ATX K9 Dog Training

03/11/2023

All of us here at ATXK9 are pretty excited to receive our new puppy play scape in the next week!

These are going to be a great addition to the training program, and confidence building that all dogs can benefit from when they do a Board & program with us!

Also, let’s be honest, our five and seven year old kiddos are going to enjoy playing on it too! haha!

07/07/2022

It can be overwhelming to walk into a big pet store and shop for products for your pup.

Here’s a link to a few of our favorites!

https://linktr.ee/atxk9

(If you only buy one, buy the leather leash - your hands will thank you!)

07/06/2022

Mourning the loss of one of our longest clients, sweet Zoe. Sleep sweetly, Zoe. We will see you again 💜

07/05/2022

Happy 4th from our family to yours!

07/04/2022

From our amazing vet, Dr. Wilby:

“Summer in Texas brings two things with it your dog might not love: thunderstorms, and fireworks. While Texans love their fireworks, for dogs with noise phobias, holidays like the fourth of July can be torture. Fortunately, there are many options to make things easier on your noise-sensitive dog. One of these options is medications.

Sedatives like acepromazine can make your dog quieter during a noise event, but don't actually make him less afraid, just too sleepy to do anything about it. In addition, acepromazine has long-lasting effects and can lead to a drug "hangover" the next day. It is very inexpensive, but not the best choice for most dogs.

For dogs who are truly fearful of loud noises, there may be some relief found in anti-anxiety drugs like diazepam (Va**um) or alprazolam (Xanax). Alprazolam is longer-lasting than diazepam and generally safe, though it should be used with caution in dogs with liver issues. These drugs work best when given before the noise event begins, so they're probably better for fireworks than storms.

Diphenhydramine, or Benadryl, is a popular over-the-counter choice that may work for dogs who just need mild sedation. Not all dogs will become sedated on diphenhydramine, and it doesn't treat anxiety so it's not useful for dogs who are fearful, but it is inexpensive and easy to get.

Another anti-anxiety drug that may work better for fearful dogs is trazodone. Like alprazolam it works better when given before the noise event begins, but it lasts longer and can help even after a dog is already worked up. There's a wide safety margin so dosages can be adjusted for efficacy.

One of the newer uses for a drug called dexmedetomedine is a gel called Sileo that is approved specifically for use with noise phobias. It's applied to the gums, so you don't have to get your dog to take a pill, and it treats anxiety in dogs who are fearful of storms and fireworks. Sileo can be expensive, especially if you have a larger dog, but it works well for noise phobias.

As with any medication, effets can vary from dog to dog. You should always talk to your veterinarian about which choice is best for your dog.”

06/05/2022

Happy from the team at ATX K9!

We stand in solidarity with our q***r brothers and sisters every day of the year, and love celebrating being who you are.

If dogs have taught us anything, it’s that learning to love, accept, and amplify each being’s individuality is necessary for a cohesive world. The same way dogs give us such sweet, unconditional acceptance, we must turn and give the same to others.

🌈

03/24/2022

After a crazy start to our week, (🌪)we’re enjoying spending time with our pups in the Board & Train Program out in this beautiful weather!! 💕 🐶.

03/22/2022

Everyone here is OK after a tornado touchdown in Elgin Texas. Please bear with us in our communication as cell phone towers and Internet is down at the moment.

02/08/2022

Indy is a sweet 7 month old Golden who is doing such and great job and has been working hard each day of her 2 week Board & Train!

She’s has been such a joy to work with and is going to be so excited to get back home to her owners this week.

01/20/2022

As we enter into this winters lowest temps so far, we want our clients to know that after last year‘s cold-weather event, we, like many others in our area have become more prepared for that situation again!

All dog spaces are and always have been climate controlled. Whether we should lose our power in the summer or in the winter, we will always be able to keep our employees clients loved ones comfortable while they are in our care!

All dog areas are smoke, temperature, co2, power outage and water leak monitored! All sensors are remotely monitored 24/7!

