Klug K9 Training

10/15/2026

A little appreciation post for my private session clients! 💜

I intentionally keep my private session client list on the smaller side. I want to make sure each client gets the time, attention, support, and commitment they deserve from me.

Three private sessions down this week and a few more tomorrow, and I have to say, everyone is absolutely killing it! I couldn't be more proud.

My private session clients are working on a wide range of things. Some are building everyday obedience skills and manners, some are raising puppies and focusing on foundation skills and environmental exposure, and others are tackling serious behavioral challenges, including dogs with significant bite histories. For some, it's not just about teaching new skills. It's about making meaningful changes to their daily routines, handling, and overall lifestyle. A tremendous amount of work, consistency, and dedication is going into these dogs.

Private sessions can be one of the most rewarding and motivating parts of being a professional dog trainer, but they can also be a fast track to burnout. I can't speak for other trainers, but for me, the difference comes down to the people, not the dogs.

When clients prioritize their dog's training, consistently put in the work between sessions, and show up prepared and ready to learn, the progress is incredibly rewarding to watch. On the flip side, when the effort and follow-through aren't there, it can become exhausting.

Training is a team effort. I can provide the knowledge, guidance, and support, but what happens between our sessions is where so much of the real progress is made.

To my current private session clients, thank you! Your dedication, consistency, and willingness to put in the work are exactly why I love doing what I do. You make the challenging days easier and remind me why I chose this profession.

Because let's be real, it's not all about getting to play with puppies all day...although that's certainly one of the perks! 💜🐾

Keep showing up, keep putting in the work, and know that I'm cheering you on every step of the way!

I'd love to hear from you! What's something you and your dog have accomplished recently that you're especially proud of? Big or small, let's celebrate those wins! 💜🐾

Pic of the most handsome, Koda. 🥰

10/14/2026

A Little Update from Klug K9 Training! 🐾

You may have noticed things have been a little quieter around here lately. My regular social media posts have taken a back seat, and I've been slower than usual responding to emails and private session questionnaires. I wanted to share a little update and apologize for the delays.

A recent dirt bike accident left me with a fractured femur and a sprained ACL. I'm currently in a knee immobilizer, on crutches, and completely non-weight-bearing on my left leg while I wait to learn more about my recovery.

The good news is that I'm still working! Things just look a little different right now, and I'm having to make some adjustments to how I do things. Between those adjustments, appointments, and navigating everyday life on crutches, I'm moving a little slower than I'd like.

If you've reached out recently and haven't heard back as quickly as you expected, I sincerely apologize. I appreciate your patience and understanding as I work through messages, questionnaires, and scheduling while keeping things running here at Klug K9 Training.

I'm incredibly grateful for my clients and this wonderful community. I'm not going anywhere, just learning how to navigate a temporary change of pace!

Thank you all for your continued support and understanding. ❤️🐾

10/07/2026

So excited for one of my best friends new journey!! Her hard work has paid off!
If you're free, stop by and say hi!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1P9uCs6eEq/

This feels like it's been a long time coming but the time is finally here! The building is all ready and I can't wait for everyone to come see it.

We'll have some fun activities, a chance to see the training space, yummy snacks and plenty of time to visit. Dogs are welcome! Please share with your friends and I can't wait to see you all there!

10/05/2026

🐾 FALL GROUP CLASSES ARE FILLING UP! 🐾

Our next round of group classes starts the week of October 19th, and while several classes are already full, we still have a few openings!

👉 NEW CLIENTS: Puppy Class is currently the only class with openings available to new clients.

👉 CURRENT & PAST KLUG K9 CLIENTS: I also have openings in several of our continuing education classes! If you’ve already trained with me and are ready for your next step, keep reading. 👇

🐶 Puppy Class — OPEN TO NEW CLIENTS!

Have a young puppy and want to get started on the right foot?

