Splendid K9 - Dog Behavior Specialists

14/02/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Splendid K9 team!

Check out the link below for some free, fast and easy to apply tips to reduce pulling whilst on leash!

https://www.splendidk9.co.za/post/leash-training-a-guide-to-stress-free-walks

12/02/2025

Will spaying or neutering make my dog lose their personality?

While we urge you to speak to your veterinarian first, here’s some handy information to know.

Just after surgery, during the recovery period, you may notice a subtle change in temperament, overall excitement, and even aggression levels.

To catch you up briefly, the process of neutering/spaying removes the ovaries or testicles, along with the hormones they secrete.

The reduction in testosterone in males may reduce dominance, hu***ng, and certain other hormonally influenced ‘excitable’ behaviours. However, this will not change aspects of their personality.

In females, we often observe a decrease in moody behaviour and more predictable mood patterns. This, in turn, also decreases stress-based behaviours (caused by such mood swings), as well as aggression or irritability during a heat cycle. But no, this will not change their personality.

In short, no, spaying or neutering will not make your dog lose their personality.

10/02/2025

Should You Let a Dog Sniff Another Dog Before Greeting?

While sniffing is a natural and common greeting behaviour for dogs, not all dogs appreciate this interaction. It's crucial to monitor body language and ensure both dogs are comfortable before allowing them to greet each other.

Read more here: https://www.splendidk9.co.za/post/should-dogs-sniff-each-other-before-greeting

07/02/2025

Meet Ripley.

This beautiful shepherd has developed a reactivity towards other dogs due to anxiety.

She was easily overstimulated and would react to dogs at any distance.

Although Ripley is still quite alert and attentive (as seen in this clip), here is a little progress footprint.

Where Ripley is learning to remain calm, even while looking at another dog, from a close distance.

We are proud of how far you’ve come Ripley!

05/02/2025

Splendid K9 - Announcement!

We’ve officially launched our blog page! It took a little longer than planned, but we’re excited to share useful tips, canine behaviour insights, and specialized training advice.

Explore our latest posts: https://www.splendidk9.co.za/blog-1

03/02/2025

Meet Koda!

Look how far she’s come in just two appointments!

This cute, collie cross ‘bear cub’, was struggling to understand why the household cats didn’t want to play with her.

All she wanted to do was chase, run and tackle. But her feline friends didn’t seem to enjoy this as much as she did.

Storm was asked to help establish a socialisation structure. For Koda and the cats to live in a more harmonious environment.

We created a day to day enrichment & training structure for her owners to follow.

This is referred to as ‘Impulse Control’ Training. If your dog is struggling with reactive behaviour or chasing cats, joggers, bicycles, skateboards or other dogs. This type of training would be beneficial to you.

Pebbles (second photo), certainly approves.

31/01/2025

Are dogs colourblind? 👀

A common belief is that dogs are completely colour blind and see the world only in black and white. However, dogs can see some colours, but their colour vision is limited compared to humans; they primarily see shades of blue and yellow.

31/01/2025

Shadowing Opportunity at Splendid K9 – Dog Behaviour Specialists

Are you passionate about dogs and eager to build a career in Dog Behaviourism or Dog Training?

Splendid K9 is offering a shadowing position for a dedicated individual looking to gain hands-on experience and mentorship in this field.

What We Offer:
-Practical and theoretical mentorship in dog training and behaviour.
-Career guidance to help you grow in the industry.
-Administrator/Receptionist.
-A collaborative team environment with experienced professionals.
-Access to an established clientele and referral network.

What We’re Looking For:
-Fluent in English (bilingual is a plus).
-Strong emotional intelligence and empathy.
-Excellent communication and self-awareness.
-Intuitive, open-minded, and solution-focused.
-Able to work well in a team.

Note: You must have your own funding for any required coursework or studies.

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, let’s chat!
📧 [email protected]

29/01/2025

Can dogs understand human language perfectly?

While dogs can learn to associate certain words and commands with specific actions, they don’t comprehend human language in the same way that humans do. Their understanding is based more on context, tone, and repetition than on grasping the full meaning of our words.

24/01/2025

Splendid K9 - Important Notice!

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our Blog Page! You’ll soon be able to dive into exciting categories of speciality training and behaviour expertise!

To prepare for this exciting addition, our website will be temporarily offline (until the 31st of January at the latest), as we put on the finishing touches.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

If you need to get in touch with us directly, feel free to reach out via
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: Storm Freestone - 065 612 6569
or on our social media platforms!

Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for your continued support!

20/01/2025

How to Decrease Stress in Your Fearful or Reactive Dog (In Public)

1️⃣ Grab High-Value Treats
Use smelly, irresistible treats your dog loves! These will help hold their focus and create a positive association.

2️⃣ Teach or Reinforce Commands
Make sure your dog reliably responds to ‘sit’ or ‘down.’ The ‘down’ command is particularly calming and can help your dog feel more relaxed.

3️⃣ Practice in Low-Stress Environments
Before encountering triggers, practice these commands in calm public spaces with no distractions to build confidence.

4️⃣ Keep Your Distance
When a trigger is present, maintain enough space that your dog stays under their reaction threshold. They should either ignore the trigger or notice it without escalating (e.g., lunging, barking). If needed, increase the distance.

5️⃣ Reward Calm Behaviour
Ask your dog to ‘sit’ or ‘lie down’ when a trigger is nearby. Reward them calmly and consistently until the trigger is out of sight. If the trigger moves closer, calmly leave the area to reduce stress and prevent reactions.

✅ The Goal: Teach your dog to stay calm and feel safe around triggers. Over time, this builds new, positive associations and reduces fear.

