Sadie's Rules K9 Training

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Sadie's Rules K9 Training We train dogs to be the best behaved member of the family! Located in Virginia. We offer board & train and private lessons programs for adults and puppies.
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We teach you, too! All owners learn how to maintain their dog's training over the long haul.

Percy made quite the transformation. A year ago he was overweight, biting his owners, unable to be crated or left alone,...
29/08/2024

Percy made quite the transformation. A year ago he was overweight, biting his owners, unable to be crated or left alone, but also would not allow anyone into his home, reactive on the leash…in other words, he and his family were really miserable.

Through our program, his attitude started to shift. But it was really the work at home that his owners did to reinforce his better behavior long term that made him realize his old ways were not going to work anymore. No more biting. No more tantrums. No more refusing. He now goes on daily walks. Sleeps in his crate. Can run around off leash. And his body and mind are so much healthier now because of it.

We get this question a lot. And it’s an important one for us to clarify and shed some light on. We use e-collars (specif...
26/08/2024

We get this question a lot. And it’s an important one for us to clarify and shed some light on.

We use e-collars (specifically e-collar technologies) because of the stimulation function that allows us to hold our dogs accountable when they fail to comply or when they do something that deserves a “No.” It also has some other things we use it for, because at low levels, we can use it to teach pressure on/off and therefore commands, but that’s a bit more nuanced. We like brand because of its versatility with levels 0-100…the small increments allows for tremendous control over what exact level of stimulation might be given in any situation.

And when we stim, or stimulate, we are talking muscle stimulation. So at low numbers, it may be barely perceivable. A little higher, maybe a tingle. And at higher level, more contraction of the muscle. You have control over what is necessary in the moment. It really is a fantastic tool that is safe and effective for giving your dog clarity in any situation.

Some days at work are really tough.
03/08/2024

Some days at work are really tough.

We are looking to hire “kennel” help. 20 hours/weeks. 7am-11am Monday-Friday. Potential for more hours. $18/hr starting ...
02/08/2024

We are looking to hire “kennel” help. 20 hours/weeks. 7am-11am Monday-Friday. Potential for more hours. $18/hr starting pay. Responsibilities include getting dogs out to potty, feeding them, and some cleaning. Please email resume to [email protected] if you are interested.

Hi everyone. Buster tragically died on Sunday evening. If you can give even a little, it would really help his family ha...
17/07/2024

Hi everyone. Buster tragically died on Sunday evening. If you can give even a little, it would really help his family have some breathing room as they try to navigate life without him.

Hi everyone. Buster was an amazing father, husband, friend, and all ar… Jess Schneiderman needs your support for Support Buster Saunder’s family after tragedy

16/07/2024

I’m looking for a personal assistant for my small business. Pay is based on experience. Once trained it can be all virtual.

Think of it like this. When you moved out of the house and made all your own decisions and then you went back home to vi...
10/07/2024

Think of it like this. When you moved out of the house and made all your own decisions and then you went back home to visit and your parents try to give you a curfew, tell you not to curse, pick up your stuff, and you’re like “Excuse me. I’m an adult now and don’t need you telling me what to do anymore.”

For our dogs if they roam around free all day making their own decisions, chewing sh*t up, counter surfing, barking at whatever, and then you come home and tell them that stuff is not allowed, they are gonna be like “Screw you. I make my own decisions.”

So instead, use the crate to prevent your dog from thinking they get to make all the decisions. And it keeps them from doing all the stupid sh*t as well.

Holy crap y’all! The new Sadie’s Rules “Dog House” is finally complete. It’s been years in the making and we are so happ...
22/06/2024

Holy crap y’all! The new Sadie’s Rules “Dog House” is finally complete. It’s been years in the making and we are so happy to be able to start using it with all its amenities. We are most excited about the turf yard and its lack of red, clay, mud!! While the dogs didn’t ever mind the dirt, it ended up everywhere inside and made cleaning quite the chore. This space also allows us to do go-home sessions indoors and practice more home like scenarios with our clients. There are innumerable advantages to this new space so now we have to do is move everything in! Yay!!

