Belgian Malinois in a down position looking up at owner "From the Trainer's Desk"

From the trainer's desk...

two golden retrievers drinking water falling from a water bottle being held in the air. Text: Extreme weather update

Extreme Weather: An Update

As this scorching record-breaking heat wave continues to impact our region, we wanted to take a moment to express our deepest appreciation for our clients,

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Black dog with red collar and second dog in background running at camera , with words Dealing with Off Leash Dogs

Dealing with Off-Leash Dogs

Encountering an off-leash dog can be a scary and potentially dangerous situation for both you and your four-legged companion. Whether you’re walking your dog in

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Shiba Inu panting on green background, text: Seasonal Changes

Seasonal Changes & Your Dog

According to a 2021 study published in the journal Animals, seasonal changes can have various impacts on the health of indoor pets. Not only does

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Yellow dog cuddling with woman on laptop, text: Client Portal FAQs

Client Portal FAQs

What’s in my client portal? At each step of our client process, from onboarding to consultation to training programs, we provide lots of helpful support

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yellow lab sniffing white flowers "Do You Sniffari? Smiles Dog Training"

Do You Sniffari?

Sniffaris are one of the best activities you can provide for your dog on a regular basis. It meets so many of their needs. Aside

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brown puppy sitting on couch "Separation Anxiety"

Separation Anxiety

Separation distress and anxiety (a phobia) in dogs looks like pacing, vocalizing, destruction of property, and potentially injuries to self. While separation anxiety should be

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dog in dark scene with lights surrounding, "2021 Holiday Gift Guide Smiles Dog Training"

2021 Holiday gift guide

It’s holiday time! Check out our favorite products of the year in our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide so you can enrich your pup’s year and

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body language

During my training sessions, classes, and rooms on Clubhouse I talk about body language SO much that I wanted to put some resources together for

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new puppy checklist

Congratulations on your new puppy! The best way to set you and your puppy up for success is to gather the supplies you need before

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Kitten sleeping with the words "Pet Loss Resources"

Pet Loss Resources

This week I lost my cat, Lola, of seventeen years. She passed away at home with me, expected in some ways due to her age

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A woman wearing a face mask sitting at a desk with a laptop with the words "Covid19 Update"

COVID-19 Important Updates

To keep myself and my clients healthy, I have decided to suspend in-person appointments for new clients temporarily. I will also be moving current clients

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curled up rattlesnake on white background with words "snake avoidance"

snake avoidance training

It’s officially that time of year again. Spring is here and this means that many trainers in the valley are promoting “Snake Avoidance Training” workshops. 

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Disclaimer: While my intent here is to give general advice, it is important to hire a certified fear-free professional  (like me!) to help you with training or behavior modification and to seek medical advice from your veterinarian. Any recommendations in these posts are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as anything other than that.