“He’s a really good guy, he really is,” Sadaf says of her young Malinois, Shaun, who she lovingly describes as a goofy jock. Shaun loves to chase his soccer ball so much his trainer once remarked that he should be on her soccer team. Time outdoors and an outlet for his athleticism was one of the reasons their trainer recommended Sniffspot to Sadaf. He also needed plenty of space to relax and explore, as city life in Seattle can be stressful for him.
Shaun is not Sadaf’s first rescue with a traumatic background, but his reactivity has led her to adopt some new habits along with her special guy.
Sadaf had fostered a number of dogs rescued from the meat trade, but she wasn’t looking to adopt another dog when she happened upon Shaun’s story on Instagram.“The resilience and the ability to forgive is what caught me.” The first videos and photos Sadaf saw of Shaun were of his mangled, bleeding face and body after he and his guardian were attacked with a machete near their home in Morocco. Through his pain, he did not appear fearful or aggressive toward the people trying to help him. Shaun’s resilient spirit drew him to Sadaf, as she worked to bring him to Seattle, Washington from his foster home in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Throughout his ordeal, Shaun did not display reactivity toward people or dogs, until that trip from Indiana to Washington. Sadaf believes something really frightening happened to him, describing him like a Tazmanian devil as he barked and spun inside of his crate at the other crated dogs when she went to pick him up. After three reconstructive surgeries to help with the extensive injuries he sustained during the machete attack, Shaun also became reactive toward some humans.
It’s not surprising that Shaun suffers from PTSD after all he’s been through, but Sadaf is working hard to understand and meet his needs as they work with veterinarians and trainers to help him with his fears. Although she grew up with dogs, one of which struggled with some reactivity, and has only ever adopted dogs from shelters or rescues (some of which have their own harrowing stories) she says that Shaun is “by far the most challenging dog I’ve ever had.” But Sadaf takes it all in stride, explaining “it’s okay…this is what I’m supposed to be doing right now.”
When Sadaf’s previous dog, Dina (now passed), a dog meat trade survivor from Taiwan, who was confident and curious, started having seizures and becoming wary of humans, her trainer recommended nosework as mentally stimulating activity. Along with his behavior adjustment training (BAT) with the fabulous Ahimisa Dog Training in Seattle, Shaun and Sadaf also practice nosework, and use the Sniffspots they frequent to play soccer and set up items for Shaun to track.
Shaun’s trainer suggested Sadaf forgo neighborhood walks with him when it became apparent he was struggling, and instead book Sniffspots several times a week.
When they arrive, Shaun engages with his soccer ball, which he loves to chase. Though they have a backyard where Shaun can play, Sadaf likes to find Sniffspots with different terrain where he can both run in the open and explore the surrounding vegetation.
Between online classes with the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy and time with their trainer, Sadaf and Shaun have learned about nosework and tracking. After his soccer session, Sadaf hides items in the available structures and vegetation for Shaun to find.
“He gets the mental stimulation that he needs…by going to these different Sniffspots. We have our favorites, and then we add new ones.” Seattle has many options, but Sadaf looks for spots with no humans or dogs visible. Ideally the spot does not have street parking, which is hard for Shaun due to his reactivity.
Sadaf enjoys her neighborhood walks with her other dog, Mokha, another meat trade survivor from Taiwan.
Walking with a reactive dog is stressful. Navigating their triggers to limit exposure and ensure they have as many positive interactions with the world around them as possible puts you on high alert, a feeling that Sadaf became familiar with: “I’m a pretty calm person, but even the thought of taking him out became dreadful for me.” She’s honest about the reality of her dog’s many triggers, “I can’t even take Shaun in front of our house.” Before she knew about Sniffspots, Sadaf would walk Shaun during off hours, but even then they would encounter triggers. “Little did I know, walking him at 4:30 in the morning, he was getting worse, and I was getting anxious,” she goes on to say “it was not pleasant for anyone involved.”
Their reactions may be big, Sadaf recalls an incident where Shaun dragged her down the street after seeing an off-leash German Shepherd, but reactive dogs are still good dogs. When asked about Shaun’s personality, her response was immediate. “He’s a big goofball. He’s really happy.” Outside of their home, Shaun has a hard time with some people, but inside of his comfort zone, Sadaf says “whoever comes to our house…they’re his BFFs.”
Although his reactivity is toward dogs and some people, Shaun is able to react neutrally to goats, donkeys, chickens, and other farm animals he has encountered in the spacious Sniffspots Sadaf books, and she sees these encounters as very enriching learning opportunities.
In her quest to provide her dogs with fulfilling activities that suit their very different personalities and needs, Sadaf occasionally brings her eager learner Mokha along to train while her jock Shaun chases a soccer ball. “I’m learning to adapt to what his needs are,” she mentions while discussing the challenges of life with a dog like Shaun.
Each dog who struggles with reactivity is a complex, sentient, emotional being deserving of love and compassion. But you could say the same for any dog, regardless of their life experiences. Every one of them deserves opportunities to explore and engage in environments and activities that benefit their mental and emotional well-being. It just takes more planning for some.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either his own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle (or worse, get bored of) them in just a few days?
You’ve been told that your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to stretch their legs, experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and spend time with you! Consistent physical activity will also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dog breeds have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being dangerous. Rottweilers are among them — as a large working breed, they’re often thought of as aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Welcome to the United States Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in the United States based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used.
Welcome to the New Jersey Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in New Jersey based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Welcome to the Michigan Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Michigan based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Welcome to the Washington Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Washington based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Welcome to the Florida Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Florida based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.