Gen1 K9

Gen1 K9 Training dogs and educating humans in Island, Skagit, and King counties.

Swipe for the glow up ——————>Congratulations you did it Sadie!!! I met Sadie last summer when she was enrolled in my gro...
03/29/2025

Swipe for the glow up ——————>

Congratulations you did it Sadie!!!
I met Sadie last summer when she was enrolled in my group class. She was just a wittle baby puppy then.
When her owner contacted me almost a year later I was so excited to get to work with her again.
It started out rough but we eventually found what worked best for her and she excelled in our program! Good job Sadie, good job momma! I can’t wait to see yall continue to grow together through training.

Virtual Dog Training – Personalized Help from Anywhere!Need help with your dog’s manners or mild behavior challenges? Ou...
03/18/2025

Virtual Dog Training – Personalized Help from Anywhere!

Need help with your dog’s manners or mild behavior challenges? Our virtual training sessions provide expert guidance tailored to your dog’s unique needs—all from the comfort of your home!

🐾 Perfect for:
✔️ Mild behavioral issues (jumping, barking, leash pulling, etc.)
✔️ Puppy & adult basics (obedience, house manners)
✔️ Custom training plans designed just for your dog

Why Virtual Training?

✅ Convenient & Flexible – Train from anywhere, on your schedule
✅ Personalized Guidance – One-on-one coaching for real progress
✅ Great for Puppies & Rescues – Build confidence in a safe space

🐶 First session: $25 (Introductory assessment)
🐶 Follow-up sessions: $75 (40 minutes 1/1 coaching)

📲 Book your session today! Visit gen1k9.com or DM gen1k9 on Instagram or Gen1 K9 on facebook. Let’s set your dog up for success—wherever you are!

Oh goodness! We forgot to properly introduce miss Sadie!!! Sadie is a 1 year old mixed ball of energy with no manners 🤣S...
03/12/2025

Oh goodness! We forgot to properly introduce miss Sadie!!!
Sadie is a 1 year old mixed ball of energy with no manners 🤣
So she will be with us for a 3 week Board Train to learn some much needed manners. Her owners main concerns are her jumping, chaotic walks due to her pulling, and barking at people who come to their home. Follow along to see her progress!

03/09/2025

ANTICIPATORY GRIEF 💔

Anticipatory grief is one of those quiet, heavy feelings that sits in the space between hope and heartbreak. Right now, I’m living in that space. My husband is coming home from deployment very soon — a moment we’ve been counting down to for many months. And while there’s so much joy and relief in knowing we’ll finally have him back, there’s also this deep sadness I can’t quite put into words. Because waiting on the other side of his homecoming is a goodbye we never wanted to face.

Our senior dog, my best friend, our sweet, loyal companion, has been battling dementia. We’ve been doing everything we can to keep him comfortable — giving him all the love, care, and peace he deserves in these final days. And while his body is still here with us, we know his spirit has slowly been slipping away. The hardest part is knowing we’re only holding on a little longer so my husband can be here to say goodbye as well — so our boy can leave this world surrounded by all of us, with the love of his whole family.

Balancing the excitement of my husband’s return with the ache of this impending loss feels impossible sometimes. How do you prepare your heart for joy and grief at the same time? How do you celebrate a homecoming when you know it’s followed by a farewell? I don’t have the answers, but I do know this: love makes room for both. In these days leading up to my husband’s return, I’m holding my best friend a little closer, giving him every ounce of comfort and affection I can. And when my husband walks through that door, we’ll cherish the time we have left together — every last snuggle, every gentle touch, every quiet moment.

This is the ache of anticipatory grief — loving fiercely while letting go, celebrating while mourning. And as painful as it is, I wouldn’t trade a second of the love that brought us here.

❤️

If you’re one of those people who has fallen for the blatant lies people spread about balanced dog training and training...
03/05/2025

If you’re one of those people who has fallen for the blatant lies people spread about balanced dog training and training tools, or you’re simply curious about it, READ THIS! Robert is my absolute favorite dog trainer and the way he always debunks this guy’s lies is amazing! We do not name the “guy” because we will not be giving someone attention so they can harm more dogs with their misinformation.

