How to channel high-drive energy when the park isn’t an option. For a dog like Monte, physical exercise is only half the battle. As a “Constant Thinker,” his battery isn’t just charged by running; it is fueled by his need to solve problems. On those days when the weather turns or our schedule doesn’t allow…
Leveraging communication buttons for functional autonomy. For me, the introduction of dog talking buttons wasn’t about teaching Monte another “party trick.” Instead, I wanted to leverage his intelligence for something far more functional: Autonomy. When Monte was a pup, our house-training was a 24-hour blur. I was militantly disciplined, – out after every nap, every…
If you have ever shared your home with a Shepherd, you know “quiet time” is something you earn, not something you are given. Monte is a Mini American Shepherd, and in our house, we call him the “Constant Thinker.” He doesn’t just walk; he observes. He doesn’t just play; he problem-solves. While his intelligence is…