Blog
Learn more about our successes, our struggles, and what we have learned from our clients at The Freckled Paw.
New Puppy: The first 3 days
Puppy: The First Three Days My first three days with a puppy looks much like my first 3 days with a new dog. If you remember in July when we brought Toad home, everyone was on a rotation schedule. For Toad, he spent some time in his kennel when he was not being...
Picking your Puppy
Picking out a Puppy Everyone loves a puppy. It is easy to get wrapped up in their toe beans and floof. Puppy breath is magical, and can sway even the strongest of people. This is why having goals in mind for your puppy before you meet them is a great idea. This keeps...
Holiday Shopping List
Tis the season for Holiday Shopping! For those of you that may not know me, I’m Keri and my dogs are Nala, Conway, and Ada. Each year we put together a list of our favorite places to shop for the dogs on your holiday list. Follow us on Instagram (@myperfectpitties) We...
Puppy Preparation: Oops, I did it again
I'm getting a puppy y’all. I have the number of dogs I have! It's fine! We’re fine! But I now have just a few weeks left to prepare for said puppy. Having multiple dogs definitely creates new challenges, that I did not have when I brought Cargo home a few years ago. I...
Give your dog a job: Career Pathways
I have seen quite a few dogs recently who are not living up to their potential. They are loved by their people and well cared for, but they need more. This is usually when well meaning people in the animal industry say "oh, your dog needs a job." You are totally...
Let sleeping dogs lie
Toad has been home for 3 months. This is usually when new dog has settled into the new routine and into your family. At least that's what the rescue groups tell you. We are still learning things about this guy everyday. As his new guardian, it is my responsibility to...
Fat Fat got Frustrated
Welcome Home One of the joys of bringing home an adult dog comes when they begin to unpack. After 8 weeks, Toad is unpacking his bags. Apparently, he was allowed to play with the garden hose in his last home. This is one of those things I don't allow because of...
A week with a puppy!
Callie here with another confession: it has been a very long time since I have lived with a puppy. Earlier this month I got to spend a week with a 5 month old Australian shepherd puppy who quickly reminded me that puppies are no walk in the park. I now have a new...
My life with multiple dogs
Some of you know I just brought home a fourth dog. Yes, I currently have 250 pounds of dog in my house. That number will be a little lower once Toad looses some weight. Poor Fat Fat. How do we make this work, and how do we keep the peace? I am going to give you the...
Dog Training: Easy, but not Simple
I am currently taking an online class to teach Cargo how to formally heel. We may or may not do any obedience work, but I am a huge nerd and enjoy training my dogs. This particular class is a 3 session in depth into the details and small particles of the heeling...
Meet the Cat with Charlotte and Forge
It’s the age-old battle. Cats vs Dogs. Are you a cat person? A dog person? I’m going to let you in on a secret of mine. I don’t consider myself a “dog person” or a “cat person”. I love animals, always have, always will. Fur or feathers, slimy or scaly, it doesn’t...
To Pet or not to Pet. We answer the question!
Imagine this... You are out enjoying a day at the park with your family. Suddenly, a stranger runs up and asks if they can touch your child. Your response would obviously be no. So why is the answer different when it comes to our dogs? There is a notion that all dogs...
Beyond Training: Rewarding Effort
Many Training classes want to see your dog succeed so they teach you how to get your dog to the behavior you want as quickly as possible. I am all about quick wins with my clients, but I also want them to understand how to move beyond the cookie in their hand. Also...