First Friends

08/11/2026

I'm partnering with Spirit Dog (a wonderful local business) to provide small, focused group classes again! Adventure Dogs, Dogs on the Town, Cooperative Care - which would you and your dog most enjoy? What others should I consider offering?

https://www.spiritdogwellnesscenter.com/training

"Any day I haven't learned something from the dogs I am working with is a day I wasn't paying enough attention" - Jen Walker

We are thrilled to be welcoming dog trainer Jen Walker to the team! Jen started working with animals in 2004 and has earned several training certifications over the years, including CTC, KPA, CTP, FPPE and Fear Free. Jen's training philosophy is "science-based and kindness-led".

Jen will be introducing 3 courses to our local area which will begin in the first week of September. Course material will cover behaviors for real-world interactions in city settings as well as in the outdoors. Visit https://www.spiritdogwellnesscenter.com/training for details about the classes.

We have many more updates in store including community events and landscape services. Visit our freshly updated website https://www.spiritdogwellnesscenter.com to see everything new we have going on!

08/11/2026

It's just about that season again; the blackberries are getting ripe! Do your dogs love these tasty treats as much as you do?

"Juicy, dark blackberries are a favorite fruit for people, and they can also be a safe, nutritious treat for dogs when served plain and in moderation. In this article, we'll cover the nutritional benefits of blackberries, safe serving tips, and which blackberry products to avoid."

https://campfiretreats.com/blogs/campfire-tales/can-dogs-eat-blackberries

08/10/2026

"Photographs of happy, smiling human faces made an area of the brain that is associated with reward "light up" with activity. This reward circuitry is the part of the brain that is activated when we enjoy and remember good things, like tasty food or praise."

I love the way my dogs' tails wag, sometimes even in their sleep, when I tell them what good dogs I think they are. What are your favorite "replies" from your dogs?

Scientists have worked out what is going on inside a dog's brain when it sees a human smiling or scowling.

08/03/2026

Being prepared for emergencies means having plans and practicing them. These preparations need to include the whole family, two-legged and four-alike. I've taught workshops on these topics for years, and now, with wildfire season upon us again, we all ought to consider how to keep pets safe.

Do you have a pet first aid kit? Have you taken a pet first aid class? Are your pets microchipped, fully vaccinated, and crate-trained? Do you have supplies in your home to Shelter In Place if need be?

Here are some helpful resources to check out!

FEMA on preparedness for families with pets https://www.ready.gov/pets

American Red Cross Pet 1st Aid: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid/cat-dog-first-aid?

AVMA's tips for emergencies https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners

ASPCA's poison help line https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control

08/02/2026

Why do I have a pinecone in my pocket?

Because my puppy likes to chew rocks. If I give chase to take away the chew rock, we're practicing Keep Away (a game I do not want to engage in). However, we've come to an understanding that if my pup does find a chew rock, he is willing to spit it out for a few rounds of Pinecone Fetch.

Is this the best answer?

Maybe not, but it is fun and far safer than chase-the-puppy-who-has-a-rock-in-his-mouth, while we work on learning a reliable Drop It cue.

07/29/2026

Healthy sleep is critical.

Having a puppy of my very own is providing quite different than having foster puppies and advising clients about their puppies.

Miles pup much prefers his pen for daytime napping, while he also happily tucks in at night to sleep in his crate next to my bed.

“What we tend to see in a pen is the puppy will sleep, they might get up, they might have a little chew on something, have a play with something, and then they’re able to go back to sleep. Versus a crate, they’re kind of just forced into doing nothing. And then when you let them out, it can be chaotic.”

How big an impact does sleep have on canine behavior? Probably more than you and your clients realize, according to this literature review.

07/28/2026

With a new puppy of my own at home, I have been revisiting some books that I often suggest to clients who are interested in deeper dives into specific subjects.

Some of the "classics" are in need of updates, but many still offer solid advice and guidance.

Are you a dog book nerd? What are your favorites?

04/22/2026

"There are so many small changes we can make in our own lives to be more environmentally friendly, including when we are caring for our pets. Just changing the products we use and small choices we make can have a huge impact on wildlife and the environment as a whole."

This Earth Day, and every day, many of the choices we make related to our pets impact the world around us. I myself struggle with the balance and trade-offs these decisions entail. What are your thoughts? What actions do you take?

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-be-eco-friendly-pet-owner

04/18/2026

This post is a test. My personal page is turning all pictures I post into fuzzy monochrome images.

Gusto was kind enough to offer a morning portrait to help.

Is anyone else having a similar issue?