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ABTK9, 106 Capital Trace Unit C & D, Elizabeth City, NC (2026)

09/02/2026

🐾✨ 𝗢𝗞𝗔𝗬, 𝗣𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦… 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗡𝗘’𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨! ✨🐾

Meet 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲! 💙 This ridiculously handsome little guy is a 𝟭𝟮-𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸-𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 who is getting an early start with private training at ABTK9 and THIS is the age where we can do so much.

Because puppy training should be 𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 “𝘀𝗶𝘁.”

Sure, Bodie will learn his basic foundations but our goal is bigger than having a puppy who can perform a handful of commands for a treat.

We want to help you 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗘 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝟭𝟬–𝟭𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀. 🐶

At ABTK9, our private training is 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗼𝗻𝗲, 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿-𝗹𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆. No trying to keep up with six other puppies. No cookie-cutter curriculum. We meet your dog exactly where they are and build from there.

🐾 Want better engagement and focus? We work on it.
🐾 Wild puppy with ZERO impulse control? Yep, we work on that too. 😂
🐾 Need appropriate ways to burn that puppy brain? We’ll teach you 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 you can actually use at home.
🐾 Confidence building, handling, leash foundations, recall, settling, boundaries, and appropriate socialization? 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆.

And just as importantly… 𝗪𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨. 👏

We want you to leave understanding how your puppy learns, what fulfills them, how to communicate clearly, and how to continue building on those skills long after your session ends.

Starting early gives us an incredible opportunity to build good habits before unwanted ones have months... or years, to become established.

So if you’ve been staring at your adorable little land shark thinking…

“I love you SO much, but we need to get our lives together.” 😂

✨ 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻. ✨

Welcome to the ABTK9 family, 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲! 💙 We cannot wait to see what this little guy becomes!

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥?
📞 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘵 (252) 562-6611

🌐 𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘢𝘣𝘵𝘬9.𝘤𝘰𝘮

09/01/2026

🐾💚 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗚 𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗠𝗬 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 💚🐾

Hi, I'm Ashley, owner and head trainer at ABTK9. People often ask what inspired me to become a dog trainer. Most expect me to talk about certifications or the dogs I've worked with, but the truth is one of my greatest teachers has four legs. His name is Titan. 💚

If you've followed ABTK9 for a while, Titan probably isn't a new face. We've shared pieces of his journey before, but his story is at the heart of why cooperative care means so much to me.

Nearly two years ago, I met Titan while working as a veterinary assistant. Routine vet care had become incredibly stressful for him. His owner adores him, but she was heartbroken watching him struggle. Before she left, I handed her my card and said, call me.

She did. And that call began a journey neither of us expected. 🐾

Over the next two years, Titan taught me far more than I could ever teach him.

We began with 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧, 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘. 💚

We spent hours of quiet work, sitting together, learning his language, figuring out what made him feel safe, making the unpredictable, predictable.

This past week, Titan had one of his best veterinary appointments yet. 🩺🐾 He calmly completed his exam and vaccines. And although we had planned to complete his heartworm test as well, we made the choice to stop.

𝗛𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱. 💚

And sometimes one of the most important things we can do for a dog is recognize when they've given us enough and allow them to leave on a win.

So, we saved his heartworm test for a few days later at ABTK9, his happy place. 🏡🐾

And then something happened that nearly two years ago I wasn't sure would ever be possible.

Titan allowed me to hold his front leg. I placed the syringe. And when I saw that first flash of blood, I realized...

𝗪𝗘'𝗥𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦. 🥹💚

And I cried.

Not because of the blood draw, but because of everything it represented.

Nearly two years of trust.
Nearly two years of learning his language.
Nearly two years of tiny victories that probably didn't look like much from the outside.

Titan didn't just learn how to participate in his own care...

𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗜 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗘. 🐾

He taught me that training isn't always about asking a dog to sit, stay, heel, or comply. Sometimes it's about sitting across a room from a dog who doesn't trust you yet, and giving him no reason to regret letting you be there.

It's about making the unpredictable predictable. It's about listening when they communicate. It's about celebrating the tiny victories. 💚

And instead of asking...

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗠𝗨𝗖𝗛 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗚 𝗧𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘?

Asking...

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗜 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗚 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗘? 🐾💚

That's cooperative care. That's why I'm so passionate about it. And that's a piece of the philosophy behind ABTK9.

So, if you're new here, Hi. 👋 I'm Ashley.

