It is not required, but recommended. If there are no emotional or behavioral issues, we can discuss your needs and goals over the phone and come up with the right training plan and pricing. If your dog has any emotional issues or reactivity/aggressive issues, then we must meet your dog to help discern the level of emotional distress your dog is having to make a proper recommendation. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND all owners to visit any trainer you may be considering. You should SEE where they will train and where they will be sleeping when not training, and yes; even if it is with a trainer that trains from their home, you should SEE inside the home where your dog will be.

Picture this: you're all excited about training your skills, let's say it's for a sport, like basketball. You have two options – one, training at a professional facility specially designed for honing your skills, and two, training at your coach's home where you're also staying for a while. Let's break down why the first option might be better a way. First off, think about a professional training facility like a playground for your improvement. It's decked out with all the right equipment, spacious courts, and maybe even some cool tech to analyze your moves. A large facility will even have specialists that can target very specific areas that need improvement. It's like your dream candy store but for skill development! When you train at a pro facility, you're surrounded by an environment geared toward helping you get better. The trainers there are like your personal wizards of improvement – they know the tricks, they've got the spells (techniques), and they're ready to guide you to your magical skill-upgrading journey. Now, contrast that with training at your coach's home. Don't get me wrong, cozy vibes are great, but it might not be the best place for serious skill development. Why? Well, your coach's home might not have the specialized equipment and space needed to bring out the best in you. Imagine trying to practice your killer basketball shots in a cramped space – you'd be dodging furniture and hoping not to accidentally break a lamp because you don’t want to upset the coach’s wife! Also, when you're at a pro facility, you're in an environment where everyone's on the same page – they're all there to improve and push their limits. It's like a bunch of superhero buddies teaming up to defeat the villains. But at your coach's home, it might be more casual and less focused. There’s no one ensuring the coach is working as hard as he should, accountability is important for both the coach and the player to grow. Lastly, let's talk about variety. In a professional training facility, you're likely to get exposed to different coaches, each with their unique insights. It's like getting a buffet of advice and techniques. But at your coach's home, it's just you and your coach. While their guidance is awesome, it's always good to have a mix of flavors, a wide variety of distractions and new and challenging obstacles along the path. So, bottom line – training at a professional facility is like diving into a skill-enhancing wonderland where everything's set up to make you better. Your coach's home might be comfy, but for serious progress, that pro facility is where the real magic happens! A professional dog training facility is thought out to help your dog excel.

Correcting a dog or saying NO, when they do something wrong is a crucial aspect of training and guiding their behavior. Just like teaching a child the difference between right and wrong, providing corrections to dogs helps them understand boundaries and expectations in a constructive way. The way you correct your dog matters. Use a firm yet calm voice. Do not raise your voice or correct with anger in your tone, a meaningful correction should be tone neutral to add clarity to the word and not emphasis to the tone if you raise your voice. Remember, dogs thrive in environments where expectations are clear and consistent. Correcting them when needed, in a calm and measured way helps them learn to be well-behaved companions, which benefits both them and you. Correcting a dog is an essential aspect of training that helps them understand boundaries, learn appropriate behaviors, and ensure their safety and well-being. The goal of corrections is to guide the dog toward understanding what is expected of them and to discourage undesirable behaviors.

It depends on what you mean. Can we teach your dog to get a beer from the fridge? No. Well, we most likely could, but why. Can we customize your dog’s training to fit YOUR lifestyle and needs? YES, we can and do, this is part of the information we want to learn during the training evaluation; to find out what is important to you so in addition to core obedience commands, we address any additional needs.

We use a state of the art, customized wet vac system in our kennel areas to ensure we do not have to use dirty mop water to clean any areas your dog will be kept. Mops are unsanitary and can cause the spread of kennel cough and many other bacteria. Our common areas are cleaned using a power scrubbing machine, much like what you would see in a hospital, for again; we are trying to eliminate the use of unsanitary mop buckets. All dog toys are removed from the training fields Every evening and sanitized by our evening staff and then placed back in the training areas in the morning to minimize the spread of bacteria through saliva from one dog to another. Each boarding area has air scrubbers installed to scrub the air for contagions as well as an air circulation system to circulate fresh air into the rooms. All food and water bowls are cleaned daily using a commercial grade dishwasher that reaches 190 degrees to kill any bacteria. We take the health of our furry friends seriously and invest heavily into keeping them as safe and healthy as possible.

Yes! Bordetella, Rabies, and standard vaccinations are required to be on file for your dog. The canine influenza vaccine is optional, but we Highly recommend it.

The key to successful dog training lies in clear communication and positive experiences. Positive dog training experiences focus on using rewards and praise to reinforce desired behaviors in your dog. This approach creates a positive learning environment, enhancing your dog's understanding of commands and building their confidence. Rewarding your dog’s correct behaviors through play, noise and affection creates more meaning in those behaviors. If you were afraid to be corrected every time you made a mistake when learning something new, how excited would you be to want to learn something new? Your dog is no different, at K-9 Culture, we want dogs to feel safe to make mistakes because it is through these mistakes that the learning really happens.

