Mind Your Manners Dog Training of the Lakeshore

06/09/2025

Just a friendly reminder: "enrichment" doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. It can literally just be the opportunity to check out smells from the local store!

12/04/2024

🤣🤣🤣

07/28/2024

Random thought of the day on navigating behaviors that are the result of personality traits: This dog is high-drive and persistent. And it drives me nuts sometimes. It's the reason she was rehomed to begin with. But is "training" her to act calmly constructive or beneficial (to her)? Or does it just mask her personality to make her more palatable to others?

Certainly, there's a threshold at which a behavior can become detrimental to the individual's quality of life (especially if crossing that threshold results in losing one's home), and in some cases, redirecting those traits into a more controlled or constructive behavioral output is necessary for safety...

But perhaps we humans can find ways to expand our definition of "acceptable" behavior. In my case, if I "train" Maggie to be "calm" (void of behaviors) and "entertain herself" (become asocial), she is no longer the amazingly connected, interactive, and athletic dog that she is naturally. And that is ultimately a disservice to both of us.

So, long story short, I need to meet her where she is. Embrace what makes her uniquely her. Even if that challenges me to expand my version of what I think a dog "should" be.

Just like I try to do with my children. 😉

07/07/2024

This is a GREAT video showing the concept of what I call "parking". Using your leash is not "cheating", it's using your resources! Did you learn to ride a bike without training wheels? 😉

Notice the three common physical outputs that can help you identify when your dog is actually calm: hip flopped, head rested, and the heavy sigh (exhale). Patience is the number one component of success with this exercise!

And don't forget: not EVERY visit needs to include a greeting! It's perfectly fine to just sit down and have a conversation with your guest with your pooch by your side. Personally, I'm very selective of who I'll allow to pay attention to my pup when he's in training. I'd rather have a few really good, calm interactions than have a bunch of haphazard, overly-intense greetings.

Well done, in VA!

02/28/2024

Kirk Park's Dog Beach is BACK! 🎉

The beach changed it's hours dramatically during the Covid-19 Pandemic

07/19/2023

Last call for Level 2 obedience at Byron Township Recreation! Dogs must have previously completed Level 1 and be able to maintain a 1-minute stay. Class begins Thursday, July 27th. Call 616-878-1998 to register.

07/18/2023

🎂 happy 3rd birthday to my pandemic pup, Holden! What a long way he's come ❤️

06/22/2023

Another obedience session ends with another graduation day! Congrats to all these amazing pups and their people!

05/21/2023

Soft items like cardboard or towels are great for starting to build confidence through enrichment.

Using enrichment activities to build confidence and resilience.

05/07/2023

Enrichment idea: fill a small pool with sand or plastic balls (or wadded up craft paper, for that matter), and let your pup "dig" for a favorite toy.
Baby pools are currently $7.99 at Aldi!

04/29/2023

Does your pup recall like THIS? If not, this 5-part blog series can help you identify why and how to fix it! https://www.mindyourmannersdogs.com/single-post/2016/04/02/total-recall-shifting-our-perceptions