K9 Connection, LLC

20/07/2024

BRIMLEY - A stunning Chow and Husky mix, showed great promise during our first training session, despite initial reservations meeting someone new.

Utilizing mealtime as training time is crucial, as it creates engagement and a motivated dog, making the training process enjoyable and successful.

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO RESCUE!!!❤️

20/07/2024

HANDSOME GUNNER😍

2nd session - Leash walking.

The right tool can make all the difference, as well as the handler's calm/assertive energy.

Well done, Team Gunner!

15/07/2024

Good Monday Morning 🌄

13/07/2024

WINNIE ❤️❤️

At 8 weeks, Winnie is primed for training and socialization. This critical period, between 3 and 14 weeks, offers a unique opportunity for puppies to learn and absorb new experiences, making it an ideal time to begin training and to build confidence. 🐕💪

11/07/2024

Pretty sky.

10/07/2024

SWEET SADIE 🥰😍
Sadie was a joy to train during her initial session! At 14 weeks, she exhibits a calm demeanor and a desire to please. It's wonderful to work with clients who are equally passionate about setting their dogs up for success! Well done, Team Sadie👏👏

09/07/2024

Way to go, Team Teddy!

Scott Davis, Teddy & I just had our first, in home training session with the phenomenal and kind, JoJo Terestre! Teddy is so worn out he can’t even lift his head off of his bed lol. And my brain is mush! (Doesn’t take much! 🤪)
We have a LOT of stuff to train him but tonight really showed how eager and intelligent he is! 😊💚

07/07/2024

Algae releases toxins into the water as it begins to die. Dogs often respond to the smell produced by the algae and drink the algae-contaminated water. This can result in damage to the kidneys, liver, intestines and nervous system. In fact, the mere act of swimming in the algae-contaminated water can be enough to cause skin rashes.

Another issue with stagnant water is the potential for dogs to contract a bacterial infection known as leptospirosis. Because of its ability to do irreparable damage to the kidneys, next to antifreeze exposure, lepto is one of the most life threatening diseases we deal with.

Symptoms of Toxicity: If your dog has been in a lake or pond with blue-green algae, be sure to wash him or her immediately, and keep an eye out for symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty walking, and general weakness.

04/07/2024

DANTE❤️❤️
This handsome, sweet and vibrant 1-year-old Labrador, needed help to control his enthusiasm.

Despite past e-collar training, he still exhibits strong pulling and jumping behaviors. In a single session, we focused on addressing these issues and saw improvement!😁

Foundational skills, including engagement and relationship-building, are vital for dogs, and e-collars are not needed to accomplish this. (Not opposed to e-collar training in some cases).

It was a pleasure working with Dante and his amazing human, and I look forward to seeing their continued progress.

Well done Team Dante👏👏

03/07/2024

03/07/2024

PRETTY PENNY❤️

All dogs need leadership.
This doesn't mean we want to "dominate" our dogs, instead, it means we need to provide guidance and direction. The humans need to step up to the plate and be the leader our dogs need us to be, so as to build a better relationship with our furry family member, built on trust and respect.

Well done, Team PENNY!
Tail wagging good times ahead!

28/06/2024

When looking for a reputable dog trainer, please make sure to find one that is not only qualified, but one who also loves what they do and is eager to share their knowledge and experience with you, for the good of the dog and not just for the good of the trainer's wallet.

28/06/2024

I was very distracted (😅) working with this adorable 14 week young lab, Maggie.
She looks like a younger version of my girl, Ida!!

While I don't like to overwhelm a puppy with a lot of new behaviors, this girl really enjoyed working for food and loved to please, therefore, we accomplished a lot. I made sure to move forward at her pace! She had a tail-waggin' good time!

✅️Engagement
✅️Marker Training
✅️Down, with duration
✅️Place
✅️Recall
✅️Wait
✅️Drop
✅️Confidence building

Training should be fun.
Using meal time as training time helps the dogs to have fun during training while earning their food.and learning various behaviors.
The human is the food source. Food doesn't just magically appear in their food bowls.
When food comes directly from the human, this makes the human valuable to the dog. This is how the human gains respect and trust.

Make training fun for your pup.

Never ask more than your pup can give.

Training isn't about your ego!

Training is about helping your dog to become balanced and confident.

26/06/2024

While positive reinforcement is wonderful, dog training is not "one size fits all!"

22/06/2024

Sweet Marley 😍 - 14 weeks young and full of puppy pride!

Our second session was a real tail-wagger 🐕

Marley is eager to please and has a personality that's simply paw-some 🐾

I predict a bright future for this little ball of fluff!💥

19/06/2024

Beautiful BENSON😍

Training at Home Depot was a success with this very sweet, but excitable girl.

✅️Engagement
✅️Managing excitement
✅️Marker Training
✅️Pulling on leash

We saw great results in just 1 session 😀

Great job, Team Benson!

16/06/2024

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY IDA!
😍❤️🥰

11/06/2024

Instead of boarding & training dogs, how about boarding & training humans?!!!

11/06/2024

Training dogs is easy! Training the humans to provide leadership, structure and consistency is more challenging.

**************************

All dogs need physical and mental stimulation. Pent-up energy will lead to unwanted behaviors. While it's great to have a yard for your dog, it should not replace walking your dog on a daily basis, this includes structured walks as well as "freedom" walks.
Take your dog to various locations. Allow them to see and sniff new environments. Socialization should continue throughout your dog's life.