And this is Titan. 🐕‍🦺💚

𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗞𝟵. 𝗜'𝗠 𝗚𝗟𝗔𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨'𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘. 🐾💚

🌐 𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘢𝘣𝘵𝘬9.𝘤𝘰𝘮
📞 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦: (252) 562-6611

08/29/2026

🐾 K9 SPARROW ENJOYED A MUCH-NEEDED VACATION! 💙🖤 🐾

We recently had the pleasure, once again, of giving K9 Sparrow a place to kick off the working collar, put those paws up, and enjoy a much-deserved vacation here at ABTK9 ! 🐕‍🦺💙

While Sparrow may look pretty darn cute enjoying his downtime, especially with that head tilt ... working K9s like Sparrow play an incredible role alongside their law enforcement partners.

Law enforcement K9s can be trained for a variety of specialized jobs depending on the needs of their agency. Beyond the training itself, these dogs have to learn to work confidently alongside their handlers, navigate different environments, ignore distractions, problem-solve, and maintain focus when it's time to work.

And if you've ever wondered whether these dogs actually enjoy their jobs... Sparrow might just answer that question for you. 😂

🎥 Be sure to check out the video we snagged from Camden County showing Sparrow at work! You can absolutely see just how much this boy LOVES working and how excited he is when he knows it's time to do his job. That enthusiasm is one of our favorite things to see in a working dog. 🥹🐾

Of course, even hardworking K9s deserve an opportunity to decompress, play, relax, and simply get to be a DOG. That's exactly what we wanted Sparrow's stay with us to be.. some well-earned downtime before heading back to work with his partner.

We'd love for the Camden County Sheriff's Office - NC to jump into the comments and share some fun facts about K9 Sparrow, his personality, his career, or anything they'd like our followers to know about this handsome guy! 👀💙

To the Camden County Sheriff's Department and Sparrow's handler, thank you once again for trusting ABTK9 with your partner. We know how important these dogs are to their handlers, their departments, and the communities they serve, and being trusted with their care is something we don't take lightly.

We hope you enjoyed your vacation, Sparrow! You certainly earned it. 💙🐕‍🦺

Proud to support the working dogs who support our communities. 🐾

08/28/2026

WELCOME TO THE ABTK9 FAMILY, KANE! 🐾

Everybody say hello to Kane! 💚 This handsome guy is joining us at just 5 months old, and we are already pretty smitten with him.

Kane came through our doors with some incredible engagement and really nice foundations already in place. His family has done a fantastic job with his early socialization, exposure, and building a relationship with him... and it shows!

At this age, that early work matters tremendously. Kane is confident, eager to engage, ready to learn, and already looking to his people for guidance. Now we get the fun job of taking those foundations and continuing to build on them as he grows. 🐾

And can we talk about the personality?! 😂 This big ol’ puppy is an absolute LOVE BUG. At five months old, he already has quite the presence, but underneath all of that is one seriously sweet boy. 🥹💚

We’re so pleased his family chose ABTK9 to be part of Kane’s journey, and we can’t wait to see what this guy accomplishes.

Welcome to the ABTK9 family, Kane! 🖤🐾
We have a feeling we’re going to have a whole lot of fun with you!

P.S. Noble’s mom… "Rah Rah Willams Owens" apparently we need to clarify that “tell your friends about ABTK9” does NOT mean stopping people in traffic to recommend us. 🤣

We appreciate the dedication to the referral program, though. We 🫶 our Noble ! ❤️🐾🤣

08/27/2026

🐾 WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR STORIES! 🐾

Some of the best parts of what we do at ABTK9 aren’t told by us, they’re told by the people and dogs who have walked through our doors. 💚

Maybe you came to us with a puppy who needed a better foundation. Maybe your dog struggled with fear, reactivity, confidence, manners, or simply needed somewhere you felt comfortable leaving them. Maybe you’ve trusted us for training, boarding, enrichment, or just needed someone in your corner when things felt overwhelming.

Whatever your ABTK9 story looks like, we’d love to hear it.

Your feedback means more than simply leaving us a review. It gives other dog owners an opportunity to hear from real clients about their experiences, their dogs’ progress, and what working with ABTK9 has looked like for their family.

If ABTK9 has made a difference for you and your dog, consider visiting the Reviews/Recommendations section of our page and sharing your story. Photos, progress updates, favorite memories, and even the little victories are always welcome. 🐕💚

We’re incredibly grateful for every family who has trusted us with their dogs and allowed us to be a small part of their journey.

Your experience could be exactly what another dog owner needs to hear.

🐾 The ABTK9 Team

08/22/2026

𝗔 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗟𝗘𝗬...

