The Sophisticated Dog

14/08/2025

For social species, connection matters.

Dogs. Birds. Horses. Many animals thrive when given healthy, species-appropriate social opportunities.

That might mean:
🤝 Play with others of their species
🐕‍🦺 Play with others from other species
🧍‍♂️ Time with their guardian

Let’s create safe, supported social time—and never force it.

12/08/2025

If your pet seems stuck, it might not be a motivation issue—it might be a challenge mismatch.⁠
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Too easy = they check out.⁠
Too hard = they shut down.⁠
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Enrichment happens in that sweet spot: the just-right challenge.⁠
It’s not about pushing harder — it’s about meeting them where they are.⁠
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🧩 Start where they are.
📈 Build slowly.
❤️ Celebrate the tiniest wins.
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This applies to every learner — dogs, parrots, cats, horses... even us humans. Because when we set our animals up for success, we help them grow into confident, curious companions.⁠
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✨ Want help finding your animal’s learning sweet spot?
📍 In-person sessions in select areas in LA (and online training worldwide)
🔗 Comment "training" to start!

Let’s create training that feels good—for both of you.

07/08/2025

My webinar starts in about 30 minutes! Can't make it live?
You'll get a recording afterwards!

07/08/2025

Looking for something to do today at 3 p.m. Pacific time? Come join me at my Fenzi Dog Sports Academy webinar, Cues: Beyond Words and Gestures!

https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/self-study/webinars

06/08/2025

🚀 Getting Geeky About Behavior Change started on August 1… but don’t worry, it’s not too late to join us!

Whether you're passionate about dog sports or an experienced animal professional, this FDSA course will sharpen your skills and help you see behavior through a whole new lens.

📆 Registration is open through August 15
💬 Drop “geeky” below and we’ll send you the link to enroll.

01/08/2025

📣 Upcoming Webinar with Irith Bloom!

"𝗖𝘂𝗲𝘀: 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀"
🗓 Thursday, August 7th, 2025
🕒 3:00 PM Pacific Time
💵 $19.95 USD
📍 Hosted by Fenzi Dog Sports Academy

When we think of a cue, we often picture a word or gesture… but our animals are constantly picking up on so much more. Environmental cues, patterns, context—they all play a role in behavior. In this deep-dive webinar, Irith Bloom explores the complexity of cues and how we can sharpen our training by understanding them more clearly.

✔️ Learn to identify and transfer cues
✔️ Discover hidden cues in your training
✔️ Build stronger communication with your learners

👇 Ready to explore the science behind cues?

Comment “FSDA” and we’ll send you the registration link!

31/07/2025

Here’s one mistake so many loving dog guardians are making—
They’re overlooking sleep.⁠

Sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a need.
Research on sleep in dogs is limited, but it suggests dogs benefit from at least 10 hours a day (often more!). (For other species, that number may be higher or lower.) Without adequate rest, stress builds, learning stalls, and behavior challenges become harder to manage.

🛏️ Create quiet, species-appropriate rest spaces
🌙 Build breaks into your daily routine
🐾 Protect their downtime—uninterrupted sleep matters

You may be working hard on training, but if your pet is overtired, it can feel like you’re spinning your wheels.

✨ Want support creating a routine that helps your animal thrive?
📍 In-person training in select LA areas, online training worldwide
🔗 Not sure where to begin? Comment “training” and we’ll help you find the right starting point.

Behavior change starts with rest—and we’re here to help you build it.

29/07/2025

A well-thought-out routine is essential for your companion animal's well-being. Predictable routines help animals feel more secure — which can ease stress, reduce reactivity, and support emotional resilience.

A good routine includes:
✔️ Enough sleep and rest
✔️ The right kind of physical + mental exercise
✔️ Social time (if appropriate for that animal)
✔️ Moments of fun
✔️ Opportunities to make choices

Let’s build behavior from the ground up—with compassion and consistency.

28/07/2025

✨ Client Love ✨

After 10 months of working together—both in-person and over Zoom—Peter and his two pups are thriving. From potty training to confident overnight adventures, their journey has been fun, rewarding, and truly transformational. 💫
Every dog is different, and our expert trainers meet them where they are—with compassion, science-based methods, and a deep understanding of behavior.

📍Based in Los Angeles | Serving dogs & their people everywhere 💻🐶

24/07/2025

My webinar on avoiding common counterconditoning and desensitization pitfalls starts in about 20 minutes. Surf over to the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy website and click "webinars" to sign up! (I'll drop the direct link in the comments.)

22/07/2025

The wonderful Trudi Dempsey (whom I cannot tag here, alas) was kind enough to invite me to join her on her podcast. I always learn so much when I speak with her. 🥰

Check out our conversation wherever you get your podcasts!

Lead a Horse to Water · Episode