Doggy Dojo: Train, Play, Rescue

04/01/2026

We got invaded today!
By the Vinal Tech Veterinary Science Department 9th Grade crew.
Actually, they were welcomed into the Dojo by Sophie and Juda with open paws and love, lol.

This was their first visit to the Dojo, Sharon and I have visited their classrooms and working spaces at the High School but I finally got to get them out to The Dojo for some intro to Leash Ninja skills... and we all made sure that each and every student got to lead either Juda or Sophie over our scaling wall.

The Smiles and Fun were off the hook, even by Dojo standards.
We are sooooooo looking forward to repeating this lesson with the 10th graders and developing new lessons on things like Canine Body Language, Command Communication and especially helping them identify things like Canine Stress Patterns in their medical patients and even grooming clients.

We'll have more posts coming as our involvement with the program expands and some day we'll share the backstory of how all this came to be and most importantly, how YOU as a Dojo Member, local Rescue Advocate or just plain old Good Person can get involved and help these young folks persue an eventual profession in the pet world/Veterinarian Sciences.

03/30/2026

Sunday Funday at The Dojo for our Fireman's Club kiddo's.
Outside and in the sunshine and fresh air for the first time this year.

This is one of my favorite sides of The Dojo. It's not one that I get to advertise, celebrate or even brag and boast about as often as I'd like... but its one of the parts of The Dojo that brings me the most pride and satisfaction down deep in my soul.

These are our Dog Reactive kids.
Other dogs unsettle them, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the emotional root of the kids anxiety around other dogs is downright existential in nature, sometimes it's as simple as being the equivalent to a kindergarteners entitled little temper tantrum.
Most other trainers or facilities call this the Reactive Dog class. I refuse to let our kids accumulate labels or diagnoses. Sometimes people seem to take comfort in those labels and then limit their potential quality of life to inside the bounds and boundaries of those lables; they grow to live inside the snowglobe of the confines of their labels because its easier than growing beyond them.

Perhaps another day I'll explain the inside joke behind the name "Fireman's Club", for right now thats an IYKYK for the folks that are out here every weekend helping their kids unload their baggage.

I apologize for being a little hoarse in the narration. We had already done 4 Socials and 2 Distraction Classes that weekend.

02/16/2026

Alumni Check-In: Winter Edition.

It seems that my buddy Apollo is out there rockin' it in his new position as Big Brother. Long line/loose leash strolling next to the stroller.

Apollo is A Stone’s Throw Dog Rescue alumni as well as a Doggy Dojo Alumni.
We helped him and his Mom unpack some anxiety about humans, especially ones around his home. He's out there loving that Best Life these days.
Even though the picture itself may be Cooooold... it makes my heart warm. Lol.
🙃🙃😉😉

01/21/2026

I mean, Espresso and Puppies are two of MY favorite things.
☺️😉🙃🙃😉😉🙃🙃

Tala and I did some comedic decorating at The Dojo today in between some Frisbee Fetch/Train & Play.

**Hey, EveryBody and EveryDoggy, keep an eye out here on our FB page for SNOW UPDATES this weekend***

10/31/2025

Tala, Sharon and I wish everyone a Safe and Spooky Halloween!

Happy Halloween 🎃 🐾 👻

09/28/2025

From, "The Tala Diaries", 09.27.25
😂😂😂

She did Outatanding today helping me host the Puppy Parties and Socials.
The little girl is growing up.
I finally really, really understand all the posts from parents about "Make them stop growing up" and "Where did my baby go?".

She's not just growing... she's a little horse, for her breed.

She's teething, so tug toys are out for right now. This is a problem because tug isn't just play to her, it's an Art Form... it's... it's Spiritual to her.
Asking her to have a day without a game of tug is like asking Pavarotti not to sing, Muhammed Ali not to float like a butterfly or the Dalai Lama not to wage Peace.
We're trying to take the edge off with some agility and "Place", "Canine Meditation".

May The Universe favor me in my efforts, I may not return with my sanity or my digits intact.
😉😉😂😂🤯🤯

09/15/2025

I don't think I need to really explain why this little girl named Storm stole my heart tonight during her Evaluation.

🤣🤣😍😍😉😉

09/10/2025

"The world is only a scary place, IF ya let it scare ya".

Nearly everyone who has ever trained with me has heard me make the joke about "the forklift at Lowe's" and how to time your praise to positive mark so that environmental stimuli is well... Positive.

Tala and I are gonna be doing things in grander measure than most folks.
A forklift just wouldn't suffice. 😉🤣
Today's socialization and proofing included exposure to Uncle Jerry "Miyagi"... firing up his excavator... while giving us a sneak peak at what's going to become his training grounds.

Today was a Good Day.

08/26/2025

Summer Check-In: "Minnie & Tilly: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" Edition.

Some dogs you just look at them and you hear, "Bad to the Bone" in your head when they strut past you... Dobie's, German Shep's, Rottie's...

These two... I hear a Girl Power, Pop Princess anthem.
They're like if Taylor and Sabrina got together for a duo, if Brittany and Christina went on tour with the Spice Girls in '92!!!
Cuteness Overload, Smiles from Ear to Ear and a chorus of "Aaaaaawwwwwwww" follow these girls at all their Puppy Party and Social sware's whether they're at the Dojo or their Mom's are hanging out.

Thats right, while these kids just ooooze Sister Love they're not actually pack mates.
They're best pals that happened to meet at The Dojo.
Slumber Parties on the couch.
Selfie's.
Backyard Romps.
Their friendship isn't limited to The Dojo's weekend get togethers and is such a tremendous thing for me to see our Community extend beyond the Dojo's physical location.

Born within a few days of each other, they and their parents also both found their way into The Dojo within days of each other.
The Universe truly smiled on my Lil' Doggy Dojo Community when I got to meet and greet both these kids as 8 week old puppies in the same week.

Getting to observe and hover over their toddler and elementary phases of puppyhood simultaneously and in conjunction with the two families has been a brilliant experience for me as both a trainer and a human.

Love Ya' Ladies!!!

Here's to more of your ,

- Uncle Mike

08/15/2025

Alumni Check-In!!

Love those Alumni Check-In's.
I dont get to post everyone that comes across my phone, but they all make me smile.

Kyra's Mom, Shelley, and Sharon Harmony go back to childhood friends.
That makes her like an Officially Unofficial Niece in our world. She's also a Dojo Alumni so THAT makes her like a niece in our world too.

Her current hobbies include looking majestic while cruising around in the VW Beetle with Mom and laying low with paws in the sand at the beach.

Get out there and have some , just make sure to get us some pics too!

08/13/2025

I recently posted a pic of Tala's first day of "Work" at The Dojo, greeting friends and members for Social.

Well, if that was her first day of work, this is her first day of "School".

Just like I loving calling Judahs Dad Chris, "Sensei Chris", I often refer to my friend Jerry as "Mr. Miyagi".

Tala made the trip up to Germantown the other day to meet Uncle Miyagi.
😉😉🤩🤩🤪🤪