Hayley And Paws Dog Training

03/28/2026

Many of my clients have heard me talk about the importance of finding a breeder doing all of the health testing recommended for their chosen breed.

This is a great explanation of the difference -

Health Tested vs. Vet Checked

I had someone come to me this week asking me to vet a breeder they were considering, and one of the things highlighted on the website was that all of their dogs were “vet checked” by a veterinarian who had been practicing for over 50 years. To the average puppy buyer, that kind of wording probably sounds like a breeder who’s doing a great job. Most buyers wouldn’t know that is not the same thing as actual health testing, which is exactly why this kind of content matters.

A dog being vet checked simply means a veterinarian has examined that dog. That could mean routine care, a wellness exam, vaccines, illness visits, or a basic pre-breeding appointment.

A dog being health tested means that dog was specifically screened for the inherited conditions that matter in its breed before being bred. Those are two very different things.

For Australian Shepherds, the USASA Health & Genetics Program lists the required CHIC screenings as hips, elbows, and an eye exam by a board certified ophthalmologist. USASA also lists autoimmune thyroiditis, Collie Eye Anomaly, and Multiple Drug Sensitivity as optional testing.

Routine veterinary care does not replace actual health testing. A dog can look perfectly healthy in an exam room and still not have had the breed-specific screening that should have been done before producing a litter.

If you are talking to a breeder, do not just ask whether their dogs are “health tested.” Ask what testing was done on the sire and dam, whether it is the testing recommended for that breed, and whether the results are publicly verifiable (the results for hips, elbows and eyes should be listed on OFA.org)

And for those who do not have Aussies, OFA.org has a Browse by Breed section where you can look up the recommended health screenings for your breed.

“Vet checked” tells you a dog has seen a veterinarian.
“Health tested” should tell you the breeder did the breed-appropriate screening before ever producing a litter.

03/24/2026

Did someone say treat?

Gus the Braque Francais is celebrating his first with some kennel training & the beginning steps of being gentle with his feline sister.

Isn’t he precious?!

03/09/2026

Multi dog households can be challenging - even more so when there is a baby on the way.
This trio has been working to keep their cool when visitors come over. They are excited and don’t know what to do with all that joy!
Being a part of bringing harmony to this growing family is a privilege and I can’t wait for the arrival of baby Siemion 🩶

02/17/2026

Hi Gus 👋🏻

Gus is a nervous little guy who thinks the world is out to get him.

Fear is a complex behavior and sometimes we don’t get to know “why” a dog is nervous. You can raise a puppy the same way you did your last and still have a dog behaving completely different. Some dogs need extra guidance so that they can confidently and safely navigate the world, and that’s okay!

I love watching Gus work through his fears towards a braver future 🩶

12/09/2025

To say I am proud of this dogs progress is an understatement. Cooper is a young fella who struggled with an attitude problem. He didn’t like things being taken away from him and didn’t tolerate certain types of basic handling - and he was willing to use his teeth to let you know!

His mom has been incredible throughout his training process to create harmony in the home. She worked with his vet to find the right behavior medication for him and has been fantastic with all the homework assignments. This sort of progress is beautiful and I’m proud to have been a part of it 🩶

10/23/2025

Bentley & Bailey may not be biological brothers but they have been together their entire lives - born only one week apart.

They love each other but like many siblings, they have disagreements when they get worked up.

The boys began training to learn how to work through their triggers so that they can live in harmony and not take out their frustrations on each other.
I’m looking forward to our next session!

09/02/2025

Barley the goldendoodle is a happy guy who has one pesky naughty behavior - stealing!
When Barley feels bored he likes to steal anything he can get his paws or mouth on (including a knife 🔪) that he will then walk around with hoping his parents will chase him.

Training has given him an appropriate outlet for his brain so that he doesn’t feel the need to seek out thievery.
Even the goodest of boys benefits from regular training as a tool to help him relax his mind. It’s tough being so smart.

08/30/2025

Update: These spots have been filled. Thank you!!

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I have an opening for a new client or two on Wednesday/Thursday week nights biweekly.

If your pup is in need of some training and those days work for you let me know 🩶

08/26/2025

Happy National Dog Day 🐾

Roxie is a sweetie pie of a bernadoodle who is a little anxious when meeting new people. She is learning with her new parents how to have fun training so that she can live happily ever after in harmony with her family 🩶

04/22/2025

Opal is growing up to be a BEAUTIFUL dog and boy is she spunky.

She’s been working on Place lately because she doesn’t think her parents should ever do absolutely anything without her right there to manage them.

Who can relate?

03/25/2025

We should not fear muzzles, we should celebrate them.

It’s no secret that seeing a dog wearing a muzzle elicits an emotional response for dog lovers. We often feel bad for the muzzled dog or we fear them.

So why do dogs wear muzzles?

- Scavengers - a muzzle can help a dog have freedom to run around the yard without eating potentially harmful things like rocks. I see many dogs wear muzzles on walks to prevent them from eating goose p**p on the trail this time of year.

- Bite Risk - Some dogs, even dogs who have never bitten, may have expressed discomfort in certain situations that could have led to a bite. Instead of hiding the dog away to never see the public again, muzzling gives the dog and handler the ability to safely navigate the world.

- Vet Visits - We all see the videos of kids crying at the doctor when it’s time for shots and we often laugh or say “Awww”. But when dogs display their version of the same behavior it can be dangerous. Muzzle training helps to keep veterinary staff safe when they perform procedures like administering vaccines or evaluations of a sick dog.

- Group Play - In some play environments you’ll see a group of dogs muzzled to prevent injury. With breeds like the greyhound they naturally have thin skin so even a mild nick from a tooth during play can mean stitches.

To me, a muzzle means freedom.

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02/26/2025

Every week you grow braver and it’s a beautiful thing to see 🩶
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