Jolly Dog Training

08/11/2025

New Service Area Alert

We’re excited to share that Jolly Dog Training is now offering private training sessions in the St. Pete and Clearwater area! Our certified trainers specialize in creating positive, customized training plans for your dog’s unique needs.

For more information email us at [email protected] or DM us 🐾

08/11/2025

Look at all these happy faces! 🐾

It’s been a busy few weeks here at Jolly Dog Training! We’ve had some amazing pups join us — some working hard in our Board & Train program, and others just enjoying a fun boarding stay with plenty of cuddles, playtime, and enrichment.

Swipe through to see the stars of the past few weeks — we loved having each and every one of you!

Which pup’s smile is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!

07/25/2025

Training Spotlight: River 🐾

Say hello to the ever-handsome River! This sweet pup may turn heads with his good looks, but it’s his heart and brain that are truly impressive. River is one of the amazing pups who came through our rescue, , and he’s now thriving in training.

We’ve been working on all the foundational skills like confidence building, recall, potty training, and learning that novel events = good things happen. River’s already showing us how incredibly smart and eager to learn he is. With consistency and a lot of love, this guy is going to grow into the best version of himself.

We’re so proud of River and his family for investing in his future through training. The journey has just begun, and we can’t wait to see where it takes them!

07/23/2025

5 Easy Ways to Teach Your Dog to Relax

Helping your dog learn to relax is one of the most important life skills you can teach. Here are five simple ways to start:

1. Mat or “Place” Training
Teach your dog that their bed or mat is a calm, safe space. Reward them for lying down, settling, or even just taking a deep breath while on it. (It’s important to make sure physical exercise needs are met prior to working on this skill)

2. Reward Calm Behavior
Notice when your dog is quietly resting or lying down on their own—and reward that! This teaches them that calm behavior earns their favorite chew or treat.

3. Slow, Gentle Petting
Use calm, rhythmic strokes along your dog’s body to promote relaxation. Pair this with quiet moments together.

4. Practice “Settle” with You Nearby
Sit with your dog on leash in a low-distraction area, rewarding quiet moments of stillness. Over time, they’ll learn that relaxing near you is rewarding and safe.

5. Incorporate lots of Enrichment
Provide calming activities like lick mats, stuffed Kongs, or slow sniff walks. These encourage your dog to engage in natural, stress-reducing behaviors.

Remember: Teaching relaxation takes time and patience, but the incredible benefits are worth it!

07/23/2025

Meet Sophie!

Sophie recently completed her Board & Train program here at Jolly Dog Training, and we are so proud of the progress she made! This smart, sweet girl worked hard on her basic skills, building confidence, and learning how to navigate the world with her best paw forward.

We can’t wait to see Sophie continue to thrive with her family as they keep up with all the skills she learned during her stay!

07/23/2025

Welcome River to Jolly Dog Training!

River (right) is one of the adorable puppies recently rescued by our nonprofit, . He’s already found an amazing forever family! His new family is committed to helping him grow into a confident, socialized pup through our training program, and we couldn’t be more excited to be part of his journey.

Welcome to the Jolly Dog family, River!

07/16/2025

07/04/2025

Fireworks Are Not Fun for Dogs — Here’s How we can Help Them Cope

Fireworks can be terrifying and overwhelming for our dogs. Here’s how to keep them as safe and comfortable as possible during the chaos:

🔹 Keep ID Tags On
Always make sure your dog is wearing a collar with up-to-date ID tags, and double-check that their microchip info is current. Frightened dogs can bolt.

🔹 Exercise Before the Noise Starts
Give them a good walk, a run in a safe open space, and a play session earlier in the day to help burn off excess energy and help reduce anxiety later.

🔹 Create a Safe, Quiet Space
Set up a cozy area away from windows — use a bedroom or a bathroom where they can feel more secure.

🔹 Shut Out the Noise & Flashes
Close blinds, turn on fans or white noise machines, and play calming music to help mask the sounds of fireworks.

🔹 Use Calming Tools
Have calming treats, anxiety wraps, or vet-prescribed medication ready if your dog needs extra support. Don’t wait until they’re already stressed.

Fireworks aren’t something the majority of dogs can just tolerate — they need our help to get through them safely and with as little stress as possible.

07/04/2025

🇺🇸 Stars, stripes, and wagging tails! Our Jolly Dog Training visitors are feeling extra paw-triotic this today, sporting their best red, white, and blue for Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙

Beyond the festive gear, each dog has been staying busy with plenty of enrichment, exercise, and training sessions to help them feel more relaxed tonight when the fireworks start. An enriched brain and body can make all the difference during loud, stressful nights like the 4th.

Wishing you and your dogs a safe and stress-free 4th of July! 🎇