Hey all my favorite Cool Dog humans!! 🐶💙 I just have to say — I am in love with what this community is becoming. The energy, the creativity, the support — you guys are seriously the best. 🙌 I need a little insight (and help!) from you brilliant people. So here’s where we’re at: 🐾 Mission 1 was all about taking action — getting comfortable posting, sharing videos, and just jumping in to the community. 🎬 Mission 2 focused on training videos — picking something fun to teach your dog, recording it, and sharing your progress. 🌟 Mission 3 is all about momentum — continuing to post, edit your videos, share what you’re learning, and spread your knowledge. It’s where you start really owning your training journey and even posting on social media or sharing with friends and family. Now I’m brainstorming ideas for Mission 4, and I’d love your thoughts. 💡 Mission 3 kind of wraps up the “share and show what you’re learning” phase — so what should come next? Also, we’ll be adding more specific challenges soon (stay tuned 👀), but I’d love your feedback on: - What would make Mission 4 feel fun, motivating, and meaningful? - Is there anything you’d like to see done differently in the missions or the community? - Any words, structure, or ideas you think would make this space even better? I want this group to be the coolest space for learning, growing, and being inspired to do cool things with your cool dog. 🩵🐾 Drop your thoughts below — I’m all ears and super grateful for your input! 💬✨

Hey guys! I made a little video edit of @Stepho Wilson and I’s day at Epcot yesterday with Atlas! I know it’s super quick, I tried to include info about most things we did while keeping it short! If you gave any questions after watching, I’m happy to answer! A few things I wanted to include but couldn’t because I didn’t have enough clips: 1) When loading onto rides, I go in first then have him come after me, I loaded him wrong on Living with the Land and he decided he didn’t want to move so his mom had 0 footspace 😂🙃 2) We use the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) for the boat ride in Mexico because it doesn’t have a huge step between the floor and the seat, so Atlas gets confused and wants to sit on the seat (which they don’t allow). So I just ask for the WAV to avoid this, and he sits in the flat part where a wheelchair would go. I also do this for Small World at Magic Kingdom. P.s. I’m finally putting my video editing skills from my journalism degree into practice 🤣

🔊Volume down until 2:36! FYI The voiceover part at the beginning of the video is a bit louder than the rest - and that ends at 2:36 🙉 No matter what — whether you’re starting with an 8-week-old puppy or an older dog — this is always the very first place I begin when it comes to training. This exercise (shown in the video) focuses on the primary commands: stand, sit, and down. It’s the first step to get you comfortable with using a marker word or clicker and it sets the foundation for everything else. Not only is this a fun game, but it also: ✅ Builds strong foundational skills ✅ Helps your dog learn through offering behaviors ✅ Creates a positive training habit for both you and your dog What we’re looking for: - Mark and reward when your dog offers sit, down, or stand - Mark and reward for leaving it - In this video, we also introduced an “up” onto the KLIMB for extra fun and confidence building 👉 Be conscious of your hand positions as you train: - Sit → hover your fist above your dog’s head - Down → point directly toward the ground - Stand → hold your thumb at their nose, then pull your hand slightly back toward you Whether you’ve been training for years or are just starting out, this is a fantastic way to begin. And most importantly — your dog will have fun doing it with you! 🎥 Here’s a look at Sandy in her very first training session practicing this foundational game.

Inspired by @Julie Kelley’s post about Saffy when James went in the pool, I have my own pool situation/question. Since forever, Atlas loses his MIND when I go in the pool, ESPECIALLY if I go under the water. He races from one side of the pool to the other. We’ve put him in a down & stay under the lanai with someone and he still hyperfocuses on me and tries to break the down & stay. I end up frustrated so I just get out… He is totally fine when we’re in the hot tub, he just lays on the edge on a towel and chills. He has never tried to jump in after me thankfully, and he ignores the pool entirely if I’m not in it. He’s a little interested if my parents are in it, but he will sit by the edge calmly. I think he just worries about his girl 🥹❤️🐕‍🦺 Just want him to worry less and be calmer… suggestions?

You don’t have to be an expert to train with your best friend doggo(s) 🐶💙 The world of dog stuff & training is vast — even after 20 years as a professional trainer, I still learn new things all the time. The truth is: it’s not about how much you know. It’s about taking action, building that bond, and having fun with your COOOOL doggo! And if you ever feel like you’re not “doing it right”? This is exactly the space to share, ask, and learn together. None of us have all the answers — but we’re all here to support, encourage, and grow. 👉 This week’s shout-out goes to @Reagan Hunink ! 🎉 She is a dedicated puppy raiser for ASA Service Dogs — she previously raised Chess, had Joy for a short while, and is still learning all the ins and outs of the training process. This past weekend, she had Kat for just a couple of days, and the amount she accomplished in that short time was incredible! Kat had been forging ahead in heel and sitting too far forward at stops. With just a couple days of practice, Regan took the homework I gave her, stayed consistent with the reps, and now Kat is sitting like a total champ! 🙌 Regan may not be a "dog training expert" yet, but she expertly trained Kat by simply putting in the reps, doing the work, asking questions, and responding thoughtfully. That’s what it’s all about — consistency, effort, and willingness to learn! 💙🐾 Pick something you want to work on, learn how to do it, and put in the time and reps. Your dog will love it, you’ll have fun, and you’ll come out with a more focused, easier-to-handle best friend. 🐾 Don’t forget — training should be FUN!! Go work on something with your pup today! And give @Reagan Hunink a big 👍 for taking action and training with Kat potato!!