Sunshine K9 Training

06/03/2026

I have officially found my line in the sand on the internet.

Apparently there’s a trend right now where people are taking photos of their dogs, dressing them in human clothes, and using AI to generate what their dog would look like as a human child.

And y’all… I am uncomfortable. 😂

Listen, I love dogs. These days, I have dedicated so much of what I do to the dogs that I work with and the dogs that I own. I live with dogs. I train dogs. I advocate for dogs. I absolutely understand loving your dog like family.

But your dog is not a literal human child.

And honestly? The more we blur that line, the more behavioral problems we end up creating.

Dogs are animals. Brilliant animals, emotional animals, deeply social animals — but still animals. They do not think like human children. They do not communicate like human children. They do not process the world like human children.

This matters because training falls apart when owners stop viewing dogs as dogs.

People will cringe at crate training a puppy while simultaneously putting a human baby in a crib every night. They’ll say structure is “mean,” but then wonder why their 90-pound “fur toddler” is body slamming guests, resource guarding the couch, screaming in a kennel, and knocking grandma over during Thanksgiving dinner.

You can absolutely love your dog deeply without pretending they are a tiny person trapped in a dog costume.

In fact, understanding and respecting the fact that dogs are DOGS is usually what creates the healthiest relationships between humans and dogs in the first place.

I also think it’s important for families to understand that teaching children how to interact with dogs is completely different from teaching children how to interact with other children. Dogs have different communication, boundaries, instincts, and social behaviors. Ignoring those differences because we want dogs to fit into a human role can become dangerous really quickly.

So no… I will not be using AI to discover what Tucker would look like as my biological son.

Respectfully, that little gremlin already causes enough problems as a schnauzer.

05/20/2026

🐍 There’s nothing worse than watching your best friend suffer from a venomous snake bite. 🐶

One unexpected encounter can turn into an emergency in a matter of seconds — and here in Georgia, snakes are simply part of the environment we share with our dogs.

That’s why Sunshine K9 Training is hosting Snake School for Dogs, with training provided by Southeastern Reptile Rescue, on Saturday, August 8th here in Brunswick.

Our own dogs will also be going through this program. After giving our clients the first opportunity to register, we’re now opening spots up to the community for dog owners who want extra peace of mind — especially if you hike, camp, hunt, spend time outdoors, or simply worry about your dog encountering snakes.

What is Snake School?
This is a professional snake-aversion training session designed to teach dogs to avoid snakes and reduce the likelihood of dangerous interactions. The training is led by Jason Clark and Southeastern Reptile Rescue, who have years of experience working with both dogs and native reptiles.

📅 Date: Saturday, August 8th
💲 Cost: $65 per dog
📍 Location: Sunshine K9 Training Property in Brunswick
(Exact address shared upon registration)

👉 To register:
Call Jason Clark at 404-557-2470
Or visit snakeschool.com for additional information.

We’re excited to bring this opportunity to our community and hope to see you and your dogs there! 🐾

05/19/2026

We’ve recently made some major updates to our available Board & Train programs here at Sunshine K9 Training.

This message is coming directly from me — Lynsey, owner and trainer.

Over the last couple of years, I started noticing a pattern with shorter training programs. The dogs would come in, begin making incredible progress, develop better habits, clearer communication, improved confidence, and stronger obedience… and then many would go home to owners who simply weren’t prepared to continue the process despite knowing that's what they signed up for.

And honestly? We’re tired of just starting a process.

Dog training is not magic.
Board & Train is not a quick fix.
And no ethical trainer can permanently “fix” a dog without owner involvement.

That’s why we’ve officially removed our one and two-week Board & Train options from our available programs.

And to be completely transparent, I had a phone call last week that perfectly explains why.

Someone told me that their dog “already has everything they need” and that they “just need a one-week program”

Then they listed off the issues they were struggling with:
resource guarding, leash pulling, jumping on guests, biting children, attacking the cat, digging underneath the fence, attacking the neighbor’s chickens, and not coming when called.

When I explained that this sounded like far more than “just” a one-week issue, the response was:
“Well, another trainer said they can do it for half the cost and half the time.”

And honestly?
We truly wish them the best.

We sincerely hope that whoever they choose to work with trains their dog ethically and responsibly, and we hope the owners fully follow through with whatever instruction they’re given.

