Kairo's K9s Training

10/31/2026

Everyone, give a warm welcome to !

Today, we had the pleasure of meeting Hershey, a four-year-old Lab, Heeler, and Husky mix, and his lovely family for their initial assessment!

Hershey's family reached out for support with reactivity toward unfamiliar people, fear-based behaviours, and some resource guarding concerns.

And as we always say, there's a reason behind behaviour. Our job is to understand it.

One of the first things we identified was that Hershey's existing walking equipment appeared to be contributing to some of his challenges.

So, we outfitted him with a full set of adventure-tested gear better suited to his needs!

Because equipment matters.

Uncomfortable or poorly suited gear can affect a dog's movement, increase frustration, and make already stressful situations more difficult.

Changing equipment won't magically resolve reactivity, but it can create a safer, more comfortable foundation for learning.

Moving forward, we'll be helping Hershey's family understand his body language, recognize early signs of discomfort, and develop practical strategies for navigating challenging situations.

We'll also be introducing training exercises designed to build confidence and help change how Hershey feels about his triggers.

Our goal isn't simply to stop the behaviour. It's to understand what's driving it and help Hershey feel safer.

We're excited to welcome this wonderful family to Kairo's K9s!

Let's hear it for !

Building Better Bonds, One Home at a Time

10/31/2026

Your dog doesn't understand Halloween. And that's something we need to remember.

To us, Halloween means costumes, candy, decorations, and excited children visiting our homes.

To our dogs?

It can mean unfamiliar people approaching their territory, unusual silhouettes, unpredictable noises, and a front door that seemingly never stops opening.

And while some dogs handle that excitement beautifully, others find it genuinely overwhelming.

Neither response makes a dog good or bad. It simply tells us something about how that individual dog is experiencing their environment.

So today, let's talk about keeping our dogs safe, both physically and emotionally.

1. CHOCOLATE, XYLITOL, AND RAISINS: KNOW THE RISKS

Halloween brings several potential poisoning hazards into our homes.

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs metabolize differently than humans. Toxicity depends on the type and amount consumed and the dog's body weight.

Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are particularly concerning because of their higher concentrations.

Xylitol, sometimes listed as birch sugar, is a sweetener found in some sugar-free gums, candies, baked goods, and other products.

In dogs, xylitol can trigger a dangerous release of insulin, causing blood sugar to drop rapidly. Some exposures can also cause severe liver injury.

Raisins and grapes are another serious concern. They can cause acute kidney injury in dogs, and there is no reliably safe amount.

If your dog eats chocolate, xylitol, raisins, or another potentially toxic substance, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary service immediately.

Don't wait for symptoms. Don't induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional instructs you to.

Keep the packaging and be prepared to explain what your dog ate, approximately how much, and when.

Prevention tip: Store Halloween candy in closed cupboards, not on countertops or in bags left on the floor.

2. REACTIVITY ISN'T A TRAINING FAILURE

If your dog barks when someone approaches the door, Halloween can be particularly challenging.

But here's something important to understand.

Reactivity is behaviour. It isn't an explanation of why the behaviour is happening.

Your dog might be frightened, frustrated, excited, conflicted, or experiencing a combination of emotions.

That's why we don't simply focus on stopping the barking.

We consider what's triggering the response and what the dog may be experiencing.

Repeated exposure to an overwhelming situation doesn't automatically create confidence.

In some cases, it can increase sensitivity to the trigger.

Halloween night is not the time to test your dog's limits.

If your dog struggles with visitors, give them a comfortable space away from the front entrance.

A quiet room, familiar bedding, water, and an appropriate enrichment activity can make a significant difference.

You can also reduce doorbell activity by placing candy outside with a sign asking visitors not to knock.

Management isn't avoiding training. It's creating conditions where your dog doesn't have to struggle unnecessarily.

3. PREVENT ESCAPES BEFORE THEY HAPPEN

Every time the door opens, there's an opportunity for a dog to slip outside.

And fear or excitement can make even familiar situations unpredictable.

Use physical barriers such as baby gates or closed interior doors.

Check that identification tags are secure and microchip contact information is current.

If your dog will be outside, use properly fitted equipment and keep them securely leashed.

Don't make recall your only safety plan.

