Defy Gravity K9 Rehab & Training

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

When did leadership and leading become something viewed as a negative? When did being a positive influence, sharing know...
26/11/2025

When did leadership and leading become something viewed as a negative? When did being a positive influence, sharing knowledge, paving the way, guiding, being in charge, accountability, and helping your dog succeed become something that is avoided?

Instead, society (this is, in general, as there are exceptions) has shifted to a softer approach. An evolved, educated, scientific approach where the good is praised and the bad is utterly ignored. But what happens? A feeling of being stuck starts to creep in. The world for both you and the dog slowly gets smaller and smaller. Until you are stuck. You are forced to live in constant management. In fear that something will happen or you are forced to put your dog away in a crate, room, or backyard.

Let's break it down: consequences are the result or effect of an action or condition. We all face them. Daily. If you speed on the way to work, well, you more than likely will get issued a hefty ticket. The consequence was getting pulled over while the punishment was the ticket you'll have to pay. Behaviors can not be stopped, lessened, or shaped without punishment (even if but small). Punishment is heavily viewed as a "bad word" as something that inflicts harm or abuse. However, the definition is quite the opposite: something that reduces or eliminates a behavior. Now that's not so bad, is it?

By definition, it actually sounds extremely ethical. There's no harm, no abuse, but instead decreases negative actions and behaviors. And that's both good for you and the dog. The goal through healthy leadership should always be first and foremost to teach in a fair manner. So why are so many owners feeling "stuck"? They avoid correcting their dogs for unwanted behaviors because it might hurt their dog's feelings or make them "unhappy." But here's the thing, what's truly cruel is depriving the dog of appropriate information about what is and what is not acceptable. By denying this, the dog never learns how to navigate the world safely.

So many owners feel stuck because the thing that can improve their relationship is left out. Here's the thing: if something is comfortable, no change will happen (even if the action is unwanted), whereas discomfort has the ability to change behavior because it is uncomfortable. I see so many dogs with behavior issues who are returned to the shelter, rehomed, put away in crates, rooms, or the yard, and in many cases euthanized because leadership is omitted from the relationship. So, if you are having issues, dig a little deeper. Do the hard work. Look past what society in general tells you and discover what you've known all along.




P.S. There are always exceptions. Some relationships can be more lax while others require a decent amount of daily leadership.

P.P.S. I work with many dogs with extensive behavior issues, and this is one of the things I see commonly omitted from owners who are struggling with their dogs.

P.P.PS. You'll notice I choose to talk about the "tough" side of the human/dog relationship over the affectionate side. That's because the majority of people don't have an issue giving affection but heavily struggle in the leadership department. Why? Because one side is comfortable and the other part of the equation of a balanced relationship is uncomfortable.

If nothing else today, think about this: strong leaders lead; weak leaders create chaos.Which are you? Are you leading b...
25/11/2025

If nothing else today, think about this: strong leaders lead; weak leaders create chaos.

Which are you? Are you leading by influence? Are you learning and growing? Are you taking ownership of your actions? Or are you blind to what's going on around you? Do you find fault and blame others?

Being a good leader requires you to take ownership of difficulties, problems, and opportunities. Leaders lead by example. So what kind of example are you setting? Are you someone you'd follow?


What are you saying to your dog?I'm not just talking about words either. Everything you allow your dog to do or don't, e...
22/11/2025

What are you saying to your dog?

I'm not just talking about words either. Everything you allow your dog to do or don't, every behavior you allow or don't, everything you ask of your dog or don't all adds up to a bigger picture. All of this equates to what kind of relationship you have with your dog. What's allowed and what's not allowed.

Your dog is always watching you. Listening to your actions. They know what they can and can't get away with from YOUR actions.

So what are you allowing your dog? What is "up for grabs" through a leadership gap? More often than not, if there is this kind of gap and the dog knows it, they will swoop in and take over the leadership position no matter how much the owner thinks they are in charge.

And when this happens? Reactivity/aggression, bullying, pushy, bratty, and resource guarding problems just to name a few. What else happens? Fears, insecurities, anxiousness, stress, and not being comfortable in their skin because they are being forced into the leader role.

So how does one go about working to improve this? Leadership. Because leadership is influence. Period. Holding the dog accountable for their behaviors, whether pretty or ugly behaviors. Reward the good and add consequences to the nasty stuff. You'll see your dog start to respect you more and start to become balanced and comfortable. A stronger bond will form with both of you.


21/11/2025

You'll never know what you can achieve until you put the effort in. You'll never find the ceiling if you never try, and you'll definitely never be able to raise the ceiling if you don't have the work ethic and desire to strive for better.

Where is your dog's ceiling at? Where is your ceiling at? Are you putting in the hard work to find both? It takes time, patience, knowledge, accountability, and leadership to get there. Are you prepared and ready? If so, get ready for you and your dog to achieve great things.


Having dogs know snappy obedience commands is great, but what we work towards is everyday life training with dogs. Teach...
18/11/2025

Having dogs know snappy obedience commands is great, but what we work towards is everyday life training with dogs. Teaching them how to relax when the world goes on around them. We enjoy letting dogs play, romp, tug, and run, but there also needs to be an "off-switch" when they need to take a break from playing. Or be able to relax when kiddos are running through the house, or supper is being cooked, or guests come over, or the doorbell rings, or the UPS guy delivers that much anticipated package, or....

