Mutts of Merit, LLC.

31/07/2025

As many of you know, I am not a huge cosmetic person. I, personally, like things left the way they were intended. When I look at Brooklyn, I love the fact that she has her tail. She even has her front dew claw that assists with balance and stability. To me, she is absolutely stunning.

Her dark eyes, dark face, and reversed brindling makes her so very pretty. I love my baby girl! 🥰
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31/07/2025

Arlo is picking up his new cues so fast. It always amazes me how brilliant dogs really are, I mean, this 12 week old pup can definitely out perform any 12 week old infant. Little man is almost fully potty trained, comes when called, knows how to wait, sits when asked, feeds himself, and understands two languages - canine and English....yet humans think they are superior🤔.

Now his Dad is definitely no slacker. He wants Arlo to have the best life he can provide, so every chance he gets, he is working with his pup. That is why he was willing to learn how to trim Arlo's feet and clip Arlo's nails even though he was nervous to try. He told me that once he cut his dog's nail and made it bleed so has never wanted to try again. The thing is, Arlo has white nails so are much easier. I explained how regular clippings now will make it more comfortable for Arlo down the road. This is all it took....if it was going to benefit Arlo, Dad was down for it!🥰 We put some peanut butter down for Arlo to lick. While he was munching down, his Dad could do anything he wanted to the pup - that is exactly what we want.

This pup is already so attached to his Dad. I absolutely love how he hangs onto his Dad's every word. Man, if only people could form a bond like this. The best part, Arlo will never receive a harsh correction, I do not think his Dad has it in him. This, too, is what will make their bond even better. Remember, there is no need to ever punish a dog. It makes no sense to tell them what to do or wait for them to screw up and correct them. It is much easier to teach them what to do and be proactive.

Arlo, you are one lucky little man...and damn, you are CUTE!
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31/07/2025

A newly rescued lab mix, Jelly, is getting ready to make her trek across the USA as her Mom and Dad prepare to relocate to Seattle, WA. Everything was going well as this little one settled into her home until one day, she started to react with barking, growling, and lungingvat other dogs. As soon as she started this, it rejuvenated a trauma deep in her Mom. She opened up about a childhood dog she and her brother once saved. They loved the dog. The dog loved them. The problem was, they were the only two people the dog could be around. This was 20 years ago, but seeing Jelly respond like this took her back to the day she was forced to say goodbye to her best friend.

The mind is crazy. It can supress memories and emotions for years, even lifetimes, BUT if something triggers a memory (a smell, a sound, a taste, etc), it feels the event was just yesterday.

Jelly's Mom told me about their first dog. Hearing everything, it sounded like ther childhood rescue definitely had bad experiences with people prior to living with the children. The thing was, Jelly's Mom was just a kid. Times were different. Our understanding of canine behavior was nowhere near as clear as it is today.

As an adult, a woman who is an educator, she can look at things different now; however, the first thing she has to do os forgive herself for her last dog. She was a kid. There was nothing she could do. As longvas she holds onto the guilt, it will serve as a roadblock when working with Jelly.

So we peeled back the layers of Jelly's behaviors to help her Mom understand what she is seeing. Next, we moved to build both Jelly and her Mom's confidence by teaching them behaviors that will allow them to work together when something triggers a reaction.

We taught walking cues and practiced redirection. With nothing going on around us, Jelly nailed it every time. Her Mom will continue to practice the cues this week and will join a walking group this weekend. This wiĺl allow her to face her fears in a controlled environment where every dog owner will understand if Jelly reacts. These clients work so well together as if they are lifelong friends. We will work to integrate Jelly into the group as she is able.

Please notice, she is sporting her brabd new 2 Hounds Design harness that Kady fitted her for when she stopped at Tails on the Town in Blairsville, PA. This harness is my absolute favorite for first time walkers. After usuing it in class, Jelly's Mom was pleased with how well it worked and did not cause Jelly discomfort!
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30/07/2025

Teaching a puppy to walk does not need to be hard. If you do not want them to pull, do not pull them. I promise they will get it!! It takes some practice, but the practice is what we need to stop using those hands and arms to yank and pull.

