Sky Soldier Dog Training

21/02/2025

🚨 The Great Dog Training Debate: Force-Free vs. Balanced 🚨

Positive reinforcement alone or a structured, balanced approach—what actually works? Dog training has become another battleground of ideology, with “force-free” trainers claiming the moral high ground while disregarding reality.

Ignoring bad behavior doesn’t make it disappear. Structure, discipline, and well-timed corrections aren’t “cruel”—they’re necessary. And when force-free training fails, what’s the answer? Medication. Euthanasia. Breed bans.

Reality always wins. The question isn’t what feels good—it’s what works.

Read the full breakdown here:

https://open.substack.com/pub/skysoldierdogtraining/p/force-freebalanced?r=58onej&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

19/02/2025

Stop Labeling, Start Training
Victimhood is a currency these days, and it’s creeping into the dog world. People slap labels on their dogs—“anxious,” “fearful,” “reactive”—as if naming the problem is the same as solving it. But here’s the truth: labels don’t fix behavior—training does.

Your dog has separation anxiety? Great. What are you doing about it? Your dog is reactive? Okay. What’s the plan? Sympathy won’t change anything—direction will.

Dogs don’t get the luxury of excuses. Poor decisions get them euthanized. The solution? Training. Structure. Exposure. That’s how you turn chaos into order.

Read more on Substack:
https://open.substack.com/pub/skysoldierdogtraining/p/the-problem-with-fear?r=58onej&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

17/02/2025

The Danger of Giving Too Much

We’ve been fed this lie: Discipline is abuse. Setting boundaries is cruel. But here’s the reality—whether with kids or dogs, overindulgence doesn’t create stability; it creates dependence, entitlement, and dysfunction.

Shelters push sob stories to make you feel rather than think. Parents overcompensate for guilt by giving instead of guiding. The result? Anxious, unstable dogs. Unmotivated, fragile kids. And all because we care too much in the wrong way.

The truth is, real leadership isn’t about endless giving—it’s about teaching standards with patience and grace. Want to know how to fix it? Read more here: 👇👇👇

https://open.substack.com/pub/skysoldierdogtraining/p/the-danger-of-giving-too-much?r=58onej&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

13/02/2025

The Hidden Flaw in Dog Training

Dog training today is filled with selective storytelling. Too many trainers—both force-free and balanced—only show the polished final product while hiding the messy middle: the mistakes, the corrections, and the real process behind lasting behavior change.

This creates two major problems:
1️⃣ Owners feel like failures when their dog doesn’t instantly look like the “after” videos they see online.
2️⃣ The force-free movement thrives because balanced trainers avoid showing fair corrections—fearing backlash instead of educating owners.

But here’s the truth: Proper correction isn’t abuse. Structure isn’t oppression. And real training isn’t always pretty—but it works.

Trainers, stop hiding the process. Owners, stop falling for curated perfection. Let’s be real about what it takes to train a reliable dog.

🔗 Read more on my Substack:

https://open.substack.com/pub/skysoldierdogtraining/p/the-hidden-flaw-in-dog-training-a?r=58onej&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

12/02/2025

**We're Back on Google—But We Need Your Help!**

After a week-long battle, our profile is finally **restored**! However, being down for that long has impacted our February consults.

If you've worked with us, we’d truly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave an honest review. **70% of our new clients find us through reviews**, and your feedback makes a huge difference!

Click the link below to share your experience—your support means the world to our small business. **Thank you!**

Sky Soldier Dog Training

Post a review to our profile on Google

12/02/2025

Genetics Matter: Are We Breeding Dogs into Dysfunction?
We’ve bred dogs for looks, trends, and convenience—often at the cost of their health, stability, and function. Breeds like English & French Bulldogs, Silver Labs, and countless designer mixes are plagued with crippling genetic and behavioral issues, yet breeders keep producing them. Why? Because people keep buying them.

