K9 Command

When can you start training your pup? As soon as possible! Just remember to keep your training sessions short and fun!

Here’s the long awaited video on how to teach your pup to use the scratch board with their rear paws!! If you’d like to get the same scratch board I have, you can pick one up at https://a.co/d/cvwLdqQ

Moose (the choclate lab) and Otis (mixed breed terrier)

Here are some highlights from Moose and Otis’s field trip to Discovery Park🏞. Prior to training with us both dogs would bark, growl, and lunge towards other dogs. This would make walking them in environments such as this extremely challenging. Both Moose and Otis did amazing! We worked on passing other dogs without incident, while rewarding good behavior to help reshape their mindset of being in close proximity to unfamiliar dogs. We worked on loose leash heeling with auto-sit, recall, and some confidence building. 💪🏼 🐾 

Day 2 with our foster from Dog Gone Seattle. Freya, a female German Shepherd Dog, was brought to us because she is fear reactive towards people and dogs. Knowing Freya has a history of dog reactivity and considering it being my first infraction with her and another dog at this proximity. I decided to show her a human can advocate for her, a human can control space on her behalf. There is no need to respond aggressively to control space, there is another way out of this pressure, focus on me. Immediately her tail began to wag, as she continues to take treats and offer eye contact. Our main goal is to change Freya’s mindset towards other dogs and humans. Spending time showing her that we will advocate for her, will build her trust in us. We don't want her to feel like she has to handle uncomfortable situations alone or by herself. @doggoneseattle #doggoneseattle #fosterdogs #fosterdog #germanshepherd #belgianmalinois #relationshipbuilding #confidencebuilding #obedience #dogtraining #dogtrainer #seattlek9command #k9command #seattledogtrainer #seattledogtraining #balanceddogtraining #balanceddogtrainer

Let’s talk about grooming!

Let’s talk about grooming! I am using a slicker brush to help Zoro shed the fur that has been coming out in tufts, that not only is a nuisance to clean, but can lead to matting, overheating, and even missed pests, like ticks or fleas! Unlike humans, dog grooming frequency, type, and needs vary between breeds. Huskies rarely need fully bathed, but frequently need to be brushed out, especially during coat blowing seasons. Poodles need to be line brushed, cut, shaved, and bathed regularly. Border collies need semi-regular baths, and may occasionally need trimmed for tangles and to avoid burrs, but don’t need full cuts. Dogs should be desensitized to brushing, teeth cleaning, and nail trims during their puppy years, to avoid big explosions and aggression as adults. Zoro negatively responded twice to being brushed out and physically manipulated, in which I responded not by giving in (reinforcing the idea that grumbling/snapping makes things stop), but by working him through the discomfort with firm guidance, and resuming once he had de-escalated. Zoro is currently also learning that growling and snapping is never appropriate with humans. Knowing your breeds proper grooming needs is as important as knowing proper nutrition for them. Hygiene can play a massive role in behavior, as it can quickly effect health if not regularly maintained. K9 Command offers basic grooming services for all clients, and can help begin the process of desensitizing even the most difficult dogs to the process! - Tayah

Here Trainer Kerri is working Frankie at Greenlake. Frankie is in her fourth week of her behavior modification board and train. When Frankie arrived to us she would fixate on sight towards other dogs. She would scream and bark becoming completely focused on the other dog, totally ignoring her humans. As you can imagine this made walks with Frankie very stressful. We have been working hard to show Frankie other dogs are of no concern as well as building her focus to look to her humans for guidance. #seattlek9command #trainingfrankie #seattledoggos #seattledogs #seattledogtraining #pitbull #behaviormodification #pitbullmix #balancedlife #balacedtraining #reactivity #boardandtrain #leashreactivity #pacificnorthwest #bullybreed #greenlakeseattle #distractions #geese #birds #mudbay

Have you ever heard the quote “The man who moves mountains, begins by carrying away small stones”? Habits and skills are not created overnight. You can find joy in a new activity quickly, but true understanding and skill takes time, patience, and attention to detail. This concept is applied to each skill we teach our clients, and their dogs, throughout their entire relationship with us at K9 Command. Reilly came in with severe anxiety, restlessness, inappropriate vocalizations, and reactivity. If it wasn’t going his way, he screamed and wailed. This kind of mindset cannot be repaired by bribery and solely positive reinforcement, and can also not be repaired by harsh corrections and suppression. Reilly needed small, digestible direction and guidance to work through his internal chaos, and that information has to be mindfully delivered over long, consistent periods to make a lasting impact. Jevry is shown breaking down the steps of “place”, and that it not only includes the act of laying down and staying down, but also a clear mind and ability to process his surroundings. These small steps must be repeated with success again, and again, and again, until it becomes second nature. We can’t rush the process, as we are also building his stress threshold as we practice these exercises. Many birds, one stone! Great job, Reilly!

