Candid Canines

06/17/2026

Today's training tidbit: compare Skye's crawl to Yuma's crawl yesterday

06/17/2026

Poll time!

What is the problem that you and your dog struggle with the most?

Tell me your answers in the comments and I'll be making teaching videos on the topics!

06/16/2026

Today is training tidbit: you must starting a crawl. This is a fun trick that we're doing in the AKC dog trick class

06/16/2026

☝One critical thing you're misunderstanding about your dog?

This one is not super popular and can bum some folks out...😐

Ready for it?

Here it is!

Your dog is *not* EXCITED.

Your dog is OVER-AROUSED.

😕

What does that mean?

Your dog is not HAPPY to see people, they're MANIC to see people.

And when you frame that energy and arousal level in that vein, things start to look really different.

He's not SO HAPPY, he's struggling.

This doesn't mean he's scared, or even stressed, but he is certainly not functional.

And in all things behavior, I always measure my dog's functionality as the barometer of how healthy this is for my dog. 🥰

So when we reframe "excitement" as arousal and energy, then we can truly see our dogs.

And when we can truly see our dogs, we can help them.

If you feel like you're having a hard time getting a grasp on what's really driving your dog's behavior, like no matter what you do they are chaotic, over the top, or baffling, comment ME. I have a PDF that might be just what you're looking for.

06/16/2026

Proof of 💕: Yuma

06/15/2026

06/13/2026

🫨Radical Opinion (fact) post!

Your dog is FINE in the crate!

It is OKAY to leave your dog alone for a few HOURS!

And YES, it is okay to put your dog in their crate WHILE YOU ARE HOME! *Gasp* 🥴

But Trainer Claire! Won't he be bored? Won't he get antsy?

Probably not!

Did you know that the average adult dog needs 14 hours of sleep a day? YEP.

Did you know PUPPIES need closer to 20?!!?😵‍💫

Did you know Seniors need 18?

Did you know a senior dog is age 7 and up? 😲

To be clear, I do believe in first training the crate, making it fun and awesome and amazing and COMFORTING.

But yeah, all dogs in my care get naps. Get crate time. Even when I'm here. A girl has gotta have a lunch break! 🤪

And I don't feel bad, because I know the dog/puppy/senior needs a body break too.

06/12/2026

I don't know how to make this better. 😓

I'm at my wits end. 😣

Have I made a massive mistake? 😭

Is something wrong with me that this is SO hard? 🫩

These are some of the things I regularly hear from new clients. ESPECIALLY Puppy clients.

And I am here to tell you, you are NOT weird, or alone, or a total F**K up. 😉

It is REALLY normal for new dog owners (adopted adult dogs and puppy owners alike) to feel A LOT of uncertainty. Even some regret.

And I see folks out there on the FB groups posting about "puppy blues" and getting well meaning advice that is...not...helpful.

"The rule of 333!" "It takes time." "I felt it, too. Hang in there!" "Have you tried walks?" "Have you tried playing with him?" "He's a border collie, what did you expect?" "Yeah, puppy teeth are sharp!"

🤨

Y'all. While it IS normal to feel puppy or adoption blues, it is not something you can WAIT OUT for behavior to get better. It's not something they'll settle into.

What will help? 😍

Teaching your dog to understand and THRIVE in your routine.

And teaching yourself to better understand your dog so you're not so baffled by their behavior.

06/10/2026

I bet you can't guess what I think the number one skill to teach ALL dogs is. 🤫

Coming when called? 😚

NOPE!

🤯

Leave it?

No way Jose!

😭

The number one skill I think ALL dogs (and husbands) will benefit MASSIVELY from, in a way that will transform their lives on a such an insanely deep level it's mind boggling?

🤩🥳

Self Soothing.

I'm serious 🙃 This is the NUMBER ONE skill this dog trainer knows. I can train all the fancy tricks in the world, and complicated sequences and patterns and service dog and sport dog and dog work out blah blah blah...

Self Soothing is the MOST empowering for dogs and owners alike.

If you want a free copy of my training video outlining how to start your dog on their Self Soothing Journey, comment ME and I will send you it!

06/09/2026

What's the number one thing my clients said about me, when I interviewed them for my business course? 🤔

That they felt relief 🪷in knowing I would tell the truth.

That no matter what, even if the news was 'bad' I would give it to them straight.

No sugar coating that would hide the severity or importance of the situation 😢

No exaggerating to basically 'upsell' them on extra training. 😡

Just the truth as I see it, as I know it.

I LOVE that my clients LOVE this about me, cause that's the entire reason why I named my business CANDID Canines. The word Candid means frank, honest, blunt.

And that is exactly how I prefer to communicate! 😘