Miraval PWDs

11/12/2025

This applies to any exciting situation.

By the time that reactive dog sees another dog across the parking lot, his arousal is already climbing. His nervous system is already hijacked. And you're asking him to make good choices with the part of his brain that's least available in that moment.

Think about what we're asking: "In your most aroused, stressed, triggered state, I need you to access self-regulation that you've never practiced when aroused."

It's like asking someone to perform surgery during their first code blue. The skills need to be established first, practiced extensively in lower-pressure situations, until the neural pathways are strong enough to access under stress.

🔗 Read more at the blog:
➡ https://suzanneclothier.com/self-regulation-at-home-first/

11/04/2025

I often say “be careful what you train.” When you are thinking of something else, or are in a rush, you think you are “not training.” Your dog doesn’t know this isn’t training time, they are learning from everything you do.

10/27/2025

Puppies sold on limited registration should be spayed and neutered but not until their growth plates close.

*Preventing unwanted litters is a goal we all share—but it's time to rethink the surgical approach. Hysterectomies and vasectomies, which preserve hormonal balance, can safely be performed as early as 8 weeks of age, making dogs sterile without disrupting their natural hormones.

New peer-reviewed study published in Nature:

How a dog’s lifetime exposure to his own hormones (before being neutered) affects how well he handles aging and frailty later in life.

Study Background

• Frailty = when older dogs (and people) become weaker, less resilient, and more prone to illness and death.
• Most research looks at how to prevent frailty — this study looked at what makes some dogs bounce back better after frailty sets in.
• The focus was on the HPG axis — the hormonal system that produces testosterone and controls reproduction.

Key Findings

• Dogs neutered very young (before 2 years old) had:

o A much higher risk of death once they became frail.
o About 16% higher mortality for every small increase in frailty.

• Dogs kept intact longer (more than ~10 years) showed:
o No increase in mortality linked to frailty.
o Their hormones seemed to “buffer” the negative effects of aging.

• Each extra year of natural hormone exposure reduced frailty-related death risk by ~1%.

What It Means

• Hormones from the te**es may protect against the worst effects of aging later in life.
• Removing them too early could make dogs less resilient to age-related decline.
• Frailty isn’t just about getting old — it’s also shaped by early-life events like the timing of neutering.
• This supports a “life course” view: what happens early in life affects health decades later.

Why It Matters

• The study suggests timing of neutering might influence how well dogs age.

10/27/2025

If you are struggling with your dog barking and pulling its because they are distracted. Something else os more interesting than you. Check this out.

P.S. Petra has another distraction workshop available for purchase until 10/31.

In this workshop, you’ll learn a variety of simple techniques and games that use motion to build, strengthen, and maintain engagement. These strategies are effective both for teaching engagement from the start and for keeping your dog engaged around distractions. Whether you’re just beginning to work on engagement or looking to take your dog’s focus to the next level, this workshop is for you.

Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/huxhvm8m

10/24/2025

When is the best time to get a puppy….

One of the most common questions I get as a breeder is "When is the best time to add a puppy to my family? How much of an age gap should there be between a new puppy and my current dog?"

Like any good question, the only accurate blanket answer I can give is: "It depends!" There isn't a single answer that is best for all families. But- I can give you some things to think about and some opinions so that you can make a decision that will increase the odds of success in your own household.

First- It is pretty well agreed upon that the WORST age gap is zero. In other words... don't get two puppies at once. In fact, this is such a troublesome scenario most of the time that we don't actually sell puppies in pairs and we don't place puppies where another very young puppy has already been acquired. Two puppies are WAY more than double the work. If you think house-training a puppy requires a lot of your attention, try watching two youngsters at once!

Even if you have another keen family member on board to help you with basic training, the fact is that two puppies at a time will be very difficult to socialize, exercise, train, and entertain as individuals within the same household. You may have heard of the phrase "littermate syndrome," and this is a well-observed phenomenon that occurs when two puppies of similar age (not necessarily littermates even) encounter issues through maturity as a result of insufficient individual development. It can express in different ways, such as difficulty (anxiety) being separated from each other, or excessive competition (rivarly) that can become aggression as they get through adolescence. I'm not saying that raising two puppies together cannot be done successfully.... just that the average family is not really prepared for how much extra work it takes to do that, or the potential fallout if it doesn't go well.

But assuming everything goes perfectly with littermate puppies, and they grow up to be well-adjusted best friends, easy to manage and capable of being individuals, there's still one other thing to consider in the long term picture. Managing two senior dogs at once can be almost as difficult as raising frisky puppies. As most dogs require increasing care as they get into their twilight years, consider if you will have the time, financial, and emotional resources to handle double the elderly trouble.

So, okay- we've established that puppies around the same age are a bad idea. But is there a maximum age gap on the other end?

If you already have an older dog in your family, it is prudent to consider how likely they are to enjoy a frisky puppy. Some senior dogs really get a spring in their step and having an animated little one to coach gives them new energy! But, for seniors who are experiencing some aches and pains- or if they were never really excited about other dogs to begin with- a bitey, jumpy, often rude little puppy may bring stress or misery! You'll really want to evaluate your individual senior dog and your ability to keep the two safely separated if needed, before deciding if adding a puppy during your dog's elderly years is a good idea.

