MMK9

09/18/2024

Hey friends! Can you believe we’re already halfway through September? 🤯 Time is flying, and we just wanted to update you on what we've been up to! 🍁

The kids have jumped into their fall sports, which has been a whirlwind of excitement for us! Our little ones have both started gymnastics and soccer and it's been incredible to watch 🤸‍♀️⚽️ Meanwhile, Chris and I have been hard at work on some awesome new changes for both the grooming and training sides of the facility, and we can’t wait to roll them out soon 🐾✨ Beyond that, we've also been growing our MMK9 team as word of mouth and positive reviews has been bringing on new clients! We recently welcomed Nicole as our new Kennel Tech and Keanna as our new rockstar Groomer. These two have been absolute gems, and we’re beyond excited to have them on board 🙌 Oh, and mark your calendars for Oct 19th, 11am-4pm, because we’ll be at the Pets and Pumpkins event as vendors! 🎃🐕 We’d love to see all your lovely faces (and your pups!) there! This is the first time Chris and I will be a vendor at the Pets and Pumpkins festival and first time hosting a booth together in general. We'll keep you updated on our journey of brainstorming booth display ideas and activities for the event! If you have an idea for an activity, feel free to mention it below 😛

As the holiday season approaches, we just want to remind you that things fill up fast! 🗓️ Holiday grooming, training, and boarding are often those last-minute needs that can easily slip through the cracks. Take this off your to-do list early and give us a call at 417-831-5050 to secure your appointments or stay! 🎄🐶 By booking ahead, you'll guarantee your spot and enjoy peace of mind when the holiday fun kicks into gear. As always, we’re thinking of you and can’t wait to wrap up the year with lots of cheer and holiday love! 🎅🎉

Pictured here is Nana the Old English Sheepdog groomed by Amy ❤

09/16/2024

Happy Monday! Let’s Talk About P**p! 💩

It’s Monday, and we all got s**t to do (pun fully intended), but let’s not forget one *essential* task—keeping an eye on your dog’s p**p! 💩🐕 Before you start making that face, checking your dog’s p**p is one of the easiest ways to monitor their health. Here's why your dog’s business is YOUR business and what exactly you should be looking for:

1️⃣ Consistency: Firm, not too hard, not too soft—kind of like a perfect brownie… but not the kind you want to eat (hopefully)🍫
2️⃣ Color: Normal p**p should be chocolate brown. Anything from green to yellow might mean your pup’s tummy isn’t happy. Tip: If your dog's tummy isn't feeling well, feed them some cooked rice with chicken broth and boiled chicken.
3️⃣ Timing: Regular bowel movements are key. If your dog’s schedule changes (going too often or not enough), or they're going too long between bowel movements, it could be a sign of blockage, stress, or a change in diet.
4️⃣ Extras: Mucus, worms, or blood—yeah, no thanks! If you see any of these, it's definitely time for a check-in with the vet.

Why It Matters: Your dog’s p**p can give you clues about their diet, digestion, and overall health. Keeping an eye on it can help you catch any issues before they become a *big stink*! 💩🚨

While we spend time with your dogs, we'll always take a second to check your dog’s “business” during their stay and we encourage owners to monitor their pups bowel movements while at home. Trust us—your pup’s p**p has more to say than you might think! 🐾

09/11/2024

🖤 Honoring the Hero Dogs of 9/11 🖤

On this day, we pause to remember and honor the incredible dogs who played a vital role in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy. These brave canines worked tirelessly in search and rescue missions, offering hope, comfort, and unwavering loyalty during one of the darkest times in our history. Here are four hero dogs whose courage and dedication touched countless lives:

1️⃣ Bretagne
Bretagne (pronounced “Brittany”) was just 2 years old when she responded to the call on 9/11. As one of the last surviving search and rescue dogs from Ground Zero, Bretagne worked for weeks alongside her handler, searching for survivors and offering comfort to first responders. Even after 9/11, Bretagne continued her service in multiple rescue missions before retiring and becoming a therapy dog 🐕💛

2️⃣ Apollo
Apollo, a German Shepherd, was one of the first K9 responders to arrive at Ground Zero with the NYPD’s K9 unit. His bravery earned him the American Kennel Club’s “ACE Award for Canine Excellence” and a place in history as one of the many canine heroes who showed exceptional courage during this tragedy 🐾🔥

3️⃣ Trakr
Trakr, a German Shepherd from Canada, made headlines when he and his handler found the last survivor buried under the debris at Ground Zero. After hours of searching, Trakr detected the faint scent of a woman trapped beneath the rubble, leading rescuers to her location. Trakr’s heroic actions earned him international recognition and highlighted the critical role that search and rescue dogs played during the rescue efforts 🦴🇨🇦

4️⃣ Riley
Riley, a Golden Retriever, specialized in locating survivors among the wreckage. He assisted in finding bodies and remains, providing closure to the families of victims. Riley’s handler noted that he not only searched tirelessly but also offered comfort to firefighters and rescue workers who were emotionally drained 🐕💙

Their loyalty, bravery, and service remind us of the incredible bond between humans and animals, even in the most challenging times 🖤🐾

09/10/2024

🛁 3 Common Dog Grooming Myths – Busted! 🐾

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about grooming. Let’s clear up some common myths so you can keep your pup looking and feeling their best!

