Dog Eared Training & Behavior

Dog Eared Training & Behavior Turning the page on your dog’s behavior!

Effective, compassionate training supported by science - Dog Eared offers positive reinforcement training in Frederick County, MD (& surrounding areas).

Most of us have been there: the first time your new dog hears fireworks, and suddenly a festive evening has become a war...
07/03/2026

Most of us have been there: the first time your new dog hears fireworks, and suddenly a festive evening has become a war zone.

What now?

While we can’t always help as much as we’d like, there are certainly things to help - even if it only helps a little.

🎆 Make a safe space for your dog - which may mean following their lead! (Juno loved hiding under my long hanging clothes in my closet, and in her later years, inside my bathtub.)
🎇 Crank up the noise! Layering sound can help muffle the explosions. White noise, fans, music, action movies: throw it all in there.
🎆 Social support & love can go a long way for these social animals. Some dogs want to curl up in your lap - others just want you nearby. Try reading aloud or narrating the TikTok’s you’re watching to your pup!
🎇 Offer a tasty treat, if they’ll take one. Many dogs won’t eat when panicked, but it can help distract and calm some dogs.
🎆 For the next week, make sure all of your potty breaks are done before sunset and on leash. We know fireworks don’t just happen on the 4th, so keep your pup safe over the next few days!

⏩️ The next day, decompression is the name of the game. Allow them to move their bodies in nature, engage in some good chewing, play with a friend, whatever activity helps them shake off stress.
⏭️ On Monday, it’s time for a call to the vet! Now that you know your pup will panic, it’s time to reach out to your veterinarian for medication support.

And no — you aren’t reinforcing fear. You’re allowed to comfort your dog. I promise.

Good luck, y’all. 🫡

🏖️ Summer Classes are NOW OPEN! Classes start July 19th! ☀️ The heat wave this week is making us all feel some kind of w...
06/29/2026

🏖️ Summer Classes are NOW OPEN! Classes start July 19th! ☀️

The heat wave this week is making us all feel some kind of way, so let’s think about nicer things - like being able to enjoy a big, wonderful, adventurous life with your dog!

Registration is officially open for both of our basic manners classes:
🍉 Brave New World: for puppies 8-16 weeks at the start of class
⛱️ Lord of the Flies: for dogs 5 months and up

Questions? Happy to answer any you may have!
Ready to sign up? Link is in my bio!

See you next month! 😎

Say hello to Daisy! 👋🏻 This super smart, super food motivated, sweet, social butterfly of a girl can also be, ahem, a bi...
06/09/2026

Say hello to Daisy! 👋🏻

This super smart, super food motivated, sweet, social butterfly of a girl can also be, ahem, a bit much. It all comes from a good place, but it’s still 50 lbs of enthusiastic 1 year old Labrador bouncing at the end of a leash!

We’ve been working on teaching her ways to interact with the world that aren’t quite so painful for her mom, the people saying hello to her, or the dogs who would rather not. Her little adolescent brain is impulsive and comes with a Grade A Gas Pedal… but the brakes have yet to be installed. All to be expected for this point in her development, but still something we can work on!

Last night, Dog Eared’s very own Huxley got volunteered to be a helper dog for Miss Daisy’s next lesson in learning how to pass dogs on leash and mind ya own business. At just over 3 years old, I was a very proud momma seeing how his solid temperament and our training are coming together to create a lovely little demo dog.

Which brings me to my main point: adolescence isn’t fast. It takes time. We have to meet our dogs where they are each and every day, support them when they can’t make good choices on their own, give them opportunities to make good choices when they can, autonomy and enrichment and appropriate exercise and training and… maybe… around 3 years old or so… you get to see all that time and energy paying off.

Hang in there, owners of adolescent dogs (and parents of adolescent humans). There is a light at the end of the tunnel. That tunnel just might be a little longer than you originally thought it would be. 😅

Say hello 👋🏻 to Kona! (Okay, well, pretend I didn’t fall off the social media posting schedule and I shared these when w...
06/04/2026

Say hello 👋🏻 to Kona!

(Okay, well, pretend I didn’t fall off the social media posting schedule and I shared these when we actually first met Kona… then say hello!)

Watching baby puppies grow up is one of my favorite things - especially when the baby puppy is as disgustingly adorable as Kona.

Her parents have been working SO HARD and SO CONSISTENTLY with her since our first lesson, followed by her attendance at puppy class. She even just went on her first successful cross country plane trip with ✨fantastic✨ success. As with everything - part nature, part nurture.

All fabulous, gorgeous Kona!

(January 18 ➡️ March 15)

Dog Eared is ❤️P🧡R💛O💚U💙D💜 to be a q***r safe space year round - but let’s talk about it in honor of Pride Month! Dog Ear...
06/02/2026

Dog Eared is ❤️P🧡R💛O💚U💙D💜 to be a q***r safe space year round - but let’s talk about it in honor of Pride Month!