A Response to a recent POST that MISREPRESENTS Balanced Dog Training

A recent letter contains a multitude of misleading statements about balanced training. While his passion for humane dog training is commendable, his claims distort the reality of balanced training and misrepresent the intentions and methods of professional trainers who incorporate both positive reinforcement and corrective feedback. Here’s a breakdown of why his argument is flawed.

1. Misrepresentation of Balanced Training
"HE" claims that balanced training “relies heavily on choking, shocking, and intimidating your dog into compliance.” This is not only false but also a gross oversimplification. Balanced training does not rely “heavily” on any particular method; rather, it is about using the most effective and fair approach for each individual dog.

Balanced trainers prioritize positive reinforcement but also recognize that learning occurs through both reinforcement and correction. Just as a parent teaches a child by praising good behavior while discouraging unsafe or inappropriate actions, balanced trainers ensure dogs understand both what is desired and what is not acceptable.

If balanced trainers truly relied only on punishment, as "HE" suggests, they would not achieve high levels of reliability, engagement, and off-leash freedom in various training disciplines, including competition obedience, agility, hunting, and service work.

2. Ethical and Effective Use of Tools
"HE" insists that balanced trainers use tools “designed specifically to inflict pain, fear, or discomfort.” This is a deliberate mischaracterization. Professional trainers use tools such as prong collars and e-collars as communication devices, not instruments of abuse.

A properly used e-collar does not deliver painful shocks but rather low-level muscle stimulation, similar to a TENS unit used in physical therapy. Many modern e-collars allow for incredibly subtle levels of stimulation, often lower than what dogs naturally experience in daily life (such as from a static charge on a carpet).
If these tools were inherently abusive, as "HE" suggests, they would not be used by respected professionals, search-and-rescue handlers, service dog trainers, and even veterinary behaviorists who specialize in modifying severe behavior problems.

Additionally, calling a prong collar a "choking device" is misleading. Prong collars apply pressure evenly around the neck, reducing the risk of injury compared to flat collars, which can cause tracheal damage when a dog pulls.

3. Misleading Interpretation of Scientific Evidence
"HE" references scientific studies to support his claims but selectively ignores research that contradicts his stance. While some studies suggest that excessive punishment can increase fear, stress, or aggression, the key factor is not the tool itself but the skill and technique of the trainer.

Scientific studies that examine proper balanced training methods show that when used correctly, corrections do not increase stress or aggression. In fact, a study by China et al. (2020) found that properly used e-collar training was more effective and less stressful than some purely positive methods when addressing certain behavior problems.

Moreover, overwhelming reliance on purely positive reinforcement has its own set of problems, particularly with behavior modification for aggression, reactivity, and off-leash reliability. Dogs, like all animals, learn through consequences—both positive and negative. Ignoring the role of corrections limits a trainer’s ability to shape a well-balanced, well-adjusted dog.

4. False Claims About “Instant Fixes” and Guarantees
"HE" implies that all balanced trainers promise unrealistic, instant results. This is a strawman argument. No reputable balanced trainer claims that behavior modification happens overnight. In fact, many balanced trainers spend weeks or months reinforcing positive behaviors before ever introducing corrections.
It is the purely positive trainers who often sell the false promise that all dogs can be trained using only rewards, ignoring the fact that some behaviors (such as predatory chasing, severe aggression, or refusal to recall) require more than just treats to be reliably controlled.

5. Aversive-Free Training is Not Always Humane
One of the most dangerous assumptions in "HE"’ letter is that avoiding all forms of correction is the most humane way to train. This is simply not true.
Allowing a dog to engage in dangerous behaviors (e.g., chasing cars, attacking other dogs, or ignoring a recall near a busy street) without using any form of consequence is irresponsible.
Many purely positive trainers rely on withholding reinforcement as their primary form of punishment, which can be just as frustrating to a dog as a momentary correction. In some cases, this method leads to more stress because the dog does not clearly understand what they are doing wrong.
Many balanced trainers work with severely reactive and aggressive dogs—the types of dogs that purely positive trainers often refuse to take on because their methods are insufficient.

