United K9 Academy San Marcos

13/10/2024

Merchandise Spotlight: Show Your Support with UK9 Gear

"Looking for stylish, high-quality apparel that shows off your love for dogs and supports United K9 Academy? Check out our exclusive UK9 merchandise! From comfortable t-shirts to durable caps, we offer a variety of apparel that not only looks great but also helps spread the word about our work in dog training and K9 services. Perfect for dog lovers in San Marcos or anywhere in Texas.

By purchasing our merch, you are supporting the work we do with working dogs, service dogs, and therapy teams. Get your UK9 gear today and wear it with pride!

"

12/10/2024

Breed Spotlight: The German Shepherd - A Versatile and Loyal Working Dog

"German Shepherds are one of the most recognizable and respected dog breeds in the world, known for their loyalty, intelligence, and versatility. Bred originally in the late 19th century in Germany by Captain Max von Stephanitz, the German Shepherd was designed to be the ultimate working dog, particularly for herding sheep. Today, their roles have expanded to law enforcement, military service, search and rescue, and even as service and therapy dogs.

Key Traits of the German Shepherd:

Intelligence: German Shepherds are ranked among the top three smartest dog breeds. Their ability to quickly learn commands and perform complex tasks makes them ideal for roles that require advanced training. This intelligence, however, also means they need mental stimulation to prevent boredom, which can lead to destructive behavior.

Loyalty & Protective Instincts: These dogs form deep bonds with their families and are highly protective, making them excellent guard dogs. They are naturally wary of strangers, but with proper socialization, they can be friendly and well-mannered in any situation.

Strength & Endurance: German Shepherds are large, muscular dogs with impressive stamina. They require regular physical exercise to maintain their health, such as long walks, running, and agility training. This is one of the reasons they excel in physically demanding jobs like K9 police work and search and rescue.

Trainability: Known for their eagerness to work, German Shepherds thrive when given tasks and challenges. At United K9 Academy, we've worked with numerous German Shepherds in various training programs. Whether they are learning basic obedience or complex working dog tasks, their trainability is unmatched.

Care Tips for German Shepherd Owners:

Exercise: German Shepherds need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. Ideally, they should have at least 1-2 hours of exercise daily. This could include walks, runs, playtime, and agility exercises.

Socialization: Because of their natural protective instincts, it’s important to socialize German Shepherds from a young age. Expose them to different people, places, and situations to build confidence and good manners.

Diet: A high-quality diet rich in protein is essential to maintain their muscle mass and energy levels. Be mindful of overfeeding, as this breed can be prone to joint issues like hip dysplasia, which can be aggravated by excess weight.

Training & Stimulation: German Shepherds excel in environments that challenge their mind. Consider advanced training classes, puzzle toys, and activities like scent work or tracking to keep them mentally engaged.

Fun Fact:

The first guide dog in America was a German Shepherd named Buddy. In 1928, Buddy was trained to assist a visually impaired man named Morris Frank, and the two became pioneers of the guide dog movement in the U.S.

Whether as a family pet, working dog, or service animal, German Shepherds are truly one of the most versatile and dedicated breeds. At United K9 Academy, we have extensive experience training German Shepherds for various roles. If you own one of these amazing dogs, we’d love to help you bring out the best in them.

11/10/2024

Health Tip: Keeping Your Dog Hydrated in the Texas Heat

"In Texas, hot days are common, and it's important to keep your dog properly hydrated to avoid heat-related health issues. Dogs can easily overheat, especially while being active outdoors, whether it's during training sessions or a casual walk along the San Marcos River.

Make sure to bring water for your dog whenever you're outside, and watch for signs of dehydration, such as excessive panting, lethargy, or dry gums. Offering water frequently can help keep their body temperature in check. For an extra tip, adding ice cubes to their water bowl can be a refreshing treat on a hot day!

"

10/10/2024

Training Tip: How to Teach 'Leave It' for Better Obedience

"Teaching the 'leave it' command is one of the most valuable tools in dog training. This command can prevent your dog from picking up dangerous items or getting into trouble, especially in areas like parks or busy streets in San Marcos.

