17/06/2025
So, I had a pretty crazy episode of internet mob bullying and trolling recently. All over my experience dog handling, training, and that I have a fullly trained full public access service dog that medically alerts and perform tasks that improve my quality of life and compensate for my disability every single day. The issue is was the fact I’m 100% owner self taught, trained and 100% successful. Not only am I proof this can be done, I believe and want to empower other people with disabilities and health conditions to know it is possible to do the same. You don’t HAVE to pay a trainer $80 and hr spend thousands of dollars for programs or wait years in line with non profits and still never be chosen. I’m not saying it’s easy, but it is definitely possible. So that was the issue and ignited an evil troll and internet mob. I was bullied over a lot of other things too, that I don’t want to get all into right now, but this is the reality of the internet, especially now with anonymous commenting options. When you get to hide behind a screen and anonymity, it brings out and empowers the most disgusting traits of human nature for a lot of people. Some people enjoy and need to put others beneath them to validate themselves, but I digress.
One thing I was specifically trolled about, is our daily trips to the dog park. (Like that’s a bad thing.) So I want to explain and share some on my reasons for doing this.
#1. I firmly hold onto my personal belief, that every dog needs and deserves an hour of exercise a day. That means, for every dog I board/day care, every single one gets a 7 mile 1hr 15min walk, every single day. Included in my regular pricing. That means, at one point, I walked 21 miles that day because I was at my capacity. My Dr. thinks it’s great for me and the dogs and encourages this.
Benefits of daily exercise for dogs: It’s ESSENTIAL for their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. If you want a calm, confident, well mannered behave dog you can enjoy and trust, this is a critical principle and foundation to set them up to live their best lives and reach their full potential. For all dogs invest and give back to you, make the commitment and investment in them, and you will be rewarded immensely.
Daily exercise helps weight control, improved cardiovascular health, stronger muscles and joints, and better digestion. Equally important, the mental stimulation reduces boredom, sharpens their ability to focus and learn, therefore improves trainability, it satisfies instinctual needs. It also reduces anxiety and stress, increases confidence, and improves sleep. Some of the best perks, it strengthens the relationship and bonding between the handler and the dog, and helps build good communication between you. It improves the dogs behavior and they will be calmer at home, and dogs getting daily regular exercise will be easier to train. It offers opportunity for dog-dog interaction and gives them public exposure. Adult dogs need 30-90 minutes a day, and working dogs usually need 1-2hrs a day.
This is one of my biggest investments and commitment I’ve made with Smokey and we started this at 14 weeks old. It is one of the primary reasons he’s such a calm and confident dog and we have been so successful as a team.
So yeah, I don’t care what anyone thinks that it’s acceptable to troll or bully me over that while claiming to be a dog handling professional, if you don’t appreciate this very simple concept and guideline, it’s very unfair to your dogs. This one principle alleviates and prevents all sorts of issues and problems developing in dogs. It’s so much easier to just give a dog what they need and watch them thrive then it is to try to correct or adapt to problems after they already developed. So people can hate hate hate, as much as they want. I’m not going to stop or change what I’m doing for my dog and the other dogs I care for and work with. Ots an asset, if you book with me, your dog WILL get their daily exercise and requirement. Typically 2 hrs at the dog park is our standard, but if we are there both having a great time with great dogs, owners, friends, we’ve stayed up to 3, and on occasion even four hours.
The community at the dog park is great! Especially if you’re a regular. People love their dogs and happy dogs that can be trusted in dog parks especially. I’ve met some of the most amazing people at dog parks and through dog handling, and I mean amazing. Not surprisingly, I personally can talk for hours about dogs and people love talking about their dogs too. But after connecting with like minded dog loving people, I’ve gone on to share stories about adoption, disability, employment, parenting, philosophy, gratitude, and shared personal heartbreak and joy. It’s also a great place to network. I’ve passed out business cards, shared some of my expertise with others, but most of the time everyone is just happy to be out their with their dogs who are also happy enjoying the freedom to be 100% dog in their natural element, living their best lives. Me and Smokey, and many owners and dogs, look forward to this part of the day. Especially people that have to leave for work a huge part of their day, but still want to prioritize the dogs needs when they get home, and their are lots of regulars like me. GOOD FOR THEM! GOOD FOR ANYONE PRIORITIZING THEIR DOGS NEEDS! The most calm, confident, well rounded and balanced dogs are thriving because they are getting this basic need met.
I don’t always have to walk 7-21 miles plus dog park for Smokey, but I will do that when I have too. On days I’m in pain and exhausted, the dog park is amazing I can go sit on a bench, under a gazebo, make friends and love all sorts of dogs, make friends with all sorts of people and sit back and relax while Smokey explores, sniffs, rubs, and is off enjoying his freedom and is living his best life.
Smokey spends his days taking care of me, and/or out working in public. Especially on long days of working, where he can’t get distracted, personally engage with anyone because he’s working, and does such a great job sitting next to me or at my feet unbothered, the dog park is an excellent reward for him. He knows he’s working when on the end of the leash and what is expected of him. But he also knows, going to the dog park is just for him. He knows where we are as soon as we pull into the parking lot. As soon as we get through the gate, and remove the leash, he gets to be free. He can approach and make friends with anyone he wants. He loves to go to as many people as he can for a good hiney or head rub, scratch, and get the attention he has been craving and waiting for all day. He does the boxer lean, pressing his body up against a person to show his love, trust and friendship. Sometimes it’s like he’s been holding it in all day working, and suddenly, total freedom! And he LOVES it!
