Citizen K9

07/16/2024

I've said it before and I'll say it again. We have the best clients ever! Go BIRDS!

07/06/2024

Owners and trainers both need to better understand this dynamic.

Without clarity on this, owners develop unrealistic expectations, and trainers take on unhealthy responsibility.

Dogs only change when their environment changes—and only when it changes longterm.

Good trainers coach their clients on how to best change the environment their dogs live in by changing how their clients interact with their dogs daily, moment to moment.

Thus the only way you “fix” dogs is by “fixing” their owners through competent coaching and education. Any other expectation or promise is a guaranteed trip to disappointment-land, for both parties.

06/24/2024

Check out our new facility located in Nokesville, VA. Boarding is $55/night, pick up / drop off service available for $1/mile.

06/03/2024

03/02/2024

If you know...you know.

02/21/2024

A friend is looking to sell two German Shepherds. Both have papers, one male (3yrs old, from the Czech Republic), one female (Black - 2yrs old from breeder in SC). Both intact. Currently living in a house with another dog and kids.

If you are interested send me a message and I can put you in touch with the owner.

I have not met the dogs, I don't know anything else about them than what I listed above. .

11/01/2022

We are an official sponsor of this year's Braemar Turkey Trot 5k! Come out for a good time, and to support a great cause. Burn off some calories before stuffing your faces on turkey and stuffing!

10% discount on services if you sign up and run or walk.

25% discount on services if you beat me in the race.

Hope to see you there!

The BRAEMAR 2022 ANNUAL 5K TURKEY TROT to Benefit STXBP1 is on Thursday November 24, 2022.

10/17/2022

When the dogs owner is a Cowboys fan...GO BIRDS!

10/12/2022

George Cockrell is an absolute legend in the dog training world. This man has been a sounding board for me on many occasions. Early on in my career when I would come across difficult situations He was always available to take my call. I can't think of a more selfless mentor. He has a wife and young son. If you are able, please consider donating. This man has saved more dogs then any other trainer that I know of.

My name is Jessica, and I am fundraising for my husband, George Cockr… Jessica Hudgins needs your support for Support George Cockrell's Heart Attack Recovery

10/10/2022

Working on "place"..and my co****le game.

10/07/2022

Stay off the furniture.....unless there is a good photo op.

10/07/2022

OHHHHHHH....go F #$k yourself New York. Get educated. Still waiting on video of positive reinforcement rehabilitating an aggressive dog.

Shock collars for dogs may soon be a thing of the past in New York state. Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, D-New York City, has introduced A.10700 to ban the sale of the devices. Shock collars send an electric current through contact points in the collar into a dog’s neck in an attempt to curb exces...

06/18/2022

Bentley rocking the recall! We will be at The Farm Brewery for an adoption event with Vindicated Pit Bull Rescue today from 2-4pm.

06/06/2022

Hey ya'll! This is Bentley! 3 year old-ish Pit with Vindicated Pit Bull Rescue. He is going through our training program before being adopted. He is an awesome dog. Lots of energy but great with the kids and other dogs. Don't know about cats, but I probably wouldn't risk it. If you are interested let me know! I'll be posting his progress as he goes through the program.

04/25/2022

What the Duck?!?!?!

04/22/2022

Slow-motion Cavapoo recall!

04/22/2022

Just a friendly reminder! You can vote once per day. We would really appreciate the support! We are listed in the Best Dog Trainer and Best Boarding categories. Thank you!

https://va.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Prince-William-2022/

Check it out now!

04/14/2022

We are a write in.....even though I am the one who suggested the category to them!

If you have a moment and think we deserve it, please vote for us in the Best Of Prince William County under the Dog Training category. Thank you all!

Check it out now!

03/25/2022

Got a training request from a couple today. On the form they mentioned they met me at the Super Pet Expo (which was last weekend). I replied I wasn't at the Pet Expo this year, but would love to know who referred them so I could thank that person.

"I talked to you at a Pet Expo quite a while ago, maybe even 10 years or more, but saved your card all these years because I liked what I heard from you."

Not sure what I said but glad I made an impression!

03/08/2022

Fun fact. Yelling commands to your German Shepherd in English while using a German accent does not make them understand better. That is all.

03/07/2022

Stella the wonder Frenchie!

03/04/2022

When your little Sis leaves her childhood stuffed bear at your house. Big brothers will be big brothers.

03/03/2022

Believe it or not, your dog does NOT have to go everywhere with you.

03/03/2022

Client just sent me this with the subject line: "I heard your voice when I read this…"

02/16/2022

I think it's time to get back in the sport world.

02/07/2022

We were featured on Canine Point Academy's podcast this week. Check out our conversation with Russel on a wide range of common dog behavior issues.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/barkcast/id1535575212

‎Education · 2022

01/22/2022

The new "Beware of Dog" sign!

01/16/2022

So true.....

Nothing says “We truly care about the welfare of dogs and owners” like adopting out dogs who will inevitably be terrible or dangerous fits for owners—and then retuned, often with a serious strike against them for biting. It’s like a game of hot potatoe. The only goal is to get rid of (sorry, “place”) the current dog, so the next one can come in. The details and fallout aren’t—for either species—a concern, just the numbers and appearance of progress.

Along with that, many rescues also have nearly impossible standards for the new home to meet, in order for the prospective owners to be considered. Of course, as stated above, that’s a one way consideration for most. The humans have to be perfect—because “humans suck”, but the dogs—because they’re innocent victims—can be absolute disasters, and that’s to be sucked up by the humans…if they wish to redeem their poor standing.

And lastly, I can’t tell you how many clients we’ve had, whose dogs have had serious behavior issues—that were almost without exception either played down tremendously or completely omitted—who have bitten, or have threatened to, or who’ve had some other extreme issues, and who would be on the return, re-home, euthanasia list—and their owners have been told they aren’t allowed to seek any training besides the accepted purely positive/force-free variety.

So these lucky owners, who’ve found themselves in a nasty, stressful, dangerous situation, are caught between secretly breaking the contract and getting the best help possible—or honoring the contract and having to endure dealing with the ongoing issues with only the ridiculous protocols, “tools”, and methods they’re okay to use.

Luckily, we’ve had many owners who actually cared about the dog and their future more than the inane contracts and ideological BS, and sadly have had to secretly have their dogs trained with us. Which is why so many dogs we train you never see—because the owners tick the box of “no social media” to protect themselves, and the dog they care about. Imagine a doctor who is SO concerned about their client’s welfare that they preclude them from searching out any other options than the ones they personally subscribe to. They’d just be looking out for the client—you know, to ensure they don’t veer off the path that the one, single source of knowledge has decreed acceptable. So kind, so caring, so ethical.

And yet, this happens all the time. And I’m sure there are many, many other trainers who’ve experienced precisely the same thing. Whether that be withheld information (knowledge of past behavior), fabricated information (the sob story of abuse and neglect), or training restrictions.

My suggestion is to choose your rescue—if you choose to go that route—extremely carefully. If you sense emotional manipulation, obfuscation, or limits on what kind of training you’re allowed to pursue, run. You’re talking about a potential 15 year commitment, and one that can be amazing, or heartbreaking. And while there’s no guarantees, regardless how careful you are, the fewer the red flags and limitations, the far better your chances of finding a great situation with the dog you bring into your life. And while that SHOULD be the goal of the rescues as well, the reality is it’s often not the case. Which means, it’s on you. Tread carefully, and don’t be bullied by any rescue nonsense. There’s always more options out there, and many highly ethical rescue organizations who DO want the best for all parties. Find them.