Consistency and positive reinforcement are essential to successful dog training. Dogs learn best when desirable behaviors are rewarded, which helps them build confidence and develop reliable habits.
Yesterday, Sal Romano, proprietor of Delighted Pets in nearby Brewster, New York, came to my farm to continue training my French Bulldog puppy, Half Moon - this time with her mother, Luna Muna, joining the lesson. The mother-and-daughter duo worked together in a fenced area, practicing both on and off leash. Their session included short periods of exercise, rest, obedience training, and reward-based drills. Training takes patience and repetition, and time, but for now, Half Moon is enjoying the process and "learning something new every day."
Here are some photos, enjoy!
Half Moon is ready for anything. My 11-month old puppy is full of energy and spunk and is adored by everyone at the farm.
Here she is waiting patiently for her trainer, Sal, to arrive, while watching some activity around my kitchen.
The morning started a little chilly, but Half Moon and Luna Muna were eager to work with Sal. First, Sal allows the two to play a little in the pool area to use up some of their energy.
The two are very close and love to play with each other all the time. Sal also thinks it is good to let the dogs play away from the rest of the pack.
Next, Sal puts Luna Muna on a lead to see how she heels and whether Half Moon follows – it goes very well.
Luna is a show dog and already knows how to walk obediently at Sal’s side, but Half Moon wants to explore on her own.
Half Moon is very confident at the farm – and very curious to sniff, which is another vital activity, providing mental stimulation, environmental awareness, and emotional enrichment.
But it doesn’t take long before she comes close to Luna Muna again. And the three walk nicely together around the pool.
A mother dog can model good behavior if she is already trained, but a puppy still needs independent socialization and human-led training for healthy development.
Sal quickens his speed, so the dogs are more attentive and focused, keeping the training fun.
Half Moon’s attention span is short – about 12 to 20 minutes in total, but it can be longer if it is mixed with breaks of play and rest. Sal uses the opportunity to practice recalls back to him and Luna Muna when she is at a distance.
Next, a little rest and work on the command “down,” which is a cue that tells the dog to lie flat on the ground with its belly down and remaining still until released. Don’t confuse it with the command “off,” which is often used to cue the dog to get off furniture, a certain space, or even off a person.
And then “doggie sit-ups” – asking the two to “sit” and then “down,” sit” and then “down.” It is very important for a dog in training to have a consistent group of words to work with, so they are not confused.
Always provide fresh water when working, but give it in small, frequent amounts with breaks between drinks to prevent gulping and reduce risks like bloat.
After the break, Sal gives the dogs another play session, stopping occasionally for a sit or a recall.
When training is fun, dogs are more motivated, engaged, and willing to learn — making it a form of enrichment rather than a chore.
Half Moon is happy to learn and eager to please. Occasionally, Sal offers small treat-rewards to make the drill even more successful, especially amid distractions.
Sal also allows the two to wrestle, which tires them out. As the saying goes, a tired dog is a good dog.
And finally, “down.” Good girl.
Sal, Luna Muna, and Half Moon walk back to my Winter House for a well-deserved nap. Dog training is a gradual process that requires repetition, consistency, trust, and patience. And so far, Half Moon, and Luna Muna, are doing great.
October is an especially busy month at my farm, as my gardeners and outdoor grounds crew work to bring all my warm-weather container plants indoors for the winter.
I have an extensive collection of tropical plants that cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. Because I live in a four-season region, these tender specimens must be moved into the greenhouses, where temperature and humidity can be carefully managed throughout the colder months. The plants that spent the summer at Skylands, my home in Maine, are also brought back for winter storage. Moving and organizing such a large collection is a time-consuming process, but it is essential to protecting these plants and ensuring they remain healthy until they brought out again in spring.
Enjoy these photos.
Every year, I evaluate the needs of my plants and decide where they will be stored for the winter months. Plants grow, so they cannot always be stored in the same place. It’s a big multiple-day process.
The hoop house structures are all made from steel frames and polyethylene panels. Inside, the temperature and humidity levels are closely monitored and can be adjusted as necessary. They all have manual roll-up curtains on both sides for ventilation purposes on milder days.
I repurpose stumps from downed trees to use as risers for some of the potted plants or for the legs of tables. It’s important to make use of both horizontal and vertical space when storing.
All the plants are brought to their designated greenhouse and placed outside, so each one can be inspected, and trimmed or repotted if necessary. Then, each one is carried into the structure where they will stay for about seven months.
Some plants need repotting before going indoors. Matthew oversees what plants need to be moved into bigger containers.
Phurba repots a selection of bird’s nest ferns.
For all the indoor potting needs, we use Miracle-Gro potting mix, which combines natural, nutrient-rich ingredients with the right balance of moisture retention, aeration, and drainage.
Bird’s nest ferns grow a couple inches per year, or two to four new fronds annually. They are all repotted every two to three years.
