Sam's Train, Play and Stay

08/21/2025

We have immediate openings for our private lessons and group classes!

Classes begin next week, private lessons beginning next week. Text CLASS to (517) 652-3897

08/19/2025

Great news!

We have just a few spots remaining for our group classes beginning next week!

Tuesday puppy class -1 spot ($80-6 weeks)
Tuesday adult class-3 spots ($80-6 weeks)
Wednesday CGC prep class- 3 spots ($80-6 weeks)
Wednesday STAR puppy- 3 spots ($100- 8 weeks)
Thursday puppy class- 2 spots ($80-6 weeks)

To sign up please text us at (517) 652-3897 or email us at samstrainplayandstay @ gmail

Our group classes are held at 127 E Lansing Rd Potterville Mi

08/18/2025

Attention!

Due to scheduling conflicts we will be post poning our classes this week to next week. All attendees will still get their 6/8 week classes, we are just starting a week later than planned.

We look forward to seeing everyone next week!

08/17/2025

It's not about those full on reactions one after the other...they're easy to spot.
It’s not even about today’s trigger....it’s yesterday’s too.
Trigger stacking isn't as simple as "avoiding" the next stressor either.
It’s about recognising when your dog is already carrying a build up of stress from earlier events....sometimes from hours or even days before.

If we don't recognise trigger stacking, understand it and see the need for recovery between even small "events"....well, that's when everything can stall.

When you spot it.... you can step in sooner and give them the downtime they need to reset.

That’s how you stop reactions before they happen and make real progress.

08/16/2025

We still have a few openings for our group classes this week! Classes are $80 for a 6 week class or $100 for the 8 week star puppy classes.

Text class to (517) 652-3897 to schedule your dog!

08/16/2025

My entire heart and soul ❤️

I’m very aware the public doxxing and smear campaign has continued. Unfortunately I am not able to speak on anything further, until things have been resolved.

For those that don’t know me, truly, my name is Sam. I’m 27, almost 28. My whole life, my world has revolved around my animals. My dad has always said my heart is too big for this world. And now, my heart, identity, and livelihood are being persecuted in ways I’d never imagined.

I’m a rule follower, I’ve never been so much as pulled over. The things people are saying about me, are not true. What is true, is that my entire life is being turned upside down. The truth shall set you free, and I look forward to setting my truth free.

08/16/2025

They do hear you.
They may just not respond.
What looks like ignoring is often your dog prioritising what feels the most safe or important in that very moment.

They may be processing other information first... a sound, smell, or a movement that caught their attention.
They need time to process what it is they just experienced.
They might be uncertain about what you’re asking or lack enough practice/history with the cue in that situation.
Stress, excitement or even fear can override their ability to focus on you.

Sometimes it’s about what their brain decides matters most right now.

08/15/2025

My new private training client 😍

08/13/2025

https://youtu.be/1qT7m_H0MMA?si=WoP0BaOJZP4r8IzG

Titan is here for a two week board and train to work on his leash skills, stay and recall! Right now we are heavily reinforcing any and all attention he give...

08/13/2025

IMMEDIATE ATTENTION NEEDED:

It has come to our attention that we are being slandered across social media by FORMER clients. Below are copies of messages as well as my written assessment from 8/11/2025 on Baylor and his parents.

We will be seeking legal council against his family for this abhorrent accusations.

Baylor arrived at my facility on 8/1/2025 and left 8/11/2025. I requested they not return him here as they were too anxious having him away, not the other way around. BAYLORS MOTHER PROVIDED TREATS WITH A KNOWN ALLERGEN (WITHOUT TELLING ME THE TREATS HAD CHICKEN), THESE CAUSED THE HOTSPOTS. THE ONLY MISTREATMENT IS ON HER END WHERE SHE ADMITS TO GIVING HIM TREATS CONTAINING HIS ALLERGENS. TO ADD TO THIS, BAYLORS MOTHER HAD NO RECORDED PRIOR WEIGHT AND IS FALSLEY ACCUSING “WEIGHTLOSS” I WILL BE SUING THIS FAMILY FOR DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER.

EDIT TO ADD: I have had several people question why I did not take Baylor to the vet for his hotspots, in the contract signed by Emma, she explicitly states she does not want veterinary care to be given WITHOUT HER CONSENT. (I have included screenshots of this contact where it also states he has a chicken allergy). I did not at any point give Baylor any treats of my own. His mother provided treats and chews for his stay, and SHE is the one who poisoned him with the allergen and ADMITS TO IT in these screenshots. Emma scheduled a visit with Baylor days before the hotspots occurred, and she arrived Friday evening, assessed him, his hotspots and his training in the week I had him and SHE CHOSE TO LEAVE HIM IN MY CARE. SHE REMARKED HOW WELL HE WAS BEHAVING. It was not until Saturday that she asked about taking him to the vet (AND BRINGING HIM BACK AFTER) that I said I felt it was in HER best interest we do in home lessons as it was clear they struggled with doing a board and train program.

08/12/2025

Sunny wants to let everyone know that our next round of group classes are almost filled!

Our Thursday star puppy class is completely filled so we have opened up a Wednesday star puppy class.

Our puppy, adult and CGC classes are all 6 weeks long and are $80 total. The AKC star puppy is 8 weeks long and $100.

All class slots are first come first serve and must be paid in full upon booking to secure your spot. Class sizes are only 4 dogs max.

To book your dog please text CLASS or email us your interest.

(517) 652-3897
samstrainplayandstay @ gmail

08/12/2025

WHAT THE F? –
Stress responses in dogs

Fight or flight are well known reactions to fear or stress, but these other “F” words are also important to understand and be aware of as they may not always look obvious.

Freeze, Fawn, Fidget and Fool around are also responses to stress or fear and are also commonly seen in people.

Some dogs may have a genetic predisposition to one type of response while some react based on previous or a learnt experience - what has worked before or what hasn’t.

Some dogs will have different reactions depending on the specific context.

Recognising and taking note of situations or circumstances where these responses are seen is important to understand how our dogs are feeling.
Take note and be aware of what an individual dog’s signs of stress look like and try to avoid exposing them to situations where they feel stuck or trapped.

Try to give dogs as much appropriate choice as possible. Look at using positive reinforcement to help dogs form new, neutral or positive associations.

When we take the time to recognise a fear or a stress response, we are able to intervene and advocate for our dogs before the situation escalates or becomes a learnt pattern.