Defy Gravity K9 Rehab & Training

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Defy Gravity K9 Rehab & Training DGK9 utilizes Balanced Training methods for behavior modification.

Anyone in Dekalb County, Alabama area missing a Belgian Malinois?
12/10/2025

Anyone in Dekalb County, Alabama area missing a Belgian Malinois?

Since the weather will start getting cooler at night and people will want to cuddle up with their pups, I'm going to dis...
11/10/2025

Since the weather will start getting cooler at night and people will want to cuddle up with their pups, I'm going to discuss the popular and valid questions I get at every training session: "When can I give my dog affection and when can I let him on the couch with me?"

Most people don't think they are going to have to restrict giving affection to their dog or even restrict access to the couch/bed/furniture/etc. But here's the thing, if you are noticing some behavioral issues (fighting between dogs in the same household, possessiveness, anxiety, insecurity, aggression, and so forth) then restricting these two things may be just what you need to help restore your relationship.

Is this the root cause of the behavior issues? Heavens no. In fact, these may have nothing to do with what is happening. However, by allowing him to have full reign of your house and giving unsolicited affection towards your dog in anything other than a calm state is relaying a conversation to your dog. A conversation where your dog knows he can get exactly what he wants from you, when he wants it, and can control the situation. Every single time.

Why? Well, to be blunt, these types of interactions can create powerful and lasting impressions in your dog about the type of person you are. He sees: permissiveness, softness, and neediness that all equate to weakness in the animal kingdom. So why would he listen to you? He's taken over the leadership role, and what he says is law.

So what do you need to do? You need to look at yourself and ask what kind of relationship you have with your dog. What are you allowing your dog to do? How could you better yourself? And lastly, what are you going to do to make it happen?

Once you dive deep into this, I want you to counterbalance all of the permissiveness that you have most likely unintentionally allowed to happen. How do you counterbalance this? Through clear and consistent rules, boundaries, and limitations. By holding not only yourself but also your dog accountable.

Most people don't realize they are having a one-sided conversation with their dog. That one-sided conversation is where a dysfunctional relationship with your dog occurs. Most people struggle with enforcing the rules, boundaries, and limitations. Because it's the tough stuff. But the tough love is what makes great people and great dogs. It's the fires in life that refine us and your dog.


So here's the thing: when you are out and about, you can only be responsible for you and your dog. You have no control o...
08/10/2025

So here's the thing: when you are out and about, you can only be responsible for you and your dog. You have no control over anything happening around you. But what you do have control over is how you and your dog react to that external stimulus.

The world could be crumbling around you but it's up to you to keep not only yourself, but also your dog, in check. If not, you'll fall into the depths of chaos. And sharks are lurking there.

Instead of becoming part of the "problem", alternatively focus on you and your dog. Tune out the world around you but yet still be keenly aware of the happenings around you. Watch your dog's body language for signs of stress, overexcitement, reactivity, pinpointing, etc. Correct from there. Work on creating a sound, "bombproof" dog who can go through the fires of life alongside you.

We challenge you to lead your dog. Guide them. Set clear and consistent rules, boundaries, and limitations fairly and concisely. Don't focus on others or their dogs, put your attention towards you and your dog, and work towards building the best relationship possible.


Anyone who’s trying harder than their “partner” in whatever context, is typically in an unhealthy, dangerous, and at the...
07/10/2025

Anyone who’s trying harder than their “partner” in whatever context, is typically in an unhealthy, dangerous, and at the very least, unproductive space. This is solid advice for any relationship.

When it comes to working with clients, I always meet them where they are. It’s the best way to avoid the ugly stuff listed above, not to mention the otherwise inevitable training burnout, and resentment of clients that is so rampant in the dog training world.

Contrary to popular belief, and typical client/trainer behavior, I'm not here to pressure, cajole, or plead. The desire for success has to come from inside YOU.

It’s YOUR job to be motivated, excited, driven, curious, committed, and ready to work...hard. It’s my job to meet you wherever you are and give you the very best I have to offer. But YOU decide what that looks like.

Now that might sound harsh, or uncaring, but it’s the furthest from it. I care, like most trainers do, a lot. And that depth of care can easily become resentment and burnout when it’s not reciprocated. To ensure I'm always ready to give the very best of myself, I make sure I only share the best of myself when my clients share the best of themselves.

It’s not only self-protection for me, it’s also for you. I'm sure you don’t want the bootcamp trainer telling you to do this or do that or becoming frustrated because you (the client) aren't willing to learn. And the best way to prevent that, is by me being strong with boundaries.

