Marian Lyons, Certified Dog trainer

11/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14QBYy4SGQZ/

10/10/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/17VGjZFbW7/

10/06/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19aSSK73pe/
Sad

10/06/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DSfYrUP59/

08/13/2025

We've all had one of these!

07/20/2025

Reposting the SIT COMMAND from almost 3 years ago.

07/20/2025

So I am sharing again from a few years ago on how I teach my first class, or how I start off on private training. To train your dog, your dog must be able to focus on you.

07/14/2025

I am sharing an almost 2 year old post that addresses many issues, such as breed, rank in the family, exercise, family participation.

A few days ago I was asked for some help with these 2 cuties. The older one is the small one named Jordee who is a 2 1/2 year old mini Aussiedoodle. The larger dog named Rylee a 1 year old sheepadoodle.
The issue they were having was that the bigger dog attacked the smaller dog bad enough to go to the emergency vet. So this seriously needed to be addressed. I had a almost 3 hour session with the owners addressing obedience, leadership, and some of the traits that I thought contributed to what happened.
No. 1 both of these dogs are part herding dog. Herding dogs have a high need for physical and mental exercise as well. Without enough exercise they most likely will develop unwanted behaviors by human standards. I won't get into all those at the moment.
No. 2 Herding dogs many times will bite or nip the animals they are Herding. They were bred to do this.
No. 3 herding dogs can also get overly attached to one human.
After talking with the mom owner of the dogs. We determined that both of the dogs are more attached to her than the rest of the family for the most part. One of the bites happened when she walked in from shopping. And trying to separate the she got bit. The 2nd bite was over a toy, while playing tug toy together. One of her children got bit trying to separate the dogs.
So these dogs need more exercise, more obedience, and more leadership.
I taught the young one obedience commands while I was there. She didn't take to it at first but the more we practiced she did great. I also suggested to keep the dogs off furniture for a while and only let them up on furniture when invited.

07/12/2025

PUPPY BLADDER INFECTIONS
I want to give just a bit of advice when it comes to adopting a female dog or adopting a female puppy. If you are having trouble potty training your puppy or newly adopted dog chances are your dog has a bladder infection. I have had 6 dogs during my life and 3 were female. Two of those females had bladder infections when we brought them home. My neighbor has adopted a female dog and has had trouble training. I suggested to her to have her checked for infection and sure enough she had one. It it a bit common for female puppies to have these infections.
When the infection goes away it makes it a whole lot easier.

07/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1J2YhhXZRD/

‼️EMERGENCY AT CEDAR RAPIDS ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL‼️PLEASE HELP‼️
Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control is out of space for dogs! This means euthanasia for multiple dogs. This gravely affects the staff and the dogs they have loved and cared for. They have pop up kennels in the hallways but that is a temporary fix. They need help! This shelter is sadly lacking on space for the dogs in a city the size of Cedar Rapids. How you can help:
* Consider adopting a dog today. The shelter is open from noon-5pm.
*Become an emergency foster home for a rescue. Contact them and say you want to help a CRACC dog:
Dogs Forever
Last Hope Animal Rescue
Fur Fun Rescue
Hero's Haven Animal Rescue
Adopt A Pal Animal Rescue
A Purposeful Life Animal Rescue & Sanctuary
Safe Haven of Iowa County
Safe Paws Iowa
Paws-N-Claws Iowa
Tails in Transit - formerly East Texas Hoof & Paw
Cedar Valley Pit Bull Rescue

* Go to the shelter today if you have an interest in adopting.
address is posted below.
*Here is the CRACC Petfinder site but please note not all dogs are currently posted on the site:
https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/ia/cedar-rapids/cedar-rapids-animal-care-control-animal-shelter-ia125/

Please help save some very important lives today!
The shelter is located on the Kirkwood College Campus.
7241 Washington Wv Parkway SW. Cedar Rapids, 52404.
PLEASE HELP US SHARE.❤️🐾

07/04/2025

06/03/2025

So today while enjoying my walk I was surprised by an overly friendly Golden retriever. She was very jumpy and her paws were all around my arms. The only person around was an 11 year old girl. I wasn't scared a bit but I was trying to calm the dog. Anyway I told the girl I am a trainer, and to call out the dog's name and run towards her home. Worked perfectly.
So if your dog gets away from home or gets out of the yard don't chase the dog, but run in the opposite direction so he chases you.