Kairo's K9s Training

07/08/2025

Yes. A great explanation of harness fit 👏 👌

This is a repost(ish) but well worth repeating. Many of you have heard me harp on harness fit time and again. Having spent decades evaluating harness fit in working dogs of all types with thermal imaging (as well as having years of working and active dog experience combined with a strong biomechanics knowledge base) using front-clipping or "Gentle Leader" type harnesses only guarantee more structural stress in active dogs that makes for more work for me and other chiro/sports med colleagues. PLEASE only use harnesses that fit with proper ergonomics! [NOTE: I've tweaked the English & syntax in the added-on description below so it might read a little differently.]

"All dog owners should know this fact! A harness like this is a terrible injustice to your pet!! AVOID USING THIS TYPE OF HARNESS !

In a dog's forward movement, a harness with a tape that crosses its chest from side to side hinders it in the same way humans would bother going hiking with an elastic band holding their arms. Physiological movement of the front extremity is prohibited. Just like rubber would inhibit the pendular movement of our ARMS.

Thanks to the "Study of Canine Movement at the University of Jena", we now know that in the dog, the center of rotation of the front limb is at the top of the scapula, but in the human the center of rotation in the arm is in the shoulder. Jena's study demonstrates, among other things, the importance of scapular movement for dog locomotion. Now we understand the importance of taking into account the free movement of the dog's shoulder when choosing a chest harness.
That means there SHOULDN'T be bands across the scapular (orange) area, and they shouldn't cross the chest side to side either.

From the point of view of biomechanics and physiotherapy, it is recommended not to choose getting harnesses that have a strap that goes through the chest laterally, or that have straps that touch or press the scapula.

Always lean towards harness models with ERGONOMIC design, to allow maximum freedom of movement for your dog, improve his well-being and safety during his walk.
Source : REAL CEPPA"

07/08/2025

Today, we had a session with , and they are showing some meaningful and important progress as they continue to work on his uncertainty and reactive behavior on walks!

His obedience is cleaning up nicely - so today we challenged them - and went for a walk with Kairo - to see what improvements could be done with the existing foundations we set with them on the first sessions.

We changed up his heelwork slightly and applied some new principles to his heelwork so his amazing owner could work on duration, as well as taught him "focus."

But most importantly- we taught his owner how to capture and reinforce calm, neutral behavior - and the power of automatic check-ins - by using his environment - something that used to overstimulate him before.

To us, training a dog is so much more than obedience - it's the careful moments of rewarding the right mindset, and learning to work together as a team with your dog.

Understanding and respecting the emotions they feel, helping them work through them, to build a confident, and calm dog.

Teddy did amazing this session, and we can’t wait to see how they develop as thier journey continues

07/08/2025

Meet the Team Behind Kairo’s K9s Training
Christopher Froess & Kairo — The Dog Who Changed Everything

When people ask why we do things differently at Kairo’s K9s Training, the answer is simple:

Because of Kairo.

Before the company, before the programs, before the hundreds of dogs we’ve helped — there was just one person, trying to train one dog, the right way.
And that dog was Kairo.

Like a lot of trainers, Christopher’s path started with curiosity and compassion. He spent years volunteering with rescue dogs — learning through experience, one leash at a time. His passion started when he had to work with a previous dog he owned as she overcame reactivity and behavior problems.

But everything changed after a health crisis led to a life-altering diagnosis. When doctors told him he’d need a Service Dog to maintain his independence, he did what most people wouldn’t dare: he decided to train one himself.

He searched for months, temperament-tested countless litters, and just when he was about to give up — a family member connected him with a rescued litter of puppies. And in that group, there was one calm, focused little dog who showed - he could do it, and he wanted to.
He wasn't 100% perfect. But.

That was Kairo.

Kairo is more than a working dog. He’s the reason this business exists. The reason our training looks the way it does. The reason we hold ourselves to a higher standard.

He didn’t make training easy — he made it honest. Kairo required clarity, patience, and a completely different approach than what most traditional methods teach. He is sassy, opinionated, intelligent, and soft, with a willingness to cause chaos and push every boundary we had.

It was through training him that we realized how much damage outdated methods can do — and how much better things get when you focus on emotional safety and connection first.

Because of Kairo, we built a new system. One that prioritizes the dog’s needs, not just the handler’s goals. One that works with behavior science — not against it.

Today, Kairo assists with medical tasks like migraine alert, seizure detection, blood pressure alert, forward momentum pull, light guidework and deep pressure therapy, while being a powerful example of how Service Dogs should behave in public. - calm, aware, and centered.

He’s passed his CGN (Canine Good Neighbour) and Alberta Public Access Testing, and still shows up every day as a calm, capable working dog, who can handle more than most, calmly doing his work while our clients work around him.

But his biggest contribution?
He taught us to listen. To slow down. To make this entire company about more than obedience. - because we also show his other side too - the goofy chaos of a dog who makes his own decisions - and the hilarious parts of him that aren't rooted in his work.