To start, show your dog a treat in your hand, then close your hand when they try to take it. Say 'leave it,' and wait for your dog to stop trying to get the treat. Once they stop, reward them with a different treat from your other hand. Over time, practice with different objects to reinforce this behavior. A strong 'leave it' command is essential for your dog’s safety and self-control.

" 🇺🇸

29/08/2024

Freya has entered our Protection Dog Program! She is a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois and she is 4 months old! Follow us to watch her journey while she transforms into a little powerhouse!

22/08/2024

Chihiro
Female
German Shepherd Mix
45lbs

San Marcos Texas
Delivery offered
X###-###xx

Chihiro has completed basic obedience and public access as well as restaurants and all other forms of distractions

Started Tasks
Deep Pressure Therapy
Crowd Control
Grounding
Behavior Intervention

Spayed
Up to date on all vaccines
Waiting on Embark
Chipped

Will be ready in around 3-5 weeks as is
Or 6+ weeks if we finish her

She is such a sweet tempered girl and absolutely loves everyone. She really doesn’t have any vices and is very easy to handle. Being a smaller shepherd she would best be suited for medical alert or psychiatric work.

21/08/2024

From Fearful to Confident

15/08/2024

Kaito
Female
German Shepherd Mix
50lbs

Kaito has completed basic obedience and public access as well as restaurants and all other forms of distractions

Started Tasks
Deep Pressure Therapy
Crowd Control
Grounding
Behavior Intervention
Anxiety alert and response

Spayed
Up to date on all vaccines
Waiting on Embark
Chipped

Will be ready in around 3-5 weeks as is
Or 6+ weeks if we finish her

She is such a sweet tempered girl and absolutely loves everyone. She really doesn’t have any vices and is usually pretty easy to handle! Being a mid size shepherd she would best be suited for medical alert or psychiatric work. She loves all the dogs and absolutely adores working!

15/08/2024

Chihiro
Female
German Shepherd Mix
45lbs

Chihiro has completed basic obedience and public access as well as restaurants and all other forms of distractions

Started Tasks
Deep Pressure Therapy
Crowd Control
Grounding
Behavior Intervention

Spayed
Up to date on all vaccines
Waiting on Embark
Chipped

Will be ready in around 3-5 weeks as is
Or 6+ weeks if we finish her

She is such a sweet tempered girl and absolutely loves everyone. She really doesn’t have any vices and is very easy to handle. Being a smaller shepherd she would best be suited for medical alert or psychiatric work.

15/08/2024

REHOMED
Meet Quark!
Male
4 months
Intact
30lbs
Up to date on all vaccines

Has done luring for obedience
Loves to work
Environmentally sound

He loves playing ball or tug! Loves everyone he meets and would love to just sit in your lap all day! Crate trained, potty trained and started on a leash.

He absolutely loves to work and he would make an excellent scent dog. He is not a candidate for bitework.

To see his complete listing check out Professional Working Dogs!

15/08/2024

REHOMED
Female
4 months
Intact
20lbs
Up to date on all vaccines

Has done luring for obedience
Loves the water
Environmentally sound

She’s loves the ball, tug and anything involving movement! Loves everybody and wants to be with her person. Crate trained, potty trained and started on a leash.

She loves to work and would make an excellent dock diving prospect or all around sport dog. She would not make a good candidate for bitework.
https://professionalworkingdogs.com/viewlisting_page/1723691241897x561593119149916160

05/08/2024

Male
Shiba Inu Mix
43 lbs
Trained by United K9 Academy San Marcos

Finished Basic Obedience and Public Access including all types of restaurants and stores with distractions.

Started tasks
DPT
Crowd Control
Behavior Intervention
Item Retrieval

Neutered
UTD on all Vaccinations
Microchipped

Will be ready as is in 2-4 weeks or in 6-8 weeks if we finish out his service training!

Taco is a super bubbly, happy dog! He simply loves everyone. This dog is toy motivated! He is handler oriented and focused. When working, Taco has a focused drive and when off-duty, "ball is life". Taco does have a really nice off switch. He will fit in well with any home as long as they do sports or some other activity in addition to service work. He would be amazing in Disc, Dock Diving, Agility, or Lure Coursing.

02/07/2024

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30/06/2024

New ActiveCampaign campaign!

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30/06/2024

New ActiveCampaign campaign!

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