Kairo's K9s Training, Saskatoon, SK (2025)

11/09/2025

I never wanted to fit in with the rest of the industry.

Kairo and I were never meant to blend in — we were built to raise the standard.

What we do here isn’t just “dog training.”

It’s education, advocacy, and purpose — driven by something bigger than both of us.

11/09/2025

Today’s session with Service Dog in Training Java was an absolute success.

We headed to a local pet-friendly store, expecting a quiet afternoon session — only to discover it was packed. Easily the busiest I’ve ever seen it.

Despite the chaos, Java rose to the challenge. She calmly navigated crowded aisles, maintained her leash manners, and showed impressive focus amid carts, people, and distractions.

To raise the difficulty, I brought in Service Dog Kairo to work alongside her — a huge test of impulse control and attention.

And she handled it beautifully.

She ignored him (well, almost completely) as she moved through the aisles, completed downstays, and stayed engaged with her handler.

At one point, she even offered a spontaneous alert — a major milestone for her age and stage of training.

Afterward, we debriefed and identified a few small holes in her foundational work — nothing major, but enough to guide her next steps. We now have a clear plan in place to strengthen those basics and keep her progressing.

At only nine months old, it’s unrealistic to expect perfection — but what matters most is mindset, and Java’s is exactly where it should be. She’s focused, willing, and beginning to understand her purpose.

With continued structure, exposure, and reinforcement, she’s well on her way to becoming an incredible working partner.

11/08/2025

This morning, after dropping Atticus off at Jiu-Jitsu, I stopped for a coffee.

While I was sitting there, a young woman who worked at the restaurant approached me and asked if she could ask a few questions about Service Dogs.

Of course, I said yes.

She explained that not long ago, someone brought a small dog into her workplace — the kind of “purse dog” we’ve all seen — claiming it was a Service Dog.

The dog barked, had an accident inside the store, and acted completely out of control. When the staff asked the handler to leave, she became indignant and insisted they “weren’t allowed” to do that.

This kind of situation happens more often than people realize — and it’s exactly why I wrote the Service Dog Etiquette Guide for Employees in Non-Pet-Friendly Stores in Saskatchewan for SaskPets.

So, here’s what I explained to her:

A Service Dog is a dog that has been specifically trained to perform defined tasks related to a handler’s disability. These tasks must directly mitigate that disability. Emotional Support alone doesn’t qualify — a Service Dog is about function, not feelings.

What Businesses Are Legally Allowed to Ask in Saskatchewan

If it’s not obvious whether the dog is a Service Dog, staff are legally permitted to ask only two questions:

1. “Is this a Service Dog required because of a disability?”

2. “What task or service has the dog been trained to perform?”

That’s it.
You cannot ask for medical records, certification papers, or proof of training. You cannot ask to see the dog “perform” its task.

A vest alone means nothing. Real legitimacy comes from behavior and task performance.

What a Real Service Dog Looks Like

A trained Service Dog remains calm, quiet, and focused in public.

They stay close to their handler, ignore distractions, and are reliably housebroken. If they make a mistake — which occasionally happens — it’s minor and immediately corrected.

Handlers who work legitimate Service Dogs deeply appreciate it when staff ask appropriate questions respectfully. It shows commitment to accessibility and safety — not confrontation.

When a Dog Can Be Asked to Leave

Even a Service Dog can be legally removed from a business if it:

Toilets indoors.

Barks excessively or growls at people.

Lunges, pulls, or otherwise acts out of control.

If that happens, staff have every right to say:

> “I’m sorry, but your Service Dog is not under control. If you’re unable to manage your dog, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

That’s lawful. That’s responsible.

What Not To Do

Don’t pet, talk to, or distract the dog.

Don’t offer treats or food.

Don’t ask the handler personal questions about their health.

Don’t deny entry unless the dog’s behavior warrants removal.

Remember — a legitimate handler wants to blend in, not stand out.

When You Suspect a Fake

If a dog is misbehaving but the handler insists it’s a Service Dog, focus on behavior, not paperwork.

