Training Dogs with Horses

At Integrity K9 Services, we train our dogs to do well with all kinds of other animals including horses! Having a well-trained protection dog that can coexist with your horse is a necessity. Learn more about all of our dogs here.

The first step to helping dogs and horses coexist is acclimating dogs to horses early on in their lives. Once the dog is acclimated to being around horses and at an equestrian area we start training the dog under the same circumstances. As the dog becomes more comfortable around horses we can begin doing more intense training at the arena. We train obedience, off-leash and even protection training around horses so our dogs are as well rounded and prepared as possible for anything that could distract them.

Here’s one of our Champions, Creed, working and relaxing at the ranch.  When he’s in the arena, he’s working, and never takes his eyes off his work because he’s used to horses being around him.  When he’s finished with his protection dog training, he relaxes under the big oak tree with the kids loving on him.  Creed is an exceptional Malinois trained as a superb protection dog.  He has the most beautiful red sable markings, and unusual and gorgeous facial markings.  This dog has it all—power, agility, kindness, warmth, and he knows exactly when each of those characteristics is called for thanks to Bill’s extensive care and training. Learn more about our Belgian Malinois here.

Training dogs around horses can help dogs gain more confidence as well! Confident dogs make the best protection and working dogs. A confident dog is more likely to be calm, relaxed, and self-assured, which can lead to better socialization, increased ability to handle stress, and improved performance in activities like obedience training, agility, and sports.

Our dogs are great around kids and horses because of all the exposure they get early on in their lives. Obedience training should include not only sharp obedience, but general manner training as well. Dogs should be polite and aware of their surroundings around every member of the family. By training dogs under lots of different circumstances, they learn to be obedient in any situation.