The K9 Code

The K9 Code At The K9 Code, we build balanced relationships between dogs and owners through calm, centered leadership and mindful coaching. Group and Private.

Specializing in dog and puppy obedience training, leash walking, board and train, and service dog training.

09/03/2026

Not every dog wants to meet you.

Not every dog wants your hand in their face.

And not every dog needs to be petted to be a “good” dog.

Some dogs are social butterflies. Others are shy, fearful, reactive or simply selective about who they allow into their space.

My job isn’t to make my dog love every stranger she meets. My job is to teach her how to move calmly and confidently through the world - and to advocate for her when she needs me to.

Her job is to sit quietly beside me at the park.

She’s doing it beautifully.

Please don’t assume that because a dog is beautiful, calm or seemingly friendly that it’s okay to reach out and pet them.

Ask, and be okay when the answer is no.

09/01/2026

🐾 PUPPY BOOT CAMP: Know Your Dog

Why do I almost always teach a brand-new skill inside first?

And why is that especially important when I’m working with two baby Basset Hounds?

Because asking a Basset to concentrate on a new command while standing on grass covered in fascinating smells is roughly the equivalent of holding a business meeting inside an amusement park. 😂

Could we do it? Maybe.

Would anyone be paying attention? Questionable.

Bassets were bred to follow scent. That nose isn’t bad behavior, stubbornness or a puppy deliberately ignoring you. It’s a very powerful instinct doing exactly what generations of breeding designed it to do.

So instead of immediately competing with it, I make the lesson easier to understand first.

Today Sophie & Boots learned COME inside, where I could control the distractions. We built it from skills they already know - PLACE and STAY - and used a long line so I could guide them if they made the wrong choice.
And they ROCKED it.

Boots got it on his very first try, and Sophie nailed it on her second. 👏

As they understand the command, we’ll gradually add distance, distractions and more challenging environments.

Good dog training isn’t just teaching a dog what you want.

It’s understanding the dog you’re training well enough to help them succeed.

And sometimes that means postponing the business meeting until you’ve left the amusement park. 🎢🐶

08/31/2026

🐾 PUPPY BOOT CAMP: Building the STAY

Sophie & Boots are making progress! This time we’re taking something they’ve already started to understand — PLACE— and using it to begin building a reliable STAY.

One of the biggest mistakes we make when teaching stay is asking for too much, too soon.

Instead, I build it in stages.

First, I keep the leash in my hand and simply move in a half circle around the puppy.

Next, we progress to a full circle. If they get up or reposition themselves, no big production — I simply wait for them to settle again before continuing.

Finally, I drop the leash and repeat the exercise without that physical connection.

Each step teaches the puppy something important: STAY means the expectation remains the same even when I move.
From here, we'll gradually make it harder — more distance, more time and eventually more distracting environments. Inside the house becomes the backyard. The backyard becomes the front yard. And eventually, STAY needs to mean STAY whether life around them is quiet or busy.

The goal isn't to rush through the steps. It's to make sure the dog truly understands each one before asking for more.

And yes, these two are learning at different speeds and in different ways. That's okay. The personalities may be different, but the rules stay consistent.

After a couple of big training days, these two have also earned something equally important for growing puppies:

A whole lot of sleep. 😂💤

08/29/2026

🐾 PUPPY BOOT CAMP: Basset Hound Edition

Meet Sophie & Boots - 4-month-old siblings who are spending the week with me learning some important puppy foundations.

I don’t typically recommend bringing home two puppies from the same litter. It can work, but raising littermates well requires a little more intention - especially when it comes to training.

One of the biggest rules? Train them separately.

Puppies need opportunities to learn, problem-solve and build confidence without constantly looking to their sibling for direction (or distraction 😏).

Today we started working on PLACE individually. And as you can see, even littermates can approach the exact same exercise very differently.

Different personalities.
Different learning speeds.
Same rules.
Same expectations.
Same consistency.

Separate training also gives each puppy the chance to develop their own relationship with the handler and learn that they can function confidently without their sibling right beside them.

There will be plenty of time for Sophie & Boots to work together. But first, each one needs to understand the rules on their own.

And with two baby basset hounds, I have a feeling this week is going to require a healthy dose of patience, persistence…and probably a sense of humor. 😂

Help me welcome Sophie and Boots to puppy bootcamp! These 4 month old cutie pie Basset Hounds will spend a week learning...
08/28/2026

Help me welcome Sophie and Boots to puppy bootcamp! These 4 month old cutie pie Basset Hounds will spend a week learning all the basics of being a good doggo. No jumping, leash walking, food and door manners, being calm in the crate and on place, socialization, and more. Looking forward to seeing these hound dogs thrive!

Happy National Dog Day from The K9 Code!
08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day from The K9 Code!

07/24/2026

Jumping might seem cute when they’re puppies...until your 75-pound “puppy” launches at Grandma. 😅

The truth is, jumping isn’t usually about dominance. It’s often excitement, lack of impulse control, and a dog that’s been rewarded for getting into your space.

Here are 3 simple ways to start changing it:
✔️ Manage the energy. Your excitement matters. Ask family and guests to stay calm too. The calmer the greeting, the calmer the dog.
✔️ Own your space. Don’t back away or turn your back. Stand your ground and move confidently into your dog’s space if they jump. For larger dogs, bringing your knee up slightly can protect you. For smaller dogs, simply slide your leg out to block them. Stay calm, confident, and matter-of-fact—no anger or wrestling match required.
✔️ Reward calm, not chaos. Affection is a reward. Wait until your dog has settled before giving pets and attention. Calm behavior earns what they want.

Dogs repeat what works. If jumping gets attention, they’ll keep jumping. If calm behavior gets the reward, they’ll start offering calm instead.

Leadership isn’t about being forceful—it’s about being clear, consistent, and helping your dog make better choices.

🐾 www.thek9code.com
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07/13/2026

🚗 Door manners don’t stop at your front door.

Your car door follows the exact same rules.

A dog that explodes out of a vehicle can be in traffic before you have time to react. They can knock over a child, pull you off balance, or disappear into a parking lot in seconds.

Teaching your dog to wait isn’t about obedience for obedience’s sake. It’s about impulse control, respect for boundaries, and keeping them safe.

The rule is simple:
The door opens. The dog waits. You decide when it’s time to go.

Calm dogs make safer decisions.

🐾 www.thek9code.com

impulsecontrol doormanners carmanners dogsafety balanceddogtraining leashtraining dogbehavior dogreactivity servicedogtraining spokanedogtrainer goldendoodle bernedoodle

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July from The K9 Code! 🐾For us, fireworks are a celebration. For many dogs, they're confusing and overwh...
07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July from The K9 Code! 🐾

For us, fireworks are a celebration. For many dogs, they're confusing and overwhelming.

Remember: Fireworks are loud. Leadership is louder.

🐶 Stay calm—don't mirror your dog's anxiety.
🐶 Give their mind a job with a walk, training, or play before the fireworks begin.🐶 Reward calm behavior, not panic.
🐶 Let them choose a safe space - don't force it.

Your dog doesn't need you to stop the noise. They need you to be the calm, confident leader they can trust through it.

Calm is contagious. Lead the way.
🌐 THEK9CODE.com

05/27/2026

Mistake 1: Pushing your dog off with your hands
Most people do this instinctively - but it’s one of the biggest reasons jumping continues.

Physical contact = attention.

For many dogs, being pushed, grabbed, or touched actually rewards the jump and can even turn it into a game.

Do this instead:
Raise your knee to block the jump.
No hands. No talking. No attention.
Four paws on the floor is what results in pats - not the jump.

Mistake 2: Not using a lead when guests arrive
This is the most common situation I hear about:
“My dog jumps all over visitors.”

Without a lead, you have no way to guide or block the behavior in real time - and you end up relying on guests to react perfectly (which they won’t).

Every jump that happens gets rehearsed and reinforced.

Do this instead:
Have a lead on when guests arrive.
Use it to block jumping, guide your dog, and set them up to succeed before excitement takes over.

Jumping isn’t a “bad dog” problem.

It’s a management, timing, and consistency problem.
If you want the jumping to stop without yelling, pushing, or hoping they grow out of it - I can help.

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