Ambassador K9

Ambassador K9 provides comprehensive dog training approach for people who want the most out of their relationship with their dogs.
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We are based out of NW Connecticut and will often set up shop for the day at NorthPoint Pets & Co We provide dog training services in northwest CT and in Cheshire, CT. Our belief is that most people adopt dogs to enhance their lives and every once in a while we find that dogs can become a limitation. You can’t go certain places because you are concerned about your dogs behavior. You can’t have com

pany over without reduces your dogs access to guests. It’s challenging to go for a walk because your shoulders are sore from being pulled for so long. Unless you have a sled dog and enjoy being the sled, most owners are simply looking for great family pets that can be a part of all of their greatest moments in life. While we use the term “Dog Trainer”, we are both training your dog AND you. If you hired a personal trainer to achieve your fitness goals, they can help you in the gym but less so in the kitchen when they aren’t around. The same is true for when you hire a dog trainer. We can help you get results in person and teach you how to train and maintain the results with your dog but it is on you to do the work in the kitchen as the analogy goes. Your dog is being trained through every interaction with you whether the dog trainer is present or not, and whether you are supervising or not. The best path to address those unsupervised moments is to simply not create them and understand that you are 100% responsible for what you allow your dog to do. Once you embrace that responsibility, anything is possible. The Knotty Dog is a member of the IACP

10/26/2024

Rigatoni in Foliage. 😍

10/20/2024

When your dog stays with us, they are family. A home away from home.

10/18/2024

Sailor Weekend!

10/09/2024

Would you do me a favour?

I have two questions.

Firstly, would you describe the purpose of a head collar as shown on the dog below as being a tool that is designed to

A. Apply an uncomfortable pressure on the muzzle of the dog each time the dog pulls into it, thereby causing the dog to learn that ‘not pulling’ avoids the discomfort, or that backing up and ‘giving to the pressure’ escapes it?

Or

B. Something other than what the tool is designed to do that you have dreamed up?

Please don’t say ‘management tool’ as that means nothing in terms of explaining how and why the tool is intended to alter the behaviour of the animal.

In short, is a head halter designed and intended to apply an aversive stimulus (tightening pressure) which the dog is required to learn to escape and avoid by ‘not pulling’ through trial and error learning?

2. Would you expect a team of professional, behavioural scientists to acknowledge that this tool is

A - not designed to work as a positive reinforcer (or reward), but as a negative reinforcer (an aversive stimulus to be removed or avoided by the animal), and

B - If it is being used, ought the researchers not include the fact that this stimulus is used, especially if used by a ‘reward training’ trainer, during the training sessions used to provide the data for a research paper evaluating the effects and effectiveness of ‘reward based’ training, compared to training including electronic training collars?

Is it too much to write “There were elements of the ‘reward based’ training group that included the use of an aversive tool (including the application and removal of general leash pressure) to seemingly counteract the size and strength differences between the trainer and the dog. Equally, for the majority of aversive inclusion in the e-collar group, the principal aversive applied was not the e-collar itself, but rather the training style and mannerisms of the the trainer, making it difficult to separate the effect of the electronic training collar from the effect of the individual trainer when establishing causation upon the overall behaviours displayed and observed from the dogs”.

Or am I alone in thinking that transparency matters where published research is then used to determine the fate of millions of animals?

Thank you in anticipation.

09/03/2024

Ambassador K9 seems to be a home for many fitness junkies. Most of them talk about the gym as an outlet and endorphin source. Stillness is not generally a core part of their lives. Activity is always a good thing to incorporate in to ours and our dogs worlds but mindfulness and calm are practiced skills separate from the physical drain that achieves a similar looking result. I’ve said it many times, but place is your dog’s yoga mat. Enlightenment is only achieved when a dog learns that the amazon delivery is none of their concern. 🙏🏼🧘🏼‍♀️😌

07/29/2024

The sweetest boys hanging out 🥰

06/25/2024

06/23/2024

Will work for:
Treats
Tug
Running
Praise
Affection

Did you know you can use their meals as the treats or reduce meals to balance the calories of the treats given? The reality is that treats are rarely as nutritionally balanced as what we feed them for meals and using meals as a reward is the best way to combat obesity in dogs.

06/22/2024

She’s a shepherd, but there’s something un-German about her 🤔🤔🤔

06/22/2024

Welcome Aspen!

06/19/2024

Often times invisible fences and reactivity go hand in hand.
Like a football player restrained by their peers, it’s easier to act tough when they know they can’t reach you.

