Hackles & Hide K9 Academy

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Marion, IA
Hackles & Hide K9 Academy

At H&H, we take a psychological approach to training from a dogs point of view. We specialize is healing and rehabilitation for K9 aggression and reactivity.

We also offer basic and advanced obedience using positive only methods.

06/22/2025

Mental health is real. Our own struggles and personal growth guided us on our journey to help those without a voice.

Understanding how it feels to be down, to struggle, and to be stuck in your own head is what created so much empathy for dogs that are begging to be heard and not silenced.

The reactions that are mistaken for aggression are often a cry for help.

They are not trying to be bad. They are not trying to be mean. They are voices begging to be heard.

Our past experiences fuel our future.

We will use our own struggles to help the misunderstood.

Dogs struggle with mental health too. It's up to us to shed some light. ☀️

Happy Sunday 😊

Www.hacklesandhidek9.com
[email protected]

06/20/2025

🌿 A question we hear a lot when doing treat training is, "If I train with treats, does that mean my dog won’t do things without treats?" Um, No! 🙅🏽‍♀️🚫

As long as during our practice, we are rewarding and not bribing, they will learn to do it with or without treats. 🙌🏼

In this video, I showed not only examples of bribing and rewarding but also ways of communication to keep him successful and engaged. When he is learning new tasks like sitting from a down and touch, they may take a bit more redirection and even luring if needed.

✨️Bribes are if the treat is in your hand or if your hand is in the treat bag/pouch/jar. These will keep your dog reliant on treats to perform the behavior because instead of creating a pattern of behavior of "I do this, I may get a treat," the pattern is "I will get a treat if I do this." So if there’s no treat present promising this, they won’t do it.

The only exception here is with new behaviors that they are still learning. In this video's case, sit from a down, we introduced this behavior yesterday, so it’s normal for him to still need a lure – and that’s okay!!

I also did a "find it" with touch, and the reason for that was to reset him to let him try the behavior again and be successful! This behavior will need to have a high drive for it due to what we will use it for, so it’s important I keep him successful so he will want to do it again! ✌🏼

Happy Friday, and stay cool!

~Ashley~
Www.hacklesandhidek9.com
[email protected]

06/17/2025

✨Let me tell you about Gibblet✨

Gibblet was a victim of a large puppy mill operation as the mother dog.💔

She was abused, overbred, and her puppies were taken too early.

The sound of the doorbell was a trigger for her, as were new people and men.

When I met Gibblet, she wouldn't let me in the house, let alone upstairs. In fact, I received a nice little bite on my leg from her. 👀

With the fear she felt, I knew we had to start small.

First were little one-on-one visits to my facility and walks to build her trust in me. We did a lot of sitting around and talking, allowing Gibblet to come around in her own time. Once her trust started to build, we were able to slowly tackle the root psychological causes of her anxiety and fear.

Gibblet still has a way to go, but look how far she's come!

All it takes is patience, empathy, and understanding.

Here's to better days, Gibblet!!🙌🏼

Www.hacklesandhidek9.com
[email protected]

06/15/2025

Happy Father's Day to all dads, and to anyone stepping up to play the role of dad!

Have a wonderful day, we hope you spend it surrounded by loved ones and soaking in every moment! ✌🏼

06/06/2025

✨️Let's discuss the importance and impact of PROPER COMMUNICATION with our dogs today!! ✨️

A common question I get is, "Do I need to punish my dog for doing something wrong?" The simple answer is no. 👎🏼🚫🙅🏽‍♀️

The reason for that answer is to ensure we are not punishing them in a way that does not correlate or in a way that harms them physically or mentally.

"Well, how do I let them know what they are doing is wrong?" You ask? You can do this through consistent consequences that correlate with what the dog did.

As seen in this video, the Australian Shepherd breaks its heel to approach the German Shepherd. The consequence was a verbal interruption and redirection to a more desirable behavior and distance from the dog. Then, it was given a chance to make a better choice. 👍🏼

It’s important for all of us to remember to stay compassionate and understanding towards our dogs. And remember this important phrase “Your dog is not giving you a hard time. They are HAVING a hard time!”

Adding punishment that physically or mentally hurts our dogs in these situations, where they are looking to us for help, can be detrimental to the relationship between dog and owner. Trust is essential. If they can not trust us, we can not help them be more comfortable in their lives.

Be compassionate, take a moment, understand what the dog is going through, and help it grow through its experiences.

Happy Friday! Let's make it a good one! 👊🏼

~Ashley~

Www.hacklesandhidek9.com
[email protected]

06/05/2025

PSA 📣 Being approached by an off-leash dog while trying to desensitize a fearful dog is not a good situation.

Please keep in mind that leash laws are in effect for a reason!

Out of respect for other people and animals, and for the safety of us all, please keep your dog on a leash.

That is all. ✌🏼

Www.hacklesandhidek9.com
[email protected]

05/30/2025

Hi 👋 Ashley here!

I'm excited to announce that I received my Fear Free Training Certification 🙌🏼

I will be offering classes and services soon that will cover cooperative care, active and passive participation in care, and fear-free techniques for vet/home/grooming care!

✨Here's an educational poster about what exactly a Fear Free certificate is! ✨

05/29/2025

✨️Thank you to everyone who voted for us this year. You have no idea how much we appreciate all the referrals, mentions, encouragement, and every ounce of support you show us!✨️

We never thought our dream would play out right in front of us like this. It's been incredible, and we mean that from the bottom of our hearts.

So, thank you – we are honored and we shall continue on our mission to !!! 🙌🏼👊🏼✌🏼

– Mike & Ashley

05/23/2025

✨️Lola has DNA-based or temperament-based reactivity.✨️ She has been overly sensitive to stimuli since puppyhood and had her first reaction to a dog at nine weeks old.💔

Her family was told by multiple people that she was aggressive and could not be helped.

I (Ashley) have been working with her since she was fifteen weeks old. It has been long and ongoing work with her and her parents, requiring patience and compassion to get her where she is today and to improve her quality of life, confidence, and their relationship.

This has involved helping them understand why she acts the way she does and teaching them how to communicate with her compassionately.

They all have come leaps and bounds!

To say that Lola struck gold when she was adopted by such a great family would be an understatement. But then again, I'm sure they feel the same way.🥰

Lola, you deserve happiness! We're proud of you!
🙌🏼

Www.hacklesandhidek9.com
[email protected]

HAPPY FRIDAY!

05/16/2025

✨We live in a world where people want instant gratification.✨ This is really hard for misunderstood dogs.

If we can shift our focus toward the journey with empathy, we can allow these dogs to live a life without so much fear. We can help these dogs truly overcome the past that has left a negative mark on their lives.

I know it's easier said than done. Along your journey, try to remember that healing takes time. Behaviors and outbursts may still happen, but if they are happening less and less, this is progress.

Progress signifies healing.

Happy Friday! 🙌🏼

Www.hacklesandhidek9.com
[email protected]

05/14/2025

In February, a stray dog nearly jumped into my car. I housed her for a week before placing her with CVHS. I named her "Lucy."

Fast forward to last week, a sweet family contacted me about a dog they adopted named Lucy. Lo and behold, it was the same dog we rescued!

It all came full circle!

We are so excited to work with her, and she is THRIVING!!

Lucy, you deserve this life. You are a QUEEN!

05/11/2025

Whether your babies have two legs or four, Happy Mother's Day! 💐

Address

6270 Partners Avenue Suite #311
Marion, IA
52302

Telephone

+13199301499

Website

http://hacklesandhidek9.com/

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