Wednesday, June 18, 2025

What is Stopping You?



 What’s Stopping You from Training With Your Dog?

Let’s have an honest heart-to-heart. You love your dog. You want them to feel safe, calm, and happy. But something’s getting in the way of taking that next step—committing to a training plan, reaching out for help, or simply believing that things can get better.

You’re not alone. Here are three of the most common reasons people hesitate—and why it’s okay to feel this way.

1. "What if I do all this work and my dog still scares people?"

You’re worried that despite your best efforts, your dog will always bark at strangers, lunge at other dogs, or cower at every unexpected sound. That fear is so valid. Especially if you’ve already put in hours of training and still feel stuck.

But here’s the truth: Progress isn’t always linear. Sometimes it’s slow. Sometimes it’s invisible for a while. And sometimes it’s not about the end goal of having a “perfect” dog—it’s about building trust, communication, and resilience together.

Fearful dogs aren’t trying to be difficult. They’re overwhelmed. And every moment you spend showing them the world is a little safer than they thought—it counts.

Want some community support from other dog owners who get it?

Join the Helping Fearful Dogs Feel Safe Facebook Group

When working with fearful dogs, one of the most powerful lessons we can teach them is this: you’re allowed to move away from what scares you. Rather than reacting with barking, lunging, or other stress signals, dogs can learn that they have choices and that choosing space is always okay.

Too often, dog owners unknowingly force fearful dogs into uncomfortable situations. Whether it’s a stranger reaching out to pet them or being led too close to a trigger, these moments can intensify fear. Instead, our goal should be to support the dog’s emotional safety by empowering them with options.

At Crazy 2 Calm Canine Coaches we use the Trauma Informed approach to dog training using the training triangle taking care of the needs of the dog owner, the dog, and the trainer by working together.

2. "It’s going to take too long."

We live in a quick-fix world. When a behavior issue crops up, we want it solved yesterday. So it’s frustrating to hear that real progress—especially with fear-based or complex behaviors, might take weeks or even months.

But here's the shift: training isn’t a chore, it’s a relationship. It's learning to understand each other. It’s tiny wins—like a soft gaze, a relaxed body, a tail wag—in situations that used to be overwhelming.

And yes, it takes time. But so do all the best things in life.

What to learn how to develop Confidence in your dog?

Check out the Confidence Canines Collection on Patreon

Some trainers will promise you a quick fix! Try this tool or punish your dog for acting that way. At Yooper Paws of Love we don't make promises on the amount of time it takes to train your dog. That's because your dog is just as unique as you! Every human and dog team progresses at their own rate. Our goal is to help you learn how to make simple changes in your dog's day-to-day that set them (and you) up for success. Then we can look at teaching the dog to do more of the behaviors you love, naturally reducing the behaviors you would like to go away. Everything we do is based on teamwork!

3. "It’s my fault."

Maybe someone told you that you “spoiled” your dog. Or that you “let them get away with too much.” Maybe you’re blaming yourself for not starting sooner, or for making mistakes along the way.

Let’s stop right there: Guilt is a heavy weight to carry, and it doesn’t belong in your training journey.

Dogs aren't keeping score. They’re learning in the now. And you’re showing up now. That’s what matters.

We all know and have felt the judgement or the disapproving eye of another human who doesn't like the way we are training our dog, walking our dog, or doing enrichment activities with our dog. Even when sometimes the feeling of being judged is only in our mind. But here is the thing, we can't control what other people think any more than we can control what they do. So let's forget a moment that people can be cruel and instead focus on the kindness of those trying to help us.

What's most important to your dog is that you spend TIME with them. They can easily forget about the simple mistakes we make on any given day. What they remember is how we made them feel! And let's face it, that's what we remember most about our dogs too. So let's just spend a bit more time "feeling" together as a team.

Take a Breath!

Fearful dogs are not broken. They're not “bad,” and they’re not too far gone. They're sensitive, overwhelmed, and trying their best to navigate a confusing world.

With the right support—gentle, ethical, and relationship-centered support—they can build confidence. And so can you.

So... what’s stopping you?

Let’s make space for hope. Let’s take the first step—together.

Visit the "Fearful & Fizzy Dog Training" tab on our website to get started on the path to helping your dog.




