Raising Happy Dogs

Raising Happy Dogs Dog Trainer, Podcaster, Author (Puppies for Dummies + more), Mom to a Multi-Species Household 🐾
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I'm a dog trainer, pet behavior consultant, podcaster (Life Unleashed), and author of many books (Puppies for Dummies and Modern Dog Parenting). In my heart, I'm just a pet-obsessed mom who's been helping pets and their people for nearly 40 years.

06/18/2026

Does your puppy like to steal or shred the newspaper? It’s adorable, but teach them better habits!

Teach Them:
1. Carry and Drop
2. Leave It
3. Pay Lots of Attention when chewing or playing with a toy

For more puppy tips like this?
Follow, share, or comment below!

05/25/2026

Picnics are way more fun with dogs, but let’s be honest… dogs can get very excited when there’s food, noise, and lots of activity around.

So here’s how to make the day a success:

First, remember that a tired dog is usually a calmer dog, even when everybody else is hyped up.

Bring your dog’s mat or platform so they have a familiar place to settle when things get a little too chaotic.

And don’t forget enrichment. Pack chew toys, lick mats, or something savory and long-lasting to keep them busy while the humans socialize.

If you prepare for the environment instead of expecting your dog to magically handle it, everyone has a much better time. 🙂

05/21/2026

Little shifts make a BIG difference 🐾✨

We ring the bell… but look at the bell, not the dog.
We reward calm, not chaos.
We teach “off” by making jumping very boring 😌

When paws hit the floor? THAT’S the party 🎉
Food, toys, attention, praise — let your dog know they won.

Dogs are always learning from what works. Our job is to make the right thing feel good 💛

🐕

05/19/2026

Does your dog bark at the TV?! 📺🐾

Henry used to absolutely lose his mind.

Instead of correcting him we just tweaked the setup a bit. Less intensity, more space, something calming to do, and suddenly he could think again. 🐶

That’s the thing. Not waiting for the meltdown, just catching it before it tips over. 🐕

More real-life dog behavior over on Substack ✍️🐶
raisinghappydogs.substack.com 👈

05/17/2026

Easton: 2 pounds, one marble-sized ego, and officially the tiniest puppy I’ve ever had in for imprinting 🐾😭

He’s here with me for the next two weeks learning that the world is a little less dramatic than he currently believes ✨ Some of the things you’ll see in these clips? We’ll absolutely be working on them!! 😂👌

More Easton updates to come because honestly… a puppy this tiny having this many opinions… couldn’t you just die?! ☺️🐶

A very full week in the very best way: lovely classes, Mother’s Day, little bits of writing squeezed in where I could, a...
05/15/2026

A very full week in the very best way: lovely classes, Mother’s Day, little bits of writing squeezed in where I could, and the tiniest imprint puppy l’ve ever had toddling about like a wind-up toy! 🦴 🧸 🐾

🐕 ✨ 🌎

A very full week in the very best way: lovely classes, Mother’s Day, little bits of writing squeezed in where I could, a...
05/15/2026

A very full week in the very best way: lovely classes, Mother’s Day, little bits of writing squeezed in where I could, and the tiniest imprint puppy I’ve ever had toddling about like a wind-up toy 🐾

05/13/2026

Out on the street again with some very handsome “brothers by love” 🐾✨

A few real-life reminders with dogs:

✅ Face-to-face can feel intense, so I stay angled, not squared up ↗️😌

✅ Most dogs are fine with outfits… but paws are super sensitive, so booties (and nail trims) take time ⏰🐶

✅ Be mindful: reacting to jumping can reinforce it — show the calm, opposite behavior instead 🧘‍♀️

It’s never about shutting dogs down. It’s about guiding them into clarity, one moment at a time 💛🐾

05/12/2026

Dog training shouldn’t feel stressful or confusing. 🫤

My goal is always to make learning feel supportive, practical, and fun for both you and your dog. From puppies to older or more sensitive dogs, we focus on building confidence and real-life skills that actually help at home and out in the world. ❤️

Classes in Greenwich, CT + Pleasantville, NY.

May & June bookings open now. 🌼

More info at www.SarahHodgson.com 📱

A little Friday Foto Dump ☀️🐾We’ve been spending as much time by the lake as possible lately. The dogs are happy, I’m ha...
05/08/2026

A little Friday Foto Dump ☀️🐾

We’ve been spending as much time by the lake as possible lately. The dogs are happy, I’m happy, and apparently we’re all taking singing lessons together now. (They’re very involved.) 🎶 🐶

In between appointments, filming, writing, and all the beautiful everyday chaos, I’ve been feeling really grateful lately. Tired sometimes, yes — but the good kind of tired. Full days. Full heart.

I can feel the season changing already, and honestly? I’m so ready for the warmer days ahead. Aren’t you?! 🌿 🐕

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