Koda the Corso Training & Gear by PC, LLC

02/03/2026

“Socialization” has become the most damaging buzzword attached to German Shepherds.

People repeat it because it sounds responsible, modern, and humane.

But the way it’s practiced today actively works against the breed.

German Shepherds were not built to be socially indiscriminate.

They were built to be selectively tolerant.

That distinction matters, and pretending it doesn’t is where problems start.

Most owners think socialization means exposure to everything.

More dogs, more people, more noise, more chaos.

They believe confidence comes from immersion.

What it actually creates in Shepherds is constant evaluation without resolution.

A German Shepherd doesn’t relax because nothing bad happened.

They stay alert because something could.

Dog parks are the clearest example of this misunderstanding.

Random dogs with unknown thresholds.

Owners distracted, inconsistent, or emotionally reactive.

Unpredictable movement in confined space.

That environment doesn’t teach calm.

It teaches scanning.

People misread that scanning as anxiety.

They try to “fix” it by increasing exposure.

The dog doesn’t get better.

The dog gets sharper.

German Shepherds don’t want to greet everything.

They want to understand what matters and what doesn’t.

When everything is treated as equal, nothing gets filtered out.

That’s when guarding behaviors spike.

That’s when reactivity appears.

That’s when owners say the dog “changed.”

The dog didn’t change.

The expectations did.

Modern dog culture pushes friendliness as a moral virtue.

If your dog doesn’t love strangers, you’re told something is wrong.

If your Shepherd creates space, you’re told you failed.

That pressure makes people override the dog’s natural boundaries.

And boundaries are the breed’s primary stabilizer.

A Shepherd with clear boundaries is calm.

A Shepherd forced to abandon them is vigilant.

Vigilance looks like tension.

Tension looks like a problem.

So the cycle repeats.

More exposure.

More pressure.

More labeling.

More frustration.

Then, suddenly, one day the dog does exactly what it’s wired to do.

It intervenes.

It blocks.

It reacts before you do.

And everyone acts shocked.

They praise the dog for “protecting.”

They post the video.

They call it instinct.

They never acknowledge how often they punished the same behavior when it was inconvenient.

German Shepherds don’t need to be everywhere.

They need to know where they belong.

They don’t need to meet everyone.

They need clarity about who matters.

Socialization, done wrong, strips that clarity away.

If your goal is a dog that blends into modern chaos, this breed will fight you.

If your goal is a dog that maintains order when chaos shows up, stop trying to make them something they’re not.

The myth isn’t that German Shepherds need socialization.

The myth is that more of it is always better.

06/28/2025

This is Chip, a four-month-old German Shepherd with one of the highest drive levels I’ve personally worked with. What you’re seeing is footage from our very first hands-on training session.Please note that my sessions typically run between one hour to an hour and a half, not including the initial evaluation, which was conducted one week prior. The video shown here is a brief excerpt and does not represent the full scope of the session. While it may appear that certain context or steps are missing, rest assured that there are components of this process that occurred both before and after the recorded footage.Chip was placed with a wonderful family who initially hoped for a more laid-back companion but quickly discovered they had a pup with significantly more energy and drive than anticipated. To support both Chip and his family, he will be working with us in a 12-week program focused on more than just obedience. Our goals include establishing consistent household structure, creating healthy boundaries, and meeting Chip’s mental and physical needs in a constructive way.The family has shown incredible dedication and commitment to giving Chip the best life possible. Once he’s older and has built a strong foundation, we’ll explore opportunities to channel his drive into a dog sport that best suits him.Respectful questions are always welcome. However, any rude or disrespectful comments will be removed, and the user will be blocked.Here are professional and relevant hashtags tailored for your post about Chip, a high-drive German Shepherd in training:

06/26/2025

This is Chip, a four-month-old German Shepherd with one of the highest drive levels I’ve personally worked with. What you’re seeing is footage from our very first hands-on training session.Please note that my sessions typically run between one hour to an hour and a half, not including the initial evaluation, which was conducted one week prior. The video shown here is a brief excerpt and does not represent the full scope of the session. While it may appear that certain context or steps are missing, rest assured that there are components of this process that occurred both before and after the recorded footage.Chip was placed with a wonderful family who initially hoped for a more laid-back companion but quickly discovered they had a pup with significantly more energy and drive than anticipated. To support both Chip and his family, he will be working with us in a 12-week program focused on more than just obedience. Our goals include establishing consistent household structure, creating healthy boundaries, and meeting Chip’s mental and physical needs in a constructive way.The family has shown incredible dedication and commitment to giving Chip the best life possible. Once he’s older and has built a strong foundation, we’ll explore opportunities to channel his drive into a dog sport that best suits him.Respectful questions are always welcome. However, any rude or disrespectful comments will be removed, and the user will be blocked.Here are professional and relevant hashtags tailored for your post about Chip, a high-drive German Shepherd in training:

06/25/2025

06/16/2025

This….

DOGS DO NOT NEED A 'PACK LEADER!'

This is me with a wolf in 2009. The photo was taken at Wolf Park in Indiana when I attended a dog behavior seminar presented by the late Dr. Ray Coppinger. I have also attended educational programs and volunteered at the International Wolf Center (IWC) in Ely, Minnesota.

The IWC was founded by wildlife biologist and wolf researcher, Dr. L. David Mech. I completed a graduate level course in wolf ethology at St. Thomas University in Minnesota with a practicum at the IWC, so have had experience with wolves as well as formal and information education about their behavior.

For the past 15 years, since being on Facebook, I have been trying to educate people about the difference between wolf and dog behavior. Finally, it seems the outdated idea that dogs are 'pack animals' that need an 'alpha' and a 'pack leader' is fading.

But, not entirely! Recently, I have heard several people refer to that old myth as if it were truth. So disappointing. We live in the Information Age, and yet there seems to be a problem with getting people updated.

I get weary of revisiting this, but here goes. Dogs are not 'pack animals.' They are scavengers, foragers, and opportunists. Although dogs and wolves share a common ancestor, dogs are ethologically different from their wolf cousins.

Only wolves can be described as true 'pack animals.' There is more that goes into the definition of 'pack' than simply hanging out in a group. For example, adult male wolves regurgitate for pups that are part of their pack, and the whole pack of wolves works as a team - in hunting and survival in general.

So, while it's true that wolves are pack animals, they do not have an 'alpha,' except in captive, unrelated groups of wolves. Non-captive wolves are comprised of a family unit with the parent wolves being what we call the breeding or mating pair. They are not 'alphas.'

In captive packs of wolves, which are usually comprised of unrelated wolves, a hierarchy needs to be worked out, so an alpha female and an alpha male will emerge.

The idea of dogs being pack animals originated with studies on captive wolves in a Swiss Zoo. Rudolph Schenkel studied wolves in a zoo in the 1930s and 1940s - almost 100 years ago, in an attempt to define the social behavior of wolves.

In 1947, he published a paper, “Expressions Studies on Wolves," in which he drew parallels between dogs and wolves, in discussions about how wolves vie for dominance within the pack.

The problem is, he was observing CAPTIVE wolves, an entirely different scenario than a non-captive pack.

I have seen this behavior firsthand, how captive wolves work out a pack structure, and how that structure can change any time there is a change in the pack membership or the health status of any one member.

The problem with parroting this old meme, that dogs are 'pack animals' who need a 'pack leader,' and to train a dog you need to be the 'alpha,' is that it is all based on bad science. The best we had at the time, but we know better now.

In the name of being the 'alpha' or 'pack leader,' horrendous methods and tools have been used to train and modify behavior in dogs. For example, the infamous, 'alpha roll.' People still do this! If I had a nickel for every dog with aggression someone has told me they alpha rolled to gain dominance, I could retire today!

When wolves and dogs roll on their back they are displaying deference to the animal in front of them or standing over them. The animal is not being actively rolled! We can get ourselves into a lot of trouble when we try to act like canines! Dogs are smarter than that, and all we do when trying to act like the 'alpha' is frighten and confuse the animal. Worse case scenario, the dog becomes more aggressive.

Let me be clear, I do not deny the existence of dominance in the animal world. Dominance exists. It can appropriately be used to describe the relationship between any two animals. The animal that maintains ownership of preferred resources is said to be dominant over the one who does not.

