Tried and True Canines

06/29/2025

Kathy Sdao's workshop one cues and communication with is coming up fast on August 2nd and 3rd.

We have had a few folks ask us: what will this workshop specifically help me with as a dog parent or a dog professional, whether I'm a trainer, groomer, sitter, rescue facilitator, or pet store employee? In the next few weeks we will continue to feature some of the possible ideas that make this training relevant for anyone and everyone who live with or work with dogs (or other animals). Keep an eye out for ideas that might be significant to the role dogs play in your life, and please feel free to reach out in the comments if you have specific questions about how this training could be helpful to you!

Our next reason to join is for our dog trainers: Do you feel like you struggle to easily transfer cues (add a new cue) or struggle with reliably getting really solid verbal only cues? This seminar will help break it down so you know the proper mechanics to easily and reliably be able to add a cue or change a cue.

Want to join in? Visit this link: https://www.pittsburghpetprofessionals.com/eventsandseminars

06/26/2025

This is going to be such a great seminar! Come out and join us!!

We are just over a month away from Kathy Sdao's workshop with on August 2nd and 3rd! There are still slots available for you to take part in this wonderful learning opportunity, but we understand you may be wondering: what will this workshop specifically help me with as a dog parent or a dog professional, whether I'm a trainer, groomer, sitter, rescue facilitator, or pet store employee?

To answer that question, in the coming weeks we will be featuring some of the possible ideas that make this training relevant for anyone and everyone who live with or work with dogs (or other animals). Keep an eye out for ideas that might be significant to the role dogs play in your life, and please feel free to reach out in the comments if you have specific questions about how this training could be helpful to you!

Our first example: For those of us who are pet guardians and "parents" -- Do you ever say "sit" and your dog sits... then immediately begs, speaks, and even gives paw? This seminar can clean up your dog's response to cues so they do what you ask, not every single thing they know!

Ready to sign up? Visit this link: https://www.pittsburghpetprofessionals.com/eventsandseminars

06/21/2025

4th of July is just around the corner, and with the holiday comes lots of stress and panic for many pets. More pets go missing during 4th of July than any other holiday. Starting your preparations NOW will help ensure your pets stay safe and as stress-free as possible.

✅ Talk to your vet NOW about anxiety medication, not at the last minute when vet clinics are flooded with everyone else rushing to get medications.

✅ Ensure all pets are wearing collars and that ID tags and microchips are up to date.

✅ Keep all pets indoors and ensure doors and gates are secure. Especially if you have guests over who will be coming in and out of the house, make sure you employ the use of gates and other management strategies to keep your pets from slipping out.

✅ Shut windows, blinds and curtains to help reduce auditory and visual stimuli.

✅ Provide a safe space in an interior room of the house for your pet to retreat to.

✅ Turn on the TV, classical music, or white noise machine to drown out the sounds of fireworks and other auditory stimuli.

✅ COMFORT your dog however they want to be comforted! It is NOT true that cuddling and providing comfort to a scared dog will reinforce the fear, you can’t reinforce emotions, they are involuntary. You are a secure base for your dog, help them feel safe!

✅ Provide your pet with stuffed Kongs, long-lasting chews, and other enrichment items to help keep them occupied and manage stress levels.

✅ Exercise your pet early in the day before the holiday activities begin.

06/20/2025

Leave it to Pittsburgh to throw summer at your face out of nowhere! With temps getting into the 90s next week, many dogs will be skipping their daily walks and playtime outside, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be happy laying around in the AC all day! Below are some fun indoor and outdoor summer activities to keep your puppy happy (and cool!) during hot weeks like this one!☀️

✅ Walk your dog in the early morning or late evening when it’s cooler.

✅ Turn mealtimes into enrichment: Feed meals out of store-bought or DIY puzzle toys, fill a Toppl with a mixture of kibble and other goodies to create a Toppl parfait, soak kibble in water and spread on a Lickimat or in a Kong, or use their meal for training. TIP: Freeze your filled enrichment toys to give your pup a nice and cool treat!

✅ Take your pup swimming or to play in a creek!

✅ Play indoor games: Hide-n-seek (w/ people, toys, or treats), fetch (on carpeted surfaces only!), tug, puzzle toys, scentwork, etc.

✅Take your pup for ice cream🍦

✅ Bob for treats in a bowl of water or in a shallow kiddie pool.

