Defy Gravity K9 Rehab & Training

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Defy Gravity K9 Rehab & Training DGK9 utilizes Balanced Training methods for behavior modification.

27/10/2025

Welcoming Tessa the 10-month-old (DOB: 12/25/2024), AKC registered, female Belgian Malinois into DGK9's Rehabilitation to Adoption Program!

She joined the program on Saturday and has already been acclimated to the pack. She's done exceptionally well with meeting the Pup-a-long Pack. She's playful and full of energy! She also grew up around small children and has done great with my toddler as well. I started conditioning her to a PetSafe Wireless Fence System yesterday and she picked up on that incredibly quickly!

I'll be working with Tessa to figure out what she enjoys, where her strengths are, what drives can be built with her, and what she would excel at. Stay tuned for her progress and if you are interested or have any questions about Miss Tessa, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm more than happy to answer any questions that you may have.

So many people look for "quick fixes" with their dogs. They want that "perfect" dog. But on that spiral of a hunt, they ...
23/10/2025

So many people look for "quick fixes" with their dogs. They want that "perfect" dog. But on that spiral of a hunt, they start to notice others with their dogs and how well they do with their dogs.

They get sucked down that rabbit hole when they see that small snippet of someone else doing amazing with their dog. They start to get discouraged and even frustrated with all their dog's shortcomings. But here's the thing: they have only seen a small moment of someone else's dog on its best behavior. What they have missed is maybe that dog who walks flawlessly on a leash goes counter surfing, or goes bonkers when a cat runs across the road, or whines all night, or resource guards, or wreaks havoc at the groomer, or...

Every dog has their own baggage that we all get to sort through. Yes, even mine. But this doesn't mean that we should just accept them like they are. That would be a huge injustice for both them and us. Instead, we can see our situation with a little more clarity than the outside world looking in. We can put things into perspective. Because when it comes down to the matter of it, it is all about perspective.

Every dog has their own past experiences, quirks, downfalls, shortcomings, and personality flaws yet is also so very special and wonderful. Just like us humans. What we should all be striving for is to help our dogs be the best possible versions of themselves and not focus on unrealistic "perfection" for not only our dogs but also ourselves. Because that is outlandish. Instead, we should enjoy the journey that can lead to improvements. It can be a lengthy process but the results are worth it. So next time you see someone else with what looks like a flawless dog, put the judgment aside and know we are all fighting our own little battles ;)


I've shared this for a few years, so it's an oldie but still very much relevant today.How to create separation anxiety:•...
22/10/2025

I've shared this for a few years, so it's an oldie but still very much relevant today.

How to create separation anxiety:

•Pet your dog, all the time.
•Talk to your dog, all the time.
•Allow your dog to follow you, all the time.
•Allow your dog to be on your lap or lying on your feet, all the time.
•Pet, soothe, comfort your dog when it whines or barks for attention...or is simply anxious.
•Allow your dog to demand affection/interactions.
•Be emotionally dependent on your dog.
•Allow your dog to do whatever it wants, whenever it wants.
•Provide no structure or rules.
•Refuse to crate train your dog.
•Refuse to correct your dog when inappropriate behavior occurs.
•Refuse to train your dog to be calm, relaxed, and independent by using a “Place” command, and/or “away” time in the crate.
•Allow you and your home to be a "free-for-all", where your dog has zero leadership and guidance.
•Let your dog out of the crate when it whines or barks.
•Avoid training or anything that makes your dog uncomfortable or unhappy.
•And many, many more...

Basically, baby, soothe, coddle, allow, enable, lean on, and create a toxic dependency... so when you leave, your dog is a mess, because you haven’t prepared them to be strong, resilient, robust, independent, and alone.



21/10/2025

Things truly desired rarely ever come easy. There are no shortcuts; just consistent hard work and effort. A desire to improve and a determination to get there. How strong is your drive? How much are you willing to put into it? Because that will determine your outcome.

Now people could try to argue it's because of the training tools being utilized that the dogs behave so well. And while those are helpful, they are only part of the equation. Hours and hours of training go into utilizing the training tools correctly. They aren't being used because deep patterning, reinforcement, and training weren't set into place prior. No, they are there for those life moments, much like how a pilot still has a parachute should something happen even after all the grueling training they have been through.

Training tools aren't for the lazy. They aren't band-aid "fixes". They aren't for those not willing to put in tons of effort. They aren't for "slapping on a dog and shocking or choking into submission". Whoever says that has no idea how to properly use the tool (even a flat collar and harness can be used inappropriately). They take considerable time, effort, and training for the trainer/owner to be effective with them and build communication with their dog. They aren't for the lazy and they aren't used instead of actual training.


17/10/2025

DeKalb County Animal Adoption Center
2601 Jordan Rd SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967
256-304-0474

This absolutely precious and incredibly high-energy, young male Belgian Malinois is currently on stray hold and will be available for adoption next week at Friends of DeKalb County-AL Animal Adoption Center if his owners are not located.

I had an absolute blast meeting and playing around with him. He's a typical young Mal with all the fun energy! He's incredibly confident, toy-driven, and environmentally stable. He seems to have an excellent head on his shoulders, listens to commands, and is ready to parkour his way through life. Honestly, he seems to have potential for so many things/sports.

