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Positive K9 Training

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Balwyn North, VIC
Positive K9 Training

Positive K9 Training provides effective dog training methods for dogs of all ages and abilities.

02/10/2025

Let’s Talk Treats 🍖🐾

Whether you’ve just brought home a new puppy or you’ve got a more seasoned dog, finding a treat they really love can make all the difference.

Here’s the thing: sometimes a dog looks “difficult” or “distracted,” but the real issue is the food. If your reward isn’t valuable to them, why would they care? I see this all the time in class. Someone’s struggling, I ask what they’re using aaaaaaand it’s kibble. Kibble is your dog’s baseline. It’s fine for training at home, but when you’re outside or in class, distractions are bigger, so your rewards need to be bigger too.

The moment I swap in a higher-value food, you can literally see the switch flip, suddenly the dog is laser-focused and eager to work.

⚠️ A quick warning though: don’t go overboard with only feeding slices of steak or chicken. If you set the bar that high, everything else looks bad by comparison.

👉 The sweet spot? Take the time to experiment, spend a little extra, and find that perfect treat your dog values. Pick the right value treat for the situation. It’s one of the fastest ways to supercharge your training.

21/09/2025

🎓 Lifetime Legends
In 12 years of PK9, only 10 dogs total have passed every single level of our program.

This week we added four more to that elite list:

🐾 Hudson (GSD)
🐾 Maya (GSD)
🐾 Mila (GSD x)
🐾 Rosie (Cavoodle)

Becoming a Lifetime Member isn’t about luck — it’s years of commitment, consistency and hard work from both dog and owner. Huge congrats to the teams who made it happen 👏🐾

12/09/2025

Cause and Effect

Everyone understands the yes marker. Dog sits, you say yes, they get a treat. Simple. Cause and effect.
But when it comes to discipline, suddenly people freeze up.
“I don’t want to be mean…”

So instead, we get this classic:
“I SAID NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
As if saying it angrily and shouting will magically make it more effective.
Newsflash: to the dog, nothing happened.

Human is just making loud noises. Who cares?
So this one’s for all the softies who can’t bring themselves to discipline their dogs or lay a finger on their precious hair.

Use isolation.
Dog jumps on a guest? Mark it with “no,” calmly take them to the laundry or crate. Then repeat. Over and over.
Now suddenly, when you say “NO,” it has meaning. Cause → effect.
That’s how dogs learn.

14/08/2025

The Flat Buckle Collar
(aka your dog’s first ever collar)

This is where most puppies start, and for plenty of dogs, it’s all they’ll ever need.

In a training context, it offers a baseline: you can give leash feedback, and for some dogs, that’s all it takes. It’s simple, accessible, and gives you a starting point to communicate with your dog.

But here’s the catch...
If your dog has learned to lean into it and pull like they’re hauling a sled team across Alaska, it’s lost all sensitivity to leash pressure. At that point, you’re not training — you’re just getting dragged.

If that’s your situation, it’s time for your dog to graduate to something else. A flat collar’s not going to fix pulling once it’s a habit.

Use it as a starting point, not a finish line.

01/08/2025

Love/Hate Relationship: The Slip Lead
Ahhh, the slip lead. Probably my favourite tool! Simple. Clean. No nonsense. Gets the job done.

Let’s start with the love:
✔ Lightweight: easy to carry, easy to chuck in your pocket or bag
✔ Instant feedback: When used properly, it communicates quickly and clearly
✔ Versatile: good for everything from basic obedience to managing tricky dogs
✔ Effective: The best part about this tool? IT WORKS!

There's not much to hate!
The hate:
✖ If you’re not paying attention, it can slip down too low
If it sits too low, you're losing most of the effectiveness
Requires handler awareness — you’ve got to actually use it correctly
✖ People think it’s harsh, but it’s usually just their technique that’s harsh
That’s about it, honestly.
It’s a tool I use daily— I just wish people would learn how to use it properly before writing it off.
Keep it high, keep it snug, and keep your timing sharp.
Slip leads are elite — but only when you treat them with respect.

Where are my slip lead loyalists?

