Southern Mutt

09/10/2025

Congratulations, Roux! He is our first Puppy Headstart graduate. He and his human worked hard and it shows. He’s growing into his best self! 💙

06/06/2025

🎉 Say hello to Puppy Headstart! 🎉
All your puppy-raising needs rolled into one fun-filled class 🐾

✨ This isn’t your average puppy class. It’s a small (really small—just 4 pups!) and personal experience designed to help you raise a well-mannered mutt with real-life skills.

Here’s what you’ll get:
✅ Pro-level instruction (from an honors grad of the top dog training school—yep, that’s me!)
✅ Beginning foundational manners like sit, down, come, stay, and leave it
✅ Solutions for common puppy chaos—potty accidents, nipping, chewing, and more
✅ Polite playtime with fellow pups (because tired puppies are good puppies!)
✅ Trainer secrets to raising a confident, vet-and-groomer-loving adult dog
✅ Valuable informaiton to set you up for success before your pup even joins the party

This class is for real. Real skills, real results, and real support from someone who’s just as invested in your puppy’s success as you are.

🐶 Ready for puppy relief?
👉 Register now at www.southernmutt.com

Let’s raise a good dog—together. 🐕

Private puppy training, private dog training, pro behavior modification for Chattanooga. Learn to train your dog or let me train your dog for you.

04/25/2025

🐾 Puppy-Proof Like a Pro! 🐶✨
Bringing home a new pup? Get ready to see your house through the eyes of a tiny, curious tornado with teeth.

Here’s how to make your space safe—and save your stuff from the jaws of cuteness:

🏡 Your House = Adventureland
Electrical cords? Tasty spaghetti.
Tiny random objects? Treasure.
Slippery hallways? Doggo ice rinks.
➡️ Tuck away cords, stash small items, and add rugs for traction. Guard stairs and balconies like royalty lives there (because… your pup does).

🪴 Got plants? Some are toxic!
Place ‘em up high or gift them to your plant-loving, dog-free friends. Win-win.

🚪 Kitchen & Bathroom Shenanigans
Time to lock it down:
👉 Cabinets with cleaning stuff? Latch 'em.
👉 Plastic bags? Out of reach.
👉 Trash can? Fort Knox that thing.
If your pup can tip it, they will snack from it.

🌳 Yard = Puppy Playground (with hazards)
Fence it. Check it. Lock it down.
Make sure there’s no Great Escape route, and keep pups far away from pools, garden tools, and anything labeled “-cide” (pesticide, herbicide, nope-icide).

👀 The Golden Rule? Supervise like a helicopter parent.
Can’t watch your pup? Pop them in their safe zone with a toy and let them vibe safely.

🎉 Because a safe puppy = a happy, chaos-contained puppy!

💬 Tag a new puppy parent who needs this checklist—or tell us what your doggo got into when you weren’t looking. (Socks? Couch? Mysteriously missing sandwich?) 😂🐕

📞 Need help getting your puppy started on the right paw?
Book a private training consult and set your pup up for success—from manners to confidence and everything in between. Let’s build those good habits before the couch cushions disappear. 🐕✨

04/23/2025

🐩 **Sage is 1 and Deep in Her Teenage Feels** 😅
Standard Poodle? More like *Standard Sass.*

She *used* to sit like a pro… now she looks at me like I just asked her to file taxes. If you're living with a teen pup too, welcome to the fluffiest phase of rebellion known to dog-kind. 🌀🐾

Between 4 months and 2 years, our pups enter their “Who even *are* you?” era. Selective hearing? Yep. Zoomies at bedtime? Obviously. A sudden passion for redecorating with throw pillows? Send help.

It’s just a phase—we promise. Here’s how we’re getting through it with (some) grace and (lots of) treats:

✨ **1. Stick to the Script**
Routine is our BFF. Same commands, same structure, same expectations. The more predictable things are, the less chaotic the sass.

🍗 **2. Make the Good Stuff Work for You**
Sage’s favorite things? Dinner, cuddles, and zoom-fueled playtime. We cash in on those joys by asking for a quick “sit” or “down” first—manners on the move!

📚 **3. Don’t Be Afraid to Call in Backup**
Think of this like middle school with more fur. A little help from a trainer now can save your future self a lot of “Why is she chewing the blinds again?” moments.

🏃‍♀️ **4. Move That Fluffy Butt**
If Sage tracked her steps, she’d hit 30k before lunch. Walks, puzzle toys, fetch, you name it. A well-exercised pup = fewer wild-eyed couch attacks.

💬 Got your own teenage tornado in fur form? Drop your most *relatable* moment below. I’ll start: Sage recently tried to rewire the TV remote... with her teeth. It now lives behind the tv. 😅

📞 Need a little support raising your pup through their teen phase? Let’s chat!

Call today to schedule a training consult and let’s bring back those sweet, well-mannered moments—one sit at a time. 🐾💬

03/28/2025

What’s the over-the-top, Oscar-worthy soundtrack playing in your dog’s head when they collapse like they're having an existential crisis? 🐾🎶🎻😆

03/26/2025

We would love to help your dog become a well-mannered Southern Mutt! Give us a call today! 423.774.3306

03/22/2025

Who needs a boredom buster? 🐶💥 Clearly, someone here found their own entertainment... and it wasn't puzzle toys! 😅

Check out these 5 tips to keep your pup busy (without the feather explosion)👇

03/18/2025

Spring is here and love is in the air!

Wedding Dogs

As dogs become more involved in our families and daily routines, it’s no surprise that they’re increasingly part of the wedding ceremonies of their human parents. Thanks to social media platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, the trend of dogs in tuxedos or flower wreaths walking down the aisle with happy couples is growing in popularity. Whether they’re serving as ring bearers, flower girls, or even the dog of honor, these furry companions pose for photos, mingle at receptions, and even dance with the guests. Some less social pups might not attend the festivities in person but are still celebrated in vows, featured on wedding cakes, or displayed on stylish invitations.

Why not include them? Dogs are an essential part of the family, so it makes perfect sense to have them involved in this age-old tradition. Of course, when animals are part of the equation, things might not always go according to plan, and a sense of humor is key in case there are a few dog-related surprises. To minimize any mishaps, some simple precautions can be taken. For example, avoid over-dressing your dog, as they may spend the entire ceremony squirming to escape their outfit. It’s also helpful to hire a photographer experienced with pets—sometimes a well-timed squeaky toy can turn an ordinary shot into a cherished keepsake.

If you’re planning to include a high-energy, nervous, or strong dog in your big day, enlisting the help of a professional dog trainer can make a huge difference, especially if the person handling your dog isn’t familiar with them. Many wedding planners also offer pet-friendly services that account for the unique needs of four-legged guests. If that’s not an option, consider asking pet-savvy friends to help with handling the dog during the event. After all, a wedding is about love and family—and for many, that wouldn’t be complete without their loyal, furry friends.

11/17/2024

A little planning for your new puppy can help set everyone up for success. Here are some tips to get you started.

10/30/2024

Hello. I'm Jaimie Shaw, the owner of Southern Mutt and SoMutt's Trainer and Behavior Consultant. The buck stops with me, and I love that. Because I love what I do - helping serious, fun loving dog owners like you enjoy life with your dog to the fullest.

I'm also quite serious about what I do, which is why I hold the most rigorous training certificate available in our industry. I want you to know you and your dog are in the best of hands.

I hope we have the opportunity to work together!