Pawsonal Training

07/30/2025

Just about any behavior modification dog trainer will agree with this post. We get in some GNARLY dogs who can and will bite strangers, kids, even their own handlers. Dogs who shake and pant and run from any new situation. Dogs who have 0 coping skills or knowledge about how to relax and do nothing. So, so often we discover really quickly that these dogs have never learned how to overcome obstacles or dig in and do things they don’t want to do. They’ve never learned how to face a problem and find a solution because the moment their family sees them struggling, they swoop in and solve their problems for them. While this can seem kind in the moment, it can REALLY set dogs up for failure in the long run! So many struggle to deal with ANYTHING stressful because they’ve never had to. Because of this, their “coping mechanisms” are often anxiety, aggression, reactivity, and fear to get out of doing anything they don’t want.

So what’s the solution? Get your dogs comfy doing what you need them to do from the beginning! Bring them places they’re not huge fans of, put them in tricky situations (that are safe and you know they can handle), and don’t jump in and fix their problems. Help them, support them, encourage them, but let them do it themselves. The most stable, confident dogs I’ve met have been dogs whose parents took this philosophy, and the best part is they often have the best relationships I’ve seen as well! A true partnership where the dog looks to the handler for input, but doesn’t rely on them for every step. It’s a beautiful sight to see 😁

I am ALL FOR teaching children and adults both that dogs can and do and should have their own boundaries and a say in what they are. I am.

BUT…

We also need to start raising and teaching dogs to have TOLERANCE. My dogs are allowed to say “I don’t care for that” but I, as their owner, am allowed to say “sorry pal, you gotta power through this one” and guess what? My dogs have never once put their mouth on me for doing so.

Starting as a puppy, I teach my dogs to get tossed around, smacked (playfully) around, paws grabbed, tails tugged, and ears fondled endlessly. I also teach them that when I say it’s time to hold still and get a vax or a nail trim or a brushing, you better hold still and get it over with so we can move on to better things in life.

Even a grown adopted dog can learn this. Sure there may be a delicacy or even an art to it with some dogs, but it can and MUST be done.

Instead, everyone seems so focused on keeping the dog “happy” and being “gentle” instead of teaching the dog to have some damn resilience and know that stress is part of life, and how to work through it and grow past it.

No living being goes through life with zero stress. The ones who maybe get lucky enough to do so as youngins do NOT make strong or enjoyable adults. In the wild, they flat ass don’t survive.

We have absolutely GOT to start raising and training more resilient, confident, strong dogs. Because you know which ones lash out and hurt others? The weak ones. Just like with humans.

07/30/2025

To all of our amazing clients who have tried barn hunt during your dogs stay, now is your chance to let your dogs hard work pay off and bring home some fancy ribbons!! This barn hunt trial is held at the same place we do our barn hunt lessons. If you’re free October 11th and/or 12th and want to give it a shot, shoot me a message and I’ll help you sign up! I’ll be there allllllllll weekend long so you won’t be alone. I hope to see some of you there! 😁

Our fall barn hunt trial at the Henderson location is set to open Aug 1st at 6pm 🎊

Enter online at Secreterrier.com or mail entries to trial secretary listed on the premium.

We hope to see you there!

07/26/2025

Jasper is a GRADUATE!! ⭐️

Jasper and I worked on quite a bit during our 3 weeks together! This dude came in with some major anxiety, fear, and a big lack of coping skills. We built up his confidence, gave him some impulse control to help him think through those difficult situations, and introduced him to a ton of new people, situations, and environments to teach him that he can handle them. He had a blast playing both barn hunt and scent work with which acted as a HUGE confidence boost as well.

Great work, Jasper! 🐶

07/15/2025

Introducing our newest board and train student: BIRDIE!! 🐥

Birdie is an 11 month old silver lab enrolled in our 3 week Advanced Obedience Board and Train program. Birdie’s parents came our way after seeing the amazing results their parents’ dog Zews had when he trained with us last year! (If you don’t remember him, scroll back to check out his gorgeous face)! They knew that their dog could use the same manners and obedience that Zews received.

Birdie is your very typical young lab. She’s overly friendly with people and dogs, quick to become overly excited, pulls like CRAZY on the leash, puts things in her mouth that she shouldn’t, and struggles to listen or demonstrate manners or personal space when new people or dogs are around. She means well and she truly loves people and dogs, but she was even removed from daycare because her energy level was creating issues for the other dogs and staff.

