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Raise The Woof Dog Training, Mason, MI (2025)

04/23/2025

🎉 Congrats to Miss Tilly, our latest Big Feelings & Confident graduate! 🎓🙌

☺️🌺This sweet and shy little lady has blossomed into a beautifully confident pup! With gentle guidance and support, she bravely stepped outside her comfort zone and truly came into her own.

💪Through confidence-building and games-based training, Tilly learned to feel more secure when guests visit her home. She absolutely loved the pattern games we introduced—so much so that she would excitedly communicate when she wanted to play more.

Another big part of her custom training plan was potty training and introducing clear potty cues to help her communicate her needs. Along the way, we taught nose and paw targeting, which she’s now using to begin ringing a bell to let her parents know when she wants to go outside.

🤗Consent cues were another key part of her journey—empowering her to have a voice and feel safe and respected in her interactions, especially when pattern-games worked on her big feelings towards me as a new visitor.

It was so motivating to see her become more resilient with each session. And it was truly special witnessing her parents’ faces light up with every new breakthrough. Their love, patience, and dedication never went unnoticed—and it played such a meaningful role in her growth. Congrats Tilly! Way to Raise The Woof! 🙌🔥

Have a shy or fearful pup? We’re here to support you both and make life more enjoyable together. Reach out to start your journey together!

04/21/2025

You’ve probably heard: “Stress stays in a dog’s system for 3 days.”
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But that’s not exactly how it works… 👇

👉 In lab settings, cortisol (the stress hormone) peaks about 30 minutes after a trigger and typically returns to baseline within a few hours.

But our dogs don’t live in labs. 🔬🚫
In real life, recovery depends on many factors—like the intensity of the stressor, how often it happens, your dog’s history, health, and more. It’s nearly impossible to pin down an exact recovery timeline without measuring what's happening in the body directly.

✨ Instead of focusing on how long stress lasts, let’s shift to how we can support our dogs through it:

✔️ Create Predictability
Consistent daily patterns—like walks, meals, training, and rest can help reduce uncertainty and give dogs more security and choice.

✔️ Rest + Decompression
Have a quiet area where your dog can retreat when they need a break.
This could be a crate, a quiet room, or even a specific bed in a low-traffic area.

✔️ Enrichment and Choice
Mental and physical enrichment helps dogs process the world in healthy ways. Try sniff walks, puzzle toys, gentle training games, and opportunities for natural behaviors like licking, chewing, or digging.

✔️ Identify Stress Signals
Some Signs of stress can include lip licking, yawning, whale eyes (whites in the eyes), or pacing. Intervene early and reduce pressure before stress escalates.

✔️ Avoid Flooding/Overexposure
Don’t force your dog to "push through" stressful situations. Use gradual exposure paired with positive reinforcement to build confidence and resilience.

✔️ Meet Their Individual Needs
Tailor your approach to their unique thresholds, learning history, and preferences to help reduce stress.

💬 Every dog is different. The goal isn’t to rush recovery—it’s to support it and help build resilience.

Citation:
Beerda, B., Schilder, M. B. H., van Hooff, J. A. R. A. M., de Vries, H. W., & Mol, J. A. (1998).
Behavioural, saliva cortisol and heart rate responses to different types of stimuli in dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 58(3-4), 365–381.

04/19/2025

🎉Congrats to our latest graduate, Valley, from our Big Feelings & Confident training program! 🎓

In her custom training plan, we worked on pattern games to promote self-regulation and impulse control for this high energy girl. We also included games-based and trick-style training in her plan to incorporate her love for movement and promote enrichment—creating a fulfilled companion who can settle and self-regulate in more appropriate ways that keep her welfare in mind.

Long before working with her, Valley had an important job as a breeding dog for service dogs. With her strong work ethic and drive, we wanted to honor that history by continuing to give her a “job” through games-based training that mentally enriches and fulfills her need for purposeful activity—all in a fun, mentally challenging and rewarding way.

Valley’s family is truly something special. Their dedication to all of their dogs, the way they show up with love, patience, and consistency—it’s inspiring to witness. Being welcomed into their journey, even in a small way, has been a genuine privilege.

Valley is such a bright, spirited soul, and I can’t wait to see her continued growth. Thank you for Raising The Woof with us! 🎉🙌

04/12/2025

Raise The Woof but make it barbie! 💁‍♀️😂
❤️ 🏈 💛

04/04/2025

“Don’t play fetch with your dog!” 🎾

“You’re reinforcing their reactivity!” 😥🫶

“It’s the second fear period!” 🤯

What a week it has been for the community to say the least! 😅

✨Over the next few weeks, I’ll be breaking down common dog training myths that many guardians have been told—myths that often fuel fear and confusion. My goal is to ease that fear, offer clarity, and relief, using science-backed information to support you and your dog.

