Blog


Resource Guarding

Published on Apr 6, 2017 | Category: Aggression

Here’s one of Ahimsa’s favorite articles on resource guarding written by Patricia McConnell PhD, CAAB. Resource Guarding: Treatment and Prevention  


Stop Barking

Published on Oct 10, 2016 | Category: Aggression

It can be hard to be the person with the barky dog in training class. With most problem behaviors, a good tactic is to manage the situation so that the behavior doesn’t pop up and then train the dog something else to do instead. So rather than barking at others, he could be staring adoringly -> Read the full article…


How to Teach Your Dog Loose Leash Walking

Published on Sep 27, 2016 | Category: Tips & Safety

If your dog pulls on the leash, then the walk is neither healthy for the dog nor relaxing for you.  It’s also a sign that you and your dog are not paying attention to each other — it takes two to pull. Pulling on leash is very rewarding to a dog.  What do we mean -> Read the full article…


Dog Relaxation: Training a Puppy or High-Energy Dog

Published on Feb 28, 2016 | Category: Tips & Safety

With our young or high energy dogs we are often faced with the challenges of hyperactive behaviors such as excessive biting, chewing, jumping, destruction, and vocalization.  Most of these behaviors can be attributed to lack of physical and mental exercise, unintentionally reinforcing undesirable behaviors, and missed opportunities to reinforce calm behaviors.  Training calm behaviors is -> Read the full article…


Babette: Puppy Camp Success Story

Published on May 1, 2013 | Category: Puppies

We received this letter from a Puppy Camp student and I was thrilled to hear about puppy camp achieving exactly what I had hoped when we began it last year. We get thank you notes all the time from students (yay!) but this was so detailed and clear that I asked Dana for permission to -> Read the full article…


Victoria Stilwell Loves BAT!

Published on Jan 5, 2013 | Category: Uncategorized

Check out this interview about Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) with dog trainer Victoria Stilwell from the Animal Planet TV show “It’s Me or the Dog.”  The interview with Ahimsa’s owner, Grisha Stewart, is just over 5 minutes. It starts at 22:40 and goes to about 36:00.


Poison in Green Lake, Halloween Tips

Published on Oct 9, 2012 | Category: Safety Warnings, What's New?

Here is the October newsletter. Enjoy! Hi folks, we have a few important announcements: 1. Toxic algae in Green Lake (Seattle) Please do not let your dogs drink from the lake right now. It is poisonous. http://tinyurl.com/8kkgfjj 2. Vote for Ahimsa! Every vote counts. 🙂 We would really appreciate your vote for Ahimsa in the -> Read the full article…


More News!

Published on Jul 2, 2012 | Category: What's New?

We just got some great feedback on a service we started in last spring, Puppy Day Camp. In our Puppy Day Camp, we do the training and socialization homework for our students, so they can live their lives. This format has allowed us to work some minor miracles. I thought I’d share this feedback so -> Read the full article…


Puppy and New Dog Tip for Spring!

Published on Apr 7, 2012 | Category: Aggression, Puppies

Will this be your dog’s first summer in your home? Have your puppy spend some time in your back yard today to get used to the sights and sounds of spring. The reason to do this is to teach your puppy not to bark at people, dogs, and other distractions in your neighborhood.


Puppy Day Camp is Coming Soon

Published on Feb 22, 2012 | Category: What's New?

I am thrilled to announce that we are moving forward with our Puppy Day Camp! This is not a free-for-all, Lord of the Flies experience. The puppies will get an orchestrated socialization and training experience to help them get off on the right paw. Starting April 9th. 2 staff members to supervise the puppies. Up -> Read the full article…


Free Agility Demo!! 2/16

Published on Feb 8, 2012 | Category: What's New?

We will be doing an Agility Demo on Thursday, 2/16 at our new Annex – an extra big classroom for Competition Agility, Backyard Sports & Games, practice rentals, and some of our other classes that need more space. Here are the details. Where: Ahimsa’s new space (the annex), at 925 C NW 49th St. in -> Read the full article…


Training Your Dog is Not a Luxury

Published on Jan 4, 2012 | Category: What's New?

Here’s a quote from the most recent Karen Pryor newsletter by Ken Ramirez, executive vice president of animal care and animal training at the world-renowned Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Ken is a brilliant trainer who applies his skills to dogs, people, and exotic animals, too. I just had to share it with you all, especially -> Read the full article…


November Newsletter

Published on Oct 31, 2011 | Category: What's New?

The November news is here a little early. Why? We have Jr. High starting, Halloween here, and some brags to share. 1. Halloween is here and the rest of the holiday season is coming soon We will be closed only in the evening of Halloween. Morning classes will take place, but we close at 2:30 -> Read the full article…


September 2011 Newsletter

Published on Aug 30, 2011 | Category: What's New?

Just a quick reminder that Ahimsa is closed for Labor Day weekend, through Monday night, 9/5 (store, playtime, & classes). We do have our biannual summer camp near the Mount Baker National Forest this weekend, and you can join us! Read on for more news.


Video of the Ahimsa Dog Training Drill Team Debut!

