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Zelda | Mini Australian Labradoodle

@sweetzeldadog

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🫣Anxious introverted dog mom
✨Confident social puppy
🏔️Adventures outdoors
🐾Puppy training tips
🧘🏼‍♀️Learning to regulate together

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Zelda was not quite sure about wearing the bandana or this photoshoot. Swipe to see our many attempts at the perfect shot. 📸

This @alaskagoldensco gear is so cute with a halibut pattern. Now just to convince Zelda to embrace wearing it. 😂

#miniaustralianlabradoodle #puppyphotoshoot by @sweetzeldadog

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3 months ago

Puppies are a ton of work, but it’s a short and intense time. If you are consistent and in it to win it, you likely will.

We took this mellow 2.2 mile hike on Sunday and there were kids, people, dogs (it’s popular because it’s mellow) and Zelda did so well. About 90% of the time she maintained a good balance between loose leash walking and sniffing.

Just two months ago a walk like this would have been way more stressful than enjoyable!

And the other 10%? Excitement! And that’s okay, she’s learning and it gave us things to train around.

My trainer gave me a really specific insight into working with Zelda, she told me, “I’m glad you’re doing this on her timeline and letting her set the pace.”

And it’s so true. I’d rather be slower and maybe “behind” than set her up for failure or have to relearn due to a bad experience.

I’ve really embraced “no yet” and “maybe next time” and stayed anchored in what she needs today and right now.

There is a beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail, but we didn’t snap any photos because it was a little slick and crowded by the falls and I didn’t want to overwhelm Z.

Maybe next time 😉

#puppytraining #doodle #dogmom #doghikingadventures by @sweetzeldadog

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a month ago

A little spin on the recent viral trend. 😉

The first photo is me, probably about age 7. 😂

Growing up, I was always drawn to animals. As an anxious child, their predictable acceptance and enthusiasm were a source of comfort and strength.

Sometimes I forget just how epic the life I lived with my two soul dogs really was. They saw me through my 20s and most of my 30s. House changes. Career changes. So many different versions of me. And through all of it, we did so much living together, exploring the mountains and wild corners of Alaska, side by side.

I haven’t been sure about much in this life and “who I want to be,”, but being close to animals has always been a cornerstone of who I am, in every phase.

I’m endlessly grateful for all the dogs, cats, and horses who have shared my life and made up my family.

Thank you, my loves, I think of you always. 💙 by @sweetzeldadog

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2 months ago

Well, Monday is here and ready or not, it’s time to make it happen.

Sometimes the Sunday scaries hit me hard. This week they did. It felt overwhelming to commit to a longer hike so I picked the path of least resistance: a short, easy, quiet walk to a pretty place that I know like the back of my hand. Zelda of course loved it, and it felt sweet to enjoy the ease of it all.

As I took this scenic walk I was reminded how fortunate I am to have access to places like this, where we will only see a handful of people, and get to enjoy the riverbank all on our own for almost an hour.

I’ve got a lot happening this week. Dog training classes, multiple choir rehearsals, and my first concert with the concert chorus I joined this year. All on top of a very busy season at work.

But then there is this little memory I can drop into. To remember a small adventure is still an adventure. And to be grateful for the opportunity.

#dogmom #adventuredog #sundayscaries #anxiety #hikingwithdogs by @sweetzeldadog

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11 hours ago

Why would someone as anxious and private as I am start posting on social media?

Making puppy content has brought me a lot of joy. It’s allowed me to be creative and immerse myself in my favorite things: training my puppy, exploring beautiful trails, and finding peace in nature.

The dog community is so supportive, and we love seeing how others adventure with their dogs and train their adventure pups.

We are no experts and making reels or content, but we are having fun and getting inspired.

#dogmom #adventuredog #hikingdogsofinstagram #souldog #introvert by @sweetzeldadog

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2 days ago

On this World Mental Health Day, I’m reminded of how important it is to prioritize our mental health.

I am so grateful for everyone that shares their stories and struggles. It is not easy for me to share.

Anxiety is a constant for me. It’s been with me always, what changes is how much space it is taking up in my body and mind. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but it is always present.

