Allison Woldstad: Dogs, Humans & Healing

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Allison Woldstad: Dogs, Humans & Healing

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Allison Woldstad: Dogs, Humans & Healing, Dog trainer, .

Owner of K9University Dog Training (K9U)

Helping dogs and humans build confidence, connection, and healthier relationships through dog training, personal growth, and transformational healing.

31/07/2026

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about dog training is that it's only about teaching dogs what to do.

The longer I do this, the more I believe good training is about helping dogs understand the world they're living in and how to navigate it.

Because once they truly understand...

The behavior follows.

One of the biggest lessons Rowdy reminded me of during his board and train is that his brain and nervous system weren't trying to make my job harder.

They were simply doing what all brains/nervous systems do when something feels uncertain or unclear.

They were trying to protect him.

So instead of focusing on just “rules”, we spent a lot of time focusing on creating a better understanding.

And as his understanding grew...

So did his confidence.

And with confidence came the behaviors everyone was hoping to see.

I think confidence isn't the absence of fear.

It's knowing what to do when fear shows up.

And maybe that's true for all of us.

Maybe the goal isn't to stop feeling overwhelmed.

Maybe it's to build enough understanding so that we know HOW to move through the overwhelm and uncertainty when it arrives.

So we can take the next step anyway.

That was the lesson Rowdy taught me.

Thanks for the lesson, Buddy. 💙🐾

29/07/2026

One of the biggest mistakes I see owners make is waiting until their dog reacts before trying to help them.

The truth is, learning starts before the reaction.
In this clip, Rowdy is unsure in a new environment and hears several unexpected noises while we're in the store.

Each time I notice his body language change—his ears go back, his body tenses, or he startles—I immediately mark "GOOD" and reward him.

Why?

Because I'm not rewarding fear.

I'm changing what those scary moments predict.
Instead of uncertainty leading to panic or fleeing...
Uncertainty begins to predict something positive.

That's classical conditioning.

As we repeat this over time, his emotional response starts to change.

One of my favorite moments is at the end of the video.

Instead of wanting to leave, Rowdy hears the noise and immediately looks back at me.

That tiny moment tells me everything I need to know.

He's beginning to think:
"When something surprises me, I know what to do."

Which is— Check in with me 🙂

That's confidence.

Classical conditioning isn't just for loud noises.

You can use it anytime your dog is unsure of something, including:

🐾 People walking by
🐾 Other dogs
🐾 Bikes, skateboards, or strollers
🐾 Vacuum cleaners and household noises
🐾 Veterinary visits
🐾 Grooming
🐾 New environments
🐾 Novel objects
🐾 Car rides
🐾 Handling paws, ears, or nails

The goal isn't to convince your dog there's nothing to be afraid of.

The goal is to help them build new emotional associations so the world feels a little safer, one successful repetition at a time. 🤍🐾

If your dog struggles with fear, anxiety, or reactivity, know that change is possible. Feel free to reach out if you’d like help creating a plan that’s right for your dog.

18/07/2026

Day 1 with Rowdy 🐾
*July 13, 2026*

When most people think of a board & train, they imagine dogs jumping right into obedience.

While we absolutely begin introducing foundational skills on Day 1, my primary focus isn't on how many commands we can teach... it's on building a routine and communication system that the dog can understand.

Especially with a rescue like Rowdy, whose past is largely unknown, I can't assume he already understands how I'm trying to communicate with him. Before I can ask him to confidently navigate an entirely new environment and new experiences, it's my responsibility to first create clarity, predictability, structure, and a language we can both rely on.

Day 1 we conditioned the slip lead, introduced leash pressure, began building value in his verbal markers, worked on simple kennel expectations, introduced loose leash walking, spent time with tethered decompression, and began introducing the place command.

Each exercise was intentionally chosen to help Rowdy better understand how we communicate, how to find clarity, and how to navigate his new environment with greater confidence.

None of these exercises were about perfection.

They were about building a strong foundation.

