Blog by K9 Pro and Steve Courtney Dog Training K9 Pro The K9 Professionals

I have wanted to write this article for a while. Time can be hard to find. This is about the use of reward, positive reinforcement, positive consequences, or whatever term you prefer. I am talking about the addition of something pleasant through to an extremely positive emotional stimulus. In simple terms, nice things through to wildly awesome things. I am …

What Collar Is Best to Stop a Dog Pulling? None. Collars do not teach dogs to stop pulling. Training does. That answer may sound too simple, especially when pet shops and social media are full of equipment promising miracles. A collar, harness or head halter can change how pressure is applied, usually via a leash. If that pressure is unpleasant …

Some dog owners worry about barking at the front fence. Others are planning every part of their life around a dog they are frightened may bite someone, or them. They walk before the sun is up to avoid other dogs. They stop inviting people to their home. They cannot go away because nobody can safely care for their dog. They …

These days, it’s hard to find! and one reason is that you’re flooded with information. Jump on social media and you will see dogs like the below. Now as much as we love seeing and training the high end, exact precision, super-fast responses and let’s not forget the bite work, this is not what 99.9% of dog owners need, actually …

So, it’s the terminology that is wrong in the above question. All dogs have the ability to display aggression; it is a function of self-defense. The level of aggression, the threshold it sits behind, and the trigger are where you probably are having the problem. Dogs displaying aggression are not broken, therefore they can’t be fixed. That does not mean …

Often, I sit across from a person in my consult room, this day was a lady with her dog. As much as they love each other, it isn’t working. I can see that, they both know it. She is plagued with a thousand negative thoughts; they span the past and she fears the future. They are trying, everything they know, …

Written by Henna Kuusisto In loving memory of Herzhund Agent (17/12/2013 – 13/02/2026) “Boo Boo”     “Every decision, every choice I made for 12 years of my life was shaped by Agent. He was my one true love. He was the dog that changed my life.”       I will never forget the first day I played with …

Fourteen years ago when I was offered a full time job at K9 Pro, I made the decision to uproot my life, change careers and move from Brisbane to Sydney to become a dog trainer. The evil beagle Daisy came with me, and at the time, I was on a waiting list for my next puppy – a field line …

Or is it? Over the past three plus decades, I have been developing my own Training in Drive System, a system that deep dives into maximising the reward value in training. Read on to help understand how I supercharge reward value and get the very best performance the dogs genetics can deliver! High Value Food. I don’t use this phrase …

Rocky’s story began with a desperate call from a Rescue Hub volunteer who had seen his photo on the B.A.R.C. Blacktown website. He was young, healthy, handsome! a dog who deserved a chance. They applied to adopt him, were approved, and arrived ready to take him home. Instead, they were told something no rescuer ever wants to hear: Rocky had …

There, like everything there are a lot of opinions on dog training, board and train or learn yourself programs but for us, who have done decades of both successfully, there are specific criteria which helps us determine which we recommend. Of course, some people have already made the choice of which service they would like but, this article talks about …

My dog, Venom passed away last weekend. It was not really a surprise, age had caught up with him and although happy every day, the last week we noticed his zest for life was just not there. I would hate to see him lose his dignity just to give me more time to get used to losing him. I got …

Ever heard or seen a German Shepherd scream, lunge and bark when being held back by the owner? Now, so that the German Shepherd lovers out there don’t turn into raging Karens, there are many breeds that are just as noisy or make more noise, but it’s a known fact, German Shepherds can be big noise makers. Now, back to …

Why Early Intervention Matters Waiting until your dog’s behaviour becomes unbearable can significantly prolong and complicate the recovery process, making it more stressful and costly. Acting promptly at the first signs of a behaviour issue, or even better, training proactively, can make a world of difference.We work with many people each year that end up in legal trouble due to …

As a professional dog trainer, I’ve had the privilege of working with so many remarkable dogs, including my own Belgian Malinois, Venom. Now nearly 14, Venom was a powerhouse in his prime—mastering scent detection, bite work, and obedience with precision. He served as my demonstration dog, showcasing his skills to government agencies with jaw-dropping performances. But here’s something you might …