26/05/2021
Karma getting to practice some OB for the chance to fly 😂
Watch till the end for a flying Karma.
iving
Vandever Tough K9 Training
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VTT is Ahwatukee Arizona based dog training where confident, balanced dogs emerge. Owned and Operate
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20/05/2021
So you think you want a 😈🔪🥲?
WATCH TILL END, she is 🌶 a spicy pepper this am.
Karma and I are playing on our walk this morning and decided to add some OB in to a new location.
My best advice for new Malinois owners, if you EVER expect your Malinois to stop biting you. It won't happen. It's just the nature of the beast, if you would prefer a dog that doesn't bite when you play pass on these guys.
12/02/2021
How to trim a Reactive Rusty’s nails.
Continued from my stories
01/02/2021
I am speed. 🐆
How's this for motivation Monday ahemm...
You are a strong, vibrant, capable person!🌈
Whoever or whatever made you feel otherwise?
If the answer is you STOP!
Say nice sh*t to yourself and about yourself! Who else but YOU has your back at the end of the day?
🧐What is something you do that holds you back?
For me, its the fear of failing😥
I want to do so much and I want to do it the best I CAN that i let that anxiety and negative thoughts slip in but I forget that one simple phrase .
I CAN
I can do hard things
I can make mistakes and still be a phenomenal person or teacher
I can have moments of "I dont know" as long as they are followed by, "but ill find the answer".
I CAN and I AM worth something and if I don't acknowledge my awesomeness, noone else is expected to either.
Keep going. Keep being and love your dang self!❤
27/01/2021
In honor of the Arizona Snowfall enjoy this photo of young Karma prancing through the snow like a baby deer 🦌 2 snowfalls ago 😁
20/01/2021
Today I asked Charleigh what she thought was important for dog owners to know.
She said, "That some dogs can climb trees".
There ya have it folks. Some dogs can scale trees, but should they?
*This is an older photo of a trick I used to ask Karma to do frequently, scale and "place" on a tree. Looks freaking cool right! All the onlookers would think so to.
What people don't tell you is that this is dangerous. One wrong mis-step and Karma can injur herself or worse, fall off, not catch herself and die.
Extreme pictures can have extreme consequences. (Not that this is the most extreme tree I've put Karma in 🤦♀️ -feel stupid even saying it now)
Some working dogs may need to be EXPOSED to climbing a tree, think police dogs.
Climbing a tree may even be a by-product of a good hunting dog baying their prey, something you can see with hounds on Mountain Lions.
But never should you be practicing extreme placing with your dog. Honestly what is it doing? Likes on the gram? Yeah sure and ruining your dogs joints, possibly creating hairline fractures or even compound breaks. If you are not equipped or prepared for the possible fall out of the equivalent of doing an Extreme Sport with your dog then just don't do it.
Your dogs don't need to place on a 4ft tall wall to build confidence. (Bust out 4 coffee cans and ill show you what I mean)
Your dog is under YOUR care and protection.
The 'gram cant heal your heart or your dogs foot, back, hips etc..
Remember your place the same way you expect them to remember theirs.
OPEN COMMENTS: Let's discuss your view on Extreme Placing.
Are you for it?
Are you against it?
Drop a comment below⬇️
19/01/2021
SWIPE to see Karma give 😂
After being out of bitework since puppyhood Karma has been reintroduced to the bite and is doing momma proud! 🥲
When Karma 1st came to me she had been forced to bite with E-Collar compulsion (Bite or get shocked on higher and higher stim till you do 😤)
I had no idea now that this was MADNESS but now I know so much different.
By forcing her to bite this way so much conflict was created between Karma and her -
1.Her handler/trainer
2. decoy(s)
3.environments and just people in general
Creating a loaded weapon of nerves and fear 🔫.........
For Karma the bite never has and never will be serious, she isn't a PPD, she isn't even a sport dog she doesn't have the mental toughness and THATS OK!
She is however, a Malinois and she LOVES to bite and play tug, it's in her nature.
Over the past few years we have trained in all sorts of venues, detection, bird do***ng, service tasks and advanced obedience but we have NOT truly worked a bite until we recently found club.