A well-bred dog should be predictable, reliable, and capable—but too often, modern breeding prioritizes aesthetics over ability. And when we normalize dysfunction, we ensure it continues.

So, what’s the solution? It’s not as simple as "adopt, don’t shop." The real answer? Demand better.

🔗 Read the full breakdown on my Substack: 👇👇👇

https://open.substack.com/pub/skysoldierdogtraining/p/genetics-matter-ethical-breedingwhat?r=58onej&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

11/02/2025

🚨 Google Tried to Cancel Us, But Your Dog Still Needs Training 🚨

Apparently, Google thinks we’re too effective at what we do, so they suspended our business profile. 🤷‍♂️ Maybe they prefer dogs running the streets in chaos? Who knows.

But guess what? A little algorithm isn’t stopping us from fixing bad behavior the right way—the first time. 💪🐶

We’ve got OPEN CONSULTATION SPOTS, and we’re ready to turn your dog from a furry little dictator into a well-mannered companion.

📍 Same location. 11628 Gravois Rd
📞 Same number. 314-649-8369
🐕 Same rock-solid training.

Google might be confused, but your dog doesn’t have to be. DM us or visit our website to book your consult! 🚀

11/02/2025

The Shift Toward Medication Over Training
For thousands of years, dogs coexisted with humans without the need for pharmaceuticals. Today, many dogs face behavioral issues, and instead of training and structure, we too often turn to medication for a quick fix. But tranquilizers and SSRIs don’t solve the problem—they suppress it. SSRIs, in particular, don’t address the root cause of anxiety in dogs—they simply stretch the limited serotonin available without truly increasing it.

What dogs need isn’t Prozac—it’s proper nutrition and training. By supporting serotonin production naturally through high-quality foods and holistic solutions like CBD and THC, we can help anxious dogs thrive without relying on chemicals.

In a world eager for shortcuts, it’s time to revisit the basics: real structure, proper care, and natural solutions. Medication should be a last resort, not a quick fix.

For the full discussion, dive deeper on our Substack

10/02/2025

The Most Common Abuse in Dog Training
The greatest flaw in "science-based," purely positive, or force-free training is its contradiction: treating dogs as wild creatures while expecting them to exist solely to please humans. This ideology isn’t just flawed—it’s a dangerous misunderstanding of canine nature.

Dogs are not people. They don’t operate on human morality or emotional reasoning. Domestication has softened them, but it hasn’t erased their instincts. To deny the need for structure, correction, and consequences in training is not kindness—it’s neglect.

Worse, when this approach inevitably fails, many of these same trainers and veterinarians turn to medication—not as a last resort, but as an easy way to suppress behavior they don’t understand or know how to fix. Instead of addressing the root issue through proper training, they chemically dull a dog’s natural responses, often leaving it anxious, confused, and dependent on pharmaceutical intervention.

True training respects what a dog is, not what we wish it to be. Anything less prioritizes human comfort over canine reality—and that, at its core, is the most common abuse in dog training.

📖 Read the full breakdown on Substack: https://skysoldierdogtraining.substack.com

10/02/2025

Substack in the works!

We will be taking a deeper dive on dog training. The history. The pitfalls. Dog ownership. Veterinarian care. Human leadership and the blurred lines between leading dogs and leading humans.

Social media posts will be condensed and the full stories will be on substack.

https://substack.com/

08/02/2025

🚨 Google Suspended Business Profile🚨

Unfortunately, our Google Business Profile has been suspended, but we are STILL HERE and ready to help!

📍 **11628 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63126**
⭐ **152 five-star reviews** – Proven, reliable, results-driven dog training.

📧 **[email protected]**
📞 **314.649.8369**

Our phones have been *way* too quiet since the suspension—please share this with friends and family! We appreciate your support and hope to have this resolved soon.

**Thank you!**

08/02/2025

Bonus: What History Tells Us About Reliability

Yesterday, we talked about time—the foundation of a reliable dog. Today, let’s step back and see what history teaches us. Because before modern tools, before E-collars, before the internet turned everyone into an “expert,” people still trained reliable dogs. So how did they do it?

