Training a dog is a significant challenge for owners, requiring a significant amount of time and attention to
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Does residential dog training work?
Dogs are beautiful, unique creatures but can be hectic sometimes when your dog is jumping on visitors in the house, stealing food from the table, barking uncontrollably or escaping and getting injured many times.
There are many different opinions about when to start training your new puppy, however, the common consensus is that training should start as soon as possible. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of training
Most dogs are trainable with a little persistence. Eventually, they understand and start responding to your commands. Sometimes, though, at-home training doesn’t work, despite your best efforts, leaving you feeling confused. At that point, you need residential dog training; expert dog training done by experts on your behalf, away from your home, at a specialist facility.
What sort of training works best for puppies? The arrival of a puppy in your home is guaranteed to lift your spirits as they are full of energy and excitement.
If you’ve recently acquired a new dog and need a helping hand to train it properly, then residential dog training might be the ideal option to consider. But, what do you need to look for when choosing the perfect residential
Here at Total K9 we are passionate about training and supplying protection dogs to homes and families across the UK. All our dogs are meticulously trained and put through their paces in real life scenarios.
As we all know, British summers are a changeable and unpredictable affair, and hot weather is hardly guaranteed. However there will always be the odd sunny day and even the occasional heatwave so it’s
We are immensely proud of the reputation we have built up over many hard years of work training dogs for personal protection, security services and the police force.
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Bonding with your new protection dog
So you’ve done your research, taken the plunge and finally got a personal protection dog from Total K9 for yourself. Some new owners experience a bit of apprehension when they first take their new dog home.
This is one of the questions that we get asked all the time at Total K9. Is ‘protection dog’ just another name for ‘guard dog’? What is the difference between a guard dog and a protection dog?How can I be sure that I’m getting one and not the other? So we’re pulled together the most […]
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Incredible real life protection dog stories
At Total K9 we believe that if a dog is a man’s best friend, a protection dog is a best friend, look out, family guardian and personal helper.
Protection dogs don’t need affection This is one of the most damaging myths out there. Though protection dogs may look fierce and have a job to do, that does not mean that
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How to spot the perfect protection dog
At Total K9 we have decades of combined experience in selecting and training world class protection dogs. We are proud to uphold incredibly high standards and we don’t think you should settle for anything less, especially when it’s your personal safety, family and relationships at stake. Here are five traits to look out for in […]
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5 signs your dog needs retraining
Over the past year leaving the house to walk a dog has been classed as essential daily exercise. But sociable meet-ups with other owners in busy parks have become a thing of the past. As a result most dogs have had less
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Keep your dog safe this Spring
Warmer days and more hours of sunlight provide the perfect opportunity for dogs and owners to enjoy the great outdoors. But there are added risks to your dog’s health and wellbeing that Springtime can pose. Being alert to these common dangers can help keep your protection dog happy and safe.
When you introduce a dog to your home, you can quickly build a strong, loving relationship with your dog, and they will find real comfort in your company.
If you’ve welcomed a new puppy or dog into your residence, you may be feeling a little lost when it comes to training them. Most dogs need help learning the necessary behaviours to live in a domestic environment. However,
Whether you have just adopted your brand new family member or brought home your 8-week old puppy, it’s all new and exciting for everyone involved. The whole family, including the newest member, is buzzing with happiness and bright thoughts for the future…
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Common dog training mistakes
Dog training is certainly a journey. Having a pooch who listens to you is every dog owner’s dream; but unfortunately, it doesn’t always go perfectly. However, if you feel like you’ve made a mistake with dog training, don’t worry! The first step is realising what the mistake was, and then you can take steps to […]
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5 tips for training a rescue dog
Making a rescue dog part of your family is incredibly rewarding, but it can bring challenges if the dog has been through trauma or picked up some naughty habits. It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks though, so let’s take a look at some of the best tips to train your […]
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What is residential dog training?
Residential dog training resolves a dog’s behavioural issues by having them live away from home, with professional trainers, for a short time. Issues resolved by residential dog training range from barking, poor recall, jumping up and lead-pulling, to anxiety, biting and aggression. Our expert team use proven methods including
Whether you have been advised by your vet that your dog needs to lose a little bit of weight, or you want to maintain the healthy weight your dog currently has, the following tips will help!
It is important, of course, to care for your dog year-round. Winter, however, can provide a unique set of challenges for dog owners that must be carefully considered. Below we outline some important considerations and care tips for dogs in winter.
German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the country and for good reason. Their versatile temperaments make them both the perfect family pet and an effective crime deterrent. Here are the top reasons to choose a German Shepard trained dog as your next canine companion.
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How to get a new puppy to sleep
Part of the fun of getting a new puppy is their seemingly boundless energy. Playing games with your puppy is a great way to spend the day, especially if you have children. Unfortunately, all this energy can cause problems at bedtime. New puppies often struggle to sleep and a restless puppy can keep the whole […]
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Is it too late to train my dog?