So yes, snappy obedience and quick movement are great, but that's also easy for dogs. We ask dogs to settle down, relax, and take in the world around them. Drop all of the anxiousness, fears, excitedness, etc. at the cot and be still. It's so much harder for dogs to be still than it is to move and pace. The mind follows the body, and we are creating dogs who are comfortable in their own skin and can watch the world around them while relaxing.

Companionship and being your dog's best buddy are easy. That's why we discuss the topic of leadership so much. Because c...
13/11/2025

Companionship and being your dog's best buddy are easy. That's why we discuss the topic of leadership so much. Because companionship isn't difficult but leadership is.

Companionship, when shared appropriately, is absolutely amazing! It's the affection, the cuddles, the pets, the stuff that "feels good", the buddy-buddy stuff. You know, the easy stuff. The stuff that requires next to no coaching or training because it's enjoyable and people easily gravitate towards those blissful feelings.

Leadership, on the other hand, is sharing the stuff that isn't as fun. It's maintaining those rules, boundaries, and limitations. It's when you share the hard stuff, the tough stuff, the stuff that creates a balanced dog. Leadership is influence and serves as a counterbalance to the companionship side of the relationship. Companionship without leadership causes a rift in the relationship and it is no longer balanced. Typically resulting in a one-sided relationship.

So think about it this way: it's much harder to be your child's parent than it is their buddy. The buddy is the one who shares all the fun stuff but the parent is the one who is really in charge and maintains those healthy rules and enforces them. Being a parent is harder than being a buddy but in the long run, it makes the child happier and they grow into a well-balanced and adjusted adult.

So this is one of the many reasons why we choose to speak so much about leadership, rules, boundaries, limitations, and accountability because it's the tough love. The easy side of the equation is companionship and most of us don't need coaching in that area.


12/11/2025

A little video from Oliver & Henry's owners transfer session this weekend. We are so proud of the boys and their owners!

We spent the first part of the transfer session teaching the owners how to work with the boys individually before putting the boys together and out in public. We are thrilled for them! They learned how to keep Oliver's excitement down while bringing Henry's confidence up along with being both of the boys' biggest advocates. This has opened up the world for all of them so much!

We are but a small stepping stone in their journey together. But we know that they will continue the training "homework" to be able to live a harmonious life full of so many new opportunities!

10/11/2025

Below freezing temps here at DGK9 call for 8 dogs around the fireplace ❤️

10/11/2025

Creating calmness instead of chaos:

Think about your feeding routine with your dog or dogs. Really think about it. For most of us, feeding the dog or dogs is a really rushed process. Most people are typically running late for work and just set the food out, and then what happens... happens. Dogs are jumping all over the place, whining, barking, eating from other bowls, resource guarding, fights, and generally just running amuck, causing a commotion.

Dogs are impatient. Owners are frustrated.

Here's what you have created by doing this: an overly excited dog who has absolutely no impulse control whatsoever. You have, in essence, created a monster.

Now here's the question... what are you going to do with the monster you created? What are your next steps to correcting this? How are you going to create calmness from chaos?

It all starts with YOU. You need to change your routine. You need to be the calm yet assertive leader. You need to set those super important rules, boundaries, and limitations daily... or... be prepared to live with the monster.


**𝗗𝗚𝗞𝟵 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧**There are only 2 board & train openings left for 2025! Both openings are for December! Book your sp...
09/11/2025

**𝗗𝗚𝗞𝟵 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧**

There are only 2 board & train openings left for 2025! Both openings are for December! Book your spot now before the year ends!

B&T Options:

•Stay & Train Program - $2575 (3 weeks)

•Rehab & Train Program - $3275 (5 weeks)

•Aumni Refresher - $550 (1 week minimum)

•DGK9 Puppy Training Series - $50
(lifetime subscription to all unedited step-by-step training videos - FB Group)

If you'd like further and more in-depth information about each program, please reach out. I am more than happy to answer any questions!

I will not start scheduling into 2026 until 𝓶𝓲𝓭-𝓓𝓮𝓬𝓮𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻.

To create a well-balanced dog, offer DAILY exercise, discipline, and then affection in that order. This fulfills their n...
09/11/2025

To create a well-balanced dog, offer DAILY exercise, discipline, and then affection in that order. This fulfills their needs as a dog. They get to release pent-up energy, they know what the rules, boundaries, and limitations are, and they receive praise. All of this factors in to a dog who has a well-balanced state of mind. A dog who is comfortable in his own skin. A dog who can be calm in the household or reliable in public because he has his needs met first and foremost.

When these basic concepts are ignored by owners, they see the dog start to offer their worst because they aren't expected to offer their best. They aren't held accountable and their needs aren't being fulfilled. I cannot stress these concepts enough.

I know when I haven't been able to work my dogs as much as I'd like or I relaxed on a rule and, in turn, they are going to become unruly and test the limits. And that's to be expected. I don't become frustrated with the dogs when this does happen because it's on me for not fulfilling their needs, providing consistent structure, or not releasing their pent-up energy. And that's the same for every owner. If you aren't working with your dog the way you should, if you aren't consistent in your training or your house rules, if you aren't releasing their pent-up energy, if you aren't providing structure for your dog, the only one you can be frustrated with is yourself. Period.

So what are you doing with your dog?


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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: