K9 Karma

04/30/2022

And another Team Stan opportunity…
(Suck a we**ie!)

When my humans call me to come it takes me a long time because I'm so old.
They let me sit on furniture I shouldn't, p**p on the patio and lay on their heads to keep me comfortable due to my age.
I may have blown my cover the other day!
Erratic human was out working her precious Gemma. She put me in the back yard thinking I wouldn't know.
A few minutes later the neighbors yelled to her from across the street: "Your dog is out!" She was puzzled... she was with "her dog".
HAHAHA nope. There I was in the front yard waddling toward her.
She knew she had closed the door.
She knew she had put me in the backyard.
What she didn't know was that I still have some zip in me.... you don't screw with me.... I got my old arthritic legs a'rumbling and hopped the temporary gate that's going to stay until the big hole in the yard is filled.
Cover blown - but it was worth it.
and by the way ..... does anyone think she's ever going to ride that bike propped outside the gate 🤣😂

01/26/2022

01/31/2021

Snow is here and we're bunkering down! Focusing on getting our in-home visits in and designing some new training techniques to be introduced in the Spring. We're also planning our 2021 Sieger Competition!
We're going to focus on "real world" and will share updates with our "virtual world" starting this March!
Stay warm. Stay happy. Stay well.
K9 Karma Team and our old man Stan Cunningham

01/20/2021

One way or another, COVID has likely had some effect on all of us. There are some interesting articles and studies on how it plays a role when it comes to our pets. This Forbes article has information about dogs and other animals. If you'd like more information you can check the CDC site for specifics. In the meantime, we hope you all stay well - and that your pets do, too!
We'll be back to normal work schedule soon!!
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/12/24/can-dogs-cats-pets-get-and-spread-covid-19-coronavirus/?sh=36d092d21ec1

Here is how susceptible different animals may be to Covid-19 and what precautions you should take.

12/07/2020

Every one has an opinion on how to train - and what tools are best. One of the strongest opinions seems to be based on "crate training".
When done PROPERLY we don't see any cons to crate training. The key to this is "properly".
If you're getting a dog - please explore this option...and make an educated decision on how you'll be living with your new family member. An educated decision may bring you to a conclusion you may not have otherwise considered.
We can honestly say that in our household - that education brought us from thinking crate training was unnecessary and bordered on cruel - to being confident it was better for our dog's temperament, mental health and our entire pack's sanity :)
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-crate-training-is-great-for-your-dog/

Crate training is a great idea for dog owners of all ages. Crates are useful tools for puppies, safe havens for senior dogs, and lifesavers for emergencies.

12/03/2020

Personally, we think this number may be a bit low. Interesting just the same!

11/30/2020

WELCOME, PAL!
Not every dog can be a Service Dog. Our clients reached out to us over 8 months ago to start this process. We met with them multiple times, learned their lifestyle and their needs and followed through to going with them to select their puppy when the litter dropped.
Pal was selected out of 8 pups for his physique, temperament and drive. He spent a couple of weeks bonding with his humans and is now with us for a couple of weeks of socialization and beginning training to prep him for his upcoming Service Dog training.
We'll be working with Pal and his humans well into the new year and look forward to showing his progress as he develops into being a great asset to his human!

11/28/2020

Hopefully, we've all recuperated from overeating and our dogs have gotten over the trauma of whatever festive attire their humans placed them in :)
Let's start wrapping up 2020 with some Holiday Cheer and ring out 2020 with a positive attitude and good hopes for 2021!

11/26/2020

Oh the joy of being a pup who gets to dress up! Their faces share their happiness!
Share the joy of your canine dress up with us!

11/26/2020

It's that time of year - and we all wonder! Do those sad eyes begging for that delicious turkey enjoy the after effects? AKC guidelines help you decide...

Can dogs eat turkey? Is it good for them? Here is what you need to know about feeding turkey to dogs to get your dog through the holidays safely.

