Life on Aly’s Acres
Dog Overstimulation in Summer: 5 Rules to Stay Calm and Cool
To kick things off, summer arrives—when sunshine rules, flip-flops return, and calendars explode with activity. As the days stretch longer and social events pile up, the tempo of life picks up speed. Summer is the perfect season for memory-making, yet it's also a...
The Long Line: My Summer Secret Weapon for Safer Freedom
When summer rolls in, all we want is to get outside and enjoy the longer days with our dogs. Whether it’s lazy park days, off-leash beach runs, or backyard barbecues, the season practically begs us to loosen the leash. But here’s the thing: freedom without structure...
Summer Safety for Dogs: How to Protect Your Pup from Heat Dangers
When the sunshine hits and the temps start climbing, we all feel the pull—long walks, road trips, beach days, backyard BBQs. But while summer means fun for us, it can bring serious danger for our dogs. Summer safety for dogs isn’t just about common sense—it’s about...
Healthy Dog Food Toppers: Easy Wins for Your Dog’s Bowl
Feeding your dog can sometimes feel like a research rabbit hole. One day you're happily scooping kibble into the bowl, the next you’re wondering if your dog needs goat kefir, wild sardines, or a DIY fermentation station in your kitchen. Let’s take a breath. At Aly’s...
Hydrogen Peroxide Dog Vomit: What to Do When Your Dog Swallows Something
My Dog Ate What??? Here's What to Do... It always starts with that gut-punch moment. You turn your back for two seconds and suddenly realize something's missing—a sock, a toy, a piece of plastic. Then the slow dawning horror hits: "Did my dog just swallow that?" If...
Spoiled Dog? Why Freedom Should Be Earned, Not Given
We’ve all seen it or lived it. The dog who barks for attention, bolts through doorways, or insists on sleeping anywhere but their own bed. And while some might smile and call that "cute," here's the truth: a spoiled dog isn’t a happy dog. It’s usually a stressed one....
The Best Age to Start Professional Dog Training: Early vs. Later Training
I get this question all the time: 'Aly, did I mess up by not starting training when my dog was a puppy?' Or on the flip side: 'Is my 8-week-old puppy too young to start learning?' Here's the beautiful truth I've discovered after training thousands of dogs: the best...
Why In-Person Training Prepares Your Dog for Real Life
You know that moment—your dog’s spinning at the end of the leash, totally losing it over a skateboard, a squirrel, or that barky neighbor dog... and you’re standing there thinking, “But he was perfect at home!” Here’s the thing: your dog isn’t being trained to live in...
Why Are Dogs Scared of Fireworks?
Your Real-World July 4th Survival Plan Every year around July 4th, I get flooded with the same question: Why are dogs scared of fireworks? Here’s the truth—fireworks and dogs don’t mix by default. It’s loud. It’s unpredictable. It shakes the ground. And your dog?...