But situations like this are exactly why we’ve removed the shorter stays from our programs.

Real behavior change takes time.
It takes consistency of the humans.
It takes owner involvement.
And it takes realistic expectations and changing of habits which is just not an overnight process for our clientele.

Some owners come to us proactively with young puppies because they want to build great habits before problems ever begin. Others come to us because they’re struggling with leash reactivity, aggression, anxiety, overexcitement, impulse control, fearfulness, resource guarding, or a complete lack of structure and communication in the home.

No matter the situation, our goal is always the same:
Create clarity.
Build communication.
Establish accountability.
And help owners develop a better relationship with their dog.

Our Board & Train programs focus heavily on practical, real-world living skills — not robotic obedience routines. Dogs learn how to navigate public spaces, household structure, distractions, guests in the home, public outings, field trips, and everyday situations owners actually struggle with.

For puppies, that may mean confidence-building, socialization, crate training, exposure work, and preventing issues before they escalate later in life.

For adult dogs, that may mean teaching leash manners, improving obedience, developing off-leash reliability, building confidence in difficult environments, or working through more serious behavioral concerns through structured behavior modification.

But regardless of the program, the training process continues after the dog goes home.

That’s why owner education is such a massive part of what we do. We spend extensive time teaching owners how to maintain progress, navigate challenges, advocate for their dog, and confidently follow through once training is complete.

The clients who see the greatest success are not the owners with “perfect dogs.”

They’re the owners who stay involved, ask questions, practice consistently, and commit to the process long after the program ends.

And just because someone wants a Board & Train does not automatically mean we’ll recommend one.

Sometimes private lessons are a better fit.
Sometimes online coaching is a better fit.
Sometimes owners simply need guidance, structure, and accountability — not a dog living away from home for weeks at a time.

We strongly believe training should be realistic and attainable for owners, and while our Board & Train programs are a significant investment, we also offer affordable private lessons and online learning options because we believe owners deserve access to good information and ethical training regardless of budget.

Currently, due to a recent scheduling change, we unexpectedly have one or two Board & Train openings available for the remainder of the summer before our next projected availability in September. This means we have either a single behavior modification spot, or two advanced obedience or off leash programs available.

If you’re interested in learning more about our programs, pricing, requirements, or whether your dog may be a good fit, visit the link below to explore our Board & Train options and schedule a phone consultation.

👇

Want a fully trained dog? Our board & train programs help you accomplish that quickly and effectively while showing you the whole process!

05/10/2026

A little throwback to when Nova was just a tiny puppy… and me in my “dog mom” hat. 🧡

If I could go back and give that version of myself the knowledge I have now, I would’ve saved myself a whole lot of confusion—and probably a little bit of heartache too.

Because here’s the truth…

I am a dog mom.
But I’m also a dog trainer.
And most importantly, I’m a dog owner who has learned that dogs are not human children.

I love my dogs deeply. Truly.
Wyatt, Nova, Tucker, Ripley… and right now, our foster Bella—she’s part of our world too until she finds her forever home.

They’re family. They matter. They’re cared for, advocated for, and loved every single day.

But they are not raised like human children—and that distinction matters.

Because when we humanize our dogs, we often hold them back from becoming the confident, well-adjusted animals they’re meant to be.
They don’t need us to treat them like babies.
They need us to lead them.

And that’s something I’ve had to learn over time.

Today, though, I really want to shift the spotlight.

As a dog trainer, I get a front-row seat to something incredible…

Moms who are doing everything.

Raising kids.
Running households.
Showing up for their families.
And still making sure their dogs are cared for, trained, and included.

I see the schedules.
I see the effort.
I see the mental load.

And I’ll be honest—
If I worry this much about dogs… I cannot even imagine what it feels like to carry the responsibility of raising human lives.

To the moms raising babies, toddlers, teenagers, and everything in between…

You are absolute rockstars.

Truly.

I hope today—and more than just today—you’re supported, appreciated, and poured into the way you pour into everyone else.

As for me…
If God chooses to bless us with children one day, I pray I can be even a fraction of the kind of mom I see in so many of my clients.

Until then, I’ll proudly wear my “dog mom” hat…
…with a whole lot of respect for the women out there doing the real, heavy lifting of motherhood.

