The K9 Collective

01/06/2026

Dog-to-Dog Introductions with a Reactive Dog Aren’t About “Just Letting Them Work It Out.”

They’re about foundation first.

Before two dogs ever meet face-to-face, we build the skills that make that meeting possible:
• Neutrality around other dogs
• Emotional regulation
• Engagement with the handler
• Clear communication and safety

For reactive dogs- really a good idea for most dogs - intros don’t start nose-to-nose.
They start at a distance, moving parallel, creating predictability, and letting the dog process without pressure.

Some dogs need days.
Some need weeks.
All deserve to go at their speed — not the timeline we wish for.

Progress isn’t rushing the introduction.
Progress is a dog who can think, breathe, and choose calm before the interaction ever happens.

👉 Knowing your dog
👉 Respecting their thresholds
👉 Building confidence one layer at a time

That’s how real change happens.

01/03/2026

12/30/2025

🐾 Not all dog play looks the same — and that’s OK! 🐾

Dog training insight for Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, Ada & Audubon dog owners

Dogs have different play styles, just like people have different personalities. Understanding them helps local dog owners know when play is healthy… and when it’s time to step in.

✨ Common Dog Play Styles:

🔹 Wrestlers – Body slamming, rolling, mouthy play. Looks intense, but healthy play includes pauses, role-switching, and loose bodies.

🔹 Chasers – One dog runs, the other follows (and they usually switch roles!).

🔹 Parallel Players – Dogs enjoy being near each other without direct interaction. Totally normal, especially for dogs in training or newer socialization programs.

🔹 Tuggers – Love toys and cooperative tug games. Great outlet for dogs who prefer structured play during training sessions.

🔹 Bouncy/Play-Bow Dogs – Exaggerated movements, play bows, wiggly bodies — the universal “I’m just playing!” signal.

⚠️ Red flags local dog owners should watch for:
• One dog constantly trying to escape
• Stiff bodies or hard staring
• No role reversal or breaks
• Growling paired with tension (not loose, playful growls)

💡 Good play isn’t about matching energy — it’s about mutual enjoyment.

If you’re ever unsure, pause the play and see if both dogs choose to re-engage.

📍 Serving dog owners in Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, Ada & Audubon

🐶💬 Helping local dogs build safer, happier social skills through education and training.

12/23/2025

🐕 Drive vs. Energy — Not the Same Thing

You hear trainers talk about drive, but what is it and why does it matter?

Drive is the motivator that helps dogs work through stress. It’s part of why you’ll see our dogs enter any situation and be willing to train and perform. Because no matter the environment or the circumstances, a high drive dog is willing to do whatever it takes in order to get their motivator (toy, play, food, praise, etc).

So when your dog is so excited to play or get treats voraciously at home, but shrugs them off outside the home, that’s OK! It just means their drive is lower and in order for them to perform the same, we need to first make them comfortable in the new environment or under the new stressor.

This is another reason why timetables should never be compared because each dog’s drive differs!

✨ Energy
• Physical arousal
• Zoomies, pacing, bouncing off walls
• Needs outlets like exercise, structure, and rest
• Can exist with zero focus

🔥 Drive
• Purposeful motivation
• The dog wants to work
• Clear focus, problem-solving, engagement
• Can be calm, quiet, and intense

🚨 High energy without drive = chaos
🎯 High drive with control = power you can channel

A truly driven dog doesn’t need to be frantic.
The goal isn’t to amp dogs up — it’s to teach them how to use what they already have.

👉 Train the mind, not just the body.
👉 Fulfillment > exhaustion.

12/21/2025

Meet Raven! We had the absolute pleasure of working with raven the last couple weeks! Shes looking for her forever home

Please read below to hear what her foster mom has say! (And absolutly feel free to reach out withj any questions!)

Raven is Emma's sister and such a sweet girl. We are trying to find her her new forever home! She is 1.5 years old.

Raven was in a home with 5 other female shepherds, two of which did not get along with her. She was the youngest. She was getting attacked and needed to find a new home to get her out of that situation. When she came to Fargo she was very timid and scared of everything and lacked really any obedience. I felt like the best chance for her to have success was to enroll her in a training program to help get her to have a good foundation.

Raven spent the last 3 weeks in a board and train program with the amazing ladies at Vigilant K9 LLC working on regaining her confidence and on her obedience! I am beyond impressed with how much progress she has made! Raven is crate trained, potty trained, clicker and e collar trained. She has also started with treadmill conditioning!

Raven needs a home that ideally has a fenced in yard and someone that wants a high energy dog that has time to continue to work with her on her obedience. She would be a great hiking/ running partner! She definitely needs structure as being calm is very challenging for her but she has been doing well with us with the clicker and e collar managing that.

She is super friendly and I think that with slow and proper introductions she would do well with other dogs. Small dogs might not be the best though.

We are trying really hard not to foster fail and end up with 4 dogs. Please share and reach out if you would like more information on this sweet girlie 💜🖤

12/19/2025

🐶 Fun Fact Friday: Dogs don’t generalize well.

That perfect “sit” at home? It’s basically a new skill at the park.

Training isn’t about commands — it’s about context.

Make sure you practice often and everywhere for
The best success!

12/17/2025

12/17/2025

Fun educational mid week post! Both of our trainers own a black pointy ear dog. And while they look similar. They are in fact two very different breeds!

Canik (left) is a Black German Shepherd
Rush (right) is a Belgian Groenendael or Belgian sheepdog

German Shepherd vs. Belgian Groenendael 🐾
Two stunning working breeds—often confused, but built for different strengths.

German Shepherd
• Stockier, more powerful build
• Broader head and heavier bone
• Known for versatility: police, military, SAR, service work
• Typically steadier nerves and easier off-switch for many homes
• Coats vary (short, long, plush) and many color patterns

Belgian Groenendael
• Leaner, lighter, more athletic frame
• Long black coat with elegant outline
• Extremely driven, intense, and environmentally sensitive
• Bred for speed, precision, and endurance
• Thrives with experienced handlers and consistent mental work

In short:
🐺 German Shepherd = power, versatility, adaptability
🖤 Groenendael = intensity, precision, high drive

Both are incredible dogs—but matching the right breed to the right lifestyle and goals makes all the difference.

12/16/2025

🐾 Referral Rewards Are Here! 🐾

Love training with us? Share the love—and get rewarded!

✨ Refer a friend who books a Board & Train or Day Train program and you’ll receive:
➡️ ONE FREE DAYCARE DAY or
➡️ ONE FREE BOARDING NIGHT

🔹 Referral program must be booked and paid in full before the referral bonus is applied.
🔹 No limit on referrals—more friends = more rewards!

Tag your training buddies or send them our way.
Because trained dogs have more fun 🐕💛

12/11/2025

✨🐾 Helping dogs live their best, out-of-the-ordinary lives starts with confidence. 🐾✨

Our Day Train and Board & Train programs aren’t just about obedience — they’re about building dogs who feel capable, curious, and ready for the world.

Every day we’re working on:
💥 Confidence-boosting reps
💥 Thinking through new environments
💥 Fun, creative obstacles
💥 Real-life problem-solving
💥 Mindset shifts that help dogs feel brave, not overwhelmed

We train the dogs who need a little extra… structure, guidance, reassurance, or out-of-the-box approaches. And we love watching them transform — from unsure to unstoppable.

Because when a dog believes in themselves?
Their whole world opens up. ✨

Here’s to the Day Train and Board & Train pups learning to live their best beautifully out-of-the-ordinary lives. 🖤🐾