Tails of the Team: Meet Cricket and Walter

Welcome back to the Unleashed Blog! I’m Marsha, CPDT-KA, and I’m thrilled to introduce our new blog series, “Tails of the Team.” In this series, we’ll be featuring the beloved pets of our team members and sharing how these relationships have influenced our approach to pet care.

At Off Leash MKE, caring for dogs isn’t just what we do—it’s a big part of who we are. Each member of our team shares a unique bond with their own dogs, and those experiences shape how we connect with and care for your pets.

We can’t wait to give you a glimpse into the stories, lessons, and inspirations behind the team that cares for your furry friends every day. I’ll be starting off the series by introducing my own dogs, Cricket and Walter - continue reading to learn more about them! 

What are your dogs’ names, breeds, and ages, and how did they come into your life? 

I have two hound dogs. I adopted Cricket, my 9 year old Beagle, from HAWS in Waukesha in 2017, when he was two years old. In 2019, my partner and I were ready to expand our family and adopted a 2 year old Treeing Walker Coonhound named Walter from the Wisconsin Humane Society. 

What is your dog’s personality like? Any quirks or unique traits?

Cricket is mostly laid-back and snuggly, but he has these hilarious bursts of sass that keep things interesting. He’s incredibly clever, especially when food is involved. I have to stay one step ahead of his sneaky schemes - he seems to think life is just one big treasure hunt for treats! One of his most endearing traits is the way he skips when he’s excited. It’s absolutely adorable and never fails to make me smile. 

Walter is pretty different from most dogs I know. He’s a lovable mix of cautious and awkward with a big dash of goofball. He’s very much a “pets on his terms only” kind of dog and generally appreciates having his space respected. True to his breed and goofy nature, he’s also incredibly loud—he’s been known to rattle picture frames off the wall with his howling! Despite his quirks, or maybe because of them, he’s such a fun and endearing character.

How has having your dog(s) influenced your approach to pet care or dog walking?

Cricket has taught me the value of letting dogs sniff. Sniffing is his absolute favorite thing to do, and we’ve even explored some scent work together—it’s incredible to see just how talented he is with his nose! Because of him, I’ve shifted my perspective on dog walks. They’re no longer just about physical exercise; instead, they’re opportunities for enrichment and mental stimulation. I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter how far or fast we go—as long as Cricket gets his sniffs in, he’s happy. This has shaped how I approach walks with every dog, making them more engaging and fulfilling.

Walter has shown me the importance of going slow and using positive reinforcement, especially for dogs like him who lack confidence in new situations. He’s taught me to be patient and to create a sense of safety by never forcing him to do anything he’s uncomfortable with. Giving him the choice to try new things—or not—has been a game changer. It’s amazing how much more willing he is to explore when he knows he has the option to opt out. This experience has reinforced the importance of respecting a dog’s comfort level and building trust through choice.

Are there specific challenges you’ve faced with your dog(s) that have made you a better pet care professional?

Cricket’s on-leash reactivity to other dogs has taught me the importance of proactive and positive reinforcement-based strategies, like the "Look at That" game. I’ve gotten really good at rewarding him when he calmly acknowledges other dogs in his environment. Over time, I’ve learned to manage challenging situations with patience and focus, ensuring walks are safe and positive for both of us. When it comes to greetings with other dogs, he can be vocal and dramatic at first, but I’ve found that keeping those initial sniffs short and sweet helps prevent him from going over threshold when meeting new friends. Doing a few 2-3 second sniffs at a time helps break up any tension so they get off on the right paw. 

Walter has been my teacher in understanding body language and emotional states. He can be quick to react when he’s uncomfortable, especially with people. To help him feel more at ease, I always tell people to ignore him when they first meet him—removing that social pressure really helps him acclimate at his own pace. Watching how he warms up to new people and dogs has shown me just how important it is to let interactions unfold on a dog’s terms.

How do you incorporate Fear Free principles when caring for your dog(s)?

Cricket using the scratchboard

Incorporating Fear Free principles into caring for my dogs has been incredibly important, especially when it comes to nail trims—a process neither of them is particularly fond of. 

For Cricket, I aim to make nail trims as positive and low-stress as possible by pairing the experience with something he loves: food. I often trim his nails during mealtime or give him a licky mat to enjoy while I work. His willingness to eat is my gauge for how comfortable he is—if he’s happily eating, I know we’re in a good place. However, if he’s not interested in the food, it’s a clear signal that he’s feeling stressed. In those cases, I adjust by taking a break, offering higher-value treats, or stopping altogether to avoid overwhelming him.

For Walter, I do a slightly different approach called The Bucket Game. I taught him that if he focuses on a cup full of food, he will be rewarded. Building on that, I added in some handling exercises and eventually was able to trim his nails while he focused on the food. If at any point his focus shifts away from the food, we pause the exercise/nail trimming. Giving him the ability to opt out at any time allows him more control over the scary process, ultimately making it less scary for him.

For both my dogs, I also use a scratchboard to maintain their nails in between trims - it makes it so I have to trim their nails less often, which I think they appreciate!

What’s your favorite way to spend time with your dog(s)?

My favorite way to spend time with my dogs is going for walks. It’s such a simple activity, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to see them enjoying themselves in their own unique ways. 

Cricket loves to take his time sniffing absolutely everything—his nose is always to the ground, soaking in all the scents. Walter, on the other hand, prefers to keep a good pace with his head on a swivel, taking in the sights and sounds around him.

Because they’re such different walkers, I usually take them out separately. That way, they both get exactly what they need out of the walk, and I can focus on enjoying the moment with each of them. 

How do you keep your dog(s) mentally and physically enriched?

I use a little bit of everything to keep my dogs mentally and physically enriched! One of the easiest ways is by changing up how I deliver their food during meal times. I rotate between snuffle mats, slow feeders, Kongs, and treat puzzles to keep things fun and engaging. 

Training games and scent games are also a part of our routine, giving them both a chance to use their brains and noses. In the winter months, when we can’t spend as much time outside, these enrichment activities are especially invaluable for keeping them happy and fulfilled. 

Are there any particular games, exercises, or routines you do with your dog that you recommend to clients? 

One of my favorite routines to recommend to clients involves two versatile cues: “place” and “touch.”

The “place” cue sends the dog to a designated spot, like a bed or a rug, where they can settle and stay focused. The “touch” cue, on the other hand, is a recall-like exercise where the dog comes to you and bops your hand with their nose.

I love turning these cues into a fun game with my dogs by alternating between them. For example, I’ll send them to their place, then call them back with a “touch,” and repeat in different patterns. It’s a great way to burn off both mental and physical energy while keeping their training sharp and engaging.

These cues are simple to teach, incredibly useful in daily life, and easy to make into an enjoyable activity for both dogs and their owners!

Thank you for taking the time to get to know more about my pups - and stay tuned for more tails of the team, coming soon!