Karma has found her confidence in bitework and has completely taken my breath away with her trust in me and the decoys. Thank you everyone for all of your hardwork and keeping it fun for my girl.
*Karma won't be trained or titled in PSA instead this is a learning curve for me, for my next dog and a fun outlet for Karma as long and as far as she is able and wanting to go.
📸: .photography
13/01/2021
Good morning party people!
The Queen 👸of irregular posting is here, you can be happy now 🤣
Yes this is a business page HOWEVER I am One everyday average person who has not yet found my social media voice and in lies the problem. I want to do better, for the both of us and your dogs.
My goal is to help dogs and their handlers find balance through communication so I need to get communicating on this awesome platform!
What would you guys like to see?
What would you guys like to know?
*Do we want to know about my personal dogs?
*Do we want to know details about me, as a person?
*Family?
*Do we want training tips?
*Do we like short captions or longer ones?
What will bring this page more value and most important bring YOU more joy and understanding?
I have loads of ideas, just need some direction. What say you?!
Where should this social media refresh take VTT? What can I put out there to fuel your fire?
I have loads of new followers so please don't hesitate to speak up!
✅ Check out the polls in my stories!✅
02/11/2020
✅Flat Top
✅Handlebar Mustache
✅Plaid Button up
✅Sunglasses
My dad in a nutshell.
Happy Birthday to one of the most influential, if not the most influential man in my life, Marty Dale Vandever.
(11/2/1962 - 7/2/2009)
My (adoptive) dad is quite literally my hero. Growing up in a home of drugs and violence I saw a lot of evil, I mean a lot. This man saved me from that world at 10 years old and showed me what true unconditional love was and forever changed my perception of the world.
The man was a math genius but would play dumb every night at the dinner table for over an hour as I attempted to reteach him my math lessons solely because he knew it was helping ME retain the information and do better in a class I struggled with.
I would tell him the grand plans of how I'd get this job or that because it made lots of money and I was obsessed with not ending up like my mother.
He would tell me everytime, do what makes you happy Natasha. Do it well and do it with integrity. The money will come.
The money hasn't come yet lol, but let me tell you I feel rich. I have a beautiful family and true happiness in my soul.
If it wasn't for this man I wouldn't have started training dogs and I definately wouldn't have found true joy in the little moments of life.
So here's to you dad 🥂Happy 58th Birthday! Though you are gone may your legacy live on as I grow Vandever Tough Training.
22/10/2020
Gogi man's first muzzle session.
This is after a handful of reps with just luring, throwing food in the muzzle and marking. He caught on so quick I was able to layer a word in there and boom, he's muzzle trained 😂 ok maybe not quite yet but he's doing EXCELLENT🎸
Muzzle training your dog is so important. It's not about aggression its about safety.
If you are in a situation that required a muzzle, im sure you and your dog are under some unusual stressor.
Personal Example: Maybe you are minding your own business, driving along, listening to some Tay Tay and all of a sudden BAM💥 Your little car is hit by a freaking truck! You're dazed, a little disoriented and you don't kennel your dog due to space so your dog is TERRIFIED and was just thrown about the back seat. Yeah ... scary. In this situation my dog had no physical injuries but I didn't know that and I wasn't risking her turning around and catching me in the face(thats happened before with another dog and I dont want a repeat).
I used a muzzle as a precaution due to the situation and all of its unknowns, maybe you will one day too.🤷♀️
08/09/2020
Board & Train: Gogi
AKA: Gogi Bear🐻 Aka Gogi Pants👖
This guy has been such a joy to have and this weekend was such a great test of all the things he has learned.
Gogi is a very spirited dude, as Cattle Dogs should be with the kind of work they do. We have worked HARD on his neutrality, ability to calm himself AND make good choices even in highly-distracting senarios such as camping with other dogs and screaming children like we did this weekend (See Stories).
During our 3-day camping trip with friends and family Gogi was:
*Highly stimulated
*Kennel silent during crate time
*Able to turn off self with use of place
*Able to follow direction and adhere to boundaries
*Allowed handler to control uncertain situations
*Allowed handler to intercept agressive off leash dog with no pulling/ lunging
*Held duration downs/ sits/ place
*Completed simple sequence OB drills
Overall Gogi did fantastic! He needed less redirection than I anticipated and I couldnt be more proud, Great job dude!