10/05/2024
You got questions? We have answers. No but really. I’m always available to answer questions for our clients. They know t...
15/04/2024

You got questions? We have answers. No but really. I’m always available to answer questions for our clients. They know they can always email me or if it’s something time sensitive, they can text me.

Emily will probably have issue with me posting a picture of her sleeping…but it just goes to show that even during the d...
03/03/2024

Emily will probably have issue with me posting a picture of her sleeping…but it just goes to show that even during the day when we are busy with dogs and there is lots going on, our home is still quiet enough for her sleep. And our room is right above the training room where a majority of the dogs are housed. Our home never sounds like a typical kennel. We don’t allow dogs to bark non-stop. And dogs all learn how to be calm in our home. This makes for a non-stressful environment for everyone.

PS-that’s my bag of dried mango on the ground 🤣

Your dog does not have to stress you out, even when there is a lot going on. This is what we strive for with every dog. ...
17/02/2024

Your dog does not have to stress you out, even when there is a lot going on. This is what we strive for with every dog. It’s what we do!

Want the confidence to be able to recall your dog safely and effectively, no matter what? Training and using an e-collar...
31/01/2024

Want the confidence to be able to recall your dog safely and effectively, no matter what? Training and using an e-collar is the best way. Don't believe me? Follow along in our stories and you will see all our dogs off leash, having fun, and recalling easily.

Better late than never right! We have been soo busy that we did not get a chance to post these welcome photos, but its i...
29/01/2024

Better late than never right! We have been soo busy that we did not get a chance to post these welcome photos, but its important to us to give everyone their claim to fame. So here they are!

💕 Sunny the yellow lab is here to how chill out. She gets along great with her little family members, but a lot of times, she adds to the chaos with her non-stop barking and demanding of attention.

💕 Lilac (black labradoodle) and Eugene (yellow labradoodle) are littlemates. They now live separately but are owned by a family members so will see each other often. Lilac is here to get a headstart on being the best she can be! And Eugene (who actually went home yesterday) came here to get over his crate shenanigans (he would whine and whine so no one got any sleep). We can report that he got over that here and now loves his crate!

💕 Winnie is a golden-doodle also here to get a headstart on being her best for her family. Hopefully we can get her to stop jumping and teach her some new skills as well!

Keep an eye on their stories for their progress!

19/01/2024

Dog parks may seem like great additions to the community, but they’re rife with problems — for you, and for your dog. Here’s what to know before you go.

Dog trainers can absolutely have a huge impact on a dog, an owner, and their relationship. But the long term success mus...
15/01/2024

Dog trainers can absolutely have a huge impact on a dog, an owner, and their relationship. But the long term success must come from continued effort from the owner to maintain a relationship of leadership and trust. Dogs need to believe their owners are capable and worthy of leading them in every situation, whether at home, on a hike, in a store, or at the park. That starts with the human believing they are the leader.

Let’s give a big welcome to our newest trainees!! Give them a like for some encouragement as they go through our program...
10/01/2024

Let’s give a big welcome to our newest trainees!! Give them a like for some encouragement as they go through our program. And make sure you follow along in our stories to see their progress.

Remi (Bernese Mtn. Dog/Husky)—needs to learn to keep his “sh*t together!”

Poppy (Australian cattle dog/border collie/mix)—is afraid of everything and can’t be calm.

Bodie (Silver lab puppy)—likes to bite hands that pet him

Daisy (Golden retriever)—resource guards items from her human siblings

It’s a gorgeous day here in Virginia to get outside with your dog. And your dog loves spending quality time with you. So...
07/01/2024

It’s a gorgeous day here in Virginia to get outside with your dog. And your dog loves spending quality time with you. So what are you waiting for???

