Hello Fellow Dog Lovers!

Thank you for subscribing to our monthly newsletter! We’re thrilled to have you be a part of our ever-growing community of dog lovers and training enthusiasts. Each month, you can look forward to receiving valuable training tips, behavior insights, and updates on our upcoming events and classes. We're excited to share this journey with you and your furry friend(s)! 🐾

Table of Contents

• Featured Events this December! Who Killed Santa Sc …

• This month, we are hosting two fun Christmas-theme …

• Monthly Training Video: How to Measure Your Dog fo …

• Why Choose Ready Set…Train! for Group Training Cla …

• Dogs of the Month: Frisky

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  • The Holidays Are Already Overwhelming—Especially f …

  • Puppies Require Structure—Not Chaos

  • Gifts Should Be Returned—Dogs Should Not

  • Adoption Requires Time, Focus, and Preparation

  • Follow us on Instagram

Featured Events this December! Who Killed Santa Scent Work and Reining in the New Year Agility/Rally Christmas Themed Workshops!

This month, we are hosting two fun Christmas-themed training events, so you can try out some dog sports.

Who Killed Santa Themed Scent Work Event
Have you ever wanted to try/learn about the sport of scent work? Now is the perfect opportunity! You will get a 20-minute one-on-one lesson, and we will introduce you and your dog to the wonderful sport of scent work!

This fun sport teaches dogs to search for and identify odor. We will have some fun Christmas-themed search areas set up for your dog to explore. Each person who signs up will receive a scent container with birch odor and a scent-proof bag for storage.

This event is scheduled for Sunday, December 14th, from 2:30-5:30 pm

Sign up for the event here: https://www.readysettraindogs.com/booking-calendar/mini-intro-to-scentwork?fbclid=IwY2xjawOhxDNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrODh4eVpvSjByN3dTbzhMc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnzsRPVCpoCKRAffkkZS5dBt3YyArb1SEa62o9d_8uJythX8tHQdJG_LQV4v_aem_pTGFiZzyIupHC83d22V4rA

Our friends at Canine Karma will be running a full Novice scent work class starting on January 5th at 7:15 pm. Sign up here: https://www.caninekarma.org/services-store/p/scent-work-class

Reining in the New Year Agility/Rally Event
Rally and Agility are both fun, high-energy team sports! We will have all our agility equipment set up for your dog to explore and build confidence on. We will work on your dog interacting with and running through each piece of agility equipment, and then try to have them run a novice course.

We will also have a novice rally course set up and will go over all the rules on how to run this fun course while building attention and engagement with your dog! Each spot is 20 minutes.

This event will run on December 28th from 1-4 pm. Sign up coming soon!

Monthly Training Video: How to Measure Your Dog for a Muzzle

Why Choose Ready Set…Train! for Group Training Classes?

Dogs of the Month: Frisky

Name: Frisky

Age: 3-4 she is a rescue

Favorite Activity: Sleeping on the couch

Favorite Food: Beef liver treats

Favorite Trick: High-Five

Best personality trait: She loves every person she meets!

Fun Fact: Frisky spent the first two years of her life chained up behind a garage.

Frisky started training with us because she would get very scared and overwhelmed when she left the house or backyard. Frisky came from a very bad living situation. She spent the first two years of her life living outside chained up behind a garage. Because of this Frisky had very little exposure to the outside world and anytime she would leave her home she would shut down out of fear.

We started working with Frisky at our training studio where we did lots of different confidence-building exercises. These exercises included learning a cue to touch new and unfamiliar objects with her nose, running through confidence courses, and doing counterconditioning around scary sights and sounds. We then started doing some field trips to new locations together, where we could apply these skills in real life.

Frisky can now travel outside and has started going to several new places. She enjoys walking around the University of Toledo during quiet times, and has even made a few trips to the park. Although she can still get overwhelmed at times if things get too busy, Frisky can quickly recover from these stressful events.

🎄 A Home for the Holidays-Why Getting a Dog During the Holidays Isn’t the Gift It May Seem

Thinking about adding a new furry friend to your home this season? Here’s why waiting might be the kinder choice—for both your family and the dog.

The holidays are filled with joy, celebration, and the irresistible pull to make magical memories. It’s easy to imagine the picture-perfect moment: a puppy tumbling out from behind the tree, a big red bow around their neck, happy squeals filling the room.

But while the idea is heartwarming, the reality is far more complicated. Bringing home a dog—puppy or adult—during the holiday season often sets families and the dog up for unnecessary stress, confusion, and challenges that can follow them long after the decorations are put away.

The Holidays Are Already Overwhelming—Especially for Dogs

The holiday season is a whirlwind of visitors, travel, noise, schedule disruptions, and unpredictable routines. For humans, it’s festive. For dogs, it can be overstimulating and confusing.

New dogs need:

• Quiet time to decompress

• Predictable routines

• Controlled introductions to people and spaces

• A calm environment to feel safe

Most holiday households offer the complete opposite. This can lead to fear, stress, accidents, and even long-term behavioral issues.

Puppies Require Structure—Not Chaos

If you’re thinking about getting a puppy, timing is everything. Puppies thrive on:

• Consistent potty schedules

• Routine socialization

• Sleep (lots of it!)

• Calm, safe exposure to new experiences

Holiday chaos can interfere with these crucial early learning moments. A negative experience during a sensitive developmental window can have long-lasting impacts on confidence and behavior.

Gifts Should Be Returned—Dogs Should Not

Every year, shelters see a heartbreaking spike in surrendered pets in January and February.
Why?

Because a dog given as a surprise gift often wasn’t:

• Well-researched

• Financially planned for

• Behaviorally matched to the family

• Chosen with long-term commitment in mind

Dogs aren't temporary presents—they're 10–15 year commitments with real emotional and physical needs. Often, when a dog or puppy is given as a gift, the person receiving that dog may not have been ready or even wanted that dog at that time in their lives. Getting a dog should be a family decision that everyone knows about and is ready for.

Adoption Requires Time, Focus, and Preparation

Successful adoption or purchase involves:

• Researching breed traits

• Puppy-proofing the home

• Securing vet care

• Planning training and socialization

• Evaluating lifestyle compatibility

The holidays rarely offer the breathing room to prepare thoughtfully and intentionally. If your family hopes for a new dog, here are thoughtful alternatives that honor the dream without rushing the process:

• Gift certificates for training classes

• A “Dog Starter Kit” basket (toys, leashes, books, treats)

• A family “plan & prep” day to discuss training, responsibilities, and expectations

• A pledge to visit a shelter or responsible breeder after the holidays

This keeps the excitement alive—without compromising the dog's well-being.

The Perfect Time to Get a Dog? When the House Is Calm.

The very best way to start your life with a new dog is with:

• Predictable schedules

• Time to focus on training

• Space to build trust and connection

• A calm, stable home environment

That usually means after the holiday rush has passed.

Bringing a new dog into your home is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make. By choosing the right time—not the most festive—you set your new companion up for lifelong confidence, stability, and success.

And that is the very best gift you could ever give.

Upcoming Classes/Events

1/4: 10:00 am- Puppy Start Right Preschool | First Class

1/4: 11:30 am- Beginner Good Manners | First Class

1/4: 1:00 pm- Advanced Good Manners | First Class

1/4: 2:15 pm- Canine Good Citizenship Class | First Class

1/7: 7:15 pm- Canine Game Show Showdown | First Class

1/9: 6:00 pm- Rally Novice | First Class

All of our upcoming class still have several spots available. Sign up today! https://www.readysettraindogs.com/group-training-classes

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