Canine Connection LLC

Canine Connection LLC Professional dog training & behavior modification services, serving southwest Missouri & beyond. Cindy has been training dogs professionally since 2007.

Owner/trainer, Cindy Ludwig is a Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) graduate, Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). Canine Connection LLC was founded in the spring of 2009 in Dubuque, Iowa. Owner, Cindy Ludwig is a 2010 graduate, with distinction, of the world renowned Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior, a 6-month-long rigorous professional

dog trainer education program. She is also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers), master's prepared professional adult educator, and licensed registered nurse. Cindy has completed advanced training and graduate level university coursework in canine behavior and behavior modification. Prior to 2007, she was an amateur trainer and pet owner, and has been a long time volunteer at animal shelters since the early 1990's. Trainer profile here: https://training.apdt.com/profile/0d3361bb-8587-483e-ad60-74765f3ad296?location=ChIJ1566BO2KxYcR-e8eMUGxeSM&city=Willard,%20Missouri,%20USA&page=1

Available for speaking engagements on clicker training, bite prevention, service dogs, therapy dogs, etc.; workshops on clicker training/operant conditioning, etc. Also offering distance training assistance and consultations in multiple formats. This page is an educational outreach service for clients and friends of Canine Connection LLC. The flavor is friendly, positive and informative, and the language is purposefully kept non-technical, polite and simple. Please honor that intention. Thank you! COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All original writing and artwork, including photographs, on this page is copyrighted by Canine Connection LLC, 2009-2025. Unauthorized reproduction and distribution is strictly prohibited under U.S. federal copyright law.

*****POSTING GUIDELINES: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING*****

(12/18/2016) Just to reiterate, for those who may be new here, this page is an educational outreach of Canine Connection LLC, a professional dog training service based in Missouri, founded in Iowa, USA. As the owner of the business and page administrator, I would like to welcome you if you're a newcomer. The more who learn about force-free positive reinforcement training, specifically clicker training, the better! However, please keep in mind that this page belongs to a professional dog trainer and is not a public bulletin board or a place for criticism or debate, especially among dog trainers. Please refrain from posting confrontational and argumentative remarks, and promoting your own, or someone else's training business here. My primary audience is the dog-owning public. I know a lot of trainers follow this page. Some just pop in to grab my links and run, others offer thoughtful feedback and supportive discussion, but the reason this page exists is for my clients and other dog owners interested in finding information they can trust about dog behavior and training. I like to mix in some fun videos and other information pertaining to dogs from reliable sources. I'm very selective about what I post here, including the mix of information and posts for purely entertainment value. I require polite, respectful behavior on this page. It is not a page to argue, post personal attacks, or use anything other than G-rated language. I ask people to find something to like rather than find fault, whenever possible, and to keep the discussion non-technical for my intended audience. I'm diligent about keeping the tone civil and comfortable for everyone, so please be nice! Again, welcome newcomers - I hope you enjoy yourselves here and find something to like! Cindy Ludwig, M.A., B.S., R.N., KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Owner, Canine Connection LLC
www.canineconnectionmo.com

8-5-2017 It should go without saying, that this post, as well as any other original writing or artwork, including but not limited to photographs, on this page as well as the Canine Connection LLC website is protected under U.S. federal copyright law. Copying, publishing, and distributing, or even adapting original writing, photos, charts and other artwork from this page and the Canine Connection website constitutes theft of intellectual property, is illegal, and is punishable by heavy fines and imprisonment.

We love cats - and birds - too.
11/30/2025

We love cats - and birds - too.

🐾 The Unlikely Friendship Between a Cat and a Bird That Defied Nature ❤️This is the heartwarming true story of a cat and a bird who proved that love has no ...

Missouri and the rest of the United States need to follow suit!
11/30/2025

Missouri and the rest of the United States need to follow suit!

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) promotes legislation to protect puppies in Florida.Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, inclu...

11/29/2025

We had the first meeting/practice session of the Canine Connection Drill Team this morning! I am very happy to finally get this group up and running! We won't meet again until after the holidays, but the team received some instruction in heeling and an introduction to what drill team is all about. Very pleased with how the first meeting went and looking forward to great fun together in the New Year!

11/28/2025
TRUE OR FALSE?What do you think? Is the right way to introduce yourself to a dog and let him know you're friendly? Find ...
11/27/2025

TRUE OR FALSE?

What do you think? Is the right way to introduce yourself to a dog and let him know you're friendly? Find out by registering for the free public event on safety around dogs on Dec. 11 at 7 PM at Mercy Hospital. Registration required due to limited seating. See the event information on this page for more information.

QUICK TIP: I've been working with Reese on filing her own nails for a while now, and it didn't occur to me that the paw ...
11/27/2025

QUICK TIP: I've been working with Reese on filing her own nails for a while now, and it didn't occur to me that the paw action I shaped to get the maximum effect would result in a default amount of pressure when Reese is pawing me to get attention! Tonight she pawed me to get me to let her outside and she inflicted a large gash on my forearm.

So, that led me to review the latest guidelines for tetanus immunization, and they haven't changed. A tetanus shot is still recommended for "dirty" wounds if it's been more than 5 years since the last booster. For "clean" wounds, a tetanus shot is indicated if it's been 10 or more years since the last booster.

