SumDog K9 Training

08/23/2025

Outside of teaching classes what dog sports do my personal dogs do?

Whatever they excel at and enjoy!

Pnuema (my natural Doberman) is trained and titled in different sports and venues:
FastCAT, Agility, Nosework, IGP & PSA, Barnhunt, and even a few obedience titles. Her strength is being a well adjusted very dog neutral dog, she is a great little demo dog.

Anima (Cropped and Docked) while still a puppy he's learning the ropes very quickly and is adding to his list of sports constantly from dock diving to nosework, he is actually really good at herding, which isn't very natural for a Doberman. He's been started in foundational bitework and agility. I can't wait for his growth plates to close so we can really start getting into some harder training!

Which dog sport is your favorite and why?

08/21/2025

Congrats to these 3 students and their handlers.

River and Kimbi earned their S.T.A.R. Puppy certificates

and Aubie earned not only his S.T.A.R. Puppy certificate he earned his CGC certificate too!

We are so proud of these teams and look forward to their future progress and endeavors!

08/13/2025

Good evening!

Starting this fall... if I offered a one night a week open obedience class... Who would be interested?

This would be a drop-in style class in the Prattville area.

What day works best?

It would be an evening class either starting at 5 or 6 and going until I finish/ help everyone that shows up. You would be welcome to stay as long as you want. Come work on what you want with the tools you think you want to work with. I will have a loose agenda, but I would also be doing this to help keep myself accountable to train my own dog for IGP.

08/07/2025

Over the next year I want to focus more on building my business, because I don't know what "Retired" life looks like to me yet... it might be taking this side job/fund my hobby business into a full time job. I'm hopeful to have those that have taken classes from me or trained with me will take a few moments to leave me a review on Facebook and even better would be on Google. Anything from Boarding to Training, from classes to doing helper work... I would love to have your review.

SumDog K9 Training & Boarding

5.0 ⭐ · Dog trainer in Deatsville, Alabama

08/03/2025

Need a trial prep?

Train your dogs to use their nose in a fun way to compete in NACSW. By A Nose offers classes that are suitable for all ages and breeds of dogs. Nose work is a great introduction to dog sports and encourages teamwork between humans and dogs.

07/30/2025

☀️ If you can’t stand on the blacktop barefoot, your dog shouldn’t either.

Their paws feel the burn just like your feet do—maybe even worse.

Before you head out:
👣 Do the **5-second hand test**—place your hand or bare foot on the pavement. If it’s too hot to hold, skip it.

🐾 Choose **grass, shaded trails, or early morning/evening walks** instead.

💧 Keep those paws cool with water play, indoor training, or frozen treat breaks!

Your pup trusts you to keep them safe—even when the sun's blazing.
Stay smart. Stay cool. Keep training fun. 🐶💙

07/26/2025

Highlighting a local, we love Danny. FastCAT is a nice introductory sport for those dogs that have a higher prey drive. But let me also highlight that your dog should be fit as it is also a sport that can be hazardous if you go out without warming up.

County Road 12: Lure Coursing gets dogs moving

“She’s actually the highest titled mixed-breed dog in the nation and the fourth highest among all breeds.”

07/24/2025

What a great class the weather was about as perfect as you could ask for in the middle of Summer!
This class has worked their butts off with the homework I've given and it's showing! Look at those fancy feet. I even included some of my little dude when I got home.

07/19/2025

STOP scrolling!
Pay the tax!

07/17/2025

People often ask me how long I train my dogs a day...
Really... in total... it probably is less than 15 minutes...

How much time do I spend playing and engaging with them each session... that's a better question!

I recorded an almost 15 minute session just now, but when I take out the rewards and play it came out to 2:30.... and I still couldn't remove all the play from the video because I use it to go right into what I ask for...

Spending more time drilling your dog isn't helping...
Creating engagement is helping....
Playing is helping...

So if you want to know why a dog you send to board and train is responding better to me or another trainer... watch how they interact... is there play involved? How engaged is the dog to the trainer...
Why I can get a dog to do something easier... It's for a few reasons...
1. I've spent many years learning how to engage in play they want.
2. I try really hard to read the dog in front of me.
3. I'm okay with looking like a fool to humans, but look like the most exciting thing to a dog... be more exciting than dirt.

Having an obedient dog is nice! Having an engaged dog needs to come first!