Back then, training wasn’t optional—it was survival. A herding dog that didn’t listen meant lost livestock. A hunting dog that ignored a recall wasn’t coming home. A guard dog that hesitated put lives at risk. There were no shortcuts, just time, repetition, and respect for the dog’s instincts.

Handlers built reliability through relentless consistency. If a dog didn’t listen, they didn’t blame genetics or anxiety—they worked through it. They reinforced behaviors until the dog knew, without a doubt, what was expected. Because failure wasn’t an option.

Technology has changed, but the fundamental truth remains: reliability isn’t bought, it’s built. You can pair modern tools with old-school discipline, but at the end of the day, the results still come down to you.

🔥 The old ways still work. The question is—do you? 🔥

07/02/2025

Three Critical Factors That Determine Reliability

Now that we’ve looked at the past, let’s break down the three key factors that decide if your dog will ever be truly reliable.

1. Age & Life Experience
Habits matter. An 8-year-old dog with years of ingrained behavior won’t change overnight. Training isn’t just teaching—it’s proving the rules apply every time. 🛠 Pro Tip: The earlier you start, the easier reliability becomes.

2. Breed Potential & Genetics Reality doesn’t care about feelings. A Basset Hound isn’t a Belgian Malinois. Genetics influence drive, stamina, and learning style. Setting realistic expectations is key.

3. Your Training Application (The Most Important Factor) Forget age and breed—the biggest factor is YOU. Training should work on any dog, not just easy ones. Hard truth? What you allow, you encourage. Leadership isn’t occasional—it’s constant.

The Timeline for Reliability
“How long does it take?” Reality check: 6-12 months of accountability. No shortcuts. No magic wands. Just layered progression:
✅ 6ft lead → Establish expectations
✅ 12ft lead → Increase distance
✅ 20ft+ lead → Proof reliability
✅ Off-leash → Earned, not assumed

Yes, an E-collar helps, but it’s not an instant fix. Old-school patience + modern tools = a rock-solid dog.

🔥Final Thought: How Bad Do You Want It🔥

Reliability isn’t about testing if your dog will listen. It’s about making sure they do. So ask yourself—are you willing to put in the work?

Let me know where we can help 👇

06/02/2025

We are having an issue with our business Google profile at the moment. Our website is working as expected, but we do expect our Google account to be down for a few days while we work with the support team to figure out what’s going on. Thank you for your patience! 

06/02/2025

Where Does Reliability Come From?

You’ve just completed a puppy class, a one-on-one training program, or perhaps a board and train program. Now you’re asking, “When does this dog become reliable with nothing but my words and a leash?” It’s a question every dog owner has asked, but the real answer is more elusive than you might expect. It’s something many strive for, but few truly understand how to create. Let’s peel back the layers, using history and human nature to understand the essence of what we truly want a reliable dog.

Imagine, for a moment, that we could take a time machine back to 1974, a pivotal year in dog training. This was the last year before the introduction of the electric remote collar, often misrepresented by those with limited understanding as a “shock collar.” Why is this time significant? Because 1974 marked the last generation of dog trainers who relied solely on audible stimulation for off-leash work—whistles, words, and the like. It was a time when trainers had to rely on repetition, consistency, and patience to build reliability. After the introduction of the E-collar, reliability became easier to achieve, but in that newfound ease, the most important element of reliable dog training was lost: time.

Now, here’s the crux of it: In our modern age, we are surrounded by instant gratification—instant food, instant communication, instant packages. We've created a world that values speed and convenience over depth and discipline. Our children, our animals, and we suffer from the consequences of this culture of immediacy. Have you ever wondered how Billy Colhman would’ve called Old Dan and Little Ann off the scent of a c**n without the convenience of a remote collar? How did those hunters build a reliable recall, a behavior embedded in their dogs without the benefit of technology? The answer isn’t magic—it was time and repetition. These are the oldest and most powerful tools in the training toolbox, and they’ve lost none of their effectiveness.