We tell his story because he’s the one who taught us what matters most.

At Kairo’s K9s, we don’t just want your dog to behave — we want them to feel safe. We want you to feel empowered. And we want every dog and every human we work with to leave stronger, more confident, and more connected than they were when we met.

If you're looking for training rooted in real life — not just fancy titles or show-ring obedience — you're in the right place.

This is a company built on trust. On science. On one very good dog.

And we’d be honored to help you build the same kind of bond with yours.

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.KairosK9s.ca
Kairo’s K9s Training
Built by Kairo. Powered by Science. Focused on Connection.

07/07/2025

Ruby is home from her spay appointment, and our clients joyfully messaged us to let us know.

1. She's doing well.
2. Her surgical suit matches her biothane!

We are happy to see our clients are happy and healthy, and more importantly, they trust us enough to share important updates in their dogs' journey.

Happy healing, Miss Ruby - we will see you soon when you're cleared to run around again

07/07/2025

Behind every great training session, custom order, or client success story at Kairo’s K9s Training is a team of passionate, dedicated individuals — and at the heart of it all is our Director of Operations, Ashley.

Ashley is the boss - quietly (and tirelessly) working behind the scenes to keep everything moving forward. Whether it’s coordinating bookings, responding to emails, managing inventory, or updating our growing line of Adventure Tested Biothane gear, she does it all with care, precision, and purpose.

Her role isn’t just logistics — it’s connection, and keeping our team united, up to date, and pushing the standards.

Ashley is the first point of contact for many of our clients, and she ensures every message we receive is answered thoughtfully and promptly.

From first-time dog owners to long-time training clients, she makes sure everyone feels heard, supported, and set up for success.

She keeps our schedule on track, our systems running smoothly, and our clients informed. She’s also the one managing restocks of your favourite Adventure Tested leashes and collars, our treats restocked — all while helping us plan for the future of Kairo’s K9s Training.

We talk a lot about trust, clarity, and communication in our training. Ashley brings those same values into every email she sends and every order she fulfills.

And she’s not alone.
Every member of our team — from trainers to assistants to our junior photographer — plays a vital role in what makes Kairo’s K9s more than just a training company. We’re a team built on mutual respect, shared goals, and a deep belief in doing things the right way.

So next time you email us at [email protected], or message our social media, know that Ashley will be there — ready to help, ready to listen, and ready to make sure you and your dog are supported every step of the way.

Thank you for continuing to support small, Canadian businesses like ours. We don’t take it for granted — and we’ll never stop showing up for you.

🛒 www.KairosK9s.ca
Training built on trust. Gear built to last.

07/07/2025

At Kairo’s K9s Training, we don’t just teach modern, science-based dog training — we live it. And for many of us, especially for me personally, it didn’t start that way.

For years, I trained the way I was taught — I worked in a large-scale, results-driven training facility where obedience meant compliance, and compliance often came through pressure.

I followed the method. I got fast results. - I was the best trainer there - and my calendar reflected it. - because I altered the program to do what I did with my own dog, one that surpassed all others around me. - but it felt wrong. And I went home every night wondering if I was missing something.

Kairo is not just my dog — he’s my Service Dog. He’s my partner, my teacher, and the reason this entire business exists. And early on, the techniques I had always used… didn’t work on him. Worse — they damaged our relationship. - and I knew that, long before I started there.

Thank GOD Kairo is a little softy, because if he wasn't, I wouldn't have looked deeper.

I started studying animal behavior on an obsessive level.
I took class after class, read case study after case study, and I started over - because I knew something was missing. - Kairo isn't lying - he never does.

And when I saw the reality? I bailed..

I took classes from trainers I disagreed with, I took courses designed by compulsion trainers, force free, and everyone in-between

I started with Kairo. From scratch.
And what happened was remarkable. Kairo began offering behaviors joyfully. He started trusting again. And for the first time, he wasn’t just obedient — he was confident. Engaged. Empowered. And the drive that emerged from him, was *chefs kiss*

That transformation was everything. It’s what built the foundation for Kairo’s K9s Training. And it’s why we don’t avoid tools — we actively teach alternatives that are backed by modern science and rooted in emotional safety. We follow a protocol that forces us to consider EVERYTHING ELSE, before we reach for adversity.

- So well in fact that our programs are being observed by other professionals and "revamped" - and sold under their label.

So when I hear people say dog trainers shouldn’t “publicly critique” other methods — that we should keep our heads down and not “rock the boat” — I understand the sentiment. But I also believe silence sustains the systems we’ve outgrown.

Tools and their usage isn't the main concern, its the slippery slope it creates for those who are going to use them on every single dog, every single time - without actively looking for alternatives.

We don't buy what you're selling, because the amount of times I've reached for a tool, I can count on one hand.

But. Some are like Heinz ketchup. They put that sh*t on everything.

Because why bother looking for an alternative if there isn't an underlying desire to improve, push their owners education and keep up?

