Mollie’s Dog Place

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Mollie’s Dog Place Positive dog training for real life, led by Esmeralda Hudson and a trusted team. Helping Waco families raise calm, confident, connected dogs. 🐾
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10/07/2026

Has your adolescent dog suddenly become startled by things they handled easily before?

Dogs may experience a second fear period during adolescence—often sometime between 5 and 14 months, although the timing and intensity vary by dog. Ordinary sounds, objects or environments may suddenly feel unfamiliar.

Our goal isn’t to prevent every startled response. It’s to help our dogs recover and learn that they can turn back to us for support.

When your dog is startled:

🐾 Stay calm and avoid pulling or forcing them toward the trigger
🐾 Give them enough distance to look, process and feel safe
🐾 Allow them to investigate if they choose
🐾 Mark and reward when their body relaxes
🐾 Reward voluntary check-ins and engagement with you
🐾 Move away if they are unable to recover

C**t may move toward a sound to investigate, then return and check in with me. That check-in is important—it shows he can process what happened, recover and reconnect with his handler.

Confidence doesn’t mean never being startled. It means learning how to recover afterward.

Adolescent Dog Tips with Esmeralda

10/06/2026

🐾 Puppy Training Tip: Teach “Drop It” With Two Toys!

Does your puppy grab a toy and turn it into a game of keep-away? Chasing or pulling the toy from their mouth can make holding onto it even more exciting.

Instead, try the two-toy game:

1. Let your puppy play with one toy.
2. Make the second toy exciting by moving it around.
3. When your puppy releases the first toy, say “Drop it,” mark and immediately begin playing with the second toy.
4. Repeat the trade back and forth.

Sonny learns that dropping a toy doesn’t end the fun—it makes another fun game begin! This builds cooperation, encourages your puppy to bring toys closer and helps prevent grab-and-run games.

Trade—don’t chase!

Save this tip and practice with two toys your puppy loves. 🐶

PuppyManners WacoDogs WacoDogTrainer MolliesDogPlace

10/06/2026

Does your puppy jump or bark when they’re excited to get to you?

Lucy and Ellie are learning that jumping on the gate and barking do not earn the real-life reward they want—access to me.

When they jump or bark, I simply step back. I wait for calm and four paws on the floor before moving forward, opening the gate and entering.

They’re learning a clear pattern:

Jumping and barking make me move away.
Calm behavior and four on the floor bring me closer.

Training happens in everyday moments. When we consistently reward the behavior we want, our puppies learn that polite greetings are the fastest way to get what they want. 🐾

Train the Moment with Esmeralda

MolliesDogPlace WacoDogTrainer

🐾 Celebrating Training Milestones! 🎓Today we’re celebrating three dogs at different—and exciting—points in their trainin...
10/01/2026

🐾 Celebrating Training Milestones! 🎓

Today we’re celebrating three dogs at different—and exciting—points in their training journeys:

🎓 Archie graduated from Puppy School, Basic Manners, and Advanced Manners and is now beginning our Adolescent Training Program!

🎓 C**t graduated from Puppy Day School and Basic Manners and is also beginning his Adolescent Training Program!

🎓 Merle graduated from our Manners Glow Up Program!

Dog training is a process. Progress doesn’t happen in one lesson or through one perfect day; it develops through consistent practice, strong foundations, and many small successes along the way.

Graduation doesn’t mean the learning is finished. It celebrates how far each dog has come while preparing them for their next stage of growth.

One of my greatest joys as a trainer is watching each dog’s journey unfold and seeing their confidence grow, their skills become stronger, and their families experience the results of all their hard work. I’m incredibly proud of Archie, C**t, and Merle! 💚🐶

10/01/2026

🐾 Try the Four on the Floor Party!

Does your puppy jump the moment someone gets excited, talks to them or reaches down to pet them?

Instead of only correcting the jumping, practice the behavior you want before the excitement becomes overwhelming.

We begin with a little excitement, then reward Lucy when she chooses to keep all four paws on the floor. As she succeeds, we gradually make the greeting more exciting.

If she jumps, the attention pauses. When all four paws return to the floor, the party starts again! 🎉

The goal is to help your puppy learn:

Four paws on the floor make attention happen.

Start easy, reward often and increase the excitement gradually as your puppy improves.

Save this training tip and try your own Four on the Floor Party! 🐶

Address

1809 Columbus Avenue
Waco, TX
76701

Telephone

+12543492035

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