01/09/2020
Oh yeah, we are starting to master the art of Calm on Place.
High five little buddy!
30/08/2020
For those of you that don't know Karma is a butter eater.
However she can get it she will.
But its not a carb 😉😂.
28/08/2020
Welcome Board and Train Gogi (AKA Gogi🐻Bear)! ....
Gogi is a 6-month old, Blue, Australian Cattle Dog, here for a 2-week board and train to work on obedience, house manners and learning to be neutral under distractions.
04/08/2020
Sometimes we just need to change our perspective to feel joy in our current circumstances, instead of looking to tomorrow for relief.
Is it a perfect life, never.
Will there be challenges and change ups, undoubtedly.
Who will we be through it all?
03/08/2020
Post PT photo op 😁
So much swelling has gone down since the surgery, Woo Hoo!
Today I was allowed to walk with a single crutch and for the first time in months I walked, upright and pain free. I had a semi normal gait! I am so excited to rehabilitate and strengthen my knee through these surgeries and PT. I can't wait to see what my body can do.
Can you see the 3 lumps where the incisions are?
02/08/2020
Her Happiest Place on Earth!
🌎🏰🎊
Judging by that tail wag I'd say she is happy to be allowed on top of me again 🥰
25/07/2020
Surgery Prep is underway! 😜
What girl doesn't want to think about how painkillers effect the bum hole flow 😂
This weekend is the last weekend for me to get things together before surgery 1 BUT my doctor is hoping to have me walking by the end of the week! Remember, surgery is on Tuesday so thats pretty good in my book. 🥰Faster we get walking the faster we can set the date for surgery numero dos!
Thank you everyone who has reached out with advice and kind words. They have really been the thing keeping me going this past week and I am so grateful for your support.
23/07/2020
Good Morning world!🥰
Please enjoy Charleigh Mae and Karma gettin their cuddle on.
20/07/2020
Happy Birthday to Me!🥳💅
Yesterday I, Natasha, turned 26 and how did I turn up?
🔸️Well I got to spend a couple hours with my mentor so that was amazing. I always learn alot from him and we are starting from the ground up on a couple things. Stay tuned to see if I can apply his knowledge lol
🔸️Binged some Hunger Games 🐦with the love of my life 🤠 waiting on me hand and foot
🔸️Karma and Daisy suggled the crap outta me!
🔸️My brother-in-law smoked some amazing ribs follwed by a slab of Chocolate Chocolate Chip
The after party was extra lit though guys. I was in the depths of youtube looking up Komondorok and then..it happened. I clicked a related video and BOOM 💥 ended up watching stockdogs working cattle 🐮 for 3 hours. Thats a normal thing right?😂
15/07/2020
If a dog's mental capacity was the same as a humans'...
I bet they would be better people.☕.
Sometimes I feel like this girl is to good for this world. She always gives me her best no matter how flawed the handling is on the dumb end of the leash 😉
Kennel:
10/07/2020
STATUS UPDATE: Knee Drama💥
On May 30th my patella dislocated and to the ground I went. Turns out that during this event I tore my meniscus and I will be having 2 surgeries! Woot woot!
We now have x-rays, an MRI and a CT scan of my knee (CT of my whole lower body) and our pre-op appointment on the 20th should solidify our plans but the idea is this.
1st surgery: Scopic - July 28, 2020
-Yup, they moved it up 2 days 🙄
-Trim torn meniscus as it is effecting the knee joint
-Perform Step 1 of MACI procedure. They will be removing a piece of my cartilage, sending it to a lab in Massachusetts to grow and then implanting it ino
to my knee in a 2nd surgery.
2nd surgery: Open Knee😢 - TBD
-Perform 2nd step of MACI implanting new cartilage
-Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy and Ligamemt Reconstruction which involves moving the tibia where the patellar tendon is attached (this plan may change at our pre-op appt now that the Dr has all the images or after the 1st surgery's post-op appt)
So WHY are we doing this? My patella has dislocated so much over time that the groove my patella sits in is to flat and she just slides off at will. This caused me to tear my meniscus and will continue to cause more issues or "stay the same" but I can not improve this on my own.
