Graham’s K9 Training

04/01/2025

Owning multiple dogs can always be interesting.

Sometimes it is super fun.

Sometimes it is not.

These two knuckleheads decided to have a little throw down a few weeks ago. Frankie (white dog) is not a dog to have an altercation with. Johnnie (black dog), can be a little annoying. She likes to constantly play but Frankie is done when she’s done.

And it happens. I used to fight with my sister. It didn’t happen often but it definitely occurred.

If you ever experience something similar, do not freak out. Most fights amongst dogs, there mostly a lot of noise more than damage. Best thing to do? Not separate the dogs. Put one dog on place/time out and do the same with the other dog. Same room, different spaces. Let all parties (including you), time to calm down.

These two clowns scared the crap out of mom/dad. As it should because it’s never “fun”. Damage done? Nothing. And that’s the interesting part: these two could’ve ripped eachother to pieces. Why did they hold back? Look up the breeds, what they are for:

Bovier des Flandres (white)
Giant Schnauzer (salt/pepper)

Both tough breeds. They held back. Which tells me their disagreement was Frankie trying to control Johnnie/getting her to calm down. Herding dog: bred to control. Just like my cattle dogs; they are the fun police when uncomfortable.

Both dogs are super fun. The kind you describe as “not a mean bone in their body…”. However - knowing their breeds and trying to avoid natural characteristics that come with said breeds, impossible. Arrow grew up in a daycare. Was a playful dude until maturity. He still plays but when he’s done, he is done.🐾☘️

01/01/2025

This is why I always believe in a 24 hour facility.

This isn’t a post directed at any facility specifically.

But when:

1) dogs are not use to environments, they can either shut down/freak out. In this case, the dog freaked out.

2) staff do not know how to correct the dog or at least inform the owners through daily updates of the dogs condition.

And this happens everywhere…it PAINS me that there is no standard. It PAINS me that the owners of these establishments do not have a better protocol. It leaves a stain on the owners experience which results in never using boarding/daycare services again. Which isn’t fair…

Want some advice? Place your dog somewhere with people who care. People who are educated on how to stop unwanted behaviors. A place where rules can be established consistently, not a place that is staffed from 6 AM - 10 PM. A place that honestly updates you on how your dog is. Because that 8 hour gap with a stressed dog, no good.

I have heard from facility owners across the whole country who say, “we’re not in it for the money…” Which is a lie…what business owner starts a business to break even?…or have a loss?…that doesn’t make sense.

$40-50 for daycare. $70-90 for boarding. Building that can hold 20-40 daycare dogs.
Building that can hold 40-100 boarding dogs.

Do the math. But whether they have 1 dog or 100…if the staff doesn’t know how to fix things like a simple barking issue, this is what happens. Easy fix: tablespoon of honey 1-3 times a day (depending on the size of dog), will soothe the throat and this dog will have its voice back.

My point - take a tour of whatever facility you want to take your dog to. Ask questions. If they do not send a daily update, red flag. If they do not show you certain areas of their facility, red flag. If they tell you how great your dog is while in their care and then inform you how bad your dog was at pick up, red flag.

I’ve been doing this for 15 years. I wish I could open my own place to set a standard of how things should be. I’ve done the 7 days a week. I always put every ounce of love into each dog, nice or unfriendly, because I want them to feel the same love they receive at home. Owners were always notified honestly on how their dogs were along with a solution on what we were doing to help. Feel bad for this owner…terrible way to start the new year…🐾☘️

01/01/2025

Best way to end the year: training dogs!!!🐾☘️

31/12/2024

The process is effective if you adhere to the instructions. I provide homework, and upon completion, you will achieve results. Similar to holding a gym membership without attending, failure to participate will yield no results. 🐾☘️

Lyla is thriving because the owners did their homework. All I did was tell them what to do! It truly is not difficult to have a well behaved dog.

31/12/2024

I love our little town because of the mom and pop shops. Being from edwardsville, there is an abundance of chains and very little local places. Which is the opposite of how it was when I was a kid..

Not only in Waterloo do we have a crap ton of amazing places to eat, shop, most of them are pet friendly!!🐾🐶

And the BEST part: we all support eachother! I went to get a sandwich yesterday and one of the employees was repping us with a Grahams K9 Training jacket!!🐾☘️

To my local business friends: Happy New Year. It is not easy running a business. Whether you have 1 employee or 60, thank you for staying tough. I wish you all the best in 2025!! We are in this together!🐾☘️

29/12/2024

Something to always consider:

Our dogs stand on the outside patio table but have never jumped up on the kitchen table.

I could go outside and tell Biggie to get off but he’s not hurting anything. Doesn’t really matter to me. Dogs will find ways to entertain themselves if you’re not around. Rosie and Biggie dig sometimes….

But who cares? I am not out there throwing a ball or a stick or finding another way to stimulate their brain. They’ve been outside since 6 while I am doing chores. So they are left to their own devices.

Point is: dogs are dogs. They can be as good as you want or bad. My dogs listen, follow commands, etc., but sometimes they do things that can be labeled “bad”.

Here? I let my dogs be dogs!!🐾☘️

28/12/2024

Darbee might be an old dog, but she will be learning some new tricks!!🤙🏼

Some things include:

Refresher on basic obedience commands
Crate training
Separation anxiety

We discussed the difference in diets, proper times to play, train, and rest, and organizing a routine that fits their lifestyle!!🐾☘️🐾☘️🐾☘️

25/12/2024

Hope to see some of you filthy animals tonight!! Let’s PARRRTY for the Howliday!!!🐾☘️🎄

25/12/2024

Come see your favorite dog trainer at Uncle John's RRR Bar!!☘️🎅🏻

23/12/2024

Go see our friends at Three Tails Parlor and Pantry of Waterloo!!!🎄

🎄🐾 Don’t forget the dog this Christmas! Today is your final shopping day before the big day, and we’re here to help you spoil your furry friends!

🎁 30% Off All Christmas Items—toys, treats, accessories, bakery goods and more!
🕗 Extended Hours: Open from 8 AM–6 PM on December 23rd!

Stop by Three Tails and grab everything you need to make your pet’s holiday magical. 🎅🐶 Don’t wait—time is running out! 🎁✨

23/12/2024

Does your dog hate the crate??

Couple tips:

Use it frequently. Going to clean? Put your dog up. Cook? Same thing. Feed the dog in it like teaching a kid to eat at the table instead of in their room..(thanks, mom..😘)

It doesn’t matter on age. I will continue to kennel Arrow (10) down to Biggie (1.5). In my house/head - dogs do not serve a purpose being left alone with full run of the house. Unless they are (actually) protecting something (property, livestock, etc.), dogs pick up bad behaviors when left unattended/loose.

Does that mean you have to take the same approach I do? Nope!!! I can guarantee everytime I leave however, I do not have to worry about:

Did I take the trash out?
Did I put last nights pizza away?
Because everyone is secured in their kennels.

Going to drop your dog off at boarding? Better start kenneling them again. Even if it’s temporary, it’ll make their life/experience pleasant.

You take a dog who has had full run of the house for years and then stick them in a 3x5 kennel for a week? Yep - first few days will be “ruff”…

It is so easy, I crate trained my cat because he isn’t left out either yet still loves his kennel. Why?

Because he is fed in it…🐾☘️