Dog Training 411: Spotlight on Hildalgo

Hildalgo is probably one of the prettiest dogs I've ever worked with. As a photographer and dog trainer, I appreciate the natural beauty that a dog has, but I also don't treat any dogs differently just because they are beautiful. Hildalgo needed a little guidance during his exercise time, and a few household structures set up so that he could put that smart brain of his to work. There is never a time when exercise doesn't solve most of the problems that my clients call me to help fix. However, I'm talking about structured, proper exercise. Exercise where the dog understands that it is to follow your every move and look to you as the one leading the activity. I can't stress this difference enough. Most people that I see walk dogs are simply following their dog, but they usually don't know it. This is why professional dog training exists! What is obvious to me after over a decade of working with dogs is not so obvious to the person who lives with that particular dog everyday.

Hildalgo picked up on the nuances I taught his owner in the realm of exercise and leadership very quickly! 

Discipline is another one of those "not so obvious" things to most owners. Most people can't tell the difference between their dog "having a conversation" with them or the dog actually challenging their leadership role. This is why consistency is of utmost importance. While so much can be learned from reading about dog behavior, watching videos, and asking other people what they think, there is nothing like bringing a professional into your home to assess what is going on that isn't obvious to you.

There is never a time when dog training is not needed, your dog needs to look to you as a leader and as someone they can trust and respect! This is so exciting when you think about it, though, because dogs are the most healthy and loving when their needs for exercise, discipline and affection are being fulfilled by you on a regular basis. I love working with dogs, the list of benefits from a healthy relationship with your dog is unending! I reckon you have a long list of things you love about your dog, too! Shoot me a contact form if you would like to learn more about how to have a balanced and healthy relationship with your dog, especially if you feel that you don't have one right now. Let me know what that means to you! I'd love to help you achieve the same mutual trust and respect that I helped Hildalgo have with his owner and the rest of his pack.

Photography: Business Decorations

Producing press printed, prestige quality framed prints and fine art canvases for your business is my pleasure. Within the Central Florida area, I will hand deliver and install the decorations of your choosing myself. I offer options ranging from custom barn wood frames and Giclée prints to press printed standouts and canvas wraps.

It is a privilege to provide businesses in Central Florida and beyond with these decorations. Here are a few samples of the options available. 

Visit my Online Store to browse more photos and to make an order for your business!

8x10 (with 11x14 frame) Gicleé Fine Art Print with Barnwood Frame (above)

16x20 Fine Art Canvas Wrap (above) located at Bark Avenue

Traditionally Framed Prints ranging in size from 11x14-16x20 (above) at Countryside Animal Clinic

Press Printed Standouts ranging in size from 8x10-20x224 (above) at Bayshore Animal Hospital

To view all photos at Bayshore Animal Hospital, click here

20-x24 Press Printed Standout at Chiropractic Connection Center

Photography: Interrupting Cat

Baby Doll actually interrupted another photo shoot that I was doing, but I was able to sneak this shot of her in her owner's yard. The car shop and trees in the background make her look like a jungle cat, though she is as sweet and innocent as any domestic Rag Doll kitty. I was shooting with a wide angle lens, so I propped my camera on the ground and meowed at her, calling her over to me. I just love snapping shots from this angle, I think it brings an "ants eye view" into perspective for people who are normally looking down at the furies at their feet. With every shot I take, I aim to bring people into the animal world and bring an appreciation for the beauty they have that often goes unseen.

Dog Training 411: Spotlight on Banjo & Grace

Banjo and Grace were such a dynamic duo to work with! Their owners contacted me asking for help because the male, Banjo, seemed oddly possessive of the living room coffee table. I observed this behavior, and Grace's behaviors, and arrived at the conclusion that they both needed 1) more exercise, 2) a job and 3) more of a scheduled structure in the house. Grace had many interesting behaviors such as obsession with reflections and an obvious level of discomfort around common kitchen items like the toaster. This is not an uncommon behavior in herding dogs, and I have worked many times to correct this issue with other dogs. We set out to create household structures that worked for the owners to implement on a daily basis and they saw both dogs improve by leaps and bounds.

