Spry Dog

05/13/2026

You’re teaching your dog ALL the time - not just when you’re “training.” Did you know that when you respond to anything he’s doing, he learns to do it more. Corrections, praise, food, punishments - all of these reactions from you reinforce his behavior and make it stronger. Contact Spry Dog if you want to know what to do instead.

They’re getting better at it.
It’s just not what you wanted.

Life happens.
We get busy. We get tired.
Management slips.
Doors get rushed at, and windows get barked through.
Behaviours get rehearsed.

It’s ok. This isn’t about perfection.
One of the hardest parts with behaviour change is that dogs don’t only learn during training sessions.
They learn from repetition all day, every day.

That’s why behaviour can sometimes feel so confusing and frustrating.

We may have had a fantastic training session in the morning, aimed at reducing that unwanted behaviour.
Then that same behaviour is unintentionally practised another 15 times across the rest of the week, or even in a day.
Those repetitions matter.

Behaviours that are practised regularly become faster and more “automatic” over time.

Management gets a bad rap sometimes but it’s one of the greatest tools we have to build new habits.
Management is not about “avoiding the issue”.
What it can do is reduce the rehearsal while we teach better coping skills and patterns instead.

That can be a huge shift for many dogs.

Behaviour change really is much bigger than that single moment we are trying to stop.
One thing’s for sure though.
If they practice it.
They’ll get better at it.

We just have to be careful with what “it” is.

05/02/2026

Great demo showing how to teach your dog to like having his teeth brushed. P.S. Brushing their teeth can keep them healthy much longer!

05/02/2026

If your dog is really “busy” much of the time, read this ^..^

If you don’t physically exhaust them… they just won’t stop.
Whoa there.
Let’s look at the bigger picture.... not just a quick “fix” for today.

I get it, I really do.
Running them longer..... throwing the frisbee for another 10 minutes, chucking that ball again and again, because if you don’t, they’ll pace, whine and struggle to settle.

Here’s the tough question.
Is it helping your dog… or just creating a cycle where they crave more and more?

Their stamina climbs higher.
Their demands increase.
Their adrenaline is off the charts.

Then "suddenly" the amount of exercise you need to give them is unsustainable .
There just aren’t enough hours in the day to “satisfy” them.

What's the solution?
Do less… but carefully.
Reduce that high energy exercise, while adding enrichment in its place.

Low arousal activities that tire them in a different way:

Scatter feeding
Scent walks
Enrichment games
Puzzle toys

Still not convinced?
Try it.... really try it , for a few weeks.

You’ll never look at “tiring them out” the same way again.

05/02/2026

Great explanation!

It's not about the crate.

I know people feel very strongly about crates.
And I understand why.

So this isn’t about crating every dog.
But we do need to prepare them for times when they may have no choice.

Think overnight stays at the vet.
Evacuation centres that insist on them.
Kennels or dog stays that use them if you need to leave your dog.

This is about making sure they can cope if they ever need to.

The same crate can be a safe, predictable space or somewhere they panic in.

That difference doesn’t come from the crate.
It comes from what your dog has learned to feel in it.

Rushing is where distress starts.
Closing the door too soon.
Using it when they’re already stressed.
Expecting them to “get used to it” or “cry it out”.

That builds stress and pressure.
And those two things will never create the calm we are aiming for.

A well-introduced crate should be quiet, cosy and predictable.
A place where good things happen.
A place they can truly settle.

A poorly introduced one feels very different.
Restricting.
Confusing and distressing.
Somewhere they just don’t want to be.

Dogs don’t resist crates for no reason.
They’re responding to how it feels.

How it feels is up to us.

04/18/2026

If your pup has behavior issues - fear, anxiety, stress, shyness - these folks can help you. Lots of knowledge, care and heart. Animal Clinic

https://www.facebook.com/100063863100501/posts/1083386550466772/?

04/18/2026

This symposium is guaranteed to be ultra informative - I’ll be bringing my own popcorn! 🍿

04/11/2026

Really great advice!

The best approach? None.
None at all.

I want a dog to feel safe.
Secure.
To understand, clearly, that I am no threat.

And the quickest way to do that?
Take the pressure right off.

No reaching. No leaning in and no stepping into their space.

Because the moment you move toward them, or bend down in an attempt to connect with them, you’ve already changed how it feels for them.

Dogs don’t need us to prove we’re friendly.
They need us to be non-threatening.

There’s a big difference.

And this isn’t just about them.
It’s about you too.

You may know nothing about this dog. That matters.

If you crouch down right in front of them, you’ve just put yourself in a compromised position.

Your centre of gravity is now off.
Your movement will then be slower.
Your ability to step away quickly is reduced.

If this dog reacts?
You’ve lost those crucial seconds and your face is right there directly in front of theirs.

So, try this instead

Turn your body.
Stay upright.
Give lots of space.

Let them decide if they want to come closer.

Because the clearest and best message you can send a dog is this:
I’m not here to pressure you.

03/29/2026

Support for abused animals 💘

MAJOR UPDATE! For the first time in the Missouri cross-reporting bill's history, it has been voted out of its Senate Committee, SB 899 - and unanimously, at that. In previous years the bill had run out of time or faced opposition that prevented this milestone from occurring. But this year, we have triumphed, and have adequate time to get it through the floors of the House and Senate and to the Governor's desk. Stay tuned for more updates!

02/15/2026

These are great ways to keep owners, kids and DOGS safer and happier!

02/04/2026

Westminster is fun fun fun. I cheer loudly for the breeds I adore and the people I know. All the time thinking hopeful thoughts for the dogs in rescue. Secretly (secretly?) I love them all

For my money (and I know this won’t be popular) it beats the heck out of football, too

Winner of the Sporting Group-
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever!