Breezy Paws

08/27/2026

**Train the dog in front of you. Not the dog you thought you adopted. 🐾**

This is the final part of Rufus's story, and honestly, I think this may be the most important part.

When Rufus was young, his owner started training right away. That made sense. He was a high drive puppy who was already struggling with reactivity and some very big behaviors.

But the first approach didn't work for him.

It actually made things worse.

Eventually, his owner found a different trainer who helped her start somewhere else.

Not with more obedience.

With communication.

With engagement.

With trust.

With giving Rufus a reason to listen and helping him understand what his owner was asking.

And that foundation changed everything.

Because training isn't just about teaching a dog to sit, stay, or come when called.

It's about figuring out how to communicate with **this particular dog.**

What motivates them?

What overwhelms them?

What helps them feel safe?

What makes it easier for them to learn?

What does the environment look like?

What skills do they actually have right now?

And what do they need from us to be successful?

Rufus didn't need to become a different dog.

His owner needed to learn how to work with **Rufus.**

And that's the heart of individualized dog training.

Your dog doesn't have to be the dog you imagined bringing home.

They need you to meet the dog who's actually standing in front of you.

🐾 **Train the dog in front of you.**

The final part of Rufus's story is now on the Breezy Paws blog.

https://breezypawsllc.com/individualized-dog-training/

08/23/2026

One of my best friends 🥰

Tootsie loves big and is the most loyal girl. She's a protector of her person and I feel so lucky everyday that she chose me.

She's a master of the puppy dog eyes (even now that she's almost 9) and still loves to play fetch. While she's slowed down quite a bit, she still loves going on adventures with Grace and I.

She's taught me so much about accepting the dog in front of you, not the dog you imagined. There is absolutely nothing I would change about her.

Thank you for being one of my best friends ❤️

There are so many dogs waiting for their forever home, just like Tootsie was. If you're curious about adopting, or want to learn more about how to best support your dog, check out the link in my bio for resources and guidance.

08/20/2026

My dogs:

When Mom is busy helping other rescue dogs feel safe and comfortable....

APPARENTLY, she can't type and give us constant pets, admiration, and attention at the same time 🙄

We don't know how much longer we can take this neglect.

Please send treats!

08/18/2026

Sometimes the best place to start with your dog isn’t training. It’s your routine. 🐾

Dogs tend to do better when life feels predictable and they have a clear understanding of what to expect. A consistent routine can create that structure while also giving you a better starting point for understanding what your dog needs.

That’s especially helpful when you’re navigating behavior challenges, adjusting to life with a new dog, or simply trying to be more intentional and consistent with your dog.

So I created a free Daily Routine + Progress Tracker to help you put that into practice.

Inside, you’ll get 3 worksheets:

📋 Daily Routine Tracker
Map out your dog’s routine, identify areas you want to focus on, and create a little more structure in your day.

🎯 Daily Focus + Reflection
Choose a few things to focus on each day, then reflect on one small win and what you want to carry into tomorrow.

📈 Monthly Progress Tracker
Track your goals over time, notice patterns, and recognize progress that can be easy to miss from day to day.

Because progress doesn’t always look like a dramatic breakthrough.

Sometimes it looks like your dog recovering a little faster.
A routine becoming easier.
A trigger being just a little less difficult.
Or realizing that something you were worried about two weeks ago isn’t really a problem anymore.

Small changes add up. And noticing them matters.

The Daily Routine + Progress Tracker is free when you join the Breezy Paws newsletter.

👉 Click the link below to sign up and start creating a little more structure, consistency, and clarity with your dog.

https://breezypawsllc.com/start-here/ -tracker

08/17/2026

Rescue isn’t always about fixing the dog. 🐾

After sharing Rufus’s story last week, I kept thinking about something else his story taught me.

Rufus is still a high drive, reactive dog.

His owner didn’t magically make those things disappear.

Instead, she learned more about him.