Every dog learns differently, and one of the most important parts of my job is recognizing the dog in front of me instead of expecting every dog to move through the same process.

For Rowdy, slowing things down isn't slowing his progress.

It's helping set him up for long-term success.

Since Day 1, we've continued building on these foundations, and I can't wait to share more of his journey with you over the next couple of weeks. 💙

I have a feeling Rowdy is going to steal a few more hearts along his journey. 🐾

15/07/2026

**Meet Rowdy! 🐾**

It's officially board & train season again... and I couldn't think of a better dog to kick it off with.

This sweet guy is Rowdy.

His owners are past clients of mine who previously put their two other Corgis through a board & train with me (Bailey and Murphy). When they unexpectedly became "foster fails" with Rowdy, they knew they wanted to give him the same opportunity to build confidence, develop a clear communication system, and learn the same obedience foundations that have been so valuable with their other dogs.

Because Rowdy is a rescue, so much of his past is unknown. We don't know exactly what he's experienced or what has shaped some of the fears and insecurities he carries today. That's why one of my biggest goals during his stay is to help him better understand how to navigate the world through clear communication, trust, and guidance... skills that will continue to help him long after he goes home.

I've only had Rowdy for a few days, but he's already stolen a little piece of my heart.

He's incredibly sweet, gentle, and content with the simple things. He's the kind of dog who's perfectly happy wandering around the yard with his adorable little corgi waddle, taking everything in at his own pace.

One of the first things I noticed about him is how willing he is to trust.

Even though I can tell he's a sensitive guy who's still building confidence, he's been so open to looking to me for guidance and working through new experiences together. Watching that trust grow is one of my favorite parts of what I get to do.

Every dog learns a little differently, and Rowdy has been such a great reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is slow down.

Instead of rushing through obedience, we're taking the time to build confidence, create more clarity, and help him discover that learning and working as a team can actually be fun. As his confidence grows, so does his ability to understand the communication and expectations we're building together.

I'm already so excited to share more of his journey with all of you over the next week.

On a more personal note...

This is my first board & train in almost a year and a half, and I forgot just how much I missed having another dog become part of my daily routine.

While I'll continue keeping board & trains very limited, this experience has reminded me how special it is to spend this kind of one-on-one time with a dog. Earning their trust, watching them grow, and helping them build the skills that allow them and their families to thrive together is a privilege.

It's something I never take for granted, and I'm incredibly grateful to the families who trust me with such an important part of their dogs' lives.

Welcome to the K9University family, Rowdy. 💙

I can't wait to share his progress with you all.

🐾 **Board & Train is officially back!** I'll be offering a LIMITED number of customized board & train programs throughout the year. Each program is tailored to each individual dog and includes private coaching sessions with owners to ensure success continues long after the dog goes home.

If you've been curious about whether a board & train might be the right fit for your dog, feel free to send me a message. I'd be happy to chat and see if it's a good option for you.

07/07/2026

Meet Hank! 🐾

Hank's family reached out to me within the first week of bringing him home, and honestly... I love seeing owners commit to their puppy's success this early.

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is, "We'll wait until he's older to start training."

The reality is... those first few weeks and months are some of the most important opportunities you'll ever have to shape your puppy's future.

Puppy training isn't just about teaching sit, down, or stay.

It's about building the foundation for the dog they'll become.

Hank's family chose my Canine Essentials program, which includes five 90-minute coaching sessions. I love this program because it gives us the time to work through each stage of puppyhood together instead of trying to fit everything into one or two lessons.

We start with the foundations that matter most, including:
🐾 Potty training
🐾 Crate and kennel conditioning
🐾 Building engagement and communication
🐾 Leash and walking foundations
🐾 Beginning obedience
🐾 Preventing unwanted behaviors before they become habits
🐾 Impulse control
🐾 Confidence building
🐾 Tethered decompression and teaching puppies how to regulate and settle
🐾 Navigating common puppy challenges as they grow

Every puppy family also receives guides like my Puppy Guide, which walks through many of these topics step by step so they have a resource to refer back to long after our sessions are over.

