Honor Bright Dog Training with Janice K Applegate

15/07/2025

Many of you know, August of last year Ditto was diagnosed with mast cell sarcoma. Unfortunately, we have a new mass.
As with anything knowledge is power and treatment is all about a team approach. I was incredibly excited to be recommended to an Integrative oncologist right here in New Jersey. Just like dealing with behavior issues, we need to start from the inside out.
I am super excited to add Prism to our team of amazing veterinarians and diving deep into their knowledge and resources.
Unfortunately, bully breeds are quite susceptible to mast cell, but we will battle this beast together. Whatever it takes for my boy to continue helping me and our communities dogs, but most importantly, for Ditto to be as happy and healthy as possible for as long as possible!
Mass removal Thursday. Prayers for low grade.

Thank you Dr. Kirsten Canyon River Run Veterinary Clinic and Dr. Ruskin veterinary clininc!!

We will both be cancer survivors!!

13/07/2025

Ditto doesn't just work as an amazing neutral dog for clients with big feelings. He is also known as Uncle BoBo!
Harper the adorable Golden is Maggie's new baby sister! Ditto's calm demeanor provided an excellent opportunity to introduce Harper to other big dogs.
Harper also got to explore the farm, see the horses and take in all the new sights, sounds and smells!

Taking bets on how long Harper naps for this afternoon 😉

11/06/2025

Meet Fern, Mia and Pia! Missing Tex who was busy working with his Dad.

Multi-dog households are s boatload of fun... but chaos can often take over. Imagine every time you walk into the house 4 knuckle heads jumping all over you and eachother vying for your attention!

Getting their harnesses and leashes out sends the excitement lecel through the roof.

Once dressed, trying to get out the door without getting tripped or pulled over.

It's overwhelming! And where do you start with FOUR dogs!?!

For these guys, we started with some basics. An incompatible behavior for jumping like sit. Teaching the hoomans to reinforce appropriate behavior instead of focusing on no/ off/ down. Touch/ target to help them send their energy elsewhere.

Then, door manners and of course helping keep that energy level down while gearing up. Sorry kids, no more acting like fools before heading out!

With just a little guidance everyone learned "sit" within a week and they think touch is super fun.

BONUS! Fern is a very shy girl and is still fearful of her human adult brother and sister. Within a week, with just a few tips she is ALREADY getting more comfortable being around them!

Can't wait to see the progress for session three! Bravo to all!

06/06/2025

I am so incredibly proud of Arlo and his team! Arlo is a little guy that came with a whole lot of big feelings. Since being adopted as a puppy, he had been extremely touch sensitive, super reactive to people, critters and other dogs especially.
He was one to redirect his frustration quite easily to his handler.
Today we wondered Morales Preserve, then decided to hop over to Barkley's to see Brian. This was Arlo's first time in a pet store! He was a rock star!!
We wouldn't be here without the help of Dr. Amanda Modes!
Patience, hard work, compromise and a whole lot of learning have gotten us to this point. We still have a lot of work to do, but let's celebrate Arlo and his team!!!!

06/06/2025

Look who made friends!

Birdie and I ran into Valen and his Mom! Perfect opportunity to help these 2 goof balls properly meet other dogs!

Appropriate greetings are instrumental to success for dogs with BIG feelings.

Running in like HULK, yelling and too much face time can really escalate those feels QUICK. Being able to get your dog to move away and take a breath is such an important skill. Too much pressure and you are going to watch those emotions boil over and potentially ruin the opportunity.

I'm excited to get this duo back together again! Let's see if Birdie can teach Valen to swim! Stay tuned....

04/06/2025

I don't post my crew enough. These are the youngins. Norman Stanley aka Baby beagle (beagle), Gidget aka Chomper or GiGi (white and brown jrt) and Wee Man (my calico jrt) who doesn't know his official name.
The other 4 are sleeping.

Watching my dogs do dog things brings me so much joy 🥰

29/05/2025

Today I got to play with PUPPIES!!!! Both families have resident dogs with big feelings, so we are working on integrating the pups appropriately and ensuring that the little ones are a bit more resilient than their siblings.

Did I mention i got to play with PUPPIES??? 🥰🤩

26/05/2025

It was a beautiful day for some "training".... and of course play! Kicking myself for not getting photos of Walter and Josie, but here are some Valen shenanigans.
We taught Valen "paws up", and boy does he love to show off his new skills! He does it with such enthusiasm, which if course brings laughter and smiles from the humans... and yummy rewards too!
Not only does this fun cue give Valen something to focus on mentally besides potential "triggers", but it helps physically as well.

Training should bring smiles to all involved 🥰

07/05/2025

This is me, with my first dog Pepper. Animals have always been such a huge part of my life. When I was a kid, Pepper was always there to catch me when I fell down the stairs.
When she ran away, I would sit on the corner and "cry". She'd come right back to comfort me.
Or my mom would start up the car and the lure of going for a ride would get her in the back seat and "captured" . "Gunna go for a ride" was frequently used in the Knapp house.

Do you have a photo of your first dog or a fond memory? Please brighten my day and share!

21/10/2024

If a decompression walk is judged by the dirt it the water, I think we nailed it 🤭

Mom's job is stressful, time consuming and currently taking over life. So, I took these kiddos out for a few hours!

Baths were already in the plans this evening, so we got down and dirty!!! That "water" is just from legs and bellies!!!

Bet they are out cold now!!!

12/10/2024

12/10/2024

Day 2 getting underway!