K9 Coaching School

09/14/2026

09/14/2026

The real reason most dog training goes sideways?

**You cannot get directions without a starting point.

Its not the method.
It's not the dog.

**Nobody ever gave you an accurate starting point to map out your training journey. So I wrote down the six checks I run on every dog that comes to me.

You can do them at your kitchen table this afternoon. A handful of food, no special equipment, about twenty minutes.

What is in it:

1. The six checks, in plain words.

Can you leave the room?

Does the name still work when something is actually happening?

Do they come back when it is not convenient?
..Things a dog either does or does not do.

2. How to run them without cheating.

Most people accidentally set these up to go well and then learn nothing from them. There are three rules and they matter more than the checks do.

3. What each check cannot tell you.

Every one of them has a limit and the limit is written down next to it. That is the part people come back to later.

4. One thing to do next, based on what you find.

Not a plan. Not a twelve week schedule you will abandon in nine days. One thing, for two weeks.

It is free and there is nothing to buy at the end of it. If your dog passes all six and you go and sort the rest out on your own, good. I would rather that than sell you something you did not need.

If you want a copy, say so below and I will send it over.

02/08/2023

Impulse control is life for a dog.

They need to control themselves with many skills that we must teach them.

The human world can be a difficult place for most dogs, the more we can teach them to think and control their very natural canine instincts, the less stress they will experience as they navigate life.

Almost every skill you want your dog to learn, starts with learning impulse control first.

This is the critical missing piece for most dog and human teams who are having trouble bridging the gap between listening well at home (or training class) but not in new, novel or distracting environments.

Some of these skills include:

“leave it”
“drop it”
recalls/coming when called
loose leash walking
stays
nice and polite greetings (don't jump on strangers!)
leaving food and “things” in the house (counters, shoes, etc)
leaving other animals in the house alone
boundaries (i.e. not allowed in certain rooms, on furniture, etc)
dog sports! (i.e. start line stays, holding contacts, weave poles, not biting handler, etc)

Food is a great way to start this style of training because dogs have to eat everyday!

Toys can be used for dogs not food motivated!
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Like this style of training?

March training is almost full - save your spot for April!

Brain Games, Boundaries & Better Listening Skills Program!

Message for more info.

01/10/2023

Ready to take the next step after basic obedience?

Distraction classes offers you the opportunity to take your social dog's training to the next level!

Learn the art of creating engagement, focus and stellar self control as you practice stays, leave it's, recalls in an environment tailored to take you and your dog to the next level.

Ongoing classes currently in the Cambridge area. Email to see program availability.

[email protected]

06/11/2019

There are so many dog breeds, it's incredibly easy to mistake one pooch for another. Luckily, Grace Gogarty a.k.a. Little Tunny has created a comprehensive comic series that will help you identify most doggos.