Dog Training San Diego

12/04/2024

🎉 It's National Weimaraner Day, and I'm here to give a massive shoutout to these incredible dogs! 🐾

As a dog trainer for over 2 decades and a total Weimaraner fanatic, I just have to share my love them. I mean, have you seen them? They're not called "Gray Ghosts" for nothing – they're absolutely stunning! But it's not just about their looks; these dogs are whip-smart, full of energy, and loyal as can be. Velcro dogs for sure.

My first Weimaraner was my ride-or-die companion for 14.5 incredible years, and my current Weim is living up to the legacy and then some. He's my partner in crime, and I couldn't imagine life without him.

So, in honor of National Weimaraner Day, I want to invite all you dog lovers out there to share your stories, photos, and experiences with these fantastic dogs. And if you're thinking about diving into the world of Weimaraners or want some tips on training your wild one, hit me up!

Here's to the Weimaraners that steal our hearts and keep us on our toes! 🐾❤️

24/03/2024

Y'all... sometimes I'm late to the social media party.. It National Puppy Day! Post a pic of your pup! Even if it's tomorrow. Better late than never! 🐾💕

13/04/2023

You're invited! Go to my IG and comment "CODE" to get the Zoom link!

Highly requested class! STOP LEASH PULLING! We are bringing you a ZOOM CLASS where will walk us through everything we need to know to stop your dog from pulling the leash and start having nice relaxing walks! COMMENT CODE FOR THE LINK! Class Date: TODAY! 4/13 PST | 7PM EST

02/03/2023

You're invited to join us for an awesome IGLIVE session with Encinitas based dog trainer . 🎉 (ME)
We'll be discussing the topic of "Training Away Anxiety: Benefits of Using an E-Collar".

JT will be sharing her expertise and offering an easy and approachable way to start your e-collar training journey. 🤩
Don't miss this groovy opportunity! 🌟 Leave your questions for JT in the comments below. 👇

Join us for a GROOVY IGLIVE with Encinitas based dog trainer. Leave a question for JT below!
We will be discussing the topic of TRAINING AWAY ANXIETY: BENEFITS OF USING AN E-COLLAR. JT offers a easy and approachable way to begin your e-collar training journey.
Be sure to save the calendar reminder by tapping the post!

10/09/2022

It's cooling off but it's been hot, hot, hot out here in North County San Diego. The humidity added to the heat isn't a great thing for dogs.

Did you know they can only sweat through their paw pads, nose and tongue? It's why they can overheat easily.

Here's a quick video for those of you who are living in "the cold room" the last few days. 🤣 If you know you know!

There a lot of of (even newer) homes without AC in North County! Portable AC units and one room...

Watch the video for ideas to keep your pup exercised and burn some brain power at the same time.

01/09/2022

It's hot out! Get out early with your dogs through this weekend. It's 6:15 am and I'm headed out the door with camp dogs already. Water is a good thing for dogs during what I call our "locals September summer" but heads up on Ocean Beach for the next few days!

Humans and pups should avoid water contact at Dog Beach in Ocean Beach for three days due to a sewage spill, the city of San Diego said.

27/05/2022

It’s been 2 1/2 years since that night you gave me the message

It was time for you to go...

I’ve grieved over losing you

But I promised myself I’d live up to the message you left me with

The one where I treated myself with the same adoration I did you

The one where I gave myself all the breaks to be imperfect

To try and fail, to try again and win, and still know I’m loved more than anything for being me

For showing up

No matter what

Though it’s been a roller coaster ride the last couple of years with all the things going on in the world

What I’ve learned is that the space between us got closer, our entwinement became tighter

You’ve been here for me, as I was for you

I’ve kept myself out of the fear and anxiety of it all

I kept going

I kept choosing to create a life well played

Because we dared to learn how to get out of the anxiety together
I found out you’re still here

That life is a miracle

The connection I have with you my dear Zelda… it’s Divine

And it lives on

Happy Birthday My Z Girl

24/05/2022

Duddley came to Epic Puppy Camp needing some help with his focus.

He’s an 8 months old micro Goldendoole… and he loves to hunt. His nose is in drive mode a lot. He picks up the scent of lizards, gophers, birds, socks, slippers and flip flops to name a few of his favorite prizes while in hunt mode.

New people and sometimes other dogs caused him to blurt out a quick little growl if he wasn’t familiar with them when he came to camp. It was an automatic reaction to a flash of uncertainty.

And when it came to coming when called… 🤣 He’d often go straight into the Zoomies. Sometimes that can be cute and funny, but most the time it comes at a moment when it’s frustrating, even maddening at times.

