Kick the Crutch

If you had recovered from a broken leg, would you still use your crutches? I certainly hope not.

So what does that have to do with your dog?

A lot of owners keep leaning on management long after the dog has already been taught what is expected. At some point, the crutch has to go.

Have you done leash training?

Have you practiced structured walk bys with other dogs?

Have you worked on manners, such as:

1. Jumping on people

2. Counter surfing

3. Barking

4. Sitting while you speak with someone on the walking path

If the answer is yes, then it is time to correct.

There comes a point when, if you have trained for those situations, it is time to hold your dog responsible. Otherwise, the issue will never fully go away. The guilt of punishing our dogs pulls on our heartstrings like no other. I get it. Believe me, I do. I do not wish to correct dogs, but at some point, it becomes a must.

Nobody enjoys correction for the sake of correction. But avoiding it altogether does not help your dog. It only keeps them stuck.

Think about it this way: would you drive 60 mph through a school zone? No. Aside from the fact that it is incredibly dangerous, if a cop saw you doing that, it could lead to a major ticket, a suspended license, or worse.

Does the thought of that add stress when you go through a school zone? Personally, I do not even think about that scenario when I am in a school zone. That is because I would never want to harm anyone, and I also do not want to deal with the consequences.

Your dog is no different in principle. Their responsibilities are different, of course, but that does not mean they should not be held accountable for what they have already learned. Being cute does not cancel responsibility.

So put the excuses away.

Here is my challenge to you: pick one scenario that drives you nuts and work on that only.

• Assess how it went.

• Ask yourself what you could have done differently.

• Notice where your dog starts to heighten.

• Address it there before adding anything else to the equation.

Do not try to fix everything at once. Get clear. Get consistent. Hold your dog accountable for what they know.

If you are struggling to break down a situation, please feel free to email me at YourEveryDayK9@gmail.com. Your progress is important to us.

Have a great day!

Cheers,

Chris Fiels

Creating Harmony: Why Your Dog Need More Than Just Weekend Walks

Hey there!

In the last post, I talked about the “two ends of the leash.” The idea is simple: relationships go both ways. And when it comes to your dog, it always takes two to tango.

As a dog trainer, most of the phone calls I get start with a problem. People say things like: 

“It just came out of nowhere,” or 

“Well… he’s a rescue.”

I hate to break it to you, it didn’t come out of nowhere. And let’s stop blaming a “rescue background” from three years ago for behavior that’s showing up now.

That’s not to shame anyone. Life gets busy, and our four-legged companions often get the short end of the stick. I get it. But that’s exactly why we need to talk about harmony.

Harmony Means Balance

When I say “harmony,” I’m not talking about perfectly polished obedience or a dog that never makes a sound. I’m talking about balance — a dog who’s mentally and emotionally steady because their needs are being consistently met.

Onyx working on an object guard

A well-balanced dog doesn’t bolt the second the door opens. And contrary to popular belief, professional trainers don’t have “perfect” dogs because we’re strict or obsessed with control. Honestly, it’s usually the opposite.

A fellow friend of mine who also happens to be a great dog trainer once said, 

“If I want to build drive and create a wild dog, I’ll let Chris have him for a few weeks.” (Josh Moran)

(Thanks… I think?)

What he meant was that I focus on building energy, motivation, and real-life connection, not just drilling commands.

Dogs Need More Than A Weekend Walk

Too often, we treat our dogs like “fair weather fans.”  We’ll engage them when it’s convenient or when the weather’s nice, but not with consistency.

Our dogs don’t operate like that. Just like us, they need daily stimulation. 

And I mean EVERY…SINGLE…DAY.

Rain or shine, busy or not, your dog needs mental and physical stimulation. And this isn’t just a “working breed” thing. Every dog, no matter the breed, needs regular interaction and structure to thrive.

Take my old dog, Onyx (pictured above). He was sharp, capable, and did advanced protection work. But if he didn’t get his morning walk, he was a son of a bitch the rest of the day. It didn’t matter how much training he had — if we skipped that walk, he was unsettled, edgy, and harder to work with.

If I wanted a smooth, balanced day with him, it started with that walk. Every. Time.

This Month’s Reflection

Here’s what I’d love for you to reflect on this month. Grab a pen or open your notes app and jot down your answers to these three questions:

1. What’s one thing you do with your dog every single day?

   If you realize you don’t have one, what would you like it to be?

2. What activity would you like to include your dog in — or do more often?

3. If you were to call a trainer today (hopefully me), what would the issue be?

   Be honest. No judgment. Just clarity.

Once you’ve thought it through, send your responses my way. I’m here to help, guide, and walk alongside you as you build the kind of relationship you want with your dog — one step, one habit, one day at a time.

Talk to you soon!

- Chris

Two Sides of the Leash

Welcome to the Your Every Day K9 blog! I’m glad you’re here.

This blog is for anyone who wants a better relationship with their dog. Whether you’re working on obedience, dealing with behavior issues, or just trying to figure out what your dog needs from you, you’ll find support, tips, and real-life stories to guide you here. Because let’s face it — the perfect relationship with your dog doesn’t just happen. It’s something you build.

And the good news? You don’t have to do it alone.

Two Sides of the Leash

Let’s start where every great relationship begins: understanding. There are two sides to this leash:

• What are you looking for in your dog?

• And what is your dog looking for in you?

Most of us have a vision of our “perfect dog”:

• Relaxing quietly at home

• Hiking off-leash but always staying close

• Playful, social, and maybe even a little protective

That’s the dream, and it’s a great one. It’s also the inspiration behind my business name: Your Every Day K9.

Because what we want is a companion we can trust to be with us in everyday life.

But here’s the flip side: your dog has needs, too.

Your Dog Isn’t Broken

Every dog is wired a certain way. Genetics matter. Say you bring home a German Shepherd. Beautiful. Loyal. Smart. But then you’re frustrated because he’s reactive with guests or got kicked out of daycare.

The truth is: your dog isn’t broken. He’s just being… a German Shepherd.

Sometimes, yes, you’ll meet a unicorn — a dog that defies their breed description.

My first German Shepherd, Jago (pictured above), was like that. He was steady, gentle, and loved everyone. I trusted him completely. But out of the six dogs I’ve owned since? Not one had all those traits. And that’s okay.

Your job isn’t to “fix” your dog into someone else’s dream dog. It’s to build a relationship with the one you have.

Real Relationships Take Teal Work

Before the next post, I’d love to invite you into a simple but powerful exercise.

Take a few minutes to jot down two things for your dog:

1. What you expected

2. What’s actually happening right now

For example:

• Expectation: My dog walks calmly by my side

• Reality: My dog pulls ahead and ignores me on walks

Now, do this for five different situations — it could be anything from leash walking to greeting guests, recall, barking, or relaxing in the home.

Once you’ve written them out, email your list to me. I’m gathering these reflections (always anonymously) not just to help shape future blog content, but because they’re good for you and your dog. Taking time to name the gap between your hopes and your reality is a small investment — but one that can lead to more clarity, patience, and progress in your relationship.

And you both deserve that.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

— Chris

Your Every Day K9