MK9 Dog Training

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Canada
Kemptville, ON
MK9 Dog Training

I help owners with young dogs move from chaos to contentment through enrichment, empathy and games.

Set up a call with us here: https://calendar.app.google/a9WSya22md7v1EPc9

08/12/2025

ANNOUNCING!!

SMITHS FALLS PUPPY CLASSES!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

Topics covered: socialization, foundation obedience, schedule, routine, potty training, common issues & more!

Scan the QR code for more information & to sign up!

Location: Pet Valu Smiths Falls

Dates: Sept 7, 14, 28, Oct 5, 11, 19, 26, Nov 2

Time: 6pm Sundays

08/01/2025

How Mayhems' scent trial season is going so far:

May 10: Advanced Q's in all 3 components
May 11: Advanced Q's in all 3 components
June 14: Q in Distance & Aerial, earning her Distance & Aerial Titles. NQ in Team & Speed
July 6: Q in Aerial, Distance NQ in Speed & Team
July 20: Q in Advance Containers & Interior, Speed!!! (FINALLY!) and Aerial. NQ in Advanced Exterior & Team
July 27: Q in Distance, Aerial & Team (FINALLY!!) NQ in Speed.

(Photo from a past fun scent shoot! Highly recommend !!)

07/26/2025

People are wondering about the prepping for kayaking process.

For Stormy, it began as a tiny pup!

In multiple sessions Stormys' family introduced him to mildly unstable surfaces, warm comfortable water, his life jacket, the kayak on dry land, docks, standing on something sturdy in the water, a water floaty chair thing, rivers, and finally the kayak in the water!

They did this with lots of food, letting Stormy explore on his own where possible & with lots of support when needed!

We're so proud of how far he's come! :)

07/25/2025

Stormy completed his first cottage week, and his family was overjoyed to report he did so well in the kayak!

He wasn't sure about it at first, but through the week he became more confident and comfortable! Stormy LOVES being able to join his people on their kayaking voyages ❤️

So proud of these clients for putting in the work to make their dreams come true!!

07/24/2025

Expanding on the post from yesterday:

During his swim lesson, Stormy progressed to swimming correctly on his own!

Another benefit to the swimming lesson?

If Stormy falls into the pool, he knows how to swim & where the stairs are to get out :)

While these clients always supervise Stormy if he's in the pool area, preparing everyone for an emergency makes everyone feel safer.

07/23/2025

This client loves kayaking in the summer & from day 1 they made it clear:

"I want my dog to come kayaking"

This was a step along the way -- teaching Stormy how to swim!

He'll always have a life jacket for safety, but being comfortable in the water is a bonus if he fell out of the kayak.

I place my arm under his chin / above his front legs in order to stop him from splashing. Dogs who splash at the water's surface are often trying to climb on top of the water, causing their hind end to dip down and putting them at risk of drowning.

By keeping his feet in the water, Stormy sees this is a much better way to travel & will help him swim confidently!

07/22/2025

Training for Sound Distractions

Everytime your dog hears the noise, mark & feed! Initially your dog may look in the direction the noise came from. If they do, mark the look & feed them! When they get the pattern of sound --> look --> feed, they'll start to look back at you before you have time to mark them, progressing to not even looking in the direction.

To break it down:

Hear the sound --> feed your dog!

To the dog this creates the association of weird noise = food! Which creates a positive, not scary, association :)

07/21/2025

What is the #1 mistake people make when practicing a down stay?

Always recalling their dog from it!

The number one mistake I see goes like this:

"Fido down! Good! Stay!"

The owner then walks 10 feet away. Pauses for 2 seconds & then recalls their dog. After doing this 2 or 3 times, Fido starts coming as soon as the owners feet stop moving.

How do we avoid this problem from happening??

Reward your dog in position! Walk away from them & back multiple times, feeding between their paws on each return. Release them from the down while you're standing right beside them, often enough that your dog isn't anticipating the recall.

If you need help with a down stay, we can help :)

07/20/2025

Body language breakdown!

Mayhem's (pointy ear dog) intention: lay in her spot ALONE, unbothered.

Moose's (flop ear dog) intention: Get as close to Mayhem as possible. Lay near her and me. Maybe play??

How will this play out? What do you see?

Check the comments for my breakdown!

07/19/2025

Down Stay.

Pro tip: come back and reward your dog in position. ALOT.

Increase the distance / distraction / duration one at a time and do so slowly to ensure your dogs success.

07/18/2025

Fetch Alternative Pt 5

The "herding game"

Take a ball and kick it along the ground, encouraging your dog to follow / watch it without grabbing it. Ask for position changes, or maybe direct your dog around or past the ball!

Have a clear cue to release your dog to get the ball.

07/17/2025

Fetch Alternative Pt 4

Food or toy bowling.

I'm playing with treats, but this games works just as well with 2 identical toys.

With your dog in front of you, cue "get it" and bowl the food a few feet to your left or right. As your dog finishes the food, cue "get it" and toss the food in the opposite direction from before.

To increase difficulty, add a recall or obedience cues in between tosses. Or toss the food / toy into longer grass.

Address

Kemptville, ON
K0G1J0

Telephone

+16133719416

Website

https://sites.google.com/mk9dogs.com/mk9dogtraining/home

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