Scruffy Dog Training and Consulting

06/23/2025

Hey everyone!

Just a quick (and honest) update from your friendly neighborhood dog trainer:
Life has thrown me a few unexpected tennis balls lately, and I’ve been doing my best to keep up — but even the most practiced recall can’t keep chaos from sneaking in sometimes!

I know I’ve been slower than usual to reply and get new schedules out. I truly appreciate your patience and understanding while I chase down these squirrels and get life back in order.

For the next couple of months, I’ll be dialing back just a bit — fewer classes and private sessions for now, so I can recharge, refocus, (get Katie adopted!) and come back stronger (and with more treats in my pocket) for you and your pups.

I’ll post an updated schedule soon, and I’ll do my best to fit in as many wagging tails as I can.

Thank you all for being the best pack a trainer could ask for. Your support means everything — and I promise, the fun is far from over!

Stay cool this week and give your dogs a belly rub from me! 🐶❤️

Kate

06/23/2025

Some great advice from another awesome local trainer! Stay cool, friends! 😎

Let’s talk about ways to stimulate your dog when it’s going to be hot out! 🔥☀️

This week we are being blessed with very nice weather but it’s important we keep our furry friends in mind and adjust our stimulation plan for them.

•Keep outdoor training/exercise sessions short. 10-15 mins is enough!

•Practice settling at home. Extra rest time isn’t always a bad thing. Doing nothing is just as important as doing something with our dogs.

•Take them to a dog friendly beach or pool

•Make some frozen snacks for them such as carrots dipped in bone broth, ice cubes with treats in them, frozen peanut butter or yogurt, or anything else they love!

•Give them a puzzle or enrichment activity such as a kong wobbler, snoop, or even just a head of lettuce to shred

•Do a training session indoors. Teach them a fun and simple trick like spin or roll over!

•Take them for a car ride with the windows open and a/c on. This gives them some exposure to smells in the world without over doing it.

•Go to a dog friendly park and sit in the shade for 20 mins

Make sure to limit high intensive activity but find other ways to stimulate their mind and body! Our dogs deserve the best ❤️🐾

06/11/2025

**Incident Report**
Date: 6/11/2025
Location: Smith Residence
Subject: Canine-Induced Property Damage

At approximately 10 am suspect—identified as a 10-year-old male, tan in color, species: canine—was observed engaging in destructive behavior. The suspect methodically targeted two sweatshirt pockets, resulting in structural compromise to both.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear; however, preliminary assessments suggest curiosity, newly implemented diet, or an act of defiance. No accomplices have been identified at this time. The suspect remains adorable though in custody, potentially plotting additional fabric-related offenses due to his mom’s treat negligence.

All sweatshirt owners are advised to exercise caution and secure personal belongings. Further investigation is ongoing.

See photo evidence: the crime and the criminal.

06/10/2025

🌞 Help Us Plan Our Summer Session! 🐾

We’re getting ready for our upcoming 3-WEEK summer class sessions, and we’d love YOUR input! 🐶💬

Which classes are you most excited to see on the schedule? Whether you're looking to build skills, have fun, or try something totally new, we’ve got a great lineup to choose from:

🦮 Walk This Way – Loose leash walking skills
🚀 Rocket Recall – Supercharged come-when-called
💦 Dock Diving – Splash into summer fun
🦌 Antler Shed Hunting – A fun intro to shed hunting
🏃‍♂️ Just for Fun Agility – All the action, none of the pressure
🧠 Barking Brainiacs – Mental workouts for advanced dogs
👵 Old Dog, New Tricks – Gentle fun for senior pups
🐶 Puppy Socialization – Critical learning for your newest family member
📍 Drop-In Rally-O – Novice tests and intermediate skill building
🐾 Drop-In Pack Walks – Taking skills out on the town

➡️ Let us know in the comments which classes you'd sign up for, or what you'd like to see offered! Your feedback helps shape the schedule, so don’t be shy—drop your picks below AND let us know if you'd prefer to see them in the AM or PM! ⬇️

🌞 Help Us Plan Our Summer Session! 🐾

06/05/2025

Great opportunity for your dog to perfect their social skills and have fun while you learn what they’re communicating!

05/27/2025

DO YOU HAVE A FOSTER DOG?