Happy Mother’s Day. 💛

05/09/2026

Let’s be honest…

Most people don’t struggle with dog training because they don’t care.

They struggle because:

Life gets busy
They’re not sure what to do next
Or they start… and don’t stay consistent

That’s where most online courses fall short.

You watch the videos…
You feel motivated…
And then life happens.

That’s why when we built our Foundations of Obedience course, we didn’t just stop at the videos.

We built a system around it.

When you enroll, you’re invited into our private Facebook classroom where we:

Check in with you
Answer your questions
Help troubleshoot issues
Encourage consistency

Because sometimes the difference between success and failure is simple:

Accountability.

My job isn’t just to train dogs.

It’s to help you follow through.

This course is included in all of our training programs for a reason—
because educated, supported owners get better results.

If you’re ready to stop starting over with your dog:

👉 https://sunshinek9training.thinkific.com/products/courses/foundations-of-obedience-training

05/08/2026

Most dog training problems don’t start with “bad behavior.”
They start with a lack of clear communication.

That’s exactly why we created our Foundations of Obedience course.

This course walks you through:

How to start training with food (for puppies or older dogs)
How to clearly communicate expectations
How to introduce leash pressure the right way
How to stop leash pulling with a step-by-step system

Because here’s the truth…

There should never be just one way to communicate with your dog.

If your dog only listens when food is present… you’re stuck.
If your dog only understands leash pressure… you’re limited.

We teach you how to build both.

And here’s what makes this different from most online courses:

You’re not doing it alone.

When you enroll, you also get access to our private Facebook classroom, where you can:

Ask questions
Watch real training sessions
Get feedback
Stay accountable

Because knowing what to do is one thing…
Actually doing it consistently is another.

This course is also included in all of our private lessons and board & train programs—because we believe owners should have the tools to continue the work long after we’re done.

If you’re ready to start building a solid foundation with your dog:

👉 https://sunshinek9training.thinkific.com/products/courses/foundations-of-obedience-training

05/07/2026

Expose your dog to the experiences that matter most to you.

Most dogs only go to the vet once a year… or when something is wrong.

And what happens when they get there?
They’re handled by unfamiliar people.
They get poked, prodded, restrained.
They’re surrounded by stressed, sick, or reactive animals.

Even in the best-run clinics, it can feel chaotic.

So really—can you blame a dog for not liking the vet when that’s their only experience there?

With our Great Dane, Ripley, we’ve made it a priority to change that.

We’ve been taking her to the vet since she was a puppy—not always for appointments, but just to exist in the space.

Earlier this week, we were on our way to St. Simons Island and happened to be driving by the vet’s office. I pulled in, called the front desk to make sure it was okay, and brought Ripley inside to sit in the lobby for about 15 minutes while people and pets came and went.

No appointment.
No needles.
No pressure.

Just exposure.

A few staff members stopped by to say hello, and then we left.

Here’s the piece most people miss:

A lack of exposure is often at the root of the issues people see in public spaces.

But just bringing your dog everywhere isn’t the answer either.

👉 Exposure without structure creates chaos.
👉 Structure without exposure creates fragility.

You need both.

When we’re out, we have rules.

Ripley isn’t allowed to bark at people, fixate on other dogs, or react to the cats in the lobby.
She’s expected to hold her commands and remain neutral.

Not because we’re being strict…
But because we’re teaching her how to exist in that environment.

A few months ago, Ripley had an emergency vet visit after fracturing her toe.

She was in pain—putting weight on her foot was incredibly uncomfortable—and she needed to be sedated for x-rays.

And that’s a really important point:

It’s an unrealistic expectation to ask an animal in pain to hold still for something unfamiliar like x-ray equipment.

We don’t role-play emergencies.
We don’t practice for every possible scenario.

Those moments are hard, no matter what.

But what can be improved is everything leading up to it.

You may never be fully prepared for every situation…
but you can absolutely stack the deck in your favor.

By bringing your dog into environments like the vet before anything is wrong, you’re:

• Helping them become familiar with the space
• Normalizing handling and interaction with strangers
• Teaching them that biting or fleeing isn’t an option
• Giving them information they can fall back on when things get stressful

Even if you have to correct unwanted behavior in those moments, that information is incredibly valuable.