For example, my late dog Ginger, was definitely dominant over my larger dog, Opal.

It is improper to describe any dog as dominant because dominance is only correctly used to describe a relationship, not a personality. A dog who is dominant over another may not be dominant in another dog-dog relationship.

Dog training is based on science, and science is important because it requires that we continually re-evaluate our beliefs to see if what we think we know and understand, is still valid. Science asks questions, and as dog owners and trainers, we should do the same.

Please let go of the outdated idea that dogs are pack animals that need to be dominated. Training based in behavior science gets far better results without harming your dog or your relationship with your dog.

Cindy Ludwig, Canine Connection LLC
Voted Best Springfield Missouri Dog Trainer

06/14/2025

Let’s Talk About the “Alpha” Myth in Dog Training

You’ve probably heard it before:

“You have to be the alpha.”
“Show your dog who’s boss.”

Sounds simple, right? The problem? It’s based on outdated science.

The alpha theory came from old studies on captive wolves, not pets. In those studies, wolves fought for dominance—but in the wild, wolves live as families, not in power struggles. Even the original scientist who started the theory admitted he was wrong. 🙃

And guess what? Dogs aren’t wolves…..

They’ve evolved alongside humans for thousands of years. They learn best through trust, structure, and positive reinforcement….not fear.

So why do some trainers still use it? Bec it looks effective short-term. But fear based methods often create more issues, like anxiety, aggression, and broken trust.

Let’s train smarter. Let’s train with science. Let’s train with kindness.

05/17/2025

Meet Huck! This is his second training session with us, and I’m very pleased with the progress his handlers have made. During our initial meeting last week, Huck was unfamiliar with basic commands such as sitting, waiting for his food (patience) and we began foundational exercises including engagement techniques, threshold training (sitting and waiting at doors), a release command, leash introduction, and crate manners.It’s always rewarding to see how much effort the handlers put into practicing between sessions. This dedication allows us to gradually introduce new skills and set higher expectations, knowing that Huck’s foundation is solid. Please keep in mind that the video footage here captures only part of the session—there are elements of prior work and discussion that aren’t visible and Huck is only 16 weeks old.As trainers, we adapt our methods to suit each client and their individual needs. While I may have a preferred approach, it’s important to understand that different techniques can be effective depending on the owner’s capabilities and consistency. My goal is to set both the dog and handler up for success, especially since Huck’s owners are committed to establishing good habits early, preventing issues as he grows larger.In this session, we reinforced the sit command and began working on movement cues to develop an implied stay. We also introduced the “down” command for the first time—always preceded by motion, followed by verbal cues once the behavior is established (by next week we should be able to introduce the verbal cue). Huck demonstrated quick learning, and we extended the stay duration while in the down position. Additionally, we worked on crate training—he will be expecting him to go into his crate voluntarily, stay seated when the door opens, and wait for a release before exiting (we’re already making progress!)For safety and routine, Huck now wears a leash outdoors during potty breaks to help him get accustomed to it and ensure his safety as he grows. We also introduced luring as part of his training tools. Some of these activities were filmed, while others weren’t—what you see is only a fragment of the process.My clients are eager for constructive feedback, and I truly believe they’re creating a great foundation for Huck’s future. I understand that this is a long video, but it reflects the reality of working with clients new to dog training. Every handler has unique quirks, but both of them are attentive and quick learners.One area we’re working on is reducing the frequency of command repetitions. Moving forward, we'll be using alternative words for certain commands to help address this. Remember, every trainer has their own style; what matters most is consistency and understanding that no single approach is universally “right.”Since I don’t typically share full or partial sessions publicly—partly to protect client privacy and partly because of online criticism—please be respectful of different training styles. If my methods differ from yours, that’s okay. The most important thing is that we focus on positive, humane training and see progress over time. Want to learn how you can train your dog to be a respectable and obedient member of the family or as a service dog (must qualify) contact us today at Koda Dog Training & Gear by PC at www.kodadogtraining.com or www.pupcessoriescrafts.comFind more Links on our Linktree 

03/29/2025

Thoughts?

There is a question I get asked constantly:

“Bart, should I play fetch with my dog every day? He LOVES it!”

