The diet of a dog can have a profound impact on its physical health, but what about its behaviour? As research into canine nutrition advances, evidence suggests that what a dog eats can indeed influence its mood and behaviour. Pet owners and professionals are taking notice of how nutritional components can act as building blocks […]
Dominance in dogs is often misunderstood as a personality trait when, in fact, it is more about a dog’s perception of its place in the social hierarchy. Protection dogs that display dominant behaviour may do so because they are trying to assert control over a situation or other individuals within the home. This can manifest […]
Understanding the behavioural differences between male and female dogs can be a vital aspect of pet ownership. Recognizing these distinctions can lead to a better bond between the owner and the pet, and can provide valuable insights when it comes to training and care. Physical Maturity and Hormones The most prominent factor that influences dog […]
Training a dog is not just about teaching commands, but also about building a bond of trust and understanding between the pet and its owner. The length of a training session can greatly influence its effectiveness. Here’s what you need to know about timing your dog’s training sessions. Understanding a Dog’s Attention Span Dogs, especially […]
A protection dog is more than just a pet; it is a member of your family that provides an invaluable layer of security. The concept of protection dogs goes beyond the guard dog stereotype; these animals are trained to be well-behaved, loyal, and attentive. The Advantages of Having a Protection Dog From a more secure […]
Raising a dog for the purpose of protection involves specialised training, socialisation, and care to ensure that the animal is both a loving family member and a reliable guardian. At TOTAL K9 ® we believe that unlike traditional pet dogs, protection dogs need to balance loyalty and affection with keen instincts and courage. Here are […]
The palatability of dog food plays a significant role in shaping a dog’s behaviour. Palatability refers to the taste, texture, and aroma of food that entices a dog to consume it. While the impact of palatability on a dog’s appetite and enjoyment of meals is well-known, its influence on how dogs act is often overlooked. […]
Preparing Your Home for a Security Dog
Owning a security dog can bring a sense of safety and protection to your home. These highly trained canines serve as excellent deterrents to potential intruders and can provide valuable assistance in maintaining a secure environment. However, before bringing a security dog into your home, it’s important to make sure your living space is prepared […]
What is Guarding Behaviour in Dogs?
Guarding behaviour in dogs is a natural instinct that manifests in various ways. Often perceived as a display of possession, aggression, or loyalty, this complex trait can be both beneficial and problematic, depending on the context. In this article, we will explore what guarding behaviour is, its different types, causes, and how to manage it. […]
Protecting your family and property is of the utmost importance. One way to enhance security is by having a guard dog. Choosing the right guard dog for your family involves careful consideration of various factors to ensure the safety and compatibility of the dog with your household. Here’s a guide to help you in this […]
Walking your dog can be an enjoyable and healthy activity, but it can quickly turn into a frustrating experience if your furry friend constantly pulls on the leash. However, with the right training techniques and consistency, you can teach your dog to walk politely on a leash. In this post, we’ll go over some helpful […]
Is Dog Barking Anti-Social Behaviour?
Dog barking is a natural and instinctive behaviour exhibited by our canine companions. While barking serves various purposes for dogs, it can sometimes become a nuisance to neighbours and be perceived as anti-social behaviour. This article aims to explore the question: Is dog barking anti-social behaviour? Is Dog Barking Anti-Social Behaviour? So, is dog barking […]
How Does Diet Affect Dog’s Behaviour?
Diet plays a crucial role in the overall health and well-being of dogs. It affects their physical health, mental health and behaviour. A well-balanced and nutritious diet can help keep dogs healthy and happy, while a poor diet can lead to various health problems and unwanted behaviours. In this blog post, we will explore how […]
Dogs are known for their loyal and protective nature, but sometimes this can turn into possessive behaviour. When a dog becomes possessive over their toys, food, or even their owner, it can lead to aggressive behaviour and become a problem. However, there are ways to stop this behaviour and ensure a happy and safe environment […]
Protection dogs are specially trained canines that provide security and protection to their owners and their property. They are becoming increasingly popular among people who want an extra layer of protection for their homes or day-to-day lives. If you are considering buying a protection dog, there are a few important factors to consider to ensure […]
Dogs are loyal and intelligent animals that have been trained to perform a wide range of tasks for humans. Two of the most popular types of dogs that are trained for specific purposes are guard dogs and police dogs. While these two types of dogs are often thought of as being the same, there are […]
How to Teach Your Dog to “Leave It”
Teaching your dog the “leave it” command is an important part of proper canine training. This command can help keep your pup safe in potentially dangerous situations, as well as help you maintain control in potentially chaotic situations. Here’s a step-by-step guide to teaching your dog to “leave it.” Start With Basic Training Before you […]
Having a security dog is an effective way to protect your home and family. While owning a security dog can provide peace of mind, there are also certain responsibilities that come with it. In this blog, we will discuss the responsibilities of owning a security dog, as well as the benefits. Training The most important […]
What Do Dog Trainers Do?
