K-9 Virtual Academy

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K-9 Virtual Academy

Offering online canine training classes that are flexible, convenient & personalized and phone consultation services for behavioral or training concerns

13/01/2025

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY answer is:
FACT!!!

Foundational conditioning and training exercises CAN begin even before a puppy’s eyes and ears open and into the early weeks of development, helping it prepare for challenges and training expectations later in life. Early handling and socialization experiences can influence the behavior and responsiveness of a puppy later in development… for better or worse! Researching breed development and breeder procedures can be very helpful for preparing for a positive, lifetime relationship with your dog!

10/01/2025

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY?!

Foundational conditioning and training exercises can begin even before a puppy’s eyes and ears open and into the early weeks of development, helping it prepare for challenges and training expectations later in life.

FACT or FICTION?!

Share your thoughts!

25/12/2024

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!

Wishing you health and happiness and good dogs, today and always!

Please note that K-9 Virtual Academy is currently offering online training classes on-demand and as requested. I have been offering smaller or individual class sizes when and as people reach out. We are still available for consultations and 6 week training classes for you and your canines!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

04/11/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY answer is:
FACT!

If you notice that your dog becomes excitable, anxious, or otherwise demonstrates “different from normal” behavior when you are preparing to leave the house or return home, it is crucial that you not reinforce the behavior. In my opinion, the greatest key to limiting a dog’s anxiety from separation is to minimize the drama of departure and arrival. When I have had or seen dogs with separation anxiety tendencies, I have found it helpful to get the dogs settled into their “alone time” space prior to any departure preparations. In the same way, when you return, when possible, ignore the dog for a good 10 minutes or so before letting him or her out of his crate, room, or even greeting him. This reduces the excitement of the “home coming”, which is often a part of what creates an anxiousness/excitement for your arrival.

01/11/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY?!

If you notice that your dog becomes excitable, anxious, or otherwise demonstrates “different from normal” behavior when you are preparing to leave the house or immediately return home, it is crucial that you not reinforce the behavior.

FACT or FICTION?!

Share your thoughts!

20/10/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY answer is:
FICTION!

A dog demonstrating increased yawning, sleeping, panting, shedding or sweating through the pads of the feet is NOT excessively tired and needing more rest, but exhibiting the subtle, early signs of stress and/or discomfort. A dog exhibiting these behaviors should not be coddled or rewarded, as this reinforces stress responses, however, as responsible and caring dog handlers, we should respond to these cues by helping our dogs get out of the stress-inducing situations, find alternative, distracting or incompatible behaviors or create positive associations to change the pattern of behavior, where possible.

18/10/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY?!

A dog demonstrating increased yawning, sleeping, panting, shedding or sweating through the pads of the feet is excessively tired and needs rest.

FACT or FICTION?!
Share your thoughts!

29/09/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY answer is:
FACT!

If a dog thinks or knows it can pull and get to where he wants, even sometimes, it will continue to try pulling on the leash. Teaching a dog to walk nicely begins with utilizing training equipment that enables you to have physical control over the dog. Leash walking should not be a tug of war between you and the dog; you should have the ability to make the decision for where you and the dog are going, and when. It is also vital to maintain good handling techniques and to include reward and attention gaining practice when working on leash manners…

27/09/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY?!

If a dog thinks or knows it can pull and get to where he or she wants, even sometimes, it will continue to try pulling on the leash in enticing or distracting settings.

FACT or FICTION?!
Share your thoughts!

16/09/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY answer is:
FACT!

Initially, it is beneficial to hold training “sessions” when introducing commands and cues like SIT, DOWN, STAY, etc. However, once your dog has an understanding of the words and associated actions, a more practical approach to training is to review commands throughout your day – as in, times you might actually like to utilize what you have taught! For example, have your dog practice a SIT before you put on his leash to go for a walk, before going out the door, before eating, etc. Practice DOWN when you are watching television, cooking or eating a meal, etc.

13/09/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY?!

Initially, it is beneficial to hold training “sessions” when introducing commands or cues, however, once your dog has an understanding of the command or cue, a more practical approach to training is to practice throughout your day.

FACT or FICTION?!
Share your thoughts!

26/08/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY
Answer is:
FICTION!

a puppy is unsure or shows fear or hesitation in playing with other dogs, you should especially look for opportunities for the puppy to interact with calm, gentle dogs to help build confidence. Puppies who don’t grow up with positive dog to dog interactions are the dogs who grow up barking at, being afraid of or showing aggressive behavior towards other dogs… because they don’t understand them and their behaviors! Many of the communication behaviors a puppy learns in play with others dogs are helpful for building appropriate communication and responses in human interactions as well!

23/08/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY?!

If a puppy shows fear or hesitation in playing with other dogs, you should protect it from interacting with other dogs until it is older and gains confidence.

FACT or FICTION?!

Share your thoughts!

28/07/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY answer is:
FACT!

It is important throughout the training process to provide periodic opportunities for puppies to practice good decision making under safe supervision. This is how puppies build our trust and earn their freedom! This means that instead of constantly giving a cue/command or telling a puppy NO when a “potential” incident looms, we sometimes hold our tongue and wait a moment to see how the puppy responds. Does he dive into the situation with a poor life decision? Does he contemplate a moment before making a choice? Does he look for or to you for guidance? Does she make a good decision on her own? As a good handler, you should jump in and REWARD the times the puppy checks in with you or makes a good decision on its own.

26/07/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY?!

It is important to provide opportunities for puppies to practice good decision making under safe supervision.

FACT or FICTION?!

Share your thoughts!
My comments will@be posted in ~48 hours

14/07/2024

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY answer is:
FICTION!

In dogs, the most critical period of socialization occurs between two and four MONTHS of age. What does that mean to us? It means that 1) if we want to take advantage of the most important time of behavioral development in our puppies, we should be working hard to “socialize” them between 2 and 4 months of age, and 2) We need to recognize that there is a LOT of variation across breeds and individual dogs that determines the rate and response for socialization and how it will affect our individual puppies. Socialization is all about teaching your dog how to behave and exist in the world properly, not just overwhelming them with exposure to a myriad of experiences.

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FACT or FICTION FRIDAY?! Introducing threshold respect, whether through inside doorways, outside doors or gates, is a great way to instill and practice self control, respect and safety.

FACT or FICTION FRIDAY?! Introducing threshold respect, whether through inside doorways, outside doors or gates, is a great way to instill and practice self control, respect and safety. FACT or FICTION?! Share your thoughts!

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About the Trainer

Mary Beth Morrow is a registered veterinary technician and has a Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Animal Sciences with a focus on puppy development and behavior. She is married to a veterinarian and currently has three young children. She has been raising assistance dogs as a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence since 2001 and taught and assisted with a variety of canine obedience classes over the years.

Mary Beth decided to begin offering dog training courses online after realizing that others might be in a similar situation as her, with limited time or flexibility to attend regularly scheduled dog training classes. She hoped that providing an online dog training option might enable busy dog-owners or owners of dogs who do not handle a "classroom" environment well to reap some of the benefits of dog training classes.

Mary Beth enjoys working with owners and dogs to discover the best training style for their situation, combining positive reinforcement and redirection as needed and desired. Mary Beth is looking forward to working with you and your dog!