(Avoiding triggers overall until receiving professional help is recommended before going out and practising on your own)

15/01/2025

Meet Murphy! The excitable, adorable, driven, leash pulling puppy.

Within one session, we were able to dramatically decrease his leash pulling due to adapting the correct series of positive reinforcement methods, specifically for him.

Now, it’s just about practice and reinforcement.

Thanks for letting us share your experience.

13/01/2025

Meet Our New Team Member: Gina Strydom! ✨

We’re thrilled to welcome Gina, our Dog Behaviourist and Trainer (In Training), to the Splendid K9 team! 🐾

Gina brings a wealth of empathy and passion for dogs and understanding their unique minds. Her gentle and compassionate approach ensures every dog and their family feels supported.

Gina is on track to become fully qualified by August 2025!
Service Areas: Southern Peninsula and Southern Suburbs.

Learn more about Gina and her journey here: https://www.splendidk9.co.za/about-gina

08/01/2025

Please Read - Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer! 🌞

As temperatures rise, it’s essential to keep your furry friends cool and safe. Dogs can quickly overheat, leading to serious health risks like heatstroke. Make sure they always have fresh water, a shady spot to relax, and avoid walks during the hottest parts of the day.

Signs of heat stress include rapid panting, drooling, weakness, or vomiting. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your pet to the vet immediately.

Big thanks to the SPCA for these lifesaving tips! 🙏💙
Learn more here:

08/01/2025 • Animal Behaviour • Dogs • Dogs cool themselves in hot temperatures by panting and drinking cool water. A dog cannot sweat through their skin like humans do. Learn more.

28/10/2024

✨Myth Monday✨
Can You Really Not Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?

We’ve all heard the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” It’s a common phrase used to suggest that once we reach a certain age, change or learning becomes impossible. But when it comes to our furry friends, this couldn’t be further from the truth!

Many people believe that training is only for puppies, and older dogs are set in their ways. They think that once a dog has reached a certain age, they’re too stubborn or incapable of learning new behaviours.

The truth is, dogs are capable of learning at any age! Whether your dog is 6 months or 6 years old, they can still pick up new skills and behaviours with the right approach.

Here’s why:

Mental Stimulation: Training keeps an older dog’s mind sharp. Learning new tricks or commands engages their brain, just like puzzles or games for humans. This mental exercise is beneficial, especially for senior dogs, helping them stay alert and active.

More Focused: Unlike puppies, older dogs are often more focused and less distracted. They can dedicate more attention to training and are often more responsive to commands.

Eager to Please: Most dogs love to please their owners, no matter their age. With positive reinforcement—like treats, praise, and affection—older dogs are just as motivated to learn as younger ones.

When training an older dog, here are a few tips to ensure success:

Be Patient: Older dogs may take a bit more time to learn something new, but with consistency and patience, they’ll get there.

Use Positive Reinforcement: Reward your dog with treats or praise when they do something right. This encourages them to repeat the behaviour.

Adapt to Their Needs: If your dog has physical limitations due to age, modify the training to suit their abilities. For example, teach them to sit or shake instead of jumping through hoops.

Don’t let age be a barrier to training! Whether your dog is a senior or still in their prime, they can always learn new tricks and behaviours. In fact, training can be an excellent way to keep them mentally stimulated and engaged as they get older. Remember, it’s never too late to teach your dog something new!

21/10/2024

✨Fun Fact Of The Day✨
Did You Know Dogs Have 1,700 Taste Buds?

We all know that dogs love their food, but did you know they have around 1,700 taste buds? While this might seem like a lot, it’s actually far fewer than humans, who have about 9,000 taste buds!
So, what does this mean for our furry friends? Dogs have taste buds that are similar to ours in function but differ in their sensitivity to certain flavours.

Here’s what they can taste:

Sweet: Dogs can detect sweetness, which is why they often love fruits like apples or berries. However, they should never eat things with artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, as it can be toxic.

Sour: Like us, dogs can taste sour, which can help them avoid spoiled or unsafe food.

Bitter: Dogs are quite sensitive to bitter tastes, which is why many products, like dog deterrents, are made to taste bitter.

Salty: Dogs have taste buds for salt, but because their diet naturally contains sufficient sodium, they don’t have a strong preference for salty foods.
While dogs can taste these flavours, their sense of smell is much stronger than their sense of taste. This means they rely heavily on scent to decide what food appeals to them.

With only 1,700 taste buds, dogs aren’t as focused on flavour as humans are. They rely more on their powerful sense of smell when it comes to food. This is why they might eat something that doesn’t taste great but smells enticing to them!
So, while dogs have fewer taste buds than we do, they still enjoy a variety of flavours.
The next time you see your pup eagerly munching on their favourite treat, remember—it's likely the smell that excites them more than the taste!

14/10/2024

✨Myth Monday✨
Do Dogs Eat Grass When They’re Sick?

One common myth among dog owners is that dogs eat grass when they’re sick. But is this true?
Many people worry when they see their dog munching on grass, believing it’s a sign of illness. In reality, dogs may eat grass for several reasons, including:

Boredom: Just like humans, dogs can get bored and turn to grass for entertainment.

Natural Instinct: Eating grass is a behaviour inherited from their wild ancestors.

Taste and Texture: Some dogs enjoy the taste and feel of grass.

Digestive Aid: For some dogs, grass can help with digestion or induce vomiting when they’re feeling unwell.

If your dog frequently eats grass and shows signs of distress—like vomiting or lethargy—consult your veterinarian to rule out any health issues.
While it’s usually not a cause for concern, always monitor your dog’s behaviour.

19/01/2024