ELECTIVES

Elective Education Program – Advanced & Enrichment Dog Training

Elective courses are designed for dogs who have completed Elementary Foundations training or already demonstrate reliable obedience skills.

Our Elective Education Program offers a variety of specialized training options for dogs ready to go beyond basic obedience. These courses focus on enrichment, advanced skills, and fun activities that strengthen teamwork while building confidence, fitness, and real-world ability.

Elective Training Pricing
Each elective begins with a 2-session package for $100.
Additional sessions are available at $50 each.

Dogs must be able to demonstrate Elementary-level obedience skills to participate.

Choose from a variety of Fun things to enjoy with your dog

  • Trick training

    • Any tricks for fun or more.

    • Advanced skills for training tricks.

  • ​Joring for: 

    • Biking

    • Roller blading

    • Running 

    • Skiing

    • Canicross (Recreational or Competitive)

  • Camping and Hiking skills with safety training:

    • Winter/Spring preparation

    • Summer/Fall preparation

  • Nose Work for beginners to advanced searching skills:

    • Competition

    • Shed Hunting

    • Tracking

    • Search and Rescue mentorship

  • Carting or Sledding

    • Equipment

    • Directional skills

    • Lead and whole team training

  • Agility skills for fitness

    • Keeping your dog fit for the best life.

    • Types of equipment

    • Training to use the equipment

    To participate in the above Elective courses Dogs must demonstrate Elementary-level obedience skills prior to enrolling in Elective Education. These courses are designed for dog’s and owners ready to build on an established foundation and fully enjoy their companion.

Call to Start your Elective Journey
Two dogs on a walk at sunset with a neighborhood street and houses in the background. Overlay includes a running statistics graphic showing 9.14 miles, 1 hour 30 minutes and 25 seconds, pace of 9 minutes 53 seconds per mile, total ascent of 317 feet, and average heart rate of 144 bpm.

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A fun side to nose work skills is shed finding found in our Elective training program
Learn winter camping an hiking skills and what your need for your dog to stay safe and have fun with our Elective program
Canine Carting or sledding (dry land or snow) training offered through our Elective program
Email to being your Elective taining

For SAR Dog Handlers Only!

Nearing SAR Certifications

  • SAR Certification preparation, pre-testing critique.

    • As the former Training director, Lead Evaluator and Chair person for SAR dog Standards in Colorado our trainer is qualified to assess a dog teams readiness to move on to Certification testing.

    • Evaluation with recommendations.

    • Confidential.

  • Video critique is also possible.

    •  Trailing or Airscent

    •  Scent specific or multi find

    • HRD

  • (Cost dependent on travel and the search subjects involved).

Send an email to robin.K9academics@gmail.com

  • $100 for 2 sessions of elective introduction, which will give you a good foundation and the means to continue on with your dog to a fun filled future.

    Additional sessions offered at $50 per session as you feel the need.

  • 2 - one hour sessions over a 2 week period for a start in the elective training of your choice. Additional sessions may be booked randomly as needed.

  • Dogs must demonstrate Elementary-level obedience skills prior to enrolling in Elective Education. These courses are designed for teams ready to build on an established foundation in Elementary Training Level

    This supports the safety of your dog as well as the safety of handlers.

If you’re ready to build on your foundation and explore new skills with your dog,

elective training is your next step.

Common Questions

  • Puppies young and dogs old will enjoy training. While I admit it is easier to train a puppy than an older dog, dogs of any age will learn and benefit with training.

    For and example, When I used to raise pups those pups began learning at 3 days old. So the age of your young pup isn’t a problem but it is always better to begin training younger rather than waiting for the dog to get any older.

  • No, all training is individualized to your dogs needs physically and mentally according to your training goals. However, your dog will receive socialization in real life situations building confidence and skills you can be proud of.

  • Head Start and Elementary meet at your home, or other agreed upon location, for the first and second session. Sessions Three thru Eight meet locally based on your training goals and your dog’s progress each week.

  • Sessions are one hour in length and held weekly at the same time.

  • I am always here to help you. Most of the time I can help you over the phone but if necessary I am happy to help with an in person refresher. Clients are encouraged to reach out if they have trouble day or night.

  • Don’t rush out and buy anything. At the first session I will offer you suggestions and ideas that fit your dog’s needs. Also at the first session I will provide you with some treats to reward your dog and a pouch to hold those treats. Later you will need more treats and occasionally suggested training equipment but I try to keep equipment to a minimum.

  • Missed sessions are non-refundable. If you inform me of an anticipated absence prior to the first session I am able to fix my schedule around your absence and you will not miss any sessions. I do understand emergencies and will accommodate you as well as possible. However, I often have future clients waiting for an open time slot to begin their training and I am not able to adjust those times.

  • Yes, there are two ways to handle this: One is I help you train both dogs at a discounted rate with sessions being an hour and a half in length. Or two, which ever dog is giving you the most trouble training that is the dog I help you with in our training sessions. Between sessions you can work both dogs and yes I am willing to offer suggestions that can help you with both dogs. Note: If you have a fearful dog training is very different and I recommend you focus on only the fearful dog for training.

  • This one is harder to answer. While I am happy to have family participate in sessions the actual training is best done by one person initially. What I recommend is one family member begin the training to allow the dog to learn, cause learning is hard, then about two weeks later the rest of the family can participate in the actual training of the dog.

  • I accept cash or check. Any other form of payment needs to be preapproved. Do to the high cost of third party platforms I am not able to accept credit cards, nor PayPal and Venmo.

    I do offer slip payments with half the total cost of the course due at session one and the other half of the cost due session three.

  • It is best to call, or email, to book training sessions. I do my best to accommodate your busy life and offer sessions in the morning, daytime, and evenings, Mondays thru Saturdays. Once you are scheduled each weekly session will meet on the same day of the week at the same time.

  • Yes, however there is a lot of benefit in training in different locations. We can use different areas around your neighborhood as training sites if necessary.

  • At the end of each session I will suggest skills you and your dog can work on for the coming week. If you practice with your dog a few times each day for about 10 minutes each that will be enough for you and your dog to be successful. More often each day is always good too but much longer is not always better. During the course I do not limit you or your dog to a specific skills set, the better you and your dog do the more advanced skills I can teach you during the eight weeks. Training is meant to be fun for both of you.

All K9 Academics Dog Training Courses

Beyond Elective training, clients that need higher skill levels for their dog will find the Higher Education course helpful — learn more.”

⤷ CONTACT

Headstart

Elementary

Higher Education

Electives