At K9 Command, our walks are not only a source of sensory stimulation and information gathering for the dogs, it’s also an opportunity for truly impactful training, engagement, and relationship-building. Your walk can either be a passive form of reinforcing pulling, barking, spinning, and how fun everything else in the world is *but* you... OR, it can be 30 minutes of active reinforcement that you are large, in charge, and are the source of all things good. Ruby, a 1 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback weighing in at 81 lb., was in her own world on walks prior to our Walk Doctor Program. Ridgebacks are lion hunting dogs, rooted in Southern Africa.. you can only imagine what trying to control her was like! Although these beautiful dogs are strong, muscular, and often aloof with strangers, they can also be incredibly handler sensitive. Using tools, rewards, and fair judgement in how to utilize both with precision and intent are crucial to a Ridgeback’s success. Ruby’s before and after is proof that our Walk Doctor program, which includes hands on work with your dog, and individualized owner education, can help you and your dog work together, instead of walks being a chore!

Update on Blue the Boxer!

Its updates like these that make me both proud and grateful for the work we get to do each and every day. Enhancing the quality of life for both humans and dogs is our mission! Prior to training with us Blue was extremely challenging for his humans. He would door bolt and want to play chase in the street with his humans, which was very dangerous. During walks Blue would buck and jump up and down in protest against his leash handler. We are so proud of the work his humans have done to upkeep his training. This has not only expanded Blues world but allowed them to create beautiful memories together as a family with their dog!

Saffie came to us a 1.5 weeks ago with 4 years of pent up anxiety and insecurity surrounding strange dogs, including behind visual barriers. After a full week of foundation building, trust building, and setting our new expectations for her, she is now being introduced to firm, yet fair, corrections for choices made that don’t align with the standards she’s shown she can meet on leash, regardless of the factors surrounding us. Saffie is showing even greater understanding of our new boundaries for structured walks, house manners, and obedience with the other side of “balanced training” being introduced. Like yin and yang, both sides can exist without the other, but together, make a balanced and cohesive state of mind.

Ollie is a 3 year old mix. He is with us for a board and train. Ollie struggles with a bit of anxiety. When he’s in a new or unfamiliar environment, he can get anxious and uncomfortable. He also is reactivate towards dogs when on leash. Prior to training when Ollie encountered another dog he would jump and flail and whimper when seeing another dog on site. We have been working hard to help address Ollie’s mindset by giving him lots of structure and confidence building using a combination of agility and treadmill training. We have slowly introduced him to new and unfamiliar environments, gradually increasing the difficulty. Today Ollie worked at Greenlake around a variety of dogs. We are so proud of how he handled himself. By teaching Ollie how to manage his stress and face his triggers in small incremental sessions we were able to get him to where he is currently. #seattlek9command #trainingollie #behaviormodification #seattledogs #seattledoggos #greenlakeseattle #seattledogtraining #stressmanagement #confidencebuilding

Bailey got to adventure around Marysville yesterday, working on her general fear of cars, and mastering loose leash walking. Everytime a car would pass by she would look away and slightly jump to the side. We worked on having her sit everytime a car passed, then asking her to re-engage with me. Eventually we were able to sit and peacefully watch cars go by. Today Bailey got to go to the park! She has been working on building her confidence on strange surfaces. Bleachers are usually one of my go to for teaching body and texture awareness. Teaching on and in strange areas is good for a dog to learn that nothing bad is going to happen to them. It not only helps build better engagement, but also trust in the handler. She has been learning to auto sit while we are walking and when we come to a stop. Picking things up while in the presents of other dogs, running around on the other side of the field. - Kerri