K9FarrFitness

19/05/2025

Where did the sun go?!?

09/05/2025

It’s and we are celebrating our favorite military spouse, .

Morgan had no idea what this crazy life would entail, and she’s excelled at it for nearly 12 years. She made a significant impact on every military and civilian community she’s been a part of, and she’s developed the community and found the resources wherever they were lacking.

I’m proud to see Morgan being recognized by individuals, programs, local organizations, bases, and national/international organizations. She is an unbelievable powerhouse.

Despite all of that, I know she’d much rather work behind the scenes to ensure that the MilSpouses and Families coming behind her receive the support and resources they deserve.

On the home front , I’m proud of how she manages a home, raises and homeschools our kids, and helps our community all without breaking a sweat. In the middle of all that she helps keep me sane and supported while I pursue my goals and dreams. The number one phrase I hear from her is, “Do you want it? Then let’s go get it”… which is how K9 Farr Fitness came into existence. She is the order to my chaos and I couldn’t do military life without her.

I’m grateful to have her with me for this PCS, our next assignment, and the rest of our military adventure!

25/04/2025

From :
I’m incredibly proud to be part of the team that put this project together. To my knowledge, this is the first time data on working dog service life is presented at this scale. I’m excited to see what we can learn from it to help our canine teammates be healthier, more fulfilled, and have longer and more productive service lives.

⭐️ K9 Farr Fitness is super proud of the the entire team! ⭐️

24/04/2025

On the road again…

12/04/2025

Pre-PCS prep has hit the ProGear section of the house.

We have spent the last two months transitioning from our old bins to the stronger yellow top bins (that can be zip tied shut) so that hopefully our stuff survives the move with . 🙃

Dog gear and the gym is next on the list.

07/04/2025

Our favorite Army Veterinarian is at it again in talking working dogs, this time specifically working with military working dog data.

The best part? The team he works with is amazing and are as passionate about the topic as he is.

The complete research article will be up soon!

05/04/2025

MJ is getting ready to travel to the Army MWD Symposium to demonstrate some fitness and enrichment.

Because of that we are trying out new travel crates.

This is the 5th (maybe 6th?) to attempt to get approved by Dr. Farr.

We will see how this one goes.

Do you have a favorite travel crate?

We are open to all the suggestions!

21/01/2025

MJ is loving the snow in San Antonio.

It’s good to have a range of activities when inclement weather hits so you can still safely meet their needs.

Just a reminder, careful with dogs on ice, the last thing you want is an injury.

04/01/2025

Handlers discipline dogs in their own ways.
- These dogs are government property and paid for by citizens’ tax dollars. Handlers must adhere to agency protocols when handling, training, or correcting their dogs.

If this is only one side of the story, please show us the rest.
-What happened prior to the video?
-What are the statements of other witnesses?
-What does their training material say about physical strikes as a training or corrective technique?

If these are “proper corrective techniques”, where else is this happening? Where are these described? How are handlers trained to use them?

The “alpha” mentality is based on debunked wolf pack theories. Dogs are not wolves, and our interactions with them should not be based on asserting dominance. Working dogs are teammates, with each partner performing a role that the other cannot. Asserting dominance and using physical strikes as correction creates fear, anxiety, avoidance, and aggression.

Any training technique that must be hidden should be investigated.
-First, there's very little that can be hidden now.
-Second, smart working dogs learn context, and restricting correction to a specific context will likely make the undesired behavior more frequent.
-Third, any interaction with a taxpayer funded sentient creature should be available for public scrutiny.

Working dogs are just dogs...highly motivated and energetic dogs, but still just dogs. Animal behavior theory and techniques are universal and apply to companion dogs, working dogs, elephants, mice, and humans. Working dogs can and should be trained (including “punishing” or decreasing the likelihood of undesired behaviors) without force or pain.

If the agent used her training appropriately and no violations of policy occurred, this is an agency problem, not just one rogue agent. Each agent has individual responsibility, but the agency is responsible for the effects of their policies on the animals they are entrusted with.

Fully agree with the PETA Vice President. This is what was caught on camera. What is happening out of sight?

Fully agree on the need for a third party investigation. One aspect is if the agent complied with agency policies. The other is if those policies support the health, welfare, and performance of working animals.

Think about the potential health effects. Blunt trauma to the chest could fracture a rib or cause a pneumothorax, muscle contusion, or joint trauma… any of which would complicate this dog’s ability to do its detection job. To make the medicine simple, the dog can’t smell things if it can’t breathe.

Think about the potential dog handler team effects. How likely is this dog to engage with their handler and follow their cues during the vehicle search that starts 15-30 seconds after this video? To make the training ethics simple, the dog won’t want to work with its abuser.

—-Brian Farr DVM, MSTR, Diplomate ACVPM & ACVSMR

https://www.expressnews.com/news/border-mexico/article/border-patrol-union-20013060.php

San Antonio Express-News

PETA demanded in a letter to Border Patrol officials that a handler accused of kicking her K-9 partner be reassigned and the dog be removed from her custody.

01/01/2025

Happy New year from all of us at K9 Farr Fitness!

17/10/2024

If you own a canine athlete, you need to be able to advocate for their needs. That means understanding their bodies and minds.

Have a question? Shoot me a DM.