Milspeck9

06/14/2025

Sherlock is an awesome dog, he is affectionate, social, outgoing and would make a fantastic summer companion for your summer adventures. In the video we practice impulse control and stability using place as well as some off leash implied recall.

“Sit” and “Down” are fine… later.But if you want a dog that can live calmly in the real world — go to the coffee shop, hang out in the front yard, walk off-l...

04/26/2025

The first step to being able to help him is being able to handle him. Coopers spiciness started with resource guarding as a puppy and has progressed to the point where he has become quite the bully to his family.
I know most of the dog influencers who have been doing schutzund (how ever tf you spell it 🤷‍♂️) or ringsports since breakfast typically relegate these behaviors to “genetics” but the reality is its much more complex than that.
Factors like stressful events for mom when pregnant to competing with siblings to nurse when their eyes are closed from 0-4 weeks and beyond and even 8 vs 9 littermates will have huge influence on a dogs personality before they ever go home.
The good news is Coopers aggression is rooted in insecurity which as we build confidence should help reduce the aggression. The wild card is as the confidence increases so do the chances of him trying this behavior in a more forward manner when presented with something he doesnt agree with but we’ll cross that bridge if we get there.
If your still reading wondering about the feed pan, yes I did try to use it as a shield to try and grab his collar but copper was having none of it so I just switched tactics to the long line lasso which cooper immediately gave up and allowed me to hook him up.
No trainer can ever guarantee they can “fix” a dog like Cooper, but I am optimistic once we establish some healthy boundaries and build some confidence coopers spicyness will subside.

04/19/2025

I keep tying to tell everyone that Dogs of Del Norte County has some of the most trainable dogs available for adoption. Check out Sherlock after just 2 weeks.

04/01/2025

The words “reinforcement”, “rewards” and “treats” all get thrown around interchangeably though they all have vastly different meanings. Reinforcement makes behaviors happen
Rewards are things given in recognition of something and treats are events or items that give pleasure.

Im not sure where this whole no treats/no toys movement is coming from but it’s a reflection of peak human narcism to expect anything let alone an animal that is programmed differently than us to “work” in any capacity for free and you wont find this mentality in any credible training circles from sport dog clubs all the way up to military k9 handlers and trainers (ask me how I know about the latter).

Of course there is a process for fading the lure to put various behaviors on cue but what you wont find is a good k9 handler leaving the dogs primary reward in the car when they go to do a search. Not sure why so many trainers (i use that word generously here) and pet owners think they are excempt or why they cant be bothered to encourage desirable behaviors with meaningful reinforcement but if folks want to chase a fairytail dog “that just listens because they love me” good luck I guess, let me know when you find one lol.

02/06/2025

Once you get it, training gets so much easier.

01/21/2025

Good morning pet parents, spring is just around the corner and for 2025 I am rolling out some new training programs as well as offering more private lessons to help you reach your dog training goals so your 4 legged fur baby are ready for all the summer adventures.

Private in home in home session: $100 or 5 for $400

Off leash confidence and skills course: $750
- 3 Home sessions and 2 public adventures focusing on impulse control, recall and an implied recall where the dog learns to stay within a safe proximity to the owner while off leash. (E-Collar included $225 value)

For bigger issues like aggression or separation anxiety or extreme stubbornness the board and train is a great option to take the frustration out of training and be able to pickup with a fresh start.

Comment below or message me to schedule your free consult to get started!

01/21/2025

Tell me if this sounds familiar:

After bringing your new 4 legged family member home at 8-12 weeks old and despite doing everything from early socialization to basic obedience training right the dog still started to develop some separation anxiety and is starting to pull on leash.

Then at 4 months old the dog needs to be "socialized" so we take the dog with us every where and let them meet everyone who comments on how cute they are, usually as the puppy excitedly pulls like a mule to the person then jumps on them as they receive pets and affection because they are "sooooooo cute" and over the coming months of this the dog starts to develop a preference for going with us, can't be trusted to be left alone and and expects pets and affection from everyone they see.

Fast forward to 1 year and now the dog can't be left alone because of separation anxiety, jumps on everyone that comes to visit and requires constant attention to manage and will only listen when there is a treat sometimes.

If this is you, don't feel alone. Every day I talk to pet owners who struggle some or all of these frustrations and despite their best efforts, nothing seems to work. The problem is that the modern standard practice as it pertains to dog training is most systems doesn't account for the deviation from Mother Natures recommended development plan when we take puppies away from their littermates right in the middle of the stage of development where they are learning from their mother and siblings and instead attempts to assimilate them to our lifestyle by making them sleep in a cage in an unknown place by them selves all night. Then during the day we make ourselves the center of their world by feeding them, letting them outside to potty, and showering them with unlimited affection.

Dog training isn't just rapid firing commands, its finding ways to rehearse productive routines by rewarding desirable responses and discouraging or redirecting the undesirable ones until the routines become habit. There is no shortcut or magic pill, only trial and error and along the way but the journey is much smoother when you don't start with flat tires.

03/29/2024

The secret to having calm dogs in the house is to reward them for being calm when it was their idea. The more it works, the more they will do it.

03/07/2024

The same people who hate on force free training forget it was only because cooked meat tasted better than raw meat that dogs even got close enough for us to put leashes on in the first place which begs the question: If done right the first time is a leash even necessary?

02/18/2024

“That little guy… I wouldn’t worry about that little guy”.
-Every K9 Handler on qual day

01/25/2024

Ive had a few people ask about tone recall so here is how I introduce it.

12/31/2023

Easy dogs to train:
High Drive, High Intelligence, High Energy

Challenging dogs to train:
Low Drive, High Intelligence, High Energy

Impossible dogs to train:
Dogs with owners who know how to train their dog but for one reason or another never got around to it and are now dealing with major behavior issues and think basic obedience will make them pack leader.

Dog training is not a linear academic pursuit where once you memorize some definitions, walk in a circle and receive a diploma you never have to think about it again, its an ongoing process that continues for the life of the dog.