And my answer is always the same:
No. Especially not with working breeds like the Malinois, German Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd, or any other high-prey-drive dog, like hunting dogs, Agility dogs, etc.

This answer is often met with surprise, sometimes with resistance. I get it—your dog brings you the ball, eyes bright, body full of energy, practically begging you to throw it. It feels like bonding. It feels like exercise. It feels like the right thing to do.

But from a scientific, behavioral, and neurobiological perspective—it’s not. In fact, it may be one of the most harmful daily habits for your dog’s mental health and nervous system regulation that no one is warning you about.

Let me break it down for you in detail. This will be long, but if you have a working dog, you need to understand this.

Working dogs like the Malinois and German Shepherd were selected over generations for their intensity, persistence, and drive to engage in behaviors tied to the prey sequence: orient, stalk, chase, grab, bite, kill. In their role as police, protection, herding, or military dogs, these genetically encoded motor patterns are partially utilized—but directed toward human-defined tasks.

Fetch is an artificial mimicry of this prey sequence.
• Ball = prey
• Throwing = movement stimulus
• Chase = reinforcement
• Grab and return = closure and Reward - Reinforecment again.

Every time you throw that ball, you’re not just giving your dog “exercise.” You are triggering an evolutionary motor pattern that was designed to result in the death of prey. But here’s the twist:

The "kill bite" never comes.
There’s no closure. No end. No satisfaction, Except when he start chewing on the ball by himself, which lead to even more problems. So the dog is neurologically left in a state of arousal.

When your dog sees that ball, his brain lights up with dopamine. Anticipation, motivation, drive. When you throw it, adrenaline kicks in. It becomes a cocktail of high arousal and primal intensity.

Dopamine is not the reward chemical—it’s the pursuit chemical. It creates the urge to chase, to repeat the behavior. Adrenaline and cortisol, stress hormones, spike during the chase. Even though the dog “gets the ball,” the biological closure never really happens—because the pattern is reset, again and again, with each throw.

Now imagine doing this every single day.
The dog’s brain begins to wire itself for a constant state of high alert, constantly expecting arousal, movement, and stimulation. This is how we create chronic stress.

The autonomic nervous system has two main branches:

• Sympathetic Nervous System – “Fight, flight, chase”

• Parasympathetic Nervous System – “Rest, digest, recover”

Fetch, as a prey-driven game, stimulates the sympathetic system. The problem? Most owners never help the dog come down from that state.
There’s no decompression, no parasympathetic activation, no transition into rest.

Chronic sympathetic dominance leads to:
• Panting, pacing, inability to settle
• Destructive behaviors
• Hypervigilance
• Reactivity to movement
• Obsession with balls, toys, other dogs
• Poor sleep cycles
• Digestive issues
• A weakened immune system over time
• Behavioral burnout

In essence, we’re creating a dog who is neurologically trapped in the primal mind—always hunting, never resting.

Expectation Is a Form of Pressure!!!!!!

When fetch becomes a daily ritual, your dog begins to expect it.This is no longer “fun.” It’s a conditioned need. And when that need is not met?

Stress. Frustration. Obsession.

A dog who expects to chase every day but doesn’t get it may begin redirecting that drive elsewhere—chasing shadows, lights, children, other dogs, cars.
This is how pathological behavior patterns form.

Many people use fetch as a shortcut for physical exercise.

But movement is not the same as regulation.
Throwing a ball 100 times does not tire out a working dog—it wires him tighter.

What these dogs need is:
• Cognitive engagement
• Problem solving
• Relationship-based training
• Impulse control and on/off switches
• Scentwork or tracking to satisfy the nose-brain connection
• Regulated physical outlets like structured walks, swimming, tug with rules, or balanced sport work
• Recovery time in a calm environment

But What About Drive Fulfillment? Don’t They Need an Outlet?

Yes, and here’s the nuance:

Drive should be fulfilled strategically, not passively or impulsively. This is where real training philosophy comes in.

