Marvelous K9, LLC

12/31/2024

Dog food run + training field trip with Vitani 💜

12/30/2024

“What’s allowed will continue.”

This is a common phrase used in dog training and it’s 100% true. If you do nothing to stop your dog from jumping on guests, they’ll keep doing it. If you let your dog pull on the leash, they’ll keep doing it. But I think it’s important to recognize the other side of spectrum - the positive side. If your dog consistently greets guests calmly, they’ll keep doing it. If your dog maintains a loose leash, they’ll keep doing it. Because like humans, dogs build habits. But what happens if things don’t slide to one side of the spectrum or the other? What about a standstill?

What’s allowed will continue. So if you put a leash on your dog every time guests come over and stand on it, what happens? They’re no longer jumping. Is that the final answer or a long term solution? Definitely not, because you’re not swinging the pendulum in the other direction. You’ve fixed your picture but not your problem. But now they have no more opportunities to keep doing the undesirable thing, which makes it much easier to start teaching the new, desired behavior.

Management will not damage your training, but letting your dog continue to fail will. Using things like crates, baby gates, leashes, and back ties doesn’t fix the problem, but they at least keep the problem from progressing any further, which is the first step to improvement.
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12/29/2024

“Unconditional love does not mean unconditional tolerance of bad behavior.” - Mel Robbins

This is a topic that’s been floating around in my head for a while and I couldn’t put the words together to make a post about it, but while listening to Mel’s podcast episode with her husband of 30 years, and hearing them talk about what it takes to make relationships work, I think she put it perfectly.

Somewhere along the journey of dogs and humans evolving together, a subset of people decided that dogs should be given whatever they want and behave however they want without consequence. And I’m not talking about the “purely positive” or “force free” training movement, because that’s a separate complex topic on its own. I’m talking about the owners who seem to think that their dogs can do no wrong, meanwhile that dog is biting the groomer, stealing food off the counter, refusing to eat kibble if it doesn’t have 15 different toppers, and pooping in the house because it’s drizzling outside. These dogs are never challenged for being a problem and therefore continue to be a problem. But the owners let it happen because they claim they love their dog, and that dog is “just a baby.” However, if someone allowed their child to act in the same way and get off easy, people would call that bad parenting and setting your kid up to fail.

Love does not mean blind tolerance.
Love does not mean lack of boundaries.
Love does not mean letting someone continue to be a worse version of themselves, especially when you have the power to influence them.

You put your kid in sports so they learn discipline and to push through failure. You make them do their homework so they can get a good education. You give them consequences for hitting their siblings or yelling at a teacher. Because you love them, and want them to be better. Even if they’re “suffering” in the moment, you know it will benefit them in the long run.

Have you ever seen those police body cam videos of people who get pulled over for speeding and end up getting arrested because they didn’t follow the cop’s instructions? Most of the comments under those videos are people saying “this is what happens when kids never get told no. Shame on whoever raised them.” But then we turn around and see a dog bite a kid and say “that poor baby, he didn’t mean it. Clearly he wasn’t loved enough.” When and why did we decided that dogs are so fragile and delicate?

To love someone is to challenge them. To love someone is to hold them accountable and set boundaries because you know it will benefit everyone involved.

If you can’t bear the thought of telling your dog no or picking up their full bowl of food because they refused to eat it, because they’ve learned you’ll just give them something better if they wait, you’re doing it to make yourself feel better, not to benefit them. And that’s not love, that’s an unhealthy relationship, and you’re both suffering for it.

12/22/2024

A common similarity between breeders and trainers.

When someone messages me “how much?” I instantly know they’re probably not going to become a client. Not because I won’t have a conversation with them, but because people who ask this question and nothing else are usually just looking for the cheapest option. And people looking for the cheapest option are often looking for a quick fix.

There are no quick fixes in dog training.
Good training usually isn’t cheap and cheap training is never good.

I guess this is a normal question when you are budgeting to get a dog. And these days it is even more legitimate. Having a dog is a commodity, training a dog in protection sports is a luxury.

Yet, I choose to ignore answering conversations which start with this basic question . Because we are not in the business of selling dogs to make money.
We breed because we like a certain type of dog for ourselves. Recently more and more people started to like the same type of dog.
Malinois it is not just a breed, it is a combination of multiple bloodlines and dogs.
We like a certain type of malinois. But it is a type that it is not for everyone. Thats why we ask for an introduction, for what purpose or sport someone is looking for a dog, family situation, goals and very important…training resources.
And after that we actually have a phone conversation. Some of these conversations, end up, with I am sorry but I dont have a dog for you. Nothing personal, we just dont have a dog that fits you. And that’s totally fine.

But because of that and also by ignoring conversations which start with “how much” we are able to place the dogs in the right homes.
We extremely rarely get a dog back and we never had a dog abandoned in a rescue.
So if you do want a dog from us, please write more than “how much”, if you want to be taken seriously.

12/19/2024

🎄Boarding spots for Christmas and new years are FULL!☃️

I’m so grateful for all my clients from over the years who trust me to watch their dogs every holiday season. This is the busiest time of the year for me and I wouldn’t have it any other way 🫶🏽
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Need dog training?

🐾 1 on 1 lessons and board & trains available for all ages, breeds, and temperaments!

📍Serving Oswego and surrounding areas
📱Call or text (630) 528-0518

📧 [email protected]
💻www.marvelousk9training.org
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12/13/2024

😌

✨ a crate ✨

ShopCanineAesthete.com

12/11/2024

Quick shopping trip with Vitani 💜

12/06/2024

My new client form has a lot of questions on it, but there’s one that arguably gives me the most insight than any of the others. “What behaviors/skills are you wanting to teach your dog?” It seems simple and straightforward, but a lot of people misinterpret it, and I use that to inform how I’m going to go into my evaluation.

A good chunk of answers to that question are a list of things owners want their dog to STOP doing. Stop pulling on walks, stop being reactive, stop jumping on people, stop running out the door. And those are all valid concerns! But there’s such a focus on subtraction - taking away the bad behavior. But that wasn’t the question. What do you want to TEACH your dog? What are we adding for them?

The thing with most problem behaviors in dogs is that if you stop it in one way, it’s usually going to pop up somewhere else. If you punish your puppy for having accidents inside, don’t be surprised if they just go do it in another room. That’s why we have to also show them to go outside and reward them for that. If your reactive dog has no constructive outlet for his drive and frustration, of course he’s going to pull on the leash and blow up at other dogs. So we teach him to play tug or let him beat up a jolly ball so he has somewhere to focus that frustration.

I don’t want to train a dog through suppression. That’s not to say we shouldn’t correct or punish inappropriate behavior, but there’s another side to the coin. We have to communicate to dogs “you can still do this, but you have to do it over here.” You can bite toys, but you can’t bite people. You can chase a ball, but you can’t chase the cat. You can pull into a harness, but not into a collar.

Almost every “bad” thing your dog does is because they haven’t learned a better way to do it, which is why they need us to show them a better option. It can’t just be “stop doing that.” The key to clear communication is to follow up with “try this instead.”
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11/25/2024

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! 🧡 Please be responsible and feed your pet's their normal diet during the holiday season. No matter how cute and irresistible their begging might be. 😉

11/22/2024

Finn always gets extra points for enthusiasm 🥹 nothing will get you quick training results quite like hyping your dog up for their wins

11/22/2024

💜Vitani - 16 months old
🧡Mowgli - 9 years old

11/17/2024

After a long day of back to back lessons, these three still got some good training reps in this evening 💪🏽

11/14/2024

Sending your dog away to be "fixed" by a trainer often shifts the blame for behavioural issues onto the dog, rather than addressing the underlying dynamics within the home environment. In my experience, more than 85% of dogs sent away for behaviour modification return home and quickly revert to old habits or come back more confused and anxious than before. Quick fixes are rarely effective; a dog’s behaviour is deeply influenced by the home environment and the owner’s commitment to consistent guidance and structure.

If you choose to send your dog away to be trained, make regular visits to check on the well-being of your dog, and request regular daily video updates of your dogs training and progress. And remember, your dogs training doesn't finish there. Your dog trainer should also offer you ongoing support.