The best invisible fence is a backup plan to other tools and training. The cheapest invisible fence is an e-collar, training, and supervising your dog. 🤷🏻‍♂️

06/17/2024

WE ALL AGREE WITH NO MORE UNWANTED LITTERS. We should consider newer, safer alternatives than a traditional gonadectomies to prevent long-term health concerns.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)🏥 has just announced their new spay & neuter guidelines.🙀 Due to growing evidence of adverse health effects of traditional gonadectomy (spay/neuter) and increases in cancers and joint disorders, WSAVA suggest the best practice for RESPONSIBLE pet parents is to leave dogs and cats unaltered (intact). Additionally noting, spaying or neutering a dog younger than 6 months of age is NOT recommended because of an increase of detrimental health risks. Acknowledging in some circumstances, such as rescues and shelters, where leaving an animal intact is not an option, they stress the importance of education and acceptance of newer, alternative sterilization techniques that have less long-term health concerns. 🙌

Discussing these alternative techniques and the pro’s and con’s today, plus much more in the Inside Scoop.

👉Comment SCOOPERS to join our troll-free subscription group and watch today's podcast. Our monthly subscription includes our weekly livestream, plus access to all past content - over 4 years of lives, interviews, ebook downloads and more!

06/16/2024

Happy Father’s Day to dads and dog dads alike!

05/03/2024

Perks of sending your dog to a trainer for a day. Some training opportunities come up organically that are impossible to recreate in a controlled environment. From deliveries to the temptation of toddlers running around with snacks, there are lots of moments that are hard to predict but incredibly valuable for setting expectations with our dogs.

04/29/2024

When it comes to puppies, it takes the same amount of effort to train a puppy as to spoil them. Give them lots of excitement while you are helping them learn their markers. Give them tons of treats when you are teaching them new skills. Give them lots of affection for making great choices. We all want to spoil them rotten but the when and why are the subtle gap between training and spoiling.

04/18/2024

Welcome to Ambassador K9 Day Training, Sage!
You are going to love it here ☺️

04/11/2024

Shop Day with Mocha 💙

04/06/2024

Just a couple of guys practicing impulse control at the hardware store. 💾💵

03/12/2024

New name, new handles, new websites(coming), same commitment to being your friendly neighborhood dog trainer

Since 2020 a lot of things changed for us. Careers, parenthood, housing, and much more. Our business name has been tied to durable dog toys which have long since been the focus of our business. Our soul dog Griffin(not pictured) as a pit bull we felt had to live up to the highest standard in light of his breed reputation. He’d become in many ways a breed ambassador for people who were scared of his breed. He’s a unique dog and by no stretch of the imagination a representation for the entire breed, but proof that every dog is different and should be measured by their own merits and live up to their best ability. That belief is core to our identity as dog trainers and is why years ago we hoped to roll out a new name with new hours. Parenthood and conflicting work schedules never opened up the hours we sought. As we’ve learned with children, there will never be more time, just shifting priorities. It is with that said, we are proud to share our new name and our renewed commitment to helping each and every dog represent themselves in the best way they are capable of.

03/12/2024

🐾💙 Bubba got to spend some time with Bryan, one of the absolutely fantastic trainers from The Knotty Dog today. Bubba had a good evaluation, and we both learned so much! We worked on setting up personal boundaries, not chewing on leashes, when to stop and sit, and when it's ok to resume play. BIG thank you to Bryan for coming out and helping us figure out some training techniques that work for Bubba and his personality. That smile says it all!💙🐾

10/31/2023

Draco waiting at the door for his first trick or treaters.

For those planning on leaving the lights on for trick or treaters, there is a “train or restrain” moment coming up. If your dog is at a point in their training where you feel you can safely practice this, it is a great time to get in those place drills or sitting in a heel by the door. If not, there is no shame in leaning on the crate for today and getting in some more work before the rest of the holiday season.

Real life unpredictable doorbells drills are an incredible opportunity if you have the ability to capitalize. Happy Halloween!

10/29/2023

When I tell you we have insane standards, I don’t say that lightly. This dog popped into our world the moment we started dreaming up the next dog in our distant future. Still mourning the loss of our Genna, we looked for any and every reason to disqualify his fit with our family. Now we are convinced Genna sent him. Welcome to the pack, Draco.

05/24/2023

Post morning drills I like to have my coffee on the porch with the boys. When I tell people that a place bed is our dogs yoga mat, this is what I mean. The goal isn’t just stillness, it’s mindfulness. Observation without reaction.

05/20/2023

Porches make thresholds a lot easier to practice on rainy days.