One thing we've already started working on with Hank is leash walking and building strong engagement outdoors. Right now, leaves, sticks, and everything else the world has to offer are much more exciting than paying attention to Mom and Dad... and that's completely normal for a puppy! We're also introducing nervous system regulation through tethered decompression and helping him learn how to remain calm instead of jumping when guests arrive.

In our upcoming sessions, we'll be addressing some mild kennel anxiety as both mom and dad will be heading back to work soon! Instead of simply hoping he "gets used to it," we will be building positive associations, creating a clear plan, and giving his family the tools to help him develop confidence from the very beginning while continuing to build on the walking and obedience foundations already started.

That's one of the biggest benefits of starting early.

We're not just addressing behaviors after they become frustrating, we're helping prevent many of them before they ever become established.

As Hank grows, these early foundations will make it easier for his family to continue building reliable walking skills, stronger engagement, better impulse control, calmer behavior, and a relationship built on clear communication and trust.

Watching owners become just as confident as their puppies is one of my favorite parts of this job.

If you recently brought home a puppy, or know someone who has, I'd love to help set them up for success from day one.

🐶 Feel free to send me a message with any questions!

30/06/2026

One of the most powerful training exercises you can do with your dog... is practicing doing absolutely nothing.

Sounds strange, doesn't it?

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that dogs naturally know how to relax. The truth is, many dogs don't.

Many live in a constant state of overstimulation, excitement, frustration, or stress. We spend so much time teaching obedience (sit, down, heel, recall) that we often forget to teach one of the most important life skills of all:

How to simply be calm and regulate.

That's where tethered decompression comes in.

Tethered decompression is a structured exercise that helps dogs develop emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, and the ability to self-soothe through calm, consistent and intentional practice.

The video attached is of Winnie, who recently came in for a DAY TRAIN Day. Her owners and I have been working together since the beginning of the year in private sessions!

When Winnie was dropped off that morning, she was struggling to settle. She was anxious, overstimulated, and simply wasn't in a mental state where productive learning could happen. Rather than jumping straight into our day, I knew the best thing I could do for her was bring in some predictability and slow everything down.

So before we did any training, we spent about 25 minutes doing tethered decompression.

You'll notice that I'm not constantly talking to her, petting her, or asking her to perform behaviors. Instead, I'm giving her the opportunity to work through those emotions and regulate herself.

One important thing to mention is that this wasn't Winnie's very first experience with tethered decompression. Her owners had already been practicing this exercise consistently at home, which allowed us to continue building on that foundation. Progress like this doesn't happen in a single session... it comes from small, consistent repetitions over time.

Think of it this way...

As humans, many of us use things like meditation, journaling, breathwork, or simply sitting quietly in nature to regulate our nervous systems.

Dogs deserve the opportunity to learn those same coping skills.

This exercise is about intentionally teaching your dog that they don't always need to be entertained, stimulated, or moving. They can learn that stillness is safe, frustration isn't something to fear, and calm is a skill they can build.

I've seen this exercise make a huge difference for dogs struggling with:
🐾 Reactivity
🐾 Anxiety
🐾 Overexcitement
🐾 Hyperactivity
🐾 Difficulty settling
🐾 Poor impulse control

✨ I recently put together a FREE Tethered Decompression Guide that walks you through the entire process step by step.

Inside you'll find:
✔️ A detailed explanation of why the exercise works
✔️ A simple 3-phase progression
✔️ Common troubleshooting tips
✔️ A 30-day progression plan
✔️ A printable tracker to help you stay consistent

If you'd like a copy or know someone who could benefit from it, feel free to comment or send me a message! I'll be happy to send it your way.

Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs don't come from doing more.

They come from creating space for our dogs to slow down.

23/06/2026

The Messy Middle ✨

These past few years have taught me that some of the most meaningful growth in life happens in the moments that feel the most uncomfortable.

