Any Questions we are happy to show you the right path?

To begin training, please call or email to schedule sessions.

Training is offered in the morning, daytime, and evening, Monday through Saturday. I do my best to accommodate busy schedules, and once training begins, sessions are held weekly on the same day and at the same time to support consistency and progress.

Headstart and Elementary training sessions begin in your home or at another agreed-upon location for the first and second sessions.

Sessions three through eight are held locally and selected based on your training goals and your dog’s progress. This allows skills to be practiced in real-world environments where they will be used most.

Training sessions are one hour and are usually held weekly at a consistent day and time to help reinforce learning.

Dogs of any age can benefit from training.

Puppies and adult dogs both enjoy learning, and training helps build communication, confidence, and good habits at every life stage. While it is often easier to shape behavior early with puppies, older dogs are absolutely capable of learning new skills and improving existing behaviors.

I have worked with puppies from a very young age as well as adult and senior dogs. The approach and expectations are simply adjusted to match the dog’s age, temperament, and individual needs.

There is always a good time to begin training.

Training plans are customized to fit each dog’s age, learning style, and household environment.

No. All training is provided through private, in-home sessions tailored to your dog’s individual needs and your training goals.

Working in your home and neighborhood allows training to take place in real-life situations, where behaviors actually occur. This approach helps build practical skills, confidence, and appropriate social behavior in everyday environments rather than in a classroom setting.

Yes, training sessions can take place in your home. However, there is significant benefit in practicing skills in different locations as training progresses.

When appropriate, sessions may also be held in nearby areas within your neighborhood to help your dog learn to apply skills in real-life situations. Training locations are always chosen based on your goals and your dog’s readiness.

At the end of each session, I will suggest specific skills for you and your dog to practice during the week.

Practicing a few short sessions each day is usually enough to support progress. Training sessions of about 10 minutes at a time work best. Practicing more frequently is encouraged, but longer sessions are not always more effective.

Training plans are flexible and adjusted as you and your dog progress. There is no strict limit on the skills covered — as foundations improve, more advanced skills can be introduced.

Training should be enjoyable for both you and your dog.

You don’t need to purchase anything in advance.

During the first session, I will offer suggestions tailored to your dog’s needs. I will also provide training treats and a treat pouch so you can get started right away.

As training progresses, you may need to purchase additional treats. In some cases, I may recommend specific training equipment, but equipment is kept to a minimum and only suggested when it supports your training goals.

Support is available between training sessions. Many questions can be addressed quickly by phone or text, and clients are encouraged to reach out if they need guidance.

If additional help is needed, an in-person refresher session can be scheduled.

K9 Academics does not charge a no-show fee. If you need to miss a session, please let me know as soon as possible. When possible, sessions will be rescheduled. Repeated missed sessions or last-minute cancellations may affect scheduling availability.

If you know about an absence before training begins, please let me know. In many cases, I can plan around anticipated time away so you do not miss any sessions.

Maintaining a consistent training schedule is important for continued progress.

Payment is accepted by cash or check.

Other forms of payment may be accepted by prior arrangement, but credit cards and third-party payment platforms (such as PayPal or Venmo) are not accepted.

For training packages, split payment is available:

• One-half of the total cost is due at the first session

• The remaining balance is due by the third session

Yes, family members are welcome to participate in training sessions. However, for most dogs, training is most effective when one primary person leads the training at the beginning.

Learning new skills takes focus, and starting with one handler helps the dog understand expectations more clearly. Once the dog is comfortable with the foundation skills — typically after the first couple of weeks — additional family members are encouraged to participate so everyone can learn how to work with the dog consistently.

This approach helps dogs learn faster and reduces confusion during the early stages of training.

Yes. There are two ways to approach training with multiple dogs from the same household.

Option 1: Train both dogs during the same program

I can work with two dogs during the same in-home sessions.

• The first dog is enrolled at the full package rate

• The second dog is added at a 50% discounted rate

Package pricing is based on age, with the older dog enrolled as the primary dog and the younger dog added at the reduced rate.

Option 2: Focus on one dog

In some situations, it is more effective to focus training on the dog that is presenting the greatest challenges.

• Training sessions are dedicated to one dog

• Between sessions, owners are encouraged to apply the same techniques with both dogs at home.

Pricing is based on the selected training package and is not affected by the number of dogs trained between sessions by the client.

Important note

If one of your dogs is fearful, training strategies differ significantly. In these cases, I strongly recommend focusing on the fearful dog individually rather than combining training for two dogs with different learning needs.

K9 Academics focuses on private, in-home training rather than board-and-train programs. This allows owners to develop the skills needed for clear communication and reliable, long-term results with their dogs.