Your dog’s behaviour is a reflection of your own approach, attitude, and dedication to teaching what is acceptable. Many owners mistakenly expect their dogs to “work it out” on their own, which is akin to leaving a 7-year-old child to make all decisions without any guidance. In both cases, psychological and behavioural chaos is inevitable.

Bringing a dog into your life is a serious responsibility, one that should be approached with an understanding of your role as a guide and leader. Unfortunately, some people adopt a puppy or rescue dog only to fill an emotional void, seeking companionship without considering the dog’s needs for structure and training. This can lead to over-indulgence and a lack of boundaries, where the owner’s needs for affection overshadow the dog’s need for guidance. Initially, this may feel fulfilling, but as challenges arise, stress and frustration can replace the initial joy. When the dog no longer “fills” the emotional need due to unwanted behaviours developing, the result is often resentment and blame.

For a dog to truly thrive, consistent guidance, boundaries, and leadership are essential. Effective training involves the owner’s commitment to working alongside the dog, learning and growing together. A well-behaved dog is the product of responsible, engaged ownership—not a quick fix, by simply sending it away to be "fixed", once the dog is out of control.

A dog trainer cannot simply “fix” your dog for you—nor should they try to. For one, your dog isn’t broken. Dogs are complex, intelligent animals, and their behaviours are reflections of the environment they are raised in and the guidance they receive. A trainer can work with your dog to address behavioural issues, helping to guide, teach, and instill new responses. However, no amount of effort on the trainer's part will produce lasting change if you, the owner, are not equally committed to the training process.

Successful training is not a one-time event; it’s an ongoing journey that requires your active participation, patience, and consistency. Your dog needs you to be an engaged leader who upholds the lessons learned in training sessions. When owners follow through on a trainer’s work, they create a cohesive, stable environment where positive behaviours can take root and grow. But if the owner is inconsistent, or neglects to reinforce what the dog has learned, the dog is left to navigate on its own, often reverting to old habits.

In the end, a well-trained, well-adjusted dog is the result of a strong, committed partnership between the owner and the trainer—working together to ensure the dog receives the guidance, boundaries, and encouragement needed to thrive. It’s about building a lifestyle that supports good behaviour and allows your dog to become a confident, balanced companion, reflecting the positive, structured environment you’ve worked hard to create.

10/29/2024

Mowgli being calm and neutral during checkout at Farm & Fleet 😇

10/27/2024

Paddington making fwiends at Home Depot 🧡
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🐾Private lessons books are open for November and early December! Schedule your evaluation today!
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📲Call/text (630) 528-0528
📧[email protected]

10/27/2024

Why does a purebred puppy from a reputable club breeder cost so much?

1. Health Testing on Sire and Dam
2. Routine Veterinary Care
3. Breeding Costs. Progesterone Testing, Stud Fees, Brucellosis Testing, Travel to and from. TCI, Frozen Semen, Chilled Semen, Shipped Semen
4. Quality Puppy Food and Supplements
5. Whelping Supplies (boxes, pens, toys, expendables, supplements, other containment)
6. Vet Checks for Puppies, Vaccines, Dewormers, Microchips
7. AKC registration and Microchip Registration
8. My time. It takes about a week of my time arranging the breeding and to raise the puppies until 8 weeks that is a minimum of 1500 hours of work and effort.
9. Puppy kits, printed materials, and health information.
10. My time spent educating owners and continuing to give advice for the life of the dog.

I won’t include the club memberships, championships, travel to shows, advertising, hundreds of hours of time spent promoting purebred dogs. I won’t include missed vacations, sleepless nights, very high repro vet bills, missed breedings, c sections, singletons, or bad luck. All expensive and we do it for no other reason than to preserve our breeds.

If I hear another person say they are just looking for a pet and not a showdog then my advice to them is go ahead and buy a car with no warranty, no manual, no VIN or registration and the odometer is broken. Good luck with that. I hope you have a good trainer and good insurance. Most of what we produce are just pets. Loved cherished companions that go to carefully screened homes. it is only the exceptional ones we breed. That therein lies the difference.

08/29/2024