Scout's Honor Dog Training

09/04/2026

MY DOG STOLE MY FOOD…AND IM HAPPY ABOUT IT

Okay, so “happy” may be a strong word, but it’s not the behavior itself that I’m celebrating…it’s the confidence.

When Violet came to me 10.5 months ago, she was a nervous wreck. She did…nothing. She didn’t get into the trash can. She didn’t potty in the house. She didn’t make noise. She wasn’t rambunctious. She didn’t steal my shoes. She didn’t get on the table.
All of those things make her sound like the perfect dog…but the truth is that she was too nervous to try those things. It’s not that she *never* wanted the food on the table or the stinky thing in the trash can. She just lacked the confidence to try something new, to explore her world further. Today, she does.

I often tell my clients whose dogs are dealing with confidence issues, “just you wait, they’ll try some shenanigans. But that means our confidence building is WORKING!” Counter surfing, trash raiding, rambunctious behavior…those are easy fixes. Confidence is hard to build and once it starts, it spirals!

So yes, after 10.5 months of sitting quietly and politely in my lap while I eat my lunch, Violet tried to steal my sandwich. Did I want her to do that? No. But hey, at least we have the confidence to try! I can’t wait to see what shenanigan she’ll try next.

23/03/2026

I’m back!

While training has continued, I haven’t posted much on here in a while as this last year was pretty nuts. We had some BIG changes happen in our family.

Unfortunately, two SHDT pups featured heavily on this page, Thor and Loki, passed away in 2025. Both boys were older and dealing with declining health. The boys were irreplaceable members of the family and are deeply missed.

We also had an unexpected addition last May. Meet…Miss Violet Mae! Violet is a 2 year old Pom-a-poo I took in as a foster after she was originally adopted by a friend’s mom, who could not keep her anymore. This is her fourth and final home. We love her so much.

Like many dogs with a wild background and probably the result of improper breeding, Violet struggles with some behavioral issues that we have been steadily working on since her adoption, predominately leash reactivity. Come along with us to watch her progress!

15/03/2025

Do I, as a dog trainer, like fetch! It DEPENDS.

Some dogs, like my vizsla Skadi, can handle fetch just fine.

For some dogs, though, the back and forth movement can be stressful and even exacerbate anxiety or compulsive tendencies.

Frankly, for most dogs, I think there are better alternatives for physical play. Tug, flirt poles, hikes, teaser toys, and irregularly shaped frisbees can all be great alternatives to fetch.

24/06/2024

😂😂😂

18/06/2024

Does your retriever bring you toys and shoes?

Good news, that’s normal! Retrievers retrieve…and when they don’t have a duck in a pond, they make do with the shoes you left out.

Skadi is a vizsla, a versatile hunting breed used for both pointing and retrieving. She takes after the retrieving bit of that more than the pointing bit, so I am often greeted with presents, whether it be a pillow, a ball, or a shoe I left on in her vicinity. Perfectly normal!

17/06/2024

It’s always important to keep expanding our knowledge, and Loki and I were privileged enough to learn from the wonderful Karen Deeds! Loki is my own personal dog and he’s learning some impulse control!

20/05/2024

Do you live with a Shy Pup? Then I think you'll relate to this ⬇️

How often do you hear...
"Oh but dogs love me" or "Oh, he'll grow out of it" or... "just let him smell me and then he'll be fine"...?
Or you ask them not to stare at your dog but they just can't seem to peel their eyes away. Or they're offering them some food without even asking you?

The fact is, there are always going to be people who are well-meaning but not educated on YOUR dog and YOUR dog's needs.

While I could tell you to just advocate for your dog, it's not always that easy. Sometimes advocating feels vulnerable and icky. So, it's easier to avoid. I feel you, I get it. I urge you to keep trying, in whatever way feels safe to you. 💕

Feel free to download, print, and hand out this graphic or share it with whoever you think needs to see it!

👉 And if you live with a shy, sensitive pup, would you do me a quick favor?

I'm going to post a Google form link in the comments - Will you take a few minutes to share your experience with the sensitive soul you live with at home? I'd super appreciate it!

💕 Much love to you and your pup(s)
Laura Gendron, CPDT-KA, LFDM, FFCP

28/04/2024

Don’t judge reactive dogs.

A couple of years ago someone showed up unexpectedly at a session we were having for reactive dogs.
This was at a large venue we use.
Completely out of nowhere a woman showed up at our remote location and came marching right toward us.
I had no idea who she was and she was walking towards all of us with purpose.
The clients and the dogs were wonderful....calm and everyone put into place what they had been taught (luckily this was our last session so a lot of work had been done previous).
They weren't barking or lunging (always a strange word to spell!). All the dogs attending were amazing as were the guardians/owners.

This person and their energy could have caused a reaction so I matched her speed and walked right up to her to head her off.

I told her she couldn't be here as this was a private class and these were reactive dogs....she asked what a reactive dog was as I walked her to her car.
So I told her, her next comment was....

"Why would anyone want a dog like that" !

Everyone heard her say this.
I told her that was a really rude and insensitive thing to say.
These people love their dogs and often it takes just one incident for a dog to become reactive.
She didn't understand.

I know the difficulties and the judgement reactive dogs face, that also extends to their guardians/owners.

If you are out walking somewhere and see someone struggling with their reactive dog maybe think about how to help the situation rather than jump straight to self righteous judgement.

Can you give them more distance ?
Can you remove yourself quickly and calmly ?
Do they need something specific ? Ask them.
Can you stop your dog staring at theirs ?

If you can....please do BUT as you do this, acknowledge the people holding onto that lead and acknowledge that they are doing the best they can. Give them a small wave or a thumbs up.

Reactive guardians are some of the most dedicated people I know.

ALL it can take is ONE issue to occur and a dog can become reactive.....you could easily be that person at the other end of that lead.

18/01/2024

It can’t just be my dogs 😂

13/12/2023

23/11/2023

Happy Thanksgiving from 3/4 of the SHDT crew.

15/11/2023

I love giving my dogs healthy fresh foods…so if you’re like me, here’s a quick little Infograph on how to safely share thanksgiving with your pup.