System of a Dog

01/07/2025

Malinois, Maligator, Lawn Shark..they go by a few names.

01/04/2025

01/04/2025

Day 2 of Board and Train puppy, Sarabi! She is an 11 week old Belgian Malinois. She is a quick learner and LOVES to work for her food. She already is happily offering sit and down and attention for food. She is learning socialization with Titus and Kiwi the cat as well. She will be exposed to a lot of people and places over the next month in order to ensure she is confident and social--very important, but especially important for Malinois. Potty and crate training will also be continued, though she is doing very well already with that. More to come!

01/01/2025

We will be there as speakers!

The 2025 Willamette Sportsman Show is February 7-9 at Linn Co Expo Center!
https://www.willamettesportsmanshow.com/

12/27/2024

View our Yelp page!
https://m.yelp.com/biz/system-of-a-dog-salem

12/23/2024

Remi goes home today! He got a bath, blowout, comb, and trim so he is nice and fresh! He spent his 2 weeks learning markers, positions, manners with people, dogs, and cats, boundaries, crate training, "quiet", and introduction to leash skills. He is a great pup and learns super well. He will get 2 in home lessons to continue making sure his owners are successful as he transitions into their home.

12/21/2024

Titus the Great Dane! His owner sent this update the next day after her first in-home lesson with Jason!

"Hello Jason... I wanted to let you know that despite the fact that I still have a lot to learn, Titus is like a different dog this morning. Yay 😁 Thank you! He is calm, obedient and overall different. I can't wait to see his continued progress...I guess I should say MY progress..."

12/16/2024

Duchess has been a Mountain Bound Hound in our Monday Group for a long time! Her last day was today and we will miss this crazy girl! Happy Tails Duchess!

12/14/2024

Group Class tomorrow at 9a!

www.systemofadog.com/classes

12/10/2024

Introducing 12 week old Remi! He is a standard Poodle Pup who is here for 2 weeks of board and train!

12/03/2024

Training sometimes is being the police officer in the room. And sometimes behaviors just don't go away permanently. Fu, our 9 year old GSD is a dog aggressive dog. It is in her personality, she doesn't WANT to be friends with dogs. She is territorial and resource guards. She was raised with a lot of dogs and even through lots of socialization it did not "fix" it or prevent it. It is a misconception that all dogs will just get along with dogs if they are socialized enough. Some just do not want to, they may lack empathy, or they are too territorial by nature. However, training and building her respect for ME, knowing I am the gatekeeper, has allowed her to learn to get along and she CAN do it. Without a consequence she respects and the constant presence of our authority, she would not be able to do this on her own. Daily practice of course helps, but to this day I would never leave the room with her unattended with another dog. Titus's personality is perfect for her to hang out with, with supervision, because he is not dominant or territorial, and wants to respect her space. So having her around him helps her build the patterns of peaceful interactions. A dog like her is hard to own, and not for the faint of heart. But if you look at your dog as "what do I need to be for them to be successful?" you open up endless possibilities for your dog, regardless of their personality. We all have different personalities just like dogs! She needs me to prove it everyday. She needs a police officer watching, and needs a consequence she respects. Opening yourself up to different ways of handling helps make YOU a better trainer. I don't have to act this way with every dog, but I always act how I need to for her or any dog I am front of to be balanced. Dog Training again is People Training.

11/26/2024

King, (Lady/Elsa/Titus's brother) is 13 weeks old and rocking the puppy package! His owners are doing well and appreciating the accountability of meeting up regularly. It takes time to build the picture! It takes time for the puppy to mature! It takes time to build your own skill! Settle in, keep at it, don't get lazy, and you will see the fruits of your labor!

11/19/2024

About us!!

Jason Tonkin has been training dogs and their people for over 25 years. He was the co-founder and head trainer for Paw and Hand K9 up until 2018 when he branched off on his own and built System of a Dog. His ability to connect to dogs and humans alike is a rare gift that has led to the success of rehabilitating hundreds of dogs and people.  His passion and empathy is the backbone of his approach to guiding people and helping them reach their own individual goals with their dog. This approach, System of a Dog, can be utilized as a solid foundation for every training challenge a person may have. As long as an individual is consistent, undeniable progress will be made, truly defining it as "dog training for every person."

Kellie Tonkin brings over 18 years of experience working and training with dogs and their people. Learning a variety of different approaches through many dogs and people has given the insight and understanding to be able to read dogs, and help their owners find success in their handling and relationship.

Together we are able to bring you a well balanced background and knowledge base to guide you and teach you how to be your dog's trainer!

11/19/2024

Introducing Lady! She is Titus's other little sister, Elsa's sister! She came from WA and is staying for a week board and train to get a jumpstart on some manners! She is doing g so great today! Videos to come!

11/12/2024

So proud of King and Elsa! They are Titus's half siblings who we have been involved with helping their owners train these guys to fit well in their households! King lives with a lab named Elsa, and two kids! Elsa lives with a cattle dog named W***y, and a border collie named Jade. Both are doing great and are super sweet. So proud of their progress! We get to see King again tonight for lesson number 2!