Sunshine, Puppies and New Classes!

NEW CLASSES - STARTING THIS SUMMER 
Join us today!
 Calm, Cool & Canine - Starting Monday, Aug 25th at 7:10pm
Pups in Public - Starting Tuesday, June 3rd at 6pm & 7:30pm
Tracking - Starting Friday, August 8th at 8:00am
Paws on the Path - Starting Friday, August 8th at 9:00am
Field Trip Fridays - Starting Friday, August 8th at 10:30am
Canine Good Citizen - Starting Tuesday, June 3rd at 6:00pm

Hi friends!
We’ve got a fun and slightly different summer lined up here at Moon Dog Training! I wanted to let you know what’s coming, what’s on pause, and what you can do with your dog while we soak up these sunny months.

I’m Taking a Puppy Break!
This summer, I’ll be taking a short break from teaching classes to stay home and raise a litter of adorable puppies. I’m thrilled about this next chapter and can’t wait to share puppy updates along the way! (Be warned: incoming puppy photo overload.)

But don’t worry—Renee and Pony will be stepping in to teach a limited selection of classes while I’m away. They're fantastic, and I know your pups will love working with them. 

Summer Schedule: Light, but Still Awesome!
While we’re scaling back a bit on class availability this summer, there are still opportunities to train and stay connected. Be sure to check our website for the current class listings and register early—spots will be limited!

And don’t worry—we’re coming back full force in August with a refreshed lineup of classes (more on that below!).

Keep the tail wags going—our full class lineup returns in August!

Just because we're not in class every week doesn't mean your dog can't keep learning and having fun! Here are some ideas to stay mentally and physically active all summer long:

1. Backyard Agility
Set up a simple DIY course with cones, broomsticks, tunnels (like kid play tunnels), and hula hoops. Use treats or a favorite toy to guide your pup through the course. Keep it short, fun, and full of praise!

2. Sniffari Walks
Let your dog take the lead (safely, on leash) and follow their nose! Slow, sniff-heavy walks are fantastic enrichment and can be surprisingly tiring.

3. Picnic Training
Head to a park, bring a blanket, and work on polite settling, ignoring distractions, and calm leash skills while you snack. It's a great real-world way to practice focus in a relaxed setting.

4. Sprinkler & Water Play
On hot days, let your pup chase a sprinkler or play with water toys. Just make sure they don’t overdo it and always provide fresh drinking water.

5. Puzzle Toys & Frozen Treats
Stuff Kongs or other food toys with wet food, yogurt, or peanut butter and freeze them. Bonus points for hiding them in the yard to encourage sniffing and problem-solving.

6. Trick Training Challenges
Teach a new trick each week—spin, crawl, high five, roll over, or “go to your mat.” Keep sessions short and upbeat. Post videos in our community group (if you have one) so we can all cheer each other on!

7. Field Trips
Visit a dog-friendly store, garden center, or quiet patio. Bring treats and practice calm behaviors in a new environment.

Coming in August: A Full Lineup of Fresh Classes!
When we return in August, we’re not just bringing back our regular schedule—we're rolling out some exciting NEW classes to keep your dogs challenged, socialized, and thriving.

Here’s what’s coming:
Tracking – Tap into your dog’s natural scenting abilities and learn the foundations of this amazing skill.
Paws on the Path – Outdoor, on-leash hiking adventures where your dog learns calm, focused trail behavior.
Calm, Cool & Canine – For those excitable pups who need help tuning out the world and tuning into you.
Field Trip Fridays – Practice manners in the real world with guided training outings to local parks, patios, and more.
Pups in Public – Confidence-building and composure training in busy environments—perfect for aspiring brewery dogs, patio chillers, and farmers market regulars.

Meet Your Summer Trainers: Renee & Pony! 
Renee & Maisey
If you’ve trained with Renee before, you already know how lucky we are to have her on our team. And if you haven’t yet—get ready to meet someone truly special! Renee has co-taught classes at Moon Dog for years and brings a calm, compassionate presence that helps dogs and people feel at ease. With a thoughtful, skillful approach and a genuine love for teaching, she supports each team she works with in reaching their goals. We’re thrilled to have her back this season to help guide your pup’s progress!

Pony & Tank
Pony and her Boxer, Tank, have been longtime students at Moon Dog Training—so much so, they've taken nearly every class we offer (some more than once!). Her strong understanding of our training philosophy, paired with her upbeat energy and love for helping others, makes her a fantastic part of our team. Pony is passionate about helping dogs and their people learn together in a way that feels fun and rewarding. She’s excited to meet you and your pup this summer and support your training journey!
Renee and Pony will be stepping in to lead our summer class offerings while I’m home raising puppies, and I couldn’t feel better about leaving things in their capable hands.
We’ll be in constant communication behind the scenes, so even while I’m away, I’m still here for you. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m just an email away!
Thank you for being part of our amazing community!
Wags and smiles,


Giene Keyes
Owner & Head Trainer
Moon Dog Training, LLC