Wonderdog Training

10/29/2026

🎃 Halloween is just around the corner! Set your dog up for a stress-free Halloween with these six tips:

1. Don’t force your dog to walk by scary yard decorations.
2. If you want to dress up your dog, now is the time to practice.
3. Leave your dog home from trick-or-treating!
4. Set up a safe space for your dog.
5. Hand out candy from your driveway or porch.
6. Turn off the porch light and disable your smart doorbell.

Northern Virginia Dogs | NOVA Pet Parents | Gainesville, VA Dogs | Bristow, VA Dogs | Positive Dog Training | Fear Free Dog Training | Fear Free Vet | Modern Dog Training | Dog Clicker Training | Dog Training Life | Life with Dogs | Certified Professional Dog Trainer | Puppy Group Class | Puppy Training | Puppy Socialization | Behavior Modification

10/27/2026

No, you’re not seeing double! 🐶🐶 Sargent and Major are littermates that are working on proper early socialization while prioritizing alone time training so they are comfortable when separated!

If you’ve welcomed a puppy into your home, hop over to www.wonderdog.training to download my FREE puppy packet, full of information to help you make the most of your training time with your new puppy.

Northern Virginia Dogs | NOVA Pet Parents | Gainesville, VA Dogs | Bristow, VA Dogs | Positive Dog Training | Fear Free Dog Training | Fear Free Vet | Modern Dog Training | Dog Clicker Training | Dog Training Life | Life with Dogs | Certified Professional Dog Trainer | Puppy Group Class | Puppy Training | Puppy Socialization | Behavior Modification

10/20/2026

Yes! All of this.

10/19/2026

On the blog: Halloween Spooks!

Many dogs have a few struggles as we go through the spooky season. To cap it off, Halloween night looks incredibly different than anything else your dog may have ever seen. Ghouls, goblins, ghosts, and the dreaded doorbell—oh my!

As dog guardians, our job is to help keep our dogs’ stress levels low! A main part of this is recognizing what areas may be a struggle and being as proactive as possible to help make our dogs feel more comfortable.

Read more: https://wonderdog.training/training-insights/halloween-spooks

Northern Virginia Dogs | NOVA Pet Parents | Gainesville, VA Dogs | Bristow, VA Dogs | Positive Dog Training | Fear Free Dog Training | Fear Free Vet | Modern Dog Training | Dog Clicker Training | Dog Training Life | Life with Dogs | Certified Professional Dog Trainer | Puppy Group Class | Puppy Training | Puppy Socialization | Behavior Modification

Many dogs have a few struggles as we go through the spooky season. To cap it off, Halloween night looks incredibly different than anything else your dog may have ever seen. Ghouls, goblins, ghosts, and the dreaded doorbell—oh my!

10/17/2026

The dogs of Haymarket Day 2026! A huge thanks to Vets To Pets and Summit Veterinary Care for asking me to join your team promoting Fear Free care to our community!

We saw tons of cute faces, including some familiar local celebrities like Allie Mae!

Northern Virginia Dogs | NOVA Pet Parents | Gainesville, VA Dogs | Bristow, VA Dogs | Positive Dog Training | Fear Free Dog Training | Fear Free Vet | Modern Dog Training | Dog Clicker Training | Dog Training Life | Life with Dogs | Certified Professional Dog Trainer | Puppy Group Class | Puppy Training | Puppy Socialization | Behavior Modification | Haymarket Day

10/11/2026

Simply adding choices into your dog’s day can improve their welfare.

Here are some of my thoughts for incorporating it on a hike as I reflect on CANIS Conference while walking in my favorite Openlands preserve in Fort Sheridan.

Just missing my heart dog, Hossa. 🪽🐾

Northern Virginia Dogs | NOVA Pet Parents | Gainesville, VA Dogs | Bristow, VA Dogs | Positive Dog Training | Fear Free Dog Training | Fear Free Vet | Modern Dog Training | Dog Clicker Training | Dog Training Life | Life with Dogs | Certified Professional Dog Trainer | Puppy Group Class | Puppy Training | Puppy Socialization | Behavior Modification |

10/11/2026

Thank you, CANIS Conference, for the wonderful three days!

Shir 🐾 In Home Family Dog Trainer 🐾 Chicago 📍 🫶🏻🐾

The Play Way

Michael Shikashio

Northern Virginia Dogs | NOVA Pet Parents | Gainesville, VA Dogs | Bristow, VA Dogs | Positive Dog Training | Fear Free Dog Training | Fear Free Vet | Modern Dog Training | Dog Clicker Training | Dog Training Life | Life with Dogs | Certified Professional Dog Trainer | Puppy Group Class | Puppy Training | Puppy Socialization | Behavior Modification |

10/10/2026

Meeting & getting a photo with Patricia McConnell deserved its own spot on the feed.

Dr. McConnell has made tremendous contributions to the field of dog training & behavior, as well as overall welfare. I am grateful that she continues to offer insights from which we can learn here at CANIS Conference.

Northern Virginia Dogs | NOVA Pet Parents | Gainesville, VA Dogs | Bristow, VA Dogs | Positive Dog Training | Fear Free Dog Training | Fear Free Vet | Modern Dog Training | Dog Clicker Training | Dog Training Life | Life with Dogs | Certified Professional Dog Trainer | Puppy Group Class | Puppy Training | Puppy Socialization | Behavior Modification |

10/10/2026

CANIS Conference Day 2

Cheese!

Grisha Stewart Academy! Who developed the BAT procedure that changed Hossa’s life. 🫶🏻

Prof. Daniel Mills on emotions, motivation, and behavior related to behaviors we label as “aggressive”

Northern Virginia Dogs | NOVA Pet Parents | Gainesville, VA Dogs | Bristow, VA Dogs | Positive Dog Training | Fear Free Dog Training | Fear Free Vet | Modern Dog Training | Dog Clicker Training | Dog Training Life | Life with Dogs | Certified Professional Dog Trainer | Puppy Group Class | Puppy Training | Puppy Socialization | Behavior Modification |

10/09/2026

An excellent first 24 hours at CANIS Conference networking with dog pros and learning from some of the best in the business!

Northern Virginia Dogs | NOVA Pet Parents | Gainesville, VA Dogs | Bristow, VA Dogs | Positive Dog Training | Fear Free Dog Training | Fear Free Vet | Modern Dog Training | Dog Clicker Training | Dog Training Life | Life with Dogs | Certified Professional Dog Trainer | Puppy Group Class | Puppy Training | Puppy Socialization | Behavior Modification |