Gold Ridge Cognitive Canines

05/29/2026

If you spot me in the wild, there’s a good chance I’m wearing two jackets because it was somehow freezing at the end of May, carrying an iced coffee in my husband’s jacket pocket because I needed the extra layer, and taking pictures of dogs in flowers.
🌼🪻

I love this kind of stuff more than I can explain: Dogs in fields, spring flowers, messy candid moments, fresh air, camera rolls full of dog photos, and being around living things. It makes me feel human in the best way. 💛🐾

Fulfillment matters on both ends of the leash. It isn’t one-sided... it’s something we build together through alignment, learning each other, and clear communication, creating a shared life that meets both human and canine needs. ✨

05/27/2026

Looking forward to this!! 🔥

Looking forward to having Jay back in Orange County for the third time — but especially excited to finally add GRC Dogsports into the mix this year.

Historically, working spots have sold out extremely fast. Right now there are only 4 working spots available for GRC and 3 working spots for Play As The Way.

Audit spots are always a great option too — all the learning, none of the pressure of bringing your dog.

More details to come, but the event is already live on my website through the link in my bio. Feel free to message me with any questions.

05/24/2026

05/24/2026

Come walk Presto down to the field with me 🐕🌾

Sometimes it still feels a little surreal walking from my backyard, past the goats and sheep, and down into the field with him loose beside me. Little-girl me would have been absolutely losing her mind over this kind of life.

Moments like this are also why I care so much about emphasizing relationship, clarity, and fulfillment in dog training.

Living peacefully with dogs is not about micromanaging them into being convenient for us (no matter if it's a companion, service dog, sport dog - they are all a being in your care first). It’s about building a life where both species can actually thrive together. A compatible dog can improve your lifestyle tremendously, but I also think we should always consider what kind of life fulfills them too.

Sometimes that means compromising. Sometimes it means discovering activities you never expected to enjoy because your dog loves them. And usually behavior issues are more about unmet needs, lack of outlets, confusion, frustration, or a lifestyle that doesn’t fit who that dog truly is. They are most definitely not "bad dogs", and it is especially not their fault if they do not fit in your tiny specific "mold" that goes against their "ideal" biologically fulfilling lifestyle.

Dogs deserve more than just existing around us without causing problems. They deserve activities that speak to their soul. And if your dog has a deep need for something specific, it’s worth figuring out how to safely fulfill that need - or at least find something close enough to scratch that itch.

Fulfillment goes both ways. And when you find it together, it is invaluable.

I am grateful for the relationship Presto and I have. 💛🐾

Want to discover new activities that speak to your dog's soul? Schedule a private lesson or join a group class!

Find more information at:

grccanines.com

05/20/2026

Group classes are in full swing 3 days a week until it gets too hot this summer ☀️😂

Check out our class schedule on the homepage of our website:

grccanines.com

If any of these group classes look enticing for a private session, we can absolutely do that too ✨😊

05/18/2026

Please enjoy this video my husband (and partner at GRCC) filmed and was in charge of for our next post...how did he do?! 🎥👀

It was also so wonderful to see Sawyer’s enthusiasm and accuracy after being away for a year!

And HUGE congratulations to Bayley on her recent achievements! 🐾✨🏅

If you’re interested in coming to a scent class, the schedule is up to date on my website:

grccanines.com

05/17/2026

Sometimes you pick back up where you left off in training after a few months and decide to test where you’re at since the last time. 😅

Presto is usually a pretty consistent four-ball dog, but by the 5th retrieve he’s definitely like… “Okay, but I already brought you so many, why can't you just take these.” 😂

Treibball is SO much fun. I’m obsessed with herding breeds in general and how their brains work during this kind of activity. Of course herding is even better with actual livestock, but I love that treibball is such an easy sport to work on at home in your yard, or at a big park/dog field (like my place).

It’s a perfect combo of brain work, physical activity, confidence-building, and listening to the handler’s direction.

Not every session is perfect… and today definitely became a bit of a train wreck at the end. 🤣 Nothing important and nothing was ruined (mean I could totally be a lot more serious in his refinement and long-term motivation) but I love keeping field time light-hearted and FUN, especially when the goal is exercise and engagement.

My criteria isn’t super rigid unless it’s something safety-related or I’m actively competing.

Lately I haven’t had the time to fully compete, but I do want to work toward Presto’s Treibball titles through online video submission. 💪🐾

✨ Treibball classes are coming back:
Thursdays in June at 6:00 PM! 👀

05/16/2026