With special considerations to those two extremes, somewhere in the middle will be the best for most families. When people approach us about adding two puppies at once, I always suggest this:

Get one puppy now. Then, in a year, if you feel like you still want a second puppy, get your second one then.

And you know what? After that year of raising puppy number one, most families decide that a little bit of a longer gap would suit them better. A one-year-old dog is still a puppy at heart (or at best, an adolescent!).

We find that most families wait until their youngest dog is around 3-4 years of age or longer to add a puppy and that this generally allows the first dog to be well-trained, and somewhat settled as an adult, before the cycle begins again.

If you are a competitor, it is worth considering how a puppy fits into your competition timeline. How long does it take to get a new puppy ready to compete in your sport? At what age does a dog generally retire? Are you hoping to have multiple dogs competing at the same time, or is it best to plan for the puppy to begin competing, as your older dog is retiring?

Certainly, if you have an older dog who is a good role model, it can be incredibly helpful to have that dog assist in puppy training. Modelling calm, confident behavior- and being an occasional playmate!- can make puppy raising a lot easier!

It's really nice for most dogs to have a buddy. Especially in the modern world where the humans are often away from the home for most of the day, a dog with a companion often has a better quality of life than one without. But getting that age gap correct makes the difference between two dogs who play together, nap together, and are happy friends, vs having a pair of dogs that must be carefully managed for their own safety and sanity.

What do you think? Is there an age gap that works best in your household?

(Photo: 3.5 month old Velveeta and 9 year old Pepper)

10/11/2025

I would never have a dog that isn’t crate trained.

If You Think Crate Training Is Cruel, You’re Probably Doing Everything Else Wrong Too

Every few days someone tells me, “I’d never crate my dog , it’s cruel.” I understand where that comes from. Nobody wants to harm their dog. But here’s the truth that may sting a little:

Crates aren’t the problem. Your lack of structure is.

If you believe a crate is automatically mean, it usually signals a bigger misunderstanding about what dogs actually need to feel safe, calm, and connected.

A Crate Is Not a Cage — It’s a Bedroom for the Canine Brain

Humans see bars and think prison. Dogs don’t.

Dogs evolved from animals that slept in dens, enclosed, predictable spaces where they could fully let down their guard. The limbic system (the emotional brain) is wired to feel safe in a contained space when it’s introduced correctly. That safety lets the autonomic nervous system shift out of hyper-arousal and into rest.

When I say “kennel” or “crate” in my house, I mean bedroom. It’s the place my dogs retreat to when they want zero pressure from the world , to nap, chew a bone, or just exhale. My German Shepherds and Malinois will often choose their crates on their own when the house is buzzing with activity.

Why So Many Dogs Are Stressed Without Boundaries

Freedom sounds loving, but for many dogs it’s chaotic and overwhelming:
• Hypervigilance: They scan every sound and movement because no one has drawn a line between safe and unsafe.

• Over-arousal: Barking, pacing, and destructive chewing are the brain trying to find control in a world without limits.

• Problem behavior rehearsal: Every hour a dog practices bad habits (counter surfing, jumping, door dashing) is an hour those neural pathways strengthen.

From a neuroscience standpoint, the prefrontal cortex — the impulse-control center — is limited in dogs. They rely on our structure to regulate. A dog without clear boundaries burns out its stress response system, living in chronic low-grade cortisol spikes.

A structured dog isn’t “suppressed.” They’re relieved , free from the constant job of self-managing a complex human world.

Crates Give the Nervous System a Reset Button

Here’s the part most people miss: A properly introduced crate isn’t just a place to “put” a dog. It’s a tool for nervous system regulation.

• Sleep: Dogs need far more sleep than humans , around 17 hours a day. A crate gives them uninterrupted rest.

• Decompression: After training or high stimulation, the crate helps the brain down-shift from sympathetic (fight/flight) to parasympathetic (rest/digest).

• Reset: Just like humans may retreat to a quiet room to recharge, dogs use the crate to self-soothe and recalibrate.

But here’s the catch: PLACEMENT MATTERS!!! My crates in my bedroom are for Little Guy, Ryker and Walkiria, Garage is for Cronos, Guest Bedroom for Mieke and my bathroom is for Rogue and my Canace is in my Shed.

Stop Putting the Crate in the Middle of the Storm

Most people stick the crate in the living room because that’s where they hang out. But think about what that room is for your dog: constant TV noise, kids running, doorbells, guests coming and going, kitchen clatter.

That’s not decompression. That’s forced proximity to stimulation with no way to escape.

If you want the crate to become a true bedroom, give it its own space , a quiet corner of your house, a spare room, a low-traffic hallway, garage , shed. Somewhere your dog can fully turn off. The first time many of my clients move the crate out of the living room, they see their dog sigh, curl up, and sleep deeply for the first time in months.

Why Some Dogs “Hate” Their Crate

If your dog panics, it’s almost never the crate itself. It’s:
• Bad association: Only being crated when punished or when the owner leaves.
• No foundation: Tossed in without gradual acclimation or positive reinforcement.
• Total chaos elsewhere: If the whole day is overstimulating and unpredictable, the crate feels random and scary.