If the dog is calm and under control — assume legitimacy.

If it’s disruptive, politely ask the handler to correct the issue or leave.

Real handlers won’t argue this point. They know the law, and they respect it.

Why This Matters

In Saskatchewan, the misuse of the term “Service Dog” has made public access more difficult for legitimate handlers. Each time an untrained pet soils a floor or bites a staff member, it chips away at the public’s trust in those of us who rely on trained working dogs.

Handlers like me work tirelessly to educate businesses and the public, because our dogs aren’t accessories — they’re medical equipment. They save lives, prevent injuries, and allow independence.

So, to every employee who has ever had to navigate these situations:
Ask the right questions. Stand your ground. Protect the space — for everyone.

And to my fellow handlers — keep doing the work, hold the standard, and keep your dogs representing the title “Service Dog” with pride.

Because our communities are safer, kinder, and more accessible when we get this right.

You can read the full guide here:
https://saskpets.com/service-dog-etiquette-guide-for-employees-in-non-pet-friendly-stores-in-saskatchewan/

11/07/2025

Adventure Tested. Built for Real Life.

When we talk about quality dog gear at Kairo’s K9s Training, we’re not talking about fads or flashy colors — we’re talking about function.

Our Adventure Tested Biothane line was designed for handlers who work, train, and live in the real world — through snow, mud, slush, and everything Saskatchewan throws at us.

Each leash, long line, collar and tab is handmade right here in Saskatoon, field-tested by our own training team, and proven to stand up to the demands of working dogs, pet dogs, and service dogs alike.

Biothane isn’t just a trend — it’s an advancement in material science.

It combines the flexibility of leather with the weather resistance of coated webbing.

That means:

• No cracking in subzero temperatures
• No mold, mildew, or odor retention
• No water absorption or fraying over time
• Easy cleaning — just rinse and hang

The result is gear that performs consistently — whether you’re training a reactivity protocol in the snow, working on loose-leash skills through slush, or handling a service dog who’s on duty year-round.

We use this exact equipment every single day at Kairo’s K9s Training.

Not because it looks good, but because it works.

It provides reliable grip in cold conditions, maintains flexibility in extreme temperatures, and holds up to the level of real-world use that dogs demand.

Custom lengths and colors are available, and we also keep a rotating selection of in-stock gear ready to go — all built to last, all field-tested.

Because the best leash is the one that holds up when everything else gives out.

Adventure Tested. Ready for Anything.

Shop the full line here:
👉 www.KairosK9s.ca

Custom order?
Email us: [email protected]

11/07/2025

Winter and Behavior: How Cold Weather Changes Thresholds, Learning, and Dog Safety

Every season brings a shift in how dogs behave, process the world around them, and respond to training.
But no season changes the playing field more dramatically than winter.

At Kairo’s K9s Training, we don’t take seasonal adaptation lightly — we track it, plan for it, and teach our clients to recognize how environmental conditions alter both behavior and physiology.

Winter isn’t just a drop in temperature.
It’s a complete sensory and environmental shift that directly affects how dogs learn, cope, and react.

Let’s break it down.

1. Cold Weather Physiology — and Why It Matters for Behavior

Cold air causes constriction in blood vessels and muscles.

This doesn’t just mean “your dog is cold” — it means your dog feels physically tighter, slower to move, and often less responsive to tactile input.

For some dogs, that tension translates to mild agitation. For others, it becomes avoidance, resistance to handling, or a decrease in focus.

You may notice your dog pulling more on leash, lunging, or reacting faster to stimuli they’d normally ignore.

This isn’t disobedience — it’s sensory overload paired with discomfort.
Learning slows when the body is physically stressed.

If your dog seems “stubborn” in colder temperatures, it’s often that their body is trying to regulate heat before they can think clearly enough to work.

2. The Impact of Snow on Thresholds and Sensory Processing

A dog’s threshold — the distance or intensity they can tolerate before reacting — is fluid.

It’s not a fixed line; it shifts based on energy level, health, environment, and weather.

Snow, wind, and cold all play a direct role in moving that threshold closer.

Here’s why:

• Sound changes. Snow absorbs some frequencies but amplifies others. The crunch under paws, the echo of boots, or distant traffic carry differently — often unpredictably.

• Scent disperses differently. Cold air holds scent particles closer to the ground. Dogs that rely heavily on scent (which is all of them) have to work harder to filter relevant information from the noise. This can lead to distraction, confusion, or agitation.

• Visual landmarks disappear. For reactive dogs, this is huge. A snowbank where there was once a fence changes how the environment feels. Familiar routes look foreign. That alone can raise arousal levels and reduce tolerance for stress.

So when you see an increase in barking, lunging, or refusal behaviors in winter — understand that thresholds are not static.

Cold weather pushes them closer.

Your job, as the handler, is to notice early signs of stress and adjust accordingly: increase distance, lower expectations, and choose environments that set your dog up to succeed.

3. Cold Increases Stress Hormones

Both people and dogs experience elevated cortisol during prolonged exposure to cold stress.
That chemical shift affects focus, impulse control, and recovery time after
an event.

If your dog’s recovery from a trigger (like seeing another dog) is slower in winter — that’s not regression.
It’s biology.

Reduced daylight means less serotonin production and disrupted circadian rhythms, which can lead to irritability, low energy, or heightened anxiety.

These are measurable physiological shifts, not personality flaws.

4. Footing, Friction, and Body Awareness

Snow changes proprioception — your dog’s sense of where their body is in space.

Slippery surfaces cause instability, and dogs with weaker confidence or less body awareness often become anxious on uncertain terrain.

This is why we see increased “sudden reactivity” in winter.
It’s not the stimulus itself — it’s the lack of physical control combined with environmental unpredictability.

Training on snow and ice should prioritize stability, confidence, and control — not precision or duration.

Short, structured sessions on traction-friendly ground will build trust faster than long, slippery struggles.

5. Adjusting the Training Plan: Working With the Season, Not Against It

When thresholds tighten and energy output increases, your strategy must change.

• Shorter sessions, higher reinforcement. Keep engagement high, sessions short, and mark success generously.

• Modify exposure. Instead of pushing into public spaces at peak stress hours, work quieter times and familiar routes until thresholds normalize.

• Prioritize decompression. Controlled off-leash decompression (in safe, fenced areas like your yard) helps dogs burn off cold-weather tension without creating overstimulation. - Alternatively. Treat scatters in the snow on lead are very effective

• Vary mental work. Add scent games, shaping, and structured rest indoors. The brain burns calories too — and builds confidence faster than physical repetition alone.

At Kairo’s K9s, we treat environmental management as part of training, not a separate conversation.

Every handler who works with us learns to recognize the physical signs of threshold movement — the subtle shifts that precede a reaction — and how to diffuse them before escalation.

6. Reassessing Expectations: Winter Doesn’t Mean Regression

One of the most damaging myths in dog training is that every skill should look the same in every environment, all year long.

It doesn’t.
The dogs that “fall apart” in winter aren’t failing — they’re responding to a completely different sensory world.

Expecting perfect performance when sensory input, temperature, and ground conditions change is unreasonable.

Adapting expectations doesn’t mean lowering standards — it means respecting the dog’s biological reality.

If your dog needs an extra foot of space, more time to settle, or a break from certain triggers, that’s not regression.
That’s intelligent handling.

Take your time to create and mold the expectation.While also being patient with the dog in front of you.

7. Practical Winter Protocols
Here’s what we recommend every handler implement during the winter season:

• Inspect gear before every session. Cold weakens clips, dries leather, and stiffens biothane.

• Rinse paws post-walk. De-icer and road salt are toxic irritants.

• Warm up and cool down. Even five minutes of slow walking before and after training reduces muscle strain.

