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Want to have some fun and improve your dog’s behavior? Then spend a weekend at this dog training event near Des Moines, Iowa. Join me in the beauty of rural Iowa for an immersive three-day training experience designed specifically for committed pet owners who want more — more clarity, more confidence, and more connection with their dog. The 2026 Dog Camp will be held at my training facility, located about 40 miles SE of Des Moines. This won’t be the […]
As a professional dog trainer, I often meet dogs that leave an impression on me for one reason or another. Some because they are breeds I may not routinely encounter and it’s fun to work with something different. Or they were challenging cases that stretch my creativity and tool kit in order to turn things around. Others it is simply because they are just such dream dogs to train. The ones that are easily engaged, quick learners that make me […]
I received a wonderful surprise in the mail this week. Just getting mail that isn’t a bill or junk is already a small victory—but this was something special. Inside the package was a T-shirt designed by a former client. It was created as a tribute to her dog, but inspired by a mantra she picked up from our training sessions together. Printed on the shirt were the words: “Good Decisions by Kenya, the Mal” “Good decisions” is a phrase clients […]
In decades past, a dogs freedom to roam was more widely accepted. Mindset about that has changed, even though some haven’t caught up. These two showed up at my place recently. They weren’t accompanied by any humans; they came in from the west. Friendly, tails wagging, happy for a meal and a drink of water. I didn’t know they had even been on the property until one of the construction workers building our new home asked about them. He told […]
One of the most important principles in dog training is this: Reward the behavior you want, and you’ll get more of it. It sounds simple, but the key lies in understanding what your dog actually finds rewarding. A reward doesn’t have to be food—it can be anything your dog enjoys. And for many dogs, play ranks at the very top of that list. Why Play Is So Powerful? Play is one of the most effective and underutilized motivators. Not only […]
This past weekend, I had the chance to check out the Des Moines Art Festival. It’s a free, three-day event held downtown that showcases visual art, live music, and interactive art activities. It is a popular event with an estimated 200,000 attendees each year, and something I’d wanted to experience for a while. I’m glad I finally made time for it. But one thing ruined it for me: the people who brought their dogs. For the dogs in Des Moines […]
Having trouble getting your dog to listen to you? Learn the biggest reasons behind why your dog is not doing what you ask.
Safety is the reason that recall training is necessary. But joy is an even better reason to teach your dog to come when called.
I recently returned from 9-day excursion along the Rhine River. My husband and I had a wonderful time exploring some beautiful cities. But the best part of the adventure was the opportunity to observe the European dog culture I’d often heard about. I appreciate my husband’s tolerance of my dog obsession. He indulged the turning away from historic buildings or interrupting meals to watch dog-owner interactions. 😅 On past vacations, I was equally distracted when observing stray populations in Caribbean […]
How do you feel when you see your puppy dealing with stress? Do you immediately step in and “rescue” them from anything uncomfortable? What if I told you that stress and dogs can go together to create beneficial experiences? When a young Weimaraner recently joined my board-and-train program, I informed his owner that his life was about to change. He’d be living under some new rules, including crate training at night, learning to walk politely on a leash, and participating in […]