So think of training as a choose-your-own-adventure type of thing. Or an Indian restaurant where they ask you how spicy you want your tikka masala. It’s on you. You want more, bring more, or ask for it.

You determine the depth of help you receive, by the depth of commitment you bring. Period. Read that sentence again.

Reciprocal behavior in relationships is the hallmark of healthy relationships. Unfortunately, this hallmark is often missed. Laziness, want rather than need, delusion, unwillingness to learn, being scared of what has or could happen, and selfishness often derail the possibilities.

That all said, if you come with guns a’blazing, I’ll be ready. The clients who want the best, and give the best, are the ones who always seem to get the best.

Isn’t that a fascinating thing? 🙂


Two birds, one stone type of training today! Target practice for me and noise acclimation for the dogs (specifically gun...
06/10/2025

Two birds, one stone type of training today! Target practice for me and noise acclimation for the dogs (specifically gunshots).

Acclimating dogs to loud noises is vital to creating a "bomb proof" dog. A dog who isn't phased or freaked out by the sounds of gunshots, trains, a vehicle backfiring, or what most dogs struggle with, the dreaded fireworks. This is something that can and should be worked on throughout the year so that you know your dog can handle the booms from the 4th of July, New Year's Eve, hunting season, etc.

One of our former pack members joined DGK9 at the start of hunting season last fall (she's been placed in such an amazing home now). She would be an absolute nervous wreck anytime a hunter fired a gun (the backside of our property is adjacent to hunting land, and most of our neighbors hunt, so there's never a lack of gunfire around here). She would've bolted if given the chance because it scared her so badly. I was able to work her through it during hunting season last year, which also translated to an easy time for her during the New Year's Eve fireworks. The distant gunshots around our house no longer affected her. However, it was time to start the process of specifically training her around gunfire at home and with someone she trusts. And she did exceptionally well!

The 6 Pup-a-long Pack members here at DGK9 gladly helped me today. They are the ones who sat right beside me while I was firing the rifle at the target. They are "bomb proof" with loud noises. They are acclimated to them. And that desensitization process didn't happen overnight or at least not for all of them. Some of them are incredibly stable-minded, while others need a little help to work through their fear. And that's okay. I go at their pace and build confidence along the way.

So when should you start doing noise acclimation with your dog? The answer is now. Don't wait until July or December, and be underprepared with your dog. You know the fireworks are inevitable. How about starting work with your dog now so that you can both enjoy a nice holiday with the fireworks?

05/10/2025

It is crucial to recognize that off-leash training is vital to training and has so many positive effects both on the dog and the owners:

1. It affords dogs the freedom to explore a more expansive world.

2. It enables me to create heightened levels of excitement to test the dog's response to stimulation and distractions.

3. It grants owners the ability to communicate effectively with their dogs at a distance, both indoors and outdoors.

4. It significantly enhances confidence.

Nothing bolsters a dog's comfort zone, self-assurance, and positive responses to challenges like fully proofed off-leash behavior.

So while it may appear that Nala and I are merely enjoying some fun in the yard with the other dogs present, we are actually working on several subtle yet critical aspects of our training.

04/10/2025

Saturday Shenanigans Blooper Reel 🤣

Solomon and Cabo took their roles as distractions while training recall with Nala very seriously 🤣 These boys are total hams! I'm not sure who won the match but I'm fairly certain I could send this video to a football scout and make the team 🤣




P.S. I'll be posting the full length video of Nala's recall training with distractions later. She nailed it!

02/10/2025

Every dog I train spends a week of heavy patterning and learning new behaviors followed by the second week out proofing in the real world. It's awesome to have an amazingly trained dog, but what's even better is making sure that trained dog can hold it together out in the chaos of real-world settings. Dogs, with a few exceptions, shouldn't be left in a "bubble." What kind of life is that?

Does your dog have triggers?
Train, pattern new behaviors, then proof.

Does your dog need more exposure?
Train, pattern new behaviors, then proof.

My goal is to instill a strong foundation with each dog I train. This helps the dog succeed. But the hard work comes from the owners who are determined, persistent, and consistent with maintaining the training when their dogs go home. I'm only one piece of the puzzle.



Not every tool works the same for every dog and owner. Period. It would be far easier if that were the case, but just as...
30/09/2025

Not every tool works the same for every dog and owner. Period. It would be far easier if that were the case, but just as each person learns differently, so true is this for our dogs.

