Smart Bitch Modern Dog Training

12/11/2025

11/23/2025

🕯️ Let their light shine.

Training should enhance your dog's personality not weaken it.
Training gives more options, more choice.

If the training option is going to diminish their light it shouldn't be an option at all

11/08/2025

Gates don't need to just be "for training" or when you first get a puppy.

There may be some parts of your house that have too many temptations or unknowns.

How many times has a person gone to their vet shocked that their "fully trained" adult dog ate something that they really shouldn't?
A lot (Ask a friendly emergency vet sometime when they are not extracting 25 hair elastics and 13 and a half socks from an 8 year old golden retriever).

I have two spots in my house that will always have gates, no matter how trained the dogs are.

🧸 Kid Rooms. Between Legos, scented slime, hair elastics, socks, a hidden stash of Halloween candy, a random piece of gum under the bed and other random and mystery items this is a no go zone for dogs.

😺 Cat litter boxes. Why tempt a dog with a good time?
I am meticulous about cleaning my cat's litter box several times a day. It's pretty rare that a dog could discover a treat but I don't want to give them a chance.
Cat boxes are always gated off.
Plus, cats deserve space and privacy.
Hooded litter boxes can create issues - just think about a cat going in and a dog sticking their head in. The cat may feel blocked or trapped (because they are).
A gate, in my opinion is a much better option.
I use a closet as my cat's litter box area. The door is always propped open and she can easily get through the gate without jumping.

My dogs have never had access to the litter box so on the rare occasion that the gate is down they never seem to notice.

Gates have a million uses.

While I don't want gates all over my house and prefer training in many instances these are two area with far too much temptations and unknowns.

I never want my dogs to learn that treats come from these places and vet bills are expensive.
Why risk it?

🎄 Holidays are often a time people realize that a gate or two will be useful.
Dogs need to learn to live with gates. Start now.

11/06/2025

❄️ Gates near the doors can be an easy problem solver, especially with guests or kids around.

🐕 But did you know that many dogs need to learn how to live with gates?

🎄 Gates can help make busy holidays a bit more stress free if your dog learns how to live with gates.

👑 Gates are an easy management win especially if you can't watch the doors all the time which you can't.

🚂 Baby gates on kid bedrooms can save a lot of socks and Legos.

🩲 Baby gates on spare bedrooms can help relieve worry and embarrassment. No one wants their dog running around the house throwing the guest's underwear in the air but it does happen.

Thinking you might need a gate or two for the holidays?
Get the gates now

10/15/2025

Jack Russells often seem to find their way to us, lol!

I had fun meeting with this boyo the other day. I quickly realized that having treats out made him louder, pushier and just harder to exist around so we put all of that away. This video happened after an hour of enrichment & exercise so… it was a lot! ❤️

10/02/2025

Pay attention to those glances, body movements and vocals, without interrupting them, to listen to what your dog is saying! They can imply what they want, what’s concerning them and more.

09/03/2025

Hello folks! As we mentioned in our story today, we’ve officially opened our books back up and are accepting new in-person (NOLA & surrounding areas) clients.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at [email protected] or just visit our website (comments)to fill out our form.

And shoutout to our lovely client for leaving us this impromptu raving review today❤️

08/31/2025

They’ve flashed their tum…now what?
Well, that depends.

On a consult, when a dog flops in front of me, pulls their paws in tight, and stares intently....it’s rarely an invite for belly rubs. Quite the opposite for many dogs.

Rolling onto their back exposes their stomach, chest, and throat...areas with no real protection. In dog language, that’s one of the most vulnerable positions they can be in, which is why context and consent matter.

It’s easy to misread, I absolutely appreciate it is.....but we should be sure it’s an invitation before we approach.

When we dismiss a dog’s body language, we make it harder for them to communicate clearly in the future and that’s when misreads start to snowball.
A very slippery slope.

08/29/2025

Why hello there 👀. Long time no see!

While we’re not where I wanted to be, I’m proud of what we’ve maintained over the years through life events, them aging and etc!

Did you have training goals you weren’t able to reach that you thought you would? Let me know below!