05/01/2024

We couldn't help but share a moment we recently experienced while cleaning. This sweet pup dog wowed me! Despite the buzzing of the vacuum and dusting, he remained undisturbed, enjoying the comfort of the bed throughout the entire cleaning process! 😱

I was truly amazed by the calm and well-behaved nature, a testament to the exceptional training they have received by Jess & her crew!✨

If you're looking for a place where your furry friend can receive top-notch training and care, look no further! At Sadie's Rules K9 Training, they create an environment where dogs thrive, learn valuable skills, and develop into the best versions of themselves. 🐶

And then of course, call us to make all the doggo hair disappear ! 🪄😉

31/12/2023

It’s not worf it…

When you open your mind, solutions are always possible. Really good read.
30/12/2023

When you open your mind, solutions are always possible. Really good read.

Until a year ago, I was a trainer with a very force free approach. I didn’t believe there was a place for aversives in dog training. I didn’t have a dog that required them. Lucky me!

Until I got this chap. My very much adored kelpie, Evo. Bred to move HUGE flocks and herds of livestock out in rural Australia. A hard-headed dog, with a mega independent streak.

I worked hard with him. I’m a trainer. I laid my foundations, as I have done successfully with my other 4 dogs before him. They worked, to a point. And then, they didn’t.

I was fully prepared to give him a breed-appropriate outlet. Alongside the other work I give my dogs, I have my own sheep, meaning I can work my own dogs regularly on stock. However, my small flock of flighty sheep was far too jumpy for him to work, and he was becoming dangerous out and about in any sort of proximity to sheep.

So, you may say, just keep him on a lead! Problem solved. Well, not really.

Management can and does fail. I have heard it from countless clients. I have had it fail myself.

I also live, with sheep on my property, and surrounding it on 3 sides. Everywhere we turn, there are sheep. There’s no avoiding them.

Keep him on a lead in the garden? We have a large garden and keeping him on the lead would be unfair. He’s an incredibly active, working bred dog, who would end up spending his entire life on a lead.

We also encountered prey drive issues out and about, particularly around deer. His recall was fantastic, but once we moved, our walks were either full of deer, or sheep and he could rip a long line out of your hands to chase something particularly tempting.

So, I decided to bite the bullet and e-collar train. Controversial, particularly online.

But, the absolute best thing I ever did.

The alternative solutions I had suggested were:

Keep him on the lead - I buy good quality leads, but they have failed on me before
Move house - we’ve moved to a dream house, not an option
Avoid places with sheep etc - hard when they’re in the garden
Long line - he could still pull a long line out of reach
Train him - he was trained to a very high level and we had reached the limits via force free methods.

Management fails.

I went through the process of conditioning him properly to the e-collar. I spent ages ensuring I got it right, he understood what was expected and that he knew how to switch it off. I invested in a pricey bit of kit, and I went about it by the book.

It’s transformed his life.

He can romp around the garden, he can walk through my sheep without batting an eyelid, he can walk off lead on the hills and he can enjoy walking in the forest even when deer run out in front of us.

For him, that wasn’t ever going to be an option without it.

Nothing was more reinforcing than chasing.

And it was going to get him killed. He’d have been shot, or hit by a car, or lost. All because I wouldn’t open my mind to using different tools.

Am I suggesting every dog requires one? Absolutely not. But there are MANY cases where they save lives. It’s both saved and enriched his.

He’s happy, he lives his best life. He hikes everywhere with us, he’s well mannered and fully reliable off the lead. He knows the rules, and that’s the key.

He’s not suppressed. He can still go off and be a dog. He tears around the garden with our other dogs, he sniffs and does dog things. But he’s safe when doing it all.

I see a lot of judgement towards these tools from people owning dogs who would never require these tools. That’s great. And that’s also not a problem. But it is completely unfair to demonise the use of a tool which you haven’t taken the time to fully understand. I was 100%, without a doubt, against them before I took the time to understand how they worked and how they were used.

It’s imperative that they’re used with a trainer well versed in using them. It’s also crucial that the equipment used is good quality and not something cheap from Amazon or eBay. It’s an investment, but one that is so necessary for a lot more dogs than you might realise.

