Nerdy K9 Academy

30/08/2024

We often talk about training the basics with your dog. What about the dogs that don't need the basics? Maybe you have a dog struggling with anxiety, aggression, resource guarding, etc. Maybe you're not sure whether your dog would benefit from group class or 1:1 training. We offer consultations to help you answer all of these questions and point you in the right direction. At NerdyK9, we are huge advocates for interviewing your trainer before working with them as not all trainers are the same. If you're interested in chatting about your pup(s), set up a consultation today and we'll get you started!
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18226663&appointmentType=24793871

28/08/2024

Do you want a well mannered dog? In our Canine Good Citizen (CGC) classes, we will teach you & your dog the skills required to pass the AKC CGC test. Dog(s) must have passed a basic obedience group class prior to CGC & be up to date on vaccinations. We offer the opportunity to test for the title on the last day of class - this is included in the class cost.
Sign up today! https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18226663

26/08/2024

Happy National Dog Day!!! This is Duke! He's a 1 year old miniature pinscher available for adoption through !! Please share this so we can find Duke a forever family! 🐾
Share a photo of your dog(s) below & be sure to give them extra love on National Dog Day! 👇

25/08/2024

This is a direct result of pumpkin spice lattes being served before September 1st.

Keep yourself and your pets safe by staying inside if you can. If outside plenty of shade, fresh water frequently, and keep activity limited.

21/08/2024

Wanna show off your dog's skills or achieve a fun goal? Our Canine Good Citizen class is open for enrollment!

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18226663&appointmentType=67327180

What is CGC?
https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/canine-good-citizen-test-items/

18/08/2024

Continuing our discussion from the previous post, we still behave like respectable adults.

Laws, consequences, and change…

Below are links to both state laws and Sioux Falls ordinances pertaining to animals.
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/siouxfalls/latest/siouxfalls_sd/0-0-0-53212
https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/40

The violations in this case include running at large. It doesn’t say in the article if the dogs are current on rabies vaccinations or city licenses. Those are also regulated by ordinance and any animal violations in Sioux Falls are Class 2 misdemeanors, with the exception of two cruelty felony laws. The class 2s carry a maximum fine of $500 and imprisonment for up to 30 days. However, our city has the tickets set to $107.50. Animal control can issue summons for court and the court can adjust the fines during trial.

Animals that bite and break skin are required by law to be placed in a ten day quarantine at the humane society, vet office, or in the owner's home (situation dependant) to watch for signs of rabies. That is across the board and includes vaccinated and non vaccinated animals. This is state mandated.

In addition to these ordinances, there are also restricted dog and vicious dog declarations. This allows animal control and the city attorney to review cases where the dog may pose a threat to the community. Restricted dog declarations mean you have to undergo certain steps of protection to get your dog(s) returned. The vicious declaration allows the owner to appeal and if upheld the animal gets euthanized. If it is not upheld the animal will be deemed restricted. Both of these require an investigation and is a legal process (i.e. takes time).

The dogs in this particular case have been deemed vicious by the city.

So while these four dogs are quarantined, animal control and the city attorney will be reviewing all of the evidence to see if all or any of these dogs fit the criteria for either situation. If a dog doesn’t fit the criteria they are returned to the owner or signed over to the humane society if the owner no longer wants the dog back.

Animal control and the police department can only enforce laws that are in place and the courts can only implement punishments set forth by laws. In Sioux Falls, city council is the one that approves new ordinances or adjustments to existing ordinances.

Could a different law change the outcome in cases like this or prevent them all together? Maybe. One common go to after an incident such as this is breed bans. Statistics are out there but we have to be careful with that information. The thing to remember about statistics is they are only as good as their pool of sourced information.

Here is an example. If you have a statistic that says in Sioux Falls Labrador Retrievers are the leading breed in bites, you need to know if they are including mixes, and if so how that is measured. You also need to know the Labrador population in Sioux Falls compared to other breeds. If Labradors count for 60% of the dogs in the area and the other 40% is evenly divided amongst six other breeds, the sheer number would suggest that Labradors are high in bites because there are more of them.

