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Jill Kudera
CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Licensed and Insured
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified
360-516-3245


Give Your Dog a Place to Dig…Instead of Trying to Stop the Digging.
One of the most common frustrations I hear from guardians is, "How do I get my dog to stop digging in my gardens?" The fact of the matter is that digging is a perfectly normal and highly enriching behavior for dogs. Many dogs dig because it's enjoyable, instinctive, and naturally reinforcing. Rather than trying to eliminate this natural behavior altogether, I prefer to give dogs an appropriate place where digging is encouraged. When we work with our dogs' natural instincts in

jillkudera
Jul 133 min read


Training Moments vs. Management Moments: Knowing the Difference Can Save You (and Your Dog) a Lot of Frustration!
"Management isn't the opposite of training—it's what makes training possible." If you've ever felt like setting up a baby gate or using a puppy pen is "giving up," this guide is for you. Discover the crucial difference between management moments (preventing bad habits) and training moments (teaching new skills), and learn how balancing both will instantly crush your frustration and set your dog up for long-term success.

jillkudera
Jul 133 min read


Do Dogs Need Sunscreen? What Every Pet Parent Should Know
Based on expert advice from The American Kennel Club (AKC) When packing your beach bag or heading out for a long summer hike, you probably remember your own SPF—but what about your dog's? According to The American Kennel Club, dogs are absolutely prone to sunburn, which can lead to serious complications like skin cancer (including squamous cell carcinoma and melanomas), worsen certain skin disorders, and cause severe discomfort. Dogs Most at Risk While any dog can get sunburn

jillkudera
Jun 182 min read


Why the Best Dog Training Starts on Your Living Room Floor
When you welcome a new puppy or dog into your life, it’s entirely natural to want to head straight to the park. We picture peaceful afternoon walks, a perfectly behaved companion by our side, and a dog that listens flawlessly amidst the sights and sounds of the neighborhood. But all too often, that first big outing turns into a stressful game of tug-of-war. Your dog is pulling, barking, or entirely overwhelmed by distractions, and you’re left feeling frustrated. One of the mo

jillkudera
Jun 104 min read


Seconds Count: What to Do If Your Dog is Choking
At Pied Piper's Dog Training, nothing makes me happier than seeing dogs live enriched, happy lives. It is why I love sharing monthly recipes for homemade dog treats and DIY chew toy ideas! However, every time I recommend a new chew or a delicious treat, a small part of me worries: Does everyone know what to do if an absolute emergency happens? Choking is a silent, fast-moving crisis. Knowing exactly how to handle it beforehand can mean the difference between a scary story and

jillkudera
May 203 min read


Choosing the Right Path: My Guide to Modern Dog Training Methods
There are so many methods of training today, it can make deciding what is right for you and your dog feel a bit overwhelming. The first step is understanding what all the titles and verbiage really mean. I consider myself a positive reward/force-free trainer, but I also rely heavily on relationships that are centered around communication. So I will start by saying that I am a bit biased 😊 Learning to communicate and connect with your dog, in my opinion, helps everything else

jillkudera
May 54 min read


As Rewards, Not All Treats Have the Same Value
The Power of a High Value Reward As Rewards, Not All Treats Have the Same Value Not all treats are created equal, and the value is decided by your pup. They may like chicken jerky, but LOVE cheese—and that matters! Even high-value rewards can lose their value if used all the time, so switch things up and keep it exciting. To find favorites, I like to offer a variety of treats spread out—the first one chosen is the top pick (saved for recall… the really important stuff). The s

jillkudera
Apr 163 min read


Spring Fling or Spring Sting? Top 5 Hazards for Your Dog This Season
Protect your pup this season! Discover the top 5 spring hazards for dogs, from toxic garden bulbs and cocoa mulch to ticks and contaminated puddles. Our expert guide from Pied Piper’s Dog Training helps you navigate the Pacific Northwest thaw safely. Learn how to spot symptoms and prevent seasonal injuries so you can enjoy the spring sunshine worry-free.