Dogs have been a huge part of coping with anxiety and finding moments of “less.” Dogs help me ground into the moment and do many things to regulate me.

I hope you are able to do something today that is healthy for your mental health. But if you can’t, don’t let the pressure of a “day” make you feel less in any way. After all, every day should be and can be mental health day.

#worldmentalhealthday #dogmom #anxiety #adventuredog #hikingwithdogs_ by @sweetzeldadog

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9 days ago

I get the worst anxiety when we leave our dogs for a trip, but in Alaska I’ve learned that getting out for a winter escape is a necessity.

We’ve had such amazing dog sitters in the past, but with a high needs senior and puppy I’m feeling iffy on leaving this winter, at least not both my husband and I at the same time.

Not going to decide to cancel anything today, but I must not be the only one that agonizes over the idea of leaving the pups!

What’s the longest you leave your dogs for? Does it make you anxious?

#dogmom #anxiety #doodle #puppytraining #petsitter by @sweetzeldadog

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2 days ago

Swipe to see Zelda grow and the season change!

These pictures were taken in August and October in not the exact same spot but pretty close. You can see how much the grass changed, snow in the mountains.

Sweet little Zelda has changed a little too 💕

The biggest difference is now she’s a pound or two bigger, but that her confidence (which was never really much in question 😂) is through the roof. She loves to be on the trail and we are even getting close to not needing the no pull harness 🙌🏻

Keep adventuring and seeing what works, I could not have dreamed we would have this much fun in the first year.

Bandana summer/fall: @alaskagoldensco

#adventuredog #hikingdogsofinstagram #dogmom #minidoodle #puppytraining by @sweetzeldadog

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8 days ago

Well, our weekend definitely didn’t go as planned.

Zelda spent a lot of time on her own on Saturday while I was at the pet ER with our senior girl, Chuli.

But while out hunting for the special food Chuli needs, we found these cute pumpkins and took a moment to feel a little festive in the middle of all the stress.

Halloween is almost here! Counting down the days until we can see all our dog besties in their costumes! 🧡🎃

#dogmom #dogcostume #halloween #puppytraining #adventuredog by @sweetzeldadog

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7 days ago

Here’s how we went from anxiety to adventure with my puppy:

1. I got an easy walk harness with a front clip. I know not everyone likes these harnesses but it made an immediate difference. We started being able to walk down the street right away.

2. I started capturing walks. I more or less gave up on correcting and reinforced heavily for anytime she wasn’t pulling and gave me eye contact.

3. I started carrying a low value, medium value, and high value reward treat on every walk. Low value was something like her kibble, medium value @pupford soft treats, and high value was @akmountaindog freeze dried salmon treats. This had helped immensely and has also helped me wean off treats as she’s gotten more confident and attentive on walks.

After about a week of implanting these three things we were ready to start hitting the beautiful Alaska trails!

#dogmom #puppytraining #adventuredog #hikingdogsofinstagram #looseleashwalking by @sweetzeldadog

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10 days ago

Trying something a little different here! I’m playing with the idea of making trail guides for puppy friendly adventures near Anchorage.

So, here is my first try at a trail guide: Eklutna Lake.

I grew up not far from Eklutna Lake and I’ve been on these trails since I was a baby. From biking, hiking, camping, staying in the public use cabins…this park truly feels like home to me.

Most people from Anchorage know about this park and have been, but I’m hoping to highlight why it’s especially great for puppies and for training.

We hope to get out a few more times before the snow flies, but if anything, these guides will help me remember my favorite seasons and places in Alaska.

Let me know if you have questions or if there are things you’d like to see!

#hikingdogsofinstagram #alaskahiking #adventuredog #puppytraining #eklutnalake by @sweetzeldadog

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4 days ago

Had the most chill dog walk with my very not chill dog, hallelujah.

Three months ago none of this would have been possible. It’s been a slow steady work in progress and it’s starting to show.

If you’re in the puppy trenches, keep going and be consistent. The pieces really do start coming together.

#puppytraining #dogmom #adventuredog #minidoodle #looseleashwalking by @sweetzeldadog

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13 days ago