Heart of Copper Dog Training

03/26/2026

Check out this fun training trick to help protect you and your dog from unfamiliar off leash dogs! Credit to LilyPup Dog Training & Boarding for all the fabulous editing and extra ideas about using the umbrella not just as a deterrent, but a visual blocker for your dog when they need a break from something that makes them nervous.

03/26/2026

Off leash and flexi leash dogs are becoming more and more prevalent, or perhaps we're becoming more aware of the issue. I know many of us are dog lovers and don't want to harm another dog, or perhaps a pepper spray or air horn is not an option for you personally. Things can go wrong with pepper spray, and air horns are hard (though not impossible) to desensitive YOUR dog for. But many of us have a simple tool at home that can work as a great deterrent for an off leash dog that is coming in a little too enthusiastically for your comfort: an umbrella. Together with LilyPup Dog Training & Boarding , we created an easy to follow guide to introducing the umbrella to your dog so that when the time comes to us it, your dog will walk away from the experience with a happy tail and good vibes.

03/24/2026

I meant to credit Kirsten from Lilypup dog training for my logo! I'm not sure she has a facebook, but I'll check and add it in the comments if so. And, just because a text post is boring, here's my little dingo being very silly. Long day of training means unconventional nap positions!

06/29/2025

Tofu doing some training at Pride! She did great with the crowd and was able to educate some curious attendees about the importance of dog shoes in Georgia heat. All in all, a great day for the family :)

06/07/2025

Tofu showing off her toes at the beach! She was happy to put her paws in the sand after we got to the cool parts, but water is still a no go for her.

06/03/2025

Tofu's first escape room! She did so well! She sat quietly in the corner while we stole the pirate treasure. As you can see, she was the MVP in our group.

06/02/2025

Just chilling at dinner. The table next to us didn't know she was there until we left.

06/01/2025

Tofu training in Charleston! Her first exposure to a beach for some sunbathing and practice with her boots. She didn't like the water, but we both enjoyed the view. And as she practiced with her boots, her confidence in them grew.
The sand was a bit hot so I was glad she had them to protect her pads.

05/29/2025

Now that she can get into the car, Tofu can practice good manners at restaurants! Here, she isn't in a "tuck" (a skill she's still working on), but she was so quiet and well behaved almost no one noticed her.

05/11/2025

Sorry for the lack of updates.
Bit update on Tofu's car training:
She has now gotten into the car (albeit with leg lifting as she stretches full belly rather than hop in) and we both closed the door AND drove out of the driveway and back without excessive drooling or stress.
I'm so proud of her progress. Remember, training is not always linear. Peaks and valleys are to be expected and every dog progresses at their own rate.
As always, it's free to be kind. Be kind to yourself, your dog, and to others.

04/21/2025

Let's find this once underdog the perfect home.

Meet Jimmy Hendrix — Our Rockstar and Resident Card Shark

Some dogs are born to shine. Others? They fight through the darkest shadows before finding their spotlight. Jimmy Hendrix is one of the latter — and now, he’s both.

Jimmy came into our Pups in the Pen program as an emergency save. He was at a local shelter, utterly shut down, paralyzed by fear. So much so, he couldn’t be touched — not because he was aggressive, but because the world had been so unkind to him that he didn’t know safety existed. He failed his assessment and was out of time. Euthanasia was scheduled.

But fate stepped in. A slot had just opened up in our program, and we had the perfect handler — a man who speaks the language of broken souls without saying a word. He’s known for working miracles with the scared and shattered, and Jimmy… Jimmy was his next masterpiece.

Fast forward a few weeks, and Jimmy Hendrix has come to life.

He struts around the yard with a shiny, flowing coat, a head held high, and a tail that finally dares to wag. He’s confident. He’s calm. He’s full of charm. And when he’s not playing with his handler or getting some well-deserved snuggles, you can find him at the card table. Yep, you read that right — Jimmy’s earned himself a reputation as quite the poker player. Cool under pressure, loyal to the end, and always watching for your next move.

Estimated to be around 2-3 years old, Jimmy is as loyal as they come. He gets along with other dogs, but very large dogs make him nervous.

“Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is trust again.”

Jimmy did. Now he’s ready for his forever.

So—are you a card-playing guy with room for a Rockstar in your life? Do you appreciate a comeback story and the quiet strength of a dog who’s seen the worst and still dares to love again?

Then we’ve got your perfect hand.

Jimmy Hendrix is available for adoption through our Pups in the Pen program. Located near Augusta, GA, but we do adopt out of state (transport not provided).

Adoption fee $350
Covers neuter, microchip, vaccines, heartworm test (negative), flea/heartworm preventative. Jimmy has recently been groomed. He weighs 18lbs.

www.dognetworkingagents.org

04/21/2025

Proud cookie trainer here! Support and love go a long way for nervous dogs

When it doubt, give cookies. Something startles my dog on a walk and they bark? They get treats. My dog focuses on me and ignores the other dogs at the park, they get treats. My dog comes back to me even though previously they were ignoring being called, my dog gets treats. I tell clients to USE TREATS to interrupt their dog barking at distractions or other unwanted behaviors.

"But if I give my dog treats when they are barking at something scary, won't that reward the barking?"

Short answer, no. Emotions are not reinforced by cookies. The treats you use to help your dog get into a better mindset and to get better behavior (focus on you, quiet, move away from the distraction, etc.).

Tasha Attwood of Miyagis Dog Training & Behaviorist Services describes why being a 'cookie pusher' isn't a bad thing is this great graphic.