Faithfully Yours Dog Training

05/08/2026

04/29/2026

The term “mild” is used constantly in both human and veterinary medicine. Mild arthritis. Mild disc disease. Mild inflammation. On paper, it sounds reassuring. It suggests something small, manageable, perhaps even insignificant. But when it comes to pain, “mild” means almost nothing.

Pain is a subjective, individual experience shaped by the nervous system, emotional state, environment, and prior history. A “mild” finding on a scan can exist alongside severe, life altering pain. Equally, a “severe” diagnosis may present with very little outward discomfort. For example, “mild disc protrusion” describes the degree of displacement, not the impact it is having on the individual.

Pain is produced by the brain after integrating multiple inputs. These include sensory input such as tissue damage, inflammation, or nerve irritation, but also emotional state, including fear, anxiety, and frustration. Environmental context plays a role, such as predictability, safety, and noise levels. Learning history matters, including previous experiences of pain or repeated stress exposure. Internal physiology is also relevant, including fatigue, illness, and hormonal state.

This is why two individuals with the same “mild” diagnosis can have completely different experiences. One may cope relatively well, while another may be overwhelmed.

In practical terms, a dog with “mild” spinal changes may react strongly to handling, show sudden behavioural changes, or become noise sensitive and easily overwhelmed. These are not disproportionate responses. They are often indicators of how that individual is experiencing their internal state.

Dogs do not report pain verbally. Instead, they communicate through behaviour. When a diagnosis is labelled “mild,” it becomes very easy to dismiss what we are seeing. People may say, “It’s only mild, so it can’t be causing this,” or assume, “It must be behavioural,” or interpret the dog as reactive, stubborn, or anxious.

Pain increases anxiety. Anxiety increases pain. Because pain is subjective and difficult to measure directly, pain trials are often one of the most informative tools available.

“Mild” means nothing if the experience is not mild.

04/28/2026

Enrollment is officially open for our next Virtual AKC Fit Dog Level 1 Group Class, and this is one of my favorite courses to teach. It’s practical, it’s fun, and it gives you real tools to help your dog move better, feel better, and build fitness safely at home.

📅 Start Date: Monday, June 15th, 2026 at 7 PM Central
📅 Runs: Every Monday for six weeks
🎓 Graduation: Monday, July 20th, 2026 at 7 PM Central

💻 Location: Fully virtual (Zoom + online course platform)
Join from anywhere in the world 🌎

👩‍🏫 Instructor: Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA
Level 3 AKC Fit Dog Instructor

Includes:
Six 1-hour live Zoom classes
Full pre-recorded course library
Access to class recordings
Instructor feedback throughout the course

👉 Limited to 10 dog/handler teams to keep things personalized

Spots are limited, and this class tends to fill quickly.

Enroll + view supply list here:

What is AKC Fit Dog? The AKC FIT DOG program, developed by the American Kennel Club and taught by AKC approved Fit Dog instructors, is all about fun and fitness for dogs and their owners. During our six-week AKC Fit Dog virtual courses, you'll learn proper form and safety while doing various fit

04/22/2026

This is something we were just talking about in Fit Dog class this week! How a dog sits can tell us so much about what is going on inside the dog.

And please, if you are working on Sit... even for just manners, please do so on a non-slip surface like a yoga mat, rug, or carpet. Even many popular training platforms made for dogs do not have surfaces that give appropriate traction for these skills.

9 out of 10, when I was teaching manners skills at people's homes, they were asking dogs to sit and stay on slippery hardwood floors. They would call me in because the dog "wouldn't stay sitting during guest greetings." I would add a rug and suddenly, problem solved. 😅 The dog was slipping on the floor and couldn't realistically hold sit that long on that surface.

04/17/2026

One of my favorite things about our training property isn’t something I added, but what showed up once we made space for it.

We’re a certified wildlife habitat, and right now the birds are everywhere. 🐦

I ran Merlin Bird ID yesterday and ended up with more activity than I expected just standing outside in the training yard for a bit.

This is exactly why we chose to set the property up this way.

More native species means more movement, more sound, more scent, and more real-life distractions. And that gives us a really valuable training environment.

Dogs aren’t learning in a bubble here. They’re learning while the world is happening around them.

We’ve had everything from rabbits popping up mid-session, to a family of deer, to training on the porch with hummingbirds buzzing around us.

It keeps things interesting for the dogs and for us and it gives them a chance to build skills in a space that actually feels like real life.

Check out all the birds my Merlin Bird App picked up just yesterday!

04/17/2026

Cooperative care is such an amazing thing.

Unlike my past dogs, with Mako we focused on cooperative care skills before anything else. I’m not sure how I knew in my gut we would need it, but not too long after we started, he had the first of three surgeries.

He had to take a lot of medications during that time, including a horrible daily at-home injection that burned. He powered through, but any needle-like wasn’t his friend for a few weeks there.

Without our cooperative care skills, I don’t know where we would be today, but it probably wouldn’t be him lapping up liquid medication from a syringe. 💉

04/16/2026

We are huge fans of Leslie McDevitt’s Pattern Games. Check out the video below on one of them!

**🎾 Help Your Dog Feel Calm & Confident with the Superbowls Pattern Game! 🐕**

Does your dog get overwhelmed in exciting or scary situations? The **Superbowls Pattern Game**—created by the amazing **Leslie McDevitt**—is a brilliant way to give your pup structure and comfort when they need it most!

✨ **Why it works:**
✅ Provides a **predictable, calming routine**
✅ Helps dogs cope with excitement or fear
✅ Can be paired with the **"Look at That" game** for even better results

Perfect for reactive, anxious, or overstimulated dogs! 🐶💙

🔹 **Pro tip:** For best results, work with a **science-based behavior consultant** to tailor it to your dog’s needs.

👉 Watch now and learn how to turn stress into success!

https://youtu.be/wGs394SlbNM

04/16/2026

Podcast Episode · Veterinary Behaviour Chat · 13 April · 1hr

04/16/2026

One of our friends is closing her business and is having a big sale on all of online materials. If your dog loves unique enrichment (don’t they all?), check it out!

🐾 Puzzle Dog is Closing its Doors! 🐾

Help us spread the word!

In April: 40% OFF EVERYTHING
Use Code: April40

IMPORTANT:
- We have transitioned to a download-only format, there is no long-term hosting.
- Download your courses immediately after purchase, once April 30th hits, these resources will be gone for good.