Rise Above Dog Training

05/30/2026

Dream job!

Meet Blue! 🐾

Thanks to support from Grand Canyon Conservancy, Grand Canyon National Park is welcoming a new four-legged member to the wildlife management team. “Blue,” a trained Conservation K-9, is helping wildlife staff reduce human-wildlife conflicts in busy areas of the South Rim.

Blue is a certified Catahoula Leopard Hound trained to safely haze habituated elk and bighorn sheep away from developed areas where close interactions with visitors can become dangerous for both people and wildlife. Using barking and herding pressure — while always leashed and under handler control — Blue helps encourage wildlife to return to more natural habitat and behavior.

Blue officially began field operations on May 18 and will primarily work in high visitor-use areas including the El Tovar Complex, Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Maswik Lodge, Mather Campground services area, and the Grand Canyon School.

This new Conservation K-9 Pilot Project is part of a science-based effort to improve visitor safety, reduce wildlife conflicts, and help keep wildlife wild.

Learn more about Blue and Conservation K9 Program here: www.nps.gov/articles/000/conservation-k9-blue.htm

📷 NPS Photo

05/25/2026

So real. I used to be in the “I made a commitment to this dog, they’re not going anywhere” camp. I didn’t lose another dog or get super hurt, but I did feel an incredible weight lifted and an intense guilt for how long my other dog had to live a stressful life because I couldn’t bring myself to make a difficult choice. If you haven’t been there, you may not understand. Try your best to heed the words of people who made the mistake of learning the hard way instead of casting judgment too quickly.

05/25/2026

Don’t google the lyrics and just enjoy the smart puppy and the catchy tune 😅❤️🐾

05/24/2026

Awful.

05/15/2026

🐾 TUCSON, we're coming! 🐾

A new chapter for Soldier’s Best Friend is happening, and we can’t wait to celebrate with our community. Join us as we open the doors to our new Tucson Facility and honor the incredible bond between veterans and their service dogs. ❤️

On June 1st, come celebrate, connect, and support our mission.

05/15/2026

05/15/2026

Weee! Love when Brody comes to visit. A forever puppy forever 😂❤️🐾✨

05/03/2026

If I’ve taught my dog anything, it’s that the camera is there for him 😅 Meanwhile Apachai is in the background doing the really cool stuff, overcoming his reactivity and gaining positive experiences around neutral dogs.

05/02/2026

Canela’s life was flipped upside down when his owners were deported, and he has done his best to roll with the punches. He’s jumped through every hoop I’ve asked of him with enthusiasm. He has been so down to play and learn anything I showed him in his board and train. Now we have to match his energy and find him the perfect home to make sure he gets to have the happy active ever after of a life he deserves. Please consider sharing this post to spread his sweet face far and wide, and let me know if you have any questions. Interested parties should check out azbcr.org to apply to foster or adopt.