Banjo's possession of the living room coffee table stemmed from his general lack of sufficient physical and mental exercise, combined with his entertainment of Grace's overstimulated brain. When we don't give our dog a job, they will come up with something to occupy their time, and often they come up with very destructive or peculiar behaviors. Banjo and Grace are now getting more physical and mental exercise and their owners feel like they own their house again!

There is never a time when training is not necessary, and so as important as it is to have a professional, certified dog trainer come in to teach you a strategy and psychology when handling your dog, it's even more pertinent that you continue the process that the trainer helped you start. Banjo and Grace are on a great path to full physical, mental and relational health! And aren't they just so adorable? I enjoyed photographing them, too! Check out the full photoshoot here.

Photography: Tilt / Shift Interrupting Cat

Cleo is a beautiful outdoor kitty living at a wedding location that I was shooting at. She doesn't have to work hard to look like a model working the runway! I had a handy tilt / shift lens that I was shooting with and it made for the perfect artistic flare for Cleo. I have often found that the shots most worth keeping are the ones you didn't plan on making to begin with! While Cleo was very friendly, she was not very responsive to the noises I used to get her attention, so I had to be patient and still while I waited for the perfect opportunity to get the perfect shot.

Dog Training 411: Spotlight on Bella

Bella is probably the most friendly pooch you could ever meet! She has been one of my exercise class attendees. I wanted to share a few details about Bella because she is a great example of the good that exercise can do for a dog. Bella is a golden momma who gives birth to future service dogs with My Angel With Paws. Often times, I would exercise her once she was carrying puppies, and she still had just as much energy as when she wasn't pregnant. When we raise the speed within a structured walk, the dog seems to go into "laser focus" mode. This is why I choose to roller blade with Bella, because I worked her to become physically strong enough to endure the speed, and because this allows us to work out distractions (such as squirrels) much quicker.

Bella is such a beautiful sweetheart, but anytime we have to go a any length of time without working together (if she is in heat or if she is about to deliver her puppies), her crazy amount of excess energy is so obvious. So many people see this on a regular basis if they don't consistently exercise their dog. And it's not just about walking the dog, it's about walking the dog in a proper structured manor in which the dog knows his job, and you are in charge. The difference is HUGE. This is why I recommend bringing in a professional to help teach you how to walk your dog. I know, it sounds so silly! "I need to be taught how to walk my dog?" Well, yes. This is the number one reason why there are behavior problems popping up everywhere else.

Bella is a fabulous example of a balanced happy dog when being exercised properly and sufficiently! Your dog will thank you for this, believe me.

Photography: Agility Dogs

This session post is a bit of a blast to the past! Ashley Deacon came to Fast Friends Dog Agility for an agility seminar in 2011 and I had the privilege of capturing some fun shots of the event! I don't usually photograph at agility events, mainly because I don't enjoy shooting without being able to move around, but I hopped on this opportunity because I was able to be inside the arena with the dogs and change my shooting angle very often. These dogs are incredible athletes and their owners have done an amazing job of training them! Thanks again to Ashley and Fast Friends for inviting me to come out.

Dog Training 411: Spotlight on Salton

Salton and Michael were such a fabulous pair to work with, and I'm so excited to share their story! Michael with New Horizons contacted me to help him with his service dog, Salton, who was his new pup after Eagle, his service dog of several years had passed away. Salton seemed to be showing aggression towards small dogs, and is considerably larger than Eagle, so Michael was having a hard time handling him. I brought two small dogs in to work with Salton, since his beef was with smaller dogs, and we all went for a walk together. 

