Sky Soldier Dog Training

03/07/2025

The 24-Hour Rule: Discipline is Not Cruelty—It’s Feedback

In today’s world, we’re taught to avoid discomfort at all costs, but this has led to a generation that can’t handle even small challenges. Discipline, whether for children or dogs, isn’t about punishment—it’s about providing essential feedback for growth. The 24-hour rule helps put discipline in perspective: focus on the whole day, not just isolated moments.

Want to explore why tough love and structure are necessary for building strength and resilience? Read the full post on Substack. Link in bio.

https://open.substack.com/pub/skysoldierdogtraining/p/24-hours-a-day-a-framework-for-discipline?r=58onej&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

03/05/2025

🔥 Emotions Are Failing Your Dog 🔥

We love our dogs, but too often, emotions override good decision-making.

People adopt based on pity—then feel stuck when the dog isn’t a good fit.
Owners take their dogs to daycare out of guilt—then wonder why they develop anxiety and reactivity.
Trainers push “force-free” methods because it feels good—even when the dog ends up medicated instead of trained.
Your feelings don’t change what your dog needs. Structure, discipline, and clear leadership create stability—not endless affection or feel-good methods.

🐕💭 If this hits home, I break it all down in my latest Substack post. Read it here:

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

03/03/2025

Our generation has perfected the art of complaining about the very things that made us capable. We reject the discipline that shaped us, pretending we’d be just as strong without it.

Then, something happens—you become a parent. And if you’re paying attention, you realize just how wrong you were. You don’t have to agree with everything your parents did, but you’ll start to understand why they did it. Because discipline isn’t oppression—it’s what builds competence, resilience, and responsibility.

Ignore that at your peril.

Read the full piece on Substack.

https://open.substack.com/pub/skysoldierdogtraining/p/bitching-from-comfort-the-paradox?r=58onej&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

02/28/2025

The Pit Bull Debate: Logic Over Emotion

Few topics in the dog world ignite more controversy than Pit Bulls. Some claim they’re just misunderstood, others want them banned outright. The truth? Neither extreme is helpful.

Pit Bulls weren’t bred to be “nanny dogs”—their history is rooted in strength, resilience, and, yes, combat. That genetic reality doesn’t make them bad dogs, but it does mean responsible ownership is non-negotiable. The problem isn’t the breed itself—it’s the people who refuse to train them, deny their instincts, or worse, let them run unchecked.

Breed bans don’t solve bad ownership, and pretending genetics don’t matter sets both dogs and owners up for failure. The real answer? Training, accountability, and a commitment to responsible handling—especially for breeds with immense power.

Let’s move past emotional arguments and start having real conversations based on facts. Read the full breakdown on my Substack:

https://open.substack.com/pub/skysoldierdogtraining/p/the-pit-bull-conversation-a-rational?r=58onej&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

02/26/2025

A Letter to Modern Veterinarians

Veterinarians, this is for you—the dedicated, the disillusioned, and the dismissive. Dog owners are asking hard questions, and too often, they’re met with condescension instead of conversation. Why is chronic illness in dogs skyrocketing? Why are highly processed diets still the gold standard? Why are SSRIs handed out like training wheels instead of addressing root behavioral issues?

Blind trust isn’t trust—it’s obedience. True credibility comes from scrutiny, not silence. If modern veterinary medicine is as sound as claimed, it should welcome hard questions, not discourage them.

Read the full letter on Substack. 👇
https://open.substack.com/pub/skysoldierdogtraining/p/a-letter-to-modern-veterinarians?r=58onej&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

02/24/2025

Is Tribalism Blocking Our Ability to Progress?

Your reality isn’t just shaped—it’s curated. Algorithms feed you what keeps you engaged, not what’s true. Institutions hand you pre-packaged narratives, not critical thinking tools. And the worst part? Most people never question it.

We defend corporations over individuals, ideology over logic, and narratives over lived experience. From politics to dog training, tribalism keeps us divided and distracted. But what happens when we unplug?

I dive deep into this in my latest Substack post. Read the full breakdown here:

https://open.substack.com/pub/skysoldierdogtraining/p/tribalism-is-blocking-our-progress?r=58onej&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

02/21/2025

🚨 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

02/19/2025

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

02/17/2025

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

02/13/2025

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

02/12/2025

**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

02/12/2025

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

02/11/2025

🚨 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! 🚀

02/11/2025

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

02/10/2025

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

02/10/2025

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/

02/08/2025

🚨 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!**

02/08/2025

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? 🔥