Next Level Obedience

19/09/2025

Yesterday was the last DeKalb Farmers Market of the season. The dogs and I enjoyed our time there, and they were very good sports about letting all kinds of people pet them. I took this picture because they are adorable and I love them, but also because I didn't put them in this position. They plopped themselves down and watched the world go by without being forced.

Folks, this is learned behavior. Anyone who sees my Vizslas in public on leash would never guess that they are young, active, competitive, energetic hunters and swimmers who love to run wild! That's because these dogs understand boundaries and social cues -- and yes, that takes so much work! If you think your puppy is magically going to grow out of wild behavior around strangers, think again! On the other hand, if you think your dog can act docile like this all day every day, also think again. As soon as we got home, we went for a 45 minute off-leash walk/run/swim, and I'll tell you -- they were maniacs. And they got baths last night because they were so gross from all the things they got into.

Thanks for tuning into my rambling reminder to train your dogs -- and run your dogs. Everyone's lives will be better for it. And if you need help, you know I'm here for it!

19/09/2025

Success! Another dog gets to live with genuine freedom because she knows how to listen and obey, and her people know how to reinforce the rules. Funny thing is, her reactivity, her anxiety, her rude behaviors toward friends coming over -- those are mostly gone too. Not a coincidence!

19/09/2025

Here is some messy but real training, which I rarely get on video, so take it for what it is 😃

I've spent a few lessons conditioning Tess to an ecollar, mostly because when she gets focused on squirrels there is no breaking through to her. So this lesson, it was time to address the squirrels head-on and make sure she truly understands what the ecollar means. I have her dragging the long line in case she gets confused or panicky (as she is prone to) so I can help her out. If you have the sound on, you'll hear me verbally correcting her when she doesn't come; what you can't see is I'm also tapping the ecollar at the same time. By the end of today, she was off the long line with only the ecollar, and she had already figured out how to chase and tree the squirrels and then come running back on her own, which is exactly what I want!

18/09/2025

Dagmar says day school is exhausting.

18/09/2025

A few random pictures of Irey from day school. Because who doesn't want pictures of a Great Dane?

18/09/2025

17/09/2025

Finch, the frog hunter extraordinaire!

15/09/2025

There are a few spots left in this class, which starts this Thursday! Please reach out if you think this would be helpful for you and your dog, or feel free to share!
K9 Junction Kennels

13/09/2025

13/09/2025

My second favorite thing I get to do for work -- bravery class! Here are a slew of pictures from week 1 (streamers & balloons) and week 2 (cardboard boxes). In class, all these dogs get to deal with phobias, sensitivities, pressure, problem-solving, and lots of other dogs, but fun and competition make it a little easier.

11/09/2025

This is why training a puppy can be so hard and why dog trainers can seem so magical -- because we speak a whole different language that isn't even based on words! It's not so hard once you know what you're doing; just keep in mind that if you said, "Sit," and your dog isn't sitting, saying "Sit, sit, sit, sit" probably won't help. Also forget everything the movies taught you about talking animals . . .