Fur Pete's Sake Dog Training

26/07/2025

🐾Meet Eva Pearl, Fur Pete's Sake Dog Training's newest employee!

This past spring, my husband came across a TikTok video of a dog named “Delilah” who was on the euthanasia list at a Texas shelter due to being heartworm positive. Something about her stuck with him, and before we knew it, we’d decided to rescue her. 💜

We renamed her Eva, and while we don’t know much about her past, we know she’s had puppies, likely spent most of her life confined to a crate, and may have experienced physical abuse. The world is still very new to her, full of unfamiliar sights, sounds, and experiences that she approaches with caution.

We have a long road ahead in terms of medical treatment and helping her heal, but we’re all in. She’s settling into training and proving to be incredibly smart!

So far, she’s learned to enjoy car rides, respond to “sit,” “lay down,” and hand targeting, is making great progress with potty training, has met a handful of kind humans, and is slowly discovering the comfort and joy a home can bring.

Welcome to the family, Eva!

25/07/2025

🙋‍♀️Raise your hand if you have said your dog is stubborn?

If you raised your hand, I am glad you are here! Ready for me to drop a💣 on you?

👉Stubborn isn’t a diagnosis. If your dog seems like they “know it, but just won’t do it,” it’s not about defiance, it’s about communication. Here are three common reasons dogs appear stubborn when they’re really just struggling:

1️⃣They are confused
Just because your dog sat yesterday doesn’t mean they fully understand what sit means today, especially in a new place, with new distractions. Learning takes time and practice across different environments. Be patient and consistent and avoid assuming they’re “ignoring” you.

✏️ Trainer Tip: Practice cues in different rooms, on walks, and when you’re sitting, not just standing. Context matters!

2️⃣They are stressed or overstimulated
Stress, fear, and excitement all impact how well your dog can focus. If your dog can’t respond to cues in a high-energy environment (like a busy sidewalk or a dog park), it’s not stubbornness, it’s overload. We all struggle to focus when we’re anxious or overstimulated!

✏️ Trainer Tip: Create success by training in quiet environments before gradually increasing difficulty.

3️⃣The motivation isn't there (yet)
Would you work for a piece of dry toast when you know bacon exists? Some dogs need a bigger paycheck, especially when distractions are high or they’re learning something new. Make sure your rewards are meaningful to your dog.

✏️ Trainer Tip: Try cheese, freeze-dried meat, play, or praise. Figure out what lights your dog up.

Your dog isn’t trying to push your buttons. They’re just doing the best they can with the skills and comfort they have in the moment. ❤️

Drop a pic of your 🐶 if you've ever called your them stubborn (no judgment—we’ve all been there!) and want to commit to seeing things differently.

24/07/2025

It's and if you are an animal parent, following my page, you are most appreciated! 🩷 Thank you for taking the time to be here, learning more about how you can be the best animal parent you can be.

27/06/2025

This has been a work in progress, but girl is learning to lay down!!!! 🎉

27/06/2025

Frozen enrichment for the win! 🐶❄️
Here’s what I was able to prep using about three meals’ worth of dog food. The larger toys last Eva about 45 minutes to an hour and hold just under half a meal’s worth of food.

Sometimes we go through a couple of these in one day, and that’s okay—I just adjust how much she gets at dinner based on how many enrichment toys we used.

💡 Don’t want to buy a bunch of toys? Try using cups, bowls, or clean containers from your recycling bin!

🧊 Got a Kong or similar toy? Make a batch of ice cube treats! They’re easy to pop in for quick entertainment.

Having frozen enrichment ready to go is a lifesaver when I don’t have time to prep a new activity. These slow-feeding activities help burn energy, keep my dog out of trouble, and licking is actually proven to help dogs calm down.

27/05/2025

🎓Meet Rosie!

Rosie graduated from her puppy program recently and has added to her resume:
👉recall behaviors
👉impulse control activities
👉advanced basic behaviors like stay
👉properly greeting guests
👉desensitization to care needs like nail trims

This smart pup made incredible progress, and her family now has the tools to keep building on her success at home! 🎓🐶

If you're feeling stuck with your puppy or wondering where to start with training, I’d love to help. Whether you’re working on the basics or tackling specific challenges, let’s make life with your dog easier, calmer, and more fun. 💛

📩 Send me a message to learn more about how we can work together!

30/04/2025

I first want to apologize for being MIA the past month. Unfortunately we lost Pete very suddenly in March and recovery has been pretty rough on us.

I thank all of you who have reached out during this time, and appreciate all of your kind words. 💜

While my professional portfolio is filled with jobs in the animal field, Pete was truly a huge part of why I became a dog trainer. He provided me with an opportunity to learn more about the psychology of dogs. He pushed me, challenged me, surprised me, and loved me to the core.

Pete, now referred to as the founder of Fur Pete's Sake Dog Training, will forever be a part of me and this company.

19/04/2025

Raise the Woof event for Kiya Koda Humane Society last night was amazing!! The community pulled together and it was a HUGE success!!

Can't wait for next year's event! 😉

12/03/2025

⚠️PSA for anyone who does not give their dog heartworm preventatives all year round...I got my first mosquito bite of the season...⚠️

Also note: we are not here to judge. Please do not comment saying how you think someone else should care for their dog! This is strictly a conversation between them and their vet!

Send a message to learn more

07/03/2025

Raising a puppy feels like having a tiny, furry tornado with teeth. 🌀🐾

One minute they’re peacefully napping, and the next they’re zooming around the house with a stolen sock, gnawing on chair legs, or having an accident two feet from the potty pad. It’s exhausting, overwhelming, and sometimes makes you wonder, “Did I make a mistake?”

You’re not alone. Every puppy parent has felt that way—yes, even the experienced ones.

👍But here’s the good news: it gets easier.
With time, patience, and consistent, positive training, the chaos starts to shift. That tornado settles into a routine. Those sharp little teeth learn what’s okay to chew. And that overwhelming feeling? It turns into pride as you watch your puppy grow into a confident, well-behaved dog.

So take a deep breath. You’ve got this. If you need a little guidance along the way, I’m here to help.

06/03/2025

Meet Henry.

Meeting new people used to be really tough for him. It felt overwhelming, confusing, and a little scary. So, how did we help Henry feel more at ease?

Through fear-free communication, consistent routines, and teaching alternative behaviors, Henry learned how to handle these situations with confidence.

Before training, Henry’s thoughts might’ve been:
🫣 “Who are you? What’s going to happen? What should I do? I really wish you’d leave.”

Now, after working together, Henry feels:
🙂 “Oh, a new person! I know what to do. I can help myself feel calm, and my people are here to support me.”

It’s not about ‘fixing’ dogs like Henry—it’s about giving them the tools to feel safe and confident in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Let me help you and your dog do the same!

04/03/2025

Learning day today! Thank you Indianola Chamber of Commerce, Norwalk and Carlisle Chambers for hosting!