Last Best K9

Welcome to Last Best K9! We offer Professional Obedience Training, Puppy Preschool, and Behavior Mod
(7)

08/20/2024

☀️Updated schedule for evaluations, training sessions, or coaching sessions. These days/hours will be our schedule for late summer/autumn and winter!

Contact me to find out availability on these days for you and your dog! Check out the FAQs below for more information about our current services! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

FAQS:

EVALS - Free for those interested in training with us. 45m to 1 hour long and are typically held in a local park or your home with your dog.
TRAINING SESSION - Price varies depending on individual/lesson package and behavioral history. 30m to 45m long. Location also varies. All discussed at evaluation.
PACK WALK - Maximum 6 dogs with no interaction between dogs. Leash work, controlled dog exposure, and coaching by trainer. 1-3 mile walk.
COACHING SESSION - Held virtually or in-person. 30m & 1hr sessions available. No physical dog training, but an opportunity to ask questions, address concerns, and create a training plan.

08/09/2024

Hi to Wi******er!! He is a young heeler mix who is working through some fearfulness and reactivity. His owner is building confidence by taking him out to expose him to new places and people and dogs. 👏

Wi******er had a great session at the park! His owner was able to utilize obedience commands, e collar communication and positive reinforcement to create a (difficult) but good training to build his confidence while around dogs and random people.

We went over how handle unexpected situation, consistency, setting boundaries for your dog, and how to continue progressing! A large part of dog training is actually giving owners all the tools and confidence to work with their dog during daily life.

Follow along as I post Wi******er’s training video clips in stories!

08/01/2024

Meet Timber!! 🌲 He’s a large young pup who is an Anatolian/German Shepherd mix. He’s the sweetest dog ever, but has some big reactivity and pushy behaviors that we are working on. His biggest triggers are other dogs and moving trucks and bikes.

When Timber’s owner came to me for an evaluation, she was doing all she could to control his barking, anxious lunging and several other behaviors. After 2 lessons working on e collar communication and setting some expectations at home we have made some real progress!

Check out stories for videos of his progress in this first controlled dog exposure session. He did amazing and his owner has gained confidence in her ability to control and manage his reactivity in future walks and training!

07/31/2024

Chester - Some of you might recognize him from photos/videos already and that is because he is Chloe & Charles (slightly annoying ) younger brother 😆 Nikko sure loves having 3 adventure buddies now!!

Chester is a 9 month old Australian Cattle Dog who is always ready to go and ready to find trouble. Since his owner has already gone through training with 2 other dogs, Chester has been working on leash obedience and e collar for a few months now! He likes to find a boundary and push it (and occasionally push things off the counter 😅) so consistency at home is key. He is now working on curbing those standoff ish instincts that herding dogs easily exhibit. Check out future stories for videos of his recent outing to Bigfork to work on lots of exposure to new to him, scary things like cars and people and random dogs walking by!

06/18/2024

The best boys went on a 7 mile hike today!! These 3 had a blast racing around in the woods and some trail walking. Of course, they posed for photos when we requested 😅

Creating dog friends can be difficult depending on your dog’s personality & exposure at a young age. Not every dog wants to play and that is just fine. Being able to coexist is important though. Structured leash walks are great teaching opportunities and can lead to free time with dog buddies in the future!

Head to our website or message us today to book an evaluation, schedule an obedience session, or schedule a structured walk with your dog & me!

06/11/2024

✨We were kindly nominated for Best Dog Trainer in the Best of Flathead!! We would love your support for our small business.💙 🐾Cast a vote here before June 26th 👉 https://dailyinterlake.secondstreetapp.com/og/175068c8-b48b-429f-9b2b-2f32907e4ce7/ We are listed under professional services - best dog trainer ☺️

09/07/2023

Hi 👋 Just making my once every 3 month appearance on social media! All of our summer dogs have completed their training programs and did *amazing* 🤩

Now we are entering my favorite season: AUTUMN 🍂🍁🌲

Here's to sweatshirt weather, no overheating dogs, and less people around 👌

07/28/2023

Tips from a cowless cowdog 🐮🐾 No cows to herd for this cowdog. But, he still works a full time job and ends his day a content & fulfilled pup. Why and how? Read below 🔽
Why: Dogs were bred for specific reasons and their useful traits were honed in for many many years until they had the genetic line to accomplish a specific job. When you research a breed to own, be thorough. Anyhow. More about that another day. The moral of this story is that if you can't fulfill your dog's needs through the job they were bred for, then you need to come up with another job.

