Good Dog Rising

06/01/2026

Our Doodle Your Dog sheet hanging in our larger classroom, has filled up with a variety of artistic impressions. Some of our students have amazing skills with a simple marker and some... well... do their best. 😁
Let's make a FUN contest out of who wins for best art on this sheet.
More sheets to come in the next few days!

05/30/2026

How do you introduce yourself?

05/30/2026

05/30/2026

How to introduce yourself

05/21/2026

As humans, we intuitively offer a helping hand, think about how you guide a child across the street. In our effort to be compassionate to a shy or nervous dog, our human instinct fights against our goal to help our canine counterparts.
Offering a dog a treat as a way to lure them closer can cause conflict for dogs too. I’ve seen dogs take a treat from a hand, spit it out, and then react towards the hand with growling / snarling. A tossed treat from a distance is a better option.

Let’s talk about the “magica hand.”

Well meaning people reach out their hand so a dog can sniff and make friends. For some dogs, that is fine. For others, it is the fastest way to get bitten.

A reaching hand can:
• Feel invasive
• Reduce distance
• Corner the dog
• Predict restraint

Some dogs have learned that biting makes the hand go away quickly.

A better option:
Allow the dog to approach if they choose.
Ignore them until they initiate affiliative behavior.
Watch body language carefully.

And if:
🚫 You are unsure about what you are seeing
🚫 There is a bite history
🚫 Handling is not necessary

Walking away is the safest choice.

Preventing bites is often about reducing unnecessary pressure.


Dog Illustrations by The Drawables, Owned By: Liz V.

05/14/2026

Let’s create a list of fun mental enrichment for your dogs to try this summer!

I’ll go first-

Let your dog explore a new sniff spot.

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?💭

05/13/2026

Happy Hump Day!

05/09/2026

Join us in congratulating some of our sniffy dogs who competed in an AKC Scent Work trial this cold, wet and dreary morning. Specific accolades are in photo description.

04/30/2026

When the background music hits just right....

These are the little and yet great memories that we create with our four legged pals!

Celebrate good times!