Grassroots K9 Maryland

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Grassroots K9 Maryland

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Grassroots K9 offers customized training programs to meet each dog and clients needs.

11/12/2026

I think we can all agree that learning a language is difficult.

It requires a tremendous amount of repetitions, hearing it and verbalizing it.

Picture — you’re learning the word “apple” in a different language but your teacher is holding a picture of a banana and just keeps repeating “apple.”

What happens here? You’re going to think an apple is a banana.

Now imagine you go months thinking an apple is a banana. It’s going to take some convincing to believe otherwise. Right?

This is your dog, your nonverbal communicator, and their interpretation of your “no” command means nothing.

We, humans, have a concept of “no” because we’re taught that “no” is wrong and certain behaviors are “no” because we try to avoid the consequence.

Your dog doesn’t come programmed understanding what a “no” is.

If your dog was able to do this “no” behavior without consequences immediately after then that behavior is a ‘yes’ to them.

Your dog has to be in the act of “no” with a consequence they wish to avoid in the future to understand this concept of “no.”

Let us help teach your dog “no” by showing them the ‘yes.’

10/20/2026

Counter-surfing is one of the most common problems we see with owners, and it makes sense. Dogs are opportunistic. If food is accessible and the behavior pays off, they’re likely to try it again.

The first step is management.

A huge part of success comes from managing access to the kitchen when you can’t actively supervise. Keep food out of reach, clear the counters, and don’t give your dog opportunities to rehearse the behavior when you’re not around.

But management is only part of the equation. We also need to build boundaries and impulse control around food.

I like to work on this with a place command, using the counter and high-value food as distractions. I reinforce the dog for staying on place, respecting that boundary, and remaining there as I gradually increase duration and distance.

Because let’s be honest, we can’t have eyes in the back of our heads.

This is also where, for dogs who have been properly conditioned to it, an e-collar can be a useful reinforcement tool at a distance. It allows me to communicate with the dog when I’m not right beside them, provided the dog fully understands the behavior and the tool has been introduced appropriately.

The goal is to build such a clear understanding of the boundary that the dog learns what to do even when food is tempting and I’m not standing right there.

And please, take counter-surfing seriously. We’ve seen situations where dogs get into dangerous positions.

10/20/2026

Now that I got your attention, hear me out…

Why is the vet a dangerous place for dogs?

First, let’s be clear dogs should 100% go to the vet —

but not many owners teach their dog how to deal with the “dangers” at the vet.

The vet office is the perfect storm for a dog that lacks: confidence, boundaries/structure and consistent communication on expectations.

The vets office has every stressor that triggers a dog to have a flee or fight response. Just to name a few: The slick shiny floors with the bright lights, small rooms, loud, strangers touching them and all the animals!

So what do we do!? We train our dog on what to expect in a “dangerous” place and the best way to do this is to generalize a very powerful place command and have a release marker. Remember the place just needs to be elevated so you can use the waiting room and exam benches, even the scale!

With the formality and positive association of the place command the dog can feel more confident with the unfamiliar.

It’s kinda like their security blanket but better — because it requires them to focus on something they can control! ‘Stay on place and receive rewards or the floor is lava until “break”.

This concept is mediation 101 and it’s what your dog needs instead of being sedated to get routine check ups.

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10/19/2026

Let's face it. We all love our dogs, but that doesn't mean living with them is always easy.Maybe your dog drags you down the sidewalk every time you go for a walk. Maybe they jump all over guests when someone comes to visit. Or perhaps your dog listens perfectly in the house, but the second you step...

10/15/2026

Holly - Grassroots K9 GeorginaIf you've spent any time in dog training circles online, you already know the script.Aversives are a "quick fix." They "always" carry a huge risk of fallout. If a reward-based trainer gets it wrong, "the worst that happens is the dog gets fat." Any dog that did well wit...

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71 Hornberger Lane
Perryville, MD
21903

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http://www.grassrootsk9.com/

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