Prairie K9

06/23/2025

Weather along I-80 is not good. Raining hard, slashing sideways.

Monday night Boot Camp class is canceled. Emails have been sent, and I'll follow up with another email with options for making up the missed class.

Thanks, all

06/22/2025

Whether they know it or not, everyone who lives with a dog is endeavoring to keep three things in motion: management, training, and leadership.

Management: crates, babygates, fences around the backyard, etc.

Training: putting a behavior on verbal or non-verbal cue. "Sit" is a training exercise.

Leadership: that's you (me, and us) and it has zero to do with who has the biggest muscles, the loudest voice, or making violent threats.

When dogs look around to see who's in charge, it's all about resources and access and that comes in three categories. There are only three: physical space, physical objects, and their own physical body.

In our programs, we'll walk you through comprehensive and entirely non-confrontational techniques that actively prevent resource-guarding starting in puppyhood. Key is to take the confrontation out of it, and create that 'sea change' of understanding that Lionheart K9 describes so well here.

Because without leadership, the training techniques won't work and the training itself won't 'stick'.

06/12/2025

Basic/Beginner, suitable for dogs and puppies.
When: Wednesdays starting June 18th, 6:30 p.m. (four week course)
Where and cost: email for details

Intermediate, for dog/handler teams who have done some training, and are ready to level up a bit.
When: Tuesdays starting June 24th, 7:30 p.m. (four week course)
Where and cost: email for details

Ongoing:
Puppy kindergarten, for puppies age 8 weeks to 7 months (four week course)
When: Tuesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 (next class starts on June 24th)
Where and cost: email for details

In all our classes we teach, review, and improve your dog's responses to sit, down, come, stay, and loose-leash walking. We will specifically address and troubleshoot problem behaviors (barking, jumping up, etc) and help you become the best teacher, coach, and friend your dog has ever had.

Send a message to learn more

06/09/2025

"Sheldon, you can't train my girlfriend like a lab rat.."

"Turns out, I can"

Season 03 Episode 03, "The Gothowitz Deviation".Sheldon attempts to modify Penny's behaviour by giving her a chocolate every time she does something right.Th...

06/03/2025

Feeling frustrated? Off balance? Out of sync?
Hoping the neighbors don't see or hear you on their Ring cam?

New classes starting soon!!!

Basic/Beginner, suitable for dogs and puppies.
Wednesdays starting June 18th, 6:30 p.m. (four weeks)

Intermediate, for dog/handler teams ready to level up a bit.
Tuesdays starting June 24th, 7:30 p.m. (four weeks)

* get to an understanding of loose-leash, all the time
* take steps to eliminate 'reactivity' on walks
* see the physical and mental benefits for both of you
* find more enjoyment from your time together

For information and to sign up: [email protected]

06/03/2025

Send a message to learn more

05/29/2025

Most of the queries ask about scheduling, locations, and pricing.

Sure, that's important and relevant info especially as summer schedules fill up with vacation time, or kids' sports committments. But can I encourage you to add one more thing?

Outcomes.

As in, what can I expect in terms of measurable outcomes and results from my investment of time and money? A clear, transparent and structured way to assess progress and behavioral changes (theirs, and yours).

A certificate of attendance and photos on the social media page might not be enough.

😉

Send a message to learn more

05/26/2025

Long weekend, and an important holiday -- one of honor and remembrance.

Pause. Rest. Reflect. Remember. Respect.

_________________

Hitting the bricks again tomorrow, with a new puppy class on Tuesday evening and a Canine Good Citizen class on Wednesday morning.

A few openings remain in each.
Come train with us.
Email for deets.

Send a message to learn more

05/21/2025

Out training this morning and it was glorious. 52 degrees and bright sunshine and it would really be just fine if it never got any warmer than 75 degrees for the rest of the summer....

Speaking of which, school is out this week and that big ol summer full of opportunities waits for us.

Two new classes starting this week:
Tuesday evening, Puppy/Beginner training, 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday morning, Canine Good Citizen class at 9 a.m.

Spots are available in both. So here's an idea -- see how your dog does during the upcoming holiday weekend. Is he a dog you can take anywhere with you, a dog you don't have to make excuses for?

If not, we can help! :)

Email me for additional info: [email protected]

Send a message to learn more

05/18/2025

A little news from the obedience rings at the Nebraska Kennel Club shows this weekend.

Join PK9 in congratulating these teams:

Kendra and Harper CD who finished their Companion Dog title with two blue ribbons (first place) out of Novice A

Jenna and CH Rufus CDX who picked up his first qualifying score in Utility A, and a first place ribbon as well

Next up for Kendra and Harper is a trip to compete in the AKC Rally National 🤩

And watch for Rufus to finish up that UD later this summer ✔️🎯🥇

We’re very proud of you!!!

05/16/2025

Earlier this week I posted some photos of a training book, an article and a set of handouts and worried about how much we've strayed from just getting out and getting the work done.

This morning, let's add this to that.

"I worry for handiness and horse sense and wonder, if there will ever be a time again, where folks need to ride out to do a job and find out just how much is missing - and how much value there is in that small inbetween space"

At PK9, we'll meet you in the middle.

I worry for the middle -

I remember a time, not too long ago, sopping wet horses with defeated eyes. I remember horses flipping over from pressure, and a total dismissal of the horses physical body, as if they were too strong to break. “You can’t hurt them,” one man said, “it’s like spanking him with a sock.” They did their job, with eyes shut.

I see a time, now, where horses can’t manage the pressure of the world we brought them into. I see horses, equally stressed, who are coddled, babied, so much they pull back at the slightest trouble. I see horses who can’t get in trailers, can’t tie, can’t stand for the farrier, no life skills. Horses that bite and charge.

I see these every day, maybe they’re the extremes I’m called out for and not the norm, like a firefighter who’s daily experience involves disaster, where putting out fires is a daily habit -
I see unhappiness still- lack of confidence and fear encouraged, curated by human hands, mostly well meaning.

I worry for the still space between too much and too little, where a horse can get by. I worry for peace, which lives between the lines of dominance and permissiveness- I worry for guidance, and reading expression, and experimenting, and I worry for feel.

I worry for nuance, and catching meaning in the written word before emotional response. I worry for handiness and horse sense and wonder, if there will ever be a time again, where folks need to ride out to do a job and find out just how much is missing - and how much value there is in that small inbetween space. I’ve found much fulfillment there, but it’s also saved my life on many occasion- to have a horse who is handy, confident, and soft.