Paws of Nature

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there! And the “ Dads to be”. Jill recently did a Diapers and Dogs - Baby Prep for Families w Dogs for sweet Cooper and family. Cooper was very attentive during the consultation.

06/19/2026

Yes dog trainer’s dogs can be naughty sometimes too 😆

06/17/2026

Sophia is rocking her settle on mat and polite greetings training. So proud of this team!

06/13/2026

Tips on teaching your dog how to swim. Don’t assume your dog will just naturally know how to swim. ☀️

06/10/2026

Great info on dog adoption from our furriends at House of Klein Dog Training

Thinking about adopting a rescue dog?

Make sure you're adopting through a reputable rescue organization.

In Massachusetts, legitimate rescues and shelters must be licensed through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR).
Before adopting, take a few minutes to verify that the organization appears on the state's list of approved rescue and shelter organizations. These regulations exist to protect both animals and adopters.

One major red flag is a rescue that asks Massachusetts adopters to meet them in another state to pick up a dog. While this may sound like a harmless workaround, it can be an attempt to avoid Massachusetts import and licensing requirements.

Other red flags to watch for:

🚩 Requiring full payment for a dog you've never met and have no opportunity to evaluate.

🚩 Not requiring adopted dogs to be returned to the rescue if the placement doesn't work out. Reputable rescues take responsibility for the dogs they place and should always be willing to take them back.

🚩 Using guilt or emotional pressure to force quick decisions. Statements like, "This dog will die unless someone adopts him today," are designed to bypass thoughtful decision making.

🚩 Placing dogs on a first come, first served basis. Good rescues focus on finding the right home, not simply the fastest applicant.

🚩 Advertising every dog as "good with everyone and everything." Ethical rescues are honest about a dog's strengths, challenges, and limitations. No dog is a perfect fit for every home.

🚩 Being unwilling or unable to provide veterinary records, behavioral information, or details about the dog's history.

🚩 Discouraging questions or making adopters feel guilty for wanting more information.

A reputable rescue should be transparent about where their dogs come from, how they are transported, what veterinary care they have received, and why they believe a particular dog is a good fit for your home.

The adoption process should feel thorough, not rushed. The goal isn't just getting dogs out the door—it's creating successful, lasting matches that benefit both the dogs and their new families.

Whether you're adopting or purchasing from an ethical breeder, take your time, ask questions, and don't be afraid to walk away if something doesn't feel right. A good rescue wants the same thing you do, the right dog in the right home.

06/07/2026

Today’s Pups & Pints class at Skyline Beer Company in Westfield. Practicing “backaways” from the loud cell phone talking person.

06/03/2026

It’s another “vote for your favorite” contest! Please vote for Paws of Nature in the Services category as Best Dog Training School. https://gazettenet.com/readers-choice-2026/?fbclid=IwdGRjcASMZkRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEenC4ebkcTdoaQKoTVXxWsPBV0vCApGpLh4_QB0C9nEPx1_ATeJfXxUQ4StBM_aem_QAwibeYhN5CXjR4SzJNiGA #/gallery?group=545712

Speaking of Nature: Finding echoes of ecstasy: The non-native ragged robin wildflower thrives in New England meadows by Bill Danielson

05/30/2026

Sophia can be described as both sweet and sassy, our favorite kind of dog! 😆🥰 her greetings w visitors can be a bit exuberant, as she practices her “kangaroo”. She has been enrolled in our Paws Up Teen Time program for adolescent dogs. Her human caught this moment when a guest arrived and took a phone call while Sophia waited politely on her mat. Not a set up! Real life, real results! Great job Sophia!!!

05/24/2026

We have just 1 spot left for our first ever Pups & Pints class being held at Skyline Beer Co in Westfield. This is a nice condensed 3 week class since we are finally heading into the busy summer months. See below for registration info.

For direct registration go to: https://pocketsuite.io/book/paws-of-nature/item/pups-and-pints

05/19/2026

On Tuesdays, we do a little volunteering at the Westfield Animal Shelter. Today Damiana worked w “Bender”, a 4 1/2 month old shepherd mix who was extremely sick when he came into the shelter. He’s now healthy and strong and looking for his new family. Today Damiana taught him that playng in water is a pretty fun time. If you are interested in adopting Bender please contact the Westfield Animal Control & Shelter.