So, here’s the real question: Do you have the patience to see it through? Do you have the tenacity to embrace the long road of building something truly reliable, something that isn’t just fleeting and superficial? If you pair the tried-and-true methods of old-school training with the modern technology at your disposal, you will undoubtedly cultivate a reliable dog. But be forewarned—it will take time. Time is the element that so many of us are unwilling to give. We want immediate results, but the process of building something enduring requires patience, consistency, and effort.

In a world where convenience reigns supreme, we often forget that the greatest achievements—the ones that endure—are not the products of shortcuts, but of deliberate, consistent practice. It may take time, but the payoff is worth it. Stay tuned for part two tomorrow, where we’ll dig deeper into how time and repetition work hand-in-hand to shape your dog’s reliability and, in doing so, shape your own ability to lead.

04/02/2025

“What Does the Dog Want?”

As you read this, you might be thinking, “I hope this guy isn’t about to tell me to let my dog destroy my furniture because it brings them emotional fulfillment.” But if you’ve spent any time in the world of dog training, you’ve likely come across sentiments just as absurd, all starting with the phrase, “What does the dog want?”

That’s a deeply misguided question when most dog owners are simply looking for order in their homes. What the dog wants might be to rip your couch apart, drag you down the street, or dictate who is and isn’t welcome in your home—potentially with force. But here’s the truth: It doesn’t matter what the dog wants.

Somewhere along the way, our society—caught up in its relentless pursuit of emotional idealism—decided that a dog’s fleeting desires should dictate our actions. This is nonsense. The reality is that dogs, much like people, thrive under structure and guidance. Without it, chaos reigns.

Let me offer some perspective. In St. Louis, we didn’t have dog parks or doggy daycare before 2009. So what happened to all the dogs before then? Did they descend into existential despair from lack of “socialization”? Were they pacing their homes in emotional turmoil because their every want and need wasn’t indulged? No. None of that happened. Because for centuries, people treated dogs like dogs—animals that coexist with humans, not little deities whose whims we must obey.

So instead of asking, “What does the dog want?” let’s ask a much more meaningful question: What does the human want?

Continued below 👇 👇

03/02/2025

What’s the biggest roadblock in your dog’s behavior and reliability?

Brace yourself—you might not like the answer. But, surprise! It’s probably you.

I know, I know. Impossible. You feed them the best food. Organic, grain-free, single-ingredient, blessed-by-a-monk kind of stuff. You take them to daycare so they can “make friends.” You let them stay up late, let them pull you down the sidewalk like a sled dog, and never—never—tell them “no” because that might hurt their delicate feelings.

And yet… somehow, your dog still doesn’t listen. Weird, right?

What you’ve actually created is a one-way street—a road where your dog drives, full speed, with zero stop signs. You’ve basically handed them the keys to the kingdom and then wondered why they don’t acknowledge your existence when it really matters.

"But my dog gives me emotional support and stability!"

Oh, 100%. Your dog absolutely knows when your life is spiraling. They see the gym guy leaving you on read. They hear the distinct sound of Schitt’s Creek firing up on Netflix. They smell the pint of ice cream before you even take the lid off. And just like clockwork, the real Pavlovian response kicks in: snuggle up, look cute, and BOOM—hallway p**p pardoned. Hell, they might even get a bite of that ice cream in exchange for their emotional labor.

Here’s the kicker: your emotions are the #1 hurdle in your dog’s behavior and reliability. We don’t want to feel bad for saying “no.” We don’t want to feel guilty for setting boundaries. So, instead, we give… and give… and give—expecting that unconditional spoiling is the foundation of a healthy relationship. (Which, a side note, might also be why the gym guy isn’t texting you back.)

So instead of continuing to negotiate with your dog’s bad behavior, try this: Set the damn boundaries. Teach structure. Hold them accountable. Stop being a pushover. Your dog—and your dignity—will thank you.