We are doing the MACI procedure to grow and implant my own cartilage because frankly I have little towon't! left in my knee as well as early arthritis. I am 25, 26 this month, so as you can imagine this does and will continue to drastically effect my physical health and mobility as I age.
When I picked out a new insurance policy last fall I got the best one for this situation (unknowingly but thankfully) and they are covering everything after I meet my 5k deductible. Thank God for Little victories!!🥳
*
With that being said any TIPS OR TRICKS for me post surgery?
*
@ Gilbert, Arizona
04/07/2020
S.O.S. | LOST AT SEA
Karma made a best friend and was so sad when he didn't stay for dinner 😂..
Impulse control at its funnest! While my husband cheater fishes we work impulse control. I have NOT worked impulse control since...February.. Needless to say we need a brush up but all in all she was manageable with verbal cues and 2 stims from the ECollar at an 8...
I'm just glad to be out of the house and doing something outside! 😁
20/06/2020
But is it a big enough bag??? 🤔
(2lbs compared to 19lbs)
10/06/2020
This is so exciting guys!
I have waited a long time to First, have a logo which was designed this year by an AZ Local, the fabulous and now to have that logo ON SOMETHING. It's surreal and I am so humbled. It's a small step but guess what, she is in the right direction. Thank you to Freddie at Ten Eight Design LLC, also a local here in AZ, for bringing another part of this dream of mine to life.
With my knee taking me out of the game little moments like this remind me that this is a bump in the road to a greater future. One where I will have the opportunity to cultivate my craft further and help change lives and hearts, both human and canine alike!
06/06/2020
Oh boy, where do I start.
Saturday morning last week my knee dislocated and I went down. I didn't think to much of it but the pain and swelling just weren't subsiding. I went to the Emergency Room and they confirmed by Xray that my patella is out of alignment and signs point to a tear. My ortho ordered an MRI and we won't know more about how long I'll be down and if I'll need surgery until after those results are in.
I am so heart broken to see this girl go. After only a week she had learned so much and started to nestle a place in my heart. Thankfully her mom was super understanding and we will pick up the rest of her training after I'm back on my feet.
For now its crutches, ice and popping Ibuprophine like candy lol
This is what it means to be Vandever Tough. To persevere through challenges and learn from them.
So what is my lesson here?
1) I have an amazing clientele who have big hearts for animals and people alike
2) I have a fantastic husband who has officially become my personal driver and errand boy
3) My condition is completely fixable. Something I was once told wasn't true.
Through this crappy experience I have found a surgeon who thinks my life long career of patella tracting and dislocating (something that has happened since i was 8 years old) can be corrected. I will never have to wonder if this hike, these stairs or the wind blowing the wrong direction will cause me to fall ever again. For that, I'm thankful.
31/05/2020
🥳 Welcome Board & Train K9☠Toxic!
She is a 16 Week German Shepherd puppy with a big job ahead of her. Toxic is here for Puppy Starting focusing on her foundation for service work.
18/05/2020
The sun is to spicy today.🌞😎
On a happy note look at those gains!
This is such a big win because Daisy AKA Princess Angel Cookie Nose has NEVER had an interest in food. We rehydrated kibble(tons of brands and formulas), added raw🐣components, wet food, treats, oils, 🥓bacon grease you name it nope. She could turn down a steak in hand!
It looked like forever with never UNTIL I made it an integral part of her training program.
18/05/2020
Nature breeds peace in the soul 🏕
07/05/2020
Inherently fear is what keeps us alive. Being able to control that fear and how we manifest it is the single-most thing that can pull us from our own darkness. Fear is powerful but man and beast have been given a spirit that can overcome these fears and grow into tougher individuals for it. -Natasha Apodaca
I work with dogs who are at times terrified out of their minds. They have no direction, no purpose, no way of coping naturally with being stuck in the middle of their fears. Think about it. Most pet parents keep their dogs in some pretty “scary” places. Dogs weren’t born to be trapped in a tiny apartment or only to see their own backyard. They have wild hearts with a desire to explore, it is in their nature. However, when we as people deny our dogs their nature of exploring, smelling, running, chewing and even digging, how can we expect them to truly be happy and clear headed? Ever been scared and unable to think past self-preservation? So has your dog who is terrified of noises, the car, people, etc. It’s too much for them to cope with, and we as their people have a responsibility to teach our dogs how to cope with their environment. Only with time and consistency can you ask a dog to ignore their nature, ignore self preservation and instead engage with and focus on you and what you are doing together instead of the world around them.
