Bright Mind Canine

09/23/2025

Violet is a scent work dog who also comes to my house every Field Trip Tuesday from daycare at Barks & Recreation. This is her doing a little scent work practice with me last week.

It was HOT that day so the overhead fans were on which created lots of airflow and pushed the odor all over the room. However, Violet’s skilled nose was able to figure it out and she was able to show me right where source was! Way to go V! 💕

09/22/2025

Daisy is learning that paying attention and looking at her mom is a really great thing to do.

If you have a hard time getting your dog to listen and focus on you outside of your home or in busy public places, you need to build your dog’s engagement with you. Ping Pong can help with this!

Place or roll a treat on the ground to one side and let your dog eat it. Wait for them to voluntarily look up at you, mark the moment (say “YES!”), and then place or roll a treat to the other side and repeat.

Ping Pong is just one of the engagement-building games we cover in Manners 101 class. These games help our dogs learn that it’s rewarding to focus and check in with us. They increase our value and connection to our dogs and make it easier to get their attention and have them listen when we need them to.

09/22/2025

Learning about dog body language is the one thing I wish every dog owner would do :)

One of the most important things we can do when living with dogs is to make sure we educate ourselves in how dogs communicate. This means learning about canine body language.

As primarily verbal communicators, we pay less attention to body language than dogs do. For them communication is through scent (a world that we do not have the ability to experience as they do) and through body language signs and signals.

These signals can be incredibly subtle but, with education and practice observing them, we can learn to see what our dogs are telling us and others around them.

This will help us to see how the dog is feeling about the situation that they are in, and to judge what they need in that moment to help them feel safe and secure.

Learn to listen to your dogs in the way most important to them and your relationship and bond will go from strength to strength.

09/21/2025

Learning how to settle down and relax is an important skill to learn, especially if you ever want to take your dog out in public to places like patio restaurants and breweries.

Just like people, relaxing can be HARD for some dogs. The good news is that it’s a SKILL that can be practiced and improved!

Check out these manners students working on Really Real Relaxation by Suzanne Clothier. 😎

09/19/2025

Dress up your pup for a chance to win an awesome prize from me and Ashely from Barks & Recreation! We’ll be at Shamrock Park in Tyrone on Halloween from 3-5pm! 👻🎃🐶

Better start planning your costumes!

09/17/2025

Heard of scent work but wondering what it actually is? Did you know it’s for EVERY DOG and has countless benefits? Did you know that you can do it just for fun or for competition?

Want to learn more?

My friend and amazing scent work instructor Hannah from Pawsitive Futures is offering a webinar for anyone interested in scent work. It’s TOMORROW and only $40. You’ll be able to access the webinar for 30 days after it’s over.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BMMsB3fso/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Looking for a meaningful, low-stress activity that your dog will love—no matter their age, energy level, or environment?

Join our webinar to discover how scent work can become your dog’s new favorite activity! Whether you have a curious puppy, a reactive adult dog, or a senior with mobility issues, nose work offers mental enrichment, focus, and fun in a way that meets your dog where they are.

Perfect for:
✔️ High-energy pups who need a job
✔️ Apartment living with limited space
✔️ Reactive or anxious dogs needing calm focus
✔️ Older dogs who still crave enrichment
✔️ Any dog who loves to sniff (aka all of them)

We'll walk you through:
🐾 What scent work is and how it benefits your dog
🐾 How to get started at home—no fancy setup needed
🐾 Supplies, training tips, and building your dog’s confidence
🐾 How to grow into competitions (if you want to!)

This is the sport that celebrates your dog’s natural instincts—no experience needed, just a nose and a little curiosity.

Give your dog the gift of purpose, fun, and mental stimulation—one sniff at a time.

📅 09/18/2025 | ⏰ 7:30PM EST | 💻 $40, Live Online Presentation, Recording

https://www.pawsitivefutures.com/webinars

Register now! Limited spots available.

Sign up today! https://www.pawsitivefutures.com/webinars

09/15/2025

CONGRATS to these teams who competed at the Atlanta Obedience Club AKC Scent Work Trial at Coolray Field on Saturday! Their goals were to have FUN with their dogs and enjoy the entire day and trial experience together.

They achieved these, PLUS performed awesome searches! 🤩

This was Team Kinna’s first scent work trial and they Qualified in all 3 of their searches- interior, exterior and container! They got two 3rd places in both interior and container out of 13 teams. Way to go guys!

Team May got 2/3 Q’s in interior and container. They placed 2nd and 3rd in those searches out of 13 dogs! This was their 2nd AKC Scent Work trial but they searched like old pros!

Last but not least, it was Bright Mind Canine’s best dog employee, Helix (my dog’s) first scent work trial and he got 2/3 Novice Q’s (interior & exterior). He had SO much fun sniffing, making friends and hanging with some of his most favorite dogs and humans out there.

Awesome job teams!! 🥳👏

09/14/2025

Reactive dogs aren’t being ‘dominant’ and don’t need to develop a ‘follower mindset’.
They’re usually anxious, frustrated, or sometimes not feeling well. Reactivity is an emotional response, not a power struggle. 💔

09/13/2025

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09/10/2025

📣 GREAT NEWS!!! We pushed back Manners 101 class so it’s not too late to sign up!! It starts THIS SUNDAY in Tyrone!!

Does your dog pull like a freight train on walks or jump all over your guests? Do they blow you off when you call them or try to steal food off your plate?

Whether your dog is a total beginner or just needs to brush up on some behaviors, you and your pup will build a stronger bond while learning together in a FUN and engaging way!

This course will be taught by certified professional dog trainer Brianne Boyd, CPDT-KA using positive reinforcement training methods!!

Skills covered in this class include:
-loose leash walking (not pulling)
-building focus
-coming when called
-polite greetings of people
-learning how to relax around other dogs and people
-sit/down & stay and more!

⚠️ CLASS DETAILS & REGISTRATION:
- For dogs 6 months and older. All dogs must be up-to-date on their vaccines to attend. Proof of vaccines will be due before the start of class
- Class is held indoors and limited to 5 spots
- Cost is $200 for 6 weeks. Each class is 1 hr, once a week
- Contact Bright Mind Canine to reserve your spot today! [email protected] 404-595-4216

09/10/2025

My morning lesson was filled with cuteness 🥰