6. The Reality of the Dog Training Industry
"HE" argues that dog training is unregulated and that balanced trainers take advantage of this. However, this applies to all trainers, including purely positive trainers. Many “force-free” trainers have little to no real-world experience handling difficult cases, yet they claim moral superiority over those who achieve real-world results.

The true issue is not which method a trainer uses, but whether they have the education, experience, and ethics to apply it properly.

Conclusion: Misleading Rhetoric vs. Practical Training
"HIS” letter is an emotional appeal that misrepresents balanced training and misleads the public by equating it with abuse. In reality, balanced training is about effective, ethical, and evidence-based techniques that combine positive reinforcement with fair, humane corrections when needed.

Rather than attacking professional trainers with false accusations, the conversation should be about trainer competence, education, and the ability to tailor training to each individual dog.

Dog training should be about results, reliability, and respect for the dog’s needs—not about pushing ideological purity at the expense of effectiveness.

SHOW THE RESULTS OF YOUR TRAINING...

Loki Update:Today, we had an appointment to have Loki put to sleep at 3:30 p.m. But this morning, both my husband and I ...
03/02/2025

Loki Update:

Today, we had an appointment to have Loki put to sleep at 3:30 p.m. But this morning, both my husband and I found ourselves having second thoughts. With all our previous dogs, we had absolute peace in knowing when it was time. But with Loki — and his unique situation — we just can’t seem to come to terms with it.

Marlin, Bailey, and Nina all had very obvious physical ailments. Loki’s struggle, however, is mental. Physically, he still seems okay. He’ll still fetch his frisbee with enthusiasm, happily take any snack offered, and get excited for walks. But cognitively, he’s declining — and that’s what makes this decision so incredibly hard.

There are times he suddenly forgets where he is or even who we are. As the sun starts to set, he becomes extremely anxious and displays symptoms of sundowning — pacing and crying for hours, sometimes not sleeping through the night, which often keeps me awake as well. And this is just one of the many changes we’ve seen in him.

I know part of me is being selfish in wanting to keep him with us longer. But the truth is, I can’t do this without my husband here. I’m not ready. I’m not strong enough.

So for now, Loki is officially on hospice care until Luis comes home — which, hopefully, won’t be much longer. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. I know the days ahead won’t be easy.

02/18/2025

🏡🐕 Calm Starts at Home 🐕🏡Reactivity doesn’t start when you step outside—it starts inside your home. If your dog is already in an excited, anxious, or hyper-aroused state before you even grab the leash, they’re likely to carry that same energy into your walk.One of the best ways to set the tone for a calm, controlled walk is by working on Place before leaving the house. Teaching your dog to settle on a designated spot helps them practice relaxation, impulse control, and neutrality to pre-walk excitement.✅ Have your dog hold Place while you put on your shoes.✅ Have them stay calm as you grab the leash.✅ Release them only when they are in a neutral state, not amped up and ready to bolt out the door.A walk doesn’t start when you step outside—it starts with how your dog leaves the house. Set them up for success by shaping calmness first. 🐾🚶‍♀️

Wow—we hit 1K! What started five years ago as a way to share my dog training journey with friends and family has grown i...
02/15/2025

Wow—we hit 1K! What started five years ago as a way to share my dog training journey with friends and family has grown into an incredible community. Hundreds of dogs trained, countless lessons learned, and now over 1,000 of you following along—and In a new state—unbelievable! Thank you all for your support! 🐾🥹♥️

02/14/2025

999 followers!!!!!! Who’s gonna be the 1000th follower!? Wow this is crazy! Now if only I can get this many on my instagram 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Let’s try it! If you follow me here and you also have an Instagram account make sure you’re following there too! Maybe ill do a little giveaway 🤔

Ok Central Cali friends! I have a dog looking for a home in the area of Lemoore. She’d be a great farm dog. She’s alread...
02/09/2025

Ok Central Cali friends! I have a dog looking for a home in the area of Lemoore. She’d be a great farm dog. She’s already used to being around horses and other farm animals. I spent some time training with her when she was a puppy and she’s always been a very sweet dog. A little nervous when first meeting people but once she warms up she’s the sweetest.
Here’s what her owners have said about her.