04/05/2020
I've added to my toolbox - Humility Post
When you think of your dog’s brain remember it is not wired to speak human. Dog’s communicate by body language, always have and always will. Does that mean we only use our body language to communicate? Absolutely not! We as humans are verbal communicators and in an emergency situation we will respond with a verbal command every time. So the work around here, teach the dog.
Here is my 2nd session with both the Flop Monster and Karma using a clicker. Why did I add in a clicker to our training routine at home and my professional toolbox as a trainer? Clear, precise, same sound - every time - communication! When I get excited so does my verbal marker, I make a higher pitched more excited sound, not consistent. Now a dog will get the jist but for our goal of clear communication I don’t want them to get the jist, I want the dog to understand clearly what is expected of them.
Dog’s understand that a sound represents an action, good or bad. For example, when asked to sit they can either choose to follow the command and get 1 Click to say good job, but you aren’t finished with the command and a double Click to signify you are done and here is your reward or a NO which means, No, but try again. It is imperative that your dog through this process understands trying again is allowed and encouraged, over punishment of the dog will cause them to stop trying to figure out what to do and start figuring out how to make the pressure stop. Sounds similar when you hear it but they are very different and cause the dog to react differently to a given situation.
Thanks to Mike and the team at I have developed a serious interest in clicker training and the clarity it can provide when implemented correctly. I have adopted their 1 and 2 click system and so far the ladies are living for it! As the video may show I am new to this but excited to learn with these ladies. Now that I have seen it properly implemented by someone with a training style very close to my own I am stoked to be a clicker happy fool!
17/04/2020
Here at VTT we haven't stopped, we just moved online, you got it, virtual dog training!
I understand how difficult it can be living with a poorly mannered or even dangerous dog. You and I have been presented a unique opportunity through this quarantine, we can improve ourselves, our homes and those around us including our furry friends.
I have devoted my life to the understanding of dog psyche and behavior so YOU don't have too. I will take you step by step on your custom tailored training plan to create life long change in your dog by fostering clear communication and respect.
Please feel free to reach out, no matter how big or small (the dog or the challenge is) I can and WANT to help.
https://www.facebook.com/VandeverToughTraining/
*NEW SERVICES and OFFERS*
-Virtual Classroom: 1 on 1 video-chat lessons
-Hero Class: $15 Virtual Classroom for fosters and new adoptive pet parents
-30% off ALL B&T Services
-19% off for all COVID-19 Front Line Workers: for ALL Essential employees - First Responders, Healthcare, Teachers, Truck Drivers, Grocery Store Employees, Food Service Workers (If your title is not here but should be please message me)
Code: HoldTheLine
-10% Off for all First Responders, Healthcare Workers & Teachers
Code: VandeverTough
*Pilot* Last Chance Program (Extremely limited availability, message to inquire)
14/04/2020
Introducing our new logo!
Thank you to local Arizona artist for your hardwork.
So guys, what do you think? Do we need merch?...stickers? Let me know what we are feeling.
💥SCHEDULE your Board & Train with 30% off now.
_________________________________
03/04/2020
During these dark times: Be the Light YOU Seek in the World!
I know there are a lot of you who are stepping up to the plate and taking on a new fur family member during these uncertain times and we here at VTT want to say thank you.
I will NOW be offering HALF PRICED virtual lessons, for those who are helping empty our shelters! If you have adopted or started fostering a dog from a shelter (since January 19th, 2020 - the day of the first recorded COVID-19 case in AZ) you qualify for our Hero Class!
If you are stuck at home with your long time BFF (Best Furry Friend) during this quarantine season we got you covered too with a 1 on 1 Virtual Classroom. Don’t be shy, we don’t bite (unless on command 😉) and we want to give back to our community of Heroes!