Puppy Class focuses on building a strong foundation while helping owners navigate the realities of raising a puppy. We’ll work on early obedience skills, engagement, leash skills, handling, confidence, appropriate socialization, and teaching your puppy how to exist appropriately around other dogs and people.

You don’t have to wait until your puppy develops bad habits to start training. Starting early gives you the opportunity to build the behaviors you DO want from the beginning!

🐾 Beginner Obedience 2.0 — Returning Clients

This class is specifically for clients who have already completed my Beginner Obedience class but don’t quite feel ready to move into Intermediate yet.

We are NOT starting over with the basics! You already know how to use your markers, handle your leash, and teach skills like sit, down, place, and recall.

Beginner 2.0 is about progressing those foundation skills, increasing expectations, and helping bridge the gap between Beginner and Intermediate.

⭐ Intermediate Obedience — Returning Clients

Ready to start asking more from the skills your dog already knows?

Intermediate is where we begin increasing duration, distance, distractions, and reliability. We take those Beginner-level skills and start making them useful in more challenging, realistic situations.

If your dog understands the basics but needs practice performing them with more distractions and higher expectations, it may be time to move up!

🏆 Advanced Obedience — Returning Clients

This is where we really start putting all that previous training to work!

Advanced is for teams who have completed Intermediate and are ready for more challenging obedience, greater reliability, more independence from the handler, and harder distractions.

If you’ve worked your way through Beginner and Intermediate, don’t stop now! Keep building on everything you and your dog have already accomplished.

💪 Working Dog — Returning Clients

And no—you do NOT need a Malinois, German Shepherd, or other traditional “working breed” to join us. 😉

Working Dog is for handlers who want to challenge their dogs mentally and physically while exploring different types of work and activities together.

If you have a dog who loves to DO THINGS, needs more mental stimulation, or you simply want something fun and different to work on together, this may be the class for you!

🐾 Registration is open NOW!

New clients with puppies are welcome to join us in Puppy Class, and current or past Klug K9 clients—take a look at where you are in your training journey and decide whether it’s time for that next step.

Classes begin the week of October 19th!

Klug K9 Training

DOG TRAINING IN COWLITZ COUNTY, WAClear communication. Practical training. Real-life results.Thoughtful, practical dog training built around clear communication, solid foundations and the dog in front of you. Explore Training Options TRAINING OPTIONSTraining that meets you where you are. Whether you...

09/25/2026

🐾 TWO NEW CLASSES ARE COMING THIS FALL! 🐾

I’m adding two new obedience classes this fall designed specifically for Klug K9 teams who have already worked their way through my existing obedience program and are ready for the next step!

⭐ Beginner Obedience 2.0

PREREQUISITE: You must have completed Klug K9 Training’s Beginner Obedience class to enroll.

Beginner 2.0 is designed to bridge the gap between Beginner and Intermediate Obedience.

This class is for teams who don’t need to start over with the basics like loading markers, leash handling, or initially teaching sit, down, and place — but who are still working on progressing those foundation skills and aren’t quite ready to jump into Intermediate.

We’ll take the skills you already have and work on making them stronger, cleaner, and more reliable while gradually increasing difficulty and distractions.

Think of it as Beginner Obedience — leveled up!

🐕 Advanced Obedience 2.0

PREREQUISITE: You must have completed Klug K9 Training’s Advanced Obedience class to enroll.

You finished Advanced... now let’s see what you and your dog can really do!

Advanced 2.0 will focus heavily on off-leash obedience, including sit stays, down stays, place stays, recalls, and loose-leash walking as we work toward performing these skills with less reliance on the leash.

Handlers enrolling in this class must be comfortable progressing into off-leash work, as that is a major focus of the course. Appropriate precautions and management will, of course, be used to keep everyone safe and prevent loose dogs or unwanted dog-to-dog interactions.

⚠️ Please note: These are not open-entry classes. Beginner 2.0 requires completion of my Beginner Obedience class, and Advanced 2.0 requires completion of my Advanced Obedience class.

More information on dates, times, and registration coming soon!

