Kinder K9

11/23/2024

I started my little Saturday project planning to record a new video for my group class participants. For the video, I needed to be heard and Churro was not on board with the plan. In her mind, there were treats and positive attention to be earned and she was READY TO GO! BARK BARK BARK! LOL. Churro has that cattle herding heeler bark that cuts like a knife. My oldest son would say she has the ability to cause damage to the human ear. One of the ways I choose to work on this type of a challenge is to identify the pattern and interrupt it. In this case, I chose to interrupt Churro’s pattern of bark, bark, Lisa says “shh” …”yes”…and Churro gets a treat. I had jumped too far ahead and we were not having a really good conversation yet. Once I realized that (not before that piercing bark had my jaw clenching a little bit), I interrupted the pattern with a quick trip outside. I stayed calm, didn’t reprimanded, but just showed her that “bark, bark, bark” actually equals: Churro gets to step out on the porch on her own. This works well for her because she is never outside without one of us. She doesn’t actually know what to do if we aren’t there with her! So, it’s boring. She sits in front of the door for thirty seconds, I let her back in and we start over. Consistency is the name of the game. If you want to work with me email [email protected] or visit my website for more information at www.kinderk9.com.

11/01/2024

Presenting…. Gritty, Kal, Millie, Bodhi and Nala!

10/27/2024

UPDATE - classes are now Full! Stay tuned for the next schedule 🙂 Visit www.kinderk9.com to register

10/26/2024

Stop by to see me at the local Pet Valu stores on Saturday October 26! The stores have some fun plans and I will be holding a draw at each store! The winner will get a $40 credit for a Kinder K9 Group Class registration AND a $20 Pet Valu Gift Card! Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce Canine Foundations

10/22/2024

So thrilled to be in the SGB spotlight :) Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce Canine Foundations

✨SMALL BUSINESS WEEK 2024 SPOTLIGHT✨

Throughout the week we will be highlighting some of our local small businesses as described by their owners/employees!

Here's what you should know about Kinder K9:

"Lisa Buchanan offers positive reinforcement dog training as the owner of Kinder K9. She is a Nurse working for Georgian College and as a member of our community, she was inspired to launch this business by her volunteer work at the Midland & Port McNicoll OSPCA.

Working with dogs who were abandoned or surrendered after the pandemic at one or two years old, with very little training, led her to want to be part of the solution. Supporting local businesses like this is extremely positive because it ensures these kinds of services remain available to local pet owners and helps to reduce the current challenges of the over-populated shelter system."

Learn more about Kinder K9 here: https://www.kinderk9.com/

10/18/2024

Can’t get much more convenient than a groom and a daycare! It was awesome to leave Mr D with someone he already knows and isn’t just associated with nail trims lol!

10/17/2024

Nothing better than a pet party!!

Pet Valu Elmvale Presents…

Our first annual Halloween Costume contest on Saturday October 26th at 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. All and any leashed pet is warmly welcomed and allowed to this event… 🐈‍⬛🎃👻💀🤍

Oh and did I mention… first place winner is awarded a Pet Valu $50 gift card, and toy basket themed to our winner’s animal. 🎃

Tag a friend below you think should enter there pet in this costume contest! 👻

10/08/2024

Confession. At least one (sometimes two) of my dogs are sometimes the only ones barking and leash pulling when we go for a walk and see other dogs. Sometimes, they aren't. It's about a 50/50 split. I was in a few public spaces recently practicing our attentive and calm skills where I thought we would probably see other dogs. We aren't on leash every day around here because of the space we are fortunate to have....and we don't see other dogs every day who we can't just run up to and greet. My epiphany today was that maybe the reason I don't see loads and loads of dogs barking and pulling on walks (even though it's a HUGE issue for dog owners) is that people have just given up on taking their dogs out. I don't blame you if that's the case....and you definitely don't need to walk your dog every day. If you think you might want to try to work on this, check out my group classes at Pet Valu in Elmvale and Wasaga Beach. These are a great opportunity to learn some skills to help you on the journey!

10/01/2024

Save my marriage. Seriously…. Someone adopt this puppy before I do PLEASE!!!

