Dog Savvy Services

Dog Savvy Services Hi, I'm Sav! I have 7 years of experience ranging from dog sport training to grooming to doggy daycare and have been pet sitting since I was 9.
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Helping people understand their dogs is my greatest passion! Message me today to schedule a meet and greet. 💜

I mean, how could we just walk past this tree without stopping for pictures?! 📸The leaves are changing, the weather is g...
10/18/2026

I mean, how could we just walk past this tree without stopping for pictures?! 📸

The leaves are changing, the weather is getting cooler, and these cuties made the perfect addition to this gorgeous fall backdrop. One of my favorite times of the year! 🍁

Those little ears flapping in the wind are just the cutest thing 😍
10/17/2026

Those little ears flapping in the wind are just the cutest thing 😍

10/17/2026

Would you rather have a dog...
👏🏻 With perfect recall anywhere, anytime...
OR
🐕 Who can be trusted off-leash anywhere but never learn another cue?

🥇 Not every title has to be difficult to be meaningful. 😌You know those “easy” titles that pretty much any dog can get? ...
10/16/2026

🥇 Not every title has to be difficult to be meaningful. 😌

You know those “easy” titles that pretty much any dog can get? Like AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Trick Dog, Fetch, and other novice titles with relatively simple requirements.

They’re designed to get your feet wet. The criteria may look straightforward on paper, but that doesn’t mean earning one is actually easy for every dog.

Let’s talk about my dog, Bernie.

My reactive pup who is weird about being touched by me, let alone a stranger? Yeah… the CGC is currently a little out of our reach.

A dog who was genuinely SCARED OF TOYS? Who took 2 years to realize that chasing and tugging are actually fun? A Fetch title for him is not exactly low-hanging fruit. 😭

But we’re going to work toward them.

Some people view these as “throwaway titles” or titles that are given to just about anyone. But I don’t look at them that way.

For Bernie, earning something like a CGC or Fetch title would represent a HUGE amount of growth. It would mean working through things that have genuinely been difficult for him and building enough confidence and trust to accomplish them together.

And honestly, that’s what titles are supposed to mean!

Not just a letter after your dog’s name, but a little reminder of what you and your dog worked through to get there.

We have our sights set on a Trick Dog Novice title, so here’s to hoping Bernie and I can check at least ONE of these off our list before the end of the year.

Maybe it’s an “easy” title.

But for us? It would mean a whole lot. ❤️

Why am I always asking dogs to climb on random things in public? There’s actually a reason!Have you ever watched a dog c...
10/15/2026

Why am I always asking dogs to climb on random things in public? There’s actually a reason!

Have you ever watched a dog completely freeze when they encounter a metal grate, slippery floor, strange stairs, or a surface they’ve never walked on before? 😨

That’s one reason I like incorporating different surfaces and textures into training and socialization.

Socialization isn’t just about meeting people and other dogs. It also means giving dogs safe, positive experiences with the sights, sounds, environments, objects, and surfaces they may encounter throughout life.

The important part is how we introduce them.

I’m not forcing a dog onto something they’re terrified of. I want to start small, let them investigate, reward curiosity, and build confidence at their own pace.

And Luffy? He has gotten to the point where he climbs up on things without me even asking! 😂

Someone called him a “little mountain goat” last week, and honestly… I think that’s pretty accurate. 🐐

Confidence doesn’t happen overnight. Sometimes it’s built one weird surface, one new environment, and one successful experience at a time!

“ONE MORE THROW!” 🎾– sincerely, every Malinois ever.Some dogs have zero self-preservation when it comes to toys. They wi...
10/14/2026

“ONE MORE THROW!” 🎾

– sincerely, every Malinois ever.

Some dogs have zero self-preservation when it comes to toys. They will sprint, chase, tug, retrieve, and repeat until they drop dead. 😂

That incredible toy drive is one of the reasons working breeds can be so much fun to train – but it can also make it really difficult for the dog to know when they should stop.

That’s where the human comes in. 🙋🏻‍♀️

Part of being a good trainer is knowing when to say “we’re done.” Not because the dog doesn’t want to keep going, but because we need to recognize fatigue, stress, age, soreness, and diminishing focus before the dog reaches that point.

This is especially important for high-drive working breeds, older dogs, and those with activity restrictions.

Your dog doesn’t need to work until they’re exhausted to have had a productive training session. Sometimes the best training decision you can make is leaving them wanting more.

