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Are you struggling with a reactive dog?

Are you struggling with a reactive dog?

Turn reactivity to calm confidence with our new program. 

Crockett’s Critter Care is now offering reactive dog training.  As I have been working with several pets and their owners, I’ve created an eight week program to take reactive dogs to calm confident companions.

During this pilot program, your feedback will be invaluable to refining this new specialized training. As part of the first session you’ll have input on determining handout effectiveness, communication between sessions, and confirmation of the success of your practice sessions.  In appreciation for your contribution this eight-week individualized course is being offered at introductory rate of $600.

The pre-launch session has just a few more spots available for this summer. If you have a reactive dog that you’d like to train to be calm and confident, contact me to learn more and reserve your spot.

It is uncomfortable when you have a reactive dog. I know what it’s like: you peek out the window to see if it is a good time to venture out.  Then holding the leash very tightly in your hand, in case your dog pulls, lunges, or barks, you head out the door. You dread it when a bicycle rider approaches, children ask if they can pet your dog, or the mail truck passes you on the street. And worst of all is the cat or squirrel that magically appears and sends you pet into full alert.

Having a reactive dog can be worrisome, isolating, and physically wearing.  Walks are a challenge, going to the vets is a nightmare, and you stopped inviting visitors over a long time ago.  You love your dog, but sometimes you don’t like him.

I’ve been there.  In fact, that is why I am so excited about helping you and your dog cope with reactivity, calm your anxieties, and develop a better partnership. 

The program I offer is science-based, positive, fun, and a game changer.  My formerly reactive German shepherd Davy and I can now walk in the neighborhood, meet other dogs for a walk in the park, and remain calm when faced with challenges that used to be seen as threats.  Take advantage of the pre-launch introductory rate package of $600 for the full eight week program and transform your relationship with your dog.

Tips for Walking a Reactive Dog

Tips for Walking a Reactive Dog

Does your dog pull excessively on the leash and yank you off balance when he sees a squirrel, cat, or dog? 
Does he go berserk when he hears or sees the mail truck?
Does his hyper vigilance at the window turn nuclear when he sees anything moving past your house? 
Is he always in motion seemingly unable to relax?
Is he too noisy (whining, barking, or howling)?

These are some of the common responses presented by reactive dogs.  It’s a challenge to take them for a walk, have visitors, take them to the vet or enroll them in a dog class. 

Misha getting Reactive Dog Training

This is not the dog you imagined when you brought him home.  You may even be an experienced pet owner and find yourself baffled/embarrassed as to what to do next. If your pup’s fearfulness or anxieties are getting in the way of your quality of life – I want to reassure you that it is not your fault and that there is hope.  I know what it’s like to own a reactive dog, the disappointment of being asked to leave dog school, and the frustration of finding a solution.  I set out on a quest to learn about them and how to help them.  What I discovered was game changing!

I found the solutions from world-class trainers who have made it their niche to focus specifically on reactivity.  I applied their wisdom first to Davy, my German Shepherd, and then trialed it with several pet owners who sought my help with their dogs.  I am so encouraged by the results that followed that I am offering a Reactive Dog Training program as my signature service.  From my own experience, I will tell you that I always loved Davy, but now I like him better.  At five-years-old, he is easier to be around.  We have a stronger bond and a better partnership.  I can show you how to obtain this with your dog too!

We will look at your situation, the needs of you and your dog, and the results that you want.  Our progress will include lowering your dog’s arousal and teaching him to relax, identifying and practicing essential skills (recall, walking on a loose lead) that will help you the most, and bringing joy back into your relationship (games, scent work, maybe a trick or two). We will begin in quiet places to build up our foundations before venturing out into more challenging environments.  We will set you and your dog up for success through consistency, practice, and using the right tools. 

Conventional training did not provide the solution to Davy’s reactivity.  In fact, I did not even know where to go or what to do until embarking on a personal quest for the answers.  I am ready to share them with you.  If you find yourself in a similar situation – contact me, Jeanne, the owner of Crockett’s Critter Care for a discovery call. Learn more about our Reactive Dog Training program here.


Happy Pet! Happy Home!

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Three Simple Goals for a Successful Dog Walk

Three Simple Goals for a Successful Dog Walk

Even before you picked out your pooch, you were daydreaming about serene strolls around the neighborhood or out in a park. Is that your reality?

  1. It’s enjoyable for you.
  2. It’s enjoyable for your dog.
  3. Both you and your dog feel better at the end of your walk than when you started.
Misha’a morning walk and train

Those three things sound so simple, don’t they? Yet there are so many things that can get in the way of a happy dog walk: a squirrel, a cat, another dog, the mail truck, skateboarders, bicycle riders, birds, airplanes, loud noises, neighbors coming and going, voices, laughter, windy days, thunderstorms, lightning, and a dog that pull’s us down the street with or without the presence of these triggers. Some days the activity we most looked forward to doing when we first got our dog has become one of our most challenging experiences.

