Shaw Shank Kennels

Shaw Shank Kennels Boarding, Breeding, Drop-ins, Dog Walking, Training, Whelping and Pet Transport

What Your Dog Wishes You KnewYour Attention Is My Biggest RewardTreats are amazing.Toys are fun.But for many dogs, one o...
06/13/2026

What Your Dog Wishes You Knew

Your Attention Is My Biggest Reward

Treats are amazing.

Toys are fun.

But for many dogs, one of the most valuable things in the world is your attention.

We notice when you laugh.
We notice when you speak to us.
We notice when you look at us.

That's why dogs often repeat behaviors that get a reaction—even if it's not the reaction you wanted.

Your attention has power.

Use it wisely.

Reward the behaviors you'd like to see more often, and you'll be amazed at how much your dog wants to work with you.

At the end of the day, most of us aren't trying to earn food.

We're trying to connect with the people we love.

What Your Dog Wishes You KnewFear and Stubbornness Aren't the Same ThingWhen I refuse to move...When I bark at strangers...
06/12/2026

What Your Dog Wishes You Knew

Fear and Stubbornness Aren't the Same Thing
When I refuse to move...
When I bark at strangers...
When I avoid something new...

It may look like I'm being stubborn.

But sometimes I'm scared.

Fear changes how dogs learn and respond.

When we're afraid, our brains focus on survival, not obedience.

What looks like defiance may actually be uncertainty.

What helps most isn't force.

It's patience.
It's guidance.
It's helping me feel safe enough to learn.

Confidence grows through positive experiences, one small step at a time.

Tomorrow: You're training me even when you don't realize it.

What Your Dog Wishes You KnewI Need Sleep More Than You ThinkDid you know many dogs need 12–18 hours of sleep every day?...
06/11/2026

What Your Dog Wishes You Knew

I Need Sleep More Than You Think
Did you know many dogs need 12–18 hours of sleep every day?

Puppies often need even more.

When I'm overtired, I don't become calm and cuddly.

I become bitey.
I become wild.
I get the zoomies.
I make poor choices.

Sound familiar?

Many behaviors people label as "bad" are actually signs of an exhausted dog who needs help settling down.

Rest is just as important as exercise and training.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for me is help me take a nap.

Tomorrow: Being busy doesn't always mean being happy.

What Your Dog Wishes You KnewBeing Busy Doesn't Mean I'm Being BadIf I'm pacing, whining, barking, chewing, or getting i...
06/10/2026

What Your Dog Wishes You Knew

Being Busy Doesn't Mean I'm Being Bad
If I'm pacing, whining, barking, chewing, or getting into trouble, I might not be misbehaving.

I might be struggling.

Dogs need both physical exercise and mental enrichment.

A bored dog will often find their own job—and humans rarely like the jobs we choose.

Training games, sniffing, food puzzles, enrichment activities, and learning new skills can make a huge difference.

A busy brain is often a calmer brain.

Tomorrow: Fear and stubbornness are not the same thing.

What Your Dog Wishes You KnewI Don't Generalize WellYou taught me how to sit in the living room.That doesn't mean I auto...
06/08/2026

What Your Dog Wishes You Knew

I Don't Generalize Well

You taught me how to sit in the living room.

That doesn't mean I automatically know how to sit in the backyard.

Or at the park.
Or at the pet store.
Or when another dog is walking by.

Humans are great at generalizing. Dogs aren't.

To me, every new environment is a completely different classroom with new sights, smells, sounds, and distractions.

If I seem like I've forgotten my training, I probably haven't.

I may just need help learning that the same rules apply everywhere.

Training isn't just teaching a behavior—it's teaching that behavior in lots of different places.

Tomorrow: Why naps might be more important than you think.

What Your Dog Wishes You KnewI'm Not Giving You a Hard Time—I'm Having a Hard TimeSometimes when I bark, pull, jump, or ...
06/07/2026

What Your Dog Wishes You Knew

I'm Not Giving You a Hard Time—I'm Having a Hard Time

Sometimes when I bark, pull, jump, or ignore you, it might look like I'm being stubborn.

But often, I'm not trying to make your life difficult.

I might be scared.
I might be overexcited.
I might be confused.
I might simply not know what you're asking me to do.

Dogs don't wake up every morning looking for ways to frustrate their humans. Most unwanted behaviors happen because we haven't learned the skills we need yet—or because our emotions are getting in the way.

When training feels challenging, try asking:
"Is my dog giving me a hard time, or is my dog having a hard time?"

That simple shift in perspective can change everything.

Tomorrow: Why your dog can sit perfectly in the kitchen but forget everything at the park.

This is exactly the kind of care we strive for every single visit with your animals ❤️ thank you Michelle for trusting i...
05/26/2026

This is exactly the kind of care we strive for every single visit with your animals ❤️ thank you Michelle for trusting in me. Tucker and King were the best! 💕

Happy Memorial Day from your Shaw Shank family 💞
05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day from your Shaw Shank family 💞

Closing Call-to-Action PostIf you have a reactive dog, tell me:What’s your dog’s biggest trigger right now?And remember:...
05/24/2026

Closing Call-to-Action Post

If you have a reactive dog, tell me:

What’s your dog’s biggest trigger right now?

And remember:
Training isn’t about creating a perfect dog.
It’s about creating communication, trust, and safety.

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Knoxville, TN

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+18653097293

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