k9wise

01/23/2025

01/07/2025

Calling All Animal Lovers!

Do you have available free time and a big heart for helping? Our thrift store is looking for additional volunteers to join our great team!

We need extra hands to:
Organize shelves
Place priced items
Assist with day-to-day store tasks

Every moment you spend with us helps our store thrive and supports our mission to provide loving care and shelter to animals in our community!

If you’d love to make a difference while working in a fun and friendly environment, we’d love to hear from you! Stop by the store or send us a message for more info.

We are located at 125 Wellborn St., Downtown Blairsville

We are open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.

01/05/2025

Karen Wylie Pryor, a true trailblazer in the field of animal behavior and training, passed away on January 4, 2025, at the age of 92. As we mourn the loss of this remarkable woman, we also take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the profound impact she has had on our lives, careers, and the lives of countless animals and humans alike.

Through her groundbreaking work, Karen taught us the power of compassion, empathy, and effective communication in fostering strong and respectful relationships between humans and animals. Her dedication to improving the lives of animals and their human companions has left an indelible mark on the world, and her contributions will continue to shape the way we understand and interact with the creatures that share our planet.

Thank you, Karen Pryor, for the wisdom, inspiration, and love you have shared with us all. Your legacy lives on in the hearts of those you have touched, and your spirit will continue to guide us as we strive to create a more compassionate and harmonious world for both humans and animals. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

About Karen Pryor Karen Pryor, publicity photo for Oceanic Institute, about 1968. Karen Pryor had many interests. She was an observer of the smallest detail (as a child she studied butterfly anatomy) but what made her life’s work exceptional was that she also saw the big picture. It would have bee...

12/23/2024

Warmest wishes to you all and to your furry friends on this gorgeous sunny day. We hope you have a very Merry Christmas! 🎄🐶

12/18/2024

The Elizabethan collar, also known as an e-collar, originated from the ruffs worn in the Elizabethan era of England. Frank L. Johnson invented the first post-surgical pet collar in 1962, naming it after the ruffs worn by women in the Elizabethan era. The collar was originally a thin plastic sheet tied around a dog's neck to prevent it from licking or scratching a wound.

Shock collars are an outdated and inhumane method of training dogs. They work by delivering a painful electrostatic shock to the dog's skin.

Many countries have banned shock collars, including:
Europe: Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Wales, and the United Kingdom
Canada: The province of Quebec
Australia: Some regions, including New South Wales, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory

In the United States, the sale and use of shock collars on dogs is legal, despite evidence they are harmful and should never be used.

12/18/2024

The Brahma tracking lead from Bold Lead Designs is the best long line dog lead I’ve ever had. I’ve used and abused this professional-quality, handmade, leather-alternative, all-weather leash for several years, and it still looks and feels brand new. Built like a tank, the soft-touch, man-made vegan material slides easily through mud, snow, rocks, and water, and has a lifetime warranty. I use the thirty-three-foot version in hunter orange as a long line. The high visibility is great because when using a long line with your dog, it’s important that people you may encounter can easily see that they are on a leash when the dog is thirty feet away from you! These are not cheap, but are more than worth it for the the peace of mind with knowing that your equipment won’t fail when used with your own or your clients’ dogs, many of which weigh over a hundred pounds!

https://boldleaddesigns.com/shop/brahma-leads-training-and-tracking-leash-in-soft-grip-leather-alternative/

12/12/2024

Ahh… 'Silence is golden!’ Today, the men learned how to use fear-free shelter protocols to transform an all-out Barkfest into a peaceful library-like atmosphere, in one powerful session. Everyone—the dogs, detainee handlers, officers, and the instructor—relished the newfound tranquility. By employing positive reinforcement with a training technique known as classical counter-conditioning and desensitization, we dramatically changed the dogs' emotional responses from chaotic to calm when faced with their usual triggers. Group 44 deserves kudos for their keen interest, dedication, and incredible results in helping these dogs feel safer and more relaxed in their environment, making them more adoptable into loving forever homes. All present became true believers in the power of positive reinforcement!

12/06/2024

"I choose to avoid punitive training because of my education and experience. Countless studies demonstrate the harm that aversives inflict and how they impact learning and welfare. Force free training is being used worldwide with a variety of species. If it works with gorillas, tigers and crocodiles, it works with any dog breed.

We will not empathise with abusive dog trainers because we do not want to give them a platform, whereby they can destroy even more dogs."

-Holly Leake

I'm tired of being told that my repulsion for punitive and aversive training is a lack of knowledge or skills. I'm tired of being told that my 7 years of studying, qualifications and experience working with dogs couldn't possibly stand up to the Facebook expert.
I'm tired of being told that force free training is limited and that it only works with some breeds. I'm tired of seeing friends and fellow force free trainers being accused of abuse because they refuse to defend those that would abuse dogs in the name of training.

I choose not to use aversives because I know how they work and their purpose. There is no magic or skill involved, it is designed to be unpleasant and its purpose is to intimidate, control and suppress. I choose to avoid punitive training because of my education and experience. Countless studies demonstrate the harm that aversives inflict and how they impact learning and welfare. Force free training is being used worldwide with a variety of species. If it works with gorillas, tigers and crocodiles, it works with any dog breed.
We will not empathise with abusive dog trainers because we do not want to give them a platform, whereby they can destroy even more dogs. We have plenty to learn from qualified trainers that do not compromise training ethics.

Qualified dog trainers shouldn't have to compete with trainers that only care about tik tok videos and forced compliance. Every force free trainer could use aversives with the same outcome. We choose not to because we understand the consequences and prioritise welfare and long-term results over followers and profit.

-Holly Leake

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12/06/2024

The dogs have arrived!! In this week's class, the detainee handlers learned how to speak—and listen, "Dog"! Building upon the foundation class on Learning Theory, The Laws of Reinforcement, and Canine Body Language, the men were eager to apply their newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Today's focus was on mastering the proper leash-holding techniques, fostering positive greetings, and nurturing a supportive environment for the dogs to thrive.
The handlers demonstrated empathy and understanding towards their learners, ensuring they felt secure while encouraging their individual personalities to shine through.

It was amazing to witness the incredible progress made by both the dogs and the men – Rescued Program Group 44 is off to a doggone good start! Stay tuned for more updates on their journey together. 🐾 k9wise

12/05/2024

Dog training is an unregulated industry, and anyone can call themselves a trainer. This opens the door to unlicensed, uneducated people who actively advertise their services. In other words, many trainers are unqualified but will happily take your money, leaving you and your dog frustrated and worse off than when you started.

I’m Gene, founder and lead trainer at k9wise. I’m a certified professional dog trainer, a distinguished graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy, and a KPA Certified Training Partner. I’ve dedicated myself to the highest possible standards of education, oversight, and continued professional development.

As the Founder and Lead Trainer of k9wise, I’ve had the privilege of working with countless dogs and their owners, helping them overcome behavioral challenges and build strong, lasting bonds. My approach is rooted in compassion, patience, and a deep understanding of canine behavior.

As a mentor to upcoming trainers, I strive to teach future generations of trainers the skills they need to positively impact the lives of dogs and their owners.

With over a decade of experience in the field, I’ve dedicated my life to understanding and enhancing the relationships between dogs and their people. I maintain my credentials by attending continuing education seminars, workshops, classes, and professional conferences to stay up to date with the latest developments in the field.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and your furry friend, helping you both embark on a journey towards a happier, healthier, and more harmonious relationship.

Contact me today to tell me about you and your dog, and I’ll tell you how I can help!

Live 1:1 online private dog training and case support for pro trainers available anywhere, in-home private training available within service area.

k9wise.com

12/04/2024

12/03/2024

Group 44 dogs arrive!

12/02/2024

Important information from Companion Veterinary Clinic: 🏥 Buyer Beware:
Tips for Choosing a Dog Trainer 🐕

🚩🚩🚩 Red Flags to Watch for When Choosing a Dog Trainer.

✅ ✅✅ What to Look for in a Dog Trainer.

When you bring home that sweet new puppy and it’s time to sign up for training, where do you start? Where do you find the best classes? What should you look for in a dog trainer?