Koda's Canine Academy

29/08/2025

Hey all and HAPPY FRIDAY!

Angie and I have teamed up to provide those of you in the Central Maine area with more flexibility for private lessons! Find our updated weekly lesson schedules below!

If you see availability that works for your schedule snag it up before it's GONE!

***Booking out several lessons in advance is recommended to secure your preferred appointment dates/times.

Private lessons are available in-person at your home, our home/kennel or a mutual location as well as online!

Contact us to secure your training sessions!
www.kodask9academy.com
Call/Text 207-399-0335
or message us on Facebook!

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post, thank you!

29/08/2025

Lately we have been getting a lot of questions about potential service dogs, so I thought I would talk about the importance of choosing the right dog. Truth is, not all dogs are cut out for this line of work, as it is much more demanding than most people realize. Even legitimate service dog programs tend to have just as many, if not more, dogs that get disqualified for one reason or another than they do actually complete training. It is not enough to just have a nice dog that likes everyone, in my opinion, overly social dogs can be just as hard to train as a fearful one. Not to mention, not all work drives are the same, and you will see this clearly when working with dogs in this capacity. No matter how good of a trainer you are, there are certain personalities and temperaments that you can't train out without shutting the dog down completely emotionally, which will inevitably cause other issues down the road. So, if you want a better chance at success and have a dog that actually enjoys the work they are doing, please make sure you are putting a lot of consideration into the dog you choose and the trainer you're working with.

If you need any assistance with service dog related questions, please feel free to set up a consultation with me!

28/08/2025

With four rescue dogs of her own living in harmony, who better to train your dog than this girl right here?! Taylor specializes in obedience, reactivity, and shelter dog rehabilitation, and she is available for booking in Huntsville, AL! If you have been looking for a good balanced trainer in Huntsville, please reach out to her!!

26/08/2025

26/08/2025

Happy National Dog Day!

25/08/2025

Meet Finn! He’s here for board and train with me…when he isn’t in the pool that is. 🌊🐾💙🩵

25/08/2025

🎉 We earned the emerging talent badge this week, recognizing us for creating engaging content that sparks an interest among fans! Therefore, we would like to thank all of you for supporting us and helping us grow! We can't do it without you, so thank you!

25/08/2025

I have 1 spot left!

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25/08/2025

Yesterday I was reading a post that one of my friends put up talking about trying to adopt out two litter mates together. While this may seem cute and like a good idea, litter mates tend to feed off one another, making training a challenge to the new owner. So if you are someone who has adopted litter mates, here are some things to keep in mind.

1. They need to be worked both separately AND together. Working them separately will help with things like separation anxiety and codependent behaviors, which is great. However, if you want them to be good while they are together, they have to be worked together as well. Unless you plan on keeping them separate all the time, working them individually will not help the issue of them feeding off one another or teaching each other bad behaviors.

2. Each dog needs to be treated as an individual and have their needs met. Just because they are litter mates doesn't mean they will have the same personality or drive. Fulfilling each individual dog's needs will make for a much calmer household.

3. Leadership is key. With litter mates, they tend to "gang up" on other dogs and even people, always having the others' back. Therefore, right from the beginning it is important that you let them know they cannot win against you just because they are teaming up.

4. They are a lot more likely to play rough and fight than other dogs. Just like with human siblings, no one knows how to push your buttons quite like a sibling does. Therefore, it is up to you to establish and maintain boundaries between them.

I hope this helps someone out there, and as always, if you need help with anything dog training related, please be sure to reach out to us!

24/08/2025

Today I would like to talk about something very important, and it's something I don't think enough people are talking about: choosing the right dog for your lifestyle. As trainers, one of the most common issues we see is people choosing dogs for the wrong reasons, and ending up with a dog who is not compatible for their lifestyle or just require more mental and physical stimulation than what their owner is able to give them. This is also one of the reasons we have a shelter crisis on our hands, with thousands of dogs being put to sleep every week.

If you are someone who is looking into getting a new dog, please do your homework. Don't pick a dog just because they are cute, because you had one before and it was great, or just because "you've always wanted one". Pick a dog that can realistically thrive in the lifestyle you already have.

For example, if you are someone that works 8-10 hour days and you live in an apartment, getting a Husky, Lab, Golden, or other high energy and drive dogs might not be a good option, as they require a lot of mental and physical stimulation to be content. Instead, look for a dog who has lower requirements for stimulation and will do better in a small space. (Fun fact: there is an entire category of non-working dogs to choose from that still make amazing pets!)

Choosing a dog isn't just about what you want, it's about what you are able to give to the dog. If you aren't able to give them what they need to thrive, please just don't get them. As someone who has taken on 2 dogs in the last 8 months because their owners didn't know what they were getting into, I beg you to consider finding a dog that will thrive in your lifestyle.