Tuesday, June 17, 2025

FAD Family Pets - Adolescent Classes

FAD Family Pets - Adolescent Classes

  

FAD Family Pets Classes are scheduled as needed to support local clients with teaching their dog basic skills and manners. These classes are often divided into 3 categories:

  • Beginner Adolescents - For dogs between the ages of 6-18 months old who did not complete a puppy class.
  • Intermediate Adolescents - For dogs between the ages of 6-24 months old who completed the Pawsitively Puppy Class or Private Session Package.
  • Advanced Community Activities - For dogs of any age that are working on expanding skills and manners at community events and pet friendly businesses.
All classes begin at the Yooper Paws Training Center and may move out into the community as needed.
We often mix and match clients of Yooper Paws & Pawsitively Pups for these classes based on the needs of the dogs attending. Trainers will often be a mix of Penny Beeman, Tammy Carlson, and Athena Grailer.

FAD Intermediate Class

During the summer the Intermediate Class takes place in the form of Group Walks so that we can practice the skills learned in puppy class and/or private sessions while enjoying some outside time.
Each week we will learn a new skill, a new game, a new form of enrichment, and how to apply reinforcement effectively. This allows for a more flexible schedule to accommodate weather, vacations, and summer holidays.

Beginner Group Walks are scheduled for Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6 PM & Saturday at 11 AM
Check out the Group Walks page and schedule directly with Penny each week.

Announcing the FAD Beginners Class for Small Dogs



The next FAD Family Pets Class is designed for small dogs under 25 lbs
begins on Monday, July 7th at 4PM
Yooper Paws Training Center
611 N. Hooper St. Kingsford, MI 49802
This class runs every week for 6 weeks for $200 per dog.

Adolescent dogs often struggle most with distractions that are beyond our control. This can be other people and/or dogs we meet while out on a walk, wild animals or pets that pop up unexpectedly, or any of a million other things that our dogs might react to. This class is designed to help teach your dog the value of focusing on their person more then the environment by using games to build up the reinforcement history. At the same time, owners will be learning about various positive reinforcement training techniques to train various behaviors they want their dogs to enjoy repeating.

Students should plan to arrive about 15 minutes prior to class and do a walk outside the building to help them calm down a little before entering class. Please keep your dog at a safe distance away from other dogs at this time and enter the building one at a time. Be prepared to clean up after your dog! Disposal bags will be available inside if needed.

To register fill out the form below or contact Penny Beeman & Tammy Carlson

This class will be limited to 8 students so please register ASAP and make your payment via PayPal or Venmo to reserve your spot in class.

If you prefer to pay in cash please email yooperpaws@gmail.com to make arrangements.


You will be contacted by one of our trainers within 48 hours of filling out this form.
If you are not contacted by a trainer, please reach out to yooperpaws@gmail.com for assistance.

Here is the PayPal link for payment: https://www.paypal.me/YooperPaws
Here is the Venmo link for payment: https://venmo.com/YooperPaws
Payments must be received to reserve your spot in class.








Monday, June 16, 2025

Do I Take My Dog With Me

Do I Take My Dog With Me?

Ah, summer! It's the season of farmers markets, camping trips, lakeside lounging, and live music. And naturally, you want your pup to come along for the fun. But before you clip on the leash and head out the door, there’s one big question to ask:

Should I take my dog to _______?
(Go ahead, fill in the blank—festival, beach day, neighborhood BBQ...)

While our hearts say “yes, of course!”—our dogs may feel differently. So let’s break this down like a puzzle. When you look at all the pieces, you get a clearer picture of whether this is the right moment to include your four-legged friend or give them a cozy stay-at-home pass.

Puzzle Piece #1: How Will Your Dog Feel There?

Every dog has a different emotional response to new environments.
Ask yourself:  Will they feel excited, nervous, overwhelmed, or calm and confident?

Adolescent dogs in particular tend to get over-excited or overstimulated, and when their big feelings bubble over, we humans often see behaviors like:

  • pulling on leash
  • barking
  • lunging
  • or simply being too distracted to listen

These behaviors aren't signs of being "bad"—they’re signs of an emotional system working overtime. And that’s our cue to either not go, prepare more, or scale back.

Our goal should always be to help our dog feel Safe, Calm & Happy anywhere we take them!


Puzzle Piece #2: Is the Space Dog-Friendly?

Outdoor events are often pet-friendly… but not always. You’ll want to check:

  • 🚫 Are dogs restricted due to food service or health codes?

