Cleo’s K-9 Connection

15/08/2023

Gretchen’s biggest motivator ➡️ Her dad!

A solid relationship like theirs makes training fun and easy. So if you’re asking yourself where to start in your training journey, relationship building is where it’s at!

15/06/2023

Until you’ve lost a dog to the road, you may never believe in ecollars.

Until you’ve been dragged down a road, you may never believe in prong collars.

Until you’ve lost a dog to another dog in a fight when you’re not home, or lost a dog to an impaction, you may never believe in crates.

Until you’ve been on the losing end of a dog who wants you dead and you can’t cut off his air, you may never believe in choke chains.

People don’t use tools to “be mean” or “abusive”. That can be done with hands and lifestyle alone. We use tools for safety and effectiveness, and often for a faster and more sure result to prevent tragedy.

And many folks use them from a place of true PTSD. It’s never your place to judge.

So when people recommend something because they have been there and done that, it may be worth listening. We just don’t want you to experience what we did.

11/03/2023

Meet my newest addition and training project, Chester! Chessie is a sweet 2 year old mini pony and the new companion for my other mini, Little Bit.

A lot of my training client’s dogs are just as big as this little boy!

21/11/2022

I completely forgot to post that Miss.Ivy graduated daycare train! I’m so proud of her mom, Melinda Flick Burnell, and family for having done a great job working with her at home, outside of her days with me. She still has all the fun corgi sass, yet is the sweetest, most willing to please dog, at the same time. She loves people and people love her! Her improved listening skills will enable her to life to the fullest. Full of people and adventure❤️

07/11/2022

Hey, Everyone! With winter around the corner, it's that time of of year again where I am no longer accepting new clients. I will be taking a step back from training this winter and focusing on building my grooming career and continuing my training education in order to offer more advanced levels of training. As always, still feel free to reach out with questions or trainer referrals in the meantime! I am so excited for what is coming, stay tuned for updates! Thank you!

31/10/2022

Happy Howl-oween from two of my favorite little monsters! I guess you could say they spent the whole day doing “tricks for treats”😉🎃

18/10/2022

These two have been rocking their climb command! ✅

It’s been taking forever pairing the e-collar with both of them because they have their commands down so well, opportunities to correct them are rare. That’s how it should ALWAYS be when introducing an e-collar people!

17/10/2022

Set them up for success!

A very common question I get from owners when a dog is here for Board & Train: “well what happens when…”

Nothing. Nothing happens when… because I don’t set the dog up to fail like that.

I train and prepare a dog. Baby steps. LEASH ON. We trainers, we use a leash a lot, and for a very long time, for a reason.

A leash is a communication tool, not simply a restraint tool.

I am not going to see what your dog does without a leash until they know what to do WITH a leash.

I am not going to see what your dog does when someone knocks until I see that they know how to act when someone doesn’t and just walks in.

I am not going to see your dog’s reaction to situation B, until I know they can respond appropriately to situation A.

When trainers do things in small steps and with leashes on, it’s because we are TEACHING. We aren’t running around, throwing dogs into situations that could be scary or stressful, hoping for the best and crossing our fingers which are subsequently sitting on an ecollar button.

How would you feel if you went to school, were told to do a geometry problem when all you know is basic math, then socked in the face when you get it wrong?

The LEASH is the ultimate teaching tool. It’s how we teach the geometry to the student who only knows basic math. It’s how we communicate.

If your dog can’t do it ON a leash, your dog can’t do it OFF a leash.

Put the leash on the dog.

29/09/2022

14/09/2022

Tuesdays are for the girls!
For my training girls that is! 😉😍

06/09/2022

Hey everyone! For the time being, I am no longer offering in home services except for the elderly and those unable to drive. However, I do have a basic obedience class starting this fall at Pawriffic Grooming Salon. I will post the class schedule and details in a separate post. I am also currently booked for my Monday/Tuesday daycare/trains but I do have one spot available starting in a couple weeks. Message me to book!