Learning anything new can be somewhat stressful. For humans and dogs alike. Just think of what it was like when you were preparing for Finals in school. To a dog, learning new commands can be like being tested, for this new command is new and they are not certain that they are correctly doing what we, or their dog trainer, wants them to do. Incorporating play and engaging activities throughout the dog training process helps your dog push through areas that may be slightly stressful. As we like to say, it is as close as we can come to training without conflict. It's important to note that while having fun is essential for facilitating learning, it should be balanced with structure and consistency. Incorporating play and rewards into training sessions is beneficial, but it's also essential to set clear boundaries and expectations to maintain a well-behaved and disciplined dog. This is another added benefit of using play in training for every game has rules and boundaries to win, by using structured play, we can help your dog learn rules, boundaries, and goals while they are learning a new command. Whether we are talking about humans or dogs, having fun during the learning process positively impacts motivation, engagement, and overall learning success. Fun-filled dog training sessions not only strengthen the bond between owners and our furry companions but also make the dog training journey of learning enjoyable and rewarding for both the trainer and your dog. But here's the best part – rewards-based training isn't just about food treats; because the drawback of treat training is you can inadvertently create a treat dependent dog. Rewards based dog training is about using play, activities, and sound to make the learning process super engaging. Dogs love playtime and incorporating play into training makes it even more enjoyable for them (and for you too!). You can use their favorite toys, play fetch, or engage in a game of tug-of-war as rewards for their good behavior. Trust me, they'll absolutely love it! Through play we are teaching the dog that obedience commands are not just something they should obey, they are the pathway, or gate if you will to wonderful experiences with you! And what about those cute little sounds we make when we're happy or excited? Well, dogs are masters at reading our body language and understanding our tone of voice. When you use a cheerful and upbeat voice during training, it signals to your pup that they're doing great, and it encourages them to keep up the good work! So being a little goofy with your dog is ok. The beauty of rewards-based training is that it builds a positive relationship between you and your furry companion. It strengthens your bond and makes them eager to learn because they know there's something awesome waiting for them when they do well. It’s not just training, it is an Experience they are working hard to have with you. By using play and the power of our happy sounds, we'll see them blossom into the well-behaved and confident dog we know they can be.!

We do Day and Training and Board and Training. Board and Training programs are our most popular. Dogs are immersed in a structured training environment, receiving multiple training sessions throughout the day. Our concentrated approach leads to faster and more consistent results compared to Day and Training or Group Training Classes. Our Day and Training is typically one or two days a week in which we lay the structure and foundation for your dog and then you work with them at home the remainder of the week doing repetition drills in your homework packet. What we do not have is any “Boot Camps.” Since we are a veteran owned company with several trainers that are also vets, none of our vets thought Boot Camp was very “fun.” Our training programs are designed to be and meant to be fun, engaging and a fantastic learning experience for your dog. They’re not learning to fight a war, they are learning to navigate their world in a well-mannered, well-behaved and happy way.

Be cautious of trainers who rely heavily on aversive methods, require an eCollar as part of training, or make unrealistic promises about training outcomes. Also be very leery about selecting a trainer unless you get to see them training with a client’s dog. You want to SEE how they interact with the dog while training because that will be YOUR dog if you pick them as a trainer. A trainer that shows you their Demo Dog is not showing you what they can do for your dog. They are merely showing you what they spent hours upon hours teaching their dog, which is basically a set of routines they do over and over each time they meet with a prospective client. This is why we never use Demo Dogs when doing an Evaluation. We want you to make a decision based on how you see us actually working with dogs that are IN training. Do they look happy? Do they look like they are engaged with their training? Do they have an eCollar on? Do they look like they are enjoying the training? Does the trainer look like they CARE about the dog they are with? THOSE are the questions you should be asking and looking for.

Our Philosophy on eCollars: We do not use electronic collars / shock collars to train obedience and behaviors with dogs. We’ve found using an eCollar to train dogs causes additional confusion to the owner for they are not efficient with their timing and the eCollar settings. Any confusion the owner has then creates confusion with their dog and everything goes downhill from there. eCollars are obviously a controversial tool, and most trainers that use them in their training are hopefully not misusing them. We made the decision to not use them in obedience training for it removes the potential of being misused by the trainer or the owner. Years ago we used to incorporate eCollars in training but over time we noticed that in group classes the owners were not consistent in using the eCollar or they were using it incorrectly which caused confusion or hesitation in their dog. We also recognized that most of our clients do not seek out dog training to have their dog Dependent on the use of an eCollar to ensure they will reliably respond to commands whether distractions are present or not. It was then we opted to not using them in obedience and behavior modification training. We will teach a dog how to use an eCollar IF our client asks us to because they want to do a lot of off-leash adventures with their dog. This is a great example of having an insurance policy or an invisible leash, if the dog is a great distance away and a potential danger is present and the owner has NO time to repeat a command. Think Rattlesnake, wild animal, a car, etc. It is pretty infrequent that owners ask us to work with their dog with an eCollar for this environment, but we occassionally do get this request. When we do, the dog must first do obedience training to be proficient and efficient in all obedience before layering the learned commands with an eCollar in an additional week of training at the end. The other reason we have chosen to not train obedience nor behavior modification using an eCollar is: WHY. Why are they needed, is it a shortcut the trainer is looking for or is it a correction the trainer is wanting? There are no short cuts, training takes repetition and understanding, we are not restraining; we are training.

