Lionheart K9, Dog Training in Maryland

Lionheart K9, Dog Training in Maryland You want results, we guarantee them. Tried dog training that didn't work? We do what others can't.

If you're unhappy with your dogs’ behavior, you will be amazed at how easy your dog can be transformed from the obnoxious animal that no one likes to be around, to the most remarkable, calm, trustworthy companion you could ever imagine, even off leash and in public. If you have a dog that thinks that coming to you is optional, or if you have struggled through training that has not gotten you any f

arther than when you started, maybe it’s time you took a look at our training options and what we can do for you.

Based on our most recent records, we have successfully enrolled 576 students through our Virtual Learning options, since...
04/25/2025

Based on our most recent records, we have successfully enrolled 576 students through our Virtual Learning options, since late 2019.

Almost 100 of those in 2024 alone.

It's been pretty gratifying to be able to help dog owners resolve their dogs' behavior problems over the internet, and our success continues with new material, addressing behaviors as benign as jumping on guests or pulling on walks, to more serious issues like separation anxiety, resource guarding and defensive aggression.

It's been an honor to see a number of our Virtual Learning students not only resolve their dogs' behavior problems but successfully compete in AKC and UKC performance events.

Although titles themselves may not hold any meaning for most people, what they demonstrate is the high level of training necessary to enable a dog with behavior issues to be comfortable in the presence of total strangers, in an environment filled with many things that compete for the dog’s attention.

All the distractions during the stroll at the park demand just as much from you and your dog as an obedience ring. The same expectations apply.

For many of our Virtual Students, the show ring has been a proving ground for their hard work, and a testament to our ability to coach novice owners to extraordinary achievements, not only on a personal level, but for all the world to see, all while not even having been in the same room. Sometimes, not even on the same continent.

Message me for more info.

We are here to help.









Yup. Read the whole thing.
04/24/2025

Yup. Read the whole thing.

Fantasy Horsemanship: Where ‘Doing Nothing’ is Marketed as Mastery 💸

“A safe space for humans. A weird time for horses.”

Once upon a time in a paddock not-so-far away, a horse dragged its owner across the arena to a hay bag.
And lo, the guru said:
“Did you see that? He’s finally feeling safe enough… to express his autonomy.”

And the crowd nodded.
For they were moved.
And the horse, dear reader, was not. 🙄

Welcome to Fantasy Horsemanship — where dragging, balking, spooking, and shutting down are framed as spiritual breakthroughs.
Where confusion is revered, clarity is oppressive, and stillness is sold as “deep integration.”
Where your horse is not trained — but interpreted. 🎭

Let’s take a closer look…

1. The Guru Speaks (And You Stop Thinking)
In this world, the guru is your translator.
You don’t learn to read your horse — you learn to believe his reading of your horse.

A tail swish becomes trauma. A head toss? “Reclaiming boundaries.”
And a shut-down horse staring into space?
That’s “sacred integration through parasympathetic recalibration.” ✨

It’s not horsemanship.
It’s interpretive spirituality with a rope halter. 🧘‍♀️🐴

Sprinkle in some polyvagal jargon, somatic buzzwords, and vaguely-academic pseudoscience, and suddenly everything makes sense… except your horse.

2. Feeling > Function
“I feel more connected.”
“My horse gave me a soft eye.”
“We just stood together and cried.” 😭

Lovely.

But did your horse stop spooking at the mounting block?
Can he walk forward when asked?
Did you learn anything… practical?

Of course not.
Because in Fantasy Horsemanship, progress is an emotional experience, not a behavioural outcome.

If you cried, it counted.
Even if your horse is still stuck, shut down, or silently screaming for guidance. 🐎💤

3. No Tools, No Plan, No Problem
“I could use a tool… but that would betray the trust.”
Translation:
I don’t know what to do, and I’ve built a philosophy around that.

No leadership? Enlightened.
No aids? Ethical restraint.
No plan? A bold rejection of the patriarchy. ✊

Doing nothing is rebranded as depth.
The guru has no method, no map, and no measurable outcomes — and that’s exactly how he likes it.

Where there’s no criteria, there’s no failure.
Only more feelings. 😌

4. The Guru Believes His Own Bull$h!t
And here’s the real kicker:
The guru isn’t running a con — he’s running a one-man theatre production he believes in deeply. 🎤🎭

You’ll see a horse lurching, lame, shut down, clearly miserable —
and he’ll whisper, misty-eyed:

“Wow. That was amazing.” 😍
He’s not evaluating the horse.
He’s performing a show.

