DOGGY•U

Denver earned his Champion Shed Dog (CHSD) title this weekend!

We’ve been driving 20-30 hours round trip to the Midwest to compete all spring and it’s been such a blast.

In dog sports, good people really make all the difference, and the people who put on these shed hunting events and have taken me in as their weird little van-dwelling East Coaster who just keeps coming back, have been such a gift. If it hadn’t been for how welcoming the shed hunting community has been, there’s no way we would have earned his CHSD. But it’s been worth the drive every time and Denver loves to do his thing. Thank you to every one of you who went out of their way to make me feel welcome - it means a lot. See you in the fall! 💜

#shedhunt #fieldlab #labrador #yellowlab

Accessibility: yellow Labrador sits in front of a board with three ribbons on it and a banner that says Champion Shed Dog New Title.

2 days ago | [YT] | 351

DOGGY•U

Today Denver earned his first Beginner Novice Obedience leg under judge Ira Kaplan with a 198 out of 200, earning 1st place in BN A.

I’m totally new to competition obedience and was SO nervous to go in the ring. But after watching some of the wonderful competitors in Open, I really get the reason people love the precision of this sport! Nothing like I’ve ever trained for!

I’ll be back for more! I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful partner 💜


Accessibility: blonde woman with green vest stands next to a yellow Labrador and judge holding a blue ribbon in an obedience ring.

1 week ago | [YT] | 450

DOGGY•U

John Denver and I got to compete in another UKC Elite Shed Dog Series trial this weekend with 3 more Champion passes for the yellow boy. He now has 7/10 passes towards his CHSD.

Big thank you to Coal Country Shed Dogs for a wonderful event!

I really love playing the game with Denver, but I love the people the most. Everyone has been so incredibly welcoming to us and it makes it such a joy to compete and hang out with these wonderful folks, and totally worth the repeated 10 hour drives 😁.

Thanks for making this New Englander feel welcome and see you back in West Virginia in two weeks! ❤


Accessibility: blonde woman stands behind yellow Labrador wearing a purple and black ribbon on his collar atop coal themed hay bales with hydrangeas.

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 352

DOGGY•U

Today Denver earned his Rally Novice title!
I’m super proud of this boy, as the trial was at a huge, loud, indoor venue with 13 rings going simultaneously. Neither him nor I had ever been to an event like that, and I was pretty over threshold. He managed the chaos really well for an adolescent boy who is currently really feeling those hormones.

He ended up with a 94 (with a 99 and 97 on his other two legs) and while there were definitely things to work on, there were lots of moments of brilliance for my big yellow man!

I still don’t think I’m a dog show person, but I keep trying anyways 😂

WSD Kickass Sunshine On My Shoulders *RN* CGCA CGCU TKP FTA

Accessibility: Yellow Labrador retriever sits just inside a large van wearing a green and white ribbon.

1 month ago | [YT] | 340

DOGGY•U

Denver turned 18 months!
Swipe to see him grow! 👉🏽
Good thing I’ve been working out 😂 💪🏼

WSD Kickass Sunshine On My Shoulders CGCA CGCU TKP FTA

John “Denver”, Johnny D., Big Yellow, Optimist Prime

#labradorpuppy #servicedog #servicedogtrainer #fieldlab #dogglowup

Img1: woman with blonde hair holds an 8 week old yellow Labrador puppy in her arms.
Img 2: same woman holds an 18 month old yellow Labrador in her arms.

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2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 575

DOGGY•U

Denver earned his first Champion level pass in UKC Elite Shed Dog this weekend! He worked hard on a snowy, slippery course, and I didn’t fall down any hills, so double win! So proud of my versatile boy.

Big thank you to the Ohio Valley Shed Dog Club and all the judges!


Accessibility: yellow Labrador retriever sits on a bench with a green and black ribbon on his collar and an antler in his mouth in front of a sign that says Ohio Valley Shed Dog Club.

2 months ago | [YT] | 438

DOGGY•U

Toronto Adventures!

This weekend Denver and I visited Toronto for some fun and training. Stay tuned for a new video next month on how I train subways as pre-training for flying with your service dog!

#servicedog #servicedogs #servicedogtrainer

Img 1: woman stands on a hill overlooking the toronto skyline in a green vest and hiking boots with microspikes. her yellow labrador in orange vest sits next to her, tongue out.

Img 2: Three vested service dogs sit in front of a giant heart scupture

Img 3: Blonde woman on bus stands with her yellow service dog looking up at her in a sit.

Img 4: 3 service dogs (2 labs and one golden) in vest sit in front of a valentines day themed garland.

Img 5: Woman sits on a seat on a trolly with phone out. Yellow labrador lays on floor under her feet.

Img 6: woman stands on a hill overlooking the toronto skyline in a green vest and hiking boots with microspikes. her yellow labrador in orange vest sits next to her, seemingly smiling.

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2 months ago | [YT] | 320

DOGGY•U

These photos were taken two years apart.

In 2024, CoolWhip was a seasoned service dog.
Just last week, Denver walked into his very first real doctors appointment with me.

The transition from a seasoned service dog to a newbie can be challenging in ways you don’t always expect.

But I try to stay grounded in gratitude for the journey. Denver stands on CoolWhip’s shoulders. I’m a better trainer now than I was when I started with her, and I have her to thank for that.

And one day—hopefully many, many years from now—my next service dog will stand on Denver’s shoulders, and I’ll be better still.

Grateful for them both. 💜

#servicedog #servicedogintraining #servicedogtrainer #assistancedog #sdit

Accessibility: Two photos in the identical room and spot next to a doctor table. First photo is a yellow labrador laying on the ground with purple vest and second is a grey and black australian Koolie with the same vest.

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2 months ago | [YT] | 321

DOGGY•U

I’m going LIVE with Frank Cohen, author of Service Dogs for Mental Health, to talk about psychiatric service dogs, real-world applications, and what handlers should actually know. If you’re interested in mental health and service dogs — you won’t want to miss this!

To attend the event, simply sign up for a free DOGGY•U Patreon membership and join us Tuesday, February 10th at 5pm ET! www.patreon.com/doggyu/events/149754888

You can check out his book here: amzn.to/3MhJ49q

2 months ago | [YT] | 234

DOGGY•U

Happy New Year from Mr. Long Legs! 🥳

4 months ago | [YT] | 350