  • 🚫 Are there too many people (1,000+ crowds can be overwhelming)?

  • 🚫 Will there be other animals that might stress or excite your dog?

Even “dog-friendly” doesn’t always mean “dog-appropriate.” Think beyond the signs—consider the vibe of the place and whether your dog will thrive or just survive. 

Many towns around us have a Summer Concert Series that is outdoors and in pet friendly environments. Most of these concerts would be OK as long as you are not sitting too close. However sometimes, especially if the music is closer to heavy metal style, the music is simply too loud! If you are having a hard hearing the person sitting next to you, it's way too loud for your dog. Just because an environment is pet friendly, that doesn't mean that it is safe for your pet.

Puzzle Piece #3: What’s Your Role at This Event?

This one’s big and often overlooked. Ask yourself:

  • Do I need to get something done, or can I leave if it’s not working out?
  • Will I be distracted (watching kids, shopping, catching up with friends)?
  • Am I OK walking away empty-handed if my dog isn’t doing well?

For example:

  • A farmers market might work if you’re window shopping... but not if you're on a mission for fresh zucchini.
  • A concert might sound fun... but only if you can enjoy it without worrying that your dog is scared or pulling you toward every person they see.
  • A parade can be fun & exciting...but if you are waiting to see a family member pass by, you may want to be closer or stay longer than your dog is able to handle.

You’re a multi-tasking rockstar, but no one enjoys an event when they’re too stressed to focus. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment. If you’re already juggling things, it might not be the best moment to bring your pup along.

Training Your Dog to Be Successful in Public Spaces

Here’s the good news: Just because today’s event isn’t a good fit, doesn’t mean your dog can’t be a public superstar soon. Every dog can learn to enjoy outings with the right preparation. Here’s how to start:

Build Teamwork Skills

Start with loose leash walking and build from there! Other great foundational cues:

  • “Watch me” for attention when a dog or other distraction is walking a bit to close for comfort.

  • “Let’s go” for moving past distractions or a heel through tight spaces for navigating larger crowds.

  • “Leave it” for ignoring food, people, or other dogs. Candy tossed at parades can be very challenging.

Practice Activity-Specific Skills

Going to a busy patio or picnic? Train:

  • Settle on a mat or beside your chair
  • Ignore passing people and other dogs
  • Stay relaxed around clapping or music

Going to a sporting event such as a baseball game, basketball game, or disk golf event? Train:
  • Calm around fast moving people or objects
  • Ignore it or leave it for flying balls and frisbees
  • The ability to settle back down rapidly after the crowd yells or cheers.
Going to a place filled with people in costumes? 
Be sure to desensitize your dog to lots of unusual clothing with larger than life pieces, masks, floppy bits, and other moving parts.

Build Up Gradually

Don’t go straight from backyard to concert venue.
Instead:

  1. Practice in your driveway or neighborhood
  2. Try a calm park or quiet weekday market
  3. Gradually increase the stimulation level
  4. Always have an exit plan just in case you need to leave in a hurry.

Think of it like fitness training: we start small and add intensity over time. That’s how we help our dogs feel prepared instead of pressured

Don't try to race to the finish line of being able to take your dog everywhere with you right now! Instead, take your time and slowly expose your dog to things in your community that you like to do. Overwhelm leads to unexpected behaviors! Avoid overwhelming your dog by building up slowly.

Check out this reel about Building Up Belle's confidence around children to see how we started easy and slowly increased the activity happening in the room.


Pack for Your Dog

Make sure your dog will be comfortable at the event! 
A blanket or mat to lay on will help tell your dog where you want them to settle. If it's going to be really hot, make it a cooling mat and perhaps pack a shade umbrella. Water is a must have for any event you will be at for more than just a few minutes. You may even need to pour some water over your dog to help them cool down. For a full packing list, check out the "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" blog for a Community Events checklist

Final Thoughts

When you take the time to look at the whole picture—your dog’s emotions, the environment, and your own bandwidth—you’re more likely to make the right decision for everyone. And when the time is right, you’ll enjoy those shared adventures even more.

💡 If you rush it, you risk frustration—for both of you.
💖 But if you build the experience thoughtfully, you’re laying the foundation for a lifetime of enjoyable outings.

Want help creating a training plan for summer adventures? I’d love to support you!

Contact me at yooperpaws@gmail.com to get started on your custom summer success plan. Let’s make this your best season yet—together!