The same is true in dog training.

Progress isn't always linear, healing and transformation isn't always easy, and confidence isn't built overnight.

But if we're willing to keep showing up, even when things feel messy, we often find the lessons we needed most.

If you're in a messy season right now, with your dog or in your own life, you're not alone.

Sometimes the messy middle is exactly where the growth begins.

💜

20/06/2026

From panic to progress: Troubleshooting Junie's Kennel Fear🐾

When June first started training, simply being near a kennel was overwhelming for her.

Her owners couldn't keep a kennel set up in the house because she would avoid entire rooms where it was located. Walking past it on leash caused her to panic, and even the sound of a wire kennel being touched would send her running.

After talking through her history, we believe her fear was likely connected to two experiences:

• Struggling to feel calm and comfortable in a kennel as a puppy
• A scary incident where a wire gate accidently fell on top of her as a puppy. This ended up creating a strong association between the sound that wire kennels make (when moving them around) and fear

This past week I had the pleasure of having Miss June with me for 2 "Day Train" days to help her owner start working on this. Rather than forcing her through it, I decided to slow down and focused on changing her emotional response to kennels as a whole.

Over the course of four sessions, my goal wasn't to teach June to "just deal with it." It was to help her feel safe around the kennel again.

Together, her owner and I identified why kennel conditioning was important for June's future:

✨ Creating a safe place during stressful events like fireworks or travel
✨ Preparing for vet visits, grooming appointments, or boarding stays where kennels may be unavoidable
✨ Giving her owners more flexibility at home and at the cabin
✨ Building confidence and reducing stress in everyday life

A kennel should never feel like a punishment. When introduced thoughtfully, it is the perfect place of safety, rest/nervous system reset, and predictability.

This video highlights how I choose to approach the first steps of that process: helping June feel comfortable approaching, entering, and exiting the kennel.

Since then, we have already began building duration and teaching her how to truly relax while inside one.

Progress with fearful dogs isn't about speed.. it's about creating enough positive experiences that they begin to FEEL differently.

I'm already so proud of how far she has come

17/06/2026

🐾 Ways to Work With Me 🐾

One of the questions I've been getting lately is what training options I currently offer, so I wanted to put everything in one place!

Whether you're navigating puppyhood, dealing with reactivity, working through behavior challenges, or simply wanting a stronger relationship with your dog, I'm here to help you better understand your dog and build the skills needed to thrive together.

Current Training Options:

🐶 Private Training Programs
Perfect for owners who want hands-on coaching and support while learning alongside their dog.
• “All Things Puppy” Jumpstart Program
• 3 Session Training Program
• 5 Session Training Program
• 8 Session Training Program
• 10 Session Rehabilitation Program

All sessions are personalized to your dog's needs and goals.

🐶 Hybrid Day Train Programs
For owners who want additional support and faster progress.
These programs combine private coaching sessions listed above with full “day train” days where I work directly with your dog between lessons, allowing your dogs skills to build faster while still teaching you how to maintain them in everyday life.

🐶 Limited Board & Train Opportunities
While I no longer offer regular board and train programs, I am occasionally open to select board and train opportunities on a very limited basis.

Because availability is extremely limited, please reach out directly to discuss your goals and determine if it would be a good fit.

✨ Coming Soon
I've also been working on creating an online learning portal filled with training resources, educational content, and tools designed to support owners both during and after their training journey.
I'm incredibly excited to share more about this as it comes together.

For more details about my training programs, pricing and training approach, visit my website: www.k9universitydogtraining.com

If you're currently struggling with your dog, have questions about which option might be the best fit, or you're ready to get started, send me a message. I'd love to help.

🐾 Allison
K9University Dog Training

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Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 05:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:00
Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	07:00 - 17:00
Saturday	09:00 - 15:00
Sunday	09:00 - 13:00

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+19522348969

Website

http://www.k9universitydogtraining.com/

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