Dog trainers are professionals who specialise in teaching dogs to behave in desired ways. They help owners to develop an understanding of their dogs and to teach commands, skills and behaviours to help dogs become well-mannered and obedient companions. Training Basics The first stage of training a dog usually involves teaching them basic skills and […]
Preparing Your Home for a Guard Dog
Introduction Bringing a guard dog into your home is incredibly rewarding, but it can be a little daunting at first. It requires careful planning and preparation to ensure that you and your pup have a safe and comfortable environment. By taking the time to prepare your home for a guard dog, you can make sure […]
The Benefits of Owning a Security Dog
Introduction Dogs are our best friends for a reason. People love dogs as pets because they are loyal, affectionate, and fun to play with. If you choose to train your pet as a security dog, then it also offers a number of unique benefits. So in this article, we’ll discuss some of the benefits of […]
What age can you train a dog?
Puppies learn surprisingly quickly and you can usually start training them at the age of around eight weeks. Their initial training should be very basic and simple. Keep training sessions brief at this stage, starting off at around five minutes. Always use positive reinforcement and never use fear. End each session on a positive note. […]
How to train your dog to guard you
One of the reasons dogs really are man’s best friend is that they can help us in many ways – as a companion, as a guide, or in some cases, as a protector. For some dog owners, especially those living in areas of the world where walking early in the morning or late at night […]
What is submissive behaviour in dogs?
When we think of dogs, we usually picture a happy and energetic animal who’s always up to something, but this isn’t always the case! While most dogs are submissive in nature, some can be overly dominant…
There are many qualities that are important in guard dog breeds – loyalty, obedience and responsiveness to training are some of the key factors. However, it is also important that the breed is powerful and fearless, without demonstrating aggression in inappropriate scenarios. Kangals are a large, powerful breed, commonly used as a guard dog because
Training your dog to walk on leash
Learning to walk on leash is a challenge for many dogs, especially when they are young and hyperactive. This is why encouraging your dog to be calm through positive reinforcement
Dog behaviour training with Total K9
It isn’t uncommon for a dog’s behaviour to change over time. However, dogs tend to reach maturity at around three years of age, so sudden and drastic behaviour changes
Dog behaviour training
When you own a dog, ensuring that it behaves in the right ways is essential. This means that you have a better understanding of what they can do and how they react to certain situations.
Heel training
One of the basic obedience commands that all dogs should learn early is to heel both on and off the leash. Heel is one of the most difficult techniques for puppies to learn but the rewards make it worthwhile.
How to start training a puppy
Once puppies reach eight weeks of age, they have the ability to remember instructions you give them. Therefore, you can actually start training them very early on in your dog’s life.
How to teach a dog “no”
Teaching a dog the word “no” is important for their safety. It’s something that all police dogs and guard dogs must learn as part of their training. But how do you teach a dog “no”? Here’s what to do.
Teaching your dog to bark on command
Teaching your dog to bark on command is a good skill for them to perfect. If you want to teach your dog to bark for reasons of protection and security, there are effective ways for you to teach your dog to bark without worrying about them barking non-stop for minutes on end.
Effective guard dogs breeds
Certain breeds of dogs are born with instincts that make them more effective as guard dogs. The traits you want are things like a strong sense of loyalty, high
Training your pup to bark to let you know they need to go outside and relieve themselves is one of the most practical and useful things you’ll teach them. And it may just prevent puddles on the floor…or worse
Training a dog is a significant challenge for owners, requiring a significant amount of time and attention to
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.
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 […]
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
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 […]
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
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.