All about her:
- She’s almost 6 years old. I don’t exactly know how old she was when I got her.
- Shes a bit chunky right now
- Lots of energy
- Shes cool with kids and plays with the Great Dane just fine so dog friendly
- She has a problem with most adults when she first meets them but once you are around her for a while she’s fine. I think she’s territorial of our family
- She loves to put her paw on you when you pet her, like shes petting you back😂
- She jumps on you when you get her, but she listens when I say “Off” and “Sit” but she doesn’t listen to Dad and sister cause they let her get away with it
- She listens to “Come” when you call her name and say come. Even if shes playing with other dog
- She pulls on leash
- She nips a little bit when you get her out of her pen and she’s super excited

Message me for more information.

Luna is still looking for her forever family. Luna is about a year old. She has great potential but needs a very committ...
02/09/2025

Luna is still looking for her forever family. Luna is about a year old. She has great potential but needs a very committed handler that will put in the work to give her the mental stimulation and physical exercise she so desperately needs. She will also require vetting as she has not been spayed and I don’t believe she’s up to date on vaccines. I know it sounds like a lot but she really is a great dog who just needs a great handler. She’s good with kids. I’m not 100% sure on other dogs but she does currently live with another canine house mate. I am offering 50% off of training for whoever adopts her as long as it is the right fit for her. Contact me for more info and I can get you in contact with her owner.

Welcome to the Gen1 K9 Pack, Gunner!We’re excited to have Gunner joining us for our 3-week Day Train Program! He’s here ...
02/03/2025

Welcome to the Gen1 K9 Pack, Gunner!

We’re excited to have Gunner joining us for our 3-week Day Train Program! He’s here to work on some behaviors such as demand barking, jumping, excitable reactivity, and basic manners. We will be focusing on building calm, attentive behaviors while strengthening his impulse control.

But training isn’t just about the dog—it’s about the whole team! Throughout this program, we’ll not only work with Gunner but also guide his owners to ensure consistency at home. By teaching both dog and human how to communicate effectively, we’ll set everyone up for long-term success.

We’re excited for this journey and can’t wait to see his progress! Stay tuned for updates on his training.

Exciting News for our military community!Hercules and I are thrilled to announce that we’ve joined the USO Northwest as ...
01/25/2025

Exciting News for our military community!

Hercules and I are thrilled to announce that we’ve joined the USO Northwest as their very first Therapy Dog team! 🐾 We’re here to bring smiles and stress relief to our military community.

Whether it’s a visit to your command, a pre-deployment event, or another military gathering, Hercules would love to brighten your day!

To schedule a visit, you can reach out to Dan at USO Northwest Mobile or contact me directly—we’ll take care of the rest. (Contact info on flyer attached)

Hercules can’t wait to meet you! 🐶
Please share with your military friends and family

01/23/2025

🚨 Ever had that heart-stopping moment when your dog decides to go on an unauthorized adventure? 🐕💨

Driving in circles, calling their name, wondering where they’ve gone?Say goodbye to the panic and hello to peace of mind with this amazing GPS dog tracker! 🐾✨

What it does:
✅ Real-time live tracking (no more hide-and-seek!)
✅ Health & activity monitoring (because a healthy pup = a happy pup)
✅ Virtual fences—you’ll get instant alerts if your dog crosses the line

With this tracker, you’ll always know where your pup is, whether they’re napping on the couch or chasing squirrels! 🐿️🐶

Ready to stress less and save more? Use my discount code (in comments) for a deal your pup would approve of! 🐾

Address

Anacortes, WA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13606720917

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