Newsletter
Shady Mountain Howl
Issue #10, July 2026
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Pets of the MonthOtter and Boone
These two sweeties are about 3 months old. They are visiting for 2 weeks during July. While here they are getting training throughout the day. Puppies have short attention spans, so their lessons need to be short but frequent. After a week and a half they have learned to come and sit, sit for attention, sit prior to meals, short sit and down stays and are starting to learn how to heel. Boon is a fairly sedate guy while Otter tends to be more impatient. Otter is always up for a new experience, while Boone takes his time exploring all posibilities. |
Howling On This Month
We're in the midst of summer and it is HOT!
Our #k9guests, can go in and out as they please. Inside the temperature is kept at 74 degrees year-round. Any warmer and the dogs would be overheated. Our guests tend to prefer to remain in their cool suites during the heavy heat of the day and play outside more in the early morning and evening.
Too much heat, without relief, can be deadly dangerous for dogs who can only regulate their temperatures via their pads and stomach areas. Heavy coats may appear to make dogs hotter, but they do offer some insulation from direct sun. If you feel you must shave your dog, do so only on their bellies. Otherwise, ensure they have access to cool areas for resting during the heavy heat of the day.
Regardless of the weather, dogs that are signed up for hikes still go out on hikes, though early in the morning. We do all training sessions early in the morning, too.
Note: September 13-27, we will be closed.
Our #k9guests, can go in and out as they please. Inside the temperature is kept at 74 degrees year-round. Any warmer and the dogs would be overheated. Our guests tend to prefer to remain in their cool suites during the heavy heat of the day and play outside more in the early morning and evening.
Too much heat, without relief, can be deadly dangerous for dogs who can only regulate their temperatures via their pads and stomach areas. Heavy coats may appear to make dogs hotter, but they do offer some insulation from direct sun. If you feel you must shave your dog, do so only on their bellies. Otherwise, ensure they have access to cool areas for resting during the heavy heat of the day.
Regardless of the weather, dogs that are signed up for hikes still go out on hikes, though early in the morning. We do all training sessions early in the morning, too.
Note: September 13-27, we will be closed.
List of features in this month's Shady Mountain Howl:
Training TipsSit For Attention
This teaches dogs to not jump on you. 
Show Results for Hazel DickersonHazel has earned her Rally Intermediate title this month. Last year she got her first leg of three. Last month she earned the last two legs and a title. She won her 2nd leg class and came in 2nd in her 3rd leg class.
List of Local Pet Rescue OrganizationsAre you looking for a new pet? Are you needing help with an animal that you found? There are several local organizations that can help.
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Training Tips
Sit For Attention
Dogs want attention. One of the main ways they attain it is through physical contact with you. This means pushing into you, jumping on you, pawing at you and barking at you.
It may be cute while they're young, but more annoying as they get older. Nobody wants to have their dog barking as they're on the phone, answering the door or visiting with family.
The answer is to teach your dog to sit prior to their getting anything. From meals and treats to pets and cuddling. This default behavior can be taught at any age to any dog. By default, I mean a behavior that the dog automatically performs when awaiting any type of reward or forward movement.
From the moment you greet your dog in the morning, to coming home after work, feeding them their meals or taking them for a walk, cue your dog to sit first. Be consistent with this cue and over time it will become automatic as your dog learns that nothing they want happens until they sit first.
When teaching the sit, put some food or a toy reward in your hand, place your hand near their nose (between the dog's eyes) and wait for your dog to sit. Once they learn the visual cue you can add a verbal one.
In a short period of time your dog will perform without the need for any cue as they learn the routine. Just be sure to never ignore your dog when they offer this behavior or they will be back to jumping and barking as that's sure to work.
It may be cute while they're young, but more annoying as they get older. Nobody wants to have their dog barking as they're on the phone, answering the door or visiting with family.
The answer is to teach your dog to sit prior to their getting anything. From meals and treats to pets and cuddling. This default behavior can be taught at any age to any dog. By default, I mean a behavior that the dog automatically performs when awaiting any type of reward or forward movement.
From the moment you greet your dog in the morning, to coming home after work, feeding them their meals or taking them for a walk, cue your dog to sit first. Be consistent with this cue and over time it will become automatic as your dog learns that nothing they want happens until they sit first.
When teaching the sit, put some food or a toy reward in your hand, place your hand near their nose (between the dog's eyes) and wait for your dog to sit. Once they learn the visual cue you can add a verbal one.
In a short period of time your dog will perform without the need for any cue as they learn the routine. Just be sure to never ignore your dog when they offer this behavior or they will be back to jumping and barking as that's sure to work.
Training Tricks
Conversations With Your Dog
Introduction
Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking? Have you ever thought how great it would be if you could actually speak with your dog? Now there’s a way – with buttons. There are now buttons available that record your words. You can teach your dog to push these buttons with their nose or paws. Through positive association your dog learns the meanings of these words, much as they would through normal positive association training. The only difference being they are speaking to you!
The term for this new means of speaking with your dog is Augmentative Interspecies Communication. It gives your dog a voice. A whole new way to have fun and connect with your dog.
Through learning how and which buttons to push your dog can tell you when they need to go outside, when they’re hungry and what they want to eat, whom they want to play with, how they’re feeling that day. Did you ever ask your dog, “What’s Wrong?” When you see them lethargic or sad? Through Augmentative Interspecies Communication they can tell you what’s going on. For dogs who have had a difficult past it can be a form of therapy to help them overcome their experiences and move forward.
