Instagram story viewer> @toppawk9s> Posts

Top Paw K9 Academy

@toppawk9s

77.4K

followers

1375

following

Top Paw K9 | Training + Day Camp
Dog Training • Board & Train • Day Camp
🇺🇸 Veteran
📍 Denver + Keenesburg
🐾 Denver Dog Day Camp now open

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Here’s a super special post- 1 year ago today I received Dexter on my doorstep when he was 14 months old.

➡️He had severe possession
➡️NO impulse control (bit me many times, all going for the ball)
➡️0 aim / targeting
➡️very lose bite (front teeth)
➡️Absolutely no obedience
➡️couldn’t “Out” him
➡️LITERALLY INSANE (his nickname is Dickster)

After 5 months of bonding, working hard, training…through the blood, sweat, & tears, & never giving up- we accomplished our PDC! We drove from CO to CA & achieved it in 5 MONTHS.

I couldn’t be more grateful for this dog & for my dear friend @pawfectk9 who helped us get here- meeting only 1-2 times a MONTH for 5 months…that speaks volumes on @pawfectk9 🙏🏽💙 #dogtrainer #pdc #psak9 #protectionsportsassociation #belgianmalinois #dogtrainersofinstagram by @toppawk9s

1k

49

3 years ago

Here’s to the dogs we got in our 20’s.

The ones with yards smaller than they deserved. The ones that moved with us from state to state and that watched us advance in our careers and mature into real adults.

The ones that traveled with us everywhere, whether it was a weekend staycation or miles away to see your best friend. Ones that watched friends come and go but also the start of new relationships.

The ones that brought us such joy and comfort during the heartbreaks and also kept us young at heart as we grew up. The ones we told all our secrets to and were always there at our best… and even at our very worst when we didn’t want anyone to see.

So, here’s to the dogs we got in our 20’s.

& here’s to Riley. The first picture is a few weeks after I had taken her home. 5 weeks after getting her I left for a second deployment after being home for 5 weeks from the first one. The next 3 photos is how I watched her grow. Her photos were emailed and sent through Facebook for me to see for 3 months & I could only see what was sent to me every few weeks. So every picture meant so much to me.

The 5th photo is how I saw her and talked to her while I was gone which happened a few times a month. So those, what seems to be such simple moments, meant more than I can explain.

The 6th photo is when we were finally reunited after that second deployment. I was worried she’d forget me.

The 7th photo is our first night sleeping together again, it made my heart so full.

& the 8th picture is of my Riley, now 5 years old, with the rest of her pack, still being my #1, my best friend, my other half, my entire world.

They’re truly so unique. by @toppawk9s

2k

47

3 years ago

I always say thank you to the ones who have served our country & put their boots up, but we must not forget the ones who’s boots are still on the ground. Every day we should say thank you.❤️🤍💙

🇺🇸Happy Veterans Day🇺🇸 by @toppawk9s

2k

62

4 years ago

🎃 HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST! 🐾 @tpk9denverdaycamp

We’re giving away 3 FREE DAYS OF DAYCARE! 🏆

👻 Oct 26–29: Bring your pup to daycare dressed up! We’ll take their picture and enter them into the contest. No extra cost to enter, just a regular daycare booking! Simple costumes count too!

📸 Oct 29: We’ll post all the contestants on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok for everyone to vote!

🏆 Oct 31: We’ll count the likes across all three platforms and announce our winner on Halloween!

Open to current and new daycare pups! ❤️

📍 3280 N Downing St Denver
🌐 https://www.toppawk9denverdaycamp.com

Book through the link above!

Voting closes Oct 31 and winner announced on Halloween! by @toppawk9s

10

0

3 hours ago

Meet this sweet girl 🤍

She’s a 2-year-old Great Pyrenees who originally came to me for a Board & Train. During her stay, her owner’s circumstances changed and they were no longer able to keep her, so she was transferred into my New Chapter K9 rehome program.

She is truly one of the sweetest dogs. She has a gentle, easygoing personality, walks beautifully on leash, and has a great recall. She is currently living with me on my 140-acre ranch and absolutely loves having the space and freedom to explore, roam, and do what Great Pyrenees were bred to do.

She does well with other dogs, animals, and kids, and has been an absolute joy to have here. She would especially love a home where she has some room to enjoy the outdoors and a family who appreciates the loyal, sweet nature of the breed.

She already has a great training foundation and is ready to find the right family for her next chapter. 🤍 by @toppawk9s

211

11

11 days ago

We romanticize a lot of behavior in dogs because it feels good to us.

Following us everywhere becomes “he just loves me that much.”
Demanding attention becomes “she’s obsessed with me.”
Blocking people from us becomes “he’s protective.”
Panicking when we leave becomes “she just misses me.”

But those behaviors can also come from anxiety, insecurity, resource guarding, learned behavior, or simply never learning how to settle independently.

