Pawsitive Connections/RainingIce Kennels and Education

06/17/2026

I get asked quite a bit about items and treats I buy. I'm going to start a Amazon list you can click on. Here is a retractable slicker I like. I added a moment with the vaccum brush, will demo more with Breeze.

06/17/2026

More of meeting Moon. Grooming your Australian Shepherd is part of owning. It keeps fur from being matted and those grinch feet pretty.

06/11/2026

I AIN’T REALLY MISBEHAVING - I’M JUST DOING WHAT DOGS DO!

What we may label as bad behaviour is often nothing more than a dog behaving exactly as nature designed them to.

Dogs are not born understanding human rules, household etiquette or the expectations we place on them.
They don't automatically know that some things are not meant to be chewed, that food left on a countertop is strictly off-limits or that they’re expected to walk calmly on a leash.

When we bring dogs into our lives, we expect them to automatically adapt to a world that is not naturally theirs.
We confine them to houses and yards, expect them to fit into our busy schedules, keep quiet and ignore the countless natural temptations that surround them every day.

When we view behaviour through this lens, frustration should begin to give way to understanding.

Understanding behaviour does not mean allowing dogs to do whatever they want. It means recognizing that behaviour serves a purpose and is fulfilling a need.

Instead of punishing a dog for behaving naturally, we can guide them towards behaviours that are acceptable. We can prevent rehearsal of unwanted behaviour, teach new skills, meet their physical, emotional and social needs, and provide appropriate outlets for their natural needs.

Dogs who are given opportunities to sniff, explore, chew, forage, play, problem-solve and engage with their environment are far better equipped to cope with the expectations placed on them.

The more we understand why dogs do what they do, the more successful we can become at helping them navigate our human world.

When we stop viewing every unwanted behaviour as misbehaviour and start seeing it as communication, we shift from trying to control our dogs to supporting and meeting their needs.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our dogs is our understanding.

06/09/2026

We were invited to McKinley in Farmington! Breeze and I taught dog safety, what to do if you get lost while hiking or camping, dog care and Breeze did her tricks for the kiddos! It was a fun time at the school!

Got to see old friends again, 2 wonderful women I absolutely love.

This was right before school was out. Breeze will be ready again when school starts!

06/08/2026

Names are for positive association not anger or correction.

Your dog knows their name.
That might be the problem.

"He's ignoring his name."
But what have we taught their name actually means?

Sometimes it means

Stop that.

Come here.

Leave it.

What have you got?

Move away from that.

Pay attention.

Over time, a name can stop being a simple attention cue and become a prediction of whatever comes next.

Is their name used as an interruption, to vent your disappointment or does it add pressure?

If so, it's not surprising that some dogs become less enthusiastic about responding.

The issue isn't always that they don't know their name.
Sometimes they've learned all too well that their name predicts things they'd rather avoid.

Every time we say a dog's name, we're teaching them what it means.

So when your dog hears their name.

What do they think is about to happen?

06/08/2026

I preach this often! Dogs should not meet other dogs on leash. Dogs begin to think dogs are always available causing pulling, reactivity, barking, lunging and more.

Also fights can happen quickly!

I teach owners how to advocate for thier dog and to use the palm up as the "stop sign " to stop a owner approaching with thier dog.

I role play with owners, advise them to continue so when it happens, owners stand firm.

06/02/2026

Look her passed her OFA!!

05/20/2026

After Moons visit to the Vet, we stopped in Ridgeway for a walk along the river.

I never tire of this drive to Montrose, seeing the beauty of Colorado.

The most interesting comment from the vet was, she sees CH dogs whom have done well in conformation that are a hot mess. Owners refusing to do genetics. She complemented me on my desire to have a sound dog and do the needed genetics without question.

05/20/2026

What a Rockstar today!

Moon went for her pre breed exam, OFA on hips and elbows, Thyroid test to complete her health check. Normally vets will sedate for the OFA, she didn't need it! Her cooperative care teaching paid off. Moon laid perfectly still and held still for the Veterinarian exam.

Vets conclusion....very healthy girl. Now we wait for OFA and Thyroid results, which I'm not to worried about.

Going forward, there is a huge possibility of being bred to Breezes brother Kit. That is a Ice line puppy. We are still working out details and ASCA registration.

Heat due mid August.

05/06/2026

Sniffing is normal behavior. It can get to much on leash. Pattern games!

Off leash they run and sniff to thier desire.

Featuring Moon!