The Devoted Dog

05/05/2026

04/26/2026

Think all petting feels good to your dog? Not even close. Science shows a lot of what we call affection is actually overstimulation. Slow it down. Your dog doesn’t want a drum solo on their head. Slow strokes equal calm, fast pats equal stress.

A new peer-revied study surveying dog and cat owners looked at how touch relates to pet wellbeing and found clear differences between species. For dogs, gentle petting had the biggest positive impact, especially slow, calm stroking along the chest, shoulders, and sides. The more time and physical contact, the better, with added benefits when dogs lean on their owners or sleep close by. This type of touch mimics natural social grooming and helps reduce stress while promoting relaxation. In contrast, owner-initiated petting didn’t have the same effect in cats. What mattered more was cat-initiated contact, particularly head rubbing, also known as bunting. Gentle touch can improve wellbeing, but only when it aligns with the animal’s natural behavior and comfort level. Takeaway: If your dog leans into you, relaxes, or closes their eyes, you’re doing it right, if they pull away or get restless, adjust pressure or location.

12/28/2025

Maybe something for those dogs that are fearful of fireworks.

My rescue dog Baxter has been terrified of fireworks since the day I brought him home. Every Fourth of July turned into a nightmare: him shaking under the bed, panting so hard I worried his heart would give out, and refusing to eat for days after. Last year was the worst: he broke through a window screen trying to escape the noise, resulting in a $300 vet bill, anxiety meds that made him a zombie, and me sitting on the bathroom floor with him for six hours straight while he trembled in my arms. This year, I was dreading it all over again. Then, two days ago, I saw a random tip in a pet group (I've been on there lately, ordering handmade dog beds and treats from amazing crafters). Someone posted about using tennis balls in the dryer to create white noise that masks fireworks. I thought it sounded absolutely insane, but I was desperate enough to try anything. So, tonight, before the fireworks started, I threw six tennis balls, an old sneaker, and a knotted towel into the dryer. I turned off the heat and let it run. The steady thumping sound filled the house, and I waited, holding my breath, for Baxter's usual panic to start. Nothing. The first firework went off; he lifted his head, looked around, and went back to sleep. I actually started crying. For the first time in three years, my dog is sleeping peacefully on July 4th instead of hiding and shaking. He's been passed out on the couch for two hours now, completely unbothered, while the neighborhood explodes around us. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the ones that save you. If your dog struggles tonight, try this; it might just change everything.

10/23/2025

Hi everyone, here is an update and a quick intro, I’m Jacky and these are my pups. The big tri colored boy is Jetty my Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the brown dog is Mokka my American Lab, and then there is my standard poodle Kawai. I have been a dog trainer for about ten years on Cape Cod. We all moved here a year ago and now I’m ready to start taking on clients. Reach out if you find yourself in need of a trainer. Can’t wait to meet you.

10/21/2025

Do you have this freedom with your dogs? If not reach out if you live in East Tennessee, I can help.

09/06/2025

Many trainers carry a universal vision of what every dog should know: sit, down, heel, place, etc.

But dogs do not live in universals.
They live in households with particular rhythms, families with unique dynamics, and people carrying their own needs and limitations. A universal checklist can feel reassuring to the trainer, but too often it leads to teaching skills that have little to do with the client’s actual struggles.

In many cases, that checklist becomes a crutch, used in place of creating the thoughtful and unique training plan the client truly needs.

When training time is spent mastering skills that aren’t directly relevant, frustration grows, follow-through suffers, and the dog’s issues remain unsolved.

The true measure of training is not whether the dog completes our imagined list, but whether harmony returns to the home. It is about seeing clearly what matters most to this dog, in this family, at this moment.

Full Post👇🏼
https://tylermuto.com/2025/09/06/serve-your-clients-not-yourself/

08/17/2025

It's not just dogs! This is amazing.

History was recently made as the Blackfeet Nation proudly became home to the first Native-led equine air scent detection Search and Rescue (SAR) team. Brianna Juneau reports - link and video in the comments:

08/16/2025

Yes!

04/08/2025

Love this. ❤️