05/12/2023

Goofballs

Address

Torrington, CT
06790

Website

http://www.theknottydoglife.com/

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Videos

“Why does my dog always show off for you?” Your dog trainer isn’t a wizard. They just hold your dog to the highest standard they are capable of. That standard will wiggle from dog to dog, but all dogs are opportunists and will live to the standard we hold them too. Rigatoni here happens to be one of the gentlest, easiest going dogs I’ve ever met,(next to maybe our own Griffin) so it’s very easy to let him coast. #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogtrainer #dogtrainingadvice #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainerslife #dogsofinstagram #dogsofinsta #dogs #ctdogs #litchfieldcounty #prongcollar #prongcollartraining #ecollartraining #ecollar #balanceddogtraining #balancedtraining #realitybaseddogtraining

Growth is hard, but rehoming should be harder. Draco is an incredible dog with typical puppy issues. Literally the most minor things to work at. Before we adopted him, his prior family sent him to a board and train and told the trainer “no e-collar”. They sent him back a second time but when he got mouthy and growled from the crate, they brought him back to the pound with a love note. Here is Draco in our back yard playing fetch with an e-collar. He is happy, he is eager to play, and he won’t chase a fisher cat if it shows up in my yard or book towards the neighbors yard if their dog runs into our shared woods. He is certainly not shut down while wearing the collar. The truth of the matter is that he needed leadership. As my other videos show, my 3 year old can command him. Is rehoming a dog easier than taking a critical look at how you interact with your dog? Is your relationship with your dog about how they make you feel or about how you make them feel? People call themselves pet parents but act like fun aunts and uncles. The difference is providing a calm safe space for our dogs to owe us nothing. They are not our therapists, bar tender, or cheerleader.. as a parent, I know we would never ask that of our children. Self awareness might be the most challenging part of becoming who your dog needs you to be. Dog training is about way more than the dog.

“Discipline equals freedom” -Jocko Willink. This story is from Sailor’s owner and her mother who signed up for dog training when he was a puppy and have shared every step of their story since. From the silly criticisms and comments they have laughed about with me to every video of him doing everything from making March madness picks, to painting pictures, to dressing up for Halloween. It has been one of my greatest honors to see Sailor along his training journey 💙. There is a time and place for most behaviors. Teaching our dogs where and when is a huge part of raising dogs people want to be around. With discipline and structure, dogs get to go into situations confident that they will be able to lean on your feedback to meet expectations for each circumstance. They also will be able to earn more trust and freedom over time as they prove their ability to make great decisions or at minimum are willing override bad decisions when you give them safer ones.

While Draco came out of the pound having already completed a board and train with his prior family, the reason that they gave him up was their inability to achieve the control that my toddler has in this video. Like many of my clients will tell you, I am coaching the humans, not the dogs. Draco is the newest member of our pack and he will help our daughters build confidence speaking with authority, setting boundaries, and holding expectations. Believe it or not, those are the very skills so many adults are still working on and didn’t realize it was a problem until they got a dog. Dogs can be great catalysts for personal development if we are open to it.

As a parent, things rarely go as expected. Crates will be opened by a “helpful” toddler, doors will be left open as you migrate outside, crayons might miss the paper… 🫣 Dogs, like toddlers, struggle to regulate through transitions, like leaving the crate, the house, family returning home, company coming over, etc… There is a tendency to want to coach our dogs through every moment but at our busiest moments during transition, it’s tough to always be everything to everyone. Teaching our dogs that the command is not needed for a default expectation is a helpful way to make transitions go smoothly. If my dog is disregulated about leaving the crate and my toddler opens it, it’s not just a chaotic dog running around my house but now also a screaming toddler who was trampled. When a door is left open and a dog thinks it’s an open invitation to run outside, now I’m rounding up a loose dog while trying to keep track of my kids. When a toddler wants to give an apple slice to a dog, is that dog emotionally regulated enough to take it gently? In that light there certain expectations I place on my dog that do not require commands because there are no exceptions to the process and it needs to be replicable through most every circumstance. The prompts for my pack are a door opening, food being held, someone approaching the crate, the door bell, stopping during a structured walk. What are some of the default behaviors you are working on with your dog where you don’t add a command but expect a consistent behavior in response to a visual prompt?

A lot of people want this relationship with their dog. A lot of dogs have no interest in this relationship or could view this type of attention as a resource to compete over or get protective of. Our hound, Genna, would trade this moment a million times over for 3 minutes of chasing sand pipers on the beach. It’s unfair to set your relationship expectations for your dog by comparing them to your last dog, your friends dog, or your neighbors dog. Don’t burden your dog with the parts of the relationship you want from them that they wouldn’t enjoy. Griffin is less mobile these days, but Genna loves to go hiking(as do I). I will share those moments on the mountain with Genna and watch her pounce up rocks and chase chipmunks and love her for her grace and agility. There are parts of our lives that we get to share with our dogs which are truly special because everyone involved is enjoying it. A lot of poor behavior comes from dogs being forced into doing things they hate, or invited to do things that set them back behaviorally because of the owners expectations. Love and respect your dog for who they are. Happy Training 😊