Do not waste time telling a dog what NOT TO DO with corrections. Instead, just ASK THE DOG to do something else. Anyone who suggests a slip lead, prong, or a shock collar for a puppy really needs a good dose of my size 11 up their backside. Why these "trainers" even call themselves that, oh wait...unregulated industry, is beyond me.
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30/07/2025

Guys, introducing your puppy to grooming and hygiene is so very important. The sooner the better.

Here you see Arlo's dad learning to trim his puppy's nails and trim the long fur off so his pads are not so slippery. The hair trimming can be done with clippers, but you have to be careful not to cut the pads. Also, if you use clippers, please do not shave in between the toes. This can easily cause irritation!

At Mutts of Merit, LLC., we handle puppy training in a manner that provides care for the whole dog. Yes, we teach behaviors, but we also teaching handling and respect.
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30/07/2025

Seeing this pains me. I would not have made this video, but the 5 clients with me that night saw this do**he nozzle kick his dog before this yank and crank walk. This is the same peckerhead my ladies walked by, passing his house, when he broke his hose out, put it on full force then sprayed them for barking.

Here is a hint....that does not work Einstein! Look, if you have ZERO PATIENCE....DON'T GET A BEAGLE THEN GET MADE AT THE BEAGLE FOR BEING A BEAGLE!

Please note: Beagles bark and Beagles sniff....kind of genetically predisposed!
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30/07/2025

I watch people yank the leash when their dog locks in on something they see or smell. My question is why? The dog is on a leash. If you do just like this Mom does and STOP (without pulling the leash), the dog cannot reach it and will comply.

So she is learning her "on by" and "walk away." Her Mom asked for an "on by" and Jelly stopped. As a result, her Mom appropriately transitioned her request into a "walk away."

You know the best part....because her Mom ASKED and did not get nasty, every time thereafter, Jelly walked right 'on by.'
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30/07/2025

Check it out, non-shedding, hypoallergenic doodles 🤣🤣! Those breeders who say that 🐂💩 need 👊 in the face.

Look, just because you do not see 'a lot' of hair does not mean these guys are not shedding. I know poor Romie has the real poodle like hair. Because of this, when his hair sheds, it basically twists into dreadlocks that are otherwise known as mats.

This is exactly why it is imperative that you are brushing your poodle mixes out regularly and not waiting for your next grooming appointment.

We have been working on Romie to help him trust the grooming process to remove the trauma he had from previuos groomers. It has taken us sone time, but his Mom and I FINALLY managed to help him through the brushing step without trying to constantly bite the tools. Guys, this might not sound like much, but this is HUGE! This baby did not ask to be born a foodle or have the worst coat for required maintenance. We need to help them.

His Mom has been putting in so much work which is why we are seeing this progress. She gets it. I ask all of you doodle owners to please, please, please brush these guys out several times a week at minimum. If you cannot make this commitment, please do not get another doodle.
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30/07/2025

The signature BUBBLE!🤣 He cracks me up!
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30/07/2025

When you get home at 10pm and want to sit down and eat ice cream, it takes me back to my high school days where everyone waited their turn....."puff, puff, pass!" 🤣 Staring at you like you were taking too much of a "drag."

This is the only food I share....and they KNOW IT!

Yes, I eat out of the container. I get a bite, then Memphis, then Brooklyn, and finally Boston. If I attempt to double dip, Memphis gives me a look. Yes, dogs can count!
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30/07/2025

Okay, so I am trying my hand at entering the digital era....😳. Many of you know I can be very hard to reach as I spend my days in sessions nonstop. A few clients asked me to try an online scheduling option.

If you are interested in training, please look at the schedule I have started to enroll.

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=36491792
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Schedule your appointment online

30/07/2025

Sometimes all it takes is to watch a puppy play to keep you grounded. If only we could remember to keep life this simple! 🥰
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