11/24/2020

Well... COVID has taken its toll on our families and our clients - but, we're getting back to health and back to training. We will be utilizing CDC safety measures, including training outside as much as possible and wearing masks during sessions. We ask that our clients do the same. This is a trying time that our dogs don't understand... with a little teamwork - we can get this done and help them make the adjustment toward better behavior without added stress! Stay well and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

11/18/2020

hi everyone! just wanted to give you an idea of how our new "giving back" fundraising works. check out our Live. Laugh. Bark. group - invite your friends - play along and be part of making a difference in the lives of rescues that go above and beyond in bettering the lives of dogs who didn't stand a chance without the help of others.
feel free to comment with questions. we are 100% transparent. no profit is made from this. it is part of K9 Karma's "giving back" philosophy that helping others is always better than helping ourselves :)

11/18/2020

take a chance on winning $100 while helping some canines in need! Live. Laugh. Bark. offers great items with max of 25 spots - so great odds of winning! all profits above cost of item are donated to canine 501(c)3 that are SMALL. RUN ON VOLUNTEER BASIS. and ARE TRANSPARENT.
check out our OPEN ITEM topic for all the items available to donate for that will give you a shot at winning $100 cash!
thanks for helping those who can't help themselves!!

11/02/2020

Do dogs see color? Research says yes.
What colors do they see? Research can't agree.

Here's a few Canine Spectrum vs. Human color charts...take a look at the differences of opinion.

With canine research going the way it is we bet they have that nailed down soon. In the meantime, we have this....
Top Image: AKC
Second (Human's View): Pet MD
Third (Red Text @ Top): Psychology Today

Could be helpful when picking a ball color for your dog!

10/26/2020

Have fun - work hard - understand you get what you put in!

10/07/2020

There is always a lot of talk about "treats" in training. As a company focused on making training an enjoyable experience for our dogs - and creating dogs who look forward to, and enjoy, obedience - treats are an integral part of the training process. Teaching the handler when to phase them out in a way that doesn't rock the dog's world is equally important. Doing both of those things is part of the K9 Karma system - and it works!

10/04/2020

PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT PICK YOUR NUMBER HERE. YOU HAVE TO DO IT THROUGH THE Pick for the Pups! group. The group is sponsored by one of our company team members and is 100% transparent.

A great cause we'd like to share with all of our supporters. If you have a "spirit of chance" and want to help canine charity at the same time - join the group Pick for the Pups! and become part of something that can make a real difference in helping rescues and other worth causes that are fully vetted before receiving any funds.
Feel free to message with any questions - in the meantime, check it out!

09/20/2020

COVID is taking its toll physically, emotionally and financially on all of us. Small businesses have been hit especially hard. We would like to thank our clients for their trust, hard work and support by adding including you on a "Support Small Business" page currently being developed for our website due to be out of Beta version next week - and regularly featuring one of you on our page. Please message us your information if you'd like to be included!
We can all use a little boost!

K9 Karma is taking this pandemic seriously and abiding by health guidelines and standards as they change. We thank you all for doing the same as we enter your homes and come into contact with all of you!

Thanks... and stay well!

09/17/2020

If you're going to train your dog why not do it in a way that teaches you to understand how they learn instead of just how to give commands? K9 Karma teaches you to be a trainer in your own right - able to expand on your skills indefinitely after our sessions with you end. We have no secrets - the more successful you are the better we've done our job!
If you're ready to have a canine partner instead of a responsibility with fur - give us a call! 815-764-7600 or message us for a fast response and complimentary phone consult!

09/11/2020

May we never forget.

May we always remember.

May we forever be respectful and grateful not only for our military humans - but also for the canines who accompany them without hesitation - and provide us with the freedom to live the way we choose.

May your memory be eternal, Cairo!
www.thehistoryreader.com/military-history/no-ordinary-dog-my-partner-from-the-seal-teams-to-the-bin-laden-raid/

by Will Chesney with Joe Layden No Ordinary Dog is the powerful true story of a SEAL Team Operator and military dog handler, and the dog that saved his life. Read on for Will Chesney’s introduction to his canine companion, Cairo. This may not be quite the story you are expecting. I might as well ...