The more Dog Training 411 blogs you read, the more you'll realize that I ALWAYS walk with the owner and dog(s) for the first session. Once the rules on the walk are clear and the dog moves forward in a proper, structured manor on the walk, everything else can come right. Michael hadn't had to work with a young and rambunctious dog in many years, so many things that I coached him on accomplishing were things he knew, but needed refreshing on. After a few sessions with me, and the help of Amy from Bark Avenue for socializing him during her Playcare service, Salton and Michael were able to communicate with one another clearly, and Salton's aggression towards other dogs completely went away. 

Photography: Quick Snaps

Check out this adorable hairdo! Lulo is a super playful schnauzer with whom I had a brief interaction. She wasn't too sure about my camera, but I managed to get her to make eye contact with my lens and to position her with the clean background of these pebbles during the quick interaction we had. Many people believe that the dog has to be all set up and ready for a photo, but the way that I work with my camera and with animals always depends on the animals' speed. Since Lulo was quick and unsure, I worked with the few seconds I had. This is the major reason that I offer photoshoots for 30 minutes, because I know that I can get the exact shots you're looking for (regardless of the pet's reaction to my camera) in this time frame.  

Dog Training 411: The Right Fit

Bitsy is an adorable Morkie (Maltese / Yorkie) pup! I worked with her owner to help create a structured exercise and household boundary schedule while her owner decided whether or not Bitsy was fit to be a lap dog. Bitsy was raised on a farm and had an abundant amount of energy, and she was naturally more dominant than submissive. Bitsy did so well with the exercise regime I set up for her of running alongside the rollerblades and bike when I was able to do this with her, but no matter how much exercise I can provide for any dog, their owner needs to be able to come up with an exercise and discipline schedule that works for them at the end of the day.

Unfortunately, Bitsy's owner could not walk very far as she was elderly. Many times, it's just a matter of finding the right fit. In dog training, I am constantly looking to bridge the gap by fitting the dogs' needs into a regime that the owner can do. Different dogs connect with different people depending on both parties' energy level, time availability, activity level and learned skill set. This being said, not every dog that currently exists in their household is a good fit, and many times I have to recommend the possibility of re-homing the dog. I helped Bitsy's owner find a new home where she could be exercised to the extent that she needed. Please consult a professional puppy profiler or trainer if you are considering adding a new dog to your home, this can save you lots of time! 

Photography: Elderly Pets

We grow so attached to our precious pets. It never ceases to amaze me how loving animals can be and therefore how much space in our hearts they house. It is always the worst day of my life when I have to say goodbye to a precious furry friend, and I grew up with so many ferrets, fish, dogs, horses, the list goes on!

Our animals live in our hearts forever, but if we don't have an accurate image made of them, how are we going to be in full detail of the best expressions they had? I hear far too often that someone's sweet pet passed away before they had a chance to get them photographed, and this is so sad. Why would you not want to have a lasting image made of them?

I've been very blessed to be chosen as the one to capture many elderly animals personalities, and it's never an easy task. Generally speaking, I move quickly and shoot non-stop when I'm working with animals. However, when I'm working with older pets, I shoot at the tender speed that the animal in front of me moves at. I don't take the task lightly that I was chosen to capture this precious soul's expressions, and I'm thankful to be trusted with this task.

Dog Training 411: Spotlight on Abby

Abby is a rescue pup from ARNI Foundation! When her owners called me for help and I met her, I first recognized how easy she is to excite. She is a hyper active submissive dog, and is very easy to engage in a fun activity! Her owners needed some help setting some basic household structures and had never owned a dog before, so we did three sessions together. I taught her owners how to set spacial and physical boundaries, such as not coming into the kitchen unless she was invited.

Abby understood these boundaries very quickly and her owners were able to implement these structures and see great results right away! The very first thing I always work on with a new client is the walk, and Abby hadn't been taught how to walk correctly on a leash. The whole family got involved in her walking process and now everyone in the family can walk her well! Abby is such a sweet heart and her family is doing a great job with her!

Dog Training 411: Spotlight on Scooter

This is Scooter! An adorable Dachshund who recently learned some newborn manors. His owners contacted me once their baby was born and I could tell right away that Scooter was used to getting much more attention than anyone, and that this would have to stop. 