Our entire property is now equipped with 50amp Transfer switches that will enable us to run all necessary power from our two large 12000watt home generators with enough fuel for three days in the case of any temporary or prolonged power grid failures.


Stay warm!

01/20/2022

As we enter into this winters lowest temps so far, we want our clients to know that after last year‘s cold-weather event, we, like many others in our area have become more prepared for that situation again!

All dog spaces are climate controlled. Whether we should lose our power in the summer or in the winter, we will always be able to keep our employees clients loved ones comfortable while they are in our care!

All dog areas are smoke, temperature, co2, power outage and water leak monitored! All sensors are remotely monitored 24/7!

Our entire property is now equipped with 50amp Transfer switches that will enable us to run all necessary power from our two large 12000watt home generators with enough fuel for three days in the case of any temporary or prolonged grid failure.

Stay warm!

11/17/2021

Photo of these gorgeous, glowing blue eyes to grab your attention…. But let’s talk about dog food!

There are a lot of options and opinions out there when it comes to what to feed your pup. There’s kibble, cooked diets, raw diets, etc. There’s pros and cons to each option, and I’ll leave you to do your own research as to which type of diet is best for your dog.

BUT, I wanted to share a resource that we have used and often direct our clients to use when choosing a kibble for their dog.

Dogfoodadvisor.com is a great place to start when researching brands! The website breaks down the nutrition and gives a star-rating that is super helpful. There are so many brands out there and so much amazing marketing that it’s hard to know what is quality. This site gives you the top ingredients, a short paragraph about what they like and dislike about the food, and even has compiled lists of the best options within price ranges.

What’s your dog’s diet like?

11/16/2021

Have you ever seen such soulful eyes?

There’s a phenomenon called ‘black dog syndrome’ that says that black dogs are less likely to be adopted and more likely to be euthanized than other colors of dogs. Some believe that it is due to black dogs being harder to photograph, and many people adopt dogs that they see cute photos of online. Some believe that it is due to black dogs being used in TV/Film for aggressive roles more often than other pups. Regardless of the ‘reason’, it’s a sad statistic!!

If you adopted your dog from a rescue or shelter, what drew you toward your pup?

11/14/2021

We get to see all types of dogs - so many different breeds, sizes, personalities - and we love them all!

Buuuuut…. We have a PSA…..

Please stop picking up your dog when it’s acting reactive toward another dog/human.

We know it’s easy to do, and often times it calms them down. We know that it can be embarrassing to have a dog going crazy in public. But even if you’re frustrated, even if you think you’re communicating that you’re unhappy with the behavior… it still reinforces it. Dogs generally LOVE affection through touch, especially from their person! When you pick them up, they’re getting positively reinforced for what they were doing at the time they got scooped up.

There’s a few different ways to communicate that you’d rather them be calm when a new person or dog approaches, and we’re happy to help you through that (it can vary between dogs as personality can be so different). Reach out if you’ve got a little one who is struggling!

11/14/2021

How adorable is Randy with his polka-dot tongue?! Whose pup has black on their tongue? Let’s see em’!

Old wives’ tales say that a dog with black on it’s tongue is lucky and super intelligent. Do you think this is true?

11/13/2021

As the holidays approach, we’re preparing for lots of phone calls about new puppies! The number one issue that people want help with after bringing their new pup home is potty training. Some dogs naturally love going outside and hardly struggle to potty train, but others have trouble understanding where they’re supposed to go. Here’s a few tips:

1) DON’T USE POTTY PADS. No matter how convenient they are (and I know… a lot of our clients live in high rises and it’s hard to get downstairs in time), they are hard for a dog to differentiate from things like carpets, etc. If you can, avoid indoor/patio potting all together and train them to go outside. If you can’t avoid an indoor/patio potty area, look into a grass product (we recommend FreshPatch, and no, we’re not affiliated… just have heard good things!).

2) DON’T DISCIPLINE PHYSICALLY FOR INDOOR ACCIDENTS. Rubbing their nose in their urine or popping them with a newspaper is outdated, yall. If you see your puppy have an accident indoors, give a firm ‘no’ and gently lead them outside. When they eliminate outside, throw a party! Tone of voice and follow-through is really all you need to get them going in the right direction. Physical punishment is confusing and unfair.