A reliable skill is valuable, but a physical barrier provides protection before an emergency occurs.

4. COSTUMES ARE OPTIONAL. COMFORT ISN'T.

Not every dog enjoys wearing clothing.

And that's okay.

If you're considering a costume, pay attention to your dog's behaviour.

Are they moving normally?

Can they see, hear, breathe, and move comfortably?

Are they willingly participating, or are they freezing, avoiding you, or repeatedly trying to remove the outfit?

Remember that individual behaviours need to be interpreted in context.

A yawn doesn't automatically mean stress. Neither does a single lip lick.

Look at the whole dog, the environment, and changes from their normal behaviour.

If your dog appears uncomfortable, remove the costume.

A festive photo is never more important than your dog's well-being.

5. GIVE YOUR DOG A CHOICE

One of the most valuable things we can offer our dogs is the ability to move away from situations they find uncomfortable.

If your dog doesn't want to greet visitors, don't force the interaction.

If they're retreating to another room, respect that choice.

If they're showing signs of escalating stress, increase distance and reduce stimulation.

And please, don't punish growling.

Growling is communication.

Suppressing that warning doesn't necessarily change the underlying emotion. It may simply make the dog's discomfort harder to recognize.

Our goal should be to understand what the dog is communicating, not punish them for communicating it.

6. PLAN YOUR EVENING BEFORE THE FIRST DOORBELL

A little preparation can prevent a lot of unnecessary stress.

Before trick-or-treating begins:

Take your dog for a walk earlier in the day, if appropriate.

Prepare a comfortable, quiet space with familiar enrichment.

Secure candy, decorations, electrical cords, and small objects.

Set up barriers to prevent access to the front door.

Check identification and microchip information.

Decide how you'll manage visitors before they arrive.

Here in Saskatoon, remember that Halloween can also bring cold temperatures, reduced visibility, and slippery conditions.

If your dog needs an evening outing, consider a quieter route and use reflective or illuminated walking gear.

A shorter, predictable walk is often more valuable than pushing through an overwhelming environment.

7. UNDERSTAND WHAT SUCCESS ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE

This is the part I really want families to remember.

A successful Halloween doesn't mean your dog greeted every visitor.

It doesn't mean they tolerated a costume.

It doesn't mean they stayed quiet through every doorbell.

And it certainly doesn't mean they endured an evening of stress without reacting.

Success might mean your dog spent the evening peacefully in another room.

It might mean you recognized their discomfort early and changed your plans.

It might mean you prevented an overwhelming experience altogether.

Those are responsible decisions worth celebrating.

At Kairo's K9s, we talk a lot about changing how dogs feel, not simply changing what they do.

That process takes time, thoughtful training, and an understanding of the individual dog.

And sometimes, the best thing we can do for their long-term progress is avoid putting them in a situation they're not ready to handle.

Your dog doesn't need to love Halloween. They just need to feel safe through it.

And sometimes, the best training decision we can make is knowing when not to train.

From all of us at Kairo's K9s, have a safe and happy Halloween!

10/31/2026

Two dogs, one lovely family, and a whole lot of learning happening!

Say hello to and !

When this family first reached out to us, they were looking for help with some challenging behaviours around their home.

Both doorway reactivity and reactions to things happening outside the windows were making everyday situations a little more stressful than anyone wanted.

And that's where our work together began.

We've been introducing counterconditioning exercises to help change how Max and Moo feel about the things that trigger those reactions.

Because when we're working with reactivity, our goal isn't simply to stop the barking or interrupt the behaviour.

We want to help change the emotional response underneath it.

But that's only one part of the picture.

We've also been building their position work, giving both dogs clear, familiar skills they can use when something exciting or overwhelming is happening around them.

Today's session focused on teaching “place.”

For Max and Moo, that means learning to move to a designated spot when cued and gradually building the skills to settle there.

It's not about sending them away because they're reacting.

It's about teaching them a predictable behaviour that we can eventually use to create distance from triggers, manage challenging situations, and give their family another practical tool.

And there's an important distinction here:

We're teaching these skills when the dogs are able to learn, not waiting until they're overwhelmed and expecting them to figure it out.

As their understanding grows, we can gradually introduce more realistic situations while continuing to work at a level where they're comfortable and successful.