Training your dog is the perfect pastime during this pandemic so let’s use this time to do something good for you and your pup!
Call, message or visit our page (Link in bio) to schedule.
Vandever Tough Training: Where Confident, Balanced Dogs Emerge.
*NEW SERVICES and OFFERS*
Virtual Classroom: 1 on 1 video-chat lessons
Hero Class: $15 Virtual Classroom for fosters and new adoptive pet parents
30% off ALL B&T Services
19% off for all COVID-19 Front Line Workers: for ALL Essential employees - First Responders, Healthcare, Teachers, Truck Drivers, Grocery Store Employees, Food Service Workers (If your title is not here but should be please message me)
Code: HoldTheLine
10% Off for all First Responders, Healthcare Workers & Teachers
Code: VandeverTough
*Pilot Program* Last Chance Program (Extremely limited availability)
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Videos
Gogi man's first muzzle session. This is after a handful of reps with just luring, throwing food in the muzzle and marking. He caught on so quick I was able to layer a word in there and boom, he's muzzle trained 😂 ok maybe not quite yet but he's doing EXCELLENT🎸 Muzzle training your dog is so important. It's not about aggression its about safety. If you are in a situation that required a muzzle, im sure you and your dog are under some unusual stressor. Personal Example: Maybe you are minding your own business, driving along, listening to some Tay Tay and all of a sudden BAM💥 Your little car is hit by a freaking truck! You're dazed, a little disoriented and you don't kennel your dog due to space so your dog is TERRIFIED and was just thrown about the back seat. Yeah ... scary. In this situation my dog had no physical injuries but I didn't know that and I wasn't risking her turning around and catching me in the face(thats happened before with another dog and I dont want a repeat). I used a muzzle as a precaution due to the situation and all of its unknowns, maybe you will one day too.🤷♀️ #muzzletraining #cattledog #blueheeler #austrailiancattledog #AZdogtrainer #azdog #dogsofaz #adventuredog #herdingdog #workingdog #adoptable #adoptdontshop #shopreputablebreeders #dogtraining
Oh yeah, we are starting to master the art of Calm on Place. High five little buddy! . #austrailiancattledog #acd #blueheeler #azdog #dogsofaz #AZdogtrainer #azdogtraining #psychology #behaviortheory #dogtraining #Arizona #AZ #GogiBear #mommasproud
A little task video for you here. Do we need DPT...hmm, no. Do we need me to get in your face, YAASSS. We practice Karma's service tasks nearly every day and I like to change the location (home, public building, parks, etc) and my position (laying, sitting, standing) 1) To throw her off and keep her on her toes. 2) I rely on her to alert and respond to my medical conditions to keep me safe and in some instances alive. She needs to be reliable in all sorts of situations because face it, no one knows exactly how any given day is going to play out. High Five to all our service dog teams out there! You guys do amazing things by adapting to your disability(ies). _________________________________ 💥SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION TODAY! 🔖TAG is in your posts 📣COMMENT below OR just send us a 📨MESSAGE We love hearing from and supporting YOU! _________________________________ #dogsofig #obedience #servicedog #dogsofinstagram #fitdogs #fit #workingdog #workingk9 #workingdogsofig #hunting #gundog #huntaz #dogtraining #Arizona #AZ #nature #belgianmalinois #malinois #maligator #trainer #boxerdog #azdogtraining #phoenix #gilbert #mesa #chandler #ahwatukee
You never know when retrieval practice will land in your mom's back yard. I can't confirm who killed it, but it was fresh when Karma brought it 😄 📸Featuring: Cousin Ryleigh (Some sort of nutty mutty) Sister Daisy (Boxer) ________________________________________ SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION? TAG us in your posts COMMENT on ours OR just send us a MESSAGE We love hearing from you and giving the fans what they want to see here at VTT! ________________________________________ #dogsofig #obedience #dogsofinstagram #fitdogsofig #fitdogs #fit #workingdog #workingk9 #workingdogsofig #hunting #birddog #gundog #retrieves #huntaz #dogtraining #Arizona #AZ #nature #belgianmalinois #malinois #maligator #dogtraining #trainer #boxerdog #phoenix #gilbert #mesa #chandler #ahwatukee
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