Patreon Membership

 

Why Should You Join The Yooper Paws Patreon Memberships?

Affordable, Positive Dog Training – Tailored to Fit Your Life

At Yooper Paws of Love, we believe dog training should be accessible, affordable, and rooted in compassion. Our Patreon Memberships offer a variety of support options designed to help you and your dog succeed—no matter your experience level, location, or budget.

We offer free resources to get you started, and affordable memberships packed with valuable tools, videos, and community support—all centered on building teamwork and trust with your dog.

For our Service Dog Clients, the resources you need the most will be available on the Crazy2Calm Patreon Page, however if you join one of the memberships there, reach out to me for a discounted price on Yooper Paws Memberships. Many people find that joining both memberships is extremely helpful.

Free Membership – A Great Place to Start!

Our free Patreon membership gives you immediate access to a growing collection of educational tools, including:

• Yooper Paws Monthly Updates
  Stay informed about local and virtual events, training tips, and new resources.

• Focus Around Distractions (FAD) Workshop Series
  Follow Azul’s training journey over 3 years to learn how to help your dog focus on you instead of environmental distractions. Includes 15+ hours of video content.

• The Canine Car Club Podcast
  Teach your dog to feel safe and calm in the car with quick, practical lessons you can listen to on the go.

• Creating a Calm Christmas Series
  A 12-part series filled with strategies to help your dog handle holidays, family gatherings, and schedule changes year-round.

You can find all these memberships on our Patreon page here!

🐾 Paid Membership Tiers

Each paid membership offers deeper training support, access to more advanced content, and the guidance of certified Canine Coaches across the U.S. You can join or cancel at any time—no commitment required.

Play With a Purpose – $6/month

Perfect for new puppy parents and dog owners who want to have more fun while training.

Learn how purposeful play can improve your dog’s focus, manners, and overall confidence. Divided into 4 fun sections:

• Training with Tug (June focus)
  Teach gentle mouth skills, self-control, and trading behaviors.

• Balls with a Brain (July focus)
  Build impulse control and recall skills through ball play.

• Playing with Enrichment (August focus)
  Engage your dog’s brain and body through scent work and creative activities.

• Playing with Your Food (September focus)
  Turn mealtime into a training opportunity for calmness and problem-solving.

🔹 Also available: Play With a Purpose E-Book for a one-time purchase of $18.

Helping Fearful Dogs Feel Safe – $10/month

For dogs who bark, lunge, or react strongly to new people, animals, or environments.

This entry-level program designed for all dog owners with posts that break it down in easy to understand bits of information that include links to YouTube videos and pre-recorded training resources. This Membership includes:

• A 2-hour core video that introduces emotion regulation and safety-building strategies.

• Step-by-step guidance on leash manners, exit strategies, and confidence games.

• Access to the Confident Canines Collection with nearly 50 posts to explore at your own pace.

• Each month a new post is added to continue building the collections.

• Direct support from our trainers and community.

💡 Comparable reactive dog courses often cost $500–$3,000. We’ve created a heart-led, budget-friendly alternative.

Turning Struggles Into Strengths – $14/month

For dog owners facing a wide range of behavior challenges and looking for comprehensive support, this membership takes a look at more of the nerdy side of dog training helping you to understand why your dog is behaving the way they are and giving you lots of resources for modifying your training to create a great partnership between you and your dog.

This powerful membership combines two key collections:

1. Challenging Behaviors Workshop Series
   Over 12 hours of foundational videos on leash manners, impulse control, and managing reactivity.

2. Behavior-Specific Resources
   Monthly posts that expand on the resources posted elsewhere, applying it to real life problems such as resource guarding, separation anxiety, jumping on guests, barking (fear- and excitement-based) and other struggles that are currently happening with members.

✅ Includes everything from:

• Play With a Purpose Collection

• Helping Fearful Dogs Feel Safe Collection

• Confident Canines Collection

Trainer in Your Pocket – $18/month

Our highest level of access and support—like having a personal trainer in your pocket. In addition to all the great content, members are able to schedule a free 30 minute chat with a trainer each month and get access to planning worksheets and templates to help you create a unique training plan for you and your dog.

Includes ALL content from every membership tier, PLUS:

• Private group chat with Canine Coaches

• Monthly live Q&A sessions

• The ability to submit training videos for feedback

• Priority access to direct messaging support

💬 Get fast, expert advice without the $1,000+ price tag of traditional training programs.

Opening for New Members this Fall:

• A Fresh Start Membership (open for registration every October)
  A structured training path for new clients ready to reset and rebuild routines. This is perfect for dog owners looking to build up their relationship with their dog to a higher level. Weekly activities can be tailored to beginning, intermediate, and advanced dog training teams.

• Positively Safe Puppy Membership (launching Fall 2025)
  Support for puppy parents building positive, proactive habits from the start.

You can find all these memberships on our Patreon page here!

Many of our workshops and e-books are available for single purpose through our Patreon Shop. If you are not able to do a membership at this time, these individual purchases may be exactly what you are looking for.  Be sure to check out these e-books:

• Positively Puppy (6 week class)
• Play With a Purpose
• Leash Manners
• Coming Soon - Camping With Your Dog

❤️ Our Philosophy

We’re not just teaching dogs to obey—we’re teaching humans and dogs how to communicate, connect, and grow together.

Most traditional training is based on commands and compliance. At Yooper Paws, we believe in using love, play, and science-backed strategies to help dogs:

• Make thoughtful choices

• Seek support from their humans

• Stay safe, calm, and happy in their environment

Our goal is to help you become the teammate your dog needs—while having fun together along the way.

We encourage you to join as a free member and check out the content there first, then look at what you really need help with the most and how much time you can commit right now to help your dog. Then if you still are unsure of which membership is right for you, reach out to us for a FREE 15 min phone call where we can point you down the path that will help you the most based on your needs.

Online Dog Training Works!

Affordable Dog Training Should Be Available To Everyone!

Support Yooper Paws

 

At Yooper Paws of Love, we believe every dog and human deserves a relationship built on trust, communication, and joy. We do our best to put out free and low cost resources to help dog owners regardless of their financial ability to pay. But that means we sometimes struggle to pay all the monthly fees we have to create and share resources.

You can help!

We now accept TIPS!

Any time you see something that you really like and decide you'd like to help support the creation of more great resources, you can send us a tip!

Support Yooper Paws

We appreciate the generosity of our followers who have helped cover costs for service dog training, medical care for foster dogs, and provided treats to be used at the Training Center. We would not be able to continue to support the community without your help!

Surviving Adolescence

Surviving the Teen Dog Phase: Tips to Help You Both Thrive

Adolescence can be a wild ride for dogs and humans alike! If you’re living with a teenage dog right now, take a deep breath, you’re not alone. 

Here are some practical ways to help you and your young canine buddy get through this sometimes-chaotic stage with your sanity (and your bond) intact.

🐾 Keep Up with Training Lessons

Stick with those training lessons! All those basic cues you learned in puppy class — watch, sit, down, stay — still matter. Keep practicing them every day.

If your dog suddenly struggles with a cue, try one of two things:

1️⃣ If it’s an essential behavior for daily life, take a step back and revisit the basics — think of it as starting fresh. Don’t worry: your dog will pick it back up faster this time around (even if it’s the second… or third… or fourth time!).

2️⃣ If it’s a fun trick or advanced skill that isn’t urgent, give it a break. Let your dog’s brain reset for a few weeks, then circle back for a quick refresher later.

🎾 Play, Play, Play!

Never underestimate the power of play. It’s one of the most underused tools in training and in building a great relationship with your dog. Make time for 5–10 minutes a day of your dog’s favorite game — tug, fetch, hide and seek, you name it!

Better yet, weave skills into your play. Games that teach cues, impulse control, or recall can be super effective and fun for you both.

Check out the Play With a Purpose Membership on Patreon to learn how to play in ways that encourage learning good behaviors.

🐕 Find the Right Exercise Balance

Teen dogs are often overflowing with energy, but finding the sweet spot for exercise is key. Too little, and all that pent-up energy can bubble over into mischief. Too much, and you risk turning your dog into a super-athlete who needs massive workouts just to cope.

What’s the best approach? Short, frequent play sessions throughout the day help burn energy without overdoing it. Mix in some enrichment that uses some mental energy, such as playing Find It Games. 

Save the long marathons for special adventures, not daily routine.

🌟 Stay Positive and Upbeat

Focus on everything your dog has learned and keep the training fun! The more enjoyable you are, the more your easily-distracted teen will want to stick with you. Be silly, be upbeat, and celebrate the little wins.

😂 Mistakes Happen — Laugh It Off

Every dog makes mistakes, especially adolescents. When your pup pulls a stunt that tests your patience, take a breath and try to find the humor in it later. Call a friend, share your story, and laugh about that moment you dashed outside in your pajamas to catch your runaway dog.