🧴 Myth #1: “Human Shampoo is Fine for Dogs.”
Fact: Human shampoo can irritate dogs’ skin, especially for breeds like Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, and Doodles. Dog-specific shampoos are formulated to match their pH and keep their coat and skin healthy.

Tip: Use gentle, dog-safe shampoos with natural ingredients and avoid harsh chemicals.

💇‍♂️ Myth #2: “Dogs Don’t Need Regular Haircuts.”
Fact: Long-haired breeds like Shih Tzus, Poodles, and Goldendoodles need regular trims to avoid painful mats and skin issues. Skipping haircuts can lead to serious discomfort.

Tip: Schedule grooming every 4-8 weeks depending on your dog’s coat type.

🦷 Myth #3: “Grooming is Just For Long Hair Dogs.”
Fact: Grooming is essential for health, no matter the hair length or type. Regular grooming prevents infections, keeps nails at a healthy length, and catches skin issues early.

Tip: Make grooming a regular part of your dog’s routine for overall wellness.

Grooming is expensive, we get it! We support grooming your dog at home, as long as you have the right tools, time, and patience. Like any skill, it'll take time to learn! The most important thing is that your dog stays safe, healthy, and clean. For some, professional grooming can be a big help—especially for owners who don't have the time to keep up with regular grooming, owners who might feel nervous about hurting their pets or owners who are unsure how to handle certain breeds’ unique grooming needs.

Whether you choose to groom at home or leave it to the pros, the goal is always the same: a happy, healthy pup! 🐾💖

📞 Need to book a grooming session? Call us at 417-831-5050 or direct message us to schedule your appointment!

Located on 1416 E St. Louis st Springfield, MO 65802.
Open Tuesday-Friday from 7:30am-5:30pm and Saturday 8:30am-3:30pm.

09/06/2024

Happy Friday, everyone! 🎉🐾 It’s been a busy (and furry) week over here, so we thought we’d do a little *photo dump* to share some of the fun moments we’ve had with our favorite pups! From training sessions to fresh grooms and playtimes in between, this week had it all. Enjoy the pics and the weekend!

09/02/2024

Happy Labor Day! 🎉 Let's celebrate this well-deserved holiday by treating your furry friend to the best training and grooming with mmk9 🐾 This is the perfect time of year to invest in their well-being and watch them thrive 🐶 Trust us, they'll thank you with endless love and tail wags ❤️

08/30/2024

It’s hard to find the right words, even a year later, to talk about Michael and everything he meant to us, so we're going to keep it short. There’s still this empty space where his laughter used to be, and we feel it every single day.

Michael wasn’t just the guy who trained dogs or ran a business—he was a loving son, a loyal brother, an adoring fiancé, the fun uncle.. he was our amazing friend and mentor. We miss his kindness, his way with dogs, his ability to make everyone feel like they mattered. He had this incredible way of bringing out the best in both people and pups, and our lives are better because of him.

If you knew him, you know exactly what we’re talking about. Please share a memory, a photo or a kind word, we’d love to hear it.

To Mikey and to living as fully and as intentionally as he did 🤍

08/27/2024

08/16/2024

Yesterday we were so busy but better late than never!

🎉🥳 Happy 1st Birthday to one of our most beloved pack members, Rue! 🐾💖

Rue has stolen all of our hearts with her playful spirit, sweet nature, and kind soul. She’s not just any doodle – she’s our official “Dog Ambassador,” welcoming every new pup with warmth and making them feel right at home 🐶✨

A big thank you to her amazing dog mom, Tanya Garretson, for raising such a wonderful pup and bringing Rue into our lives. We’re so grateful to have both of you as part of our family! And a special shoutout for the delicious treats Tanya brought in yesterday to celebrate Rue’s big day – the pups couldn’t get enough! 🍪🎂

Let’s all give Rue some birthday love in the comments! We love you!!🎈🎁

06/03/2024

Happy Monday MMK9 family! Can you believe we're already in June? Time is flying in 2024, and we’ve had all the fun training, grooming, and watching so many wonderful dogs grow! We are crazy grateful for every single experienced shared with our MMK9 pack and with the year halfway through, we're gearing up for some summer fun! Kicking off June, don't miss our Foundations Class for Puppies in collaboration with Quad Paws Dog Training. Limited to 8 spots so call 417-831-5050 to save your place or email [email protected]!