Classes start today and tomorrow and we still have a few spots left so time to open up those empty spots to anyone in the area with a FOSTER DOG!

We welcome anyone volunteering as a foster through a recognized 501c3 organization to fill our unfilled seats FREE OF CHARGE! This is a great way to get to know your foster dog better, give them a foundation of skills and exposure, and we’ll even post photos of your foster to help them get adopted!

If you have a foster dog and would like to join this sessions classes, shoot me a message! Even if you can’t come this week, we’ll get you caught up for next week!

05/26/2025

Last chance to get your dogs prepped and ready for summer! Classes start TOMORROW (5/27)!

Rocket Recall is FULL but all other classes have availability! Message us now to grab your spot! 😄

05/20/2025

🐶❤️ Happy National Rescue Dog Day! ❤️🐶

Today we celebrate the amazing pups who found their forever homes -- and the ones who are still looking! Rescue dogs may come from tough beginnings, but their hearts are full of love, loyalty, and second chances.

At the Penobscot Valley Humane Society , there are 18 dogs available for adoption who need need your help! See their photo descriptions for more information!

🐾 To help get their pictures out there, leave us a comment with the rescue pet that changed your life! 🐾

While we are happy to share what we know, your best bet is to call 207-794-3457 for more information or to set up an appointment to meet them! As always, we offer 10% off training for all rescues and are happy to help transition a new dog to your home!

05/08/2025

🎉 Get Your Pup Ready for a Summer of Fun! ☀️🐾

Is your furry friend ready for beach days, BBQs, and outdoor adventures?

Whether it's polite leash walking, solid recall, or staying calm in exciting environments, we've got you covered!

🦴 What We Offer:
✅ Fun, reward-based training techniques
✅ Outdoor-readiness skills for parks, trails, and social events
✅ Small group classes for personalized attention
✅ Confidence-building exercises for both dog and owner

🌳 Perfect for dogs of all ages and energy levels!
📅 New sessions start soon — reserve your spot today!
Message us here or email [email protected]!

Unleash a summer full of joy, freedom, and well-mannered adventures!
Because a well-mannered dog = a happy summer for everyone! 🐶☀️🌊

05/05/2025

We think our Level 1 grads are just the cutest kids on four legs!

Congrats to Blue, Caspian, Lilo, and Sully! 😍👩‍🎓 🎉

04/30/2025

🐾 Still searching for Katie’s Unicorn Home 🏡

🌟 Katie would thrive with:
- A single person or an adult-only household
- A home with few visitors
- A rural/low-traffic environment or a commitment to always using training protocols currently in place
- Someone who wants a loyal, trained, goofy companion

Katie IS NOT A GOOD FIT for busy households or homes with lots of new people coming and going.

🐶 Meet Katie
Katie is a 5-year-old Rottweiler/Coonhound mix. Her former owner—who sadly passed away—rescued her from a shelter and spent 2 years training her in hopes of her being a replacement service dog. Despite that dedication, Katie’s early-life trauma made her unfit for service work. She’s looking for her forever PET home.

💖 What Makes Her Special
*Incredibly loyal and loving once she knows you
*Knows 40+ commands — scent work, ANTLER SHED HUNTING, you name it!
*Crate-trained, house-trained, and settles indoors
*Moderate exercise needs (plus occasional zoomies!)
*Hilarious, snuggly, and loves her toys
*Dogs- YES! Cats- No

🧠 Katie’s Quirks
Katie is great in public, can walk calmly on leash through crowds, and handles well when in working mode, but she needs structured introductions to new people, especially men. When not in working mode, Katie can become protective of her person but can be easily managed with her learned cues. We put Katie away when new people are present or have her on leash in "working mode". With this alone, it’s easy to forget she has any issues at all! I’ll share everything I’ve learned about how to set her up for success and will support her adopter with training help.

🏠 Why It Matters
I have cats, so Katie currently lives in my training studio—not a home. While I give her the best care possible, it’s not the same as having a family. She deserves to be back on a soft couch and someone to love her the way she loves back.

💌 Could You Be Katie’s Person?
If you, or someone you know, is looking for a loyal, funny, well-trained companion and can offer Katie a peaceful home, please share this. She might need a little extra patience at first, but she will give back so much more in love and loyalty.