Pathfinder Dog Training and Mobile Vet Tech Service

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This is what impulse control looks like and what Predation Substitute Training will do for you (thanks Simone Müller!). ...
06/03/2026

This is what impulse control looks like and what Predation Substitute Training will do for you (thanks Simone Müller!). Small mammals are a gateway drug to bigger animals for dogs. It's not ok for them to chase ground squirrels because you think they're varmints and then try to expect your dog to rein in their prey drive with cats, smaller dogs, skunks, deer, elk, bear etc. ALL wildlife should be off limits!

I am always very cognizant that the forest and wilderness belongs to the wildlife that make it their home and try to create as little stress as possible when we enter and trespass. This time of year birds are nesting, many on the ground, wildlife have young and even if your dog kills "just a squirrel", it may be leaving a nest full of youngsters to slowly starve to death or die of exposure. How horrible.

If you can't control your dog, keep them leashed until they can be trusted off leash. Building control and respect for wildlife takes time and hard work but it can be done. Being off-leash doesn't mean your dog gets to terrorize wildlife!

You'll notice Bounder is loose and only looking - the number one rule - look but do NOT chase or touch. Right after I took this the chipmunk made his little chippy sounds, zipped around the trunk and took off. We carried on our way happy and calmly with no harm done!

Good boy, Bounder!!

Please be a good wildlife advocate and don't let your dog roam or chase. If they're predatory and youneed help teaching this Bounder's self control? I happen to know who can help 😉

I think one of the biggest issues I tackle regularly in my work with dogs and their owners is expectation versus hope/re...
05/31/2026

I think one of the biggest issues I tackle regularly in my work with dogs and their owners is expectation versus hope/reality.

This is such a huge trap that we often fall into with our dogs. Whether we rescue or get puppies/dogs from a reputable breeder, most of us envision a future of one sort or another with that dog. Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try to choose the perfect dog for us or how we try to not get our hopes up for expectations we may have, we often run into a dog that does not necessarily fit the mold we had hoped they would.

This is why I emphasize relationship-based training in everything that I teach. While training (nurture) can mold a dog into what we hope it can be, what is written in the DNA (nature) underscores all of that and will limit how much we can influence what and who our dogs become.

Making sure you do your research before getting a dog and choosing one that fits your lifestyle and activity level is a solid place to start. After that, really getting to know your dog and learning who they are, what their strengths and weaknesses are, what motivates them, what they love and what they hate, and how they think and learn should show you what your dog can and wants to do.

Rather than make a dog fit your goals or some idealistic image you've dreamed of, get to know what they're good at and what they love. Give them choices and a range of activities and let them be empowered by being able to choose what brings them the most enjoyment - and then share that with them.

The more you are part of your dog's every day life sharing activities together, the stronger the bond between you will become. Letting them be their own unique selves and not hammering away trying to fit a square peg into a round hole will go a long way to leading an amazing life with a dedicated and loyal companion.

If you aren't sure where to start, reach out, I can help! I offer a wide range and variety of classes that can help you bond and connect with your dog, learn about things they love, and help you partner together working at the same task. It comes down to the simple premise of it being all about the relationship!

Photo: Spring, Bounder, Zest and Sweep on the rainbow bridge at Yellowstone Dog Sports earlier this spring

Hooray! Two agility classes graduated last night. Both were fun classes with really great teams. Everyone celebrated lit...
05/27/2026

Hooray! Two agility classes graduated last night. Both were fun classes with really great teams. Everyone celebrated little successes and cheered each other on. That kind of positive energy really helped the dogs feel like the super stars that they are!

One of the best parts of my job is sharing the awe and amazement I have for how brilliant dogs are with other like-minded people. Please congratulate the latest☹️ Pathfinder graduates!!

Well done everyone! You rocked it! 💐🎉🥳

Yay! Two more graduations today!These were the last two late winter/early spring group of classes to graduate.Summer agi...
05/16/2026

Yay! Two more graduations today!

These were the last two late winter/early spring group of classes to graduate.

Summer agility classes are up and running as are Canine ABCs. More classes will be offered over the next few weeks.

Today the latest Intro to Agility and Can I Have It? Impulse Control groups finished up. Both classes had wonderful teams who already had great connection and relationships with their dogs. So much fun to work with all of these amazing dogs and their savvy owners!

Please congratulate the latest Pathfinder Graduates! 🎉💐🐾🥳

Hooray! Two more graduating classes of fabulous people and their stellar dogs!This morning Intro to Nosework and Come He...
05/12/2026

Hooray! Two more graduating classes of fabulous people and their stellar dogs!

This morning Intro to Nosework and Come Here, Please! Recall graduated. I've thoroughly enjoyed working with all these pups and their lovely owners.

Congrats to all!!! 🎉💐🔥

All levels of agility classes resumed for the season this week!!Lots of great teams, happy dogs, and lots of laughs.Come...
05/08/2026

All levels of agility classes resumed for the season this week!!

