Final Form Dog Training

06/29/2026

Tips for surviving the heat.

Here in the South, the heat waves lately are no joke!

While it is important to get outside with your dog as much as you can, it is okay to just stay indoors when the heat has reached unsafe levels. Remember, many breeds are more heat-intolerant than others. Brachycephalic or heavy-coated breeds are most prone.

If you must get out, stay in the shade as much as possible. Maybe some light swimming. Or you can find somewhere indoors to hang out! Many stores are welcoming to well-behaved pets, including PetSmart, Lowe's, and Home Goods. Make sure to call ahead if they are not a pet store, as individual store rules may vary.

There are also pet friendly coffee shops and restaurants, but the patio might reach dangerous heat levels, so check the weather before heading out for a bite!

Make sure to keep water on hand at all times, and keep your electrolytes up.

Remember to check pavement heat levels with your hand for about ten seconds before allowing your dog to walk on it, as their paw pads can get burned.

Signs of heat stroke:

Your dog continually pants, even while rested. Panting heavily

Thick drool

The tongue and gums turn bright red or pale

The dog seems agitated, continually paces, or struggles to find a comfortable position

Lethargy, weakness, or a refusal to keep moving on a hot day.

What to do:

Call the emergency vet!

Bring your dog immediately to a cool area, whether it is air-conditioned, or shade

Use a fan, or find a place with A/C to help cool your dog down

Wipe your dog with a wet cloth. Do not use ice water. Your dog can go into shock.

Offer small amounts of room-temperature water at a time to rehydrate and help them to cool down

If you can, take their temperature. A dog's natural body temperature ranges between 100.0°F to 102.5°F

Stay safe out there and enjoy your summer!

[photo credit: Rhododendrites]

06/29/2026

Have you trained with your dog today?
Your dog will thank you!

Your dog might not be a movie star, but every time you work(or play) together with them, you are building the foundations to an amazing partnership!

Here's a photo of Rudd Weatherwax working with "Lassie"
Dogs who played Lassie: Pal, Lassie Junior, Spook, Baby, Mire

06/29/2026

Attention middle Tennessee dog owners!

Let's get together to celebrate the 250th birthday of the USA in style. Get out and do more with your dog!

Mention this code: USA250 in your message to claim the discounted package.

Until the 10th of July, we are offering three discounted training packages. If you order yours before the fifth, even if you don't immediately use it, your discount will still apply.
One package per client.

~Puppy Foundations Package~ 6 lessons(up to an hour each) at $480
This package covers the very basics to get you and your pup started off right!
Includes:
-leash pressure and loose leash walking
-recall foundations, including name recognition
-reward markers
-On or Off? teaching your dog how to control their energy
-introduction to Place, Wait, or Stay
-learning boundaries and house manners
-potty training guidance
-crate training guidance

~Puppy Training Star Puppy Package~ 8 lessons(up to an hour each) at $640
We will cover the next level of everything included in our Puppy Foundations Package, as well as:
-loose leash walking
-recall, recall at distance
-boundaries
-co-operative care (handling and gear)
-proof what you learned in your home as well as outside of your home

~Intro to Obedience Package~ 8 lessons(up to an hour each) at $640
All dogs enrolling in this package should already know the basics of recall, leash pressure, boundaries, and can work with some distance and distractions. Once completed, your dog should be able to pass the CGC test.
-public neutrality
-minimize reactivity
-solidify recall
-interacting with strangers
-working with distractions
-build a solid Place command
-proofing skills in public and at a distance

Sign up today!
[Photo Credit: huoagd5888]

06/06/2026

Ah how the tables have turned

did NOT sign up for this 😂😅

06/01/2026

Welcoming Roxie!
Roxie is learning the basics, so she can become the best all around family dog she can be!

She is enrolled in our Puppy Foundations Training 6 week course, where she is learning
- four on the floor
- leash manners
- house manners
- recall games
- bonding with her family
And more! 🐾

Let's all give her a warm welcome!

01/30/2026

As you may be aware, the winter ice storm that hit Nashville has affected many businesses. Ours was also affected. We were unable to meet clients since the 24th of January.

Due to this, we will be offering our private in-home training sessions at a discounted rate of $65 per session(up to 4 sessions). No need to drive. We come to you!

Let's get out and train!

Valid until February 10th. If you send a message before February 10th, your next 4 sessions will be at the discounted rate. This offer is open to both current and new clients!
Please use the code WS2026 in your message to claim this offer.

01/25/2026

Do things with your dogs! It really doesn't matter what.

I am often approached by clients needing help with dog-to-dog issues, co-dependence, insecurity, resource guarding, inter-dog-aggression. The first thing I ask is "what are you doing every day with your dogs as individuals?"
Clients are usually surprised at this question.
The answer I usually get is something along the lines of "we take them on walks" "if I play with one, the other one doesn't like it, so we don't play", "they eat together, sleep together, and stay together when we're away." "They usually get along, I don't know why they're acting like this." "I got my dog a friend so he wouldn't be bored."
When dogs don't get individual time, they can develop co-dependence, jealousy, and aggression with other dogs. Think about how much time they're spending without the option to get out of each other's space. Many dogs spend as much as 24 hours a day together in the home, essentially doing nothing.
Before anything else, I would ask a simple question:
Is each dog getting it's individual needs met?
Sometimes something so simple as separate walks, and giving them space from each other around meal time can improve your dogs' relationship with you, and with each other.

Do things with your dogs as individuals. Even 15 minutes a day of separate exercise, play, enrichment, and training time will do wonders. Build that relationship with you one-on-one. Dogs are individuals. Treat them individually.

If you're having issues similar to this, try it out for a couple weeks, come back and tell me how it went!

📸 from Vigyory - Public Domain Image

01/06/2026

If you're thinking about rehoming your pet due to behavioral issues like jumping on people, biting, barking at nothing and everything, hyperactivity, pulling on leash, reactivity, remember that we offer FREE in person evaluations!

Let us help. The issues you are experiencing might just need a simple fix!