She learned what overwhelmed him, what helped him feel successful, when he needed support, and how to manage situations while continuing to build his skills.

And that distinction matters.

Because when we bring home a rescue dog who struggles, it’s really easy to fall into the mindset of:

“How do I stop this behavior?”

“How do I fix my dog?”

“How do I make them more like the dog I thought I was adopting?”

But sometimes the better question is:

“What does my dog need from me right now?”

Maybe that means more distance from triggers.

Maybe it means changing your walking route.

Maybe it means creating more opportunities for rest.

Maybe it means using management while you work on training.

Maybe it means adjusting your expectations about what your dog enjoys, tolerates, or is ready for.

That isn't giving up.

It's understanding the individual dog in front of you.

And sometimes, management isn't about avoiding the problem.

It's about creating the conditions where your dog can actually succeed.

I wrote Part Two of Rufus's story this week, all about why rescue isn't always about fixing the dog, and how understanding your dog's individual needs can change the way you approach behavior.

🐾 Read the latest on the Breezy Paws blog: Rescue Isn't Always About Fixing the Dog

www.breezypawsllc.com/start-here/

08/14/2026

A little reminder for dog owners 🐾

You don't have to be training your dog all the time for progress to happen.

Sometimes training looks like:

giving your dog space
sticking to a routine
noticing their body language
rewarding the good stuff
taking a break when everyone needs one

And sometimes… it looks like having a low-key day together.

Progress doesn't have to be perfect to count. 💛

08/12/2026

08/11/2026

Fill my comments with pics and stories of the favorite things your dog does!

It could be silly, sweet, smart, mischievous - I want to see it all!

Here are two of my favorite things:

1. Tootsie, my big bad pit bull mix rescue, gets so excited when I get home that she has to carry her emotional support ball with her on our walk. She is a toy destroyer, y'all, but this ball is her baby, and she cherishes it. 🥰

2. They will ALWAYS find a way to both snuggle me when it's couch time. I love this picture so much. Angels 😇

Your turn!

08/10/2026

I met a dog this weekend named Rufus.

Well… not really Rufus. That’s what I’m calling him for this story. 😉

But his story stuck with me.

Rufus is a rescue dog who was adopted as a puppy. He’s a high-drive dog with a LOT going on, and from a very young age, his owner realized he was going to need more support than she originally expected.

She had even hoped he might eventually become a service dog.

Instead, she found herself navigating reactivity, big feelings, a ton of energy, and behaviors that were difficult to manage.

But here’s the part that really stood out to me:

She didn’t give up on him.

She adjusted.

She sought out training. She tried different approaches. She learned more about her dog. And when something wasn’t working, she was willing to change course.

Today, Rufus is still Rufus.

He’s still a high-drive dog. He still needs thoughtful management and support.

But he’s also made incredible progress.

And it got me thinking about something I wish more people talked about when it comes to rescue dogs:

What happens when the dog you bring home isn’t the dog you thought you were adopting?

Maybe you pictured an easygoing adventure buddy. Instead, you got an anxious dog.

Maybe you imagined a social butterfly. Instead, you got a dog who needs space.

Maybe you thought you were bringing home a dog who would fit seamlessly into your life. Instead, you're realizing your life might need to change a little to accommodate theirs.

That can be hard.

And it doesn't make you a bad owner to feel disappointed, overwhelmed, or unsure.

But it does mean it's time to get curious about the dog you actually have.

Who are they?

What do they need?

What makes them feel safe?

What does a good life look like for this dog?

Because sometimes, the most important part of rescue isn't getting your dog to become the dog you imagined.

It's learning to meet the dog in front of you.

That conversation inspired this week's blog post:

When Your Rescue Dog Isn't the Dog You Expected

If you're somewhere in that messy space between “This isn't what I pictured” and “Okay, so where do we go from here?” — this one's for you. 🐾

Link to the full post in the comments.