How: Obedience training, manners/house rules, confidence building exercises, structured walks, hikes, environmental training and more! Your day will look different based on your life and your dog's needs. You also need to learn the strengths and weaknesses of your specific dog and decide what you want to promote or mitigate.

Lesson over! Reach out to my via DM or on my website for more tips on how to challenge and improve your dog's life!

07/16/2023

I hope you all are enjoying summer as much as Nikko enjoys and sticks 😂🌞🌊

I promise we are still here and still training dogs. We are spending our time enjoying family and summer fun instead of hanging on social media as much.

06/02/2023

Peanut had an outing to the park this week. He was around birds, dogs, kids and adults and did a great job for his first public training! Time to begin challenging him and working to strengthen more calm behaviors in all types of environments.

04/23/2023

Working that "calm muscle" at a busy park with Winsome!!

Structure + Practice = Best Results

Check out some of the story highlights on Instagram for more examples of adding structure and challenging your dog 📑

Head to my website if you need help getting to that next step of your dog's training! lastbestk9.com

03/11/2023

Working on that coffee shop chill dog today. Loving the coffee and all the places to hang in the shop.

Nikko loves to people watch. It isn't necessarily wrong, but leaves room for him to become anxious & reactive occasionally. We patiently wait for that 2nd photo where he relaxes in a new environment with lots of people walking by. Little wins 👌

Train everywhere. Challenge your dog!

02/26/2023

These are the texts that make my day!
✨Yay, Willow & Hannah!✨

Need help to get started with a new puppy, or plan how to hit some goals with your adult dog? Get on our schedule to receive virtual training coaching!

Fill out our eval form at lastbestk9.com

Reach us at 406-260-1611 or [email protected]

02/04/2023

Can you run errands with your dog without issues? Take them into dog-friendly businesses? Walk them in a busy park? Or, do you have a dog that struggles with any of the following?

- Car anxiety
- Destroying items in the car
- Excessive whining/barking
- Dog/Human reactivity
- Manners & leashwork

Replace those issues with these:

- Car exposure sessions
- Obedience while driving
- Training sessions in public settings
- Impulse control exercises
- Positive interactions with people & dogs

For more help with these issues, contact us today!!

406-260-1611 or [email protected]

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01/21/2023

Slushy day training in Kalispell.❄️

Jax has been skittish with cars and highway noises when his owner took him for walks, so we worked on upping his exposure to vehicles while giving him a job to do - obedience!!

01/16/2023

This is a common feeling for many dog owners when their puppy's personality begins to develop, or that adopted dog settles in the home and is not what you expected.

The good news is that you can have a great dog & a great relationship with that dog even if they are not what you expected!

It's normal to have moments where you don't love the energy, drive, or behaviors of the dog you own. You may even wish you had selected a dog that was "cuddly" or, "calmer" or, "happier". These are common wishes from owners with high drive breeds of dogs, or with dogs that need some more structure & boundaries to thrive. Some owners have opposite issues and wish their dog was "adventurous " or, "bolder" or, "more energetic". This can occur with dogs that have lower physical requirements, or have confidence/anxiety issues to work through.

3️⃣ points about this topic to consider!!