And if other trainers followed the development of modern behavioral theory - we would have a much healthier population of dogs - especially if these trainers forced themselves to think outside the box instead of reaching for equipment the dog doesn't need - because its "easy"

There's more than enough clientele for everyone. The difference is. Clients are getting educated on the reality of the dogs in front of them. And some professionals.

Well they don’t like that.

We're not here to call people out. We're here to call people in.
Because I was that trainer once.

And so many others are still being taught the same way I was — without ever being shown what’s possible on the other side.
At Kairo’s K9s, we’ve walked both roads. And we’ve chosen to stay on the one that leads with compassion, science, structure, and trust.
We don’t rely on suppression to get behavior.

We teach dogs how to feel safe — because when dogs feel safe, everything else follows.
Kairo changed everything for me. And now, he helps me change things for others — one dog, one person, one breakthrough at a time.

Thank you to the clients and community who walk this path with us.
We’re not doing what’s always been done.
We’re doing what works — ethically, effectively, and without shortcuts.

Kairo’s K9s Training
Building Better Bonds — through education, relationship, and evolution.

07/07/2025

Kairo strolls into the office while I'm working on client files - snorts - and walks out - heads to the basement, opens the bedroom door and huffs.

Alright, alright, I get the hint. It's time for bed.

I get ready for bed, head down, and he looks at me, hops into bed, and lays down where he always works. I see his nose flare - one last check puts his head down, and I see the familiar glint of excitement in his eyes.

He isn't going to sleep. Far from it. He's setting in for a vigilant watch over me while I rest; ready to start another day of helping clients, paperwork, and some family time.

Because of him. I know I'll be safe tonight.
This isn't something I make him do.
This is something he chooses to do.

And that's what sets him apart.
He isn't "forced" - to do anything.
Because you can't force a dog to task..
He just does. Because he wants to.

07/06/2025

I know everytime Ashley says "We just need a few things" - it always turns into a long outing, several hours and a loaded down cart - that every single time - I'm legitimately concerned we won't be fitting everything in the SUV. - this time - Kairo and I were ready.

I opted not to feed him breakfast - and instead used his breakfast as his rewards on our outing.

I decided to challenge Kairo today.

Today , we went out with different equipment.

We decided to use his fursaver as our connection point - with his Y front harness and cape setup - a gear combination he had never used in public before.

We purchased a fursaver for him, as he tends to get slight skin irritation occasionally from wearing collars often, this. In theory, it should help him while also giving him another piece of equipment. (Keep in mind - Kairo uses a lot of gear - 24/7/365 - and is not a typical case)

Now. - to those of you who dont know what a fursaver is, its essentially a chain, that can act as a martingale style collar in one configuration, or, be hooked up "deadring" as a flat collar style. so the collar itself has no "action" - so when leash pressure is applied, it behaves exactly like a collar would.

- I deadringed his fursaver - and off we went. Kairo and I on cart duty - while Ashley loaded us down with groceries, supplies, and enough beef liver treats to feed a pack of dogs.

Kairo preformed amicably, staying in heel nearby the cart, was chill, calm, cool & collected and enjoyed himself as we navigated the small city that Costco becomes on a Sunday. - I always feel much better with him with me, watching his nostrils flare occasionally as he checks the air for the scent of my changing body chemistry.

We get a ton of compliments in public, tons of people commented on how well behaved he is, and my absolute favorite?

Parents teaching their children - "Don't touch - he's a working dog"

I always smile, - because seeing the next generation learning about how to treat dogs like Kairo, gives me hope that someday, - there will be less issues for handlers like me.

I am not used to the attention Kairo brings, the questions, the curiosity- and the added eyes on me as I carry about my day - getting groceries for my family.

And I don't think I ever will be. Despite what you see on social media - I like to keep to myself.

I'm polite about it - I'll answer questions - sure. But I never outright reveal my diagnosis.

It still bothers Ashley- she will sidestep and body block Kairo from curious hands, she will interupt people with a sharp - DONT TOUCH - always watching, advocating for him. Often before I have the time to say anything.

Today, I paid a little more attention. Today, I noticed her walking beside him, blocking the public from being able to touch him, the subtle flicks of her eyes as she watches him - always ready for an alert.

Ashley is protecting Kairo. So he can protect me.

Something as simple as how she moves about the store, to keep him safe, really struck me today, and it's something I never thought about before.

07/06/2025

Kairo and I were up early this morning, working on client emails, lesson plans, and something we are hoping to announce soon - Ashley pokes her head into the office - and proudly announces

"KAIRO - DO you wanna go to Costco?"

Happy squeals erupt from the office as he does zoomies - crashing into the shelving where his vests are kept running around like an absolute maniac - overjoyed at the possibility of going to work with me.

Ashley then happily explains that it's easier to get the dog ready to go than me and impatiently taps her foot as if to say - its time to go!

I look like death warmed over. But - here we go!