A consultation / evaluation allows you to assess our compatibility with you and your dog. Trust your gut! Use this opportunity to ask questions, discuss training methods, and observe how we interact with your dog and all the dogs you see here. Evaluations are about getting a general idea of a dog’s temperament, behavior, ability to focus with new distractions, state of health and emotional capacity of your dog. Next is to determine issues you want to address to ensure they are compatible with the goals you have and your dog’s breed, level of energy, health, and physical and emotional ability. An evaluation is not so much about testing the dog, it is more about observing your dog and finding out if we are a good fit for each other and your goals.

At K9 Culture Dog Training, we provide superior training for your four-legged companion using rewards-based methods. Our experienced, certified trainers have a deep understanding of dog behavior and tailor training to meet your dog's unique needs. Using the power of play is a science that incorporates your dog’s brain, chemicals, emotional needs and motivations and we have invested heavily into training our staff in using this approach to help each dog become the best they can be. We Offer: Effective and Humane Methods: We believe in training dogs with kindness and respect, ensuring a positive and stress-free as possible experience for your furry friend. Customized Training Plans: Each dog is unique, and our personalized training plans cater to your dog's individual temperament and learning pace. Proven Track Record: Many of our satisfied clients don’t just leave a 5 Star Google Review, they tell of what life was like for their dog before training with us and what life is like with their dog after training. We read our reviews to our staff every week for we all love hearing how our efforts improve the lives of our clients and their relationship with their dog. Convenient Dallas, Texas Location: We are conveniently located in Carrollton, TX just off Interstate 35E and only 15 minutes from downtown Dallas, only 5 minutes from Irving, TX, an easy drive from Frisco, TX and simple to get to throughout the Dallas / DFW metro area. If you are looking for the best dog trainer in Texas or Oklahoma, to bring out the best in your furry friend, look no further! When it comes to training your beloved canine member of the family, choosing the right training and the right dog training methods can make all the difference in their behavior and overall happiness. Our 53,000 square feet indoor dog training facility is designed to set your dog up for success while they are training. And it all starts with FUN! We all love to have fun and play, right? Well, our furry friends are no different! When it comes to training our dogs, rewards-based training is like turning everyday playtime into an awesome learning experience for them. We’ve scoured the internet, researched the textbooks, and have found: There is No Rule that says you cannot have fun while learning! Yes, it is a well-supported fact that having fun facilitates learning, not only for humans but also for animals, and particularly: dogs. When learning is enjoyable and engaging, it enhances motivation, focus, and retention of NEW information or skills. Fun and positive experiences during the learning and training process stimulate the brain's reward centers, releasing neurotransmitters like dopamine, which reinforce the behavior and make the learning experience more memorable. In the context of dog training, making the process enjoyable for the dog through play and rewards-based techniques is highly effective. When dogs associate training with fun activities, tug, play, or positive interactions, they are more likely to be eager to participate and learn new commands or behaviors. This positive association leads to faster and more successful learning outcomes for your dog. A bonus is that having fun and playing reduces stress and anxiety, both in humans and animals. For dogs, this is especially crucial since stress can hinder learning and cause negative behaviors or associations. When the training environment is fun and mentally stimulating, your dog feels more comfortable and is more receptive to the training process and reduces stress.

We are a pet dog trainer. We serve dog owners throughout the state of Texas and Oklahoma and have trained dogs as far away as Las Vegas. We train dogs of ALL Breeds and ALL Sizes. We train Obedience Skills, Community Skills (this is what we’re most known for because we love dogs to enjoy the big world with their family!), Behavior Modification, Anxiety and Aggression. We do not train Service Dogs or Protection Dogs. We’re not really into “labels” but if you just had to give us one, we’d say we are a Rewards Based Dog Trainer.

You will receive an email and text at the end of every day of training with notes on your dog’s progress and what the focus of the day was. You will also receive a VIDEO every day with your trainer working with your dog so you can SEE their progress every day. This video lets you see the bond they are forming with their trainer, and you see that they are happy and having a good time and are in good health. We find they are also a great tool to increase YOUR knowledge on a daily basis as your dog's knowledge and skills grow. These videos are time consuming to put together, which is why most trainers don't do them or only send one out per week. We believe it is important keeyping you up to date with your dog’s progress and well-being is so important that we send them to you each DAY.