He thoroughly enjoyed the Chuck-it balls until I lost both over the fence on weird bounces. From what I saw in him, hunt drive could be built with as much as he enjoyed the Chuck-it ball and wanted to find it. He wasn't as interested in the half of a leftover tennis ball that was already in that area (that's what you'll mostly see in the video towards the end since the Chuck-it balls I brought bounced over the fences early on).

If you are looking for a fun young Mal, he's your fella but be prepared to be active and continue training with him if you want to adopt him from the shelter once his stray hold is up. He is going to need someone who is quite active to keep him physically and mentally happy and healthy. He's definitely not cut out for the couch potato life.

17/10/2025

Mr. Oliver is in his first week of the 3-week Stay & Train Program!

This handsome fella is coming to train with me for being pretty excitable, jumps, pulls on the leash, has poor recall skills, bolts out of doors, grabs things he shouldn't, and needs basic obedience commands. Overall, he has a phenomenal personality but lacks some manners.

Oliver has started his intro to Herm Sprenger prong collar pressure alon with Mini Educator ecollar and is doing exceptionally well with it. Does he require fine tuning? Of course, this was only 10 minutes into his first time training with a prong collar and an ecollar. Teaching prong/ecollar pressure is something I do with almost every dog that trains with me and usually takes 5-10 minutes to get to this point.

Is this something that you want for you and your dog? An enjoyable walk with your dog? A stress and worry free walk? If so, then you're in luck because the exact steps I use to get to this point are outlined in my "how-to" training video subscription group. These videos are step-by-step on how I get from Point A to Point B with no editing out the middle parts so you can see exactly how I work each dog through our training programs. Still interested? Check out the DGK9 Puppy Training Series! There's a one-time fee of $50 to join the group - just make sure to answer the group questions when joining or send me a message (free for anyone who has trained with me or has adopted a dog from me).


15/10/2025

Happy Tuesday from the 14 dogs currently here at DGK9!

Yes, you read that correctly, there are currently 14 dogs here and they all get along extremely well 🙌🏼

Henry & Oliver came in yesterday to start the 3-week Stay & Train Program and I'm so excited to work with both of them and their owners. They are both exceptionally sweet fellas!

Darcy, Tess, Dolly, & Ollie are all here boarding while their owners are away. And to clarify, I only offer boarding for dogs that I have trained before (also for the other dogs that belong to the same household who I haven't trained, or for dogs I personally know and can vouch for).

Hank & Raksha are available for adoption. Whether that's together in the same home or separate homes. Both are wonderful bully breed mixes with the sweetest personalities and absolutely love children. I will offer a training session to the person/persons who adopt either of them. Both have been through training with me already.

Then, of course, there's my six personal dogs here at DGK9: Cabo, Solomon, Juniper, Atari, Mimzy, & Remy. The staples of DGK9. The dogs who have helped to shape me into the trainer and person that I am today.

So please enjoy this little video of what a typical afternoon here looks like when all the dogs get their free time from training and just get to play outside for a while. It's always such a joy watching them romp and play and wag their tails and just be so excited to get out and run. These moments warm my heart and I hope they do the same for you too.

14/10/2025

I get asked pretty frequently about what "good play" looks like for dogs. Well, it can come in many various shapes, forms, and, of course, sounds.

Sometimes, it can be very hard to tell the difference between what a healthy play style is and what is one-sided and has the potential to escalate into a scuffle. Evaluating play is very nuanced, and each dog may have a different play style, and other dogs may even bring out a completely different play style in your dog. The goal is to watch the dogs and see if everything is balanced. Is the one being chased also chasing, is the one mouthing also being mouthed back, is the one being tackled also able to tackle the other dog, etc.?

What you are looking for is balance. The play should be mutual and beneficial for both dogs and not one-sided. If one dog is being bullied by another, then that one will most likely get freaked out, nervous, and possibly reactive. This is when we see fights during "play" time because the play wasn't reciprocated between both dogs equally.

Keep in mind that some dogs rough house and are loud, and that can be completely normal for them. The key is to know your dog while watching his/her body language along with the other dog he/she is playing with. So watch the big picture instead of small moments. If each dog is coming back for more and enjoying themselves, then it sounds like your dog has a good play buddy.





P.S. This is Mr. Hanky Poo and Ms. Raksha, who are both looking for new homes, whether that is together or separately ❤️

Since the weather will start getting cooler at night and people will want to cuddle up with their pups, I'm going to dis...
11/10/2025

Since the weather will start getting cooler at night and people will want to cuddle up with their pups, I'm going to discuss the popular and valid questions I get at every training session: "When can I give my dog affection and when can I let him on the couch with me?"

Most people don't think they are going to have to restrict giving affection to their dog or even restrict access to the couch/bed/furniture/etc. But here's the thing, if you are noticing some behavioral issues (fighting between dogs in the same household, possessiveness, anxiety, insecurity, aggression, and so forth) then restricting these two things may be just what you need to help restore your relationship.

