08/31/2026
🐾 Another Personal Update from NayNays Puppers
This is an update I truly never expected to have to write.
Over the past few weeks, my family has experienced an unimaginable amount of loss, and we are now dealing with the passing of a third family member.
We are still grieving. We are still attending to arrangements, and the funerals for our family losses are not yet behind us. It has been an incredibly heavy few weeks, and understandably, life and NayNays Puppers have had to take a back seat.
That being said, I am slowly beginning to spend a little time working again behind the scenes.
Not because everything is okay or because I'm ready to return to normal — but because right now, having something productive and familiar to focus on provides a much-needed distraction from everything happening around us.
🐾 What does this mean for NayNays Puppers?
For the time being, there is still no firm timeline for the courses, educational materials, resources and other projects I've been developing. They are still coming, but I am no longer putting deadlines on when they need to be finished or released.
I also will not be seeing training clients for at least another one to two weeks.
This decision isn't only about giving myself and my family the time we need to get through the remaining arrangements and funerals. It is also an important decision for the dogs I work with and the quality of training I provide.
Dogs are incredibly observant of the people around them. They notice changes in our behaviour, body language, movement, tone of voice and overall emotional state. Right now, my emotional and mental state — and even the way that may present physically — is understandably different from what it normally is.
That matters during a training session.
My presence can influence how comfortable, attentive, aroused or responsive a dog may be. It could affect how a session unfolds and, particularly during behavioural observation or assessment, may mean that I am not seeing the dog's most representative everyday behaviour.
I don't believe it would be fair to the dog, their guardian or the training process to conduct a session when I know I may unintentionally influence what I'm observing or be unable to give that team the same level of attention and guidance they would normally receive from me.
When I return to working directly with clients, I want to be able to show up fully — for both ends of the leash.
Social media will also remain relatively quiet.
You may see one or two posts from me this week as I slowly begin working on some content again. After that, I will continue preparing things behind the scenes, with the hope of gradually bringing regular educational and social content back closer to the end of September.
For now, I'm simply taking things one day at a time.
To everyone who has continued to give me patience, understanding and kindness through what has become an incredibly difficult period for our family — thank you. 💜
NayNays Puppers is still here. The plans haven't disappeared, and neither has my excitement for everything I've been creating.
I'm just finding my way back to it slowly.
— Renée & NayNays Puppers
Train. Treat. Repeat. 🐾💜