Lots of great teams, happy dogs, and lots of laughs.

Come join the fun!

For an amazing snuffle mat, use a chemical free, lush lawn!Snuffle mats are small mats full of thick pile material, that...
05/06/2026

For an amazing snuffle mat, use a chemical free, lush lawn!

Snuffle mats are small mats full of thick pile material, that you can hide food in so the dogs can sniff and root through the material to find the hidden treats. They can provide some good entertainment as well as getting them to sniff, which is not only a calming signal for dogs but is also incredibly enriching as dogs 'see' their world through their nose.

Tossing treats out into the lawn can do exactly the same thing as a snuffle mat, but on a much larger scale. Sniffing and searching can also satisfy prey drive, as they search and root around capturing and killing the treats that are thrown out there. Have them sniff for treats and leave the Wildlife alone!

If your dogs are bored, if you're in the yard working and want to give them something to do, or just to give them something entertaining to do for a few minutes, take a handful of kibble or solid dog treats and scatter them out into the grass.

If they are brand new at the game use a smaller area and go help them if need be. My dogs love this group hunting exercise and get really excited whenever I come out with a little bowl full of treats!

Please note - I would not recommend doing this if you use w**d and feed on your grass. The w**d killing component of that product, 2,4-D has been shown to be a known carcinogenic in dogs.

Otherwise give it a try and happy sniffing to the dogs!!! 💜🐾🐽

The second Canine ABC class of 2026 graduated this afternoon! Hooray! I saw a lot of progress in all of the dogs and eve...
05/05/2026

The second Canine ABC class of 2026 graduated this afternoon! Hooray! I saw a lot of progress in all of the dogs and everyone worked hard the last 7 weeks. Unfortunately a few had to miss graduation, but the rest of us had fun showing off new tricks and playing some fun games.

Please give a big hand to the latest Pathfinder graduates! Congratulations to all!🥳🎊👏🎉

Judy and Reba, Michelle and Danner, Harry, Linda and Max, Yvonne, Ken and Bernie!

Missing - Genie and Charlie, Michelle and Chance and Cheryl and Cove.

What a great day!!I was lucky to start my morning at Lake Como, as I was invited by the Rooted and Wild Spring Retreat t...
05/03/2026

What a great day!!

I was lucky to start my morning at Lake Como, as I was invited by the Rooted and Wild Spring Retreat to give a shortened version of my Yappy Trails - Hiking with your Dog class. It was a lovely group with some great questions, and I could not have asked for more beautiful place to start my morning. I could have stayed and chatted far longer!

I snuck into Como a little bit early this morning so that I had a chance to walk my dogs through the forest before going to work. They were thrilled and it was such a perfect day, it felt great getting a short hike in before teaching all day.

After, I raced home to teach my Can I Have It? Impulse Control class and really enjoyed watching a group of very savvy dog owners work through the beginning steps of impulse control with their dogs. Everyone did an amazing job, the dogs worked super hard, and straggled home quite tired!

Lastly, I graduated my first Canine ABC class of the 2026 season! This was a really great group! Two of the puppies earned their AKC STAR puppy titles by taking this class - Yay!! We ended class by playing some fun, silly games and sharing some good laughs.

Please help me in congratulating the latest group of Pathfinder Canine ABC Graduates! There's another ABC crew graduating on Monday and a brand new class that started last weekend. The best part of my job is meeting so many amazing people and getting to work with so many incredible dogs! Lucky me!

Thanks to all my amazing clients for their trust in me and for choosing Pathfinder to learn how to teach their dogs and build lifelong relationships with them!

05/01/2026

Ready for another hiking tip?

When I encounter other trail users - hikers, mountain bikers, Horses Etc I always pull my dogs off the trail and have them wait.

I do this for multiple reasons:
Hikers should yield the trail to other users and dogs can be problematic for horses especially.
It is always easier for me to hold my dogs in a stay than it is to walk by something with them in motion (an old physics rule - an object in motion stays in motion!)
Most dogs are not interested in interacting with dogs outside their family units, so moving off the trail not only keeps my dogs safe from others, but allows other dogs to pass by mine safely. Pulling off and giving dogs space can greatly decrease conflict.
Some people are scared of dogs and don't appreciate encountering loose dogs while they're out on the trail.
In general, moving your dogs off the trail and waiting is polite and respectful.

So, how do I teach this? Anytime somebody approaches us, I use the cue Over. I start by luring and guiding the dogs off the trail, asking them to sit, and then give them treats while we patiently wait. I then release them back on the trail to carry on our way. If you make the release from the stay very fun and energetic, the dogs begin to anticipate the behavior before the release and do it even better. Meaning, that they will stay better and with more enthusiasm knowing that they are soon to be released.

As the weather improves more and more and people take to the trails, following tips like this can make hiking so much more pleasurable for everyone!

Happy Trails! 🐾

Address

Stevensville, MT
59870

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

(406) 370-6454

Website

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