27/06/2025

✨Love/Hate Relationship: The Choke Chain✨
Ah yes, the choke chain. Sounds like a medieval torture tool. The very first tool I ever encountered, we used it with my first dog ever (and not correctly).
Is it one of the most misunderstood tools in dog training? Used properly? Used wrong? (Spoiler: mostly wrong)

Let’s start with what I love:
✔ Easy — just whack it on
✔ Clear feedback — when used with proper timing, it gives instant, easy-to-understand corrections
✔ Audio matters — that “zzzip” sound alone is sometimes enough to snap a dog’s brain back online
✔ Doesn’t require strength — the timing does the work, not the force

And now… what I hate:
✖ The yank-and-crank special — people throw it on and start hauling the dog around like it’s a lawn mower
✖ Usually fitted wrong — too low, too loose, too tight, but still wrong
✖ Misused = unfair — when used as a punishment tool instead of a communication tool, everything breaks down
So do I use them? Sometimes. But carefully. And once a dog has graduated to that tool and not before.

A choke chain in good hands is a precise, clear way to communicate with your dog.
In bad hands, it’s just chaos on a string.

If you’re going to use one, know what you’re doing!

04/06/2025

✨Love/Hate Relationship: The Halti✨

Ah yes, the Halti! I know it looks a bit dorky but hear me out!

The tool that gives you instant control and also makes your dog look like ...well I'll leave that up to you.

Let’s start with the love:
✔ Fool-proof design – anyone can put it on, and it actually sits where it’s supposed to.
✔ Instant control – your dog goes from pulling like a freight train to power steering (well, almost).
✔ No choking – pressure is around the head, not the throat.
✔ Great for training – helps redirect focus and keeps your dog from tuning out completely.
✔ Safety backup – the dual clip system on the proper Halti brands is a nice touch.

Now the hate:
✖ The adjustment period – most dogs act like you’ve just strapped a live eel to their face.
✖ Rubbing – if it’s not fitted perfectly, you’ll get those raw spots on the nose.
✖ The muzzle confusion – “Is your dog aggressive?” No, Sharon, he just has poor leash manners.
✖ Doesn’t teach, just manages – it’s a crutch, not a cure. Still gotta do the work.
✖ Weather woes – rain makes it gross and slippery. Bonus fun: wet dog + wet Halti = chaos.
✖ The drama – head shakes, floor rubbing, Oscar-worthy performances. Honestly, these can be a plus at times.

So yeah, I use it. I recommend it. But I also get it when people over look it. It’s a tool. Not magic. Use it right, use it fairly, and don’t forget to train your dog underneath it all.

Who else has a love/hate relationship with the Halti? Vent with me below!

22/05/2025

✨Love/Hate Relationship: The Dog Harness✨

Alright, it’s time for a new segment. It's called: things I love... and also kind of hate.

Starting with the dog harness.

I’ve got a real love/hate relationship with these things.
Let’s start with the bad

❌ Encourages pulling.
❌ You lose a lot of directional control.
❌ Leash communication becomes harder.
❌ Can create a dog who thinks “no pressure = no problem,” and just tanks through everything like a furry freight train.

But…

Now for the good
✅ Gives the dog freedom to walk more naturally.
✅ Much less chance of delivering a correction by accident.
✅ Perfect for structured hikes or walks when your dog is carrying a pack. Speaking of which, you can actually give your dog a job. Pop a little backpack on them and let them carry their own p**p bags or water bottle. It gives them purpose and makes them feel important.
✅ Great for dogs with sensitive necks or trachea issues. Like a little chihuahua.

So yeah, I love the utility. I hate the lack of control.

Probably not the best tool to learn how to walk on, good manners and boundaries should be developed first. Once your dog has those in place, the harness can be a great option for more freedom, variety, or specific use cases.

Harness users what do you love or hate about them? Let me know below.

15/05/2025

✨Check Your Dog’s State of Mind Before You Train✨

You’ve seen it (maybe you’ve done it). Someone’s trying to train their dog while it’s completely going off in full-blown arousal mode. Caesar calls it "The red zone".

“Doug… Doug… hey… DOUG… SIT—no, DOUG, HEY”
But Doug’s not ignoring you out of spite. Doug is long gone.
The lights are on but nobody’s home. Doug has decided to go on a spiritual journey, leaving you behind to deal with his body.

Too often people try to communicate or correct their dog when the dog isn’t in a state to learn anything.
If your dog is highly aroused: staring, panting, vibrating on the end of the lead? You’re wasting your breath.
They're not hearing a word you're saying.

Before you start throwing out commands or corrections, check in with your dog’s state of mind:

• Are they calm?
• Are they focused?
• Are they even aware of you right now?