I want to personally address a few things and provide a 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 regarding the policies and procedures here at ABTK9.

While I am the owner and trainer of ABTK9, this business is not operated by me alone. ABTK9 is run every day with the help of my employees and interns, who are following the policies and procedures that have been put in place 𝗯𝘆 𝗠𝗘, 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿.

If a staff member is enforcing a payment requirement, scheduling policy, check-in procedure, or facility rule, they are 𝗻𝗼𝘁 making up rules or giving you a hard time. They are doing exactly what I have instructed and trained them to do.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀.

Our interns are here because they want to learn, grow, and be inspired by this field. While they are here, they are just as much a part of ABTK9 as my employees and I are. They deserve the opportunity to learn in an environment where they are treated with patience and respect, not spoken down to, belittled, or made uncomfortable because they are young, learning, or do not hold the title of “owner.”

And this part is personal for me because 𝗜, 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿, 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲.

I remember what it felt like to be the person learning, following someone else’s procedures, and occasionally being ridiculed or spoken down to simply for doing what I had been instructed to do. More importantly, I remember the trainers I looked up to stepping in, defending me, and making it very clear that disrespect toward me was not acceptable just because I was “the intern.”

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙘𝙠 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚.

Those trainers gave me an environment where I could learn, make mistakes, ask questions, gain confidence, and eventually become the trainer and business owner I am today.

𝗜𝗳 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗲, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻, 𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗞𝟵 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.

So when I say I will stand behind my interns, I mean it. I know exactly what it feels like to stand where they are standing now, and I take seriously the responsibility of giving them the same opportunity, support, and respect that others once gave me.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗿𝘂𝗱𝗲, 𝗮𝗿𝗴𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗞𝟵 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱.

Please understand that being upset with a policy does not give anyone permission to disrespect the employee responsible for enforcing it. If you have a concern regarding one of my policies, you are welcome to address that concern appropriately with me. My employees should not be put in the position of being spoken to disrespectfully for following procedures 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄.

I am also asking all current and prospective clients to please review our policies and procedures. A few important reminders:

● 𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗦

For boarding reservations, a 𝟱𝟬% 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 to secure your reservation. The remaining balance is 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽-𝗼𝗳𝗳 — 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿.

𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙉𝙊𝙏 𝙙𝙪𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙠-𝙪𝙥.

Training services, including 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀, 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 are required to be 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗢𝗥 to the scheduled appointment or service.

These policies are in place for a reason and apply consistently to our clients. Our staff does not have the authority to make exceptions simply because someone disagrees with the policy at the time payment is due.

● 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 & 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞-𝗜𝗡

This is also a very firm reminder:

𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗩𝗘𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗟𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗟 𝗜 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬. 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘.

When you arrive for your training session, please call our office at 𝟮𝟱𝟮-𝟱𝟲𝟮-𝟲𝟲𝟭𝟭 to check in. Remain in your vehicle, and I will come outside when the facility is ready for you and invite you inside.

𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆. We operate on a set schedule for a reason.

ABTK9 is an active training and boarding facility. We have Board & Train dogs on-site who utilize our training space throughout the day, in addition to boarding dogs and other scheduled clients. There may be a dog actively working, transitioning through the facility, or requiring the training space immediately before your appointment.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸-𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲.

Please wait in your vehicle until you are invited inside.

We have signs posted on our doors.

𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲, www.ABTK9.com

We have signed acknowledgements regarding our facility procedures.

We are providing this public reminder.

And we will also be sending a mass email reminding clients of these expectations.

𝘼𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨.

They are policies established to protect our dogs, our clients, our staff, our interns, and the safe and efficient operation of ABTK9.

⚠️ 𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗞𝟵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺. ⚠️

𝙈𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙, 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙧𝙮.

We genuinely appreciate the overwhelming majority of our clients who respect our staff, follow our procedures, communicate appropriately, and understand that these policies allow us to provide a safe, organized, and professional environment.

But I will always stand behind the employees and interns who come through these doors and do their jobs according to the expectations I have established.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗜 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗞𝟵.

🐾 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘆
𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳 & 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳
𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗞𝟵 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿

08/18/2026

Titan Progress Update from Ashley 🐾❤️

Today, Titan made me cry. 🥹

And not because something went wrong.
Because for the first time… so much went right.

For as long as I've known him, his annual veterinary exams have required sedation. So when I realized it was already time for another yearly visit, I knew this appointment was going to show us just how far all of our cooperative care work had really come.

All the chin rests. The handling. The conditioning. The endless little repetitions teaching him that veterinary care can be predictable instead of scary.

