http://www.LoyalPawrenting.pet/

Loyal Pawrenting, Smyrna, GA (2025)

12/12/2025

🩷🐾 Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts 🐾🩷

Thank you to everyone who had Riley in their thoughts, sent messages, checked in, and held space for us during her procedure yesterday. We felt so supported and surrounded by love. Truly—thank you. 💛

Riley update: she’s home and recovering, and we’re doing our very best to keep her comfortable and cozy. Last night she enjoyed some smushed soft food, and this morning she happily ate all of her breakfast and took her medications like a champ. Seeing her appetite and spirit come through has been such a relief. 🥹💕

I also want to take a moment to give the biggest thank-you to ARKLE Veterinary Care exceptional team, and especially Dr. Rox. Remember when I mentioned that she always looks out for the whole wellbeing of her patients? Yesterday was a true testament to that.

Riley went in for what we thought would be a straightforward dental cleaning and mass removal. While she was under anesthesia, Dr. Rox discovered a periodontal pocket, which meant Riley needed closed root planing, a gingivectomy, and ultimately two tooth extractions.

All of this came as a shock to us—Riley never showed obvious signs of pain. She never stopped eating. She never stopped chewing her bully sticks. The only subtle change? She had stopped chewing Himalayan bones, and we assumed she’d just lost interest.

This is exactly why yearly dental cleanings matter so much. It had been two years since Riley’s last one, and we truly did not expect this level of dental disease to be happening quietly under the surface.

Dr. Rox called us, explained everything clearly, walked us through the options, and helped us decide what would most improve Riley’s quality of life. We had to choose whether to proceed with the mass removal or address the dental issues first—and her guidance made all the difference in making an informed, compassionate decision for Riley.

I am beyond grateful for this level of care, communication, and advocacy. 💛

Please take this as your gentle reminder: talk to your veterinarian about dental cleanings, and ask what frequency makes sense for your dog based on their age, breed, and history. Dental pain is often invisible—but it deeply affects wellbeing.

Thank you again for loving Riley alongside us. We’re taking recovery one cozy nap at a time. 🐾

12/10/2025

🩷🐾 A personal share from our little pack…

Today, my husband Dan and I are doing all the things you do the day before your pup goes under anesthesia—tidying the house, prepping her space, and quietly navigating those pre-surgery nerves. Tomorrow, our sweet Riley, our 12-year-old true mutt and heart dog, goes in for her annual dental cleaning and to have a bothersome fatty mass (lipoma) removed from her side.

✨ Why a yearly dental cleaning matters:
As our dogs age, dental health becomes huge in supporting their overall wellness. Plaque and tartar can lead to gum disease, chronic pain, difficulty eating, and even impact the heart, liver, and kidneys. A professional under-anesthesia cleaning is the only way to get beneath the gumline—where the real problems hide—and it’s one of the most compassionate ways we can maintain quality of life for our senior pups. 🦷💗

Riley has had this lipoma for years, but it's grown to a point where it’s causing discomfort with her harness and keeping her from doing one of her favorite little rituals: rubbing her sides along the couch like the happy wiggle-pup she is. So while tomorrow is “routine” in the medical sense… my heart still feels tender.

And honestly? I cannot imagine trusting anyone other than Dr. Rox at ARKLE Veterinary Care with her care. Dr. Rox has always made the right call with compassion and clarity, and the capable team she’s assembled is nothing short of exceptional. Having a medical team you trust—truly trust—is a gift I don’t take lightly.