If the answer is no, then step one isn’t “sit”, “heel” or yank and crank.
It’s to create space. Move your dog away from whatever is triggering them.
Give them a chance to settle before asking for anything.

Training only works when the dog is in a headspace to actually receive the information.

So before you start handing out orders like a drill sergeant, make sure your dog is mentally in the room with you and not having an out-of-body experience.

28/04/2025

✨How to Check if You're Too Soft on Your Puppy✨

Puppies are cute. Dogs are cute. I get it.
Some of you (you know who you are) really struggle to be strict with your little fluffball.

But never fear, I'm here to help as your humble guide!

Imagine this:
Replace your beautiful, innocent little puppy with a young kid.
Now picture that kid sprinting full speed at a stranger, diving onto them, and punching them square in the stomach with both fists.
Would you shrug and say, "Oh, he’s not anything!"
Or would you immediately step in, correct the behaviour, and teach that kid some manners?

Exactly.

The same rules apply to your dog.
If your miniature schnauzer races off and scratches someone’s legs begging for attention, it’s not “cute.” It’s bad manners.
It cannot be excused, and it definitely cannot be allowed to continue.

Puppies need guidance. Not non-stop affection.
Bad behaviour must be addressed, not laughed off because they're cute and "small".

So next time you feel yourself about to let it slide, just imagine that scene with a 5-year-old.

17/04/2025

✨Impulse Control: Calm Isn’t Optional✨

So, you’ve got an impulsive dog. Full of beans. Bursting with energy. Can’t sit still for two seconds. And you’re wondering why you’re not making progress?

What you need is structure. Hardcore, intense structure. Oh and a ton of patience.

Right now I’m looking after a golden retriever who’s the poster dog for impulsivity. And from the minute I get up, the structure starts.
First thing in the morning, I sit on the couch in front of his crate. And I wait. He’s whining, panting, bouncing around like a lunatic. But he’s not coming out until he’s completely calm. Not kinda calm, proper calm. That takes about 10 minutes.

Because here’s the deal: he gets no freedom until he’s calm. That rule gets applied to everything we do.
Going for a walk? It’s not just “grab the leash and go.”
Nope. I grab the leash, and I wait. He needs to sit calmly before it goes on.

Every activity is broken down into little steps. If he passes one, we move to the next. If he doesn’t? We wait.
No skipping steps. No rewarding chaos.

This is the kind of discipline and boundary-setting that actually helps an impulsive dog become calm and well-mannered. Not just in training, but in life. Not to mention when you're happy with you're dog because it's well mannered, your bond will deepen and improve because you guys understand one another.

So if you’re dealing with an impulsive dog, remember it’s not about doing more, it’s about doing less, with purpose. Structure is the game changer!

19/03/2025

✨Do You Say "No" More Than You Say "Yes"?✨

Be honest, are you constantly telling your dog “No! Stop that! Don’t do that! Get down! Leave it!” all day long? If so, congratulations, you’ve accidentally turned into the fun police.
Here’s the thing, if all your dog ever hears is “no,” they learn what not to do… but do they actually know what to do instead? Probably not. And that’s where the frustration starts, on both sides.
Most people spend so much time stopping unwanted behaviours that they forget to reinforce the good ones. But if you want a well-behaved dog, the secret isn’t just saying “no” less...it’s saying “yes” more.

What should you do instead?
-Catch your dog doing something right and reward it. Lying calmly on their bed? YES! Walking nicely without pulling? YES! Ignoring the neighbour’s yappy dog instead of eyeballing it? BIG YES!
-Teach an alternative behaviour. Don’t want your dog jumping on guests? Show them that sitting politely gets the attention instead.
-Make listening to you worth it. If ignoring distractions and focusing on you leads to good things, your dog will do it more.

Dog training isn’t just about stopping bad habits but building better ones. So next time you catch yourself saying “no” on autopilot, ask yourself: When was the last time I said YES?

How often do you find yourself saying “no”? and...stop being so ANNOYING!

Address

288 Doncaster Road
Balwyn North, VIC
3104

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 10pm
Tuesday	8am - 10pm
Wednesday	8am - 10pm
Thursday	8am - 10pm
Friday	8am - 10pm
Saturday	8am - 10pm
Sunday	8am - 10pm

Telephone

+61409759759

Website

https://positivek9training.com.au/, https://pk9online.com/, https://pk9gear.com.au/

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