• Monitor hydration and diet. Cold weather dehydrates just as much as summer heat. Adjust your dogs diet by either increasing calories to offset increased calorie burn due to body heat loss, or reduce intake due to lack of activity

• Adjust walking times. Early mornings and late nights mean lower visibility and higher stress. Walk when traffic and distractions are minimal.

8. A Final Note

Kairo trains year-round. He’s a Service Dog who’s worked in blizzards, freezing rain, and icy streets.
But even he has limits — and respecting those limits keeps him performing at his best.

Good trainers don’t force consistency through discomfort.

We adapt to the environment, read the dog, and balance physical capability with mental readiness.

The best training you can do this winter might not happen outdoors at all — it might happen in your living room, where your dog learns calmness, impulse control, and engagement without battling the elements.

Because dog training isn’t about proving toughness.

It’s about understanding thresholds — and respecting when they shift.

11/07/2025

The snow is here, but the KK9 team went to our favorite Starbucks for a regular staff meeting, as we sit down and discuss future plans for 2026 and beyond, and slowly work out the details for the next year.

We have a LOT going on behind the scenes, and we are excited, scared, and pushing the limits of our small little business, but Kairo and Christopher are happier then ever, as some of what we have been working on is slowly coming to reality.

Kairo happily went about his work, alerting Christopher, and calmly doing what he does best, as we talked budgets, future plans and administrative procedures..

You know. Christopher's absolute favorite topics 😬

I even convinced our trainer to let me take some pictures of him as he cheerfully discussed his plans for more classes, updates to the website he has in mind, and "new exciting programs"

And - this hairbrained idea that I told him to come back to me with a better explanation.

Keep it locked to KK9 over the coming weeks as we announce some new things, and hopefully sooner than later 🙏

Ashley
Director of Operations
www.KairosK9s.ca
[email protected]

11/06/2025

Why I’ll Never Call Myself a “Balanced Trainer” or any other label - A Real Conversation About Tools, Trust, and Teaching

Let’s talk about something that sparks more debate than it probably should: training tools.

Prong collars. Slip leads. Head halters. E-collars.
Some trainers swear by them. Others swear them off.
And somewhere in between is where I live — the space where ethics, experience, and individual dogs matter more than labels.

The conversation around tools has become black-and-white, but dogs don’t live in black-and-white worlds. They live in context, emotion, and relationship. So, when I say I’m a fear-free, relationship-first trainer who sometimes uses a prong or an e-collar, people assume that’s a contradiction. It’s not.

It’s about how we use a tool, why we use it, and what the dog experiences while it’s being used.

LIMA and the Bigger Picture

I train through LIMA principles — Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive.

That doesn’t mean “no tools, ever.” It means we start with the gentlest, clearest option that helps a dog learn without creating fear or confusion.

Before I ever touch equipment, I’m looking at the whole system:

• Is the dog physically comfortable?
• Are we in the right environment for learning?
• Does the handler have the skill to use this tool correctly?
• Is the dog’s stress level low enough to take in information?
• Is there medical concerns that could be contributing to this dogs behavior?

Only when I’ve considered those factors do I decide whether a tool is worth attempting. The goal is never control; it’s communication.

Too often, both trainers and owners skip this analysis and jump straight to “we need more pressure.”

A dog doesn’t respond to leash tension? Tighten the collar.
A recall fails? Crank the e-collar.

That mindset is the opposite of LIMA — it’s reaction instead of reflection.

The Problem With Cheap Equipment

Let’s also talk about quality, because not all tools are created equal.

There’s a world of difference between a well-engineered system like a Dogtra or Mini Educator and a $40 knock-off from Amazon.

High-quality collars have smooth, consistent levels of stimulation and precise control. With Kairo’s Dogtra, I can set the stimulation so low that humans can’t even feel it — yet it’s still meaningful to him. And I know that if it's set at a specific level, it stays at that specific level, and that it's consistent across the board

That’s communication, not coercion. - and I can probably count on one hand the amount of times i've used it within the last 6 months.

Is it still negative reinforcement? Absolutely it is. And pretending its anything other than that is disingenuous and dangerous.