3) CRATE TRAIN. Even if you work from home and don’t feel like your puppy needs to learn to be in a crate, it’s always a good idea to teach them how to relax in one. If you ever need boarding or if they ever need to stay overnight at the vet, it’s pretty inevitable that they’ll be in some sort of crate/kennel. Instead of having a stressed out dog, teach them that their crate can be a safe space where they can relax! Search for ‘crate games’ online and feed meals in the crate to create a positive association.

4) IF YOUR PUPPY IS HAVING A LOT OF ACCIDENTS INDOORS, IT’S YOUR FAULT. This is my last pointer, and a harsh reality. Occasional accidents are normal! But, if you’re having accidents all day every day, it’s time to look at your human habits and make some changes. Puppies earn more freedom indoors as they become more potty trained. If they’re having accidents, it’s time to restrict freedom to the room that you’re in (or even with you on leash), crate them if you can’t watch them, and give us a call 😉.

11/11/2021

We have some beautifully fluffy dogs come for training and a lot of owners asking us for wonderful groomer recommendations around the Austin area. Does anyone have a groomer they love? Tag them in the comments!

10/21/2021

100% Truth. ❤️ 🐶

10/12/2021

ATX K9 Dog Training is hiring! We are looking for a motivated individual who loves dogs and doesn’t shy away from active work. Responsibilities include supervising play groups to keep dogs safe, cleaning (sweeping, mopping, sanitizing kennels and supplies), bathing dogs, walking dogs, taking photos for social media, training alongside our head trainer, and other miscellaneous tasks as needed. This position has potential for growth!

The ideal candidate has reliable transportation, is friendly and adaptable, able to work an active job on their feet, and is able to lift 50lbs+.

Position will include a 5hr shift Monday - Saturday. Some flexibility on hours is available. Occasional Sundays and holidays may be necessary. There is potential to increase hours in the future.

09/24/2021

Who has gotten a new puppy recently? How is potty training going?

09/19/2021

Our deepest condolences to the owners and clients of Ponderosa Pet Resort in Georgetown. This is a devastating loss. We are here to support the owners of this facility however they may need.

As pup parents and facility owners ourselves, we pour our hearts into the love and care of the dogs we get to teach. This would be our worst nightmare.

We are happy to discuss how we plan and prepare for the worst of situations with any potential or existing clients.

More than 20 firefighters responded after the fire department received a 911 call of flames at the resort.

08/11/2021

What do your dogs do while your kids are playing? Here, we practice “place” while our two kiddos run around the house. Today Mars is loving his train track and Tag is loving watching all of the chaos 🚞. You could say we’re… TRAINing 😂😉

07/22/2021

This is the face of a dog who just heard her owner’s car coming down the street to pick her up 😂🥰

07/08/2021

When you got a dog, what did you imagine life would look like?

Most of us get dogs with the vision of long walks (loose leash, of course), playing fetch at local parks (off leash), and companionship (calm interactions with ourselves and others).

But our dogs aren’t born knowing how to do these things. Often, we find ourselves with a dog who *can’t* do certain things without causing us stress…. So we end up leaving them behind while we go eat on patios with friends, or go to parks full of distractions.

The thing is, our dogs deserve to be part of our lives! And through training, they can be.

What areas do you need improvement in? Comment below with your struggles and we will give pointers over the next few weeks so that you can life a happier, more inclusive life with your best friend.

03/22/2021

Little dogs need training, too!

Who has a little pup? Tell us their name!

03/20/2021

When you want the treat sooooo bad but you know you have to be a good boy...

03/10/2021

Time for a check up for Preacher pup!

03/04/2021

🎶 Isn’t she lovely? Isn’t she wonderful? 🎶 Ruby is a gorgeous girl who had her first full day of training with us and is learning new skills like “place”! Teaching a working dog when to be calm is so important to a happy coexistence 💜

03/03/2021