Mutts of Merit, LLC.

Mutts of Merit, LLC. Force Free Training, Behavior Modification & Aggression Therapy. Shelter Dog Certified & AKC CGC

01/08/2026

Nothing like perfecting Sit-Stay with a few cues mixed in. Guys, dogs do like challenges. Sadly, I have seen people get so infuriated with their dogs that if they break, they grab the fog by the collar and drag them back to the starting position.

I actually had one lady who does agility come to Mutts of Merit, LLC. to practice a similar exercise. I watched her manhandle her dog several times. Despite my instruction to just "ask" him, she could not follow instructions. Every time the dog ran the course, he would go to the door. She would say he was tired. I was like, yes, tired of you being a drill sergeant. Never sank in.

I could tell her dog was too food motivated so suggested she reward him with play. She tried it and it worked. The next time she came, I asked how he did. You know, the lady said that someone at agility class suggested she used play as a reward since the dog could not focus with food. I was like, hmm, seems like deja vu. Of course this broad would not credit a force free trainer for anything because of her top of the food chain mentality. Made me sad for the dog.

Months later, I was talking to a friend who did agility with her dogs for 40 years. I asked how it was going. She said she had to bow out. I asked why. She said, "because people are much too nasty with their dogs." Yep....not surprised. Probably waa in class with Elizabeth Báthory. Yes, people suck. And the worst part....the proclaim they love dogs. Yeah, ok...
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When blood work is perfect but your patient looks tired and depressed, you have to rely on your hands, knowledge you hav...
01/07/2026

When blood work is perfect but your patient looks tired and depressed, you have to rely on your hands, knowledge you have gained, and years of experience to help.

Memphis right lymph node under his chin is rock hard. The left is a bit off but not like the right. Dr. Morgan said "we might" be dealing with a cancer and wanted to know if I was considering oncology. I have been down that road with my Mom, so there is no way in hell I am considering that. As a result, we are going the steroid and tramadol route to give him some comfort. You have to understand, veterinarians do not go the steroid route very much anymore.

Obviously, the goal would be that Memphis bounces back, but if this is something like a lymphoma, it won't last long. Without a biopsy, there is not specific diagnosis, BUT this is what I like about old school vets. They know how to provide care for a pet without all the "specialists."

I know having a clean diagnosis is a "peace of mind," but I am not putting Memphis through all that. My friends know he has been off kilter for months. I listen to his eyes.

The connection I have with my dogs is so strong. I know what every inch of their bodies feel like and notice when anything is off. My life gets busy just like anyone else's, but I am never too busy to listen to them.

I knew his Osteoarthritis was causing him pain..hell, it is chronic. The lymph node is a major concern. Right now, we will track the medications and see if he shows improvement.
No matter how you look at it, it was a stab in the chest to have Memphis described as tired and depressing. 😢
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Worked a little more recall with Miss Lacey. She is definitely showing improvement, but the puppy in her still comes ou...
01/06/2026

Worked a little more recall with Miss Lacey. She is definitely showing improvement, but the puppy in her still comes out. A smell, a sight, a sound.....all new things! Remember, everything is new at first. Dogs learn through investigation. They all go through firsts...first summee, first fall, first winter, and first spring.

Think of how much the seasons change with each season. There are so many reasons NOT to rush to get your pup off leash. I know trainers will push for it and promote the use of an electronic (SHOCK) collar, but keep in mind, ypu are punishing a dog for being a dog. You also have a false sense of security that the zap is going to work. If the dog's adrenaline is pumping, they could blow through the ZAP like nothing. I have met a lot of clients who can tell you their dog was not phased by the shock. This is the truth promoters of the collar do not say. Wonder why?!

Thankfully Lacey's Dad seems to totally understand exactly these facts. He works her on the long leash and works to get his come!
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Look at those eyes. Ugh...😢Vet appointment tomorrow at 9:15am. Fingers crossed.
01/06/2026

Look at those eyes. Ugh...😢
Vet appointment tomorrow at 9:15am. Fingers crossed.

01/06/2026

Talk Tuesday - its 2026!
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Do you know that the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) and the Assistance Dogs International (ADI) strictly ban the...
01/06/2026

Do you know that the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) and the Assistance Dogs International (ADI) strictly ban the use of aversive tools on Service Dogs?

Your truly ethical professionals are going to follow the guidance of American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - AVSAB as well as the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists because these are the true experts of animal behavior. They have repeatedly discussed the physical, emotional, and psychological harm that lays in the balance when aversive tools are used. Yet, here ypu see a "Service Dog" wearing one. The dog also had a shock collar on but could not get a good picture of it.

You do realize a well trained "Service Dog," or any well trained dog for that matter, should not need a prong collar. Certifying Service Dog agencies ban them....yet we, the public, are desensitized to them. You see "service dogs" with them on....police dogs in schools with them on....i mean, really? Is the dog really trained or trained enough to know how to avoid pain?
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Owning two dogs can lead some pet parents to becoming very frustrated. When trying to work one dog, they feel guilty a...
01/05/2026

Owning two dogs can lead some pet parents to becoming very frustrated. When trying to work one dog, they feel guilty about not engaging the other. Often, they try to occupy both dogs with fears of not "marking" behaviors. What they end up creating are dogs who become both pushy and demanding. They create dogs who look to constantly be entertained and are not the best at self-soothing behaviors.