The struggle is real for both ends of the leash. Having a stressful walk is horrible. We tend to tighten our grip, pull back on the leash, and let our frustrations get the best of us. Our dogs get all worked up and may pull, lunge, bark, and embarrass us. Subsequently, these responses are just the opposite of what we dreamed walking our dog would be like, look like, and feel like. So how do we fix this?

Our Walk and Train programs are designed to help you understand your dog and take the steps needed to reach the results you want. We offer training programs that will help you and your pet live a happier life. We look forward to helping you both. Our website has more details. Message us or call us to schedule a consultation. In a short time, you and your pooch will be enjoying your new partnership.


For Fear Free professional pet sitting and dog walking, contact Jeanne Crockett, owner of Crockett’s Critter Care.

Happy Pet! Happy Home!

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Adventure Walks

Adventure Walks

How to Spice Up Your Walking Ritual

Most likely your daily walk is pretty boring for both you and your dog. Here are ways to make it memorable.

Many dog owners view their walk with their dog as a cornerstone of their routine. But it doesn’t have to be just a potty break. A run-of-the-mill dog walk can be turned into an exciting and enjoyable daily adventure by spicing it up with fun, novel activities, and new games.

An adventure walk is a great way to burn off extra energy, solidify obedience skills, soothe nervous dogs, improve your dog’s fitness, and strengthen your bond. Let ho-hum walks be a thing of the past. Different activities result in different benefits and dogs love to learn and try new things.

Training during a walk is not just heelwork and basic commands. It can involve game playing that makes your dog think and respond. Engaging your dog leads to happier vet visits, calmer walks, easier nail trims, better manners, and less reactivity to triggers (cats, other dogs, delivery trucks, or loud noises).

In general, games are an important way to enrich your dog’s life. Besides being fun for you and your dog, they promote:

  • Physical Exercise – including a 3 to 5 minute sessions of play can make a huge difference. Frisbee or playing with a flirt pole (high-energy dogs in good shape) are physically demanding so adding them to your dog’s regular exercise routine is a great way to let off some pent-up energy.
  • Mental Stimulation – games have some basic rules and your dog learns to use his brain to figure those out. A ball needs to be dropped in order for it to be thrown again.
  • Stress Buster – games are a simple way to improve your dog’s mood. They bring you together and can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
  • Social Skills – exposing your dog to new scents, sights, and things is good for them at any age.
  • Decrease Problem Behaviors – engaging your dog in regular play keeps boredom at bay which means they are less likely to entertain themselves with chewing and barking.
  • Bonding – games are a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your dog. For dogs, playtime can be the highlight of their day and engaging with their owner can make this their favorite pastime.
  • Training – games are a fun way to reinforce some daily training like sit, stay, down without it feeling like a drill.

These are simple ways to bond and train your pet while obliterating boredom for both of you. To make it even easier for you, Crockett’s Critter Care is now offering Adventure Walks.


For Fear Free professional pet sitting and dog walking, contact Jeanne Crockett, owner of Crockett’s Critter Care.

Happy Pet! Happy Home!

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DID YOU KNOW? – We can Walk & Train Your Pet

DID YOU KNOW? – We can Walk & Train Your Pet

Jeanne Walk & Train Gale

Quarantine has been a boon for pet shelters. Many people have found that adding a dog or cat to their household relieves boredom and loneliness during Covid-19. The challenge with having a new pet is that your training options are limited since in person obedience classes for dogs are on hold. And cats, being cats, need special one-on-one training to make them good family pets. While there are lots of books and online tutorials, with everything going on at home, pet training may be necessary but it can be low on the to-do list and that can have negative consequences.

Free Free Dog Behavior Training Professional

If you have a dog that likes to jump up on people, pull on their leash, and misbehave around other canines, Crockett’s Critter Care now offers Walk &Train.  In addition to walking your pooch for exercise, potty breaks, and mental stimulus – we will include Fear Free better behavior training to address common pet concerns.  While you’re taking care of your children, attending to Zoom meetings or conference calls, we can give you a break and your pup the attention it needs to be a charming companion.

Jeanne Crockett recently achieved Fear Free Elite Status which she earned after three years of Fear Free Training. Fear Free promotes awareness of the animal’s emotional welfare.  Fear Free professionals are trained to recognize and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. Through calming techniques and gentle guidance things like giving medication, trimming nails, and visiting the vet can become hassle-free happy experiences.

These techniques work with cats as well as dogs. Click the links to learn more about Walk &Train and the Fear Free methods on our website, or call Jeanne at (252) 635-2655 to see how she can help you have a harmonious household.


Happy Pet! Happy Home!

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