Suwanee Dog Mom

06/20/2025

Update : Sugar Hill Animal Hospital has come through yet again and will be taking the kitten into their kitten program. If anyone wants to make a donation to her care please contact them. There is another stuck in the sewer drain that we are trying to get out as well.

Yes, that was me outside at midnight, in pajamas, chasing a sewer kitten.

At 11:30 last night, Ethan came running in:
“Mom! There’s a woman in the yard with a flashlight walking around your car!”

Half-asleep, I mumbled, “It’s probably Amazon — they sneak around like it’s a spy mission.”
But he wouldn’t let it go, so I checked the cameras… and sure enough, two women crouched next to my car.

I grabbed Ranger and started to head out — because I like to fully commit to being the horror movie character who dies first.

Then I realized it was our neighbor from a few houses down and her mom (her daughter used to babysit my kids), so I left Ranger inside — because thankfully, it was someone he likes.

So there I was: outside with both neighbors, my two boys, and one of Ethan’s friends — flashlight searching around my car.

The kitten we’d all been hearing crying from the sewer for days had finally crawled out… and into my engine.

We’d already tried to catch her — food, coaxing, the works — but she wasn’t having it. Last night though, after 45 minutes of crawling and chaos, we finally got her. About 4–5 weeks old, scared but so sweet.

One of the neighbors took her in for the night, but we need a rescue, foster, or home.

And yes, I was in my pajamas running around the yard. Let’s not act like this surprises anyone.

06/19/2025

Look who’s turnied TWO! 🎈 Sweet Bellini is all grown up and still just as golden as ever. I love getting pupdates from past clients—especially when they’re this adorable. Happy Birthday, Bellini! 🐾💛

06/17/2025

7 Dog Training Myths—DEBUNKED

Let’s clear up some of the most common dog training myths I hear all the time. Misinformation can really set back progress—so let’s set the record straight:

1. “A wagging tail means a happy dog.”
Not always! A wagging tail simply means the dog is aroused. It could be excitement, fear—or even a warning. Look at the tail height, speed, and stiffness to really understand what your dog is saying.

2. “My dog knows they did something wrong.”
That “guilty look” is actually appeasement. Dogs react to our tone and body language, not guilt over their actions.

3. “You have to be the alpha.”
Nope. Dominance-based training is outdated. Your dog doesn’t need a dominant pack leader—they need a calm, consistent teacher they trust. Yes they need a leader, but not out of fear.

4. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
Yes, you can. Senior dogs are perfectly capable of learning—you might just need more patience and some thoughtful adjustments.

5. “If you use treats, your dog will only listen when you have food.”
Treats are tools, not bribes. When used correctly, they help build solid behavior. Once your dog understands the task, food fades out.

6. “My dog is being stubborn.”
Most of the time, a “stubborn” dog is confused, stressed, or hasn’t been shown what you want clearly enough.

7. “Crate training is cruel.”
When done right, a crate is a safe, cozy spot—like a bedroom, not a punishment.

06/12/2025

Scheduling Update

I am currently booked through the last week of July! Between welcoming new clients who are just starting and maintaining spots for my current clients, my schedule is full until then.

If you’re looking to start, I’d be happy to add you to my waitlist or help find a time later this summer. Thank you so much for your continued support — I’m grateful to work with each of you!

06/09/2025

Look at him !!! He looks so good. Thank you to these amazing fosters and organizations. This is a whole different dog than the one I met when he first got dumped off. He’s currently looking for his forever home.

06/02/2025

It’s that time of year again the weather is warming up and it’s time for my annual beware of the heat post. I have attached also some diagrams.

🔥 Heatstroke in dogs can happen faster than you think. Watch for signs like rapid panting, bright red tongue, vomiting, weakness, and thick saliva.

🚨 If you notice any of these, move them to a cool area, apply cool (not icy) water, offer small sips of water, and get to a vet immediately.

🌡️ And don’t forget about their paws! Asphalt can reach up to 143° even when the air temp is only in the 80s. If it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for theirs.

05/27/2025

Training Smart: Why We Use Treats — and How We Avoid Food Dependency

Treats are a powerful part of dog training — but they’re a tool, not a crutch. Here’s how we use them with purpose, not dependence.