And he’s too high on his own narrative to notice the horse is tragically unsound and about to file for emotional leave. 📋

5. Your Horse Is Not Your Life Coach
“I’m forever changed.”
“He unlocked something in me.”
“We breathed together under the stars.” 🌌

Lovely.
But your horse still won’t load on the float.

He’s not your therapist.
He’s not your mirror.
He’s not your trauma doula.

He’s just a horse — trying to survive a training session that’s turned into a TED Talk narrated by someone who’s read one too many somatic healing blogs. 💻🐴

He doesn’t want to co-regulate.
He wants clarity.
And maybe a carrot that doesn’t come with a full emotional disclosure. 🥕

6. Bonus Truth: When Fantasy Replaces Vet Checks
Here’s what Fantasy Horsemanship won’t tell you:

The only time horses aren’t easy… is when they’re unsound. 🚫🏇

Pain changes behaviour.
Discomfort makes horses emotional, evasive, or disengaged.

But instead of checking for pain, lameness, or imbalance, the fantasy reframes it all as “emotional blocks.”

And for women — especially those not feeling strong in their own bodies — this becomes a trap.
When movement feels hard, stillness feels safe.
When strength feels distant, softness becomes the story. 🧘‍♀️🕯️

And suddenly, both human and horse are stuck.
One in pain.
One in fear.
Both being told they’re “healing” — when really, they’re just avoiding.

7. And Still, the Horse Pays the Price
Behind the hashtags and healing mantras is a horse who didn’t ask for this.

He doesn’t get trained.
He doesn’t get listened to.
He gets filmed mid-meltdown while someone whispers,

“This… is integration.” 🎥😬
He’s confused.
He’s burdened.
He’s trying.

But nobody notices.
Because everyone’s too busy being deep.

8. Epilogue: The W**d That’s Spreading
This isn’t just one guru.
Fantasy Horsemanship is everywhere. 🌱🔥

It spreads through spiritual marketing, emotional manipulation, and the promise of transformation without accountability.

It appeals to those who want connection but fear discomfort.
It flatters women conditioned to be agreeable, self-doubting, and endlessly apologetic —
those trying to people-please their horse into loving them,
dreaming of a ba****ck beach ride with wind-blown hair and 100% safety. 🐎🌊💨

But your horse isn’t looking for magic.
He’s looking for someone who knows what they’re doing.
Not someone side-tracked down a rabbit hole to nowhere.

Final Thought
Horses are beautifully simple.
They don’t need make-believe — they need meaning.
They don’t want therapy — they want to be understood as horses, not projected humans.
They don’t care about your journey — they care if you can help them feel safe. 🧠❤️🐴

They are easy to train.
Easy to make feel secure.
Unless they’re unsound — or the human is untethered.

So if the fantasy is fading… if your horse is still wary, still stuck, still waiting…

That’s not failure.
That’s reality knocking. 🚪

Answer it.

Find someone who teaches real horse training and treats you with respect.
Learn to understand horses — and build the skills to influence them.

Because when the fog lifts and the narrative dies…

It won’t be the guru standing with you.

It’ll be your horse.
Still confused.
Still waiting.
Still hoping you’ve finally shown up —
not with a story…
but with a plan. 🐴✔️

If you’ve climbed out of the fantasy rabbit hole — or realised your horse biting you wasn’t over zealous engagement but frustration — you’re not alone. Tell your story. Let’s talk about it.❤

If this said what you’ve been thinking — share it. If it said what you wish you wrote, still… share it. With credit. You’re welcome. 🐴😉

I was interviewing a potential client the other day when this question came up.We were walking in our middle pasture wit...
04/21/2025

I was interviewing a potential client the other day when this question came up.

We were walking in our middle pasture with a couple of puppies who were busy investigating the nooks and crannies for groundhogs and bunnies, making mad dashes for the stream and whirling around our feet for treats and attention.

I was thinking to myself that’s all dogs can be since they are dogs and not flowers, humans, birds or fish.

I asked her what she meant by “just being dogs” and was met with the typical answer; to stretch their legs, play with other dogs, investigate more of their world without the constraints of leashes, collars or other restrictions; a break from the rigors of a life lived with humans, free time to do whatever they want.

