REAL K9 Training LLC

11/28/2024

🍂🦃 Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍂

As we gather around with family, friends, and of course, our beloved pups, we want to take a moment to express how thankful we are for YOU—our amazing clients! Your trust and dedication to your dogs make our work so rewarding.

Whether you’re watching the parade or, like your dog, watching the turkey in the oven, we hope your day is filled with joy, laughter, and lots of tail wags.

Thank you for letting us be part of your training journey. Wishing you and your furry companions a Thanksgiving full of love, gratitude, and maybe a little extra turkey (for the good pups, of course)! 🐾

What are you thankful for this year? Let us know in the comments!

11/20/2024

11/19/2024

This 👇👇👇 is such a great reminder! We always advise our clients to incorporate into their training the idea that treats can come from different locations. Sometimes the treat might come from a treat bag on your hip (whether visible or hidden), a bowl on a table, a drawer nearby, or even as a tossed reward if you’ve added a cue for that. By mixing it up early in training, you can avoid accidentally teaching your dog to rely on seeing the treat or treat pouch as part of the cue. 🎉✨

We also encourage using life rewards—access to things your dog values, like going outside, greeting someone they’re excited to see, or sniffing a favorite spot. 🐾 Play-based rewards, like a game of tug, can also be a great option if your dog enjoys them!

If this post doesn’t answer all your questions, we’re always just a phone call or a click away to book a training session with us. Let us help you and your dog succeed! 🐶📞💻 https://pocketsuite.io/book/melanie-wonneberger/item/complementary-20-minute-phone-consultation

"My dog only listens when I have treats" .
I hear this from frustrated owners all the time. But here's the thing - if your dog only responds when they see treats, that's not actually a problem with treat training.
.
It's a problem with HOW the treats are being used.
Here is the important distinction: Treats should be a reward that comes AFTER your dog responds to a cue. They should never be part of what *signals* your dog to perform the behavior.
So when you ask your dog to sit, what should happen?
Correct order: You give a cue (verbal or hand signal) → Dog sits → You mark and give the treat ✅
Incorrect order: You show the treat → You give the cue → Dog sits → You give the treat ❌
.
See the difference? In the second scenario, you've accidentally made the treat part of the cue itself. And this happens SO often…
People hold treats in their hand, wave them over their dog's head for a sit, or flash them to get attention.
When you do this, your dog learns that the complete cue for "sit" is actually "human says sit AND has visible treats."
No visible treats? Well, that's not the same cue anymore! 🤷🏻‍♀️
(The same goes for using treats to e.g. make your dog come when called by shaking the treat bag).
The good news? This is totally fixable.
If you have made treats a part of your cue, here is how you can reverse this:
Show your dog a treat, put it in your pocket and ask for a cue. Mark & reward from your pocket when they respond!
Next, show a treat, put it on a table or shelf next to you, ask for a cue - mark & reward.
After that - show a treat, put it on a table next to you, take a few steps away and cue - mark & reward.
Over time, we can fade out the “showing of the treat” as part of the cue this way without changing the picture so drastically that our dog doesn’t understand what’s going on.
(I will post a video in the comments that illustrates this!)
This small change in your training mechanics can make a huge difference in how well your dog responds - with or without visible treats.
Remember: Treats are consequences, not cues.
Keep them that way, and you'll see much better results without having to “show what you got” before your dog responds to you.
Have you caught yourself doing the "treat wave" before? What changed in your training when you started keeping treats hidden until AFTER your dog responded?

11/18/2024

Mirror Magic for Puppy Socialization! 🐾🪞

Did you know that puppies don’t actually recognize themselves in a mirror until they’re closer to 18-24 months old? 🐶✨ Before then, they see that “other dog” as completely real!

This little trick makes mirrors a fantastic tool for working on calmness around “new dogs.” Here’s how it can help your puppy:

1️⃣ A Realistic Yet Safe Encounter: Mirrors create the illusion of another dog that appears non-threatening and neutral. This helps puppies get comfortable around “new friends” without the excitement or nerves of a real meet-up.

2️⃣ Early Distraction Training: The “puppy in the mirror” offers a low-stakes distraction, helping your pup practice staying focused and calm in new environments.

3️⃣ Improved Leash Manners: By learning to observe and then disengage from the “dog” in the mirror, puppies build the confidence and control they’ll need for real-world encounters later on.

To try it out, find or create a mirrored space and let your puppy calmly explore the reflection. Reward them for staying relaxed! 🐾

11/11/2024

🇺🇸✨ Honoring Our Veterans ✨🇺🇸

Today, on Veterans Day, we take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women who have served our country. As a small business owner with a son currently serving 🇺🇸 in the military, this day holds a special place in my heart. I’ve had the privilege 🐾 of working with many military families, and I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices they make every single day.