Places that breed bans have been implemented are not showing success for a variety of reasons. It falls on the government to enforce the bans which means they have to be able to prove a dog is included in the ban. DNA tests or similar have to be implemented which costs money. Most places allow time for an appeal, which costs money. It costs money to house the dog. In addition, it doesn’t stop sh*tty owners from just getting another breed of dog. So cities and counties spent a lot of money and didn’t get the results they were trying to achieve. In addition, there were some significant relationships severed with members of the community who did not support the bans.

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/dog-bite-prevention/why-breed-specific-legislation-not-answer

So, what could help?

Breed-specific legislation may look good on the surface, but it’s not a reliable or effective solution for dog bite prevention.

16/08/2024

Well, we got a couple of tough topics we are going to dive into over the next few days. There’s always a debate when you are sharing certain stories in social media on if you are fueling a fire, creating further divide, or contributing to some education. My goal is the latter, with the emphasis on prevention. These topics will be graphic and emotional. Discussion is welcome, just contribute as clear-sighted and rational adults.

This past week a man and his dog were attacked by four dogs in Sioux Falls. First and foremost, my heart and prayers go out to this man, his family, witnesses, and first responders that were and are handling this case. Lives are changed and altered in ways that will be everlasting. To the dog that was killed in such a vicious manner, I have only tears and no words.

It is easy to come at this story with rage and emotion from every angle. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t have emotions and beliefs. Let’s look at the issues with some emotional intelligence, which is tough on such a sensitive subject.

The facts: Four pit-bull or similar type dogs escaped their yard by jumping a fence and attacked a man and his dog. The man was injured and the dog was killed by the dogs during the attack.

If you are taking on the responsibility of owning a dog, you have an obligation to educate yourself. There shouldn’t have to be a law in place, as many of us use the term, it is common sense. Owners should be extremely knowledgeable on the breed, training, caring, and mechanisms of the dogs in your care.

Owners need to be aware of the laws in their area and ensure that the animals are cared for in a humane and legal way. The owner needs to make sure that proper prevention of issues including injuries, escape, and general safety measures to keep the dogs and society safe are in place.

If an owner has dogs they use for breeding or simply have unaltered dogs, they need to educate themselves how that can alter behavior. If an owner has previous knowledge of behavior; whether it is by law enforcement, a third party complaint, or their own observation; that owner is solely responsible for ensuring the safety of their animals and others.

These duties don’t wane depending on the breed or waiting for an incident to occur. Reasonable prevention should be mandatory for a dog owner.

So what about laws and what happens in these types of situations in the legal realm? We will tackle that post shortly.
MJ

14/08/2024

Today in our puppy series we want to talk training sessions. We recommend working on 1 to 2 commands at a time. Puppies have short attention spans and it's important to have patience with them. Training multiple times per day in short sessions (2ish minutes) will help maximize your pup's ability to focus, leading to better training sessions. Switching up the location of your training is a great way to solidify your commands by working your pup around different distractions. If you need help with training your pup, sign up for class! 👇
https://nerdyk9academy.com/
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Adoptable Stripes (Bianca - on the right) is available for adoption through ❤️

13/08/2024

Today in our puppy series we want to know what YOU think the answer is before we explain. When do you think is the right time to start training a puppy? Answer in the comments below and we will post our take on things tomorrow!
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Stripes, also known as Bianca (right) is available for adoption through . 🤍

12/08/2024

This week is all things puppies! We are going to be assisted in this series by our special guests Stars and Stripes with Almost Home Canine Rescue . Their foster just happens to be our very own DJ. Each day we will share puppy training, tips, etc. Any topics you want us to feature, add them in the comments!