Treat Strategy

We tailor our rewards based on the difficulty of the task and the dog’s emotional state:

• For simple behaviors in low-distraction environments (like “sit” at home or basic recall), we use regular, lower-value treats.

• For stressful or high-distraction situations — such as working with reactive dogs, exposure to triggers, or unfamiliar environments — we use high-value treats like fresh chicken, cheese, or liver.

• During the early stages of obedience training, we often start with high-value treats to build strong learning associations and engagement.

⸻

How We Avoid Food Dependency

While treats help build and reinforce behavior, we always work toward long-term reliability without relying solely on food.

• We gradually fade food rewards as the dog becomes fluent in the behavior.

• We shift to a variable reward schedule — rewarding unpredictably to keep focus and motivation high.

• We incorporate other reinforcers like praise, affection, toys, and access to appropriate activities.

• Most importantly, we build a system where praise becomes rewarding in itself — something the dog genuinely enjoys and seeks out.

Over time, our goal is to transition the dog from external motivation to intrinsic drive, where they respond not just for the reward, but because of their bond with us and the joy of doing the work.

We may start with food, but we don’t end there. A well-trained dog doesn’t need to see a treat to want to listen — they just need to trust and enjoy working with you.

05/20/2025

One of the most important commands your dog can learn is “Leave it.” Whether it’s food on the ground, trash, or something dangerous, this cue helps keep your pup safe. Please remember praise the second the look at you over the desired object is key.

Here’s how to teach it—from basics to real-life success:

🔹 Step 1: Start at Home
Hold a treat in one hand, say “Leave it,” and wait. When your dog stops trying to get it, reward them with a treat from your other hand. Repeat until they catch on.

🔹 Step 2: Treat on the Floor
Place a treat on the ground and cover it ( I like to use my foot ) Say “Leave it.” When your dog looks away, reward from your pocket or hand (not the floor).

🔹 Step 3: Real-World Objects
Practice with safe items—paper, food, toys—on the ground while your dog is on leash. Use “Leave it” as you walk by and reward for ignoring it.

🔹 Step 4: Practice on Walks
Bring high-value treats and stay alert. When you see a distraction, cue “Leave it.” Reward when your pup resists the urge!

💡 Pro Tip: Set up practice scenarios by scattering safe items along a quiet walking path. Make it a game!

✅ Consistency, patience, and praise are key. With practice, your dog will walk past street snacks and garbage like a pro.

05/12/2025

Socialization Isn’t What Most People Think—It’s Not About Petting or Playtime

When we talk about socializing a puppy, most people think it means letting everyone pet them or greeting every dog they see. But that’s not socialization—that’s overstimulation.

True socialization is about public access training: teaching your puppy to stay calm, focused, and neutral in all environments. If they only practice obedience at home, they’ll fall apart the moment you walk into a new space. A change in environment should not mean a change in behavior.

And here’s the big rule:
No on-leash greetings.
Allowing your puppy to greet people or dogs on leash teaches them to pull, jump, bark, and expect interaction. That’s the opposite of what we want in a well-behaved, public-ready dog.

Public access training means:
• Going to new environments and practicing obedience.
• Ignoring people, dogs, carts, strollers, and distractions.
• Learning to observe the world, not react to it.
• Understanding that calm behavior is always expected—everywhere.

Socialization is about building stability, not excitement. Teach neutrality now, and your dog will be welcome anywhere later.

05/11/2025

05/01/2025

This sweet boy. I did update his post as well. Please continue sharing him so we can find a safe place for him to land.

Oh Barry. 🥺

One of our dedicated volunteers witnessed someone dumping this precious boy on their road. He tried to catch up but was no match. Not only had he been nearly starved to death, but now left alone and confused. Wondering what he did to deserve this. The ultimate betrayal.

Help us fix his heartbreak! No animal deserves to be dumped like trash.

He is only 39 pounds but his ideal weight is 65-70.

Barry needs a foster. He is currently in boarding. We are slowly learning more each day. We are trying to allow him time to adjust to the whiplash of life he has unjustly received.

Donate for his care- Tax deductible

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Pupandcatco.com/donate