts and big feelings get a structured, positive reset.

His parents saw such a difference that they decided to continue their journey through our full DOG180 program, and the progress has been incredible. Shoutout to his parents for putting in the work. 💪🐶

Yoshi and his humans are building confidence, communication, and trust every step of the way, and we couldn’t be prouder of this team. 💖

11/03/2025

💕🐾 TOP SECRET (but not for long…)

Something big is coming to Happy Dance.
And by “big,” we mean the kind of deals that make your dog sit before you even ask. 👀

💌 All November long, we’re dropping new weekly offers, each one better than the last.
Training, Buddy Visits, free credits, and a few surprises we’re not allowed to spill yet.

Turn on your notifications 🔔
Follow our page 🐾
And get ready to say HEEL YEAH! to savings, upgrades, and wagging tails all month long.

10/23/2025

Sarnia friends! 🐾💗
I’m doing a little community audit of HappyDanceList.com — the directory I built to highlight all the dog-friendly, pet-loving, and local small businesses around Sarnia-Lambton.

I’d love your help! 👇
✨ Which businesses need to be removed (no longer open or pet-friendly)?
✨ Which ones should be added that aren’t listed yet?
✨ Any typos, outdated info, or edits you’ve spotted?

Drop your notes in the comments or tag your favorite local business owners — this list only stays accurate because of all of you! 💗

Let’s keep this the best local dog-friendly guide in Sarnia!

Where are you and your dog going next? Happy Dance Dog walking presents “the list” where you can find all your Sarnia Ontario local dog friendly businesses.

10/20/2025

“Why doesn’t my dog want to say hi?”
It’s one of the most common questions we hear—
and the answer is simpler than you think:

Because they don’t want to. And that’s okay.

Dogs aren’t robots. Not every dog enjoys greeting strangers, sniffing new dogs, or playing on cue. For many, forced interactions create stress, not joy. What looks like avoidance—or even reactivity—is often just communication.

Training Tip: When your dog avoids an interaction, respect it. Step aside, create space, and reward calm behavior. By honoring their boundaries, you actually reduce the likelihood of an outburst later.

At Happy Dance, we believe in consent-based socialization:
• No forced greetings
• No “let them work it out”
• No throwing reactive dogs into chaos hoping they’ll adjust

Our goal isn’t to make every dog social. Our goal is to help every dog feel safe, supported, and confident in the world around them. 🥰💗

10/17/2025

Maybe you imagined dog parks, beach runs, and cottage weekends… and ended up with a dog who can’t handle any of it.

That doesn’t mean you failed. It simply means you need a plan that matches the dog in front of you.

We believe in working with who your dog is—not who you expected them to be. And that’s often where the real joy begins.

Instead of chasing “picture-perfect obedience,” we focus on building:
• Reactive-friendly walk routes that don’t leave you stressed
• Enrichment at home to meet needs in safe, calm ways
• Predictability and structure so your dog learns how to relax

Training Tip: If your dog can’t handle busy environments, give them a yes place instead of a constant no. For example, skip the crowded dog park and explore a quiet trail at off-hours. They’ll still get exercise and stimulation—without being thrown into a situation they can’t manage.

Our clients come to us for progress, peace, and partnership—and that’s exactly what we help them build.