Grand River K-9, LLC

08/28/2026

It has taken a few weeks with Enzo to build confidence around other dogs through carefully applied training, but this right here shows it has paid off. Advocate for your fearful dog.
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08/25/2026

08/18/2026

The greatest reward to a trainer is seeing a dog who used to once go off the rails at the sight of other dogs 200 feet away to being able to be calm, focused, and obedient as dozens of dogs run and walk by them.
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Enzo will continue to gain confidence and neutrality while also working on building stronger handler focus and eventually several service dog tasks. He has already begun to do public access work and light concepts of deep pressure therapy as well as positioning for mobility down the road.
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08/11/2026

Nervousness is not best handled with obedience. Confidence can only come from the proper engagement, directioning, leadership, trust, and guidance. Nervous dogs need built up, shown it’s safe, and that scary things are fun.

07/23/2026

HRD & Trailing K9 Phoebe is an available Search and Rescue/Recovery (SAR) resource to NE OH and surrounding areas for missing persons.

The authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), police, fire, rangers, must call in and request aid from a SAR team.

Search. Swim. Repeat. 🐾💦

Even search dogs have to beat the summer heat. ☀️

Phoebe's summer training plan includes plenty of creek breaks. Between training sessions, you'll usually find her cooling off in the nearest creek—happy, soaked, and ready to do it all again.

07/03/2026

Theodore has been LOVING his dock diving and swimming time at Boone Docks Dog Diving. Exploring new sport avenues and working on building confidence around water.
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This training will translate to his SAR career as I expect him to be able to work shoreline problems, and I need to ensure that he is a confident swimmer in the event he may fall into water.
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We of course couldn’t do it without the help of Carrie, Lindsay, and Phoebe to encourage him along on his new venture. Each of them plays such a huge role in his development as a puppy.
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07/01/2026

Socialization is by far the most important training that can be done with a young puppy. This is their first time experiencing the world.
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I try and prioritize getting my puppies to new places at least once a week, if not more, and putting them in an as many different scenarios as I can. This also includes pushing them to work through scary scenarios so they can be more confident and resilient as adults.
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Should my dog enter a state of refusal about something I will make them work through it and never end on a bad note. The more times we repeat this process the more trust that develops and they learn that each time I ask them to do something difficult it will be okay, because I’ve never let them the scary things cause harm to them.
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07/01/2026

Crate. Your. Dogs. In. The. Car.

Children enjoying Lake Erie became heroes Tuesday when they discovered Sugar hiding in a hole among shoreline boulders after she was ejected from a vehicle the day before: https://www.wkyc.com/article/life/pets/vermilion-dog-rescued-rollover-crash-sugar-missing-lake-erie-shoreline-children-first-responders/95-997197aa-e89e-4cac-8a24-49cbdb9cb60d?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WKYC_Channel_3_-_Cleveland

06/29/2026

It is our duty as teachers to provide clear consistent communication. We provide direction and leadership, set boundaries, and give guidance. However, that shouldn’t mean jumping to the highest level of aversive control for every dog right out of the gate.
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I feel that choosing a least invasive minimally aversive approach has made me a better trainer. It really tests skills. It removes tool reliance. I’m not saying I don’t use tools, but I only chose them if the dog is struggling without them. I teach the dog in front of me. They have their place and their usage.
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I will not sit here and deny the fact that some dogs are testy, mine included, or that they may require a firmer hand. But, I choose a life where I am soft where I can be and am hard when I need to be. Some lessons are learned the hard way, but most should be done kindly and with positivity in mind.
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I personally feel that when I see trainers who put every single dog they touch on heavily aversive tools that they lack skill to truly build a relationship and communication with a dog. I’ll proudly boast my pocket kibble, my martingales, and also my e-collars because there truly is a balance in the way I train.
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06/29/2026