08/26/2020

We're thrilled our reputation is growing and business is expanding! We love that the mention of K9 Karma brings "trust", "skill", "hard work" and "results" to people's minds.
When a local dog owner was looking for a trainer on What's Happening Around New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort Area? page K9 Karma was mentioned multiple times by others. The poster contacted us for a phone consult after which we scheduled and met for a complimentary home consult. They were going through some "puppy pains" with their 12 week old German Shepherd - so I offered some tips in hopes I could alleviate a bit of their stress. After the consult, the couple retained our services and we're set to begin training soon.
New clients are AWESOME! Puppies are GREAT! What's even better?! Getting a text like the one below unexpectedly! Not only is it rewarding to know we were able to help someone out - but we also know we have a new client who's going to follow through and work hard!
Here's to a life of mutual understanding, trust, obedience and harmony for Jaeger and his humans! Welcome to the pack!

08/19/2020

All of us at K9 Karma want to thank all of YOU who have referred us through word-of-mouth and on community facebook posts looking for dog trainers! There's no better compliment than a referral!
Thanks to all of your referrals we've been so busy meeting new clients and training that we haven't had much time for social media. We recently added to our admin staff so you'll be seeing more posts and more activity.
We hope you all stay well - and can't thank you enough for your support!

07/11/2020

hi k9 karma friends.... we're putting together some videos and would like some "real" pics of the results of some "bad dog" behaviors your dogs may have shown before they were the great dogs we all know they are now! please share them here or message them to us! (and be ok with us using them on the internet).
here's one of our faves!

06/26/2020

K9 Karma prides ourselves on offering "more" to our clients - one of those things is including Canine Good Citizen training in our programs. Check out Hemingway....he's proof that you can always keep learning and that higher level of training brings increased bond between human and canine. Call us today to get information on having your own dog certified as a Canine Good Citizen... and don't stop there! There are plenty of certifications offered to take your dog (and you) to a higher level!https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/canine-good-citizen-hemingway-the-gsd-is-a-dog-sports-star/

The AKC Canine Good Citizen program gave Hemingway a strong training foundation. Now, the GSD is dominating dog sports from FastCAT to Barn Hunt, and more.

05/28/2020

Group Classes starting again soon!
We should be able to get back into our facility for group sessions soon! We're adjusting schedules to accomodate 10 or less - stay tuned - and check your email for updates. Can't wait!

05/08/2020

We'd like to introduce you to Velma and her human Clarke. K9 Karma is always referring to how we offer training in a truly unique way - and Velma & Clarke are a great example of that.
Through teaching the human to teach their dog we offer an education in theory and practice that couldn't happen if we just trained the dog ourselves and left the handlers to command when they want a particular behavior. Our methods provide communication in an understandable way, measurable progress and a focus on keeping training enjoyable for all of us.
We're going to offer video of Velma & Clarke a few times to show their progress... yes, both of them. Training the dog is the easy part - teaching the human is more complicated. It's all worth it for people who want to understand their canine in a way that let's them keep obedience in place forever.
Velma and Clarke are doing great! They've gone from a stay that lasts 3 seconds to what you see here!

04/30/2020

04/30/2020

COVID-19 has most likely had some effect on each one of us. We have to remember that what effects us also effects our dogs. We are a conduit to them that runs our feelings, moods and emotions to them - unfiltered. We know our dogs feel our stress just as they sense our happiness, so let's try to keep our them comfortable during this stressful time by not forgetting about how the change in our routines brings change to their routines and being attentive to any new anxieties, fears, changes in temperament, etc. they may have as a result.

K9 Karma understands your dogs don't comprehend what's going on in the world and their behavior can be in need of attention during this time - so we are getting back to scheduling training sessions and using social distancing guidelines set by Dr. Fauci during our home visits.

Take a look at Sky and remind yourself to make time for your pups even though life can seem chaotic and uncertain right now. Take a moment to help them relax - for both of you!

Please feel free to contact us with any questions and may you and yours stay healthy and well!