K9 Basics - Dog Training

My husband and I could not be happier with the training our Leo got at K9 Basics. We did the board and train program. He was a good dog when we rescued him but he was extremely difficult to walk. He’s so strong. If he saw a squirrel or someone on a bike or scooter, he would lunge so hard. After his training, we can now walk him with no issues. He listens so well to us when we tell him to come, sit, off or place! His trainer Andrew was amazing! The training facility was so clean and we loved how they would post photos on their Facebook page. We cannot wait for the weather to cooperate so we can go back and visit and Leo can play with the friends he made at K9. It was a great investment for us and for Leo! We can now enjoy him at his full potential!

I can’t say enough good things about our experience with Vanessa! From the very first session, I could tell they truly care about both the dogs and their owners. Their approach to training is patient, positive, and incredibly effective.

Before we started, my dog had a few issues with pulling on the leash, jumping on guests, and not always listening when distractions were around. Within just a few weeks, I saw such a huge improvement. Now, walks are peaceful, visitors are greeted politely, and commands are followed with confidence and excitement. It’s been amazing to watch my dog grow more focused and well-mannered — all while keeping that playful personality I love so much.

I can’t say enough incredible things about K9 Basics! It is truly the best investment I have ever made. My pup is my best friend, but he has a lot of behavioral challenges. I’ve tried to work on them for years, but we started hitting more unacceptable setbacks when it came to reactivity and fearful aggression. K9 Basics has changed our lives. We’ve been to a LOT of dog training and/or agility facilities and I have never experienced such a non-judgmental environment from both the staff and fellow students. They helped me muzzle train Dash and it’s given us the security to try new challenges. I can communicate better than ever with my guy and, while we have a ways to go, I know it is achievable with the continuing classes that they offer (for free!!!). Even neighbors have commented on Dasher’s improvement. I consulted multiple day training facilities and K9 Basics does it different. They will hold you and your dog accountable to reaching your highest potential. They don’t just tell people what they want to hear. My time thus far at the school has been invaluable. It is an excellent school with beyond intelligent staff. Thank you K9 Basics, and to anyone debating it- do it, do it, do it.

I am so happy to be writing this review. Our dog was very dog reactive due to issues he had in his previous home. It was almost impossible to take him for a walk when other dogs were around. We had such a great experience beginning with the evaluation. The trainers were so kind & informative. They never made you feel dumb or inferior. We were able to see first hand the kind of training they do and how it works. While our dog was at K9 Basics, we were able to call and get updates whenever we wanted without feeling like we were bothering anyone. We were able to see pictures and videos of how our dog was doing. Fast forward to now, we just picked him up yesterday from the 3 week board and train program and we are so impressed with how well our dog did with the training. He is now able to go on a walk with other dogs around and not react. He even had a couple friends at training! We never thought this would be possible. While we were picking our dog up we got to see firsthand how much he really loved being there. Everybody was just so kind to him and you could see in his demeanor that he was happy there. My husband & I are so happy with our decision to send our dog to K9 basics & feel this training will have changed our lives for the better & given our dog a better quality of life. I can’t recommend this facility enough!

We brought home our Belgian Malinois Scar when he was 6 months old. He had all of the standard Maligator traits; high drive, reserved with humans, reactive with other dogs. He was the perfect high mileage trail running companion I had been looking for. I looked into K9 Basics on the recommendation of a friend but it wasn’t cheap so I went with some lesser cost alternatives.

Roll forward two years and I had a dog I loved but I was worried about him around other dogs and he had started herding and nipping the friends of my 2 high school aged sons. I was afraid if I didn’t get this behavior under control, something bad would happen.

I returned to K9 basics with a 2 ½ year old dog that was in need of help. On our first consultation I spoke with Arnold and he knew more about my breed than I did. I enrolled Scar in the Day Training program and hoped for the best.

I am writing this review now because K9 Basics has helped me and my family train Scar into the dog we have always wanted. K9 Basics does not train your dog. They train you to train your dog. After Day Training Program I began taking Scar to weekly training sessions. He was consistently improving. Then I began taking Scar to training twice a week. Scar’s confidence was building but more than that, my confidence was building on how to communicate with my dog. Every aspect of K9 Basics training classes, from the parking lot before class to the walk through the parking lot after class, was made to help me and my dog navigate distractions that we encounter every day.

We recently visited my youngest son at college in Washington D.C. Scar has been working hard and my son wanted to see his buddy. We took Scar to the national mall on a beautiful sunny day and all of his training combined to make him the perfect companion to tour all of our national monuments. We saw every distraction under the sun; electric scooters, other dogs, screaming kids, ducks, thousands of people, frisbees, footballs and practicing sports teams. His training took over and we navigated it all; on leash and off leash.

I want to thank Pam, Arnold, Lisa, Brian and all of the many trainers who have helped Scar and I with our training. K9 Basics is an outstanding option if you want a dog that you can take with you literally everywhere. They are not cheap but they are worth every single penny.

A friend recently asked me when Scar would be done his training. I told him never. We are always working to improve and find our next adventure.