That doesn’t mean your dog doesn’t love you. It just means love isn’t always the reason for the behavior.

A strong relationship isn’t measured by how much your dog needs access to you every second. It’s measured by how safe they feel with you and how capable they are of still functioning when you’re not right there.

That’s the difference between attachment and dependence. #dogtrainer #dogbehavior #dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #dogtrainersofinstagram by @toppawk9s

590

5

17 days ago

One of the biggest mistakes we make with dogs is making their behavior about us.

He’s not disrespecting you.
She’s not getting revenge.
A growl isn’t betrayal.
Walking away isn’t rejection.
And your reactive dog definitely isn’t trying to embarrass you in public.

Dogs are responding to what they’re experiencing, what they’ve learned, and what works for them in that moment.

The less we assign human motives to behavior, the easier it becomes to actually understand the dog in front of us and change the behavior.

Behavior is information. Stop taking it personal- learn from it instead.

#dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogbehavior by @toppawk9s

1k

28

18 days ago

Ikyk 🙄🥲
#dogmom #dogowner #dogmomlife #dogownerlife #dogsoftiktok by @toppawk9s

749

47

21 days ago

Sometimes you just need to slow down, lay on the floor, and hug your dog.
Stay there a little longer.

Life moves so fast, and these little ordinary moments are so easy to overlook.

Your soul dog. The one who has been through every version of life with you. The one you know you’ll never find again in another dog.

Take the extra minute. Stay there a little longer. Take the picture.

Because one day, these are the moments you’ll wish you could have back. #souldog #dogsofinstagram #dogowner #dogmom #gsd by @toppawk9s

241

6

22 days ago

I know I’ve been pretty quiet on here lately, but Top Paw K9 definitely hasn’t been quiet behind the scenes…..

Top Paw K9 has grown a lot over the last 7 years, and with that growth came the need to give each part of what we do its own space.

So let me explain!

❤️‍🔥Top Paw K9 Academy is where it all started and is still the foundation of everything we do. Now based at our Keenesburg ranch, the Academy is home to our training programs, including Board & Train, behavior modification, puppy programs and immersive, real-world training.

💖Top Paw K9 Denver Dog Day Camp is the newest part of Top Paw. Our Denver location is built around structured daycare, field trips, pack walks, private lessons and group classes. It’s daycare with purpose, not just a room full of dogs picking up bad habits and participating in chaos.

💝And then there’s New Chapter K9 Colorado. Formerly Rocky Mountain K9 Rescue, this is a rebrand of the rescue and rehoming work I’ve already been doing for years. It finally gives that side of Top Paw its own identity and mission.

Some dogs have come to me as puppies through my Raise & Train program, where I raise, socialize and train them before placing them with their future families. Others have come to me as adult dogs needing training, rehabilitation and a second chance. Every dog is different, but the goal is always the same: prepare them for the right home and give them the best chance at being successful there.

So far, I’ve been able to help 21 dogs find their next chapter.

🖤Three different parts of Top Paw. Three different purposes. One standard behind all of them.🖤

Top Paw K9 Academy: Communication. Trust. Connection.

Denver Dog Day Camp: Daycare Done Differently. @tpk9denverdaycamp & https://www.toppawk9denverdaycamp.com

New Chapter K9: New Beginnings. Second Chances.

🩷It’s always been the same mission, just more ways to make an impact.🩷 by @toppawk9s

35

5

22 days ago

We’re hiring an experienced dog trainer at our Keenesburg CO location!

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Applicants must have professional experience with obedience, behavior modification, board-and-train programs, balanced training methods, and owner lessons.

Pay: $20–$30/hour depending on experience. A salaried position may be available for the right candidate.

Send your resume and a brief overview of your training experience to toppawk9s@gmail.com. by @toppawk9s

52

1

a month ago

🐾 LAMBEAU IS LOOKING FOR HIS FOREVER HOME 🐾

Lambeau is an incredibly sweet, loving dog who adores his people. He is friendly with adults, does great with other dogs, and would make a wonderful companion in the right home.

He is fully e-collar trained, knows all of his obedience, and has a great training foundation. He came with us to the @rexrunforpawsitivity & did phenomenal in a loud and busy environment with lots of people and other dogs.

Lambeau’s ideal home:

• Absolutely no children in the home
• No plans for children to live in the home in the future
• Adults who will maintain his structure, obedience, and e-collar training
• A home with or without other dogs

Although Lambeau is extremely sweet with adults, he cannot safely live with children or teenagers. This is a firm, nonnegotiable placement requirement.

We’re looking for a responsible, committed adult home where Lambeau can thrive and be loved for exactly who he is. If you believe you may be the right fit, please send us a message with information about your household, lifestyle, other animals, and experience with dogs. Serious inquiries only. 🖤 #adoptme #adoptable #germanshepherd #gsd #dogsforadoption taken in Top Paw K9 Academy by @toppawk9s

356

9

a month ago