Locust Grove Veterinary Clinic

08/19/2025

There is an entirely unreasonable expectation floating around that somewhere in some shelter or rescue is a dog who will walk into your home fully trained, perfectly behaved, emotionally balanced, and instantly bonded to your family without you lifting a finger.

That is just not how it works.

Those flawless “hallmark” dogs you see on TV, the service dogs, therapy dogs, and competition champions, are not born that way. They are the result of thousands of hours of patient, consistent training, socialization, and trust building. They did not walk out of a shelter turn key… they became who they are because someone put in the work.

And here is the truth.
When you adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue you are often meeting them in the most stressful moment of their life. They may be scared, confused, grieving, overstimulated, or shut down. That is not their whole story, it is just the chapter you are seeing in that moment.

They need decompression time… time to settle, to learn your home and your family, to trust you. They need structure, boundaries, and training. They need you to meet them where they are, not where you wish they already were.

Here at Green Dogs Unleashed we are here to support your ongoing training journey, but you have to be willing to commit to the boots on the ground work. We have classes, enrichment, and structure in place to help you succeed, but you need to be willing to put in the work… for any animal, rescued or not.

The perfect dog is not found.
The perfect dog is made through your time, your patience, your consistency, and your willingness to work for it.

If you are not prepared to invest in that process, then you are not ready for what it truly means to adopt.

Adopting a dog is not about finding the finished product. It is about committing to the journey and building something incredible together.



*pictured is Pawsh Spice. A 1 year old lab who will need every bit of patience, grace, and support you have to give, but will reward you with the most amazing zoomies and is available for adoption*

08/18/2025

08/18/2025

Gotta’ love Dr Tom!

08/14/2025

My dogs love 2 Paws Up (or 2 feet up, if you prefer). Easy to teach.

🐾 Two Feet Up for Focus and Confidence

Teaching your dog to put their front paws on a stable object (like a step or platform) builds confidence, balance, and connection.
Start by rewarding any paw contact, then shape toward both paws up.

🎯 Benefits: boosts body awareness, channels energy, and makes focus easier in busy places.

08/11/2025

That’s Jack working a noise box, Wisco on a puzzle, Aspen and Winnie working puzzles, too.

🧠 Did you know...?
Dog puzzles aren’t just cute entertainment—
they literally change your dog’s brain.

💡When your dog solves a puzzle:

Their prefrontal cortex lights up (that’s the part that helps them focus, think, and make good choices).

Their amygdala calms down (that’s the part that gets fired up during stress or fear).
Puzzles = mental workouts + emotional balance.

📸 You can use them:
✔️ At home
✔️ On walks
✔️ In new places
✔️ In the car
✔️ ANYWHERE your dog might need a little help shifting into calm, curious mode.

✨ Try adding puzzle time into your dog’s week—daily if you can, but even a few times makes a difference. Don’t worry if it’s not fancy. It’s the process, not the product.

What’s your dog’s favorite puzzle right now?

🌀 | Compassion is our compass.

08/05/2025

This supplement is recommended by Dr. Sherman Canapp, one of the leading orthopedic, sports medicine, and rehabilitation veterinarians in the country. It is also recommended by veterinary dental specialists, and my friend at Whiskers 2 Toes LLC, pet massage therapist.

08/03/2025

🎉 New Video! Magic Hand with Otter & Murphy Roo 🐶✨

This week’s YouTube video features a crowd favorite—Magic Hand—played two ways! Otter shows off his quick catch skills while Murphy Roo prefers a softer, calmer approach. This game builds:
✔️ Proximity
✔️ Food focus
✔️ Calm engagement

It’s one of the simplest ways to grow connection and real-life skills with your dog, whether on leash or off.

🦴 Grab some kibble and come play with us:
🎥 https://youtu.be/SoDFiDk2GZ0

💬 Comment below if your dog is a catcher like Otter or a snacker like Murphy Roo!

08/03/2025

08/01/2025

I don’t want thousands of followers. I want 100 big fans. 🐾💜

I’ve been reflecting on what truly matters in my work—and it’s not going viral or filling a stadium with clients.

What I really want is this:
🐾 A loyal crew of 100 students and clients whose dogs I know by name
❤️ Who come back again and again because they feel safe, supported, and seen
⭐️ Who know I’ll remember how their dog loves to learn, their quirks, their magic

Kind of like a Finnish classroom—where the same teacher guides the same students year after year, getting to know them deeply, not just checking boxes.

That’s how I train. That’s how I teach.
Not just “sit, stay, come,” but:
🌱 emotional growth
🌈 confidence-building
💜 relationships that transform both ends of the leash

If you’re looking for a long-term guide instead of a quick fix—someone who celebrates your dog’s wins and helps you decode their struggles—you just might be one of my 100.

Drop a 💬 or DM me if you’re curious. There’s a safe place for you here.