They are also fed with Osmocote, a controlled‑release fertilizer made of polymer‑coated granules that slowly provide nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other beneficial elements to the plants.
Manageable potted plants are wheeled inside by hand cart.
These plants are outside the hoop house next to my vegetable greenhouse. Many of the plants are grouped by type and by care needs.
Here is a sago palm. Everyone rushes to move the plants because of the threat of frost in the area. Tropical plants, such as sago palms, need to be moved indoors before temperatures dip below freezing and then kept in a bright, well‑ventilated space.
Tables on both sides of this hoop house are used to store small, often younger potted specimens.
The ponytail palm, Beaucarnea recurvata, is a striking succulent from eastern Mexico, with a bulbous trunk and long, hair‑like leaves. Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the true palms. In fact, it is a member of the Agave family and is actually a succulent.
These agaves also have sharp spines, so it is important to place them strategically.
One by one, plants are brought inside and also positioned so none of the plants touch. Plants are sensitive and if left touching could cause a defense response reducing growth. Plants can also become more easily infested with pests or diseases if left touching.
This hoop house is full. I am very fortunate I have enough hoop houses and other indoor spaces to keep my expansive plant collection.
All the greenhouses are checked a couple times each day to make sure the temperature remains comfortably warm inside. Too cold, plants will freeze – too hot, plants will rot.
This year, I also stored some plants in my vegetable greenhouse.
And in my stable, where there is room for even taller specimens.
I was worried I wouldn’t get them all in on time, but I did. They’ll continue to thrive in the hoop houses until they are brought outdoors again in spring.
Training is an important part of raising a happy, confident, and well-mannered dog.
My French Bulldog puppy, Half Moon, is growing quickly and is almost a year old. She has learned a great deal from her mother, Luna Muna, but I also wanted her to benefit from working with a professional trainer. This week, Half Moon spent time with Sal Romano, proprietor of Delighted Pets in nearby Brewster, New York. His business offers boarding, daycare, canine enrichment, and positive reinforcement training. I'm looking forward to seeing what new skills my beautiful Half Moon will learn.
Here are some photos.
Sal Romano started Delighted Pets in 2015 in New York City. Its first offerings included daily walks around Manhattan. Now, his company offers full concierge service, boarding, small group excursions, and more. Here’s Sal with Half Moon shortly after arriving at his facility for her first day of “school.”
Delighted Pets has an indoor/outdoor structure and a two-acre well-secured, open space nearby, as well as services in Manhattan.
Every room is clean and climate-controlled. The main exercise room of Delighted Pets is decorated with a gallery of dog portraits. The floor is padded for safety and there is a variety of agility equipment for indoor enrichment and training.
An adjacent kennel room has individual crates for quiet time and naps. Owner notes and personal food, treats, and supplies are kept near each crate.
Larger pens are used for bigger dogs or family multiples.
There is also an appropriate stainless steel animal tub for bathing.
And this hydraulic grooming table can accommodate both small and big dogs for brushing or cuts – a professional groomer is on-site.
Before any training work can begin, Sal works on getting Half Moon comfortable with him and the new surroundings. Here, Half Moon is on the grooming table where Sal tests how agreeable she is being touched and checked by someone she doesn’t know.
Half Moon is very accustomed to being handled – she is groomed every day at the farm. This is easy for my little Half Moon.
Here, Half Moon is taken to an outdoor enclosure to let her explore and sniff.
Half Moon is curious but slightly timid. This is the first time she is away from her mom, Luna Muna.
Here she is starting to walk around the enclosure – slowly, she starts to like the environment.
A harness is fitted for Half Moon and Sal starts working indoors on her recall, a training skill where the dog is taught to come to the handler immediately after a specific verbal cue or signal is given.
Half Moon’s confidence is building and does this several times. While Half Moon comes when called at the farm, it’s good for her to practice this recall without the help of Luna and my other dogs. Half Moon listens for Sal’s cue, his tone of voice, and his body language to understand what she is being asked to do.
Here is Half Moon returning consistently to Sal. Dogs learn through operant conditioning — repeating behaviors that lead to rewards and encouragement, while avoiding those that don’t.
Half Moon gives a little “side eye” – she’s quite proud of herself.
Here, Half Moon is being asked to walk with Sal, by his side. She does this all on her own – Half Moon is gaining his trust. Training is a gradual, multi-step process that demands clear communication, repetition, positive reinforcement, and above all patience. What a good girl.
The Delighted Pets boutique includes all-natural, American made treats. These Delightful Bites come in several flavors and treat sizes. My dogs love them.
Other shelves include a curated collection of grooming accessories and supplies.
And this area has a collection of cold-weather vests and coats for big and small dogs.
Training is hard work for a dog. It’s not just about following commands, it’s about learning new communication, controlling impulses, and adapting to certain human expectations. It was a log day, but Half Moon is doing wonderfully!
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