The behavior concerns often play out where the older dog "expects" things and the younger dog does not have reliable cues. We forget how much energy and attention we gave to our first dog. When we attempt to work the newer dog, our older dog wants to be involved, often front and center. Ww do not want our older dog to feel neglected, we include them, readily get behaviors from them then get upset because our younger dog struggles to preform.

Emmy and Mack are two pups who fit this profile. Their Mom works on the road. She travels from job to job which can keep her in different locations for weeks, to months, to years. To ease the dogs with the transitions, she travels with a camper and stays in the community until the job is done.

Emmy, the Poodle, is 8 years old. Mack, the Great Pyrenees mix, is 5. Their Mom will work 10 to 12 hour days but gives her pups every minute of her time when not working. Not trying to ignore or neglect either dog after being away so long, she practices cues and tricks by constantly engaging each dog. What started happening is that if she was not directly engaging a dog, the one not being asked for a behavior would bark....and bark....and bark.

Their Mom was also very heavy with the treats which also increased the demanding behavior. To start to really help these pups, we started having Mom learn to focus on one dog, ignore the other ( no go lay down, sit, NOTHING). Even when the dog not being asked starts performing cues the other is tasked to complete, there should be no looks, smiles, treats, etc. By doing this, the dogs are starting to back away, show each other respect, and would back off their Mom. Emmy had the hardest time, but she was Momma's girl for a good 3 years before Mack came around.

A young Poodle needs a lot of attention, and her Mom loved the challenge. This created the very behavior chains from Emmy her Mom is trying to overcome now. This is a prime example of how we can unintentionally cause unwanted reactions from our dogs which is why we should not choose to use force. Emmy's Mom totally understands the hand she played so is taking anvactive role to change things. We started with Mack one on one to strengthen his cues and build a relationship with his Mom. Now....we are working two dogs either individually or as a duo.

This is a process, but it is something we can help them overcome. Remember, do not get mad at the dog because chances are high you created the problems you face. Be like Mack and Emmy's Mom....she sees it, owns it, and is working to teach the dogs new responses instead of getting mad!
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This stud was struggling with "Come." I suggested we change it up since come is now a poisoned cue. We inteoduced "Sex...
01/04/2026

This stud was struggling with "Come." I suggested we change it up since come is now a poisoned cue. We inteoduced "Sexy Man," said with excitement and guess what.....he came! Lol. Works for Boston EVERY TIME!
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Meet Petey! This handsome pup is an American Billdog mix rescued from West Virginia. This fella has been with his fami...
01/04/2026

Meet Petey! This handsome pup is an American Billdog mix rescued from West Virginia. This fella has been with his family since before Thanksgiving. Now that the holidays are over, his family wanted to get him in training to address certain behaviors they have not been able to curb.

The family has already successfully taught Petey sit, down, and stay. They report he walks well on a leash. The major problem they are having is that he will pummel and mouth. His Dad said it has been so bad that his arms have been bruised and clothing torn. Thankfully he has not done this to their 8 year old child. Had that have been an issue, we likely would not have met Petey. His Dad said this behavior is mostly directed towards him. His wife seldom gets it although she was trying to desensitize Petey to the hover board their daughter hot for Christmas and Petey knocked her off it. 😳 Thank God Petey's parents thought that one through and did not have their child on ot first.

Not much is kniwn about Petey's past other than he was neglected and tied up on a short chain. He was very weary of people and "hands" were scary. Yep, that tells us a lot. His flinch factor is easily triggered by sounds, movements, and objects. I would not be surprised if his previous handler was also male with some of the behaviors Petey reserves for his Dad.

We started with some impulse control activities and incorporated all sorts of rules in play. Remember, gym class and professional sports all have rules - playing with your dog should as well. From there, we worked to introduce Petey to new things and figure out what he responds best to in order to stop the hyperarousal. Several times Petey would start on me as I introduced something new. His Dad watched how I was able to shutdown the behavior by remaining calm, maintaining methodical movements, and asking something of Petey.

Look, the KCHC tries to mock Mutts of Merit, LLC. methods for not saying "No." Look, "No" is abstract. It is a word we use that will merely p**s us off if a behavior does not stop. Here is a novel concept that is probably too advanced for my haters to understand, but instead of telling the dog what not to do, it is far better to ask them to do something. I doubt their is enough construction paper and noodle to help them get it. They would just rather get mad at the dog and resort to force. Remember what I said in the past, force begins where education/skills end.

We will get Petey as he was already showing progress after one class. The best part, not a single treat was needed.
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01/03/2026

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Trick training your dog is a great way to improve your relationship by staying engaged and just having fun. Yes, some p...
01/03/2026

Trick training your dog is a great way to improve your relationship by staying engaged and just having fun. Yes, some people get too focused on the outcome that they lose sight in just having fun with their dog.

There is nothing major about tricks....they are not essential cues necessary for day to day life. If you keep this in mind, you just enjoy the process and the challenge of figuring out how your specific dog will learn. All the dogs follow the same 'protocols' if you will, but the lessons are often tweaked for the individual learner.

Thus far, we have covered sit pretty, rollover, play dead, bow, crawl, figure 8, weaving, color distinction, and reading. I cannot wait to see these guys compete next week when they each take the stage to show what they have learned.
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Address

329 Philadelphia Street
Indiana, PA
15701

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Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 9pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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