Because when a real situation happens—whether it’s something minor or a true emergency—your dog isn’t starting from zero.

If you want your dog to handle real life well, you have to show them real life—before it matters.

Take them to the vet when nothing is wrong.
Let them see people.
Let them be handled.
Let it become normal.

Because if the only time your dog gets in the car is to go to the vet…
of course they’re going to hate the car.
And the vet.
And the entire experience.

And one more thing—

This matters even more with large breed dogs.

An uncertain, underexposed dog can be dangerous when they act out of fear.

But truthfully?
This applies to every dog.

If you’ve got a puppy right now, start today.

Swing by the vet “just because.”
Sit in the lobby.
Work on calm behavior.
Leave before anything stressful happens.

Small, intentional exposures like this make a huge difference down the road.

Train for the life you actually live—not just the commands you want your dog to know.

05/07/2026

This photo was taken in July of 2019.

Leo and I were walking through Providence, Rhode Island—surrounded by people, noise, movement...

No reactivity.
No anxiety.
No aggression.
No fear.
No signs of the dog I was once told needed to be euthanized.

Eight different professionals told me that.

Eight.

People I paid. People I trusted. People who told me there was no hope.

But this photo?

This was about nine months later. Nine months after I was told my dog would never be safe.

Same dog.
Different outcome.

Here’s what changed…

I stopped assuming that every professional had the answer.

And I started searching for the right professional.

As dog owners, we’re taught to trust the experts.
But here’s the truth most people don’t talk about:

Not every dog trainer can fix every dog.
Not every professional has the same experience.
And sometimes… they’re wrong.

I found someone who looked at Leo and didn’t see a lost cause.

He saw a dog that needed clarity.
Structure.
Follow-through.

And he told me something I’ll never forget:

“This is fixable. But you have to do the work.”

So I did.

And now I tell my clients the same thing. This is fixable. But you have to do the work. YOU. The human. Have to do the work.

Now, as a professional dog trainer myself…

I still ask for help.

I still learn.
I still invest in other trainers.
I still hit roadblocks.

Because no one is above learning.

And I also say no sometimes.

There are dogs I won’t take on.
Cases I’ll refer out.

Not because the dog is hopeless…
But because I know where my skillset ends.

And that matters too.

If you take anything from this, let it be this:

Don’t give up on your dog just because someone told you to.

Get a second opinion.
Get a third.
Keep searching for someone who has real experience with what you’re dealing with.

Because the right person can change everything.

Leo wasn’t a lost cause.

He was one of the best dogs I’ve ever owned.

And I’m so grateful I didn’t listen to the people who told me otherwise.

05/05/2026

🛑 Why we correct dogs for picking things up off the ground 🛑

In the wild, animals don’t get endless second chances.

If a wolf or coyote eats something that makes them sick, they learn quickly:
that thing = bad idea.

That discomfort is what teaches them to avoid it next time.

That’s not cruelty.
That’s survival.

But our dogs?

They don’t live in the wild anymore.
And that survival instinct? It’s not what it used to be.

In fact, many dogs today will:

eat things that make them violently sick
swallow objects that cause intestinal blockages
require emergency surgery to remove what they ate

And here’s the part that should really make people pause:

👉 They often don’t learn from it.

They recover… and then they do it again.

I once spoke with someone who laughed about how many times her dog had needed surgery for bowel obstructions.

She joked that the vet should “just install a zipper.”

And I remember thinking…
that might be one of the cruelest things I’ve ever heard.

Because I asked her—why not stop the behavior?

Her answer was:
“I don’t want to make my dog uncomfortable by correcting them.”

But let’s really think about that.

Is surgery comfortable?
Is being cut open, having your intestines handled, and recovering for weeks comfortable?
Is the risk of infection comfortable?

Or…

Is a well-timed, momentary correction uncomfortable?

Because those are the options.

A few seconds of discomfort
or
weeks of pain, recovery, and risk…

or even death.

Because the truth is—
dogs do die from bowel obstructions.
Dogs do die from swallowing toxic or poisonous items.

And sometimes, even with immediate veterinary care,
they don’t make it.

Now, let me be clear about something important:

Accidents happen.

Some dogs are incredibly fast.
They can grab and swallow something before you even realize what’s happening.

