Misfit Mutts Dog Training

11/13/2025

In these difficult times, the need for pet food assistance in our state has greatly increased. Rhode Island has multiple pet food pantries run through local shelters, rescue groups, and charitable organizations. If you or someone you know needs help in feeding their pets, visit https://www.ripetnetwork.org/pet-pantries to download this list!

08/19/2025

Summer 2025 photo dump #1 because I can never remember to take photos and also post them and then don’t get me started on having to write captions. I will never be the trainer remembering to video anything - I wish I was but it’s just not who I am, I’m sorry. I wanted to be a dog trainer - I didn’t want to be on social media. 😂 I really appreciate everyone who trusts me with their dog family and who tells their friends and family to trust me with their dogs too. I take it so seriously and 15 years in, I still love every dog I’m lucky enough to spend time with - even the ones who try to eat me!

11/10/2024

🫶

11/04/2024

Cold weather is here in RI. Like I post periodically every cold weather season, if you know someone or are someone local who has a cold dog (for whatever reason, doesn’t matter to me) or dog who is just in need of better or new gear in general to keep them safe (think collars/harnesses, leashes, tie outs, etc); email or DM me and I will get said dog set up so good and toasty and secure that every other dog around will be jealous.

[email protected]

08/21/2024

girlie pops ✨

08/06/2024

To those contemplating the rehoming of a pet, this is not intended to cause shame or guilt, but rather to encourage thoughtful consideration.

It is essential to recognize that there is no ideal home where individuals magically acquire more time or resources. Similarly, there is no farmer in need of an untrained dog, nor is there a rescue organization with unlimited resources and time to devote to every dog.

The reality is that many well-behaved and loving dogs languish in shelters and foster care for extended periods, sometimes exceeding a year, without receiving any adoption applications.

Before resorting to rehoming, it is crucial to exhaust all available options and make every effort to ensure a successful and fulfilling life for your pet. This may involve seeking professional training, exploring alternative care arrangements, or addressing any behavioral challenges.

Remember, rehoming should only be considered as a last resort, and every effort should be made to find a suitable and loving home for your pet.

06/25/2024

06/07/2024

Let's get real for a second.

The world often paints a picture that dogs who live together are best friends and do everything together.

This is just not true. Many many many multidog household utilize management in different situations to allow dogs personal space to enjoy things such as:

- feeding time
- chew time
- play time
- attention time

This. Is. Normal.

Just because someone utilizes management, doesn't mean their dogs don't enjoy each other's company or have fun together. It just means that there are certain activities that they prefer to do on their own.

And I will tell you firsthand that implementing safe space zones and time apart can be so beneficial to the relationship between two dogs.

Think about it-- do you enjoy doing every single activity that you do at home with your spouse, family, or sibling RIGHT there? I don't think so.

So let's normalize management between dogs who live together!!

Do you want to work on your dogs' relationship and/or interactions? Go to my website here to schedule a private consult: perkedears.com/private-training-sessions

04/03/2024

In Maine we have a saying, "hard telling, not knowing."

You can apply this to most all rescue and shelter dogs.

Dogs may be scared of things because they have never seen it before or because they think it's weird or creepy.
It doesn't always mean the dog was abused by it.

Benny thinks the bucket for the cedar mop is kind of weird. He definitely has never been abused by this bucket. It's just a weird sound!

So was your rescue dog abused by a man with a beard or by a broom or in a car?

Rescues, please be mindful that making up abuse stories about dogs doesn't help educate the public and can make you appear not credible.
Dogs are cool. They don't need sob stories.

Hard telling not knowing.

Remember, reinforcers are in the eye of the beholder and scary things or punishments are in the eye of the beholder. Your dog doesn't need to be abused to respect and honor their worries.
You can help them out no matter why they have big feelings.
Benny has a concern about the mop bucket. We can help him out even though the bucket has never hurt him. That's not the important part. The important thing is that he has a worry.