To all the veterans, active-duty service members, and their families: Thank you for your unwavering dedication, courage, and resilience. 💪❤️ Your service allows us to enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.
🇺🇸🕊️

If you or your family members have served, know that I see you, I honor you, and I am deeply grateful for your service. Today, and every day, we salute you. 🇺🇸🫡

11/08/2024

Explaining the dog’s nervous system and the human once are much a like. Positive punishment is not the way to go

📚 Education is essential for shifting minds and making a positive impact in the dog community. While many dog owners use training methods they believe are helpful, these methods may unintentionally create more challenges for their dogs. 🐾 Science-based, positive reinforcement training has been shown to support dogs’ learning in a compassionate, effective way, fostering stronger bonds between dogs and their owners. ❤️🐕

Changing perspectives takes time, as it can be challenging to move from one approach to another. 🌱 However, understanding the science behind how dogs learn and seeing the results of positive reinforcement in practice can be transformative. 🌟 This article offers insights into the benefits of positive reinforcement training. I hope it will inspire you to explore how these methods can support your dog’s well-being and growth. 🐶💪

Please reach out if you’d like more information. I’d be happy to discuss and answer any questions! 📨

https://www.sallygutteridge.com/post/why-aggressive-dogs-don-t-need-aggressive-training?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0x6dg6cUa4-HUsbX6B7keAJGh7o0PZTTCFGcsWF-zo7koKSb3uUtiwSWw_aem_DV6Ifh6CNRjxd176qSf10A

Let’s consider the strange idea that extreme dog behaviour requires extreme methods for a moment, as it comes up quite regularly.This idea suggests that people who advocate for positive, kind methods don’t know how to handle aggressive behaviour in dogs—that we can only understand sweet, easy-...

10/22/2024

Shifting our mindset that training our dog is about controlling them, and their behavior, to viewing training as a journey of cooperation changes everything. It shapes how we approach our dog's learning. It helps us view their behavior through a lens of kindness, curiosity and wonder. If we stop telling ourselves the goal is to control the dog, we open the door to explore how a cooperative relationship can be built, can lead to trust, understanding and good, responsive skills.

10/20/2024

With Halloween 🎃 approaching, you might be wondering whether to bring your service dog or companion dog to spooky events like haunted houses 👻 or other scary haunted Halloween events. Should you take them along or leave them at home? This insightful blog offers important considerations many people may not have thought of.

While it’s beneficial to work on desensitizing your dog to some scary figures, it’s essential to do so in a controlled environment where they can step back and create space as needed. Allow your dog to go at their own comfort level without pushing them or luring them with treats 🍬. Using treats this way can lead to situations where they eat the treat and then realize they’re in an uncomfortable or stressful environment 🎃😨. The goal is to keep these experiences positive, brief, and respectful of your dog’s boundaries.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Should service dogs be taken to scary Halloween events? Well... blog post https://firedupdogtraining.com/service-dogs-and-halloween/

10/15/2024

As more dog owners 🐕 seek professional help to train their dogs, it’s crucial to ensure that the trainer you choose uses modern, science-based methods 📚 that prioritize your dog’s well-being ❤️. Unfortunately, outdated, balanced training techniques that rely on punishment ❌ or aversive tools can harm your dog’s confidence and trust. This article highlights important factors to consider when selecting a trainer, including a commitment to positive reinforcement 🎉 and humane training practices. By being informed, you can find a professional who has your dog’s best interests at heart 🐾, fostering a positive and effective learning environment 🌟.

https://madcapuniversity.com/blogs/articles-and-product-reviews/be-your-puppys-advocate?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2T2h149PpDfdhnqxhprcWGkVIRqVOGF23_MxaDdtQI5aYVFr_vwTH1X2g_aem_ZE-CEoCWb4z0AoyUFeDquQ

Would you like us to email you occasionally with Madcap University news?

10/03/2024

This message cannot be emphasized enough, as many dog owners may be unaware of the consequences of correcting a dog for growling. Growling is a dog’s way of communicating discomfort in a given situation. Rather than punishing this behavior, our focus should be on helping the dog feel more comfortable and confident in those situations.

When we punish dogs for growling, even if they're growling at our child, we aren't helping them feel better about whatever it is that is threatening them. Instead, we are teaching to stop letting us know when they feel unsafe.

The result? A dog who stops giving us warning signs and "bites out of the blue."
And, that's how we create dangerous dogs. I'd much rather have a dog growl and tell me they're upset (so we have a chance to intervene and help them) than a dog who just bites without any warning signs.

10/03/2024

If you’re uncertain about which training methods are best for your dog, this may help clarify your decision. At R.E.A.L. K9 Training, we are committed to using positive reinforcement-based methods, as they consistently prove to be the most effective and humane approach. It’s important to look beyond the names and claims some trainers may use—make sure they have the credentials and experience to support your dog’s needs.

For a clear and accessible breakdown of a recent study comparing training methods, check out this article by Jose from Train Me Please, who has done an excellent job of simplifying the findings for pet owners.

09/15/2024

Link: https://www.montrosepress.com/contests/bestofthevalley/? #/gallery?group=497407

We are thrilled to share that R.E.A.L. K9 Training was a runner-up in last year's competition, and we would be honored to have your support again this year! 🐾 Voting opens tomorrow, and you can vote once each day 🗳️. Your daily vote can help us reach the top spot! 🏆 Please take a moment to support us by using the link provided. Your continued support means the world to us, and with your help, we can make this year even more successful. Thank you for being a part of our journey! 🙏✨

09/14/2024

We are thrilled to share that R.E.A.L. K9 Training was a runner-up in last year's competition, and we would be honored to have your support again this year! 🐾 Voting opens tomorrow, and you can vote once each day 🗳️. Your daily vote can help us reach the top spot! 🏆 Please take a moment to support us by using the link provided. Your continued support means the world to us, and with your help, we can make this year even more successful. Thank you for being a part of our journey! 🙏✨

Check it out now!