Elkhorn Dog Services

05/28/2026

Tobi is learning how to dog in our puppy preschool program. Many behavioral issues can be avoided in the early stages of raising by puppies getting enough sleep (which means naps during the day too), not getting too much freedom too soon (using playpens, baby gates, and a leash when outside of crate), and having positive experiences with new sights and sounds. These are just a few things that can really help your puppy have the best foundation.

03/13/2026

03/11/2026

Chief learning that you don’t have to resource guard all the things and humans will give you crunchy carrots, which are the best.

02/05/2026

Poppy says I only get to see my vet and my groomer once in a while so we are practicing grooming and handling well I’m at training.

Most groomers see your dog about 1% out of the year. Help your Veterinarian, your groomer and your dog out by practicing calm handling at home. This helps make grooming and vet visits way less scary for your dog.

Using the dogs breakfast or dinner while they work through brushing, touching, and standing still is a really awesome way to build confidence.

A little practice at home = a much happier pup everywhere else 💛

if you need help or guidance on how to practice, calm handling drills or grooming drills at home we are here to help.

02/04/2026

This is Mr Gus aka Gus Gus or Gus the Bus

Gus has big feelings about dogs outside his house and on walks, so we’re using play—guided by Jay Jack’s Window Theory—to help him regulate his nervous system and build flexibility between excitement and calm.
As his ability to recover improves, we’ll start changing the meaning of those triggers: dogs outside the home, outside the crate, and dogs he’s decided he doesn’t like.
Teaching play is often messy, and when we rush or change the rules, we add pressure—clear, consistent rules that both human and dog follow create clarity, trust, and real progress.

01/28/2026

🎓🐶 Puppy Day Training at Elkhorn Dog Services

This is Miss Poppy 💕

Today she’s learning marker words through a little free shaping — letting her brain turn on, offering behaviors, and figuring out that training is actually a good time. We’re using food because she loves it (and I love motivation), but the real goal is clarity, confidence, and engagement — not just “sit for snacks.”

Day training isn’t just cues and reps either. We’re also working on:
✔️ Potty training
✔️ Not turning household items into chew toys
✔️ Learning how to settle and make better choices

I keep day training very small and very intentional — only a few dogs at a time — so your puppy isn’t lost in the chaos and actually gets the structure, feedback, and attention they need to thrive.

Less overwhelm. More progress. Better puppies. 🐾✨

12/31/2025

🐾 Harvey’s story

Harvey came to us with big feelings—crate aggression, handling sensitivity and resource guarding.
What helped him wasn’t chaos or constant negotiation—it was clear boundaries and predictable outcomes.

We slowed everything down and added guardrails to his world.
Good choices were met with rewards he enjoyed—not what humans thought he should like.
Once expectations were clearly taught, poor choices were met with fair, calm follow-through.

That predictability allowed him to settle.
No guessing. No testing. Just clarity.

we got Harvey into an excellent groomer that was part of the process and able to work with him at at his level and continue to build on all the foundation.

We also taught him how to play—that giving things up didn’t mean losing them. It became part of the game, not a possession battle.

training gave Harvey structure, trust, and emotional safety.

And when a dog knows what’s coming next…
✨ they can finally relax. There’s still a long journey ahead with Harvey his Humans will have to do the work and continue to hold him accountable as the first 90 days back from the Board and train can be the toughest. With Harvey’s foundation and their consistent work. The progress will continue to be made. Dog training is a lifelong process.

12/12/2025

Snow day with Truffles