Holtz K9 Dog Training

03/04/2026

Today is a great time to talk about dogs, anxiety and fear of thunderstorms. As humans all we want to do is comfort our furry babies but this can actually cause more harm than good. Dogs dont understand English but they do read body language. When we are trying to calm them by petting and speaking sweetly to comfort them they take it as reinforcement that their fear is needed.

If you have a dog that is afraid of storms the best way to handle it is turn up music or the TV, give them a safe place and let them be. If mom and dad ignore it then it gives them more comfort and confidence that this noise is nothing to worry about. With puppies it can be prevented if we ignore it all together so they never see it as something that they need to worry about.
Today is Gimli's first big storm and we are hanging out with a window open and the TV turned up watching some good ol ghost shows!

10/20/2025

HAHA!

10/20/2025

Love this!

It’s that time of the year again where our dogs provide us with enrichment.

10/18/2025

10/09/2025

Here is a great guide for parents that have kids that want to help with training your family dog!
https://k9turbotraining.com/should-i-bring-my-child-to-dog-training-class/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNUs2ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6NmZRNmVrN3RUekVHcDZmAR4CZE19PbeuEZFN_UzWZthHwalMDYhHiacjBm_UbOlamaQkiqEhCTuPFP3ljA_aem_OavPa_YBzmRakj2p3oaPLg

At K9 Turbo Training, we absolutely love when families want to be involved in their dog's training journey! There's something truly special about watching kids and dogs learn together, building stronger bonds and creating positive experiences for everyone involved. However, we also want to ensure th...

10/07/2025

Wise words to consider

10/07/2025

Good Tips for Fall Weather! Be aware and respectful to all the dog owner walking by watching your own dog close!

DISTRACTED DOG WALKERS

The distracted dog walker is commonly seen chatting on their cell phone, wearing headphones or socializing with other people while oblivious to what their dog is doing, how their dog is feeling or what is going on in the environment.

This may not sound like a problem, but it is something that many of us have a problem with, even more so if we have a reactive, sensitive dog.

I always compare walking a dog to driving a car. It’s not so much about our driving skills, but having to constantly be aware of the driving skills of others – trying to predict what they will do, which rules of the road they will ignore and how distracted they are. This is especially true in the country I live in, where driving can be a really stressful experience.

I understand that we often need to multi task – there simply doesn’t seem to be enough time in our day to accomplish everything we need to, but walking our dogs should not be one of these times.

Some may say – “but my dog is really friendly, well socialized, gets on well with everyone, is well trained, knows this environment well etc. and I hear that. But another dog might not be – maybe they need space, are reactive, sensitive, selectively social, have health issues, might be terrified of another dog racing straight towards them chasing a ball thrown from a ball launcher etc.

If distracted dog walkers have no regard for other dogs or other people, they should at least have regard for their own dogs.

Walking your dog should be a time of bonding, of connecting, of seeing the environment through the eyes of your dog, of reinforcing and rewarding wanted behaviours, of keeping them safe and protected.

Our dogs need us to be focused, to pay attention, to be aware and attentive. Our dogs depend on us to advocate for them.

09/23/2025

“Pat? Nah, I’ll pass"
Don't take it personal, but do take it as intended.
Right now they just don't want a pat.
Dog. ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’
Human. still patting 🙃
Sound familiar?

We have a weird "obsession" to pat animals. To touch, hug and snuggle them.
Of course some dogs like to be patted and it can get a bit unclear when most times they may enjoy it too!

Consent when patting dogs matters.
It matters to us and it matters to animals, all animals, not just dogs.
Just because they are close, within arms reach and that fur looks super soft, it doesn't mean we should.
As humans we tend to be tactile, we like to touch.
It gives us more information and can also comfort us.

The head moving down, even slightly away, the body may curve too.
Now is not the time to pull them in closer and pat so you can "give more love".

They want space.
They are telling us they want space.
They are speaking loud and clear.

Definitely time to listen.

09/21/2025

09/21/2025

This is amazing! Dogs have incredible noses

09/21/2025

This is great information if you are looking to adopt a dog. A little more detail into what the descriptions mean.

Was it bad info?
"They said this dog was cat and dog friendly!"
➡️They may be good around dogs and cats.
That doesn't mean a newly adopted dog needs to or should meet your dog or cat right away.
They've been through a lot and it would be a rare dog indeed that has been through an adoption/rescue situation and has absolutely no stress surging through them.

➡️Some may be in "survival" mode.
This can mean they will bond very heavily to someone that is now providing resources. Resources can cause some very big problems in the animal world.

➡️Territorial issues.
Your new animals may really not want this "intruder" here either.
They can make those feelings very clear and that can cause more stress for everyone.

➡️You've rushed into it.
Everyone's excited.
It's natural to want everyone to get along, but that doesn't mean they should meet just yet.
If you've rushed this, you'll now know why taking it slow is a very good idea.

So was it bad information you were given?
Not deliberately.
We don't live in a world where we can know everything about a dog's past life.
Yes, they may have been tested with dogs and cats.
They may have passed that test beautifully, but again there are a hundred reasons why they were ok in that environment and may be struggling in your home now.

Rescues are doing it tough.
The strain on everyone is evident, there are just too many dogs needing homes and not enough room at the "inn".
Rehoming demand is gaining momentum and that momentum is getting faster and faster.

It’s difficult for them to keep up and for many, it’s becoming impossible.