Blog
Learn more about our successes, our struggles, and what we have learned from our clients at The Freckled Paw.
Successful Virus Quarantine: Dog Edition
Some of us are headed into week three of quarantine here in the US. That's three weeks of uncertainty, figuring out this "new normal" routine. On top of "stay at home" orders, many of you are now working from home, homeschooling your kids, and trying to keep up with...
Dog Training: A reflection on 2019
So often this year I was the second, (third or fourth) trainer that people had seen or asked for help for their dog. That's okay, I am not the trainer for everyone, that's why there are more than one of us! Unfortunately for some of these people, the first trainer...
Teaching manners
What is one of the things that is sure to embarrass dog owners? Their dogs jumping on people. Whether it be when someone comes into the home or when saying hello to somebody on a walk, seeing those front paws fly into the air usually causes owners to turn red. Our...
K.I.S.S. Loose leash walking success!
Walking our dogs is the first thing that most people say when asked "what activities do you do with your dog?" For those who have easy to handle dogs, walking is a stroll through the neighborhood. There are dog owners, however, who dread taking their dogs out in...
Canine Enrichment: The W’s
Enrichment is a new buzz word in the dog community. It began awhile ago in the zoo world because the animals were being put in an unnatural environment and needed to satisfy some of the needs that are not met in captivity. Its slowly making its way into pet households...
The puppy and the cold weather
Well 2020 started out really nice, I was on the beach barefoot for a few days there. These days we are back to typical January weather, wet and cold. I hate the cold weather, one day when I have made all the money, I'll be a snowbird and winter in sunny Florida. (We...
Adoption Counseling
We have a new dog in the family! I had the privilege of accompanying my cousin to our local animal shelters to find his new best friend. He's never lived with a dog, his parents didn't have dogs growing up so he only had my train wrecks to play with. (I didn't get a...
Our Favorite Things
Our Supply List! We put together a supply list for those of you on your training journey. Everyone loves getting an amazon package so we have created a list of things that we know and love to help curb (or encourage) your online spending. Most of these are amazon...
I am not against exercise
I want to clarify something from a previous post. If you would like to read that post first, you can find the link here: I don't walk my dogs. The most frequent time that I tell my clients to stop walking their dogs is when they are reacting to stuff outside. This...
The one thing you need to know about bringing home puppy!
Jon wrote our blog this week! He's become our puppy guru and has a great tip for all the new puppy folks out there! The one solution for most of your puppy problems! For many, the story of a puppy being "hard headed" and obstinate is all too familiar: "She just keeps...
Holiday Shopping Guide
Tis the season for Christmas shopping! For those of you that may not know me, I'm Keri and my dogs are Nala and Conway, plus, whatever foster we have at the time. Follow us on Instagram (@myperfectpitties) We also model for a few shops. Here are a few of...
I threaten to sell my dogs to the gypsies.
In the last week I have threatened to give Cargo back to her breeder twice, drop Pixie off at the BARC shed for adoption, and send Opie to live with his Nan in Northern Virginia. Some days are just frustrating. Days with dogs are no different. Yes, even as a dog...
I’m a dog trainer who doesn’t walk her dogs!
Its true. I don't walk my dogs. I have 3 dogs, and I don't walk them. Most dogs don't enjoy walking in a neighborhood, and mine are certainly no exception. When I tell this to many of my clients their jaws hit the floor. "You have to walk your dog for them to be...