Today, I’m feeling grateful. Grateful for the love of a good dog. Grateful for excellent veterinary care. Grateful that even with the nerves, there is peace… because I know Riley is in the best possible hands. 💞🐶

If you could send a little good energy her way, our family would appreciate it. 🩷

— Fina, Dan & Riley

12/08/2025

🦴 of the Week 👶🐶
Babies grow, dogs age, adjust at every stage.
This Family Paws LLC Dog behavior consulting services phrase is one of my favorites because it reminds us that relationships are dynamic, not static.
Your dog’s needs, comfort levels, and preferences will shift over time, just like your child’s. What works today might not tomorrow, and that’s okay.
🐾 A senior dog may need more rest.
👶 A crawling baby brings new movement and sounds.
🔄 Adjustments aren’t setbacks—they’re part of growing together.
Make space for those changes with curiosity and compassion. The more we observe, listen, and adapt, the stronger and safer the bond becomes for everyone. ❤️
✨ Expecting a baby or raising little ones alongside your dog? I’d love to help you build a plan that works for your unique family. Send me a message to learn how together, we can support your dog—and your child—at every stage.

12/05/2025

✨

Here’s a little peek behind the scenes from earlier this year — the day my family helped me transform what used to be our guest room into my virtual training classroom! 💻🐾

That’s my dad, smiling while mounting the TV so I could see my learners better during virtual sessions, while Coco calmly supervised from her brand-new KLIMB platform. Meanwhile, my grandma kept everyone company (and cozy 🥹). We had already built the Murphy bed to make the space more versatile, and I couldn’t have done it without their love and encouragement.

Having a dedicated space to demo with Coco allows me to use modeling—a powerful principle in Social Learning Theory—so foster parents and clients can see the behavior in action before trying it with their own pups. Watching a skill first helps build clarity, confidence, and smoother learning for both ends of the leash. 🐶

12/02/2025

December 2 — National Mutt Day

Today we celebrate mixed-breed dogs — unique, loving, and full of personality.

This day reminds us to appreciate the wonderful diversity of mutts and to recognize how many of them are still waiting in shelters for a chance at a better life.

Mixed-breed dogs may not come with a pedigree, but they offer endless love, loyalty, and charm. If you’ve been thinking about adopting, today is the perfect reminder to visit your local shelter and meet the incredible dogs hoping for a forever home.

Each one has something special to offer, and all of them deserve a chance. 🐾💛

11/28/2025

Happy Black Fur-day! 🐾🖤

The best deal you’ll ever get isn’t on a website — it’s the unconditional love your dog gives you every single day. 🐶💛

But if you are shopping this Black Friday, make sure your cart is filled with things that truly benefit your furry friend:

✔️ Orthopedic beds for better rest

✔️ Enrichment toys like snuffle mats or stuffable chew toys

✔️ A safe, well-fitted harness

✔️ Healthy treats made with simple ingredients

And remember: always check product quality and materials — and never buy pets impulsively. Adoption is the real “best deal” of all. 🏡🐾

11/28/2025

🌟🐾 🐾🌟

Throwback to early 2024 when I submitted this video as part of my process assessment at the Victoria Stilwell Dog Training Academy! The assignment was to demonstrate teaching a behavior using luring (instead of capturing or shaping).

✨ Quick trainer tip: Luring is when you use a treat to guide your dog into performing a behavior — kind of like leading them with a “sniffy magnet” — instead of waiting for them to offer it on their own (capturing) or building it step by step (shaping).

In this clip, I first lured Coco under a chair with a treat. Once she understood the movement, I faded out the food and used just my hand. When she could perform the behavior reliably, I added a verbal cue and eventually used only my voice. From there, I proofed the behavior — teaching Coco to discriminate between different cues and perform only the one I asked for. 🙌🐶

Looking back now, I can see my timing was a bit sloppy. You’ll notice Coco shakes a few times — a clear sign my instructions weren’t as specific as they should’ve been, which caused some confusion. If I were training this today, I’d do it differently: cleaner timing, clearer criteria, and with less stress for Coco.

But that’s the beauty of growth. 💡 This video is a snapshot of my journey as a student trainer — imperfect, full of learning, and a stepping stone toward the trainer I’ve become. I’m proud of this little milestone with Coco and grateful for the foundation VSA gave me. ❤️

🐾 What’s one thing you’ve learned about your pup’s training journey that you’d do differently now? Share below — let’s celebrate growth together!

