Creative Solutions Training

10/10/2026

If I could wave a magic wand, I’d change one thing.
The way we we think about acclimation.

Because no, it isn't about making sure a dog has experienced absolutely everything we can cram in.
Quite the opposite sometimes.

It's the cyclist who whizzes past without becoming an event.
The bird in the tree that doesn't need chasing.
That strange surface they’re given time to investigate, rather than just being dragged across it.
The person carrying something weird and crinkly.
The rain and wind that might be difficult today, but become less and less significant over time.

The world is absolutely FULL of things our dogs will see, hear, smell and feel.

And we can't possibly prepare them for every single one.

But acclimation can have a wonderful run-on effect.

They may not have seen that “thing” before.
But they've seen something similar.
Heard something like it before too.
Walked on something that felt similar.

And suddenly, completely new doesn't feel quite so new anymore.

It's coping with this big old ever-changing world.
And coping well.

10/10/2026

Hold that cue up high and protect it.

It worked.
It works beautifully.

Then we go and start to sprinkle all our bad habits all over it.

As humans we add those "extras" in.
We can complicate the simple and we don't even realise we're doing it.

10/10/2026

The Terrible Twosome of trainers are stewarding at the Rally trials in Springfield today!

10/09/2026

Did you know that Claws & Paws Animal Adoption Center has a wishlist on Amazon and Chewy for supplies they need?
https://www.clawsandpawsaac.com/donate

Claws & Paws Animal Adoption Center is a private, no-kill shelter dedicated to providing a safe and loving environment for animals in need across Lebanon,

10/09/2026

Hey Lebanon! In case you didn't know, our Adopt-a-Thon raffles are still going strong! 🎟️
We have some amazing prizes up for grabs, whether you're looking for something for yourself or wanting to get a start on early Christmas presents. Check it all out in store and see what you can enter to win before it's too late.
The best part; we have donations from local small businesses who made this possible AND all proceeds from our raffle goes to our local animal shelter, Claws & Paws! 🐾

10/09/2026

Frosty is working on tricks tonight at Petsense.

10/09/2026

I don't.
I don't crouch.
We're told to crouch down so we appear less threatening to a fearful dog.
Crouching makes you smaller.
It also makes you slower.
And around a fearful dog, oh, that matters.

It's absolutely fine if you disagree with me.

When I'm crouched, my centre of gravity is different.
I'm less mobile.
And with a dog I'm still getting to know, I want to be able to respond easily to their movement.
They move away?
They suddenly come closer?
They change direction?
I'm not trying to haul myself out of a squat at the same time.

Legs get tired.
At some point that small, non-threatening crouch has to end.
And then what?
Up you go.

From this small human who's been sitting down nice and low to.
"Hello, I'm actually this big"
And sometimes that change itself can spook a fearful dog.
So no, crouching isn't some terrible thing that nobody should ever do.
I just don't think it's automatically the best or least threatening position simply because we've made ourselves smaller.

And actually, I think we can get a little too caught up in what position we're supposed to put ourselves in around fearful dogs.
Crouch.
Stand
Sitting?
Sitting can have its place, but oh boy that's very individual too. If I need to move away quickly, those extra seconds it takes to get back onto my feet can matter.
And I don't particularly want to find myself stuck on the ground when a fearful dog suddenly becomes uncomfortable with my presence.

But what really matters?
Maybe I don't need to make myself smaller.
Maybe I need to make the pressure smaller.
And sometimes they're not the same thing.

That's why I don't start with,
"How should I approach this dog?"
I start with,
Do I actually need to approach them at all?

09/27/2026

Ridiculously useful.💡
Simple and effective.
Uses galore.
Who doesn't want that up their sleeve?

Once a dog understands hand targeting, it can come in handy in all sorts of situations.

Moving into position.
A moment of focus before asking for something else.
Getting onto those scary scales at the vet.
Redirecting from something they're a little bit too "stuck" on.
Moving through a doorway.
Even just giving a dog a very familiar, easy thing to do somewhere new.

The simplest skills end up being the ones we use the most.
And people who use it will tell you just how "handy" it is!

09/27/2026

Sarah Rucker and I had the pleasure of taking these two goofballs for a playdate on Saturday. This is Max and Peanut and they currently reside at Claws & Paws Animal Adoption Center. Now there is an application pending for the adoption of both boys together.
We recommended Jeremy Ozark Bottoms K9 Academy, LLC / Kennel for board and train care while the potential doggy daddy finishes school. If the stars align these boys will leave to start their new adventure later this week and we're so excited for them!

08/30/2026