What to Expect:

Target Audience: Dedicated owners of puppies aged 4 months to 1 year.
Requirements: All puppies must be leashed, collared, and vaccinated. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Accessibility: We strive to make our classes accessible to everyone. If you or your puppy have any special needs, please inform us in advance so we can make necessary accommodations.
Special Features: Classes will be professionally photographed and recorded, capturing your progress and precious moments.

Program Highlights:

- Learn essential commands and behaviors.
- Personalized training approaches for different puppy needs.
- Expert guidance from two experienced dog trainers.
- Six 1-hour classes per week, including two public sessions.
- Refreshments provided, with a certificate and photo to mark your puppy’s achievements.

Reserve Your Spot:

- Location: MMK9 Facility, Springfield, MO
- Price: $300 per puppy
- Retainer: $50 to secure your spot (goes towards the class fee)
- Date & Time: June 18th, 2024 at 6:00pm

Spaces are limited to ensure personalized attention, so don’t wait! To reserve your spot or for more information, contact us at 417-831-5050 or email [email protected] 🐾⭐️

06/01/2024

Have a great weekend! Looks at one of our cuties get all styled !

05/25/2024

We do all phases of training. Today marks the end of a wonderful stay for miss Lila. We worked on training her for manners, functional leash walks, Recall, loading a clicker, and leash and tactile pressures. She is a wonderful dog with a delightful personality.
She is on her way back to Mississippi but we will see her again in a couple months to continue her training journey. Rosie might have found her favorite training dog ever. We love making our training dogs part of the family and Lila will be missed.

05/23/2024

🌟 Exciting News for Puppy Owners! 🐾

Let's start the season right with some growth and learning with your new puppy! We're thrilled to announce our Summer 2024 Puppy Classes, a collaboration between MMK9 and Quad Paws Dog Training, hosted at MMK9’s dog training and grooming facility in Springfield, MO by Chris Ross and Shea Mahurin.

What to Expect:

Good for: Dedicated owners of puppies aged 4 months to 1 year.
Requirements: All puppies must be leashed, collared, and vaccinated. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Accessibility: We strive to make our classes accessible to everyone. If you or your puppy have any special needs, please inform us in advance so we can make necessary accommodations.
Special Features: Classes will be professionally photographed and recorded, capturing your progress and precious moments.

Program Highlights:

- Learn essential commands and behaviors.
- Focus on socialization with other puppies and people, enhancing your puppy’s ability to adapt to various environments and situations.
- Expert guidance from two experienced and educated dog trainers and one professional dog training assistant.
- Six 1-hour classes per week, including two public sessions.
- Refreshments provided, with a certificate and photo to mark your puppy’s achievements.

Reserve Your Spot:

Location: 1416 E St Louis St., Springfield, MO
Price: $300 per puppy
Retainer: $50 to secure your spot
Date & Time: Starting the first week of June, specific dates and times TBD.

Spaces are limited to ensure personalized attention, so don’t wait to sign up! To reserve your spot or for more information, contact us at:

✉️ [email protected]
📱 417-831-5050

☀️Get ready to have fun this summer with learning and laughter at our puppy training classes. We can’t wait to meet all the new pups and their dedicated owners! 🐕

05/21/2024

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today, we’re celebrating one of our pack mates for completing her training. Let’s give a big round of applause to Koda the corgi as she settles back home with her mama! (Yeeaahh!!! Woohoooo!! You're so awesome Kodaaa!! *crowd goes wild*)

📸 When Koda first joined us, she was a bundle of energy with a lot to learn and Stacey was unsure how to start that journey, but with their unyielding spirit and some help from our dedicated trainers, she’s transformed into a well-mannered and joyful pup.

🏆Some of Koda’s Achievements:

Mastered commands like sit, place, and down
Learned to walk beautifully on a leash
Comes back on recall and willingly goes into her

We absolutely enjoyed Koda's time here with the MMK9 pack and since all of our training dogs are part of the Private Boarding and Playcare Club, we are excited to see her come back and play with us again sometime. Thank you Stacey and Koda for joining us!

🐕‍🦺 Did You Know? Corgis were originally bred to herd cattle, sheep, and horses. Their short stature allowed them to nip at the heels of larger animals and dodge kicks effectively. Despite their small size, they are surprisingly agile and quick, making them excellent herders!

This herding instinct still shows in their behavior today, as they often enjoy chasing and guiding other animals or even people 🐾

🔗 Are you and your dog ready to learn how to have a solid relationship? Give us a call to schedule a free evaluation at our facility. Koda did it, and your pup can too!


417-831-5050
1416 e St. Louis st. Springfield, MO 65714

Springfield Missouri's only full service training and grooming facility!