I’ve turned around countless “crate haters” by reshaping the experience: short sessions, feeding meals inside, rewarding calm entry, keeping tone neutral. In a few weeks, the same dogs trot inside happily and sleep peacefully.

Freedom Without Foundation Hurts Dogs

I’ve met hundreds of well-intentioned owners who avoided the crate to be “kinder” , and ended up with:
• Separation anxiety so severe the dog destroys walls or self-injures.
• Reactivity because the nervous system never learned to shut off.
• Dangerous ingestion of household items.
• A heartbreaking surrender because life with the dog became unmanageable.

I’ll say it plainly: a lack of structure is far crueler than a well-used crate.

When we don’t provide safe boundaries, we hand dogs a human world they’re ill-equipped to navigate alone.

How to Introduce a Crate the Right Way
1. Think bedroom, not jail. Feed meals in the crate, offer a safe chew, and keep the vibe calm and neutral.

2. Give it a quiet location. Not the busiest room. Dogs need true off-duty time.

3. Pair exercise + training first. A fulfilled brain settles better. Every Dog at my place get worked at east 4-5 times per day (yes this is why I am always tired)

4. Short, positive sessions. Build up time slowly; don’t lock and leave for hours right away. (I work my dogs mentally for max 15 minutes, puppies shorter, physical activity and play around 20 minutes, when I take dogs for a workout walk around 1 hour walk )

5. Never use it as AVERSIVE punishment when conditioning. The crate should predict calm, safety, and rest. When you are advanced eventually we can use the crate as "time out" to reset the brain after proper conditioning has taken place.

6. Create a rhythm: Exercise → training → calm crate nap. Predictability equals security. ( I have 10 dogs on my property right now so every dog works about 15 minutes x 10 dogs = 150 minutes = 2 1/2 hours. Every dogs get worked every 2 1/5 hours, I do that minimum 4 times per day = 600 minutes or 10 hours. yes this is why I wake up so early and go to bed late lol )

The Science of Calm: What’s Happening in the Brain

When a dog settles in a safe, quiet crate:
• The amygdala (fear center) reduces activity.
• The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis down-regulates, lowering cortisol.
• The parasympathetic nervous system engages: heart rate slows, breathing steadies.
• Brain waves shift from high-alert beta to calmer alpha/theta — the same pattern seen in deep rest.

This is why dogs who have a true den space often become more relaxed and stable everywhere else in life.

The Bottom Line

If you think crates are cruel, you’re missing the bigger picture. The crate isn’t about punishment — it’s about clarity, safety, and mental health.

A dog without structure lives in a constant state of uncertainty: Where should I rest? What’s safe? Why am I always on guard? That life is stressful and, over time, damaging.

A well-introduced crate says: Here is your safe space. Here’s where you rest and reset. The world makes sense.

Kindness isn’t endless freedom. Kindness is clarity. And sometimes clarity looks like a cozy, quiet bedroom with a door that means you can relax now.

Bart De Gols

10/09/2025

I’m thinking of signing up for this class. Just $65.

10/08/2025

Suzanne Clothier is a trainer who deals with dogs often labeled as “aggressive” or “reactive” and has written this brilliant piece about how their behavior is often misunderstood and how it is often a response to incredibly rude behavior by other dogs or humans. It is well worth the read to simply become more observant about your behavior, your dog’s behavior, your childrens’ behavior, other people’s behavior, and other dog’s behavior.

https://www.lhasa-apso.org/articles/training/sayhi.html?fbclid=IwdGRleANPVuFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgsOKw9dhxY_O7H9tajfYWIGmSvXKK7uqr5ixzAgijFIXIhMLl5vyKO101ub_aem_Uo4thsVoXFx4DDLQQUjyRg

Sitting quietly on the mall bench beside my husband, I was minding my own business when the man approached. I glanced up as the man sat next to me. He was a bit close for my comfort, so I edged a little closer to my husband who, busy reading a book, ignored me. Still feeling a bit uncomfortable with...

09/29/2025

Knowing the rules makes everyone’s life, including the dog, easier.

09/02/2025

08/26/2025

07/18/2025

Preventing unwanted litters is a goal we all share—but it's time to rethink the surgical approach. Hysterectomies and vasectomies, which preserve hormonal balance, can safely be performed as early as 8 weeks of age, making dogs sterile without disrupting their natural hormones.

In this study, researchers looked at whether the age at which dogs were spayed or neutered, meaning how long they were exposed to their natural s*x hormones, affected how healthy they were in old age. They studied a group of long-lived pet dogs to learn what helps dogs live longer, healthier lives. Dogs with the fewest age-related health problems were considered the most “robust.”

The results showed that both male and female dogs who kept their hormones longer (i.e., were spayed or neutered later) were 3 to 10 times more likely to be healthy in old age compared to those altered earlier. Once hormone exposure and age were taken into account, there was no difference in old-age health between males and females.

This study highlights how important s*x hormones may be for staying healthy later in life and shows that early-life decisions—like when to spay or neuter—can have long-term effects on health.