👉 To start… ‼️Your dog is entering the SECOND FEAR PERIOD… or so the internet says 😱

Let’s bust this myth.

Social media, blogs, and your neighbor’s cousin—who she swears is a “dog whisperer”—have all warned you:

“Watch out for the second fear period!” 😱

But before you panic over every spooked reaction or shadow stare, let’s take a breath and look at what the science actually says (spoiler: it’s not what you think, it actually doesn’t even exist). 🧠🐕🤯

👉 Swipe through to bust the myth, better understand adolescent behavior, and learn how to really support your dog through this stage.

Because fear isn’t a phase—it’s a feeling.
Many dog guardians blame themselves for their dog’s fear-based behaviors. And here’s the truth: You can’t reinforce fear.

Fear is an emotion, not a behavior. Emotions are involuntary and shaped by classical conditioning—not something you can accidentally reinforce

🚨 Got a dog showing fear-based behavior?

We specialize in helping dogs (and their humans) feel more confident and connected.

👇 Comment training and we’ll reach out with support!

04/03/2025

April marks a special milestone—Raise The Woof’s Birthday Anniversary! 🥳🎂
This past year has been filled with incredible moments, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by highlighting the amazing students—you & your dogs! We compiled this video to share all of the dogs we had the pleasure of working with this past year!

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/hXj3rHtM_Kw?si=EC0BdvPCoALPCG7r

Thank you for trusting me with your dogs! And thank you for Raising The Woof with us! Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and celebrating our incredible dogs.

03/30/2025

As we head into the new week, what are some things we can do ✨instead✨ to better advocate for our dog? 🐕 I’ll go first👇

Lately, I have become much stronger with my voice and confidently asking for others to give us space when needed. It can feel super awkward as someone with people pleasing tendencies, but this simple action has been instrumental in helping my dog see that outside distractions are really not that important, and nothing to worry about. How about you?! 👇
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03/27/2025

Hear from one of our clients on their training experience with Raise The Woof!👇🙌

Dog Parents: If you are feeling stuck in your dog’s behaviors and are ready to find relief, reach out to us today to start your training journey.
👉Comment “training” and we’ll send you link to our services.

03/22/2025

🎓🎉 Miss Noli is all smiles because she’s our latest graduate of the Big Feelings & Confidence training program! ✨

Throughout the program, we worked together to help Noli navigate her “big feelings” about guests, the mail carrier, and even the Amazon driver. Through sound desensitization and games-based training, her love of movement and quick-thinking nature truly shined.

It was incredible to see her shift from uncertainty to neutrality—made possible by the support and dedication of her awesome parents, who consistently worked with her throughout the training program.

We look forward to seeing her continued success on her training journey, watching her confidence grow, and discovering that people may not be so scary after all.

✨ Show Miss Noli some R+! Way to Raise The Woof, Team Noli! 🔥🙌

If your dog struggles with “stranger danger” and you’re looking for real emotional change through humane and effective training methods, reach out to us today!

03/21/2025

✨Just a little R+ for the dog guardian(s) who may need this today.✨

Setbacks in life—and in dog training—are not failures—they’re part of how learning ✨actually✨ happens.

Setbacks give us valuable insight into what needs reinforcement. They’re not obstacles—they’re opportunities for deeper learning and creating more predictability in our dogs’ and our own behaviors.

Keep going. Keep showing up for your dog. Progress is never lost—it’s just being refined.

03/18/2025

Does your dog struggle to stay focused during training? It might not be a lack of ability—it could be that the session just isn’t engaging enough.

As a games-based trainer, I incorporate pattern games and tricks training into every session—whether I’m working with clients or training my own dog. This approach turns training into a fun, motivating challenge that gets your dog thinking and keeps them coming back for more!

✨Why Should We Use Games-Based Training Rather Than Relying On General “Obedience” Training?✨

✅ Shorter training sessions using games is ideal for busy professionals while getting more consistent sessions.

✅ Greater focus in sessions leads to better outcomes when transferred into a real-life setting.

✅ Channels your dog’s critical thinking skills, getting you more reliable behaviors amidst distractions.

✅ Keeps training FUN and mentally stimulating so you get a more fulfilled dog! 🙌

If you’re ready to add game-based methodologies into your training plan to get more reliable behaviors from your dog, we can help! No training plan is ever the same—We create customized training plans designed for your lifestyle and your individual dog. Comment “training” and we’ll send you a link to get started!

03/16/2025

Big feelings don’t have to hold our dogs back—especially when they’re surrounded by a family so committed to helping them feel safe and supported. That’s Ella’s parents for ya! 🤗✨

🎉Congrats to Team Ella for completing our “Big Feelings & Confidence” program! 🎓

It’s been such a joy working with the sweet and gentle Miss Ella over the past six weeks. Together, we focused on helping her feel more secure around people and other dogs, celebrating every small step forward in her confidence.

In session one, Ella would only take a tossed treat from a distance—but week after week, she became more trusting. She began taking treats from my hand, and by our final class, she walked up to me willingly, unprompted, leaning in for gentle pets on her side and a good head scratch. As I stood there chatting with her parents and petting her, I caught myself halfway through a sentence and said, “Oh my gosh… thank you for letting me pet you!”

It was a beautiful reminder of how positive reinforcement and working at our dog’s pace can lead to true emotional change—helping dogs feel safe, confident, and connected.

We love working with dogs like Ella—those who might be more timid or fearful—because with patience, understanding, and trust, they can learn the world isn’t so scary after all.

A special thank you to her amazing family, who showed up for her every step of the way. It was especially meaningful to reconnect and work alongside a high school classmate after 13 years since graduating in 2012. What an incredible full-circle moment!

Congratulations Ella and family! Way to Raise The Woof! 🔥🙌

03/15/2025

Those thoughts? They’re not facts—they’re just distortions.

🚫 “I’m failing.”
🚫 “We should have this by now.”
🚫 “My dog isn’t getting it.”

I know—they feel real right now. But they’re not absolute.

Instead, when those “all-or-nothing” thoughts creep in try reframing with these statements below to see the real truth:

✅ “We’re learning together.”
✅ “This is what figuring it out looks like.”
🙌 “My dog is trying—and so am I.”

🤗You don’t need to have it all figured out. When your mindset shifts, that’s when you’ll see your training progress.

✨Stay consistent. Stay connected. Stay for your dog.✨

03/13/2025

🎉🤗A BIIIIIIG congratulations to Team Luna—our latest Positive Puppy graduates! 🎓

Luna is the kind of dog who loves life and everyone in it. ✨

When entering the home, her positive presence is immediately felt—she has this incredible gift of making everyone around her feel truly special. Her energy and light are contagious, and it was impossible not to smile during every session.

Over the six weeks, Team Luna focused on essential life skills like polite greetings, nose and mat targeting, and loose leash walking. Luna was a natural on leash, staying connected with her parents even with the fun distractions of her kitty siblings nearby—they knew what they were doing! 🐈🤭

Working with Luna and her amazing family was such a joy. Watching their connection deepen each week was a beautiful reminder of how training is truly a team effort.

Way to go, Team Luna—you’ve officially Raised the Woof! 🙌🔥

03/11/2025

🎉Congratulations to our latest Raise The Woof grad, Miss Hazel!! 🙌🎓

Over the last six weeks, we had the pleasure of working with this social butterfly through our Calm & Confident Program! Her moms, Kellie and Lisa, have been incredibly thoughtful and committed every step of the way to help Hazel’s find her confidence—even with distractions and exciting things! As a multi-dog household, it’s clear how deeply they care for every member of their fur-family—showing up with patience, consistency, and so much love.

We’re so proud of how far Hazel has come—and we’re excited to continue the journey with her big sister, Val, next!

Great job Hazel Way to Raise The Woof! ✨🔥

03/09/2025

✨Happy 🙌🎉

Tag the women below who inspire you and make all the difference each day.

03/08/2025

✨Here’s to all the “hot dog” 🌭 trainers out there making all the difference in the lives of the dogs and guardians they work with!✨

Because of YOU, dogs and their guardians experience a positive difference in their lives every day.

🤗 Gentle Reminder In Case You Need It Today: Never let “balanced” trainers make you feel like you’re not enough or less than for choosing tools and methods that prioritize animal welfare, science, and evidence-based behavior. Your commitment to ethical, effective training makes all the difference—keep going! 🙌

03/07/2025

✨Dog Parents: Ever hear these words thrown around during a training session?✨

👉 Here’s what your R+ Trainer is actually saying!

As you and your dog continue growing on your training journey, I hope you find these words start to naturally flow as well! Trust me, they will! Keep up the work Handler! 😉🙌

Raise The Woof Dog Training