Last Journey K9

13/08/2025

Pretty lady Tork is here for her 3rd day of DayCamp and is learning to relax on place with some distractions present. Tork is young but easily distracted and, like all GSDs her age, has a fair amount of FOMO (fear of missing out). Learning to hang on place is perfect for practicing impulse control and independence. ❤️

I have been lightly dabbling in DayCamp again now that the weather is easing up. DayCamp consists of a morning drop off, a late afternoon/evening pickup, and a day of exposure, learning, and fun. It is not listed on my website so if this is something you’re interested in, please reach out via text at 269-245-9891. 🙏

08/08/2025

If you’re gonna “shop”, do it responsibly! I’m all for buying a well-researched puppy for the average (or any) dog owner/family, but only if that puppy comes from a breeder doing right by the dogs they are putting out into the world and your home. 🙏 Dogs deserve to be well bred!! ❤️

When asked if my dogs are AKC registered, I wince. Yes, they are, but only because many equate AKC papers with quality breeding, which isn’t necessarily true.

AKC registration simply means a dog is in their database—it doesn’t guarantee health, lineage, or breeding quality. Faking papers is easy, and if you suspect fraud, the AKC charges $500 to investigate, showing they prioritize profits over integrity. They also HEAVILY oppose breeding regulations that would enforce higher welfare standards and transparency (which is a very slippery slope to navigate), as more registrations, regardless of ethics, boost their revenue. This enables puppy mills and unscrupulous breeders to thrive.

To find a well-bred dog, focus on these:

• Animal Living Situation: Ethical breeders raise their dogs and puppies in loving environments.

• Health Testing: Parents must be tested for genetic disorders, with proof provided.

• Health Guarantee: Reputable breeders offer guarantees to back their puppies’ health.

• Contract: A clear contract should outline health guarantees and sale terms.

• Transparency: Breeders should openly share info about parents and practices.

• Support: Good breeders provide ongoing guidance for their puppies’ success.

• Return Policy: Avoid breeders without a policy to take back dogs, as this can lead to shelter surrenders.

Don’t “rescue” a puppy by buying from a bad breeder—it funds their operation. AKC papers don’t ensure quality. Prioritize breeders who emphasize health, welfare, and responsible practices over mere registration.e)

05/08/2025

I’ve always said that the loudest voices who oppose tools and training which enable dogs to live the biggest, happiest, and healthiest lives, aren’t advocating for the dogs, they’re advocating for their own emotions… at the cost of the dogs.

30/07/2025

I am ALL FOR teaching children and adults both that dogs can and do and should have their own boundaries and a say in what they are. I am.

BUT…

We also need to start raising and teaching dogs to have TOLERANCE. My dogs are allowed to say “I don’t care for that” but I, as their owner, am allowed to say “sorry pal, you gotta power through this one” and guess what? My dogs have never once put their mouth on me for doing so.

Starting as a puppy, I teach my dogs to get tossed around, smacked (playfully) around, paws grabbed, tails tugged, and ears fondled endlessly. I also teach them that when I say it’s time to hold still and get a vax or a nail trim or a brushing, you better hold still and get it over with so we can move on to better things in life.

Even a grown adopted dog can learn this. Sure there may be a delicacy or even an art to it with some dogs, but it can and MUST be done.

Instead, everyone seems so focused on keeping the dog “happy” and being “gentle” instead of teaching the dog to have some damn resilience and know that stress is part of life, and how to work through it and grow past it.

No living being goes through life with zero stress. The ones who maybe get lucky enough to do so as youngins do NOT make strong or enjoyable adults. In the wild, they flat ass don’t survive.

We have absolutely GOT to start raising and training more resilient, confident, strong dogs. Because you know which ones lash out and hurt others? The weak ones. Just like with humans.

24/07/2025

Jurassic Park fan, sorry not sorry 🤣

12/07/2025

🙌

07/07/2025

Every bit of this!! 🙌🙌🙌

Let’s set something straight, and I will die on this hill:
YOUR RESCUE WAS MOST LIKELY NOT ABUSED BY A SIX FOOT BEARDED MAN WITH A HAT AND SUNGLASSES ON.

I’m hearing this story more and more. It’s one that me, and almost every dog trainer on this planet hate. Not because of what it stands for, but because it stops the journey in its tracks.

Dog training is a lot like writing a book. The moment your dog joins your life, the story begins. It reads about how much you love your dog, all your adventures, and about the training it took to get your dog to their most perfect self. Now imagine putting in a chapter about their past, which most of the time through rescue is unknown, and explaining how that affects the outcome of the story for the worst. The dog can never trust men again, and we accept that because of a made up ideology. (Again, it’s not true in every case - I’m depicting the 95% of dogs I meet with this criteria)

The moment we write that narrative in our brains, emotion overrides logic. We don’t push our dogs to be better. We don’t put them in situations that make them uncomfortable just to teach them that they CAN fight through it, and become better for it. We don’t do it because our emotion made that decision for them.

We should always empower our dogs to be better. To make better choices. To understand and become more acceptant of what’s expected. We lose that when we throw human emotions into the equation.

Dogs live in the moment. Make that moment matter. If you won’t, your dog will never get to that beautiful chapter with you. Let me tell you, that beautiful chapter is worth some discomfort and having to work through situations that they don’t always love. Don’t let your emotions take that beautiful moment away from you and your dog.

I promise, it will be worth it. Stop talking about the past, and work toward the future.

25/06/2025

I could not agree more.