Cheap devices, on the other hand, can spike, skip levels, and deliver inconsistent output. They don’t teach; they confuse. And when confusion is paired with discomfort, what the dog learns is fear, not clarity.

Not only that, but the lowest levels of stimulation on a cheap collar are mid to high range on a properly engineered one.

If you’re going to use a tool, invest in equipment that allows for finesse — not force.

The same goes for prong collars too, if your not using a Hermspringer, your wrong - and quite bluntly so.

Additionally - there's a whole conversation to be had about proper fit, connection, saftey clips and a level of nuance here that is far too much for this individual post.

Pressure Isn’t the Enemy — Confusion Is

Pressure, when used correctly, isn’t inherently bad.

Dogs apply pressure to one another all the time through body language and proximity. What matters is how predictable and fair that pressure is.

In good training, pressure is a cue — not a threat. It’s light, clear, and paired with the opportunity to make a better choice. The dog learns that their behavior controls the outcome. When we start adding unpredictable or overwhelming pressure, learning stops and self-protection begins.

That’s where many (not all) “balanced” approaches lose their footing. They rely on adversity rather than analysis. They use the same solution — more pressure — for every problem, instead of considering the emotional, environmental, and relational factors driving the behavior.

And I can tell you, I could probably list ten to fifteen of my clients, if handed off to another trainer who would quite happily dial up the pressure, these dogs would climb up one side of them and down the other.

Because not every dog can handle pressure, or similar types of pressure.. And it's unrealistic to expect them to.

My Own Evolution

If I could go back and start Kairo’s training all over again, I’d make different choices.

Not because I regret the tools I used, but because I understand so much more now about how subtle the communication can be.

These days, I take more tools off than I put on.

That’s not a moral stance; it’s just the natural result of better communication and trust. When understanding deepens, the need for layers between you and the dog fades.

That’s also why I don’t call myself a balanced trainer.
Because “balanced” has come to mean way too many things, to too many people who often use the label to hide compulsion.

It's all too common, and unfortunately, talking about it has landed me in "hot water" with certain camps of the training sphere.

That’s not my balance. I'd much rather talk about things openly, and explain my logic, then demonize an entire subset of equipment, just because I prefer not to use it.

Isn't that the goal?

My balance is empathy and evidence. Clarity and compassion.
It’s a practice of constant evaluation, not a "one size fits all".

The other thing to factor in too, that I never hear talked about is that some dogs consider different things, and different forms of pressure, far more adversive than others.

A prime example would be my own dog, who considers martingale collars exceptionally adverse to the point of extreme annoyance and discomfort, but a flat collar or a prong? No problem.

And as for pressure on a harness, he doesn't even acknowledge it. He will stand there and blink at you.

I think the part of the problem that became harmful is that so many people use these tools as blanket solutions across the board for multiple dogs and multiple faucets of behavior, and that's just not reality. It becomes dangerous for the general public and the dogs they are trying to help.

Far too often, tools are used to treat the symptoms of behavior, instead of the actual cause.

That's why you'll often see my clients on various different equipment, and you'll see that we don't change equipment immediately, we might change it on session three, or even 5, because we are consistently evaluating and determining what the best option is for the dog in front of us.

And furthermore, I outright refuse to put any equipment on a dog that the client doesn't COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND - both on a theory standpoint, and practical use - standpoint.

The Heart of It

Fear-free doesn’t mean permissive.
Pressure doesn’t mean punishment.
Tools aren’t the problem. Misunderstanding is.
Rushing the process of analysis is too.

When we stop arguing about the hardware and start analyzing the experience, dogs win.
Because ethical training isn’t about proving a point — it’s about protecting the learner.
That’s the kind of balance I believe in.

I actively reject labels because I don't fit in either extreme. - I just choose the lowest possible adversity always.

11/06/2025

Well… Kairo came into the office at 11pm tonight to file a formal complaint about my working conditions.