And today… he showed me it was working.

Titan received his vaccinations and, for the FIRST TIME, we were able to give his Bordetella intranasally instead of by injection. For Titan, allowing someone to administer something directly into his nose is BIG progress.

But the moment that got me?

Dr. Rigler listened to his heart while he was awake.

No full sedation. No being knocked out cold just to complete that part of his exam. For the first time, Dr. Rigler was able to listen to Titan's heart while he was awake, aware, and participating.

For most dogs, that's simply part of an annual exam.

For Titan, that's a milestone we've worked incredibly hard for.

And standing there watching it happen, I couldn't help but think about every chin rest. Every repetition. Every time we practiced something that probably seemed insignificant in the moment.

It wasn't insignificant.

It was preparing him for this.

Thank you, Dr. Rigler and the entire team at Eastern Shore Animal Hospital for your patience, accommodations, and compassion. Thank you for giving Titan the time and space to succeed at his pace and for celebrating these little victories right alongside us.

Titan, you made your trainer so incredibly proud today. ❤️

I walked into that clinic hoping all of our work would show.

I walked out with tear-filled eyes because it did.

And because we are incredibly proud of this boy… here’s Titan putting those chin rests to work right there in the exam room. 👏❤️

All of those repetitions, all of that conditioning..this is why we practice.

08/18/2026

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐃𝐀𝐘! 👅🐾

Proof that a day of training, enrichment & boarding at ABTK9 can really take it outta ya. 😂

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬. 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬. 𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬. 🤌🏼🐶

08/17/2026

🐾 𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗣 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦? 𝗜 𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗠𝗬 𝗗𝗢𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 “𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗗.” 🐾

We get this question 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 at ABTK9.

And we completely understand why! Group classes sound like the perfect place to socialize a dog. Dogs + people + training = socialization… right?

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆.

Think about it this way:

Imagine someone who has spent most of their life as a hermit. Crowds make them uncomfortable, they don't really know how to interact with strangers, and they become overwhelmed easily.

Would your first step toward helping them become more comfortable socially be dropping them into the middle of a 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗗-𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧 and saying, “There! Go socialize!” 😅

Probably not.

Yet sometimes, that's exactly what we're asking of our dogs.

At ABTK9, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹.

Because simply putting a dog in the presence of other dogs does 𝗡𝗢𝗧 automatically create a positive association with other dogs.

A dog can be surrounded by dogs and spend the entire time anxious, frustrated, overstimulated, fearful, barking, lunging, hiding, or desperately trying to interact.

They're certainly getting 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Socialization isn't about how many dogs your dog meets.

It's about helping your dog learn how to appropriately and confidently exist in the world around them.

Sometimes that means interacting.

Sometimes it means learning that another dog can walk past 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 needing to say hello.

Sometimes it means calmly observing another dog from 30 feet away while still being able to engage with their handler.

And sometimes the most productive thing we can do is 𝗻𝗼𝘁 introduce them to another dog at all.

🐶 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗦.

We frequently hear that puppies need group classes because they're in their critical socialization period. While appropriate, positive experiences during puppyhood are incredibly important, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲.

A chaotic puppy class can easily become an environment where puppies rehearse:

🐾 Pulling toward every dog they see
🐾 Barking or whining from frustration
🐾 Ignoring their handler around distractions
🐾 Overly rough or inappropriate play
🐾 Becoming overwhelmed and shutting down
🐾 Learning that seeing another dog means immediate interaction
🐾 Practicing behaviors that later develop into leash frustration or reactivity

Meanwhile, the puppy who appears to be “just shy” may actually be 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

The puppy who is “super excited to make friends” may be struggling with 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝘂𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

The dog barking across the room may be 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹... not aggressive.

And the dog sitting quietly beside their owner may actually be 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗱.

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿.

Behavior is communication, and we want to understand 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿 before deciding what environment will help that dog learn.

That's one of the reasons ABTK9 focuses so heavily on individualized training.

𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.
𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.
𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.
𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗴'𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲.
𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 “𝘄𝗵𝘆” 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿.. instead of simply trying to manage it in a room full of dogs.

Then, when that individual dog is ready, we can intentionally introduce appropriate distractions and controlled opportunities around other dogs.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱.

Our goal is to help create a dog who can see another dog and think:

“𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗹. 𝗔 𝗱𝗼𝗴.”

…and continue existing comfortably in their world.

Because sometimes the most socially successful dog isn't the one playing with everyone.

𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼. 🐾

ABTK9

09/02/2026

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