✅ Training: Review old skills and tricks or teach new ones.

✅ Indoor Walks: Take your dog on a trip to a pet-friendly store.

✅ Create indoor obstacle courses using furniture and common household items.

Whether you’re chilling indoors or enjoying the sun with your pup, these activities are great ways to beat the heat *and* boredom. Stay safe, stay cool, and don’t forget to enjoy these sunny days! 🌞🐾

06/12/2025

05/15/2025

05/04/2025

Being that it’s National Self-Employed Day, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to reintroduce myself!

I’m Lauren, the owner of Tried and True Canines. I believe every dog can learn and work through big feelings in a gentle, positive way. I’m committed to ethical, safe training that honors each dog’s unique personality and needs—fostering trust, confidence, and a joyful bond between dogs and their humans.

I hold certifications through Karen Pryor Academy, as well as through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Additionally, I’m a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, as well as a professional member of the Alliance of Modern Pet Professionals of Pittsburgh.

My love for dogs started young—teaching my childhood dog tricks, volunteering at shelters, petsitting, and getting involved in dog sports like agility. I’ve always been drawn to learning everything I can about canine behavior and training.

After graduating high school, I enrolled in the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior, laying the foundation for my professional journey. In 2022, I officially launched my business and have since remained dedicated to ongoing growth—actively pursuing continuing education and exploring every opportunity to deepen my understanding and skills.

I owe much of my knowledge to my personal dogs, each of whom has brought their own unique challenges and pushed me to learn more so I can better support them.

Outside of training, I love hiking, photography, and crocheting, and am also an assistant coach for a local baton twirling troupe.

In the years to come, I look forward to supporting more dogs and families in need of help, while expanding my knowledge and my business.

Thanks for being here and supporting this journey—it truly means the world!

04/30/2025

About Rachel & UpSwing Total Pet Care

04/26/2025

Happy National Kids and Pets Day!

Today is a reminder of how magical the bond between kids and dogs can be when the relationship is built on trust and respect. 🫶 But it all starts with education! Teaching kids how to safely approach, interact with, and care for dogs not only keeps everyone safe, it helps grow lifelong relationships.

"My dog wouldn't hurt a fly! They're so patient with my child!"

Even the most gentle and patient dogs have their limits. While they may tolerate a lot, it’s important to remember they’re living beings with feelings—not stuffed animals or jungle gyms.

Things like hugging too tightly, climbing on them, pulling ears, or surprising them while they sleep can make dogs uncomfortable or stressed, even if they don’t show it right away.

Teaching kids to treat dogs with kindness, space, and respect helps to keep everyone safe, and strengthens the bond they share. When dogs feel safe and understood, they truly shine. ✨🐾

02/15/2025

For those who currently have, or will soon have a teenage dog (from roughly 6-18 months of age), this seminar is for you! Learn management strategies and skills for thriving as you and your pup go through this phase together.

AMPP is happy to announce our next seminar: "Thriving, Not Just Surviving, With Your Teenaged Dog!"
When: Monday 3/24-- 7-9pm
Where: 1924 Spring Garden Ave 15212 (SJC's small room to the Left of Dollar General)
What: A great training on working with adolescent dogs, including 2.5 CEUs available for CPDT
Registration & Cost: $25 (free for AMPP members), sign up at - https://www.pittsburghpetprofessionals.com/eventsandseminars

Please feel free to share widely, as this event is open to everyone: pet parents, dog trainers, veterinary professionals, dog sitters, etc.

02/12/2025

This lil puppers, Tilly, just signed up for puppy school to learn all the good dog things🎓 She’s already proving just how smart she is!

Feeling overwhelmed by your new puppy? We’re happy to help!

02/04/2025

Introducing the newest member of the Tried and True Canines crew!

Cashew has been with us since Sunday evening and is settling in great! He’s an 11-week-old Icelandic sheepdog and has seriously been such a good puppy so far (knock on wood)! Charlie is taking a while to warm up to him, which was to be expected, but Cashew and Everest are hitting it off well with close supervision and management.

I’m excited for what the future holds for this little guy! He will be doing dog sports of some sort, and if all goes according to plan, he will eventually take over the role as my primary helper dog with reactive dog clients.

Stay tuned for lots of educational (and cute!) puppy content!🐶