REAL K9 Training LLC

05/31/2026

When a dog runs up barking, lunging they’re usually already over threshold—
excited, unsure, or overwhelmed.

In that state, they’re not learning …they’re struggling.

* Saying “no” doesn’t change the underlying emotion
* Pulling them away can add frustration, stress and negative associations
* Asking for a cue like “sit” often falls apart in that moment
* Letting them “figure it out” can actually rehearse the behavior and make it stronger.

What actually helps:
✔️ Creating distance before they escalate
✔️ Building engagement so they can check in with you
✔️ Reinforcing calm, thinking behavior in easier setups first
✔️ Train for the moment not in the moment

If this sounds familiar, feel free to reach out we offer in person and virtual sessions 💬 (970) 591-9722

05/31/2026

For fearless and friendly dogs, shield your puppies.

05/30/2026

📚 Continuing Education Matters

One of my core values at REAL K9 Training® is never stopping the learning process.

I recently completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course, a comprehensive program covering topics such as canine aggression, body language, safety and handling skills, behavior assessment, case studies, medical considerations, learning theory, consulting skills, and evidence-based behavior modification strategies.

What I love most about continuing education is that every course helps me become a better trainer and coach for the dogs and humans I work with. The more I learn, the better equipped I am to support families navigating challenging behaviors, help owners understand what their dogs are communicating, and create training plans that are both effective and ethical.

A special highlight was learning from professionals across multiple disciplines, including trainers and veterinary behavior experts, reinforcing the importance of looking at the whole dog—not just the behavior we see on the surface.

Thank you to all of my clients who trust me with their dogs. Your dogs inspire me to keep learning, growing, and expanding my knowledge every year.

🐾 Because helping you navigate the hard parts—with heart and science—means continually investing in education.

05/29/2026

When you’re unsure what to recommend, where do you go?

APDT’s resource library includes guidance on:
• Training tutorials
• Behavior topics
• Professional standards
• Welfare considerations
• and even more to come!

Built to support both professionals and the clients they serve.

Learn more here - https://apdt.com/resources/

What topic do you wish had clearer public education?

05/29/2026

05/17/2026

One of the biggest mistakes with recall is trying it in real-life situations too soon.

When dogs are learning, environment matters.

Starting in the home gives us the best chance to build the behavior successfully because it’s familiar, has fewer distractions, and allows us to control the setup more easily while the skill is still new.

Recall is not something we go from “just learned” to “fully reliable” overnight.

A hike, busy park, or downtown environment is the college degree of recall training—not pre-k.

There are many steps in between.

Once your dog understands the behavior in the home, we can gradually build up to more difficult environments—your garage, backyard, a quiet parking lot, or an empty park—adding distractions thoughtfully and at the dog’s pace instead of skipping straight to the hardest environments.

✔️ Keep your dog on a long line while recall is still being built
✔️ Build strong positive associations with coming back to you
✔️ Don’t stop rewarding the behavior once your dog understands it
✔️ Avoid repeatedly using recall when something unpleasant always follows

For important behaviors like recall, the goal is reliability you can trust in real life.

This step-by-step progression is something I guide clients through so recall is built thoughtfully for everyday situations.

If you’re unsure how to build that progression, feel free to reach out. We can help with each step.

🔗 https://www.realk9trainingsd.com/services

, , ,
.

05/15/2026

, , ,
.

05/13/2026

05/10/2026

Socialization isn’t about exposing your puppy to as much as possible.

Puppies learn from how experiences feel, not just what they’re exposed to.

Too much, too fast can lead to overwhelm or negative associations—even when the intention was to “socialize.”

When we talk about “pairing,” we mean combining new experiences with things your puppy already loves. When done thoughtfully, those positive feelings can begin to transfer to the new experience as well.

For example:
🐾 Your puppy sees, hears, or experiences something new
🐾 Good things happen (food and play etc.)

What actually matters is:
✔️ Keeping experiences short and positive
✔️ Letting your puppy observe from a comfortable distance
✔️ Building positive associations at their pace
✔️ Focusing on quality of exposure—not just quantity

Socialization does not mean your puppy needs to interact with every dog, person, or environment they encounter. Calmly observing the world from a safe distance is an important skill and helps build confidence without unnecessary pressure.

Interactions are best set up thoughtfully with people and dogs you know well—individuals who can follow instructions and help create positive experiences for your puppy.

The goal of socialization is helping your puppy feel safe, comfortable, and confident in the environments they will experience throughout their life. That foundation starts early and continues long after puppyhood.

This is something I guide clients through step-by-step, starting as soon as a puppy comes home and continuing as their needs change through each stage of life.

If you’re unsure what that should look like for your dog, feel free to reach out. 💬

🔗 https://www.realk9trainingsd.com/services