K9 CONNECTION
571 212 8915

05/06/2024

WHAT ARE DOG CALMING SIGNALS?🤔

Dogs display "calming" signals to us, or other dogs to communicate their emotional state or intentions, and also to calm themselves down when they are feeling uncomfortable.

All dogs use calming signals. It's a universal language that dogs use to communicate to others and to calm themselves down when they are feeling stressed or anxious. 😬 Dogs use these signals to avoid unpleasant things (including conflict) and to say, "Ive had enough."

It's important that calming signals be interpreted in the context of the situation. For example, when a dog repeatedly yawns it could mean that he is tired. In a high-distraction environment it could mean that the dog is feeling very overwhelmed.

Here is a list of some common CALMING SIGNALS:

✅️LIP LICKING

✅️BODY SHAKE OFF

✅️YAWNING

✅️TURNING AWAY

✅️LIFTED PAW

✅️SNIFFING

✅️SOFTENING OF THE EYES

✅️LOWERING THEIR BODY

✅️LICKING ANOTHER DOG'S FACE OR MOUTH

✅️SLOW TAIL WAG WITH LOWERED BODY

✅️ITCHING

✅️WHALE EYE

✅️PLAY BOW

✅️PANTING

Dogs, unfortunately, don't come hardwired to understand our language. It is up to us to learn how to communicate with them in a way they understand. It is also crucial for us to understand what their body language is telling us.

If your dog is displaying any of these behaviors while with other dogs or when you are out and about training, they are not in "Think and Learn Mode." Keep that in mind. You may have to remove the dog from the situation, if you are able.

01/06/2024

The PACK ❤️🤍💙
Our puppy raisers ROCK!
Thin Line Service Dogs

31/05/2024

What is MARKER TRAINING?
Why is it important?🤔

"Markers allow you to communicate your expectations to your dog. 😊

In order for a marker to be effective, you must mark at the EXACT moment you get the desired or unwanted behavior. The reward or consequence must follow the marker.
*Do NOT pair the marker with the reward or consequence.

I use 3 MARKERS:

✅️ YES means the dog complied and a reward is coming.👌 This marker is very useful when teaching dogs new behaviors. This is how you let your dog know that he is correct or your dog made a great choice.

Example 1)
You cue your dog to sit. At the exact moment your dog's butt touches the floor, mark with YES. Then you treat your dog.🍗

Example 2)
While walking your dog you pass a very reactive dog that is barking and lunging.
Your dog ignores this behavior. This is a great choice your dog made. Mark and reward this choice. This will make your dog more likely to repeat this behavior.

✅️ GOOD
This marker is used for praise/affection. No reward is coming.
You don't always have to reward a behavior with food. You can fade out the food and this is where GOOD comes into play.

❎️ NO
This marker is used to discourage unwanted behaviors and is followed by a consequence.

For example, if my dog jumps on my furniture, uninvited, I mark the unwanted behavior with NO. Then I remove the dog immediately.
No harsh consequence needed.

Some other examples of a consequence could be, withholding a reward, giving a leash pop or using spacial pressure (body blocking).

Clear and consistent communication will not only enhance your relationship with your dog, it will set you both up for success.👏

NOTE:

If you don't use markers, you must reward your dog within 2 seconds in order for your dog to understand the association of the reward. This is not always possible.
The marker allows us more time to deliver a reward or give a consequence.

30/05/2024

TLSD Bretagne likes to help me out when we go shopping.
( I should have her carry her stinky p**p bags too! Bol) Way to go Bretagne!! 🥰❤️

Although this is a short video, there's a lot going on:

-picks up object (task training)
-loose leash walking
-holding object
-engagement with me
-waits when asked
-sits
-releases object in my hand

Thin Line Service Dogs

27/05/2024

LENTIL 🥰
2 year old Golden Retriever

We accomplished a lot in just 1 session!

He learned to walk on a loose leash. He just needed clear communication and guidance.

Dog training doesn't have to be complicated.
I will help to simplify training while making it enjoyable for both human and dog!

✅️Engagement
✅️Training markers
✅️Leash manners
✅️Sit
✅️Down

Thank you, team LENTIL!
See you next time.

26/05/2024

LUNA AND WHITNEY 🥰

23/05/2024

🔑Unlock the secret to a lifelong bond with your furry friend by deciphering their body language and learning how to communicate with them, effectively. Empower yourself to create a deep K9 CONNECTION with your loyal companion through a balanced, uplifting approach.
I can help you achieve this.

JoJo Terestre
K9 CONNECTION
Dog Trainer
Behavior Modification
Service Dog Trainer
Thin Line Service Dogs
571 212 8915

21/05/2024

Worth reposting 😉

Is your dog giving you a "hard time" or is your dog having a tough time, understanding your expectations?

Often clients will say to me that, "my dog knows this command but is being stubborn," or "my dog is ignoring me."

Dogs don't generalize well.
They are very contextual creatures.

Often during training we may think our dog is being stubborn, ignoring us or we may chalk their behavior up to being an adolescent dog, when in reality, our dog is having a tough time generalizing in a specific environment.

For instance, my dog loves to retrieve items for me at home, on cue. However, when we are in a different environment, she may need my help to understand my expectations.

We need to train our dogs in a variety of situations and locations in order to build confidence and achieve reliability and overall training success.

Your dog may be having a hard time and not giving you a hard time. Keep this is mind.

K9 CONNECTION
571 212 8915