1. Sometimes you don't love their personality because you are comparing them to a past dog and they will just never be THAT dog. *This is all in the owners mindset and although sometimes difficult, owners must start over with each dog they own to truly enjoy their dog.*

2. Many times, owners who were unprepared to handle the dog they got are capable of adjusting their lifestyle and putting the necessary training. *By making some changes to routines, adding structure, and giving the dog some jobs (aka obedience) to do, their relationship with their dog greatly improves!*

3. Lastly, sometimes (although much less often) your dog just isn't a good fit for you or your family. *If you are unable to work through the issues or make the necessary changes to meet the basic needs to help your dog thrive then rehoming to a person who can do those things is the most humane and loving option for your dog.*

If you feel like you are at the 1st or 2nd point and need help with mindset, structure, behavioral modification, or just the basics to help find the best way to fit your dog's needs into your lifestyle - LBK9 can help you!!

lastbestk9.com | [email protected] | 406-260-1611

01/10/2023

Virtual clients, Hannah & Willow have been training with LB K9 since the beginning!! Late welcome post since Hannah has already covered Puppy Preschool and Basic commands, structure, and prong collar introduction. AND, we did all of this via video calls, texts, and phone calls because they are located in North Carolina!!

I will be sharing some video footage Hannah captured to document Willow's training journey and I am excited for you all to see what a great job they are doing!!

Virtual Coaching clients get personalized plans for training, equipment recommendations, scheduled check-ins, and video review of their training. All of this can be discussed in the initial 15 minute eval. I offer 15 or 30 minute coaching sessions for anyone with questions related to puppy raising, obedience, reactivity, training tools, and to set up a coaching plan! Schedule your call today to get started! For pricing, scheduling, or questions:
📧 [email protected]
📲 406-260-1611
DM on Instagram or Facebook

01/09/2023

A common saying from balanced dog trainers. "Add more structure" But, what does that look like in real life? Well, here's a handy list of ways to add that structure to your dog's life! 👍✅

You will find by using these tips an anxious dog will know what the expectations & routines are for them. Reactivity will lessen because you can communicate what behaviors are inappropriate and instead give them a job to do. Hyperactivity will lessen and confidence will grow. Little steps for big changes!

Of course, if your dog isn't struggling with any behavioral issues, these tips are still a great idea to establish good behaviors and prevent common struggles. 😇

Do you have a favorite way to add structure to your dog's day? Drop ideas in the comments for other owners ⬇️

01/05/2023

No, the e-collar is not a magical, quick fix device that you just pop on your dog and never have to train anymore. But, it is a tool that can enhance your communication and leadership with you dog.
It doesn't matter how many rules, commands and structure you have for your dog if you cannot correct poor behavior and communicate your expectations properly.
With an e-collar, your rules become clearer to you dog. You can work on that reactivity on the walk, poor manners in the house, and enhance obedience work. As you have more control, you begin to feel confident enough to challenge yourself & your dog to reach your goals.
Imagine this: after introducing e collar to your dog and training with it. You are finally able to have friends over without your dog bombarding them the whole time. Or, you can walk down any street in your neighborhood with confidence because you have worked on your dog's reactive tendencies and now can pass houses with dogs in the yard. These are the sort of wins that come from e collar training.
Drop your goal for your dog in the comments!

01/04/2023

New Year and time for a new "Meet Me" post!!

I'm Sarah, and I founded Last Best K9 in 2021 after interning at Georgia K9 NTC. I began working with dogs 11 years prior when I discovered a 4-H dog program and then trained & showed my dog in AKC Obedience and Agility. Dog training was always a career I hoped to explore and was thrilled when I had the opportunity to do so. Over the last 2 years I have been honing in on how to best serve my clients with training content, in person training options, and virtual options. I strive to teach owners to be calm, and confident, and I train their dogs using balanced techniques at every obedience level and through a variety of behavioral issues. My in-person training area in Montana is the Flathead Valley with trips to Polson, Missoula, and Helena throughout the year.

My absolute favorite dogs to train are the herding breeds, probably because my childhood dog was an aussie mix and my current dog is a full aussie. They are so fun to work with, incredbly smart, and can be a challenge.

You will notice from stories and posts that I often use my own dog, Nikko, or husband, Aaron as assistants or examples for training techniques. They both (usually 😆) willingly help me out with in-person lessons, and virtual content.

Fun facts about me.
1. I will never turn down iced coffee...even if it is -20 outside here in MT like a few weeks ago.
2. I am very interested in learning how to dogsled & train dogs for this work (if you are reading this & have connections to dogsledders DM me!)
3. I am very much an introvert, but also very talkative about subjects I enjoy...so I love educating people about dog training topics.

If you have made it this far, congratulations! I would love to know more about you as well. Drop where you are located, what type of content you enjoy (educational, dog updates, informal posts/videos, etc.) and a favorite thing about your dog!

For training inquiries: lastbestk9.com | [email protected] | 406-260-1611

12/23/2022

If you are prepared to invite a new puppy into your family this year, here is your golden opportunity!!

I always encourage families to be responsible by putting thought & planning into choosing a puppy for their lifestyle. Breed type matters, genetics matter, and training matters. If you have considered all of these factors and are ready to pick a puppy, check out http://vjnorthshepherds.com to find your new companion!!

12/02/2022

That post training walk donut curl🍩👌

Do you know signs that your dog is mentally tired vs. anxious vs. excited vs. burned out etc?

Each dog is unique with their own cues for their mental state, but most are easy to recognize after some simple observations of their behaviors. When training a dog I instruct my clients to use their dog's cues to dictate their next training steps. This way, we can tell how much to challenge a dog, or when they are static in their learning.

For me, it is a good sign when we work with a dog and at the end of their training session or walk they curl up or sprawl out to relax even though we did not physically wear them out. This means we sufficiently challenged their brain and expanded their training!!

If learning to read your dog's mindset & know what to do with that knowledge is something you struggle with then DM me for training options specific to this topic!!

11/29/2022

Training updates for a few of our current clients!

CASH has completed his lesson package and is a candidate for "the best boy ever" ☺️ He now has manners and boundaries to hold while he accompanies his owner to work. He knows all the basic commands along with some off leash work as well. He is quite content in his spot under the desk, or around the office greeting people politely.Cash is still only 8 months old and an impressively quick learner. I look forward to updates from his owner as he grows up!

LOLA is just over 1/2 done with her lesson package & is doing amazing!! We have been able to establish all the basic commands, structure & manners for home, and now we are working on her exposure & training in public settings. She took her first training trip to Home Depot last week and did great! We will be working more and more on consistency around distractions in upcoming lessons! She is always sweet & eager to please at our lessons.

SHAADEE is also 1/2 complete with his training package & is another one of those amazing 7 month old pups who soaks in all of the training. He gets tons of place practice while his owners teach classes & we have recently been working on holding sit/down on leash & drop leash. We will be introducing structured walks around other dogs soon because he is quite friendly & needs some work on not running up to others constantly.

11/24/2022

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!! May you have a wonderful day spending time with your families(dogs included 🐾)

11/03/2022

SHAADEE - 7month GSD/Heeler/Australian Shepherd Mix

Pros: Huge (over 65lbs already), sweet, and fairly mellow
Cons: Huge, over-affectionate, mouthy, no manners, or structure

We will be working on basic commands, manners, and then off leash commands during Shaadee's 8 lesson program. He has lots of interactions with people and needs to be very well mannered. Due to his size, he can be intimidating to many people very quickly. Some specific commands his handlers are looking forward to in addition to manners are; "Place", "Leave it" and a solid OL recall.

10/21/2022

Let's talk about Maybel! This sweet lab just finished her lesson package and she & her owners are doing AMAZING 👏

When I began working with Maybel:
- She jumped on every person she met
- She had some pushy/needy behaviors
- Did not have consistent obedience commands
- Completely ignored her owners around distractions
- Had no manners or structure

Today Maybel is ALL of the following:
- Reliable with on-leash obedience & beginning some fun drop/off leash commands
- No more jumping and invading people's space without invitation
- Behaves around distractions
- Has a complete mindset change due to the obedience & understanding her rules and expectations
- Is the same sweet pup who had manners now

As you can see from the posted review, Maybel's owners now know how to communicate & handle their dog well. They are confident with the rules they have established for Maybel, the training tools, and her commands.