The more you can laugh, the easier it is to let go of frustration and move forward. After you’ve had your giggle, think about how you can prevent the same mishap next time with better management and a little extra training.

Remember: You don’t have to tackle the teenage dog stage alone! The Crazy Canine Adolescent Community is here to support you with tips, cheerleading, and a safe place to share the ups and downs. Come join us, we’re all in this together! 💛🐾

Summer Specials

Struggling with teaching your dog to walk on leash?

Check out these online resources!

The Creating the the Leash You Love Workshop is over 90 minutes of classroom based learning where you can learn how to set your leash training up for success.

(Original Price $20)

The Leash Manners E-Book describes multiple types of leash manners based on the environment you are walking in. This includes longline training for walking trails and open areas and teaching your dog to walk nicely through neighborhoods & community spaces. There are lots of games to play to teach leash skills such as heel and working around distractions. Most lessons have links to YouTube videos for additional help.

(Original price $18)

For the rest of July you can bundle these products for a 50% discount and get both great resources for $19! Just enter code SUMMERLOVE when you check out.

Purchase these at Patreon.com/YooperPawsofLove/Shop

But hurry, this offer expires July 31st!

Group Walk & Private Lesson Mini-Package for $200!

Our Group Walk Mini-Package includes 1 private session to ensure a proper harness longline set up and training on how to manage a long line, 1 private walk session with Belle or Azul to practice skills and 4 Group Walks to practice skills around other people and dogs. (Original Price $310)

Mini-Package Special costs $200 for 6 sessions total.

Group Walks are more than just walks! On each walk we will practice 1-3 new skills that help improve your leash manners and focus around distractions. Instead of working in a low distraction classroom setting, these classes take place in an outdoor learning environment so that you can practice skills in real life situations with other dogs who are participating in the same training vs trying to practice with KUJO who lives in your neighborhood and is always outside without a human.

Check out some of the lessons we learn on a group walk here.

The first private session can be scheduled at a time that works best for you.

Group Walks are taking place on Tuesday & Thursday nights at 6pm (weather permitting) and will move to 7pm when needed to beat the heat. Each week you can RSVP for the walk you able to attend, allowing for a more flexible summer schedule.

Classes & Private Sessions

All of our summer classes are currently running including the Pawsitively Puppy Class and FAD Adolescent Class for small dogs. We will soon be scheduling a Beginner Nosework Class for anyone interested in learning about searching for scent or tracking. Please reach out to us via our new email at dogtraining@yooperpaws.com If you are interested in taking Nosework Classes.

All other clients will be referred to Private Sessions at this time, starting with a full Behavior Evaluation Session. Get started here: First Session Info

Stop the Big Behaviors!

The Little Things That Matter Most

How Micro-Signals & Connection Help Fearful Dogs Thrive

When we think about "challenging behavior" in dogs—barking, lunging, freezing, shutting down—it’s easy to focus on the moment things go big. But those behaviors don’t come out of nowhere.

They're the final chapter in a story your dog has been telling for a while. And if we tune in to the small stuff, the early signals & soft communication, we can start to change the whole narrative.

This blog is all about how to notice the whispers before the shout.

🐾 What Are Micro-Signals

Micro-signals are subtle body language cues your dog gives when they’re beginning to feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or uncomfortable. These are often missed because they don’t seem dramatic—but they’re rich with meaning.

Examples include:

• A quick head turn

• Lip licking or yawning (when not tired)

• Freezing in place

• Holding breath, panting suddenly stops, or a deep exhale

• Shifting weight away or a tail position that is opposite of their normal position 

• Dilated pupils, wide eyes, pinned ears

These are your dog’s early coping strategies. When we recognize them, we can respond with empathy instead of waiting for things to escalate.

Micro-signals are your dog saying, “This is getting hard for me.”

The Helping Fearful Dogs Email Club recently received an email on micro-signals!

Why Early Intervention Changes Everything

If we wait until the big behavior happens—like barking, growling, or hiding—we’ve already missed several steps where we could have helped. But when we respond to micro-signals, we tell our dogs:

“I see you. I hear you. You’re safe with me.”

By offering space, freedom to move away, or even just pausing to reassess, we stop challenging situations from becoming a full blown over reaction.