Begin with learning about positive reinforcement and positive association so you will understand the process better. This sets you and your dog up for success and motivates your dog to make the right choices without any coercion. Success with learning two-way communication is predicated on your dog having the freedom to make their own choices.
A big part of successful training is learning proper timing and marking of the appropriate response. You also need to learn how to break a big behavior into smaller parts and gradually build it into a more complex behavior. Finally, you also need to learn how to capture a behavior offered by your dog. As they become motivated through these training methods, they will throw behaviors at you hoping to be rewarded for them. You will need to know which ones to choose and how to grab them for repeat performance.
To further prepare your dog for future conversations you'll need teach your dog to ignore distractions and work for you at a distance. Your dog will have to be able to concentrate on learning the meanings of the buttons regardless of their environment, distractions and do so at a distance from you.
Once the basic training is done it is time to learn how to direct all the basic cue work into targeting and associating the buttons with actions. You can obtain the buttons, a mat to put them on and other necessary items via any pet supply outlet.
As your dog learns each word you will gradually increase their repertoire. Along the way you will learn more about each other, strengthen your dog’s problem-solving skills, stimulate your dog’s brain and best of all, have more fun with your dog regardless of their age.
Beware! Once your dog learns to converse, they will not be quiet anymore. If there is something they object to you will hear about it. Dogs can be quite opinionated, and now with the means of expressing it, they will be relentless.
Introduction
Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking? Have you ever thought how great it would be if you could actually speak with your dog? Now there’s a way – with buttons. There are now buttons available that record your words. You can teach your dog to push these buttons with their nose or paws. Through positive association your dog learns the meanings of these words, much as they would through normal positive association training. The only difference being they are speaking to you!
The term for this new means of speaking with your dog is Augmentative Interspecies Communication. It gives your dog a voice. A whole new way to have fun and connect with your dog.
Through learning how and which buttons to push your dog can tell you when they need to go outside, when they’re hungry and what they want to eat, whom they want to play with, how they’re feeling that day. Did you ever ask your dog, “What’s Wrong?” When you see them lethargic or sad? Through Augmentative Interspecies Communication they can tell you what’s going on. For dogs who have had a difficult past it can be a form of therapy to help them overcome their experiences and move forward.
Begin with learning about positive reinforcement and positive association so you will understand the process better. This sets you and your dog up for success and motivates your dog to make the right choices without any coercion. Success with learning two-way communication is predicated on your dog having the freedom to make their own choices.
A big part of successful training is learning proper timing and marking of the appropriate response. You also need to learn how to break a big behavior into smaller parts and gradually build it into a more complex behavior. Finally, you also need to learn how to capture a behavior offered by your dog. As they become motivated through these training methods, they will throw behaviors at you hoping to be rewarded for them. You will need to know which ones to choose and how to grab them for repeat performance.
To further prepare your dog for future conversations you'll need teach your dog to ignore distractions and work for you at a distance. Your dog will have to be able to concentrate on learning the meanings of the buttons regardless of their environment, distractions and do so at a distance from you.
Once the basic training is done it is time to learn how to direct all the basic cue work into targeting and associating the buttons with actions. You can obtain the buttons, a mat to put them on and other necessary items via any pet supply outlet.
As your dog learns each word you will gradually increase their repertoire. Along the way you will learn more about each other, strengthen your dog’s problem-solving skills, stimulate your dog’s brain and best of all, have more fun with your dog regardless of their age.
Beware! Once your dog learns to converse, they will not be quiet anymore. If there is something they object to you will hear about it. Dogs can be quite opinionated, and now with the means of expressing it, they will be relentless.
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List of Local Pet Rescue Organizations
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If you have decided to adopt a pet please check out the below links. To the left is Layla, who was rescued by one of these organizations and adopted by Stephanie Carter. Layla spent a lot of time at SMPR and enjoyed her training hikes. She also enjoyed socializing with some of our other guests. She passed away this past May and we'll miss her terribly. But, she is proof that you can find a forever companion at a humane society or rescue organization.
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Are you looking for the perfect indoor/outdoor bed for your pet? Try a Kuranda bed! These beds withstand the most rugged dogs. They come in a large variety of sizes and neutral colors.
Click link below to order one for your dog.
Pet Product Review
Double Clip Leash
The Double Clip Leash can be used in many different ways. First as a 6' training leash with a handle on one end and swivel clip on the other. The leash is strong enough for large, strong dogs as well as smaller dogs. It's cotton and light weight. It's also washable as it is constructed of cotton and stainless steel.
These leashes can be used with neck collars, body harnesses and head halters. They can also be used with several training tools at the same time. For example, I use them with a Freedom Harness and Comfort Trainer. This ensures quick, yet gentle, redirection when the dog is reactive. As the need for a head halter is reduced, the Comfort Trainer can be removed and the clip that had attached the two turned into a handle.
These leashes can be used with neck collars, body harnesses and head halters. They can also be used with several training tools at the same time. For example, I use them with a Freedom Harness and Comfort Trainer. This ensures quick, yet gentle, redirection when the dog is reactive. As the need for a head halter is reduced, the Comfort Trainer can be removed and the clip that had attached the two turned into a handle.