I'm probably good since my wound is not visibly contaminated, and I had my last tetanus shot about 7-8 years ago. However, if there was a nearby urgent care that was open this time of night, I would probably go get a booster since I'm sure my dog's nail has soil underneath it from scratching the ground, as dogs do.

You should always clean any wound with soap and water (cool or tepid is fine), then rinse well with water, pat dry, and cover to keep it clean. Don't put any hydrogen peroxide on any wound other than a very superficial scratch since it can actually impair wound healing. Soap and water is sufficient!

Cindy Ludwig, MA, RN, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Owner, Canine Connection LLC

Wound care guidance to minimize the risk of tetanus.

First practice session this Saturday! Call to be a part of this exciting new opportunity for you and your dog!
11/25/2025

First practice session this Saturday! Call to be a part of this exciting new opportunity for you and your dog!

Proud to be a graduate and Certified Training Partner of the KPA (Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior) an...
11/25/2025

Proud to be a graduate and Certified Training Partner of the KPA (Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior) and a member of the APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers - International), two organizations which support this effort and promote best practices in animal training. And I'm glad to see ADI (Assistance Dogs International - the accrediting body for service dog organizations) get on board with this!

We are part of the steering committee for the Joint Standards of Practice (JSOP) coalition. We are pleased to share that the coalition has recently updated the Standards of Practice, and they now align more closely with the professional standards we uphold at Karen Pryor Academy. While KPA will continue to maintain our own comprehensive standards for Certified Training Partners, the revised JSOP Standards are now close to the benchmarks we have always promoted. This update is a positive step for the broader training community, bringing industry-wide standards even closer to the principles of skillful, positive-reinforcement training.

***

The Joint Standards of Practice: Strengthening Standards Through Collaboration

We’re proud to share new updates to the Joint Standards of Practice (JSOP), a collaborative effort uniting leading organizations in the animal training and behavior field. Since 2018, the JSOP has promoted science-based, humane, and ethical practices across the profession. Endorsed by IAABC, APDT, Karen Pryor Academy, ADI, Grisha Stewart Academy, Science Matters, Understand Horses, Victoria Stilwell Academy, and the IAABC Foundation, this shared framework supports professional integrity and animal well-being. The latest updates reflect our evolving understanding of learning and behavior and reaffirm our commitment to a unified, compassionate approach. More updates and opportunities for feedback are coming in the new year. We look forward to continuing this journey—together: https://bit.ly/4nYnmE7

Short video - real cute!
11/24/2025

Short video - real cute!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

"If you approach another trail user from behind, announce yourself in a friendly, calm tone and let him/her know you wan...
11/23/2025

"If you approach another trail user from behind, announce yourself in a friendly, calm tone and let him/her know you want to pass."

Today Reese and I were startled by a guy who came up near us on an electric scooter with his dog attached to him or the scooter on a fairly long leash.

I was in the process of picking up what Reese had just deposited on the ground, and as a result of being startled, I stepped in it and the leash dragged through it as well. I was stepping on the leash to pick up Reese's f***s, but the commotion caused her to react and the leash to be displaced under my foot.

Even worse than the mess on the bottom of my shoe and on the leash, the man stood nearby with his dog, just grinning! I don't know why he found that situation amusing, and I don't know why he didn't keep moving past us rather than just stand there with his dog, grinning.

But this isn't the first time I have encountered someone with a dog who just stood and looked at my reactive dog, while holding theirs and not moving on.

I guess people who've never had a dog with this problem don't understand, but if you are on a trail and you see that your presence, with or without a dog, is causing another dog or person distress, please just move along.

If you see someone coming your way with a dog, don't assume your dog should meet that other dog and rush toward that person to introduce your dog to theirs! Likewise, if you see someone with a dog make a U-turn away from you, please don't try to catch up with them so the dogs can meet!

And please pick up after your dog. Dog f***s contaminate the environment and present a health hazard to other animals and people. As usual, we saw a lot of dog f***s at the park today. Please be a responsible dog owner and respectful of other people using the parks and trails. ~Cindy

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Address

Willard, MO

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+14175974295

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“Click With Your Dog!”

Canine Connection LLC was founded in the spring of 2009 in Dubuque, Iowa. Owner, Cindy Ludwig is a 2010 graduate and Certified Training Partner of the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior. She is also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers), certified Third Way trainer, certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, master's-prepared professional adult educator, and licensed registered nurse (RN).

Prior to establishing Canine Connection LLC in 2009, Cindy worked as a professional trainer under her own name for two years. The business name, Canine Connection LLC was selected, after two years of deliberation, because it denotes the essence and philosophy of the business, and that is, that all behavior and training problems really come down to one thing, and that is ineffective communication with our dogs. If we can establish a relationship with them, and effectively communicate with them, we can effectively train them, and modify behavior.

Ginger, the inspiration for the company logo, lost her 14 month-long battle with cancer on January 30, 2018.

All original writing, charts, illustrations, and photographs are protected under U.S. Copyright Law. APDT trainer profile: https://apps.apdt.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=TrainerProfileDisplay&ckey=46436862-e22b-479d-93fe-9b6bf49b4279