But here’s where the line is for me:

If you see it happening…
and you choose not to interrupt it…

that’s where we need to rethink things.

Because if you interrupt it a few times—clearly and effectively—
most dogs will start to think twice.

And there’s another piece people don’t always realize:

If your dog picks something up and you trade them food for it…

👉 you may actually be rewarding the behavior.

From the dog’s perspective:
“Pick up dangerous item → get something better”

So what do they do?

They go looking for more things to pick up.

So when a dog goes to grab something dangerous,
we stop it.

Yes—sometimes that means an aversive correction.

That might look like:

leash pressure
a tap from the remote collar
a sq**rt bottle
a pet corrector (a blast of compressed air)
or another form of clear, immediate feedback

Corrections should not come from anger or frustration.

They should be information, delivered immediately, so the dog understands:
“That choice isn’t safe.”

And yes—
that means it should be uncomfortable.

Because dogs learn from discomfort.

I understand that makes people uncomfortable to hear.

There are plenty of trainers who will say there’s a “better way.”
But when you ask how they stop behaviors like this, the answers are often:

Keep a muzzle on the dog so they can never pick anything up
Don’t bring your dog places where risk exists
Trade them high-value food if they grab something

But here’s the problem:

Some muzzles prevent proper panting—which is dangerous in the heat.
Avoiding the world limits the dog’s life.
And trading often reinforces the behavior—and isn’t fast enough for dogs that just inhale things.

(Lab owners… you already know. Vacuum cleaners with legs.)

I understand the words aversive, punishment, and correction make people uncomfortable.

They should.

They do create discomfort.

But there is a place for that.

And that place comes from loving your dog enough to do something uncomfortable for a moment…
so they can live a lifetime of safety and inclusion.

Because this is real life.

Dogs swallow:

peach pits
Clorox wipes
chicken bones
miniature tennis balls at the dog park

I watched a dog swallow one of those tennis balls.

The owner panicked.
They got to the vet as fast as they could.

The dog didn’t make it.

These things happen.

And if I can prevent a dog from ending up in surgery…
or worse…

I will.

Even if it means a moment of discomfort.

Because sometimes, keeping the ones we love safe
means making a hard call in the moment.

You don’t have to agree with me.

And I respect that.

But I stand firm in this:

Stopping a dangerous behavior in the moment—clearly and effectively—
is one of the most loving things you can do for your dog.

05/04/2026

Junior is 6 months old and already putting in the work 💪

Junior came to us to take his obedience to the next level so he can eventually go to work with his owner. And I have to say—his owner has already done a phenomenal job laying the foundation. Potty training, structure, consistency… it’s all there.

Now, we’re stepping in to build on that and prepare Junior for the real world.

Because here’s the thing…
We’re not just teaching obedience commands.

We’re teaching dogs how to navigate life.

That means different:
• surfaces
• environments
• sounds
• smells
• distractions

Most people don’t realize how important something as simple as surface exposure is.

If your dog only ever practices “down” on a soft carpet in the living room… don’t be surprised when they hesitate (or flat-out refuse) to lay down on tile, concrete, or grass somewhere else.

It’s not stubbornness.
It’s unfamiliar.

So with Junior, we’re working through all of it—right here at home:
Concrete kennel floors, tile, carpet, LVP, turf, dog beds… different textures, different feelings, different levels of comfort.

Because obedience shouldn’t only work in one room of your house.
It should work anywhere.

Now—this doesn’t mean we’re being unreasonable.
We’re not asking dogs to lay on hot asphalt or anything unsafe.

But we are teaching them:
“Even when things feel a little different… you still understand what I’m asking.”

And that’s where real reliability comes from.

The same goes beyond surfaces too:
Different weather, different times of day, different environments, different levels of distraction…

If you only ever train in a quiet, controlled space, your dog isn’t learning obedience—they’re learning a very specific scenario.

🌎 The real world has variables.
So training should too.

The best part?
When you start this early—like Junior’s owner did—it’s SO much easier.

Puppies that are consistently exposed to new environments grow into dogs that can confidently handle them.

If you wait until they’re older?
It’s still possible—but it takes more time and more effort.

So if you’ve got a puppy right now, this is your reminder:
👉 Take them places
👉 Let them experience different things
👉 Guide them through it

Be proactive now… so you don’t have to play catch-up later.