That’s responsible dog training. ❤️

It took me a LONG time before I felt comfortable bringing Bernie into a pet store.And honestly? There was a very good re...
10/13/2026

It took me a LONG time before I felt comfortable bringing Bernie into a pet store.

And honestly? There was a very good reason for that.

For a dog like Bernie, a pet store can be an absolute sensory overload. At the height of his reactivity, the increased chance of encountering another dog was the last thing I wanted to deal with. We were working hard on his reactions, and I wasn’t interested in putting him in a situation he wasn’t ready to handle.

Then there’s his insane prey drive. 🐀

The birds, rodents, animal smells, tasty snacks, squeaky toys, and everything else packed into a pet store are HIGHLY stimulating for him. There is so much happening at once.

And then… the people. 😅

I can't tell you how many times people have walked right up to Bernie – or other dogs I've worked with – without asking. Pet stores seem to be especially bad for this because people assume that if a dog is there, the dog must want to say hello.

That's simply not true.

If you're working with a reactive, nervous, inexperienced, or easily overstimulated dog, you don't need to start with the hardest environment.

Try a hardware or home improvement store. Look for dog-friendly farm stores, garden centers, or greenhouses. Find somewhere where you can create successful experiences without throwing your dog into the deep end.

Exposure should be intentional, not overwhelming. Your goal isn't to see just how much your dog can tolerate.

Your dog's training isn't a race. ❤️

Set them up for success. Build gradually. And remember that exposure only helps when the dog can actually handle it.

Bernie didn't become comfortable in pet stores overnight. It took time, training, and a LOT of carefully chosen experiences. And seeing how far he's come makes those little milestones mean so much more. 🥰

Your recycling bin might be hiding some of your dog’s BEST enrichment opportunities. 🔎That Amazon box you were about to ...
10/12/2026

Your recycling bin might be hiding some of your dog’s BEST enrichment opportunities. 🔎

That Amazon box you were about to throw away? Keep it!

You can turn it into a shredding activity by hiding treats between layers of packing paper, crumpling it up, and letting your dog work to unravel everything. Twenty minutes of sniffing, searching, shredding, and problem-solving can be exhausting!

But boxes can be used for so much more than shredding.

✨ Turn one into a scent work hide and encourage your dog to search for a hidden reward.

✨ Use it as a dopamine box to help your dog lower arousal levels, practice calmness, and build food drive.

✨ Play the box game and free-shape behaviors. Maybe today you’re rewarding front paws on the box. Next time, you want their head inside. Another session might involve circling it, touching it with their nose, or offering another behavior entirely.

There isn’t necessarily one “right” way to interact with the box. That’s the beauty of free-shaping! You get to see what your dog offers and build from there. 🤩

This is your reminder that enrichment doesn’t always have to be structured, expensive, or perfectly planned. There’s always a way to turn something from your everyday life into a fun opportunity for your dog to learn.

Just make sure to supervise your dog to ensure that they aren’t swallowing paper, cardboard, or other small pieces. If they’re an enthusiastic eater of non-food items, choose a safer activity.

When it comes to anything dog training, think outside of the box! 📦

“My dog doesn’t trust people.”I hear this more often than you might think – and my answer is always the same:It’s okay. ...
10/12/2026

“My dog doesn’t trust people.”

I hear this more often than you might think – and my answer is always the same:

It’s okay. We don’t have to rush it. 💜

Some dogs simply need a different approach. They may be more cautious, selective, sensitive, or particular about the people they allow into their world. And honestly? I think that makes earning their trust so much more meaningful.

I believe in meeting dogs where they are. Being calm. Being neutral. Respecting their boundaries. Not forcing them into interactions they aren’t ready for. And most importantly, showing them through my actions that I’m someone they can feel safe around.

Because when a dog who doesn’t typically accept strangers finally decides that you’re one of their people, there’s no better feeling. ☺️

That trust is something I’m incredibly grateful for with so many of my client dogs, and it’s a responsibility I never take lightly.

I’m also insured and certified in Pet CPR & First Aid, because being a pet professional means preparing for the unexpected while doing everything possible to keep your pets safe and comfortable.

If you’ve been looking for a dog person but aren’t sure your special dog would feel comfortable with someone new, send me a message.

I’d love to get to know them, learn what makes them feel safe, and see if I could become one of the people they trust. ❤️

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Kent, OH
44240

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