Young's Dog Training LLC

10/08/2026

I just discovered that we have been recognized as a 2026 Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave! This is actually our second time receiving this recognition, as you also voted for us back in 2024!

This is pretty awesome! And honestly a blessing, to see this kind of support from everyone within the communities we've worked with. Knowing that people appreciate the experiences they've had with us and are willing to take the time to show that support means a lot.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote and show their support. My focus has always been on helping people better understand their dogs, their needs, and how they experience the world around them. This truly means a lot to know that the work we're doing is appreciated.

Thank you all!

10/08/2026

Sindhoor Pangal is really articulating an experience that a lot of us aren't realizing is happening between us and our dogs. It's not any of our faults either! A lot of it comes from how we were raised to view dogs. But this highlights why you should pay closer attention to the trainer you plan to hire.

Communication through understanding doesn't require head halters, shock collars, prong collars, front clip easy walk harnesses, or other no pull equipment designed to influence behavior through pressure or restraint.

If the first thing you're being told to buy is equipment that "makes walking easier," "uses pressure to communicate," or the best one I've seen so far, "a remote control that communicates commands to your dog," then we really need to question what kind of relationship that trainer is helping you develop with your dog.

If we're relying on discomfort or the possibility of discomfort (pressure) to influence behavior. We're not necessarily teaching the dog to understand us. We're developing an atmosphere of contingencies that revolve around "do this, or expect that." And as Sindhoor so smoothly puts it that's the type of person you probably wouldn't choose to interact with.

One big difference is that our dogs don't have the freedom to simply leave those interactions. Instead, they may resort to appeasement, avoidance, and negotiation in an effort to prevent an uncomfortable experience. And all of this is happening while they're already trying to navigate and adapt to a world we've largely constructed around our own expectations.

10/04/2026

You can identify the aversive trainers under titles like full spectrum, pack leader, balanced, training without conflict, nepopo...

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fellow-creatures/202609/dog-trainers-switch-methods-due-to-empathy-and-education

New post at Psych Today! We know that aversive dog training methods have risks for the dog and the dog-human relationship, but despite that, some trainers still use them. Research published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science sheds light on the differing viewpoints of American reward-based and aversive trainers. Of particular interest, the reward-based trainers in the study had previously used aversives and crossed over, sometimes as a gradual process and sometimes with an "aha" moment. Read about it in the piece on Psych Today.

(link in bio; scroll down to what's new and trending).

09/26/2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/DdrKiNHkdK0/?img_index=3&stkn=MWFlbjMzbjEydnA2Yg==

09/17/2026

Nextdoor's 2026 Fave Awards voting is open through Sep 30. If you've loved working with us, we'd be grateful for your vote.

https://nextdoor.com/page/youngs-dog-training-llc-st-louis-mo-1

09/15/2026

New site is live

Quick heads up!

Over the past two months, my website and client management system have both been going through a pretty significant overhaul. Over the past week, I've started implementing the changes needed to integrate everything, and the new Youngs Dog Training website will be going live this week. (Hopefully)

A lot of these changes have come directly from client feedback and from seeing where the current system has made things more difficult than they need to be. Navigating the website and finding the right service hasn't always been as straightforward as it should be, and returning clients have sometimes had to jump through too many hoops just to book again.

The changes aren't just about a new website. I'm working toward a much smoother experience from the first time someone reaches out through returning for future services. That includes easier navigation and booking, better access to information you've already provided, less need to repeatedly submit the same information every time you come back, as well as a smoother way to receive and access updates while your dog is here.

There are a lot of moving pieces involved in getting everything connected. With these changes happening behind the scenes, there is a possibility that something submitted through one of my website forms over the past week may not have made it through to me. Some existing forms and client communications may also be affected while everything is being transitioned.

If you've reached out, submitted a form, or expected a response from me recently and haven't heard back, please follow up or give me a call. I don't want anyone thinking I've ignored their messages when there's a chance it simply didn't reach me.

Thanks for your patience while I get everything transitioned and fully integrated!

09/12/2026