And here’s the truth:

• You won’t reinforce fear by comforting your dog.
• You won't add negative reinforcement to the situation.
• You will build trust by helping them regulate their emotions and/or arousal level before things get out of hand.

Early intervention will vary from situation to situation, but may include redirection, provide a distraction, or activate teamwork skills to avoid the bad.

The Turning Struggles Into Strengths Membership on Patreon recently learned about applying micro-signal observation to challenging behaviors.

🤝 The Power of the Hug (Even if It’s Not Literal)

Some dogs, when afraid or unsure, don’t try to run away or bark—they seek you.

They lean against your leg.
They hide behind you.
They rest a paw on your foot or nudge your hand.
They give you “that look” that says, “Please help me process this.”

This is what I call the Power of the Hug—and it’s one of the most overlooked tools we have.

When your fearful dog seeks connection, they’re not being needy.
They’re practicing emotional regulation through relationship.

Supporting this kind of connection doesn't mean holding your dog back or pushing them forward. It means offering them a calm place to pause, check in, and decide what to do next—with your help.

The Helping Fearful Dogs Membership on Patreon recently reviewed how Hugs Have Helped Lana!

📋 Track the Signs. Strengthen the Bond.

We are creating a simple Micro-Signal & Connection Tracker worksheet to help you recognize patterns in your dog’s communication.

This tool isn’t just for training—it’s for building trust, safety, and a stronger connection.

The Premium Planning Membership on Patreon has the opportunity for a free 30 min planning session to build this resource for future clients.

Support for You & Your Dog Starts Here

If this resonates with you, if you’ve got a sensitive pup who needs more support and more choice, you are not alone. Check out our Patreon Memberships to see what is right for you or send an email to our new address at dogtraining@yooperpaws.com figuring out the resources that are best for you!

Force-free. Dog-centered. Always listening.

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.

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.

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Yooper Paws of Love (@ypoflove)

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!

Take Your Dog on a Hike!

A Trail Etiquette Guide for Dog Owners

There’s nothing quite like hitting the trails with your dog. Whether you’re exploring shady forest paths, winding mountain tracks, or local nature preserves, hiking offers a wonderful way to connect—with nature and your canine companion. But before you grab the leash and lace up those boots, let’s talk about how to make the hike enjoyable for everyone on the trail.

Why Trail Etiquette Matters

Hiking with your dog isn't just about burning energy—it's about respectful coexistence. Perfect leash manners are not required, but the ability to communicate between owners and dogs is critical. When communication is limited to a few basic skills, owners need to spend more time managing the environment. As communication grows, dogs are able to experience more freedom and make better choices along the trail. You’re also sharing the trail with bikers, joggers, kids, wildlife, and other dogs. Good etiquette ensures safety, reduces stress, and encourages dog-friendly access to outdoor spaces.

1. Leash Up Unless Otherwise Stated

Even if your dog has a solid recall, many trails require leashes. Not everyone is comfortable around dogs, and a leash helps you prevent unwanted greetings or wildlife chases. A hands-free leash or longline can give your pup freedom while keeping everyone safe. When we do group walks, most dogs are either a 15 foot longline or 30 foot longline depending on the skills of the dog and how wide & busy the trail is.

Pro Tip: Choose a leash length that gives room to sniff but not so long it becomes a trip hazard.

The longer leash allows dogs to move at a different speed than us slower humans and allows them to reach more of the amazing smells they are after. Check out this video from a recent Group Walk to see Belle, Libby and Lana enjoying the trail on a longline.

2. Let Them Sniff and Explore

Sniffing is more than fun—it’s mentally enriching and relaxing for your dog. Just like we enjoy taking in the views, dogs explore their world through scent. Give them time to investigate logs, leaf piles, and new smells.

When we allow our dogs to sniff in nature areas, we let them find natural reinforcement! Sure we can & should take some treats on the hike, especially for emergencies. However the scents in most natural environments are going to be way more reinforcing to most dogs then food. If I'm going to give my dogs treats on the trail, I'm likely going to toss it on the ground to encourage them to sniff a specific area, or more importantly away from an area they may want but we don't want them to have.  

Remember: It’s a hike with your dog, not a march. Let them set the pace sometimes! Generally they want to go faster than us but when they find something good and want to stop, we should stop and wait for them to enjoy the spot.

