Old Line Canine Services

10/22/2026

Quick snapshot of 2 teenage male GSD siblings who DO NOT get along. They've had some serious fights resulting in injuries to themselves and their humans. Cases like this are the absolute hardest thing to work with in the dog training world. Dominant breed dogs can be problematic for even the most seasoned dog owner. Adding in aggression towards eachother takes it to a whole different level.

But...there is hope. Both dogs are learning boundaries and how to be calm around each other. A few weeks ago they couldn't be within eyesight of one another. Now they're laying calmly in the yard together. The work isn't over. This will be an uphill battle that requires everyone to be alert and present. It won't be easy, but it is necessary.

We'll continue to chip away at their issues while building confidence through structure and boundaries. Currently, they're trending in the right direction. We're only part of the equation though and nothing is guaranteed.

10/06/2026

09/26/2026

UPDATE: Due to unforseen circumstances, we will NOT be at the Pet Expo today. Sorry everyone!

Come see us tomorrow! Bring your dogs, get some swag, tell your friends to sign up for training. Real-time training advice right at our booth!

09/21/2026

Calmness isn't always a default behavior in your dog, especially not out in public. Bobo the rescue pup is learning how to control his impulses while gaining confidence during a public outing. There's people walking by, cars driving past, and other dogs (misbehaving) just a few feet away, but Bobo is locked in!

This is what real-world obedience looks like. Not simply getting a dog to sit in a quiet living room, but teaching them how to think, stay engaged, and make good decisions when the environment is working against you.

Confidence comes from learning that distractions don't have to control you. The goal isn't to shut the world out—it's to teach Bobo how to exist calmly in it.

This was accomplished in 6 private training sessions!

09/16/2026

Its 2026 and I'm still seeing a lot of trash detection out there. Blocking dogs, walking backwards, pointing at the hide, correcting the dog into odor, its crazy.

Independent dogs save lives. Doesn't matter if its narcotics, explosives, or fi****ms detection. We stress independence in all other aspects of k9 training. We aren't detailing doors for bad guys during a building search. We aren't presenting trees and bushes during a track. We don't block dogs into bites. Those activities are far more complex and dangerous than detection (in most cases). So why do we suddenly abandon independence when it comes to detection? Making 57 presentations on an '09 Nissan Altima doesn't make sense when we have the same types of dogs pushing out hundreds of meters finding buried IEDs with the handler nowhere in sight.

If your k9 teams lack independence, clarity, or are too handler sensitive - reach out. If you're still doing the k9-two-step behind your dog everytime he has a COB- hit me up. Old Line K9 Services will get you up to speed with modern training for all of your k9 needs.

09/04/2026

Teaching neutrality early is especially important with breeds like Belgian Malinois and other naturally protective, environmentally aware working breeds. These dogs are often wired to notice movement, people, animals, and changes in their environment—and if we allow them to believe that everything around them deserves a reaction, those behaviors can quickly become habits. Neutrality doesn’t mean the dog has to love everyone or ignore the world; it means they learn that most of what they encounter simply isn’t their concern.

Teaching a young dog to calmly observe without staring, pulling, fixating, or feeling the need to engage creates a much more stable adult dog. We want awareness without obsession, confidence without confrontation, and engagement with the handler without constantly needing the handler to manage the environment.

09/02/2026

🇺🇸🐕 National Police K9 Day

Today we honor the K9s who serve alongside our law enforcement officers — the partners who run toward danger, search when others can’t, and put their lives on the line without hesitation.

A police K9 is more than a tool or piece of equipment. They are a partner, a teammate, and a member of the family. Behind every successful K9 team are countless hours of training, trust, communication, and an unbreakable bond between handler and dog.

I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a large part of my career working with, training, and learning from some incredible K9s. They’ve taught me that the best teams aren’t built through force or shortcuts — they’re built through trust, clarity, consistency, and a dog that genuinely wants to work with you.

Today, we remember the K9s who made the ultimate sacrifice, honor those still serving, and recognize the handlers who stand beside them every day.

To every police K9 and handler — thank you for your service. Stay safe, keep working, and keep making us proud.

🐾 Honor. Service. Loyalty. 🇺🇸

09/01/2026

Recall isn't an option. Its a command - a life saving one at that. The dog HAS to come back to you. That doesn't mean it needs to be militant. Make it fun first. Coming back to you should be the absolute best thing in that dog's life. Be excited, use toys, treats, and interaction to give yourself value. If you're not the center of your dog's world then YOU are the problem. Yelling at and scolding your pup won't make that any less of a reality. Build engagement through games and enrichment, thats what leads to obedience. Stop letting your dog fail you because you're failing to shape the desired behavior in the way your pup requires.

09/01/2026

When shaping recall, your dog should learn that coming to you is always a great decision. Scolding, yelling, or using a harsh tone can create a negative association with the recall cue—and potentially with returning to you. If the dog expects punishment when they arrive, they may hesitate, slow down, or choose not to come at all. Build the behavior with excitement, praise, play, and rewards first. Once the recall is strong and reliable, you can begin adding appropriate consequences for ignoring the cue without poisoning the behavior you're trying to create.