So we went to work on showing Duddley how to do a few things well. We started with the Ready? Get It Game. It was fun and fulfilled his scent habit right quick into a focus habit. Then we worked on Park It, come when called, leash walking and all the normal dog things.

We also played. A lot.

As he gained confidence and learned to relax, he started to let go of the growl reaction to new people and instead has a playful curiosity about him.

I believe in a lot of play when it comes to having a well trained dog. Think about it this way, who is excited about all work and no play?

No one. Ever.

Unfortunately us humans in our hustle bustled busy lives filled with negative media, tend to forget about play ourselves. We wake up with a furrowed brow as we prepare to keep the nose to the grindstone, hopeful for a vacation (play) sometime in the near future. We end up with anxiety, stress and sleepless nights.

Take a lesson from Duddley… use play as a motivator to do a super duper good job at all the other things that are non negotiable to “good behavior” and all the the things we must do the rest of the day.

I ♥️ loved training Duddley. When his Mom picked him up, hugged him in pure joy and told me she couldn’t believe how great this all turned out… I fell in love with what I do all over again.

Want your dog to learn to focus on you and leave bad behavior behind? Start with the Ready? Get It! Game. Link in bio. 🐾✨

13/05/2022

Godiva’s visited me today...

It was that last one I’ll get with her in person. It’s time for her to go. She told me that while she was here. She has her good moments. But she’s struggling.

She struggles with getting her breath.

She struggles with orientation.

Her head is tipped at all times. Yes, I know there is a medical term for what it is, but that doesn’t matter right now.

She can’t hear and she really can’t see, except for shadows.

She gets startled at movement around her. It’s frightening. She can calm herself with her Beagle sense of smell. But, it happens again and again. It’s a big part of her daily existence now.

She has to p*e a lot. That sucks.

She didn’t have one of her coughing fits that she often has due to her collapsing trachea while she was visiting me today. I think she held that off because she was wrapped up in all of the moments that were about her today. She knows. She was reveling in it.

She knows the gift of letting go, way better than we humans do. In our connection, she let me know... she’s so grateful for that understanding.

I’ve always been so proud of Godiva. I loved Godiva from the beginning and through our travels to Iowa and New York and all the times she spent with me at my Passiflora house.

She knows it. Dogs are that way. You can shower them with all the things, but knowing how someone feels about you when you commit to their well being... that shines over everything.

She got to go on a road trip with her Dad today. He loves her. So very much.
He did everything for this dog to make sure she had a good life.
And she has had the most amazing life.

This is breaking his heart.

In little tiny pieces.

He invested in me so that she could have the best life ever.

He took that and gave Godiva the best family life a dog could ever hope for, and here we are 14 years later.

She’s so very grateful that even though the heartbreak of losing her is unfathomable...

He loves her so very much that he can do this for her.

His investment in her isn’t money, or time or effort...
The connection is way beyond all of that.

Letting go of Godiva is so hard and yet such an act of love.

We don’t always get the dog we want, we get the dog we need, and sometimes that comes when it’s time to let go, knowing that all that your put in will come back in her riding around on your shoulder in spirit, helping you make the tough choices to put your life back together again.

She wants you to have the life you gave her.

Just like Zelda.. the message she left me, is true for letting Godiva go too.

I told her I loved her more than anything in the world every day of her life. She let me know when it was time for her to go, it was time for me to do that for myself.

Godiva’s message to you Mitchell is the same. After all, you know Zelda was her dog mentor from the beginning...

Godiva knows you love her more than words can describe, and she wants you to know it’s ok, you’ve got this and in letting her go, she’ll be here for you to make all the many right choices you need to do for you every single day, from here on out.

08/05/2022

There’s controversy in the dog trainer world about the term “Dog Mom”.

I get that. I often see people making life tough on themselves and their dog because they are trying to treat their dog like a child. They have hopes that their dog will learn and respond like a child would. Hopes that the cushy bed and run of the house will make their dog love them more or live longer. It simply doesn’t work that way... but that’s for another post!

I see nothing wrong with the term for other reasons.

There are many of us out here who never did have the opportunity to have a relationship with a mother. There are many of us out here that do not have our own children. And some of us that have both of those conditions going on.

Love is something we all need in our life. Humans create love out of strong, personal bonds. Love gives us the assurance that we are not alone in the world. Unconditional love is a beautiful thing and when it’s alive and well in person or in spirit, it makes everything so much better. We strive for it and it provides hope and purpose to our very existence.

For all of you Dog Moms out there... enjoy the unconditional love of your dog today.

And for all you human Moms... Happy Mother’s Day. It’s a love like no other.

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