His owners were happy to follow my advice and immediately started seeing fabulous results. Baby is growing well and Scooter comes second to baby (as is now clear in his mind). It's easy to want to give such an adorable pup attention, I mean, look at his face! For the most part, we give dogs way more attention than they need or than is natural for them and they generally don't know what to do with it. Scooter took over everyone's emotional space because he thought he was allowed and encouraged to. Once he understood that his role is the babysitter and not the baby, he immediately synced in.  

Photography: Dog Park Pals

I always have a grand time at Barkley Square Dog Park! This time I met some great new people and dogs, and the dogs' slobber and dirt stains prove how much fun they had, too!

Dog Training 411: Spotlight on Jaxon

Jaxon is a super sweet black lab who had a bundle of extra energy when his owners called me to help them out. We discussed what his exercise regime is and I quickly realized that he was not getting enough exercise nor was he being respectful of the leash rules. I worked with his owners for two sessions to introduce him to three new concepts: 1) respect on the walk 2) respect in the house and 3) a job on the walk and in the house. A dog with a job is one happy dog! Jaxon took quickly to the new ground rules, adjusted well (as expected) to a backpack and responded well to new house boundaries once they were clear in his mind. 

So many behavior problems can be solved in a short period of time, but good behavior in all situations and at all times comes with consistent rules, boundaries, limitations and rewards! Jaxon is doing so well and I was able to help his owners up the speed of the walk by adding the bike during our second session. With understandable skepticism, his owners were able to communicate his job on the walk / bike ride very quickly and now Jaxon is a much better behaved family pet. 

Jaxon is pleasant at the door, on the walk, with the kids and during dinner time, as was the goal to accomplish. Exercise is vital for a happy and healthy dog, and a clear job inside the house is just as important. Great job, family!

Photography: Bailey & Penny

Bailey & Penny are two stunning Catahoulas who clearly love to play together! I had a blast photographing them (and chasing them around) in their back yard. If you've never googled a Catahoula before, check them out! They're really interesting dogs!

Dog Training 411: Walk Anyway

Timmy's story is really simple. His owner was hesitant as to his leash walking skills, and encouraged me to turn around if he resisted the walk. I agreed that I would turn back if I needed to, and I started walking.

Timmy needed someone who wouldn't buy his "I don't want to walk" story, and so I merely expected that he would follow me, end of discussion. And he did! Expectation is a huge part of working with dogs, because they read our energy. 

So, in brief conclusion, expect that your dog will do what you want them to do. You may need to work through a brief burst of resistance, but remember that they can't think as long term as you can, therefore you know what is better for them in the long haul.

Photography: Dog Parade 2015

A fabulous time was had at the doggie parade this year! Here are a few of my favorite new friends from the day.

Interested in purchasing prints from this event? Click here and then type in the access code: parade2015

Dog Training 411: Excitable Dogs

Bristol is my yorkie, and I often describe her as "a magnetic boomerang". She is absolutely nuts about people (and nuts in general). Dogs are sensitive to varying degrees to both physical touch and to sound, and Bristol is a unique blend of hyper sensitive in both of these ways. She is the most submissive dog I have ever come in contact with, but she is also extremely high energy (constant excitement). She is a dog who thrives on contact with people, and so we've had to work on lessening the affirmation from "oh, what a good dog you are!" (followed by belly rubs and tons of excitement) to "good job." (pat on head). She is learning and re-learning her social boundaries everyday, and she is always improving. I've had a blast working with her over the last few years, she is an expert with the roller blades and is incredibly smart and obedient (as a dog who seeks to please people, this makes total sense).

Photography: Banjo & Grace

Banjo and Grace are such a fun gang and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with them and their people! I was first contacted to work on behavior issues with both Banjo and Grace and after three months of training and consistent work put in by their two-legged parents, they are doing so much better and on the right path to psychological and behavioral health. They've made HUGE strides! What a cute pair, I had a blast capturing their fun personalities at the end of working behavior with these two.