The owners who understand this have the grand possibility of creating a lasting impact with the possibility of major change. The ones who refuse the trade of intellectual thoughts and ideas by attempting to cast aspersions on anything they deem as "wrong" before diving in and doing their due diligence research only demonstrate a clear lack of rebuttal, a strong lack of confidence in their beliefs, and an immense amount of fear of being wrong.

To attempt to shame owners for doing an extramental amount of research on the particular tools they use (i.e., flat collar, martingale, dominant dog collar- which is another form of a slip lead, prong collar, ecollar, head halti, harness, etc.) can be very disheartening and even result in an unrealistic thought process in some owners where not every option to help their dog has been attempted to aid the dog and empower the owner.

Oftentimes, this results in the euthanasia of a dog that could have been avoided. So instead of scrutinizing people utilizing those particular tools that may be the one thing that saves their relationship with their dog, why not instead talk, discuss, share, and argue in a practical, reasonable, and responsible manner in hopes that we can all learn from each other and improve. In the end, owners can say that, in fact, they have tried all options properly and correctly before a decision to end a life is made.



If your dog has been having some behavioral issues and doing so for months or even years on end, don't be discouraged. E...
29/09/2025

If your dog has been having some behavioral issues and doing so for months or even years on end, don't be discouraged. Even those serious issues that have been going on for quite some time with what seems like no hope can be enormously changed for the better or even resolved with consistency.

That's why you'll hear me stress over and over again like a broken record about the importance of rules, boundaries, and limitations. Because they ARE important in your relationship with your dog. I know that if owners can go after this stuff with a strong and clear consistency that their dog will start to look towards them for guidance, direction, and leadership. It's not rocket science, but many people don't know where to start with their own dogs. They don't know where to draw the line and love their dog by leading them.

Reach out to me if you need help. I offer 2 board and train program options. Because once you learn how to be the leader your dog needs, you'll start to notice a balanced and happier dog... and also a happier you.


29/09/2025

How is Raksha still looking for a home?!

She is available through Allie's Hope For Paws Rescue and is such an amazing young lady!

Raksha is around 1 year old, spayed, UTD on vaccinations, knows some basic obedience, exceptionally kid-friendly, loves to play with other dogs, doesn't meet a stranger, loves chew toys, athletic, and would make such an amazing addition to a family!

Plus, if you adopt her, I'll give you access to the DGK9 Puppy Training Series, and if you are close enough, a free training session with her ❤️ Raksha is absolutely worth it and deserves a wonderful home!

If you have any questions about Raksha, please reach out to Allie's Hope For Paws Dog Rescue, Carly McDanal (her foster), or DGK9 (for learning her training).

"Knowing" versus "Doing" is the piece in dog training that is typically lacking. Most owners have been programmed that i...
28/09/2025

"Knowing" versus "Doing" is the piece in dog training that is typically lacking. Most owners have been programmed that it’s all about teaching. Teach your dog this or teach your dog that. Great! Now your dog “knows” what you want, but knowing and doing are entirely different worlds.

This is where 99% of training/behavior modification/rehabilitation falls flat.

If you aren’t adding accountability—consequences, corrections, punishment—to your “teaching”, you’ll have a very knowledgeable dog who will act very unknowledgeable (stubborn/reactive/etc.).

This is simple stuff, but more importantly, the stuff we all know! Without consequences for our actions, even if we know what’s right/best/preferred, we’ll often do what’s not right/best/preferred.

Why? Because we're all opportunistic. And if there’s no consequences for poor decisions—decisions that we feel serve us—you can bet we’ll opt for what WE prefer, rather than what society prefers. And that is the same for any dog.

Teach your dog. Teach them as much as you would like them to know. But then make sure you also hold them accountable, so you don’t get just the knowing, you also get the doing.


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Why Choose Us?

We’ve been there! That’s right, we’ve been the people with the unruly dogs that everyone avoids. We’ve been the people whose dog is aggressive. We’ve been the people that couldn’t go to the dog park. We’ve been the people whose dog controlled the walk. We’ve been there! We understand what you are going through without a doubt.

Here’s the good news, it doesn’t have to be that way! Once we applied our proven dog psychology techniques, our pack became balanced almost overnight. This can be the same for you too!

We are certified in dog psychology and will help you to read your dog’s body language to what they are trying to tell you. We decided on the name, Defy Gravity, as not so much of a physical thing (however exercise and obstacle training goes along with it), but we also rehabilitate death row dogs that we have given another chance at life and have now found loving homes for. So in a sense, we are beating the odds for these dogs and “defying gravity”.

Here are a few of the things that we can help you and your dog with: