RafStar K9

RafStar K9 Specializing in shelter/rescue consults; assessment, enrichment & training to improve QOL for the dogs in care & safety for the organization & community.

Living life with dog(s); tips, tricks, training. Reactivity/Aggression Assessments. Dog to dog sociability. Online coaching. Problem solving.

I would REALLY, REALLY like to do 2 DNA tests… On Emma & Flurry. I have a strong feeling I know what Flurry is and Emma ...
12/11/2024

I would REALLY, REALLY like to do 2 DNA tests…
On Emma & Flurry.

I have a strong feeling I know what Flurry is and Emma I think will be a Heinz57 of a few we may be able to guess…

Would ANYONE want to donate 2 tests?
We can livestream results.

This could be fun… 🤩

We’ve also got a few other items on the WishList for Project RuffStart x RafStar K9 dogs.

PLAYGROUPS! Manatee County Animal Welfare📸 ft.Sven, Condor, Sakra & BarbieAnn!
12/10/2024

PLAYGROUPS!
Manatee County Animal Welfare

📸 ft.
Sven, Condor, Sakra & BarbieAnn!

12/09/2024

This is Jackson’s 3rd session with us. We’ve extended from 1 to now 2 hours.
Jackson was a social dog, until an incident with a dog coming through a fence occurred. Jackson was injured and from then on has declined in sociability. Luckily, Jackson’s mom was a volunteer at a shelter I worked at, so she reached out for help.
In the first clip, you’ll see two of my dogs running up to greet him, I allowed them to approach in this way because I trust them, Jackson was on muzzle, so I wasn’t concerned with damage being done, and lastly because I wanted to see exactly what choice he would make when confronted with two dogs running up to say “hi”.
His perception and reaction gives me the information needed for how to best proceed.
The most important piece here, as I say time and time again, is that I know my dogs. And that I know that no matter how the muzzled dog reacts, my dogs will not take advantage and aggress.

Kudos to Jackson for making it off muzzle today, and being a little less anxious.
The goal is to get him to understand the process, to trust his handlers/family, and to open him up to the potential of getting back to what used to be his playful self.
Dogs speak dog, so we let the helpers and the greeters (terms used from Dogs Playing for Life) do the work for us.
As the trainer, it’s my job to set up like a game of chess, and strategize the right scenario and when to make a change/move.

If your dog is struggling with social skills let’s talk!

Send a message to learn more

This week’s schedule! Tues-Thurs: Manatee County Animal Welfare Fri: Satchels Last Resort 📸 ft. Kenai RafStar K9 residen...
12/09/2024

This week’s schedule!

Tues-Thurs: Manatee County Animal Welfare
Fri: Satchels Last Resort

📸 ft.
Kenai RafStar K9 resident

Sadie P.
Hillsborough County Alumni

We’ve got 2 dogs coming in to Project RuffStart x RafStar K9.(Left)McFlurry of Citrus County Animal Services is struggli...
12/05/2024

We’ve got 2 dogs coming in to Project RuffStart x RafStar K9.

(Left)
McFlurry of Citrus County Animal Services is struggling in the kennel environment with intense barrier reactivity when entering/exiting the kennel, and it’s now affecting her presence in the play yards. She’ll be coming to stay for training and placement from us direct to a home.

(Right)
Gigi stayed with us as a pup and is being signed over to us for placement. Her current owners are heartbroken that it isn’t working out, her energy level and strength is just too much for them so with her best interest in mind they’ve reached out to us for help.

With that being said we’ll be fundraising to ensure all care is covered.

12/04/2024

Every Tues, Wed & Thurs you can catch me & Emma ridin into Manatee County Animal Welfare to facilitate playgroups.
I get to coach, and she’s my MVP (next to the awesome staff of course!)

Emma is available for adoption through PawLife Rescue Group

Yesterday… 😂 I was trying to catch some footage and Bacardi snuck a big wet one on me… 🤣 📸 ft. Bacardi Citrus County Ani...
12/03/2024

Yesterday… 😂
I was trying to catch some footage and Bacardi snuck a big wet one on me… 🤣

📸 ft.
Bacardi
Citrus County Animal Services

📷 credit: Wanda M.

For my Citrus County people! Can anyone guess who is in front of and behind Miss Lucy? 🤣
12/02/2024

For my Citrus County people!
Can anyone guess who is in front of and behind Miss Lucy? 🤣

This week’s schedule! Mon: Citrus County Animal ServicesTues-Thurs- Manatee County Animal Welfare Private sessions avail...
12/01/2024

This week’s schedule!

Mon: Citrus County Animal Services
Tues-Thurs- Manatee County Animal Welfare

Private sessions available!

📸 ft.
Emma
Available for adoption through
PawLife Rescue Group

11/30/2024

Emma has made huge strides to be less “messy” when hanging out in the house (especially with our toddler). She coexists beautifully with 4+ other dogs, and is learning to ignore the cat (when supervised).
She used to be more of a “hurricane” when running through the house and in the beginning was all over the place.
She’s got a great understanding of “out”, for us that means to leave the area.
She’s quick to stop if we say “uh-uh” (another negative marker meaning “stop what you’re doing”), and she’s got a much better recall. She’s an asset in playgroups for assessments, training and enrichment purposes.
And although we still jokingly call her the “land shark” (yes she can still be mouthy, much more mild now), she is much softer with it.
She’s also a huge fan of the harmonica!

Potty trained ✅
Crate trained ✅
Dog friendly ✅
Kid friendly ✅
Cat friendly [ ] 🤷🏻‍♂️ we’re working on it!

Available for adoption through
PawLife Rescue Group

In partnership with:
RafStar K9 & Project RuffStart x RafStar K9

I get a lot of credit for the type of work I do. But today, I want to express my appreciation for the staff and voluntee...
11/28/2024

I get a lot of credit for the type of work I do. But today, I want to express my appreciation for the staff and volunteers showing up, going the extra mile & staying late, especially through the holiday.
I’m thankful for all the amazing people I’ve met and have the opportunity to work with in such an intense industry.
My family and I are thankful to all the organizations and private clients for allowing me to do what I love, while also supporting our family. Without you all, none of this would be possible.
Whether you celebrate the holiday, or not, we all have something to be grateful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!
From our crew to yours…

📸 ft.
Na’vi, Kenai & Henry RafStar K9 residents
Emma PawLife Rescue Group
Tigger (One of our regular boarders 😃)

Address

Lakeland, FL
33810

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 6pm
Tuesday 11am - 6pm
Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 6pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+18637389309

Website

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