Counterconditioning helps us work on how they feel.

Position work helps us build what they can do.

And together, those approaches give us more ways to support Max and Moo without relying on pressure or intimidation.

What I especially appreciate about working with this family is their willingness to learn alongside their dogs.

Because training isn't just about what happens during our sessions.

It's about giving families the understanding and practical skills to keep building on that progress at home.

Great work today, Max and Moo!

We're looking forward to seeing how these skills continue to develop.

10/30/2026

“Why do you take dog training so seriously?”

Because the direction this industry is heading is fu***ng terrifying.

And I'm tired of watching questionable training practices get packaged as expertise while the people responsible for the animals involved face little meaningful accountability.

Confidence is not competence. A result is not proof of good training. And a social media following is not a qualification.

I've dedicated years of my life to understanding animal behaviour and learning theory. Anyone who knows me knows I'm borderline obsessive about education.

I study constantly. I challenge my own understanding. I seek mentorship. And I hold myself to standards that don't change just because something is easier, faster, or more profitable.

One of the core principles of Kairo's K9s is simple:

If I don't believe I have the education, experience, or resources to responsibly help a dog, I refer that family to someone who does.

That might be another trainer with specialized experience, a veterinarian, or a veterinary behaviourist.

And I won't hesitate.

Not every case belongs in my hands. Recognizing that isn't a weakness. It's part of being qualified to do this work.

I don't need to be the smartest person in the room. I need to be competent enough to recognize when someone else should be in the room instead of me.

That philosophy didn't develop overnight.

My own imposter syndrome nearly prevented Kairo's K9s from ever opening. Without my mentors, I genuinely wouldn't have opened those doors.

They helped me develop confidence in my abilities without losing sight of the limits of my knowledge.

And that distinction has shaped everything I've built.

Knowing what you're doing matters. Knowing when you're out of your depth matters just as much.

Which is why I find some of what I'm seeing in this industry so deeply concerning.

I'm watching training methods that raise serious questions about learning theory being presented as professional instruction.

I'm watching discomfort used in situations where clear, reinforcement-based teaching could accomplish the goal.

And I'm watching people celebrate the final behaviour without questioning what the dog experienced to get there.

That should bother every single person working in this profession.

Because how we achieve a result matters.

The dog's emotional experience matters.

And the ability to explain why we're doing something should be a basic expectation of anyone charging people for their expertise.

Now, let's address something.

Every once in a while, you're going to see me publicly tear apart a training method that I believe has absolutely no business being used on a dog.

And I'm not fu***ng sorry for that.

I'll explain what concerns me. I'll discuss the learning theory. I'll question whether the approach is necessary, appropriate, or humane.

And whenever possible, I'll demonstrate a better alternative.

Because public misinformation deserves public scrutiny.

When someone publishes questionable training advice, other dog owners see it.

They trust it.
They try it.

And they may have no idea that the method they're copying could be unnecessarily stressful, confusing, or harmful to their dog.

Most dog owners haven't spent years studying animal behaviour.

They shouldn't have to become experts just to recognize whether the professional they've hired understands their job.

That's OUR responsibility.

So when I see something that deserves to be challenged, I'm going to challenge it.

Directly.
Publicly.
And with evidence.

I'm not interested in protecting someone's ego at the expense of a dog's welfare.

That doesn't mean I believe I'm above criticism. Quite the opposite.

If I'm wrong, show me the evidence.

If there's something I haven't considered, explain it.

If there's a better approach, I want to learn it.

That's what professional accountability looks like.

What I won't accept is the idea that questioning a publicly promoted training method is somehow more inappropriate than the method itself.

This industry doesn't need more people who are good at looking like experts.

It needs professionals who are willing to do the work required to actually be experts in their areas of practice.

People who understand their limitations.
People who refer cases beyond their scope.

People who can explain their methods without hiding behind “it works.”

And people who recognize that animal welfare is not negotiable.

I know the work I've put into becoming the trainer I am.

I know the standards we've built at Kairo's K9s.

And I know that continuing to learn is part of the responsibility I've accepted.

I didn't build this business to contribute to the problems I see in this industry. I built it to demonstrate what responsible, relationship-first training can look like.

So I'll keep educating.
I'll keep learning.

And when I see practices that I believe compromise a dog's welfare, I'll keep challenging them.

I'm not interested in protecting egos. I'm interested in protecting dogs.

Because they don't get to choose who trains them.

Their trust is our responsibility.

And I refuse to treat that as anything less than the standard this profession should be held to.

Christopher Froess

Owner & Head Trainer
Kairo's K9s Training
[email protected]

10/29/2026

Three videos. Thirty minutes. A prong collar, a leash, and a line of painter's tape.

All to explain how to teach a dog to wait for their food.

Yeah, I've seen the video circulating.

Well, videos. Because this particular "trainer" has put together a three-part series, totalling approximately 30 minutes, attempting to explain what should be a relatively straightforward foundation skill.

And somehow, he's managed to make the entire process so unnecessarily convoluted that I'm genuinely questioning what the dog is supposed to be learning.

So I figured I'd demonstrate something.

Meet Bauer.

Bauer is a six-and-a-half-month-old English Mastiff puppy, and in this video, I'm teaching him the same foundational concept.

In less than three minutes. In real time.

No prong collar.

No leash pressure.

No line of tape across the floor.

And no need to make the dog uncomfortable for being excited about dinner.

What am I using instead?

A continuation marker, a terminal marker, and a simple skill we've demonstrated to the dog.

That's it.

For anyone unfamiliar with those terms, here's what they mean.

A continuation marker tells Bauer he's doing the right thing and should keep doing it. We're communicating that the behaviour he's offering is exactly what we're looking for.

A terminal marker tells him that the repetition is complete and he can access his reinforcement.

We're giving him clear information about what works, when to continue, and when he's finished.

And because we've already demonstrated the skill we're asking for, Bauer isn't left guessing.

We're teaching him how to succeed, not waiting for him to fail so we can apply pressure.

That's the difference.

In the other videos, the dog approaches a line on the floor, pressure is applied through a prong collar, and that pressure is released when the dog offers a particular response.

From a learning-theory perspective, the removal of that pressure may reinforce whatever behaviour immediately preceded it.

But that doesn't automatically mean the dog understands the broader concept of waiting for food.

The dog might be learning to stop at that specific line.

The dog might be learning that sitting makes the pressure go away.

And the dog might be learning to avoid an uncomfortable consequence.

None of those things automatically demonstrate that the dog understands the skill the trainer claims to be teaching.

That's why I'm against using compulsion for something like this.

We're taking a simple learning opportunity and introducing an unnecessary aversive consequence when we could just teach the dog what we actually want.

And here's what really gets me.

I can explain the foundation, demonstrate the process, and show you a puppy learning it in under three minutes.

Not because I'm some magical dog trainer.

Not because Bauer is a perfect puppy.

But because we're using clear communication and a training plan that makes sense to the dog.

Now, does that mean Bauer has completely mastered impulse control in three minutes?

Of course not.

We're building a foundation.

Duration, distractions, different environments, and consistency will all come with continued practice.

But that's how learning works.

We teach the skill first.

Then we build on it.

We don't need to turn a basic exercise into a 30-minute production involving a prong collar just to make a dog wait for dinner.

And this is exactly why I tell people to be careful when choosing a dog trainer.

Don't just look at whether the dog eventually performs the behaviour.

Look at how the trainer gets there.

Can they explain what the dog is learning?

Can they explain why they're using a particular tool?

Do they understand reinforcement and the importance of timing?

What happens when the dog gets confused or makes a mistake?

And most importantly, could they teach the same skill without relying on discomfort?

Because anyone can make a training video look complicated.

That doesn't mean the training is good.

A professional's job is to make learning clearer for the dog, not more confusing.

And if you need a prong collar, a leash, painter's tape, and three videos totalling 30 minutes to explain how to teach a dog to wait for dinner, I think it's fair to question whether you've actually understood the fundamentals yourself.

I'm not interested in making training look impressive.

I'm interested in making sure the dog understands.

And I think Bauer does a pretty damn good job of showing why that distinction matters.

Good work, buddy.

10/29/2026

A great PSA from the lovely Princess Zuri

A message from Princess Zuri, for whomever needs to hear it: No, you do not need to dress up your dog for Halloween just because everyone else is. Chances are your dog will not enjoy it, especially if they already have confidence/reactivity issues or other behavioural concerns. Put your dog’s well-being ahead of any social pressure to get a cute pic in a costume. Yeah, some dogs are fine with costumes, but please don’t make them feel uncomfortable just because you want them to look cute. You’re welcome. Love, Princess Zuri.🐾🐩🐩🐩🐩

10/28/2026

A little update from !

For the next few weeks, we're spending some time with Baloo, a handsome hound who's joining us for regular walks while his family is away.

Now, Baloo and I aren't strangers. We've worked together before.

But that doesn't mean he's automatically comfortable with me showing up at his door and taking him out for an adventure.

He's a nervous guy, and that's okay.

Just because a dog knows you doesn't mean they've decided they trust you in every situation.

And we don't take that personally.

We give dogs the time and space they need to figure things out. No rushing, no forcing interactions, and no expecting them to be comfortable just because we're ready to get going.

Trust isn't something we're entitled to. It's something we earn.

And today, Baloo gave us a pretty great little win.

When I arrived, he happily met me at the door and was ready to head out for our scheduled adventure.

No big production. Just a dog feeling a little more comfortable with the person on the other end of his leash.

And once we got outside?

Well, he's a hound.

Which meant repeatedly shoving his entire nose into the fresh snow, investigating every interesting smell, and reminding me that the walk was very much happening on Baloo's terms.

Honestly, fair enough.

These are the moments I love about working with dogs.

Not every success needs to be some massive breakthrough. Sometimes it's a nervous dog greeting you at the door because you've given him a reason to feel safe.

And sometimes it's watching that same dog bury his face in the snow like he's personally responsible for investigating every square inch of Saskatoon.

Good work today, Baloo. We're happy to be part of your adventures.

10/28/2026

Yes, we're still working!

We've had several messages come in this morning asking whether Kairo's K9s is still operating now that the snow has arrived.

And the answer is YES!

We're still out and about across Saskatoon, visiting clients, walking dogs, providing pet care, and helping families work toward their training goals.

We're in Saskatchewan. If we cancelled every time it snowed, we'd be out of business for half the year.

That said, there's a difference between a little snow and weather that genuinely puts people or dogs at risk.

Our winter weather policy generally starts coming into play around -25°C, but that's not a magic number where everything suddenly stops.

We look at the whole picture: temperature, wind chill, road conditions, and the individual dog we're working with.

Sometimes that means shortening a walk, bringing training indoors, or rescheduling when conditions aren't safe.

If your appointment needs to change, we'll contact you directly.

Otherwise, you can expect us to show up as scheduled, probably with wet boots, a little snow on our jackets, and a dog who's significantly more excited about the weather than we are.

We appreciate everyone checking in on us this morning. It's genuinely nice knowing our clients are thinking about our safety, too.

Now, if someone could remind Saskatchewan that it's still October, that would be great.

10/28/2026

Well, the snow has officially arrived in Saskatoon, and would like to file a formal fu***ng complaint.

The audio pretty much sums up his feelings.

Apparently, nobody consulted Thor before deciding it was time for another Saskatchewan winter.

Unfortunately for him, the snow doesn't care about his opinion.

We're only getting started, buddy. It's going to be a long few months.

Anyone else's dog already completely over winter, or is Thor the only one personally offended by the weather?

10/28/2026

Our website just got another update! Version 3.76 is officially live.

Something you might not know about Kairo's K9s is that we build and maintain our entire website ourselves.

No outside developers. Just us spending more time than I'd like to admit figuring out why something that worked yesterday suddenly doesn't work today.

But there's a reason we do it.

As our business grows, I want our website to grow with it. Booking an appointment, learning about our team, or finding information about our services shouldn't be complicated.

This latest update includes revised Terms & Conditions, new staff biographies, improved security, accessibility improvements, faster loading times, and a cleaner booking experience.

And we're nowhere near finished.

We've got new services in development and plenty more improvements planned.

But here's where I'd love your help.

Have you visited our website recently? Was anything confusing, difficult to find, or not working properly?

Seriously, tell us. We build this ourselves, and your feedback helps us make it better.

Take a look at www.KairosK9s.ca