09/25/2026

🐾 FEATURE FRIDAY! 🐾

This week, I’m taking over Feature Friday to share one of my own favorites — a ball on a rope!

If you’ve trained with me, you’ve probably heard me say it before: ball on a rope. Forever.

Balls can be fantastic training rewards and a great way to play with your dog, but they need to be appropriately sized. I also want that rope attached for an added layer of safety — if a ball ever becomes lodged in a dog’s throat, I want something there that I can grab.

Beyond safety, I love them for training! They’re easy to throw, great for interactive play, and can be an incredibly valuable reward for a toy-motivated dog.

And if you have a dog who is HARD on toys like Deja is, finding a good one matters! So far, I’ve been most impressed with K9 Ops Ball on a Rope. Deja puts her toys to the test, and these have held up better than most we’ve tried.

Simple piece of equipment. Lots of uses. And one I’m a BIG fan of.

⭐ Feature Friday pick: Ball on a rope!

K9 Ops USA | Durable Dog Balls | Custom Leashes | Indestructible Toys

K9 Ops is the creator of durable dog products. The nearly indestructible dog ball that is so durable that is preferred by police and military K-9 trainers for intense training and play. Custom Biothane Leashes with kong frog clips. These dog balls are for german shepherd, rottweiler, doberman, pitbu...

09/24/2026

Throwback Thursday 🐾

Think of one thing your dog does well now.

Maybe it’s walking nicely on leash, holding a stay, coming when called, settling in the house, or simply paying attention when distractions are around.

Now think back to when you first started working on it. 😅

It’s easy to forget how much work went into something once it becomes your new normal.

What’s one thing your dog can do today that you once thought, “We’re never going to get this”?

Give yourself—and your dog—a little credit for that progress. ❤️

09/23/2026

🐾 WHY WEDNESDAY

Why do trainers talk so much about distance?

Because distance is one of the easiest ways to adjust the difficulty of a situation for your dog.

Too close to the distraction? Your dog may struggle to think, respond, or stay engaged with you.

Add a little distance, and suddenly you may have a dog who can listen, learn, and make better choices.

Training doesn’t always mean getting closer.

Sometimes the smartest move is backing up. 🐾

09/22/2026

🐾 SERVICE SPOTLIGHT: PRIVATE TRAINING

Sometimes you don’t need a group class — you need training focused specifically on you, your dog, and the things you’re struggling with.

Klug K9 Training offers one-on-one private training for everything from everyday skills and manners to more significant behavioral concerns.

Standard Private Training may be a good fit if you’re working on things like:
• Leash manners
• Recall
• Polite greetings
• Stays and place work
• Boundary training
• General obedience and household manners
• Building reliability around distractions

For more serious behavioral concerns, I also offer Behavior Modification Private Training for issues such as:
• Resource guarding
• Dog reactivity or aggression
• Human-directed aggression
• Bite histories
• Severe fear or anxiety

Private training allows us to work at your dog’s pace, focus on the areas where you actually need help, and give you hands-on instruction so you understand how to continue the work outside of our sessions.

Not sure which type of private training you need? You don’t have to figure that out on your own. Reach out, tell me a little about what’s going on, and I’ll help point you in the right direction.

📍 Private training available through Klug K9 Training in Castle Rock, WA
📧 [email protected]

More information about private training, pricing, and getting started can be found on my website.

Private Training — Klug K9 Training

PRIVATE TRAININGOne-on-one training built around you and your dog.Private training gives us the opportunity to focus on the skills, challenges and goals that matter most to you and your dog. Whether you’re building everyday manners, working through a specific training challenge or addressing more ...

09/21/2026

🐾 Motivation Monday

Don’t just practice when it’s hard.

For example, if your dog struggles with a skill around distractions, make sure you’re still practicing it when things are easy, too.

Build the repetitions.

Build the understanding.

Then gradually make it harder.

Strong skills are built before you need them. 💪🐾