There’s no denying that it’s best to get residential dog training when your dog is still young. But, while most people believe that once you’ve missed this window, that’s it, we’re here to inform you that this is not the case! Don’t give up just yet, as a dog can learn at any stage of […]
Many couples will have a dog long before they have a baby. While your baby will of course take priority, it is important not to neglect the feelings of your dog at this time. A new addition to the home will be an extremely disruptive experience for them too, especially if they’ve lived there for […]
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3 ways to entertain your dog
Having a guard dog doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy quality time with them. Entertaining a dog is the best way to build a stronger bond between both of you. Building this bond will help gain your dog’s trust, making them the perfect companion. Here are three ways to entertain and update your dog’s daily routine.
There’s nothing quite like knowing that you’ve got your very own living, breathing alarm system by your side, bred and trained to protect you, no matter what. At heart, that’s what a personal protection dog is. Love and loyalty come genetically inherent with many of these breeds so,
Training a new puppy or adult dog can be a difficult and time-consuming process. The process of training your dog can take even longer if you are making any of the following 5 common dog training mistakes.
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The most popular police dog breeds
Dogs have been used to assist law enforcement for over 100 years to serve and protect communities around the world by using their unique set of skills. Police forces worldwide use different dog breeds for different tasks to make the most of their individual abilities, so we’ve compiled a list of the most popular police […]
Like humans, dogs can feel anxious. It might be because you’ve picked your dog up from an adoption centre and now you’re trying to figure each other out. Or maybe there’s something in the home that’s causing your dog to feel anxious. Along with enrolling your dog onto our residential dog training boot camp, there […]
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How to get your pet to listen to you
If the first thing you do when your pet ignores you is shout, then you might be doing something wrong. Take a step back and read some of the suggestions below. There are lots of reasons a pet might ignore you, whether it’s when they refuse to return to their lead during a walk or […]
Dogs are incredibly intelligent and often intuitive, making them very aware of everything that’s going on around them. From being able to pick up on human emotions to know when someone is nearby even before you can hear them, dogs seem almost omnipresent in their intuitiveness. Some people even believe they can sense nearby spirits […]
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Our guide to dog training bootcamps
Does your dog need to attend a dog training bootcamp? Would your dog benefit from regular training in an intensive environment? Some dogs require more training than others and might find it hard to settle down around other dogs or people. Taking a dog out of their comfort zone and away from their owners might […]
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How to train your dog
As the saying goes, a dog is a man’s best friend. However, anyone who has ever owned a dog will understand just how much work goes into keeping a furry friend, and more importantly, keeping them happy. However, before they embark on this task, many people underestimate just how much training goes into ensuring a […]
The British love their pets. They own around 51 million of them and spend an average of £1,150 a year on pampering them. You may not be surprised to hear that one of the biggest growth sectors in the huge market for pet products is clothes for dogs! Yet one of the biggest questions that […]
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Can a well-trained dog help you live longer?
We all know that dogs keep us happy and make the best furry companions. But did you know that according to research, owning a content, well-trained pup might just increase your chances of a long life?
As a dog owner, it is important to tackle any dog training problems as soon as you notice them. This will avert a situation where they become life-long problems for you and your canine friend. Some dog training facilities don’t require the owner’s presence during dog training. However, if you have the time, you could […]
When your dog is displaying negative behaviours, it can be hard not to get frustrated, or blame yourself. However, it’s important to understand why your pup is
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Your dog is an expert on humans
Knowing what your dog knows about you maximises what can be achieved in residential dog training. Although we are often unaware of how our emotions are affecting our body language, our canine companions will be sure to know how
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The psychology of dog training
Some people assume training their dogs is “just common sense”, but they are soon convinced otherwise when they join us on one of our residential dog training programs. To effectively train your pets, residential dog training uses scientifically proven methods from the realm of psychology. Here are three key theories you should be aware of:
Does your dog shred all the cushions in the home the moment your back is turned? Do they embarrassingly forget all their toilet training when there are lots of guests in the home? Do they change from a laid-back and friendly at home pup to a trembling and growling out of control terror once you
You may always get annoyed by your dog’s harsh greetings to visitors. However, don’t entirely blame your dog. You probably haven’t trained them on how to give visitors a calm reception. The following three ways can go a long way in training your dog to
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Fighting like cat and dog?
Introducing any new pet to the family is an adjustment for existing members. But, with the stereotypical image of cats and dogs at war, how can you combine feline and canine in household harmony? Despite expectations, dogs and cats can be
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Mental Stimulation in Dog Ownership
Mental stimulation is one of the most important aspects of residential dog training, but it often gets overlooked. If you find your dog is still overstimulated and excited after a walk or a game of fetch, consider adding some brain games into the mix. Instead of giving your dog every meal in a food bowl, […]
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Should I send my dog to boot camp?
Your dog is part of the family, and you should be able to include them in all aspects of family life. But, what happens when your beloved dog is antisocial
If you’re a new dog owner, you may have noticed that your puppy can be somewhat possessive of items around the house. This possessiveness can extend to anything from a high-value item like a bowl of kibble to a (seemingly) low-value item like a scrap of cardboard.
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Dogs as emotional therapy pets
It’s estimated that 24% of people in the UK own at least one dog. Some have been motivated by a desire for companionship, some by a need for protection and others simply by a love for all things cute. But if you’re one of the six million UK individuals with anxiety or depression or one […]