Guardian K9 Services

06/22/2026

Icon and I got back from a fun NASDA weekend last night. This was a fantastic and huge trial by 4 Points Clubs down in Camano Island, Washington. If you ever get a chance to go, you should, it was absolutely gorgeous!

As for Icon, this was the biggest NASDA trial that he has competed in coupled with the travel, I was just hoping he would have some fun.
However, he had other ideas and got full points on all 5 of his runs. He even took a 3rd place out of 37 dogs. Super proud of him.

Thank you to 4 Points for having us, we had a blast all weekend.

06/21/2026

Sorry replies are delayed, I’m down at Camano Island at a trial with Icon.

06/10/2026

This made me laugh - It’s also surprisingly accurate. 😂

This IS tongue in cheek but genuinely - for the past 20 years - this analogy has served me SO well when talking to friends and family about “which dog is right” (and usually, which dog isn’t right…so, you’re choosing to buy a tank rather than a Volvo when you’re a family of four who like visiting busy family places and have people around because…).

So, I thought I would chuck out a little infographic you can use when you’re persuading your 96 year old neighbour not to get a Ferrari and your 6 stone, city dwelling 18 year old influencer cousin not to get a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon as her first car. Enjoy x

05/20/2026

🐾 Not every dog wants to be touched — and that's okay.

Dogs are not public property, and we should never assume that an unfamiliar (or even familiar) dog is inviting interaction just by being present.

The golden rule: don't approach unknown dogs. Give them space, stay relaxed, look slightly away, and let them come to you.

And even when a dog does approach you, sniffing, standing nearby, or coming close is NOT necessarily an invitation to pat them. Wait for clearer signals — loose, relaxed body language, leaning into your leg, gentle eye contact, a nudge, a paw, or a play bow. Those are consent.

Once you have those signals, you can ask their guardian if it's okay to interact. Keep it brief, and pause to check if they want to continue.

🚫 Avoid: patting on the head, pushing your hand in their face, hugging, or overwhelming them with too many people or too much intensity.

⚠️ Signs a dog is uncomfortable: lip licking, yawning, looking away, moving away, ears pinned back, tail tucked, whale eye (whites of the eyes showing) — and of course snapping or growling, which is an immediate request for more space.

This applies to children too — teaching kids that unknown dogs are not to be approached is one of the most important lessons we can pass on.

I've put together an infographic breaking all of this down — save it and share it! 👆

And if you want to go deeper, I've also made a video exploring whether people should even have the expectation to pat an unknown dog — and why "asking first" doesn't always make it okay 👇
📺 https://youtu.be/K2D8cOGUhs4

05/18/2026

Some sunny day naked heeling. All I’m asking for is him to walk in a loose, off leash heel but I’ll reward extended attention on me. Icon has been super distracted during obedience, so we went back to the basics with food rewards.

05/12/2026

A little Shed Hunt practice before the heat hits. This guy has really taken to finding antlers.

05/12/2026

Walter is back for a visit.

05/10/2026

Icon out for a sniffy walk after I finished with clients today. This is the one time you’ll catch me with a retractable leash, in fact, I love them for sniffy walks.

05/05/2026

05/02/2026

Narcotics Detection Practice
“Ummmm, Mom someone left M**h in the oven!”

*** It’s pseudo scent - no need to call the cops.