Take the time to understand others’ points of view. There is truly not a one-size-fits-all approach in dog training and my change of opinion has opened up a whole new world for all of my dogs ❤

Photo by Saffy Leyfield Photography

We have TWO new e-collar trainees to introduce! 💖Joey the Shih-pooAge: about 1 year oldProgram: E-collar board & trainFa...
14/12/2023

We have TWO new e-collar trainees to introduce!

💖Joey the Shih-poo
Age: about 1 year old
Program: E-collar board & train
Fav shenanigans: Refusing to get in his crate and settle down!

💖Dobe the lab/pit mix
Age: almost 3 years old
Program: E-collar board & train
Fav shenanigans: Getting into a frenzy when guests arrive and biting them 😱

Stay tuned to watch these two gain confidence and skills throughout their board & train!

👇How to get your dog to listen:👇Listening to commands starts with KNOWING the command. That’s where positive reinforceme...
13/12/2023

👇How to get your dog to listen:👇

Listening to commands starts with KNOWING the command. That’s where positive reinforcement comes in.

Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog what you want and to reward them for doing it.

Make sure your dog fully understands the command before moving on.

After they know the command, the important thing is to hold them ACCOUNTABLE for it.

They need to know that it’s NOT OPTIONAL!

(This is the part most folks skip!)

To do that, you need to correct them for ignoring your commands. We are e-collar trainers so we use the e-collar for this. You may also need leash guidance in some moments to help your dog as needed.

If you STAY CONSISTENT, you will reach the holy grail, which is VOICE CONTROL!

“Voice control” means your dog listens to you when you tell them to do something, no reinforcement needed. Your dog has learned that they will be held accountable for listening, so they just listen!

What part of reliable commands are you working on with your dog?

We have TWO new puppies in the house AND two new e-collar trainees! PUPPY TRAINEES: 💖Birdie the Bichpoo Age: about 13 we...
06/12/2023

We have TWO new puppies in the house AND two new e-collar trainees!

PUPPY TRAINEES:

💖Birdie the Bichpoo
Age: about 13 weeks old
Program: 14-day puppy program
Fav shenanigans: The occasional #2 in the house 💩

💖Winnie the Bassett Hound
Age: about 16 weeks old
Program: 14-day puppy program
Fav shenanigans: Already starting with that hound dog nose-to-the-ground thing!

E-COLLAR BOARD & TRAIN TRAINEES:

💖Zola the pit/schnauzer mix
Age: about 4 years old
Program: E-collar board & train
Fav shenanigans: Stranger danger!

💖Colin the GSD (adoptable through Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue)
Age: about 2 years old
Program: E-collar board & train
Fav shenanigans: Reactive to other dogs

Follow along in our daily stories to watch each dog make progress during their time with us!

It doesn’t have to be so stressful! And it doesn’t have to take months. Skills like the down/stay, if taught the right w...
30/11/2023

It doesn’t have to be so stressful! And it doesn’t have to take months.

Skills like the down/stay, if taught the right way, can become CALMING skills.

To get a down/stay that becomes a calming skill:

👉Teach the down command with an implied stay
👉Hold your dog accountable even when it doesn’t really matter, like when you’re practicing around the house
👉Add distractions and more challenging environments, and continue with that accountability
👉Finally, take it to the vet!

If you want to see this process in action, follow along in our daily stories. We document the progress of our trainees so that folks can follow along and see the dogs learn.

This isn’t a cure-all for all vet-related issues; however, starting vet visits on a CALM note benefits EVERY dog and is a key starting point for dogs who struggle to cooperate at the vet!

How is your dog’s behavior at the vet?

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Our Story

You want a harmonious relationship with your balanced, well-behaved dog...

The problem is, you don’t have a balanced, well-behaved dog!

You have a dog who is unbalanced, hyperactive, and ill-behaved at best. And aggressive, destructive, or dangerous at worst.

No wonder you feel defeated and helpless. You got your dog expecting that they would be your best friend and a valued member of your family--which is how it’s supposed to be. Instead...