He’s standing by his bed — or what used to be his bed — which is currently buried under Adventure Tested gear, treat stock, and a mountain of training supplies. His expression says it all: unimpressed, slightly betrayed, and very ready to start his shift.

Meanwhile, I’ve been here for a few hours taking inventory, restocking, and answering client emails that deserve more than a quick reply. Each message takes time because every client and every dog matters — and I want every family we work with to feel supported, not rushed. - and that's a never ending endeavor I'm happy to take on.

And it’s not just me. Ashley’s right here too — laptop open, phone buzzing, getting just as much done as I am… honestly, probably more. She’s a machine. - seriously. Couldn't do half of this without her.

A ton of our administrative work gets done in the evening, after our son goes to bed and the world gets quiet. We log in, smash out as much as we can, and Kairo's been rotating around, between checking on Atticus, me, and - complaining that his bed in here isn't up to par, and that the bag of treats isn't for his enjoyment only..

Good lord. Its a wonder I get anything done 😅

This is the part of running Kairo’s K9s that no one really sees. The quiet, messy, late-night work that keeps everything running smoothly so our clients can focus on building stronger bonds with their dogs.

It’s not glamorous. It’s not Instagram-ready. But it’s real. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything — even if Kairo would prefer I clock out for the night.

Now he’s getting mad… so I guess that’s my cue. - Just.. want to get one more thing squared away here...

11/06/2025

Every once in a while, we like to pause and say thank you — to every client who’s trusted us with their dogs, shared their progress, or sent kind words our way.
We don’t take that trust lightly.

This business exists because of the incredible people and dogs we get to work with every day, and every message, photo, or success story reminds us why we do what we do.

If we’ve helped you and your dog in any way — big or small — we’d be grateful if you shared your experience in a review.

Your words help other families find the right help, and they remind us that what we do matters.

You can leave your review here

https://g.page/r/CbDO-beuIrL3EBM/review

Thank you for being part of our story — and for letting us be part of yours.

11/05/2025

is an incredible example of what happens when dedication meets consistency.

When we first met Ruby, she was a little unsure around other dogs, needed help with leash manners, and was already showing signs that she’d grow into a big girl with big feelings.

Her family enrolled in a private training plan and worked closely with us — and with Service Dog Kairo — to help Ruby learn how to manage her emotions, build confidence, and focus on her handler instead of distractions.

Together, we built a program focused on counter-conditioning, engagement, and structured leash work — and her family ran with it. They stayed consistent, put in the time, and did the work behind the scenes.

Now?
Ruby’s one of the largest dogs we’ve ever had in our program (and the photos still don’t do her justice), but she’s also one of the easiest walk clients we have. Her leash manners are rock solid, and she’s an absolute joy to handle on the .

The best part?
We didn’t do this — her family did.
They followed the plan, trusted the process, and turned their big, lovable girl into an amazing member of their community.

She’s not perfect — no dog is — but she’s proof that consistency and compassion go a long way.
We’re proud to have her as a .

11/05/2025

When it comes to the people we trust with our dogs, the list is short — and Jazz from Pawsitive Touch Grooms has been at the top for years.

Jazz is the only groomer I trust with Service Dog Kairo. That alone says a lot.

She runs a fear-free, one-on-one grooming studio built around the dog’s comfort and emotional safety — no chaos, no crowding, no pressure.

We frequently partner with Jazz to help dogs who struggle with grooming anxiety, like , who came to us after a bad experience elsewhere.

Through structured desensitization, patient handling, and clear communication between trainer and groomer, Ollie is learning that grooming doesn’t have to be scary — it can actually be stress-free.

Jazz’s work embodies what we value most at Kairo’s K9s Training: compassion, professionalism, and putting the dog first.

We’re proud to collaborate with professionals like her who share our mission of building better bonds through empathy and education.

As part of our partnership, Kairo’s K9s clients receive an exclusive discount on their first grooming appointment.

Because your dog deserves more than just a good haircut — they deserve a good experience.

Visit her website here at
https://www.pawsitivetouchgrooms.ca/

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