11/27/2025

Thanksgiving Pet Safety 🦃🐶

Thanksgiving is full of delicious food — but not everything on the table is safe for our pets.
Keep your dog healthy and happy by avoiding dangerous foods like turkey bones, skin, gravy, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, and anything heavily seasoned or fatty.
If you want to share the celebration, offer safe options like plain turkey (without bones or skin), pumpkin, carrots, or green beans.

A little caution goes a long way — let’s make this Thanksgiving joyful and safe for our furry family members. 💛🐾

11/24/2025

🦴 of the Week 🚫🐶
Not every dog enjoys hugs, kisses, or being pet by surprise—and that’s okay.
Your dog should always have the option to say “no thanks” to interactions they don’t like.
💬 Turning away?
🐾 Ducking your hand?
👀 Giving the side-eye or lip licking?

Those are your pup’s unsubscribe buttons. Respecting them builds trust and helps your dog feel safe in your care. 💖
Boundaries aren’t a rejection—they’re a request for understanding. 🐾

👇 Spanish Translation can be found in the comments ❤️

11/21/2025

✨🐾 What if caring for your dog went beyond full bowls, fun walks, and cozy snuggles?
What if you could shape a life where your dog feels safe, understood, and genuinely joyful… every single day?

My latest blog post explores a powerful, science-backed approach to animal welfare that helps you see your dog’s world through their eyes—so they don’t just survive, they truly thrive. 🌿💛

If you’ve ever wondered:
-“How can I make life even better for my dog?”
- “Am I supporting their whole well-being, not just their needs?”
- “What does thriving actually look like for a dog?”
…this one’s for you, Pawrent. 🐕💚

Fetch the post here:
🔗 loyalpawrenting.pet/the-five-domains-of-animal-welfare-enhancing-your-dogs-quality-of-life/

Because being a Loyal Pawrent isn’t about perfection…
It’s about listening, learning, and loving our dogs as the sentient beings they are. 🐾✨

👇 Spanish Translation can be found in the comments ❤️

11/17/2025

This week, I want to shine a light on someone who’s had a massive impact on how I think, learn, and connect with others in the dog behavior world: Kim Brophey, applied ethologist and founder of Family Dog Mediation®. 💛

One of the things I admire most about Kim is her constant reminder to “leave your ego at the door.” In a field that can sometimes feel competitive or guarded, Kim has built a welcoming community where trainers and behavior professionals can show up authentically, ask questions without fear, and share ideas with openness and curiosity.

Thanks to her and the L.E.G.S. model, I’ve learned to stop looking at behavior in a vacuum. I now see the whole dog—their learning, environment, genetics, and self—and that shift has made all the difference in how I support families, especially in the sheltering space.

Meeting Kim in person at the 2025 L.E.G.S. in Motion Conference was such a full-circle moment. Her warmth, brilliance, and generosity only deepened my respect for the work she’s done—and the movement she’s sparked. ✨

Thank you, Kim, for showing us what true leadership and community look like. You are a true . 🐾

Interested in enrolling in the L.E.G.S. course? Learn more here: https://kimbropheylegscourses.thinkific.com/pages/pro-landing-page

👇 Spanish translation in the comments ❤️

11/14/2025

✨🐾 🐾✨

Throwback to 2022 when Coco got a case of the zoomies during her backyard agility class! 💨 She spotted her sister Riley and just had to invite her to play.

With a 6-year age gap, Riley usually plays the role of the “chill big sis,” getting played at rather than jumping in. But this time, Coco’s persistence paid off—Riley actually responded and joined the fun for a sweet sister moment. 🐶💖🐶

It doesn’t happen often, which makes it extra special when it does. Moments like these remind me how unique every dog-to-dog relationship can be.

👉 Does your pup have a sibling (or bestie) who they sometimes convince to play? Share your story below—I’d love to hear it! 🐾💬

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