In her mind, “to be free“. In my mind, to run amok.

My interpretation of ‘just being dogs’ clearly differed dramatically from that of my guest. My mental image was represented by the young 6 month old Lab pup and countless thousands like him who have had the benefit of rational communication and an effort to teach him how to travel seamlessly through a human world.

Her mental image was tarnished by a history of poor information gleaned from questionable resources and was (mis)represented by her own dog; a young mix that at the age of 18 months was still using her trendy D.C. home as his personal toilet, wouldn’t come when called, even if jollied up with treats and a whole host of other things that labeled him as less than ideal as a pet...

Read the rest, here: https://lionheartk9.com/just-being-dogs/

U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities (2019–2023)2019: 48 fatalities2020: 47 fatalities (DogsBite.org); 62 fatalities (CDC)2021: 53 f...
04/20/2025

U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities (2019–2023)

2019: 48 fatalities

2020: 47 fatalities (DogsBite.org); 62 fatalities (CDC)

2021: 53 fatalities (DogsBite.org); 81 fatalities (CDC)

2022: 56 fatalities (DogsBite.org); 98 fatalities (CDC)

2023: Data is still being reviewed and finalized

Estimated Dog Bite Fatalities by State (2019–2023)

State Estimated Fatalities

California 20

Texas 18

Florida 12

North Carolina 10

Ohio 10

Georgia 9

Illinois 8

Pennsylvania 8

Michigan 7

New York 7

Other States 100

Total 209

These statistics reflect available data, with the years 2023 and '24 under-represented. Insurance companies, medical findings and newspaper reports are often contradictory.

Maulings are included as 'bites', and although death-by-dog is still exceedingly uncommon, it is increasing.

Time to start addressing the elephant in the room.

Dogs that bite are a serious health and safety risk.

I am particularly fond of the "save them all" NIMBYs who preach how even biters and fighters deserve a second (third, fourth, fifth) chance but are unwilling to home these animals themselves.

Next up, we beard the lion in his den...

What to do, and who to do it to...

This is a compilation of fatalities by dogs since 2019.2019: 48 fatalities ​2020: 47 fatalities ​2021: 81 fatalities 202...
04/17/2025

This is a compilation of fatalities by dogs since 2019.

2019: 48 fatalities ​

2020: 47 fatalities ​

2021: 81 fatalities

2022: 98 fatalities ​

2023: 58 fatalities ​

2024 is still being compiled.

The correlation between adoption numbers and attacks/deaths during the pandemic can not be denied.

The shelter system, as it currently exists, is failing animals and is establishing itself as a threat to public health and safety.

Releasing dangerous dogs into society under the auspices of "no kill" can no longer be sustained. The "rescue railroad" needs to end.

I will be researching and compiling statistics of the numbers of dogs adopted from shelters involved in maulings and deaths over the next few weeks.

The term "Balanced Dog Trainer" never quite sat right for me. I have opposed the term since I started hearing it years a...
04/16/2025

The term "Balanced Dog Trainer" never quite sat right for me. I have opposed the term since I started hearing it years ago.

Here's why...

I am a dog trainer. I train dogs to do or not do things. I do not balance on a tightrope, and the mental gymnastics actually required to do this job successfully is more akin to boxing or playing chess. Each in equal measure.

When you work with dogs, the risk of injury is exponential. Dogs bite. They scratch, they jump, they pummel you with their roughhousing. Statistically, it's not a matter of if you get bitten, but when. Only the trainer gets to determine how often they permit that to occur. The more you know, the less you bleed. Getting bitten isn't the badge of honor many trainers think it is.

The physical demands alone require a level of fitness that wanes with repetitive use injuries, and age. Young and fit, we are all at the top of our game. Older and not so fit, we rely on years of experience to get us through the hard parts.

When you are ready for results, we are here!

Read the rest at the link in the comments or if you are seeing us on Insty, at the link in the bio.

04/15/2025

Hey folks- I know there were some people that were having difficulty signing up for a subscription to LK9's private group- I had messaged FB a few times over the issue, but never received a response.

Having said that, one person did reach out to me and said she tried this morning and was successfully able to join!

I don't know if there were some behind-the-scenes manipulation, but for now it seems to be working!

