Mutts of Merit, LLC.

11/03/2025

One thing that sucks about training dogs is that sometimes you have to say things you know are hard for pet parents to hear.

Take Sonny and Ralpiefor example. When their Mom decidedto get them, she did with the best of intentions. Having a pr***en and a young teenager, her plan was for the household have "family pets." When the puppies were wee little, things seemed to be goung well. Unfortunately, as the puppies got bigger, the nivelty wore off, and they become "Mom's responsibility."

Mom addressed all their needs...potty training, feeding, sleeping, etc. They kids would put in a hslf-hearted effort that would lead to disputes as to the "right way" to do things. Before long, the kids lost interest. When Mom tries to involve the kids or task them to help the pups, the pups really do not want anything to do with them. They want Mom.

Now, the kids do not want to even try. They are virtually disgusted with the pups and consider them "Mom's dogs." 😭 This is not what their Mom wanted...at all. I am sure some Moms reading this can relate.

I get what happened, but we have to get the kids involved. We need them to stay motivated and interested in the dogs; otherwise, the separation anxiety when not with Mom will only get worse.

We discussed ways for Mom to take a backseat to help get the dogs to actively seek out the kids, BUT it might not happen. Dogs pick their people. Yes, it is often the perswho meets their basic life needs, but energy also comes into play. Fogs gravitate towards the consistent person, the one who is not ignoring them.

This may take time, but if the dynamics are going to change, we must help set the stage.
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11/03/2025

Do your dogs ever have spats? Do you think one dog is more of a problem than the other.

I was able to catch this interaction to show you the communication that takes place between dogs. Now you have to understand, I was contacted abput the white dog who has "attacked" the black dog on more than one occasion. The black dog supposedly does not fight back.

The thing is, the white dog waa also reported for spending hours upon hours under the bed. She squirrels away random household items, not to destroy, only to collect. She will potty in the house despite being potty trained.

Do you see who the problem REALLY is? This all took place right out of the pet parents' view. The thing is, as pet parents, we get preoccupied with our phones, television, cooking, you name it. We only see the problem once the dogs "go at it." Sadly, the dog identified as the aggressor is often the dog who was being bullied. Think of kids in school....look at school shootings - it is kind of the same. The bully becomes the victim when the true victim has enough and stands up for themselves.

Now I am not excusing any behavior...canine or human, I am merely giving perspective. Guys, if we have dogs, we have to watch them. You do not have to hover like a hawk, but you need to be aware of dynamics.

In the white dog's case, the bed was the safety. The random items were scared possions the other dog could not take. The potty accidents - stress.

Please stop being all consumed in your life if you have dogs. You need to watch them or know what is happening when out of sight.
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11/02/2025

Just an example of some of the things you come across when out walking your dog. Now I would understand if we were near a laundromat or even someone's house where this article of clothing fell out of a basket, BUT where it was found baffles me.

Please be mindful when walking your dog. There can be all kinds of cool things for them to pick up. Unless you are carrying rubber gloves, you might not want to pull this out of their mouth if they pick it up. Please be on the lookout for what is on the ground around you because trust and believe, your dog will see or smell it.

11/01/2025

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The night it happened still plays in my mind 🕯️. My partner, Police Dog Finn 🐕‍🦺, had been with me for seven years — brave, loyal, and my closest friend 🤝💔. When a knife flashed through the dark ⚔️, he didn’t hesitate. He leapt between me and danger, taking the hit that was meant for me.

The wound was bad 💉 — just centimeters from his heart ❤️‍🩹. Even as blood poured, Finn held the suspect down until backup arrived 🚓, then collapsed in my arms 😢. At the vet, the odds were against him 🏥, but Finn wasn’t done fighting 💪🐾. The moment his tail moved again 🐕, I knew my hero was still here.

During his recovery 🌅, I learned something that crushed me 💔 — under the law ⚖️, Finn was only seen as “property.” His attacker would barely be punished. That night, I made Finn a promise 🌙: the world would know his story, and I’d fight to make it right 🌍🐶.

We fought side by side once more ✊🐾 — this time for justice. In 2019, Finn’s Law was passed 📜, protecting service animals across the nation. Finn retired soon after 💤, his muzzle gray but his spirit fierce 💖. In 2021, he crossed the rainbow bridge 🌈 — leaving behind a legacy that will protect heroes like him forever 🦮✨.

11/01/2025

Who is ready for advanced proprioception exercises?

Remember, the backend of a dog only carries 35% of their weight as healthy, young dogs. That is why you see barreling of the front end and atrophy of the backend as they age.

In fitness class at Mutts of Merit, LLC., we work to strengthen and develop the abdomen and hind quarters of the dog to help delay the deterioration that is part of aging.

Are you interested in keeping your dog healthy and fit as they age? If so, now is as good of time as ever. Enroll in the Canine Fitness class available Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 6:30pm.

Text 724-717-3007 to register.
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11/01/2025

Sometimes a trip to Lowe's Home Improvement is exactly what the trainer ordered!! 🤣

Boston was wound for sound, so he took a trip to Lowes to visit his friends. His friend Marci was waiting for him with treats at hand. Made his night!
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11/01/2025

Text 724-717-3007 to register.
Space is limited.
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11/01/2025

Buddy pulled of an amazing "place" cue despite Sam, the Doberman, being his playmate. In the beginning, as soon as either Sam or Buddy saw each other, they would break to go visit. Not this time. Both actually held but my video of Sam was not the greatest.

You will see, I zoom in on Buddy so you can see this was all accomplished using Force Free training. He has an herbal collar on that I do not want mistaken for a shock collar.

Guys, this is after 5 weeks. It does not take long. You just have to practice. You have to be clear and concise. If you are wishy-washy, you will not get the behaviors you desire.

Here at Mutts of Merit, LLC., we open communication between canine and handlers, we forge relationships built on trust, and we only use the most humane and ethical training protocols to teach dogs.

Nice work Buddy!!
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11/01/2025

Walmart is not pet friendly. Service dogs are permitted under the Americans With Disabilities Act. On the otherhand, Lowe's Home Improvement is Pet Friendly.

Note: Service Dogs are specially trained to perform a task for a person with a disability. This is not ESA or therapy dog.

There seems to be some misunderstanding in how to read the signs that are visible at each entrance, so I am posting them here.

Taking your "pet" into stores with policies against pets is rude. Groceries are sold at Walmart. Shoppers should not have to worry about pet dirt or dander while food shopping. Moreover, many of the pets I encounter at Walmart are stressed and not having a good time. Please do not set them up for failure.

Honestly, I really question why we are paying property taxes if literacy is this bad. 🤷‍♀️. NO MEANS NO!
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10/31/2025

Shirt says, "Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch!" Very appropriate! Found it on clearance at Lowe's Home Improvement for $2.00. PERFECT!!
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10/31/2025

With the time change, many of you are coming home in the dark. It is often cold and can be miserable to go outside. Unfortunately, your dog still needs physical and mental stimulation. This time of year, it happens when you come home exhausted and not wanting to go outside.

So what can you do? You can incorporate indoor fitness into your routine. It is something different, something fun. You take relationship building to a new level.

Understand, fitness is not agility. Agility is a form of fitness, BUT fitness is focusing on every aspect of your canine's skeletal and muscular design. You strengthen their bodies in a way to prevent injuries down the road. We work with balance, proprioception, flexibility, and stamina. It is motivating.

To see your dogs muscles develop with sets and repetitions is extremely rewarding. Look, my babies have great, round, strong bums! I love to see the muscles flex almost like a horse's just when they are just walking. Strength is so important in our otherwise pussified world.

If you are interested, I have a Thursday night fitness class scheduled to begin on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 6:30pm. Text 724-717-3007 to join.
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10/31/2025

Puppies are so stinking cute, but sometimes I think this is their saving grace.

They are ignorant to the world as they have to learn through experiences. Most adult dogs (NOT ALL), will allow puppies to do things they would NEVER permit an older dog to do. Even if the older dog was small like a Chihuahua or a Yorkshire Terrier, an older dog would not be as tolerant of this greeting.

Some people panic and think their older dog is mean if they growl or snap at a puppy. Not necessarily. Often, the older dog is teaching them the behavior the puppy is offering is unwanted. Please do not yell at your older dog for correcting a puppy.

Now, I do not mean if the older dog is being vicious. If you are uncertain as to what you are seeing, ask. It is your responsibility to keep your puppy safe and to keep your puppy from having a harsh correction that could cause reactivity down the road.

Unfortunately, this older dog did not do us ANY favors in teaching the 11 week old pup that full frontal greetings are not preferred. The puppy was not not even corrected for climbing on the face. 😕

Obviously, this is something we want our puppies to learn and understand because as the puppy grows, this form of a "greeting" could be detrimental to health and well-being.

If the dog your puppy meets just allows this, redirect your puppy. The sooner they learn, the better. We do not want older dogs just to "take it" because the puppy is young because that puppy is getting older and bigger every day.

Never let puppy interactions be a free-for-all. Supervision is key as well as intervention when necessary. Be proactive!!
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