3. Pack Trail Snacks and Water

Bring a collapsible water bowl and extra water for both of you. Dehydration can sneak up fast, especially on sunny days. I tend to pick walking trails by water sources so that I don't have to carry as much with me. I also keep a thermos of water in the car so there is cool water waiting for us when we get back to the car. Our walks are generally less than an hour long so a sports water bottle and a collapsible bowl is generally enough. I also teach my dog how to drink water out of my hand and squeezed through a sports cap. 

A few high-value treats or trail-friendly snacks help with motivation and reinforcing good behavior on the go. While I don't use very many treats on the trail, a high value treat is great when and emergency or something scary pops up. Treats can also be tossed away from you and your dog if an off leash dog heads your way. 

 

4. Watch for Hazards

Roots, rocks, burrs, sharp sticks, and even stinging insects can be a hazard. Keep an eye on your pup’s paws. I keep a few simple first aid supplies in my treat bag and a larger first aid kit in the car. I tend to need these supplies more than my dog due to my frequent falls, but no one wants to leave a blood trail all the way back to the car. 

Take breaks often and check for foxtails, thorns, and pests such as ticks! Where we live, ticks are unavoidable so a preventative is a must and regular tick checks along the way are important. We do not have poisonous snakes to deal with, but these can be deadly in some areas. Take a look around your area for hazards that are more common in your area. Even water can be hazardous due to poisonous algae and the creatures that live in it.

Quick Check: Is your dog panting hard, lagging behind, or looking for shade? Time for a break. Dehydration and heat distress can quickly become major issues if we do not notice the early warning signs.

5. Share the Trail with Courtesy

Step aside for faster-moving trail users, and use cues like “sit” or “stay” to help your dog calmly observe others passing by. Azul has a "Stay on your side" cue that tells him to ignore what's coming and keep walking forward on the side of the trail he is on. Belle is still working on this so when distractions come towards us, I will typically call her back to me asking her to heel or stay with me as the distraction passes.

If another dog approaches, give space and avoid tight greetings unless both dogs are relaxed and the owners are on board. As a rule, we are not greeting dogs we meet on the trail unless it is someone I recognize. We try to give enough space between us that all dogs feel safe, calm & happy. If that is not possible, that is when the tasty treats come out!

Not every trail dog wants to make friends—and that’s okay! Remember some dogs may appear as if they want to greet as they pull their human towards the other dog and some dogs may be loud, barky beasts even when they are really friendly. 

Most owners are doing the best they can, so try not to cast judgement if their manners are not perfect. We all are on our own training journey with our dogs. Unsolicited advice rarely goes over well!

6. Leave No Trace—Yes, Even Poop

Pick up after your dog every time. Yes, even on backcountry trails. Dog waste carries harmful bacteria that can contaminate water and harm local ecosystems. If there’s no bin, double-bag it and carry it out.

Trail rules: Take only pictures, leave only footprints!

There are lots of cute poo bag holders out there that will clip to your leash or your beltloop. Treat it as a an accessory that is as important as your cell phone and keys.  Don't leave home without it!

 

7. Choose Dog-Friendly Trails

Not all trails are created equal! Consider:

• Distance & incline (based on your dog’s fitness level)
• Shade and water access
• Rules around dogs (on- vs. off-leash)
• Trail surfaces—avoid hot or sharp terrain

Most trails near me require the dog to be on leash. State laws require a leash or under verbal control at all times. This means your dog should not be approaching strangers without permission.

Trails that are off the beaten path are generally more likely to be pet friendly. Big tourist areas that have heavy foot traffic may not be pet friendly or have stricter requirements for dogs. Most beaches are not pet friendly, but may have a a pet area at one end of the beach. 

Unless your dog is a task trained service dog, do not take them on a trail that is not pet-friendly! And if your dog is a service dog, check with the local rangers or DNR to see if there are protected species nearby that your dog may put in jeopardy by taking your dog on the trail. 

Make It a Joyful Adventure

Above all, hiking should be fun—for both ends of the leash! If you're not having fun, chances are your dog is not either! You should enjoy your time in nature, away from constantly checking your phone or stressing about household chores. Bring curiosity, patience, and a sense of adventure. When you tune into your dog’s needs and support their comfort, hiking becomes a shared experience that builds trust and deepens your bond.

If you are stressed by your dog's behavior on the trail check out our Leash Manners E-Book, the "Creating a Leash You Love" Workshop, or schedule an appointment for a full Behavior Evaluation & Training Planning.

Ready to hit the trail with the Yooper Paws Group Walks?

Email me to get the latest schedule at yooperpaws@gmail.com