05/17/2024

Picked our lunch up at El Maseton Lechonera and let's say Jasmine was a fan of all the smells. Great Puerto Rican food and a very friendly owner. He even offered a little pork for Jasmine.

05/16/2024

🐾 Understanding the Importance of Balanced Training for Your Dog 🐾

Meet Thor, a stunning German Shepherd who is currently with us to brush up on his manners. German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal, and energetic dogs, making them wonderful companions. However, they are a working dog breed so their high energy levels and intelligence can sometimes lead to behavioral challenges.

Balanced training, which incorporates tools like e-collars and prong collars, can be incredibly effective in helping dogs like Thor learn boundaries and develop good behavior. These tools when used correctly, provide clear communication, ensuring your dog understands what is expected of them.

Why Balanced Training?

Clear Communication: E-collars and prong collars offer immediate feedback, helping dogs quickly grasp commands and correct behaviors.
Safe and Humane: Our trainers are skilled in using these tools in a way that is both safe and humane, prioritizing your dog's well-being.
Effective Results: Balanced training can address a range of behaviors, from basic obedience to more complex issues, ensuring your dog lives a happy and harmonious life at home.
In addition to training, regular grooming is essential for German Shepherds to keep their coat healthy and shiny. Our grooming services ensure that Thor not only behaves well but also looks and feels his best.

The goal is to have peace in your home and to see the difference in your dog's behavior and well being. Get the education you need to communicate to your dog effectively and consistently and book a free evaluation with our expert trainers!

📞 417-831-5050
🌐 www.mmk9pro.com

05/14/2024

A few days and a dollar short, but this weekend we got to celebrate Chris’ birthday on Saturday evening with a Greek cooking class (Happy birthday Chris!! 🥳🎂 we love you so much!) and Mother’s Day on Sunday with a stay at the Millsap farm. Family time and good food was the perfect way to celebrate all the hard work we put into this little life of ours! 💕

Now back to dogs 😜

05/02/2024

Ace went from an unruly dog who would jump all over guest to an obedient boy. What your watching is us work the "place" command during his go home appointment while he has people come and go. His owner is clearly a fan! Let our Board and Train program help you have the dog you deserve.

04/30/2024

Comet, the adorable Labrador, was joyfully reunited with his handler Mason after a brief separation. As Comet grows, he will excel in his role as a service dog, providing invaluable support and companionship to his human family. Our team will continue to work closely with Comet and his family, guiding him through every step of his training until he is ready to embark on his next adventure as a fully-fledged service dog.

04/24/2024

Ranger turns 2 today! When Mikey and Chris first met Ranger he was a holy terror! Now he is helping his handler live her best life. We bumped into him today at Bass Pro Shops while we were on a field trip with some training dogs. Below is a picture of Chris with Ranger back when he was still very much a pup! HAPPY BIRTHDAY RANGER!

04/18/2024

To our dear Sterling, on your 1st birthday I wish you a life full of adventure, laughter, and unconditional love. May all your dreams come true!

04/15/2024

The second day at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds was a blast! Being part of the Annual HBA Show was incredible. Thanks to our superb team and remarkable dogs. Stay tuned for some exciting videos and more pictures!

04/14/2024

Looking for a fun and exciting event. Join us at 1pm for a giveaway and a chance to meet our trained dogs, Ziva and Comet, as well as some of our other impressive canines. https://hbaspringfield.com/missouri-home-outdoor-living-show/home-outdoor-living-show-attendee-information/

04/13/2024

Comet checking out the Annual Homebuyers association show at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Come join us today at 4pm and tomorrow at 1pm as we speak about living with your dog correctly and some ideas to consider when renovating or building your home. For more information check their event website at: https://hbaspringfield.com/missouri-home-outdoor-living-show/home-outdoor-living-show-attendee-information/

04/08/2024

It’s starting!! Our humans are working hard deep cleaning the facility but taking small moments to step outside to enjoy the good weather and the solar eclipse while the MMK9 pup pack relaxes inside 🐾

Who else is watching it, where are you and what are you doing!?! 🌎🌕🌞

04/05/2024

Giving dogs like Ziva the opportunity to explore and play off-leash, allowing them to experience true freedom and happiness.

04/02/2024

From 👹 to 🥰

Call us for grooming at 417-831-5050!
We’re located at 1416 E St. Louis St Springfield, MO 65802
Open T-F from 7:30am-5:30pm and Saturdays 8:30am-3:30pm 🐾

04/01/2024

Ha had a 45 min evaluation and did not want to leave. This is one cute dog!

04/01/2024

Harvey got a makeover with Rosie's crown 👑

04/01/2024

Happy Easter from ours to yours! We hope everyone had the best celebrations!! 🐣🐰🌷