jillkudera
Apr 113 min read


Rainy Day Nose Work
Nose work—often called Scent Work—is a canine sport. At its core, it’s a game of "hide and seek" where the dog is the leader and the human is the observer. The "Sniff-to-Calm" Connection: Sniffing is a natural calming behavior that can shift them from a reactive, high-arousal state into a focused, calm state. It’s essentially "meditation through the nose." Why It’s So Good for Dogs Nose work is frequently recommended by trainers and behaviorists because it taps into a dog’s

jillkudera
Mar 102 min read


Master the Walk Before You Leave the House
We are finally getting there…Spring is in the air! I’m excited for Daylight Savings, even though we lose an hour of sleep, it’s worth it as it gives us more time to get outside with our Doggos….this leads me to think about leash skills. If you are welcoming a new puppy into your family, be mindful of those leash walks…puppies require lots of little potty breaks, and if they practice pulling on that leash every time they take a potty break, this is what they will learn. Inste

jillkudera
Mar 105 min read


The "Instagram vs. Reality" Pet Edition: Is Your Bone Broth Safe?
Is your DIY frozen dog treat safe? Learn why store-bought bone broth can be toxic for dogs and how to choose the right ingredients for a healthy, happy pup.

jillkudera
Feb 112 min read


Reactivity Isn’t Bad Behavior — It’s Big Feelings
“Reactivity” is one of the biggest buzzwords in the dog world right now, but the tricky part is that everyone pictures something different when they hear it. Some imagine barking and lunging; others may picture exuberantly pulling while trying to say hello to a fellow dog or their person; still others might see it as the dog freezing or planting themselves, not wanting to move. I like to think of reactivity as a dog simply having some big feelings. Excitement, frustration, f

jillkudera
Feb 93 min read


Pied Piper’s Rainy-Day Enrichment Guide
Don't let the rain ruin your dog's day! Discover Pied Piper’s favorite indoor enrichment games—from DIY foraging boxes to recall chase—designed to burn energy and satisfy your dog's innate behaviors while staying dry inside.

jillkudera
Jan 132 min read


Why Now is the Best Time for a Scratch Pad
As the weather turns wet and the temperature drops, our outdoor time with our dogs often gets cut short. When the backyard is a mud pit and the local trails are soaked, we start looking for ways to keep our dogs mentally sharp and physically satisfied indoors. This "indoor season" is actually the perfect time to tackle a task many pet parents dread: Nail Trims. If your dog heads for the hills the second they see clippers or hear the buzz of a Dremel, you aren’t alone. Foot ha

jillkudera
Jan 132 min read


The Gift of a Great Relationship: Why a Training Gift Card is the Ultimate Present for Dog Lovers
We’ve all been there: a friend brings home a wiggly new puppy, or a family member adopts a soulful rescue dog. We want to get them something special, so we head to the pet store and grab another squeaky toy or a bag of treats. While toys and treats are great, they eventually wear out or get eaten. If you want to give a gift that truly lasts a lifetime, consider the Pied Piper’s Dog Training Gift Card. Why Training is the Best Gift You Can Give Many people think of dog trainin

jillkudera
Jan 22 min read


Welcoming Your New Puppy: The Essentials
1. Help Your New Puppy Feel Safe and Secure Your top priority is helping your puppy feel safe, secure, and unpressured as they adjust. Your puppy’s whole world has just changed, and even though you’re wonderful, you aren’t their mom or furry siblings. There’s nothing more adorable than a precious puppy. As challenging as this will be, avoid scooping them up for hugs and kisses right away—this can feel overwhelming and entirely unnatural for a little pup. Give them time to set

jillkudera
Dec 8, 20253 min read




Some foods to avoid this Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. This is the time of year when we get to enjoy family, friends, and—let’s be honest—a perfectly reasonable excuse to eat all of our favorite foods! Your pup may even deserve their very own tiny Thanksgiving plate… but before you share the turkey love, remember to keep an eye on what’s in the food. Onions and garlic are big no-no’s for dogs. Some pups have sensitive stomachs, and too much grease or fat can give them a

jillkudera
Nov 13, 20251 min read


The biggest challenge of the season, is Potty Training — hands down.
It’s that time of year again here in the Pacific Northwest… the wet and rainy one. Training can be a bit of a challenge during this season. It’s often not very inviting outside. Many dogs get a bit anxious on super windy days, some don’t mind the rain, and some really hate it. And then we have our pointy-eared friends — for them, a downpour is basically nature flicking water straight into their ear canals like tiny, cold water balloons. If your dog is prone to ear infections

jillkudera
Nov 13, 20252 min read


7 fun DIY Enrichment Ideas for your pup!
The look of pure joy on your dog's face as they chase a favorite toy is priceless, but did you know you can tap into their natural instincts and keep them mentally sharp with DIY enrichment toys ? Far beyond a simple chew session, enrichment is about providing challenges that satisfy your pup's instinct to sniff, forage, and problem-solve. The best part? You don't need to spend a fortune on fancy gadgets. With a few common household items, you can create engaging puzzles that

jillkudera
Oct 16, 20253 min read
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