Instead of free-for-all ball throwing, I recommend:
• Tug with rules of out, impulse control, and handler engagement

• Controlled prey play with a flirt pole, used sparingly

• Engagement-based drive work with clear start and stop signals

• Training sessions that integrate drive, control, and reward

• Activities like search games, mantrailing, or protection sport with balance

• Working on “down in drive” — the ability to switch from arousal to rest

This builds a thinking dog, not a reactive one. The Bottom Line: Just Because He Loves It Doesn’t Mean It’s Good for Him

Your Malinois, German Shepherd, Dutchie, or other working dog may love the ball. He may bring it to you with joy. But the question is not what he likes—it’s what he needs.

A child may love candy every day, but a good parent knows better. As a trainer, handler, and caretaker, it’s your responsibility to think long term.
You’re not raising a dog for this moment. You’re developing a life companion, a regulated athlete, a resilient thinker.

So no—I don’t recommend playing ball every day.
Because every throw is a reinforcement of the primal mind.

And the primal mind, unchecked, cannot be reasoned with. It cannot self-regulate. It becomes a slave to its own instincts.

Train your dog to engage with you, not just the object. Teach arousal with control, play with purpose, and rest with confidence.

Your dog deserves better than obsession.He deserves balance. He deserves you—not just the ball.


Bart De Gols

03/18/2025

Want to learn how you can train your dog to be a respectable and obedient member of the family or as a service dog (must qualify) contact us today at Koda Dog Training & Gear by PC at www.kodadogtraining.com or www.pupcessoriescrafts.comFind more Links on our Linktree

02/23/2025

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Supporters! As we celebrate 8 incredible years in business, we want to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to all of you who have supported us on this journey. Your commitment has empowered us to help individuals with disabilities around the globe by providing safe, high-quality service dog gear and we couldn’t be more honored and proud.

To show our appreciation for your unwavering support, we are excited to announce a special giveaway when we reach 30,000 followers!

**Giveaway Rules:**

1. Subscribe to our newsletter via our website. Please ensure that our emails ([email protected]) are not blocked or sent to your spam folder, as we only send updates, sales, or newsletters and do not spam. We can also see if it goes to spam or bounces.

2. Follow us on both of our Instagram pages and pages. / FB

3. Comment on our giveaway post on Instagram or Facebook and tag as many friends as you can to spread the word!

4. Share the giveaway post on Instagram and/or Facebook.

**What Will You Win?**

- Y Front with Embroidery & Metal Hardware
- Saddle Cape with Embroidery & Metal Hardware
- 2” Embroidered Collar
- Hands-Free Adjustable Leash

Please note: The winner is responsible for shipping fees and taxes if outside of the United States. If you wish to add extras like handles, leash wraps, or chest plate emblems, you may do so at an additional fee.

Thank you for being a part of our community and for allowing us to continue our mission.
Good luck to everyone!

01/18/2025

What you allow will continue.

If your dog wakes you up in the middle of the night and demands to go outside, you have just taught your dog that this is permissable.

With the exception of illness or any emergency, if my dog starts to explore a behavior that contradicts previous habits, that's a management issue, nothing more.

When my dog wakes me up in the middle of the night, I *know* something is wrong because it's out of character for any of my dogs to do this.

Once a pattern is established, it can act as a beacon for issues that fall outside that pattern.

If I make my dog relieve itself on my property before I go for a walk, my dog knows that's the last opportunity to 'go' before we return home.

If my dog *has to go* outside of that parameter, I am immediately looking for causes.

I don't tolerate marking behavior and will correct a dog for doing so. I don't permit my dogs to urinate on any vertical surface that is not a designated urine spot, nor do I permit them to relieve themselves on private property that is not mine.

Urbanites and suburbanites freak out when I tell them that. I consider it disrespectful.

I am observant enough of my dogs' behavior that I can tell the difference between an urgency to empty and the desire to leave a calling card. They can mark their own territory, they are not allowed to mark someone else's.

It's not that hard.

And people wonder why dogs are losing the privilege of being in public.

None of this is hard.

If you need help teaching your dog where it is permissable to *go*, we're here when you're ready.

If you want to argue with me, just think of how disgusted you'd be walking down the streets of DC, Baltimore, San Francisco, and every other metro area teeming with homeless people that will drop trou anywhere they want.

It's the same thing.

I do the SAME thing with Koda and Eva.