Dog Eared is a q***r owned and operated business. As such, I’ve always wanted to be sure my lessons, group classes, group walks, and community is a safe and supportive place - and have even gone so far as to put that in to my terms & conditions when you sign up for training. Hate speech, discrimination, and general nastiness will not be tolerated, nor will it be refunded. ✌🏻

The past few years have made it less safe for the LGBTQIA+ community to be out, proud, and supported, both individually and in the communities we live in and countries we reside - so you don’t need to worry about dealing with off color jokes, inappropriate comments, purposeful misgendering, or any other microaggressions while just trying to learn how to train your dang dog.

We hope you’ll celebrate the month with us - and we hope you’ll let the people in your life know we love them, too.

The dogs don’t care, after all. They just know love.

Happy Pride, y’all. 💜

***rownedbusiness

It’s a beautiful, cold snow day here in Maryland - and Huxley is ✨ obsessed ✨ Is your dog on Team:❄️ Let It Snow ❄️or 😬 ...
01/25/2026

It’s a beautiful, cold snow day here in Maryland - and Huxley is ✨ obsessed ✨

Is your dog on Team:
❄️ Let It Snow ❄️
or
😬 Hell No 😬

Vote in the comments & show us your snow day pics - however you’re spending the day!

National Dress Your Dog Up Day? Huxley says, “say less.” 🎁 Show us your beautified, costumized, festivated pups! 😍
01/14/2026

National Dress Your Dog Up Day?

Huxley says, “say less.” 🎁

Show us your beautified, costumized, festivated pups! 😍

01/04/2026

Do you dream of off leash adventures with your new puppy, but feel like you need to do more training first?

DON’T WAIT!

There are a thousand ways to build off leash reliability, but without question, the easiest way?

Start with a baby puppy.

😍 They already worship you. That puppy desire to stay close and follow you everywhere comes naturally - don’t take it for granted!
👯‍♂️ Take a well trained, appropriate adult dog with you. Maxwell helped Huxley learn the rules of off leash adventuring, thanks to the help of a healthy dose of FOMO.
✅ Puppies tend to check in regularly (hello, Stage 5 Clinger!) - reinforce each and every one of those little check ins!
🔗 You’ll probably need to go back on leash sometimes. Puppies who start off leash often still go to Long Line Jail in adolescence, when they learn about how exciting the environment is and how lame you are. It’s normal.

Huxley and I went to a new 100+ acre SniffSpot this week and I was reminded how thankful I am that we put in the work when he was a youngster! There’s little better than getting to watch a bird dog do Bird Dog S**t. 🐦

Want help? Let’s chat! 💬

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ Holy moly, what a year, am I right? It was a rough one for me personally - between health stuff for me and ...
01/02/2026

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣

Holy moly, what a year, am I right?

It was a rough one for me personally - between health stuff for me and my loved ones, the general state of the country and the world around us, and the multitude of new and creative ways that preparing to buy and sell a house can stress you to the point of tears. (If you’ve been wondering why it’s been a bit quiet here on social media…)

Even professionally, it was a bit of a heartbreaking year. While I only have two dogs of my own these days, I end up leaving a little piece of my heart with all of yours. 2025 seemed to be the year of saying goodbye to so many good dogs - many of whom we said goodbye to too soon.

But amidst the heartbreak and stress and struggle, I have constant reminders of how lucky I am to be in this career.

To the clients who trusted me with your dogs, who welcomed me in to your homes, who send me updates years after we first worked together, who trusted the process, and who loved your dogs so, so much: thank you. I promise, I never take you for granted.

To the trainers, behavior consultants, veterinarians, vet techs, vet behaviorists, groomers, dog walkers and sitters who make up my network of support (both logistically and emotionally!) - thanks for keeping me sane and grounded when I need to bounce ideas, confirm suspicions, and bring in more help. I am always grateful to have support in a field that can be lonely and competitive, something I have never felt.

& to the dogs - tell your friends parents I said you should get extra cookies for all of the emotional support you provided this year.

Stay tuned for what’s to come in 2026. I can’t wait to see you all soon.

💜🩵,
Bethany

📣 One week left to register! 📣 The fall session of both of our basic manners classes are about to begin - and we still h...
09/21/2025

📣 One week left to register! 📣

The fall session of both of our basic manners classes are about to begin - and we still have room for a couple dogs in both classes!

For puppies 8 weeks to 18 weeks at the start of class - you’re looking for Brave New World. This is our puppy socialization & intro manners class to build the foundations for a well rounded adult dog.

For adolescents and adults ages 5 months & up - join us in Lord of the Flies! We’ll be covering basic manners skills, focus and attention, and what to do with those Big Feelings that come with being a teenager.

Both classes run for 7 weeks, and start with two virtual classes to get you started before introducing the distractions of other dogs and humans. You’ll then move to two in person, indoor classes, and then the fun stuff: 3 field trip classes to practice in the real world!

Class starts next week, so don’t wait to sign up! Link in the comments - and feel free to message with any questions.

Address

116 South Main Street
Mount Airy, MD
21771

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