Happy Dog Institute

05/30/2026

05/26/2026

Via The Muzzle Movement
"Hot weather changes behaviour… and not just for dogs. ☀️
We all know that feeling when the heat becomes too much…
You’re uncomfortable. Overstimulated. Tired.�Everything feels louder, more irritating, harder to tolerate.
Maybe you’ve slept badly because it’s too hot.�Maybe the noise around you suddenly feels overwhelming.�Maybe your patience feels shorter than usual.
Dogs experience that too.
But unlike us, they can’t say:�“I need a break.”�“This is too much.”�“I need some space.”
That’s why bite risks can rise in hot weather.
Less sleep.�Less patience.�Less ability to cope.
Sometimes dogs who are normally calm, friendly, and tolerant simply can’t handle as much when they’re exhausted, uncomfortable, and overheating.
This post isn’t here to make dogs seem dangerous in hot weather. It’s here to help people understand why dogs may need more support, more space, and lower expectations when temperatures rise.
Sometimes the kindest thing we can do… is ask less of them. 🫶��Share this post 😘"

05/26/2026

Content Warning: Ticks/Bugs

It's Tick Season! Thanks to Emery Major on Youtube for this hilariously accurate parody.

Remember to keep your dogs up to date on flea and tick medications and if they are sensitive to these types of medications consult your Veterinarian for safe alternatives.

via doh.wa.gov "In Washington, the tick-borne diseases known to be acquired include: anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick-borne relapsing fever, tick paralysis, and tularemia..."

Ticks are no joke!

05/22/2026

Reminder - Happy Dog Institute will be closed for Memorial Day weekend. No classes Friday, May 22nd - Monday, May 25th. HDI is wishing everyone a meaningful Memorial Day in the company of those you love.

05/20/2026

Congrats to our most recent puppy primer grads! Grace and Hank! 😍 What do you think they learned in class?

05/12/2026

It's getting hot outside! Remember leaving living animals in hot cars is super dangerous and can kill them.

If you HAVE to go somewhere and leave your dog in the car here are some tips to keep everyone safe!

(Hint - the answer is never leave a dog (or any living thing that can't open the door and get out on their own) in an enclosed vehicle alone for an extended period of time, ever. If you need to temporarily leave them in the vehicle - do so with great caution and constant monitoring, ideally with the aid of accessories designed to keep vehicles cool and monitor them.)

#1.) Bring another trusted human to hang in the car with your dog. Pay them if you have to. It's worth it.
#2.) Park in the shade
#3.) Utilize accessories such as shade cloths, heat reflective windshield shades, window guards (so you can leave your windows fully down safely), battery operated fans etc.
#4.) Check on your dog every 10-15 minutes MINIMUM - even with remote monitoring (those can fail!)
#5.) When in doubt, leave them home!

05/09/2026

If you didn't know this our fabulous trainer Paul is a Prison Program Director for Brigadoon Service Dogs!

Brigadoon provides trained service dogs for veterans, children, and adults with physical, developmental, and behavioral health disabilities to promote a more independent and enriched life at an accessible cost.

If you can donate - please do - but if you can't a share sure helps as well!

Big news: your gift can go twice as far!

Just three days after launching our emergency campaign, our community has already helped raise more than $80,000 toward our $250,000 goal.

Now, thanks to an incredibly generous donor, every gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000.

That means your gift today has twice the impact for service dogs in training, clients waiting, and the future of Brigadoon!

Please give today to unlock the full match:
brigadoondogs.org/donate

If you can’t give right now, sharing this post helps us reach someone who can.

Every gift and every share helps keep Brigadoon moving forward.