09/23/2024

With only 3 spots per session, dogs and their handlers get more attention, coaching and are set up to succeed. Call Lisa at 705.529.4020 or visit www.kinderk9.com! Pet Valu Pet Valu Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce

09/20/2024

I don’t believe dog trainers should be allowed to use fear and pain. That’s not the relationship I want anyone to have with their dog.

09/15/2024

Yep. I can’t say it any better.

Over the last few days, it feels like a firestorm has been unleashed. It’s clear that outdated dog training practices will no longer go unchallenged.

The release of a study using shock collars (cited below) has sparked unprecedented backlash and even made national headlines, and triggered a major reckoning within the dog training community. The study, seen by many as politically motivated, appears to have put dogs in harm's way to prove a point.

Professionals across the field agree that it should never have been approved by the ethics committee - and their fears were substantiated, given that every single dog in the shock collar group is documented to have yelped in pain while receiving shock collar “corrections”.

The outcry continues to build as more people in our field demand accountability and transparency. Reputations are being hit hard, institutions are facing scrutiny, and balanced trainers like Ivan Balabanov have been fully unmasked, revealing the harmful and outdated methods still being promoted under the guise of expertise.

This glaring evidence underlines what we’ve known all along: pain and fear have no place in professional dog training.

Let this serve as a stark reminder to those in our field who continue to promote outdated methods and deny the overwhelming scientific consensus. The community will no longer remain silent. The evidence is clear and we are moving beyond these harmful practices. Trainers who continue to use pain, fear, and intimidation in their methods do not deserve legitimacy in this field.

Ivan Balabanov, once considered a leader among "balanced" trainers, now faces intense scrutiny following his involvement in this study. It is now scientifically verified that 25% of the dogs he and his mentee worked with in the shock collar group could not be trained effectively, and 100% of those dogs yelped in pain.

This once again undermines the narrative propagated by many trainers who use shock collars and falsely claim that their methods "don’t hurt."

The reality is, the tools they promote rely on pain as a teaching mechanism, and better alternatives exist that teach dogs to comply enthusiastically without the need for fear or discomfort, and without the risks associated with using pain and fear to change an individual’s behavior.

For too long, the welfare of dog trainers has been placed above the welfare of dogs and the public. This has got to stop.

The campaign to expose outdated training methods, like those Ivan Balabanov will likely promote in his upcoming UK workshop, is gaining momentum. Even members of his own community are stunned by the facts that have come to light in this study.

This is not an effort to embarrass an individual but to stand up for the public and make it clear that the propaganda surrounding shock collars is just that — propaganda.

Below is a newly published article from Psychology Today that lays out the facts on the recent shock collar study. For those who think this is about social media “clout” or personal opinions, this article should clarify that our advocacy is rooted in concern for public and canine welfare.

I’ve always said, don’t take my word for it—look at the evidence. This article does just that: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/animal-emotions/202409/is-balanced-training-fair-to-dogs-or-is-it-a-cop-out

And here is a link to the study in question: Johnson, A.C., & Wynne, C.D.L. (2024). “Comparison of the Efficacy and Welfare of Different Training Methods in Stopping Chasing Behavior in Dogs.” Animals, 14(18), 2632. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14182632

Based on the reaction to this study, another major domino has fallen in support of aversive dog training methods. This so-called "landmark study" will likely be remembered not for the efficacy of shock collars, but for exposing the unnecessary use of pain in dog training as a legitimate strategy.

We are prepared to provide support and education to those willing to update their methods in the interest of public health and safety. But make no mistake—those who refuse to be unequivocal in rejecting pain-based methods will face increasing scrutiny.

The livelihood of trainers promoting harmful practices is not our concern when it comes at the expense of dog welfare and public trust.

The time to end the misrepresentation of science-based training and to uphold welfare and ethics in dog training is long overdue. We are standing together for a better future for our industry, our dogs, and their guardians.

09/15/2024

The mounds and mounds of science speakers for itself. Thanks Companion Animal Psychology and Zazie Todd

Last year I wrote a post about 3 more reasons to use reward-based dog training methods, based on some newer research. It's still worth a read. And if you want to know more about dog training methods, you'll find plenty of posts to browse on my blog. There is no reason to use aversive methods. https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2023/09/3-more-reasons-why-its-better-to-use.html