Faithfully Yours Dog Training

18/08/2025

Tonight, the last week of videos for the virtual Intermediate Trick Dog course drops!

We hope you enjoy these last few tricks and we cannot wait to see your assessment videos. ❤️

If you have been waiting to sign up until all the videos were released, now is your time!

Sign up at the link below to work through trick training at your own pace. (Novice course also available on-demand.)

Learn real-life manners and earn AKC home manners and trick dog titles from home. These self-paced virtual dog training courses are taught by a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant using positive dog training methods.

13/08/2025

A little update from HQ (aka my living room):
Mako had to undergo a second surgery yesterday. 💔 The good news? He’s doing well, and we’re optimistic this one will do the trick.

For the next two weeks, I’ll be on nurse duty, making sure my teenage pup stays safe, calm, and on the road to recovery (easier said than done!)

What this means:

We’ll be closed for the rest of this week.

Next week will be virtual-only.

Email and voicemail replies may be slower than usual.

Thanks for your patience while I juggle recovery care, snuggles, and catching up on admin with one eye on the cone of shame.

05/08/2025

My least favorite thing to hear - especially from dog pros.

04/08/2025

Intermediate Trick Dog virtual class is working on targeting skills this week!

From ringing a bell, target marks, going to a location a cue, and closing doors, they are on their way to bigger (and cuter) tricks each day. 🥰

Check out the OG Oakley demoing the ring a bell trick for class this week.

02/08/2025

As we head into autumn, our busiest season of the year, we’re starting to fill up fast.

With the sweltering heat of summer and the unpredictable storms of spring behind us, many families find fall the perfect time to get back into training routines.

Trainer Lauren will be out for most of November while her husband recovers from surgery. That means fall spots will be limited and August is already nearly booked.

If you're hoping to get support for fear, aggression, or other complex behaviors before the holidays hit, now is the time to reach out.

These cases take time and care. And we’re generally unable to take on emergency cases during the winter holiday season, due to high demand.

If you’ve been thinking about getting started, let’s talk soon. We're here to help you plan ahead and set your dog up for long-term success. ❤️

28/07/2025

What are we up to in virtual Intermediate Trick Dog class this week, you ask?

Oh, you know, just casually teaching dogs how to let themselves into their kennels.

24/07/2025

We are currently being impacted by the nationwide Starlink outage.

We are waiting to see if we will be able to resume virtual sessions later this evening.

We will be contacting students to reschedule if not.

Emails will receive a response tomorrow if service is restored by then.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

21/07/2025

Week two is now live for both the AKC Virtual Home Manners and Intermediate Trick Dog self-study virtual courses.

Home Manners students this week are learning how to put cues like Sit and Down on both verbal and hand signals and how to fade those visible treats.

These foundation skills are what everything else builds on, and they’re a big step toward having a dog who responds reliably in everyday life.

Intermediate Trick Dog students are diving into body prop tricks this week, where you become part of the trick. There’s a range of options to pick from depending on your dog’s size, comfort, and skill level.

Some folks are starting with peek-a-boo or paws up on the handler’s arm, while others are trying leg weaves or the selfie trick.

If you’re already enrolled, I hope you’re enjoying the material.

And if you’re thinking about joining, there’s still time. These courses are fully self-paced and available to anyone worldwide, so you can start whenever you're ready and go at your own speed.

Link here:
https://fydogtraining.com/self-study-dog-training

Learn real-life manners and earn AKC home manners and trick dog titles from home. These self-paced virtual dog training courses are taught by a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant using positive dog training methods.

21/07/2025

Check out this little ham who is helping with the Intermediate Trick "Dog" virtual course this week. ❤🐱

Want to join us for these shenanigans? You can find the course at the link below and enroll to start training today from the comfort of your home.

https://fydogtraining.com/intermediate-trick-dog-akc-dmwyd/

18/07/2025

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t come up enough when it comes to aggressive behavior in dogs: sleep.

I know it might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but hear me out.

Dogs who aren’t getting good, uninterrupted rest are often more reactive, more irritable, and quicker to reach their threshold, especially in the evenings.

Some signs your dog might be overtired:
- They startle easily when resting
- They pace or seem restless during down time
- They guard their resting space
- They’re crankier or more intense as the day goes on
- They are a heavy snorer (yes, dogs can have sleep apnea too!)

If any of this resonates, here are a few small changes that can make a big difference:
- Give them a quiet, safe spot to rest where they won’t be interrupted
- Don’t let kids or other pets bother them while they’re sleeping
- Try white noise or calming music if outdoor sounds are triggering
- Build intentional rest into your dog’s daily routine, especially after stressful events

When your dog’s body and brain are running on empty, it’s a lot harder for them to make good choices. Supporting better rest can make everything else you’re working on just a little more doable.

Behavior change takes layers, and this is one of them.

Video of sleeping Mako to pay the visual content tax.

17/07/2025

Aggression can become a habit.

One thing many dog owners don’t realize? Aggression can get stronger the more it’s practiced.

When a dog growls, lunges, or snaps and the threat goes away, it works.

And every time it works, the brain wires that pattern in a little deeper. This is how aggression becomes a reliable “go-to” for your dog when they feel unsafe or overwhelmed.

But just like those patterns were built, they can be changed.

So, what do you do? Interrupt the old pattern and build new, safer behaviors in its place.

This might mean:

✅ Changing how and when your dog sees triggers

✅ Using management to prevent repeated outbursts

✅ Teaching alternative behaviors that help your dog feel safer

✅ Pairing behavior change work with a vet visit to address any pain/health concerns

Aggression isn’t “bad behavior.”

It’s communication and often a sign your dog needs help coping in their world.

If your dog has shown signs of aggression, don’t wait for it to escalate. With the right plan, progress is possible.