10/08/2024

Have you been to our Sioux Falls Area Humane Society recently? There are currently over 130 dogs looking for homes in our local shelter. If you are thinking of adding a dog to your family, we highly encourage you to consider rescuing. Did you know you get a FREE training class when you adopt a dog from the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society? Please share this to spread the word and share these cute adoptable faces. ❤️

10/08/2024

Based on these 2 photos... what do you think we're up to today? 🤔

06/08/2024

If your pup needs help with the following, we have a class for you!
🐾 sit/down
🐾 stay
🐾 loose leash walking
🐾 leave it
Our next Witches to Wags class starts Sunday August 11!! This class great for pups & handlers looking to gain confidence and manners. Sign up while spots are still available!

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18226663&appointmentType=66889916

05/08/2024

In what skill would your dog win the gold medal?

Bravo is taking home the 🥇 in hide and seek

05/08/2024

In his head - "1 treat, here comes 2, to the 3 & then 4" 😋

04/08/2024

When you thought it was just a fart....

02/08/2024

We love good deals! Currently Amazon is running spend $100 get a $30 Amazon credit. There are a lot of dog products on the list and we wanted to highlight a few favorites!!!!

Purina Calming Care
https://amzn.to/3yeGTwt

Lick Mat Feeder
https://amzn.to/4dkblEo

Bully Sticks
https://amzn.to/3Yw7wrk

Minnows
https://amzn.to/4dLI0Tx

Beef Liver (and it's on sale too)
https://amzn.to/4cYEUvf

Nature Gnaws Bully Sticks for Dogs - Premium Natural Beef Dental Bones - Long Lasting Dog Chew Treats for Aggressive Chewers - Rawhide Free - 11-12 Inch

02/08/2024

Happy Friday!! All smiles over here in the training room! 😁 Show us your happy dogs in the comments!

02/08/2024

Our hot weather series continues as the temp will stay in the 90s for the next few days. 🌞 I love using snuffle mats for mental stimulation on hot (or cold) days. Sniffing is a natural stress reliever for dogs and is a great way to work their noses with very little effort. If you don't have a snuffle mat, try tossing their food or a handful of treats into a basket full of toys, old socks, tshirts, paper bags, whatever you've got!

30/07/2024

Key word: WATER!!!
It's going to be hot as heck all week and just like us, our dogs need extra hydration. Has your dog tried watermelon before?
**make sure seeds are removed**

28/07/2024

The heat and humidity take a toll on people and dogs. What's your favorite way to work through the summer highs?

23/07/2024

If this fly was a dog, it would be a German Shepherd 🖕

21/07/2024

Does your pup need help with loose leash walking? Check out this handsome boy working & conquering the distraction of walking past (and on top of) his favorite toy. We offer 1:1 obedience in office, 1:1 obedience at home, as well as group classes. Not sure which would be best for you? Reach out! 🐾

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18226663

20/07/2024

Use what you have enrichment:
Take an empty egg carton and add your dogs favorite treats or kibble! To make it more difficult try putting the egg carton in an old t-shirt or wrap a few large hair ties around the carton, just make sure they're large enough (the hair ties) that the dog won't eat them!

17/07/2024

When you spent your weekend learning at a prestigious behavior seminar and these are your dogs 🪇. Yes, that is in fact a coconut bra.

15/07/2024

Join me for an AKC STAR puppy class! Let's start off on the right 🐾 with your new furry friend and set you up for success! 🙌 Plus we'll get to test you and your four legged partner at the end of the 6 weeks, if you want! 😉

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18226663&appointmentType=65894686

14/07/2024

Use code LAUNCH for 30% off training with Madison! I can help you & your pup master basic training including loose leash walking, sit, stay, leave it, and more. Code expires July 15th at 11:59pm!

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18226663&calendarID=10305914

14/07/2024

Day two of getting our brains stretched with Daniel Mills . The amount of knowledge and information is beyond measure.

Yes, he has more letters in his titles than a Hemingway novel.

13/07/2024

Manners and skills are under taught with most dogs. Our classes are small to allow for individual help too!

Sign up for our next group class below. Every level is welcome.

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18226663

13/07/2024

Day one is about to pop off for Problem Behaviors in Dogs: Things we havegot wrong for so long with Prof Daniel Mills.

Already excited for the brain pain.