A dog’s paw rests gently in a person’s hand. Text reads: “Dogs & Consent, Smiles Dog Training”.

Consent Isn’t Just for People—Dogs Need It Too

We’re finally seeing more conversations about consent between people, and that’s a huge step forward. But here’s something we rarely discuss: dogs deserve consent too. Dogs communicate yes and no through body language and behavior, but we often miss—or ignore—those signals. By consent, I mean freely given agreement—a clear “yes” to an action or interaction. […]

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A scruffy dog sits in front of an American flag with text "Dog Training is Political" and "Smiles Dog Training" in the top right corner.

Dog Training Is Political—Whether We Admit It or Not

My most recent email and instagram post focused on standing up to fascism and working together during these difficult political times. I received plenty of emails from past clients and followers full of appreciation that I was speaking up. But I’ve also been getting messages telling me to “stick to dog training” and “leave politics

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