In our 3 weeks together, Birdie will learn some muucchhhhhh needed impulse control and manners. She’ll learn the basics of obedience to keep her brain engaged and thinking, and to help her family manage her overexcitement. We plan to work around people, other dogs, and in tons of new environments and situations to ensure that regardless of what’s around her, she’s able to stay calm and focused. Stay tuned to watch her progress as she trains AND plays both barn hunt and scent work! 🩵

07/08/2025

Introducing our newest board and train student: Jasper!! 🐕

Jasper is a 1 year old mixed breed pup enrolled in our 3 week Advanced Obedience Board and Train program! Jasper may have the smiliest face of any dog I’ve seen, and he is SUCH a happy boy when he’s comfy. Unfortunately Jasper is a bit anxious and nervous of new people, lacks impulse control around the family’s cats, and has a tendency to counter surf, mouth, and pull on the leash. He means well but he needs more guidance on how to behave in new, scary, or exciting situations. Stay tuned to watch his progress! 🐾

07/04/2025

Happy 4th of July!! Stay safe and enjoy your day 🌭🎆❤️🤍💙

07/03/2025

Otis is a GRADUATE!! 🎓

This handsome boy spent 2 weeks working HARD on his obedience. We tested his manners, his impulse control, and his new commands each day and all of his hard work paid off. He had a BLAST playing scent work and barn hunt with , and did an incredible job showing off all of his new skills for his mom at the end. Great work, buddy! 🐾

06/29/2025

Introducing our newest board and train student: Otis!!

Otis is a 1 year old mini bernedoodle enrolled in our 2 week basic obedience board and train program. Otis is a sweet young doodle who has a TON of energy and even more brains. For as much training as his family has tried instilling in him, he finds ways to outsmart them and remain in the drivers seat. Otis is very mouthy (especially when he wants attention), very jumpy (especially when he wants attention), and very vocal (especially when he wants attention). He’s learned that his behaviors control his environment, which is great, but not on the ways that work well for the family dynamic.

We’re going to spend 2 weeks working to teach Otis healthy, productive ways to cure his boredom and get the attention he desires. During his stay, we will also be trying out scent work and barn hunt (which we actually showed a glimpse of a couple weeks ago, still playing catch-up over here 🤪) to help give him a positive, productive outlet for his drive.

Stay tuned to watch his progress! 🐾

06/27/2025

Tallulah is a GRADUATE!! 🎓

Tallulah worked hard during her 3 weeks in training to build her confidence, address her reactivity, provide some much needed obedience, and she even got to dabble in both scent work and barn hunt!! Tallulah goes to show that even at 7 years old, there’s so much progress to be made.

She really impressed us and she really impressed her mom who spent a few hours working with us at the end of her program! We’ve gotten a few updates from them since returning home AND they even came back for a barn hunt lesson themselves! Tallulah’s life made a huge turn as she is now able to relax and explore the world, taking on more activities with her mom. That’s what this training is all about! Opening the world for you and your dog 🐾

06/23/2025

Hank is a graduate!!

Hank graduated from our 2 week basic obedience board and train program with FLYING colors. He made huge strides addressing his leash walking, impulse control, and basic manners. He did such an amazing job during his time training, and his family did such an amazing job during his turnover session!

We send TONS of educational video updates throughout a dog’s time in training so that you can look back on them for the life of the dog, but also to help prepare the humans for bringing their dogs home. We often hear “I don’t want to do a board and train because I need to learn too”. Board and trains here are educational for all! Hank’s family clearly watched every video and were prepared to dive right in to his training when they picked him up. They’ve since updated us that his behavior has vastly improved since being home, and they’ve stayed consistent to help his transition!

Great work Hank & Family 🐾

06/20/2025

Introducing our newest board and train student: Tallulah!! 💕

Tallulah is a 7 year old lab mix enrolled in our 3 week reactivity board and train program. Tallulah is a SWEEEEET sweet sweet girl who struggles to control her excitement around people, her reactions to other dogs, and has some anxiety around new situations and surfaces. Tallulah wants to love and be loved by everyone, but will often bark and pull at people on walks to get their attention. When she sees dogs, her hackles raise and she growls, barks, and lunges at them.

Our 3 week program will be spent building her confidence and impulse control, teaching her the proper way to behave around people and other dogs, and she gets to play BARN HUNT and SCENT WORK while she’s here! Dogs with anxiety, reactivity, and similar behavior issues often THRIVE in these types of sports that challenge their mind, build their confidence/impulse control, and channel their natural drive in a healthy, productive way. Stay tuned to watch Tallulah’s progress! 🐾

06/17/2025

Introducing our newest board and train student: Hank!!

Hank is a 1.5 year old American Bully enrolled in our 2 week basic obedience board and train program. Hank is a very sweet boy, but he needs some help with his manners and listening skills. At home, he doesn’t understand the concept of personal space and tends to crowd his family and get a bit too overly excited. Out on walks, he tends to pull his mom around and although he doesn’t bark at strangers as much as he does at home, he does want to investigate them. He’s a big boy so when he gets excited and jumping, it can be a bit tough to manage, especially with 2 children in the home.

We plan to work with Hank on his impulse control, build a higher level of obedience, but make sure he doesn’t lose his goofy spark. He will also be trying out barn hunt during his stay!! Stay tuned to watch his progress 🐾