The K9 Code

10/29/2026

🎓🐾 Beau has officially graduated from The K9 Code! 🐾🎓

Our handsome, floppy-eared German Shepherd came to us for what his family affectionately called “gentlemen school,” and what a journey it’s been!

Beau arrived with plenty of puppy enthusiasm, some anxiety, and a whole lot of big feelings about the world around him. We worked on building his confidence, developing impulse control, improving his manners, and learning to navigate everyday life with a calmer state of mind.

From leash walking and door manners to holding his stay and responding to recall amid real-world distractions, this young gentleman has made tremendous progress!

Of course, graduation doesn’t mean the learning stops. Consistency, structure, and continued practice at home will help Beau build on everything he’s accomplished.

Congratulations, Beau! We’re so proud of how far you’ve come, and we can’t wait to see you continue growing into the confident, well-mannered gentleman we know you can be! ❤️🐾

10/28/2026

Some of the most meaningful training I do has very little to do with obedience.

This beautiful girl was being trained as a service dog for a family with a young autistic daughter.

In this video, I’m simulating an overwhelming moment while teaching her to recognize distress and respond with deep pressure therapy—using her body to apply calming pressure and help the child regulate.

What you’re watching isn’t simply a dog offering affection. It’s a specific, trained response designed to help a child when words may not be enough.

There’s something incredibly powerful about teaching a dog a skill that can make such a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

Sometimes, the most important job doesn’t need words. ❤️

10/26/2026

Sometimes dog training looks a little ridiculous. 😂

Stomping feet, waving plastic bags, exaggerated movements, and a whole lot of unnecessary commotion. All while four dogs practice staying on PLACE.

But there’s a method to the madness!

Real life is full of unexpected sights, sounds, movements, and distractions. By introducing manageable challenges during training, we help dogs learn that not everything happening around them requires a reaction.

The goal isn’t just to hold a command when everything is quiet. It’s to maintain composure when life gets a little chaotic.

And sometimes that means recruiting a friend who’s more than happy to act like a complete fool. 😂

What’s the silliest thing you’ve done while training your dog?

10/24/2026

Walking your dog should be enjoyable, not a full-body workout you didn’t sign up for. 😂

No sore shoulders. No death grip on the leash. No bracing yourself every time another dog appears.

Just a relaxed walk with a loose leash and a dog who understands how to follow your lead.

Loose-leash walking takes practice, patience, and clear communication, but the payoff is worth it.

The goal? Enjoy the walk. Don’t just survive it. 🐾

10/23/2026

Real life doesn’t happen in a controlled environment.

Yesterday, Beau and I were working on a long-distance stay and recall on a bridge in downtown Spokane when real life decided to show up all at once.

A dog. A bicycle. People walking. Spokane Chiefs players running conditioning drills. All happening between us.

And Beau? He held his stay and came when called.

This is why I believe so strongly in real-world training. We can’t control every distraction our dogs will encounter, but we can prepare them to navigate those situations with confidence, self-control, and clear expectations.

The goal isn’t perfection in a controlled setting. It’s building skills that carry over into everyday life.

Because that’s where training really matters. 🐾

10/20/2026

Door manners have been one of Beau’s bigger challenges, but we’re making progress!

I always begin teaching door manners with a leash so I can provide clear guidance and establish expectations. But ultimately, those same expectations need to apply whether the leash is on or off.

Walk to the door. Sit. Wait for permission. Exit calmly.

And once we’re outside? We sit again to reinforce those same expectations before moving on.

An open door means nothing until I make it mean something.

Door manners aren’t just about obedience. They’re about impulse control, safety, and teaching your dog to follow your lead rather than rush ahead.

Little by little, Beau is learning what it means to be a gentleman. 🐾

10/19/2026

Instinct doesn’t disappear just because we train a dog.

Prey drive is natural, and some dogs have a much stronger drive than others. The goal isn’t to eliminate that instinct, but to teach the dog how to respond when it kicks in.

They can notice the geese, watch them, and be curious. What we’re working toward is their ability to remain composed, respond to guidance, and resist the urge to chase.

Not every instinct needs to become an action.

That’s impulse control, and it’s an important part of building a well-balanced dog. 🐾

10/16/2026

One of the first things I do when entering a dog-friendly store with a dog I’m training is find a spot off to the side and simply sit.

Sometimes it’s 30 seconds. Sometimes it’s five minutes. And sometimes that’s the entire training session.

Why?

Because I want the dog to learn that entering a new environment doesn’t automatically mean excitement, interaction, or activity.

We take a moment to observe, settle, and establish a calm state of mind before moving forward.

The more we practice this in different environments, the more familiar and routine that calm behavior becomes.

The goal isn’t just a dog who behaves in public. It’s a dog who knows HOW to be calm in public. 🐾

10/15/2026

10/14/2026

Sometimes the best training happens during everyday chores!

Beau is learning that PLACE means remaining in his designated spot, even when there’s activity happening around him.

Sweeping, people moving, other dogs nearby — these are all opportunities to practice patience, impulse control, and calm behavior.

The goal isn’t just obedience. It’s a dog who can relax while life happens around him. 🐾