It is a GAME CHANGER for owners to feel this way about their dog! It makes taking the family dog places and having people over less stressful and truly enjoyable. And, it is always one of my goals to have my clients reach this point of confidence and joy with their dog!

For training inquiries:
406-260-1611
lastbestk9.com
[email protected]
Or send me a message via FB or IG!

10/21/2022

3 good pups reunited on a fun walk today!! Nikko & Charles were excited to run, sniff, and play together. As usual, Chloe did her own thing without the annoying boys🤣

It's always good to have your dog be able to coexist even if they don't all love playing with each other. A solid "leave-it" command and recall are very important for this to work.

10/14/2022

It was a highlight of our trip to Helena to see these beautiful dogs! Followed up with Athena (Malanois) who is doing great with her service work! Stava (GSD) had good eval and her owners are getting her started with obedience training for future service tasks. This family owns some awesome dogs!

10/03/2022

October 12 & 13th we will be heading to Helena through Polson & Missoula!! Take this opportunity to book a training session/eval!! Share with your friends in those towns!!

I have limited openings for in-person training for any past/current clients. 1 hour & 1/2 hour spots available. Message me to snag your spot!

For anyone interested in training, but is not a current client: $25 for 30 minutes training eval/training coaching sessions are available. This is perfect if you are interested in starting training with your dog, but don't know where to begin. Or if feel stuck at a spot in training, or just have any general questions for a trainer. Bring your questions, concerns, and your dog!

Polson Location: Boettcher Park
Missoula: TBD
Helena: Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds

09/22/2022

What can a place command do for my dog & my life? Here are 2 photos as an example of EXACTLY what place can do for you and why

My house needs cleaning (note the dust under the dog cot), needs decluttering (the entire kitchen bar is full of random stuff), there is laundry all over the couch and I need to do some computer work as well. Pretty overwhelming. But, here's the cool part.

Photo 1: my dog is 10 seconds away from falling asleep on his bed and making all that work a little more possible. Photo 2: is where he'll be for the next hour or so.

He's not tripping me, chasing the vacuum cleaner, or pacing from door to door. He's not constantly walking up to me with a toy, or begging at the table when I sit to eat. Instead, he is sprawled out on his place bed and relaxing.

Relaxing is a learned skill for a lot of dogs. It doesn't necessarily come easily to dogs with a higher drive. You might notice they don't cuddle with you frequently, they prefer to walk around the house and change the spots they lay while you are watching TV. They bring you toys to play with ALL of the time and maybe, they will demand bark at you. Or, they are a "Velcro dog" that is always one step behind you while you try to do things.

If any of that sounds like your life with your dog, do yourself a favor and your dog a favor and teach them to calm & relax. They actually need it as much as you do and you will enjoy seeing this new, calm state of mind in your dog! If you don't know where to start, contact a trainer for some tips!

[email protected]
406-260-1611
Or, send me a DM on Instagram!

Address

Bigfork, MT

Telephone

+14062601611

Website

http://lastbestk9.com/

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Videos

E collar lies control the internet 🙄 Time for me to begin to combat those lies and spread what a freedom tool e collars can be!! Not sure if you caught it, but my dog was insanely willing to make this reel with me and add his own hop of e collar joy at the end!🤗

Gracie has been fun to train so far. She responds quickly to new commands and is steadily working through her reactivity issues. She most definitely is not perfect, and has a ways to go, but her progress is so enjoyable to observe. She is a great example of a higher drive dog that needs clear communication and commands, otherwise she will lead her owner and sneakily get her way in situations. We are using e collar for both manners and obedience work with her. The differences in use has to do with higher levels for big manners corrections(barking, jumping, lunging) and more subtle, lower level corrections for light pulling in heel, preparing to break a sit or down command, or becoming laser focused on a distraction instead of obedience. E collars used properly are an amazing way to communicate the rules and stop drastic behaviors before they happen. In order to do this, you need to have some solid obedience commands and be able to read your dog's body language. Keep an eye out for more Gracie content and a deeper dive into e collar use!! #obediencetraining #gsd #germanshepherd #dogtraining #distractions #reactivedog #ecollartraining #dogtra #dogtrainertips #balancedtraining #kalispell #406dogs #montanadog #lastbestplace #gak9 #lastbestk9 #jakethedogtrainer #challengeyourdog

Nikko @ 7 months old. We've been working off leash heel & in-motion commands recently. He's getting ready for more distractions with his off leash training. He's solid indoors and outdoors at home and making steady progress in public(Home Depot, Murdoch's, downtown Bigfork). Time to challenge him some more!! Contact us if you are interested in starting basic training with your dog or leveling up their training to some fun off leash commands like this example!! Montana has some great places to take your dog in public on leash and off leash. Let's get your dog prepared and consistent so you can enjoy the summer with them!! 📲 406-260-1611 💻 lastbestk9.com 📧 [email protected] #obediencetraining #dogsofinstagram #offleash #australianshepherd #dogtraining #puppy #balancedtraining #lastbestk9 #montana #kalispell #flathead #406dogs

Athena - Block

"Block" in action...or more accurately, not in action. Athena has a solid stance to keep people at distance while her handler shops.

Working on that off leash heel outside on the ice 👍 #dogtrainertip It is great to train on different surfaces indoors & outdoors with your dog. Why? Exposing your pup to different textures(carpet, tile, cement, mud, snow, ice, grates, rocks, etc) by creating a positive experience while training helps ensure your dog won't refuse to cross a puddle or hang out on crunchy snow/ice when you are out for a walk later in life. How did you challenge your dog today? #montanadogs #obediencetraining #puppytraining #puppy #challengeyourdog #dogsofinstagram #jakethedogtrainer #lastbestk9 #australianshepherd #gak9 #lastbestplace #familydog #dogtra #kalispell #bigforkmt

Strong off leash recall at 5 months old. 💪 How did we do this? Step by step recall practice, starting on leash, and using the command every day both in the house and outside. We use e collar training for communication & consistency off leash with Nikko. Practice, practice, and more practice. Off leash training is quite the process, but the freedom & confidence for both dog and owner is WORTH IT!! Contact Last Best K9 for information about training for your dog! Scheduling evaluations in January and training openings begin in February. 📲 406-260-1611 📧 [email protected] #dogtraining #obediencetraining #recalltraining #australianshepherd #aussiesofinstagram #puppy #dogs #ecollartraining #dogtra #dogtrainer #offleashlife #freedom #challengeyourdog #lastbestk9 #kalispell #bigfork #montanadog #406life #winter

Miss Maggie did 25 minutes on place! Distractions: people walking around, another dog, and fake vacuuming. This is a quick example of how the place command can be used in everyday life. Georgia K9 National Training Center, LLC Jake the Dog Trainer tatertheservicedog Tia RaeLynn Shaw

Onedience Progress Video

Charles works on Obedience in public while I enjoy the views and a coffee on Saturday morning. 🐾☕️⛰ There’s nothing more fun than taking a well behaved dog out & being able to relax 👌 Georgia K9 National Training Center, LLC Jake the Dog Trainer Tater The Service Dog

Recall time with Dante!! Practice makes progress. Georgia K9 National Training Center, LLC Jake the Dog Trainer Tater The Service Dog #dogtraining #goldendoodle #puppy #recalltraining #dogtraining #gooddog #challengeyourdog #practice #dogsofinstagram #gak9 #lastbestk9 #jakethedogtrainer #tatertheservicedog

Having a little off leash fun with Malkin today at the kennel. He’s a quick learner and sure knows his “At Ease” command at the end. 😆 🐾 (also, try to ignore my training voice 🙄) #dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #gsd #germanshepherd #gsdtraining #offleash #dogtrainer #gooddog #dogtrainingtips #challengeyourdog #gak9 #lastbestk9

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