If you have tried and failed, give it a shot and let me know!

04/11/2025

Dog bites are increasing exponentially, and many of those bites are occurring because people tend to think dogs like to be physically touched. I suspect that dogs don’t really like it all that much, especially by individuals outside their circle of acquaintances.

Sort of like we humans.

Do Dogs Enjoy it?

It begs the question regarding whether dogs really do like to be touched; how, where, and when.

As humans, we are very specific about these things. We are averse to being touched by strangers, dislike it when we are touched in certain ways, and are very vocal about who is or is not allowed to touch us, but we make no concessions when it comes to our dogs.

I have owned many dogs. Most of them are very specific about how they like to be touched. Some are overjoyed at the prospect of physical contact and work to prolong it as much as possible. Others prefer that you touch them in specific ways, and only for brief periods.

When you are ready for results, we are here.

Read the rest at the link in the comments or in the bio on Insty.

There are ways to avoid this from happening. Know your trainer. As in, research your trainer. Do they have any organizat...
04/11/2025

There are ways to avoid this from happening.

Know your trainer. As in, research your trainer. Do they have any organizational affiliations? Look online for proof- reviews, videos, social media presence... Look at their dogs. Are they healthy and well-cared for?

The better ones have nothing to hide.

And if boarding and training gives you the heebie jeebies, find a trainer that will work with you privately.

But in the meantime, know that the trade is unregulated and anyone can call themselves a trainer. It takes more than a "love of dogs" to do it well, safely, and above the law.

If you need help finding a decent, ethical trainer, I'll be happy to show you what to look for.

https://www.fox9.com/video/1623265?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR69RY5TvUi5gFzSaR191eF8TaIZbPNopiLxFw26YvuAgcE5w_YmWVi5vsat4w_aem_Ips-srYcZ2rhkDcMQfaziQ

The Kanabec County Sheriff's Office is investigating a case of suspected animal cruelty at a dog kennel and training facility in Mora, according to a notice posted on the facility’s front door.

This lad is being fostered by us. He's a lovely, kind, sweet fella, looking for a home to call his own. He is crate trai...
04/11/2025

This lad is being fostered by us. He's a lovely, kind, sweet fella, looking for a home to call his own.

He is crate trained, polite on leash, dog friendly with appropriately behaved dogs, loves people and loves to travel.

He is looking for a Snuggle Buddy to call his own.

If folks could share this, I would appreciate it. Cash is deserving of a home he can call his own. I will continue to support his training wherever he lands.

When your best laid plans end up not bearing fruit, be sure you don't spoil it either. Sometimes less is more.
04/08/2025

When your best laid plans end up not bearing fruit, be sure you don't spoil it either.

Sometimes less is more.

04/05/2025
04/05/2025

The lovely Curly Coat is a young male named Berwyn, owned by Debbie, Apologies for not capturing your last name!

I loved this dog. He has a lot of character and was tons of fun. Debbie was also accompanied by a lovely smooth Collie that didn't make it into any of the videos, but was a real pleasure to meet!

Special thanks to Carla form FluentDogs in Frederick for coming out! Carla will be hosting a trainer meet-up on April 12th at her place in Iajmsville!

Address

Westminster, MD

Telephone

+17178804751

Website

https://www.lionheartk9.com/

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Our Story

We specialize in results. If you are not getting anywhere with your dogs’ behavior, you will be amazed at how easy your dog can be transformed from the obnoxious pet that no one likes to be around, to the most remarkable, calm, trustworthy companion you could ever imagine, even around distractions, off leash. When you want to do what's right, but just don't have the time, we offer an excellent opportunity for you to finally have the dog you always wanted, with our premier Boarding and Training programs, or our Day Camp programs for folks who want a more manageable dog, but don’t have the me or resources to train them right. Dogs in our care are provided an opportunity to learn and explore in a safe, clean environment at our 9000 square foot facility just a few miles west of Reisterstown Maryland on route 140. They interact safely, under careful supervision in small, compatible groups, and work one-on-one with our staff. If you have a dog that doesn’t particularly like to listen, or if you have struggled through training that has not gotten you any farther than when you started, maybe it’s time you took a look at our training options and what we have to offer.

Our office hours are 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Our number is 443-201-8231

For a prompt response, feel free to reach out to us at https://lionheartk9.com/contact-us/