Adelaide K9 Services

Some more photos from the Dangerous Dog Awareness course for Light Regional Council.

Dangerous Dog Awareness for Light Regional Council, April 2026. Fantastic group!

Secure Dog Enclosure installed today. These meet Dog and Cat Management Board requirements for Dangerous Dogs.

I reference the Kyoto study often. Its a great example of why calm and confident handling produces better results. ❤️🐾

Long before anyone anticipated the outcome, behavioral scientists in Japan uncovered an unexpectedly sharp insight into how dogs evaluate humans. Researchers at Kyoto University created a simple but revealing experiment that showed just how closely dogs observe people—and how differently they respond to competence.

In a 2022 study, sixty dogs watched two human participants attempt the same task: opening a food container. One person handled the container efficiently and with ease. The other struggled noticeably, fumbling as though unfamiliar with the task.

When the dogs were given the chance to choose who to approach, a striking pattern emerged. Female dogs made swift, confident decisions. Eighty-three percent immediately approached the person who demonstrated skill and control.

Male dogs behaved very differently. Their choices appeared inconsistent and less deliberate, suggesting decisions driven more by impulse or momentary interest than by careful observation.

What stood out most was how female dogs gathered information. They spent more time watching the competent individual, avoided the clumsy one, and clearly distinguished between capability and ineptitude. Their behavior reflected evaluation and judgment rather than chance.

The researchers noted an important limitation: this assessment only occurred when food was involved. When the containers were empty, the dogs showed little interest in comparing the humans at all.

According to scientists, this ability places female dogs among animals such as dolphins and chimpanzees, species known for assessing competence in others. The findings suggest dogs evaluate human ability when it directly affects their own outcomes.

Moments like these reveal how selectively dogs analyze human behavior—tuning out irrelevant actions and paying close attention when rewards, comfort, or routine are at stake. It’s a reminder that for dogs, attention sharpens when usefulness matters.

With up to 5 days of Extreme Weather predicted it's time to remind you of the threat of heat stroke, particularly in large breeds, brachy breeds and obsese dogs.

We don't train outside over 33 degrees, or at all over 35 degrees. The temperature puts dogs at risk of heat stroke, and hot asphalt can burn paws.

If you can, keep your dog inside. If they are outside make sure they have access to shade and plenty of water, and consider using a fan to keep the air moving.

Keep them busy with a frozen Kong! ❤️🐾

Harry and Jaya did so well today for their first day out. Both very relaxed at a cafe here! ❤️🐾

Happy New Year everyone.
Here's to a sucessful 2026. ❤️🐾

Well that's another successful year. Here's what we got up to in 2025.

🙍‍♀️ 204 New Clients
🐕 95 Reactivity Programs
🐶 60 Training Packages
💻 49 Consults
🐾 1,000 Training Sessions
🐕‍🦺 60 Assistance Dog Sessions

✈️ Attended two Interstate Conferences.

⚖️ Attended a Dogs SA Disciplinary Hearing.

🇦🇺 Adopted Brand SA Logo.

📖 Attended Anxiety Workshop.

📒 Published the Doggy Diary.

✅️ Approved by DCMB for Control Order Training.

🐕‍🦺 One Assistance Dog Certified in SA.

🏫 Delivered Training for SA Ambulance.

✅️ Approved by Transport NSW for Assistance Dog Training.

📰 Featured in The Advertiser.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Wishing all of our clients and followers an amazing Christmas.

We are going on a two week, much needed, break. We will be around for emergencies, otherwise see you on 6 January 2026.

🎅🎄🎁❤️🐾

Marley was one of the dogs that Jim raised, now working at Headspace, bringing comfort to lots of young people, and their families. ❤️🐾

Meet therapy dog Marley 🐶 ❤️ Marley is the first Guide Dog–trained Facility Dog to join any headspace centre in Australia. In partnership with Guide Dogs SA/NT, Marley will offer young people an additional source of comfort and a greater sense of safety, particularly for those experiencing distress, anxiety, or uncertainty when reaching out for mental health support. Tune in to Afternoons with Jo Laverty weekdays 12:30-3pm on 891AM ABC Radio Adelaide or on the ABC listen app: https://bit.ly/AdelaideRadioLive

Some of the fantastic photos from our Advertiser photo shoot. Thanks to photographer Ben Clark! ❤️🐾