Fur and Feather Works

09/05/2026

Our trainer Melony loooves to talk about dogs, dog behavior, dogs, dog training, and also dogs. If you have a question about dogs, please ask it because she's been waiting for this moment her whole life. 😆

09/02/2026

If walks with your dog feel super stressful, you're definitely not alone. ❤️

Barking and lunging at the end of the leash can be incredibly frustrating—and it it's very hard to know what to do in the moment!

Reactive Rehab is designed to give you and your dog practical skills for navigating those situations, while building calmer responses, better focus, and more confidence and calm around other dogs.

Because you deserve to enjoy your walks… and so does your dog. 🐾

🐕 Reactive Rehab class details:
📅 Starts October 3
⏰ Saturdays at 4 PM
🗣️ Comment "LevelUp" to apply!

Let's turn barking into breakthroughs and embarrassment into enjoyment. 💪🐶

08/31/2026

Every Monday morning, a group of lovely humans and dogs get together to take a trainer-guided walk in one of Reno's many beautiful parks. We call it The Walkabout Club. It's great for dogs who need outings, and humans who want connection. And every once in a while, a spot opens in the Club!

Dogs walking nicely. Humans chatting happily. Everyone feeling supported. 🐾
Group walks that balance dog manners, safe socialization, and human connection.

No pressure. No dog park chaos. Just good walks with good company.

We have one spot available! Check out the first comment for more info.

08/30/2026

Not all "exercise" is created equal!

If you want a calm dog, you might want to think twice about trying to “wear your dog out” with a game of fetch or a wild play session first. Clients do this all the time before class, and while they're on the right track, sometimes it backfires.

Exciting games can can be GREAT for dogs in moderation! But keep in mind that they also get their adrenaline going—which can mean you end up with an "exercised" dog whose brain is still going 100 mph.

That's where a Sniffari can be a really useful tool.

What's a Sniffari? it's really simple:
1. Put your dog on a harness and long line.
2. Drive somewhere where there aren't a lot of other people and dogs and there's some room to roam (BLM land and quiet parks are great options)
3. Follow your dog. Give them some time to explore, sniff, investigate, and choose where to go. Let them use their nose, make their own choices, and take in the world without asking them to perform.

It's a wonderful way to provide mental enrichment and tire them out without necessarily adding a bunch of arousal.

Presto! You've got a dog who's had a chance to decompress and get the wiggles out ... and the brain is still ready to go.

Does your dog enjoy Sniffaris? Tell us in the comments!

08/29/2026

08/24/2026

Puppy Kindergarten class is on Thursday evenings or Saturdays at 12:30pm. Aside from being your weekly dose of serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, the early socialization and problem intervention is also the best thing you can do for your new best friend. 🐾❤️

08/23/2026

Congratulations to our latest Walkabout class graduates! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to our learners!

08/20/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about handling puppies for grooming is that they need to "get used to it."

So people sometimes hold paws, poke ears, manipulate legs, restrain puppies, or keep touching them while the puppy is desperately struggling.

That's not really teaching a puppy to be comfortable with handling. It's teaching them that they don't have a choice, and that handling is no fun at all. Some dogs will acclimate - learn to sort of "give up" and tolerate it. And some will escalate to screaming and biting.

Instead, the better way is to build a positive emotional association with being handled.

Start with an amount of handling your puppy is genuinely comfortable with. Pair it with something they love. Then, gradually and thoughtfully, increase the intensity, duration, or sensitivity of the handling while continuing to make sure they're comfortable.

Touch → treat.
Touch → treat.
Touch → treat.

Over time, the puppy learns:

"When people handle me, good things happen."

That's a very different lesson from "I have to put up with this."

And that difference can matter a whole lot when your puppy eventually needs a nail trim, ear cleaning, grooming appointment, veterinary exam, or emergency care. 💛🐾

Thanks to Cody the corgi, Rose the pit bull, Benson the mini dachshund, and Neelix the border terrier for demontrating for us in Puppy Kindergarten class!

08/19/2026

🎄 The holidays are coming up fast!. Is your dog ready for company?

Before the relatives arrive, the doorbell starts ringing, and your house becomes a busy, noisy hub of activity… let's work on those guest-greeting manners. 😉

Company's Coming is a 3-week class for friendly, enthusiastic dogs who need a little help remembering that not every visitor is a reason to lose their minds.

We'll work on calm doorbell responses, going to place, polite greetings, and settling while guests are visiting.

Because holiday hosting is stressful enough without your dog adding a little ✨chaos✨ to the festivities.

📅 Starts Monday, September 14 at 6:15 PM
🐾 Fur & Feather Works

Give yourself—and your holiday guests—the gift of a dog who knows how to behave when company comes calling.

Comment "LevelUp" to grab your spot!