Published on Jun 20, 2011 | Category: Our Dogs

As I mentioned a while back, we started a doggie drill team at Ahimsa. Last weekend, at the Furry 5K to support the Seattle Animal Shelter, we did our first show. While it wasn’t perfect, I still thought it turned out great! The most important part is that the dogs were treated well, even if -> Read the full article…


“I Rescued a Human Today” – anonymous

Published on Jun 17, 2011 | Category: Tips & Safety

This little story from a dog’s perpective is so touching that i just have to share. My shelter dogs certainly make my life so much better. See the bottom for some links with info on how to (or not to) pick a shelter dog. I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY Her eyes met mine as she -> Read the full article…


Teaching Your Dog to “Drop It”

Published on May 2, 2011 | Category: Tips & Safety

If you’ve ever had a hoovering puppy or a dog that likes to explore the world with her mouth, you know that getting your dog to let go of something quickly is important. It’s also great for exercising your dog, because dropping the toy is an important part of fetch.


Living Like a Dog

Published on Apr 25, 2011 | Category: Uncategorized

There are many things that I’m glad I don’t do in the doggie fashion, like sniffing poo on the ground or rolling in smelly carcasses. But one thing that I’m so glad that my dog does and can share with me is the ability to live in the moment.


April Charity of the Month: Old Dog Haven

Published on Mar 24, 2011 | Category: What's New?

Our local Charity of the Month is Old Dog Haven, which is based in Lake Stevens. I love them and hope you will be generous to them. They foster, rehome (if possible), and provide lifelong care for older dogs. They really deserve our help. Please donate to the little pug container at the training center -> Read the full article…


February Charity of the Month: Summit Assistance Dogs

Published on Feb 5, 2011 | Category: Uncategorized

The Ahimsa Dog Training staff members are excited to launch our Charity of the Month Program! For February we have chosen Summit Assistance Dogs, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization based in Anacortes, Washington, that provides mobility, hearing and therapy dogs for people living with disabilities. There are more than 55 million Americans living with various disabilities, -> Read the full article…


Drill Team Rehearsal on Friday Feb 4

Published on Jan 20, 2011 | Category: Our Dogs

Join us for the first meeting of the Ahimsa Dog Training Drill Team! Our drill team will meet every other Friday night at 7 pm. We will perform at various dog events in the Seattle area to show off the power of positive dog training. Tricks trained with positive reinforcement only. Dogs should already have -> Read the full article…


Charity of the Month

Published on Jan 18, 2011 | Category: Uncategorized

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was yesterday. It motivated me to make some changes and one of them is that Ahimsa Dog Training is going to start having a Dog Charity of the Month. We will give local (Seattle / Puget Sound area) rescue organizations and charities a chance to be featured in our blog. -> Read the full article…


Positive Dog Training Flash Mob in Seattle

Published on Jan 17, 2011 | Category: Uncategorized

We had a great time at the positive dog training flash mob at Westlake center on Sunday. The surprise dance routine (I use the word dance loosely, here) was meant to bring attention to the fact that January is “Train Your Dog Month” and promote positive training, including the Puget Sound Positive Dog Trainers group. -> Read the full article…


Do Dogs Laugh?

Published on Jan 10, 2011 | Category: Uncategorized

There is some research on dogs being able to laugh. It’s like a fast huffy panting noise. Shelter dogs who heard recordings of dog laughter reportedly quieted down. Whether you think the research is solid or not, it’s still fun to play around with. I have used laughter (my own version of dog laughter) to -> Read the full article…


Should My Dog Sniff on a Walk?

Published on Jan 7, 2011 | Category: Tips & Safety

The short answer is, “of course!” Smelling (the nose, tongue, and the vomeronasal organ) is a dog’s primary way to take in information about the world. Dogs are olfactory creatures, we are visual. Their sense of smell is part of what makes our dogs so amazing! Asking a dog not to put her nose to -> Read the full article…


Home for the holidays! Discount for new rescue dogs

Published on Dec 27, 2010 | Category: What's New?

The holidays can be a hard time for a new dog to come into a busy home, unless you take time to give your dog a chance to relax and start your training fairly soon. So we’ve created a discount to encourage you (or your friends) to start training. People who adopted a dog from -> Read the full article…


Look for the New “K9 Globetrotters” Program in 2011

Published on Dec 21, 2010 | Category: What's New?

We are excited to announce a more comprehensive program for our Seattle dog training classes in the first few months of 2011. With the improvements come a new name, the K9 Globetrotter™ program! We chose that name because it conjures up images of the sophisticated dog who can travel anywhere. Think of K9 Globetrotter™ as -> Read the full article…


Is Your Dog at Risk? 8 Important Safety Tips

Published on Nov 22, 2010 | Category: Safety Warnings

I’ve gotten a lot of bad news lately. Just in the last few weeks, I’ve had two clients tell me that their dogs were hit by cars, one whose dog died from a routine surgery, a few who were attacked by loose dogs, and several others who tore ligaments in their knees. My wife and -> Read the full article…


Don’t Miss FidoFEST 2010 this Sunday!

Published on Sep 20, 2010 | Category: What's New?

FidoFEST is this Sunday, September 26th, at University Village in Seattle. I’ll be giving a demonstration at 11:45 with my dog, Peanut. I’m excited for his big debut and hope he does well with the crowds! Peanut will be doing some work with his nose (finding keys, etc.), with some of the kind of training -> Read the full article…


One Easy Step to Help Dog-Friendly Training

Published on Sep 20, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized

Please vote for us in the Best of Western Washington contest! It’s really important for us at Ahimsa and it’s great way to promote positive training. Use the button above to vote and after you do, please use Twitter, Facebook, and plain old email to spread the word! (And check your email to make sure -> Read the full article…