To Celebrate the changing of leaves with a tail-wagging afternoon on the trails! Join Scenic Rivers Land Trust and trainers from Paws and Possibilities for a relaxed guided hike through the protected forests of Bacon Ridge Natural Area on November 7th, 1:30pm-3:30pm. Bring your four-legged hiking buddy (on leash!) to explore the trails, learn what makes Bacon Ridge special, and pick up tips from the Paws and Possibilities team for making outdoor adventures with your dog even more enjoyable. Sign Up HERE: Scenic Rivers Land Trust Space is limited to 12 dogs to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. This event is not appropriate for dogs currently working through reactivity toward people or other dogs.

Halloween is such a fun time for costumes, decorations, and trick-or-treating, but some common Halloween traditions can pose risks for our dogs. Here’s a helpful guide to keep your dog safe and comfortable this spooky season! Candy & Treats: Chocolate, sugar-free candy containing xylitol, grapes, and raisins: Can be toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Candy wrappers: Can pose a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed. Lollipop sticks, candy sticks, and small treats: Can cause choking or digestive issues if chewed or swallowed. Candy bowls: Keep Halloween candy well out of reach, especially when trick-or-treaters are coming and going. Tip: If your dog gets into Halloween candy, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline for guidance. Don't wait for symptoms to appear. Trick-or-Treating & Door Safety: Frequent doorbell ringing and open doors: Dogs may dash outside when the door opens, even if they normally have great door manners. Costumes and masks: Even dogs who love people can become startled by unfamiliar appearances, masks, or sudden movements in costume. Crowds and excited children: Trick-or-treating can be overwhelming for dogs, especially with lots of noise, movement, and unfamiliar people. Tip: Keep your dog safely secured in a comfortable room, behind a secure gate, or in a crate if they are comfortable there during trick-or-treating. Make sure they have identification on in case they accidentally get out. If your dog will be around people in costumes, give them space and let them approach at their own pace. Decorations & Special Effects: Fog machines and artificial smoke: Fog and smoke effects can irritate a dog's eyes and respiratory tract. Avoid bringing dogs near fog machines or into areas filled with artificial fog. Glow sticks and glow jewelry: If chewed, the contents can cause irritation, drooling, and stomach upset. Fake spiderwebs, string lights, ribbons, and dangling decorations: Can pose entanglement, choking, or intestinal blockage risks if chewed or swallowed. Candles, jack-o'-lanterns, and electrical cords: Can cause burns, fire hazards, or electric shock if knocked over or chewed. Small decorations and plastic spiders: Can become choking hazards if dogs pick them up or swallow them. Tip: Keep decorations out of reach, secure electrical cords, and use battery-operated candles whenever possible. Costumes & Outdoor Activities: Dog costumes: Make sure costumes fit comfortably and don't restrict movement, breathing, vision, or the ability to communicate through body language. Avoid loose pieces that could be chewed off and swallowed. Walking in the dark: Reduced visibility, busy streets, and excited trick-or-treaters can make nighttime walks more challenging. Unfamiliar Halloween displays: Animatronics, sudden movements, loud sounds, and unexpected decorations can startle dogs, even those who are usually confident. Tip: Consider walking your dog before trick-or-treating begins, use reflective gear or a light-up collar, and give your dog the option to skip Halloween activities if they seem uncomfortable. A little preparation can go a long way toward keeping your dog safe and comfortable this Halloween. Remember, your dog doesn't need to participate in every spooky activity to enjoy the holiday with you!

Workshops October brings a mix of fun and practical themed workshops! We’ll be getting Halloween-ready with Halloween Ready: Teaching Your Dog to Wear a Costume, while Dogs, Doors, and Doorbells will help prepare your dog for the excitement of trick-or-treaters and people ringing the doorbell. We also have plenty of opportunities to build important everyday skills throughout the month! October 3, Saturday – Recall Workshop October 6, Tuesday – Intermediate Impulse Control Workshop October 7, Wednesday – Virtual Mapping Your Training Goals October 10, Saturday – Pack Walk at Fall Family Weekend October 13, Tuesday – Canine Good Citizen Prep October 14, Wednesday – Virtual Dog Safety 101: Keeping Your Dog Safe October 17, Saturday – Kids and Dogs: Safe Interactions Workshop October 20, Tuesday – Vet Exam Prep Workshop October 21, Wednesday – Virtual Halloween Ready: Teaching Your Dog to Wear a Costume October 24, Saturday – Dogs, Doors, and Doorbells Workshop October 27, Tuesday – Confidence Building Around Medical Equipment October 28, Wednesday – Virtual Social Behavior, Body Language, and Safety Heads Up for November! We’re excited to be collaborating with Scenic Rivers Land Trust for a special guided hike! November 7, Saturday, 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM – Leaves & Leashes Guided Hike at Bacon Ridge Natural Area in Crownsville More information and registration: Scenic Rivers Land Trust

Custom Dog Waste Bag Dispensers by Crafty Schnauzers LLC Keep walks clean and stylish with handmade, customizable dog waste bag dispensers from Crafty Schnauzers LLC! Why you’ll love them: Custom embroidery: Pick your pouch color and choose a dog breed or design to be embroidered Alternate options available: If we don’t have the breed or design you’re looking for, we also offer fun sayings and other embroidery options. Email us anytime and we’ll find a design that is right for you. Durable & practical: Soft yet sturdy, secure zipper, built-in dispenser opening, and clips easily to leashes, belts, or bags Perfect for any adventure: Ideal for daily walks, training sessions, or trips on the go With so many ways to customize your pouch, these dispensers make clean-up on walks simple, stylish, and fun. Shop now: Click to Buy

We know some of our classes have waitlists, and we want to make sure you get into the sessions you're excited about! If you’re interested in a class but see a waitlist, we highly encourage you to add yourself - we're actively adding new classes based on demand. Our goal is always to provide as many opportunities as possible for you to train, and the waitlist helps us determine where additional classes are needed. So, if you haven't signed up for a class just because it's full, go ahead and join the waitlist! That’s how we know to add more spots. Keep an eye out for new class openings, and as always, reach out if you have any questions!