Prairie K9

09/09/2025

Calling all puppies!

New puppy kindergarten class starts one week from tonight. Two spaces remaining and we would love to have you join us! Food, fun, play, and lots of learning.

For complete info and to register: [email protected]

09/04/2025

An opportunity to learn and grow as an owner/trainer for those who have

1) trained with us before -- in puppy kindergarten or a Canine Good Citizen class, or a summer Bootcamp session

2) looking to take their partnership to a new level

3) and seeking measureable results through competition

Beginner Novice Prep Course

When: Monday, September 8th 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: NU's East Campus, Animal Science Building

For more information, or to register send me an email.
[email protected]

Training for competition is fun and a total rush.

Let me know if you'd like to join us.

09/04/2025

Locals: Out with dogs this morning, 48 degrees and perfect for a pre-dawn urban hike.

Coming down 47th street and rounding the corner to Normal Blvd, we were surprised by an entire squadron of Trash Pandas doing their trash-thing. They'd scattered stuff the full length of the block from 47th to 46th.

They were surprised but not intimidated -- gathered near the storm drain, and watched us as we passed. It was still dark but I swear the biggest one was squinting one eye and raising the other eyebrow, almost daring the dogs to try and compete for the goods.

We see a lot (a LOT) of neighborhood foxes and while nosy, they generally run off after a few minutes. But we gave the raccoons respect, and plenty of space.

Be careful out there.

09/02/2025

A myth.
The myth.

Also, dogs who see a professional groomer every few weeks will seem to shed less, because the groomer knows it's her job to keep most of the hair in the shop.

Informed consumer decisions will extend the life of your vacuum cleaner as well. ;)

08/28/2025

Oh, those sideline teachers. ;)

Sometimes they're right there in the room. Other times, barely visible in the mist but making their presence known in the form of 'but I was told...'

It's a waste of time, contradicting strangers.
Generally preferable to just get on with the fun stuff: real training with the real dog who is right there in front of us.

“Why didn’t you tell her to ____?”

Teaching is an art. You first have to see what’s in front of you, what is going well, what skills are missing. Then you have to get a read on the person- what are they ready to hear? What’s the first skill to be introduced? How can I build a good mind frame and confidence in this student? How do I prevent them from feeling discouraged or overwhelmed?

And nowadays, more than ever; teaching requires preventing sideline teachers from bombarding your student.

I remember about five years ago asking an auditor to leave my clinic, who, every time a student rode by, would shout “wrong diagonal!” “Don’t let your reins get sloppy!” “Half halt!”
After speaking with her and asking her to not harass my students with advice they had not asked her for, she continued, and was asked to leave.

Being a sideline teacher is easy. You get to feel important immediately, and right. You don’t have to develop a relationship with students; to carefully measure what’s needed in a moment, it requires no tact: you simply blurt out what others are doing wrong and go on your merry way.

Being a student is harder than ever - you have a cacophony of noise to Wade through, a hundred different styles to choose from, all with labels of “ethical” and “correct biomechanics” and “positive,” so much it makes one’s head spin-
What do those words mean?

Then you have to sort through the Internet forums, the well meaning friends handing out advice like candy on Halloween long after you’ve had your fill, the bystanders who watch and know it all but can’t and won’t do -

You have to sort through the muck, and hold on tight to what feels right to you. You have to ignore friends and family at times, to close your eyes and ears to the outside at times, and stick like your life depends on it to a path before you’re pulled back into the chaos.

Being a teacher is getting harder. But I imagine being a student is probably hardest of all.

Photo by Nicole Shoup

08/19/2025

If you've trained with us, you've heard me say (often): don't stand behind your dog or puppy and actively encourage their interest in anything but you. Ever.

Don't direct or prompt their attention on the external environment with 'do you see that squirrel?' or 'there's a kitty!', or 'there's your friend/neighbor/neighbor dog!'

This is why, and most importantly, why not.

08/18/2025

Mondays are for dog training!
We've been holding some drop in classes to keep foundational skills sharp and in focus.
6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. with time for questions afterwards

* July 21st was Sit, Down, and Stand
Practical at home and in the park; essential for competition dogs; and guaranteed to make your dog the veterinarian's favorite client
* July 28th we worked on Heeling/loose-leash walking
By the time your dog reaches adulthood, keeping that leash loose is their responsibility.
* August 4th: Rock-solid Recalls
This one may save your dog's life some day
* August 11th: Wait, and Stay
What's the difference, and why is it important? Strategies for taking a moving dog out of motion and getting them to remain still even in the presence of distraction.

And tonight, August 18th will be our last session for the summer: we'll do some review of all exercises and I'll share some more strategies from a recent weekend training seminar

If you've been attending, you know the meeting location.
Same bat time, same bat channel. ;)

For info: [email protected]

08/15/2025

Come join SEECA and Dr. Jill Morstad for another Canine Good Citizen Class! This class focuses on basic training skills for dogs of any age!

Class begins on Monday, September 8th at 6:15 p.m. The class lasts for 6 weeks with a test on the 7th week, October 20th. Classes take place in the Animal Science Complex on UNL’s East Campus.

Contact Dr. Morstad at [email protected] with any questions or to sign up!

We appreciate your support!

08/12/2025

New puppy? Or an older dog that's new to your household?

They need the fun of learning the ropes (and the rules), and you get the pleasure and satisfaction of doing the teaching!

Let us help you help them by explaining through training.

Puppy and Beginner Dog class starts one week from tonight, on Tuesday August 19th

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. at Driftwood Veterinary

A couple of spots still available. Shoot me an email: [email protected]

08/11/2025

As long as we're looking ahead:

PK9 and NU's SEECA are teaming up for the fall Canine Good Citizen class. This is a basic, beginner-level class for all dogs six months of age and older.

Sit, lie down, come, stay, and walking on a loose leash.
No previous training experience is required.

Start date is Monday, September 8th at 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. and the class will meet inside the Animal Science Building on East Campus.

Send an email to request full details: [email protected]

08/11/2025

Mondays are for dog training!
We've been holding some drop in classes to keep foundational skills sharp and in focus.
6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. with time for questions afterwards

* July 21st we worked on Sit, Down, and Stand
Practical at home and in the park; essential for competition dogs; and guaranteed to make your dog the veterinarian's favorite client
* July 28th we worked on Heeling/loose-leash walking
By the time your dog reaches adulthood, keeping that leash loose is their responsibility.
* August 4th we worked on Rock-solid Recalls
This one may save your dog's life some day

And tonight, August 11th: Wait, and Stay
What's the difference, and why is it important? Strategies for taking a moving dog out of motion and getting them to remain still even in the presence of distraction.

August 18th: this was our rain date, but so far so good and we haven't needed to cancel (fingers stay crossed). So let's meet and do some review of all exercises; I'm fresh off a weekend training seminar and bursting with ideas to share.

For locations and more info: [email protected]