Juma's Joy

11/05/2025

04/25/2025

If you are going to have a dog, you are going to have to make sacrifices. You cannot expect to have an animal that was designed to live primarily outside and bring it into your house and not have to make changes or adjustments. A dog is not an ornament, a commodity or a display. A dog is an animal. You are sharing your life with another species. This is life with a dog.

Your yard will not be pristine. The grass will get burned from their p*e. Holes will be dug, bushes shredded, mud will come in the house. You cannot ask them to not p*e in your house and then also try to control even their outside bathroom. Please see how unfair this is. This is life with a dog.

You house will need management. Your counters will need to be clear. Shoes will need to be put away. Laundry room blocked. Kids toys picked up. Some things will get destroyed anyway. This is life with a dog.

They will bark at noises. They will protect their territory. Sometimes fiercely. They will not welcome strange people into the home easily even if you “know them” because this is in their genetic DNA. They don’t understand family gatherings and they don’t always see things the way we do. They won’t love playing with every dog they meet. This is life with a dog.

They will need enrichment and work and productivity. They will need training that is kind and fair and consistent and then maintenance to maintain that training. They will need guidance and coaching and lots of reinforcement to help them perform unnatural behaviors against their natural phenotypes. This is life with a dog.

They will mature and change and modify in their likes, behaviors and preferences as they age. Their behaviors aren’t guaranteed. They are not robots and they can be mercurial as they grow into their own personalities. They are allowed to change their mind and shift naturally just as we do. They need to be seen for what and who they are, not what and who YOU want. This is life with a dog.

Life with a dog is not a human right. It is a privilege and a responsibility and an education. They are animals and should be treated and expected to behave as such. That doesn’t make them any less loved or family members and it doesn’t make them any less deserving of respect, in fact it makes them more so.

Enjoy your life with a dog, and help them enjoy life with a human.

- Helen St. Pierre

11/01/2024

I’m excited to let everyone know that my beautiful Juma inspired me to become a dog trainer. I opened my own business in January in her name, created the logo in her memory. I’ve been doing private in home training during 2024. Starting in December I will also be offering classes in my shared training spaced in Wilton, NH. Check out my website, and follow your dream!

Juma’s Joy& HeartdogTraining offers professional dog training services Dog Training Services Private one on one sessions with an experienced trainerTeaching your dog good manners Helping to enrich your communication with your dog Learn more Juma is one of those dogs that bury deep into your soul, ...

04/26/2024

Had a nice little adventure with Kevin and two of the girls today.

12/04/2023

It’s time to debunk this myth.

The outdated concept of pack leadership and dominance in domestic dogs has not only been proven incorrect, but also promotes a harmful relationship dynamic. Born from flawed studies of captive wolves in the 1940s, this theory has been wholly discredited by modern research.

Believing a dog is trying to dominate can foster negative emotions towards confused dogs and lead to unfair interpretation of their behaviour. This, in turn, can provoke inappropriate responses from the humans involved, escalating fear and anxiety in dogs, and creating a cycle of adverse behaviour.

Current understanding of canine behaviour underscores the importance of empathy, respect, and positive reinforcement. Canine Principles champions these evidence-based practices, offering an enlightened approach to dog-human interactions.

Don't let misconceptions taint your relationship with your dog. Join Canine Principles, debunk the myths, and cultivate a more compassionate bond with your dog, based on understanding their true nature and empathy towards them.

https://www.canineprinciples.com/online-dog-courses

12/01/2023

Healthy adult dogs need at least half an hour of active exercise every day, and most need more. Here’s how to give your dog the exercise she needs for optimum health and happiness.

12/01/2023

Vision loss in dogs is common in senior pets. Here's how to help your dog adjust so they can continue to enjoy a high quality of life.

11/28/2023

Just as it's important to respect the personal space of people and refrain from touching them without their explicit invitation, the same respect should be shown toward dogs.

Dogs, much like people, have their own comfort zones and may not always welcome unsolicited physical contact. They communicate their boundaries through body language.

A dog that is open to interaction typically appears relaxed, may approach with a wagging tail, and have a generally friendly demeanour.

On the other hand, if a dog does not wish to be touched, they might turn away, move back, or show signs of discomfort such as stiffening, looking away or licking their lips.

It's crucial to observe and respect these signals.

Forcing interaction upon a dog who has not invited contact can lead to stress for the dog and, in some cases, may provoke an anxious or defensive response.

Understanding and teaching others to recognise and respect a dog’s personal space is part of responsible behaviour around animals. It ensures that interactions are positive and consented to by the dog, fostering a safer and more respectful environment for everyone involved.

11/20/2023

Taking a dog for a walk or hike off-leash must be done appropriately and legally in order to prevent any number of risks to the dog, other dogs, or humans who may encounter the off-leash dog, as well as livestock or wildlife in the area.

11/18/2023

Great article! My dogs love frisbee and ball, but one of them can easily become over aroused. If this happens I cue a sit after each retrieval to settle down. If this doesn’t work we end the game and try another time.

Physical exercise is necessary and healthy for all dogs. However, there are a few common problems we see in client’s dogs who are not exercised properly. Today we’ll discuss one of the …

11/17/2023

You can actually see these pictures. I have so many books on body language with fuzzy pictures.

11/17/2023

I’m slacking 🥲

Learn what the most common cat parent mistakes are and how to prepare for them or how to avoid them, shared by a veterinarian.