Featuring Dallas and JoJo for daycare/train today ❤️

26/08/2022

I started to type paragraphs on how much I love dogs and how lucky we are to have them. But I realized, anyone whos owned a dog before already knows the feeling. ❤️

Comment your pups below! ⬇️

21/08/2022

My go-to lazy Sunday enrichment!

Licki mats and stuffed Kongs are the easiest thing you can do for your dog and they will love it! I personally use natural peanut butter or yogurt for my dogs, then freeze them to avoid a mess and make the dogs work a little harder for it. This is a very calming activity that over time can help promote calmness in your dog every day!

*I caution you to keep your personal dog’s caloric intake in mind.

15/08/2022

Blueberry fest in South Haven was packed this weekend! Yet somehow this puppy never fails to perform regardless of all the pressures put on him! I love my daycare/train days with “Dilly Dally” ❤️

05/08/2022

Some pictures of Mr. Dallas who stayed with me last weekend for a short board and train 💙
Just turned 7 months and already bigger than all my personal dogs!

15/07/2022

I don’t recommend a lot of dog parks but Jaycee Park in Allegan is my favorite hidden gem! Can’t say enough good things about this place! And the best part, it’s free!

09/07/2022

Found this adorable little shop in Allegan the other day! Stop in to work on socialization with your pups, get them some treats, and support a great cause all in one!

28/06/2022

Like how clients’ dogs are always perfect around me but their owners swear otherwise 🤣

Awww, how considerate 😂😂

28/06/2022

⭐️PRO TIP⭐️

Proof commands by distracting with treats!
It’s super important that the dog does not self reward and get the treat, so throw it just out of reach for dogs first starting off!

26/06/2022

I’m always trying to learn and better myself, not just because I’m a trainer, but because my personal dogs deserve it! Yours do too!
It’s time to start taking the pressure off our dogs and start holding ourselves, the owners, more accountable!

24/06/2022

So I have some exciting news! I have made this my full time job so I can devote all of my attention to clients and growing as a trainer. With that being said, in addition to in-home training, I am also now offering full service in-home bathing and nail trimming! (No grooming. $50+ depending on size of dog and coat condition).
I have also decided to offer dog sitting as well but only for past/present training clients to reduce liability.

Please bear with me as doing this on my own has been a huge learning curve!
Message or call me at 269/491/4682 to book for this summer while I still have availability!

Featuring Lola, who has gotten way more confident on the table lately! ❤️

19/06/2022

THIS IS WHY I DO WHAT I DO!
I want pet parents to be able to look at their dog like this and feel nothing but love. No anger, resentment, anxiety, or stress. Yes it requires some extra work, but I promise that the bond you create through clear communication is the best thing you will ever do for your dog… and yourself!

15/06/2022

Keep up on those coats to keep your pups properly regulated this summer!!!

Credit: Kristen Pennington

13/05/2022

Stormi is giving me puppy fever!😍😩
Michaela DeKilder McNees

05/05/2022

Suki passed her on leash obedience test! This girl’s parents have had to work extra hard to get her to this point considering all the Malamute sass! 😆 Her larger than life personality has been a challenge to train, but also what makes her such a truly love-able dog. Fortunately for me, she’s also a client at the salon so I’ll be able to continue to watch her grow up❤️ Congrats Suki and especially her mom and dad, Stephanie and Nick!

01/05/2022

Highly recommend everyone to watch!
Training has to be apart of your lifestyle!

In this clip, Michael Ellis discusses the importance of building value in the handler and a reward system. This process helps motivate the dog when performin...

22/04/2022

Did you know that your dogs nails should be cut or filed once a month? Regular grooming and maintenance, such as nail trims, not only keeps your dog well maintained, but also desensitizes them to the process every time it’s done. Slow, positive exposure is key in training the grooming process!

14/04/2022

For the people in the back.

10/04/2022

2022 updated service pricing!
🐾Availability is limited as I still work full time. 🐾Venmo or cash preferred.
🐾Sessions are in home but will be moved to Pawriffic Grooming Salon in Kalamazoo during bad weather.
Pm me with any questions!