Mountainside Mutts

05/13/2026

There’s a misconception that humane dog training means permissive dog training.

It doesn’t.

I absolutely want dogs to learn manners, boundaries, and life skills. I just don’t believe fear, intimidation, or discomfort are necessary to get there.

What I love about modern training is watching dogs actively want to participate. They’re not shutting down. They’re thinking, trying, engaging, and learning.

For many dogs, training becomes one of the best parts of their day.

That doesn’t mean progress is instant. Real life with dogs can be messy, emotional, frustrating, and inconsistent at times. But building trust and communication creates something far more valuable than quick compliance.

My goal has never been robotic obedience.

It’s helping people live more peacefully and successfully with their dogs.

If you’re looking for support with a new puppy, adolescent chaos, real life manners, or behavior concerns, I currently have openings for private coaching and summer programs at Mountainside Mutts.
❤️🌟🐾 r

05/09/2026

Too many great photos! April photo dump. 🙏 ❤️🌟🐾

05/06/2026

𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗜 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿:

“My dog listens perfectly at home… but outside? Nothing.”

Before we label that as stubbornness (or assume something’s gone wrong), it’s worth looking at what’s actually happening from the dog’s perspective.
Outside is a completely different environment.
New smells. Movement. Sounds. Information everywhere.
Your dog isn’t ignoring you.
They’re doing exactly what dogs are designed to do — gathering information about the world through their nose and senses.
The missing piece for many dogs isn’t “obedience.”
It’s that we haven’t yet made ourselves relevant in those environments.
Attention outside isn’t something we demand.
It’s something we build — gradually, intentionally, and in a way that still allows the dog to be a dog.
That might mean:
* lowering expectations at first
* choosing better environments to start
* allowing time for sniffing and decompression
* and then teaching the dog how to come back to you

If your dog struggles to focus outside, you’re not alone — and it’s absolutely something that can be improved with the right approach.

I go into this in more detail in my latest Mutts & Manners column in The Mountain Times — including why your dog’s behavior might actually be more normal than you think.

If you’d like help building real-world focus (without shutting your dog down), that’s exactly what we work on in both group classes and private coaching. ❤️🌟🐾

05/05/2026

Coming up fast!

05/05/2026

Most puppy problems aren’t training problems—they’re management problems.

A little structure early on saves you a lot of stress later.

If your puppy is struggling to settle, having accidents, or chewing everything in sight… Puppy Start Right is for you.

Join us on Monday evenings for young pup socialization + skills. Email [email protected] for more information and to sign up.

05/02/2026

𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙜𝙨 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙨.

They don’t choose the environment.�They don’t assess risk.�They just assume we’ve got it handled.
That responsibility matters.
At Mountainside Mutts, safety and training go hand in hand—because they have to.
If you want support that prioritizes both, I’d love to help.

❤️🌟🐾

04/29/2026

Not every walk has to be with your dog directly at your side… and that’s OK!

Learning to walk politely on leash doesn’t come naturally to most dogs. Sniffing, exploring, and gathering information through scent is part of who they are. For many dogs, being clipped to a short leash and expected to move at a human pace with no opportunity to investigate the world isn’t especially enriching.
Of course, there are times when we need our dogs close, and walking nicely. Loose-leash skills matter. But walks can also be about your dog’s needs, not just ticking off a quick lap around the block before work. A “Sniffari” gives your dog time to sniff, explore, and decompress. If it’s safe to do so, a long line can be a wonderful tool – allowing more freedom while still keeping everyone secure. Long lines can also be surprisingly helpful for dogs who charge ahead with a nose glued to the ground, because they reduce tension and create better opportunities to teach engagement outdoors.
Balance is the goal: some moments of structure, some moments of freedom, and a walk that meets both your needs.
Keep an eye out for next week’s Mutts and Manners column in the Mountain Times, where we’ll tackle an all too common complaint: “my dog won’t pay attention to me outside.“ Our answer may surprise you. ❤️🌟🐾

04/21/2026

One dog walk…..multiple dogs……. they’ve got it figured out!😂 ❤️🌟🐾

04/12/2026

“I don’t have time to train my dog.”

This is something I hear more often than I’d like—and it’s what inspired my latest column for The Mountain Times.

I’ve had more than a few situations recently where a dog’s progress “wasn’t fast enough.” But here’s the reality: training isn’t a one-and-done fix. This isn’t a machine you program—it’s a living, learning being.

And honestly? One of the most remarkable things about dogs is that an entirely different species chooses to share their lives so closely with us.

That’s why I struggle with the idea that people “don’t have time” to train them. Because for me, training is the relationship. It’s how we communicate, build trust, and help them succeed in our world.

So here’s the question I keep coming back to: If you don’t have time to train your dog… do you have time to have a dog?
I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts.

Question: Your column is entertaining, but when I attended a dog-training class, my dog still wouldn’t come when called. If I take my car to a garage, I expect it to be fixed. Same with my dog. Can you guarantee that?