Some people will pay for once a week socialization classes and avoid dog parks for different reasons. But for Smokey and I, as soon as he had his 14 week vaccinations, this was a daily ritual for us. Holland hss three beautiful dog parks all very close by. Not only did his early daily exercise help him become the incredible dog he is, but the socialization was SOOO important too. Subsequently, Smokey has been around and with other people and dogs since he was a very tiny little pup. This is just normal, routine, and natural part of his life that he enjoys. It has helped in the fact he doesn’t get over excited, distracted, overstimulated, reactive, doesn’t resource gaurd, never developed dominant or other unwanted behavior, he never had the opportunity too. It’s 100x easier to do all the right things to avoid and prevent problems from developing with a dog, than it is to train and correct fear, anxiety, or trauma based conditioning and behavior problems. If you want to set your dog up for success, follow this simple rule, and try to insure your dog is getting the needed daily exercise 30min-2hr, you will get paid back in spades. Plus, with my dog handling business, socializing and spending time with other dogs has always been a part of his life.
I started this daily at 14 weeks and continue this routine daily till this day and intend to continue for the rest of his life.
There are some things to be aware and assertive about using public dog parks. #1. Make sure your dog is always up to date on ALL vaccines, flea and tick treatment ect. There is no way to police or know a dogs health and vaccination status in a dog park, and sometimes disease can spread among unvaccinated dogs. #2. Be very attentive to your dog at all times, and learn what you can about dog body language. I know a lot about this from experience and intuition. But you can find YouTube videos, articles , books and materials very easily. This can help you avoid dogs that are showing dominance or aggression. It will help you read when your dog or another dog “has reached their limit,” and needs to head home. It will help you prevent or interrupt dog fights from breaking out, and is just common sense information that can be a powerful tool. Smokey has been attacked once, I’ve witnessed another attack, and occasionally see dog fights erupt but most are intervened and broken up before escalating. 95% of the time the dog park is a safe place, and 95% of the people follow the rules. But there is still that 5% that brings in dogs that don’t belong in dog parks, won’t leave at signs of distress, dominance, or aggression, don’t follow the rules, or create problems in the dog parks. So, it is important to keep your eye on the dogs and their interactions and activities and to know when and how to step in before a problem starts or escalates.
Dog parks offer a unique combination of exercise, enrichment, and socialization. Socializing with other dogs improves canine communication, reduces reactivity and fear, and teaches impulse control. New sights, sounds, smells offers rich sensory input that stimulate a dogs mind. It helps with problem solving and decision making that sharpens their mental agility. It reduces boredom and promotes curiosity. Unleashed energy- off leash dogs have more freedom to run, sniff, play, and burn off a lot more energy than dog walks alone. It helps develop agility and coordination. The dog park offers emotional fulfillment. It boosts mood and endorphins and dopamine. It reduces anxiety and loneliness, and gives a dog something to look forward too. It builds confidence, independence, and resilience.
Dog parks are an important opportunity for your dog to bond with you. It deepens trust and teamwork. It offers training opportunities like recall, come, wait, leave it, in a distracting environment . The dog park offers community and connection, by meeting the dogs social needs AND the handlers too! I’ve made friends, shared stories, advice and support and others have with me too! It’s a constantly enriching environment. Different dogs show up on different days, creating a dynamic environment to explore, appreciate and learn from.
So, to the hateful troll that thought she was shaming and insulting me for this routine, I just feel sorry for your dog that for some reason isn’t getting this. And you want to call yourself a professional, and criticize my credentials, experience, and certifications. I know what I’m doing and why and to me the benefits of the dog park and daily exercise are simple common sense necessities.
Smokey is a calm, confident, working service dog. I can trust and enjoy him 100%. By setting him up with this foundation as early as possible ots set us up for smooth sailing and success in our journey together and training. It allows me to host multiple dogs in my home and is part of the reason he gets along with all well socialized dogs, and he truly enjoys and is comfortable around and with all sorts of people.
So to the trolls. Nice try to discredit and disrespect me, but I am going to sleep well at night. My investment helped create a truly exceptional dog that enjoys a very happy life. He’s thriving, both as a working dog, and just as a happy, calm, confident dog enjoying his freedom, adventures, and just getting to be a dog living their best life.
I like to take pictures and show off the friends we meet, and here are a few from tonight. The Dalmatian had me wrapped around her little paw in no time as she dove right in for all the cuddles, love, belly rubs, affection and couldn’t get enough of it. The spaniel was one of the sweetest pups I ran into tonight with pretty honey eyes. The bulldog loved pressing against me and getting all the hiney and body rubs.
So for all you dog owners that are investing in your dogs, good for you, keep it up! We all can work together to make it a safe place and community for enrichment and relaxing retreat. Me and Smokey enjoy meeting you and making friends!
I am a professional dog handler, dog trainer, and own my own LLC. So if anyone needs boarding, daycare, walking, drop ins or just wants to arrange a play date and chat more about dogs, feel free to reach out. For now, I’m hear to show you and commend you on what a great thing you are doing for your dog! You will be rewarded in spades!
