Bark Side Manners

Bark Side Manners We are here to help support you with your journey on helping your dog be the best they can be! We deeply care for you and your dog. https://barksidemanners.com/

06/06/2026

Behind the Scenes Saturday

Last weekend I took Josie to a farmers market to work on her training.

The goal was simple: help her learn how to stay calm and regulated around larger crowds, dogs, and people.

What I wasn’t expecting was a complete stranger stopping me to tell me I needed to put a prong collar on my dog.

Let’s just say it took a lot more self-control on my part than it did on Josie’s. 😅

The funny thing is, the biggest lesson from the day wasn’t about dog training at all.

It was a reminder that not every opinion deserves a response, and not every disagreement requires a debate.

My job that day wasn’t to convince a stranger.

My job was to help my dog succeed.

Check out the video for the full story, and I’ll be posting some of Josie’s actual training footage from that day in the comments.

Have you ever received unsolicited dog training advice from a stranger? I’d love to hear your story below.




















Force-Free FridayOne of the biggest misconceptions about force-free training is that it means being permissive.Nothing c...
06/05/2026

Force-Free Friday

One of the biggest misconceptions about force-free training is that it means being permissive.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Force-free trainers absolutely set boundaries and expectations. We teach dogs how to succeed by building skills, preventing rehearsal of unwanted behaviors, and reinforcing behaviors we want to see more often.

The difference isn’t whether we teach.

The difference is how we teach.

Instead of using fear, intimidation, pain, or coercion, we focus on communication, trust, and learning.

Your dog deserves guidance.
Your dog deserves boundaries.
And your dog deserves to feel safe while learning.

❤️ What is the biggest misconception you’ve heard about force-free training?

🎉 Student Win Thursday 🎉One of my clients recently shared this:“We are now properly understanding both of our dogs’ cues...
06/04/2026

🎉 Student Win Thursday 🎉

One of my clients recently shared this:

“We are now properly understanding both of our dogs’ cues and language.”

That statement might not sound as exciting as “my dog learned to sit” or “my dog stopped pulling.”

But in reality, it’s one of the most important wins a family can achieve.

When you understand your dog’s communication, you begin seeing behavior differently.

You notice the early signs of stress before your dog reacts.

You recognize when your dog needs support instead of correction.

You understand the difference between appropriate play and a dog becoming overwhelmed.

You learn what your dog is trying to tell you long before barking, growling, lunging, or shutting down happens.

This is why I spend so much time teaching dog body language and emotional wellness—not just obedience skills.

Because behavior is communication.

And the stronger the communication, the stronger the relationship.

What’s one thing you’ve learned about your dog’s body language recently? I’d love to hear it below

🚨 Reality Check Wednesday 🚨If your dog is barking, lunging, freezing, shutting down, whining, or completely ignoring you...
06/03/2026

🚨 Reality Check Wednesday 🚨

If your dog is barking, lunging, freezing, shutting down, whining, or completely ignoring you around a trigger, the problem may not be a lack of training.

Your dog may simply be over threshold.

When a dog becomes overwhelmed by fear, stress, excitement, frustration, or arousal, their brain shifts from learning mode into survival mode. In that moment, they’re not focused on making good choices—they’re focused on coping with what they’re experiencing.

This is why repeatedly exposing a dog to triggers and hoping they’ll “get used to it” often backfires.

Dogs get good at what they practice.

If your dog practices reacting over and over again, those reactions become stronger, faster, and more automatic.

One of the most important pieces of behavior modification is preventing your dog from repeatedly rehearsing the unwanted behavior while teaching them new skills they can be successful with.

That might mean creating more distance, adjusting the environment, changing the setup, or recognizing when it’s time to leave a situation before your dog becomes overwhelmed.

Remember:

🐾 Reactions are information.
🐾 Behavior is communication.
🐾 Learning happens when dogs feel safe enough to think.

💜 Reflection Question:

Can you think of a time when your dog wasn’t being stubborn or disobedient—but was actually overwhelmed? What did you learn from that experience?

🎉 I earned the emerging talent badge this week, recognizing me for creating engaging content that sparks an interest amo...
06/01/2026

🎉 I earned the emerging talent badge this week, recognizing me for creating engaging content that sparks an interest among my fans!

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