PupStart

10/12/2026

Such a DRAG

We sure do miss our beloved AstroBoy. He was enormously fun and such an important character at PupStart. This memory just absolutely cracks me up!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Bt9kgo383/

10/11/2026

We spend considerable time setting up fun and creative puppy puzzles for Sunday Puppy Power Hours. Will the puppies be able to go through this little course as confidently as our happy tester, the Spectacular Skipper?

Don't underestimate the value of challenges like this that require pups to navigate through unfamiliar objects (a.k.a., "socialization"). This is a great body awareness exercise, too!

10/10/2026

Why?!?

Why do you suppose Mim of Problem Solved, LLC is so excited about borrowing this old tricked out pool noodle? Hint: she and Chappie are in my freestyle class and want to work on something specific. (There's a ski pole jammed into the noodle which is why a handle is sticking out).

If you are a dog trainer and into tricks and freestyle, you get excited about the weirdest things. ♥️

09/14/2026

09/02/2026

Dizzy yet?? 😵‍💫

Little Maple and Gigi discovered the JOYS of chase and puppy friendship at Sunday Puppy Power Hour where careful management and puppy pairing go hand-in-hand with the introduction to novel experiences.

Pups up to 6 months and 40 lbs are welcome!

http://www.dianalogan.com/schedule/puppy-power-hour

09/01/2026

City Socialization Games!

What games do you play with your pup when you are out on the town? Simple, familiar, fun games that bring our pups joy are a great way to create a sense of familiarity and safety in a novel situation.

Good poodles!

08/26/2026

Drive and Tenacity - 7 month old Delilah often has these qualities in excess.

I cringe as I watch her "swim", but wow, the problem solving and focus here is quite impressive. Aside from figuring out how to retrieve it, she manages to leap over a log and up a steep embankment without dropping her catch.

All of that effort was to fetch an apple (multiple times). I failed to bring a ball on our walkie, but the dog gods bestowed a rogue apple upon our trail, so we considered ourselves blessed.

08/17/2026

This is hard physical work, especially for a long-legged beauty like 6 month old Lilah!

Fun exercises like this may not fully prepare your puppy for a life of competing in water sports, but they are more valuable than you might imagine.

Careful shaping using a marker (hers is "oui", like "yes" in French) and valuable reinforcers are keys to success. After just a few reps and good timing on my part, Lilah understood that she had to place all 4 paws on the board. This is good mental exercise, too.

08/14/2026

We are so very lucky to have this enchanted trail right out our back gate.

Feeling grateful.

Lilah has a less-than-stellar reputation with dogs other than Skipper (more about that another time), but I felt her skills had improved to the point that I could include her on this walk with guest dog Izzy. With careful management it was a lovely, joyous evening walkie.

Grateful for the power of positive reinforcement training... and lots of preventive strategies.

08/14/2026

When your friends are giants and a group photo fails - what do you do?

(see comments for the solution)