REAL K9 Training LLC

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

A Few More Things to Know About Service Dogs & Emotional Support Animals 🐾

The infographic covers the basics, but there are a few important things worth adding.

A Service Dog does not have to wear a vest, patch or other identifying gear. The ADA does not require it, and putting Service Dog gear on a pet or ESA does not give that animal public-access rights.

Service Dogs generally must be harnessed, leashed or tethered in public. If the handler’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

Misrepresentation isn’t victimless.

Intentionally misrepresenting a pet as a Service Dog is illegal in many states and can carry legal consequences.

Bringing a pet or ESA that isn’t prepared for public access into these spaces can also have serious consequences. An uncontrolled dog may charge, interfere with or frighten a working Service Dog. Even without physical contact, that experience can cause lasting stress or fear and may make it unsafe for the Service Dog to continue working.

For some handlers, a Service Dog is a lifeline — providing essential support, safety and independence. Losing that support can be devastating. Service Dogs take significant time and resources to train and cannot simply be replaced.

These incidents also affect the next legitimate team. Businesses may become more suspicious, question handlers more intensely or even improperly deny access.

We’ve already seen how misuse can change accommodations. Federal air-travel rules changed in 2020 following concerns that included abuse of the ESA system, safety risks and animal misbehavior. Airlines are no longer required to recognize ESAs.

When accommodations are repeatedly misused, the people who legitimately depend on them can ultimately pay the price.

Protecting Service Dog access and legitimate ESA accommodations matters.

09/03/2026

🐾 Think About It Thursday: Comfort ≠ Spoiling 🐾

For years, dog guardians were told:

“If your dog is fearful, don’t comfort them — you’ll reinforce the fear.”

We now know that’s a myth.
Fear is an emotion, not a behavior. Comforting your dog doesn’t “reward” fear — it helps them feel safe. 💙

Think about it this way: if your child were scared, you wouldn’t ignore them or say, “Don’t be silly.”
You’d support them, reassure them, and guide them through it.
Your dog deserves that same kindness.

Here’s the real tip 👇
✅ Be your dog’s safe place.
✅ Use a calm but confident tone and body language — your energy tells your dog the world is safe. (Think “You’ve got this!” instead of a soft insecure “It’s okay…”)
✅ Support them through those “scary” moments so they can learn the world isn’t so scary after all.
✅ When something startles them, toss 3–5 yummy treats so unexpected moments start to predict good things — and work on CC/DS in planned, safe setups outside of those surprises.

Being a great dog guardian means being their emotional anchor.
When they’re afraid, let them come to you.
Comfort builds trust, and trust builds confidence. 🐕💪

✨ Kindness is powerful.

09/02/2026

September is National Service Dog Month. 💜🐾

Service dogs are more than highly trained dogs — they are working partners whose tasks can provide greater independence, safety, and support for people with disabilities.

This month is an opportunity to recognize the incredible work these dogs do, the partnership between service dogs and their handlers, and the importance of respecting working teams when we encounter them in public.

A little awareness and understanding can make a meaningful difference.

09/01/2026

🐾 The Scatter Game for Reactivity

The Scatter Game is simple to teach and can be a helpful tool when your dog notices something they find difficult.

Start at home: Say “Scatter,” then toss several treats on the ground for your dog to find. Practice until hearing “Scatter” quickly gets your dog putting their nose down and searching.

Once your dog knows the game well, inside, in your backyard, and with some distractions you can begin using it around triggers such as other dogs, people, bikes, or wildlife.

You’ll see CER (conditioned emotional response) mentioned in the slides. This simply means the emotional response your dog has to something. With practice, we can help shift that response from something negative to something more positive.

🌱 Distance is Key. Start far enough away that your dog can notice the trigger and look away, eat, sniff, and participate in the game. If they’re already barking, lunging, or unable to search for the treats, create more distance.

08/21/2026

08/03/2026

I recently completed Tails of Understanding: The Art of Communicating with Our Human Clients.

Dog training isn’t just about understanding dogs—it’s also about understanding and supporting the people who love them. Clear communication, listening, and building trust are just as important as the training itself.

I’m excited to bring what I’ve learned into my sessions to better support both ends of the leash.🐾❤️🧍‍♀️🧍‍♂️

08/01/2026

07/26/2026