Is this the root cause of the behavior issues? Heavens no. In fact, these may have nothing to do with what is happening. However, by allowing him to have full reign of your house and giving unsolicited affection towards your dog in anything other than a calm state is relaying a conversation to your dog. A conversation where your dog knows he can get exactly what he wants from you, when he wants it, and can control the situation. Every single time.

Why? Well, to be blunt, these types of interactions can create powerful and lasting impressions in your dog about the type of person you are. He sees: permissiveness, softness, and neediness that all equate to weakness in the animal kingdom. So why would he listen to you? He's taken over the leadership role, and what he says is law.

So what do you need to do? You need to look at yourself and ask what kind of relationship you have with your dog. What are you allowing your dog to do? How could you better yourself? And lastly, what are you going to do to make it happen?

Once you dive deep into this, I want you to counterbalance all of the permissiveness that you have most likely unintentionally allowed to happen. How do you counterbalance this? Through clear and consistent rules, boundaries, and limitations. By holding not only yourself but also your dog accountable.

Most people don't realize they are having a one-sided conversation with their dog. That one-sided conversation is where a dysfunctional relationship with your dog occurs. Most people struggle with enforcing the rules, boundaries, and limitations. Because it's the tough stuff. But the tough love is what makes great people and great dogs. It's the fires in life that refine us and your dog.


So here's the thing: when you are out and about, you can only be responsible for you and your dog. You have no control o...
08/10/2025

So here's the thing: when you are out and about, you can only be responsible for you and your dog. You have no control over anything happening around you. But what you do have control over is how you and your dog react to that external stimulus.

The world could be crumbling around you but it's up to you to keep not only yourself, but also your dog, in check. If not, you'll fall into the depths of chaos. And sharks are lurking there.

Instead of becoming part of the "problem", alternatively focus on you and your dog. Tune out the world around you but yet still be keenly aware of the happenings around you. Watch your dog's body language for signs of stress, overexcitement, reactivity, pinpointing, etc. Correct from there. Work on creating a sound, "bombproof" dog who can go through the fires of life alongside you.

We challenge you to lead your dog. Guide them. Set clear and consistent rules, boundaries, and limitations fairly and concisely. Don't focus on others or their dogs, put your attention towards you and your dog, and work towards building the best relationship possible.


Anyone who’s trying harder than their “partner” in whatever context, is typically in an unhealthy, dangerous, and at the...
07/10/2025

Anyone who’s trying harder than their “partner” in whatever context, is typically in an unhealthy, dangerous, and at the very least, unproductive space. This is solid advice for any relationship.

When it comes to working with clients, I always meet them where they are. It’s the best way to avoid the ugly stuff listed above, not to mention the otherwise inevitable training burnout, and resentment of clients that is so rampant in the dog training world.

Contrary to popular belief, and typical client/trainer behavior, I'm not here to pressure, cajole, or plead. The desire for success has to come from inside YOU.

It’s YOUR job to be motivated, excited, driven, curious, committed, and ready to work...hard. It’s my job to meet you wherever you are and give you the very best I have to offer. But YOU decide what that looks like.

Now that might sound harsh, or uncaring, but it’s the furthest from it. I care, like most trainers do, a lot. And that depth of care can easily become resentment and burnout when it’s not reciprocated. To ensure I'm always ready to give the very best of myself, I make sure I only share the best of myself when my clients share the best of themselves.

It’s not only self-protection for me, it’s also for you. I'm sure you don’t want the bootcamp trainer telling you to do this or do that or becoming frustrated because you (the client) aren't willing to learn. And the best way to prevent that, is by me being strong with boundaries.

So think of training as a choose-your-own-adventure type of thing. Or an Indian restaurant where they ask you how spicy you want your tikka masala. It’s on you. You want more, bring more, or ask for it.

You determine the depth of help you receive, by the depth of commitment you bring. Period. Read that sentence again.

Reciprocal behavior in relationships is the hallmark of healthy relationships. Unfortunately, this hallmark is often missed. Laziness, want rather than need, delusion, unwillingness to learn, being scared of what has or could happen, and selfishness often derail the possibilities.

That all said, if you come with guns a’blazing, I’ll be ready. The clients who want the best, and give the best, are the ones who always seem to get the best.

Isn’t that a fascinating thing? 🙂


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Why Choose Us?

We’ve been there! That’s right, we’ve been the people with the unruly dogs that everyone avoids. We’ve been the people whose dog is aggressive. We’ve been the people that couldn’t go to the dog park. We’ve been the people whose dog controlled the walk. We’ve been there! We understand what you are going through without a doubt.

Here’s the good news, it doesn’t have to be that way! Once we applied our proven dog psychology techniques, our pack became balanced almost overnight. This can be the same for you too!

We are certified in dog psychology and will help you to read your dog’s body language to what they are trying to tell you. We decided on the name, Defy Gravity, as not so much of a physical thing (however exercise and obstacle training goes along with it), but we also rehabilitate death row dogs that we have given another chance at life and have now found loving homes for. So in a sense, we are beating the odds for these dogs and “defying gravity”.

Here are a few of the things that we can help you and your dog with: