Active K9

Active K9 offers three core training courses: the Good Dog Course for basic manners, the Well Mannered Dog Course for advanced public behavior, and the Ideal Dog Course for off-leash reliability and advanced skills. Training begins with private or in-home lessons and progresses to on-location real-world sessions. The Montessori Dog School provides structured daycare from 8am–6pm Monday–Friday with integrated training sessions. Group classes focus on generalization in distracting environments. Service dog training is offered on a case-by-case basis. All programs require vaccination records and pet profiles to be completed before participation.

Pricing Summary

Training services require payment upfront for packages; consultations cost $40 and are non-refundable if canceled due to incomplete vaccination records. No public pricing is listed online. Consultation fees may be applied toward training packages. Group classes and courses are structured as multi-session packages with reservations made through Paw Partner.

Policies

Consultations require full vaccination records and a completed pet profile before confirmation. Appointments are canceled and fees are retained if documentation is not provided by the appointment time, with no rescheduling or refund offered. No phone consultations are available; all communication occurs via their online forum. Group class reservations must be made through Paw Partner and are non-transferable.

Active K9 Training Center & Rescue Foundation is a family-run nonprofit organization based in Park City, Utah, dedicated to helping dog owners build strong, respectful relationships with their pets through professional training and education. They offer a range of training programs including the Good Dog Course, Well Mannered Dog Course, and Ideal Dog Course, designed to address common behavioral issues like leash pulling, barking, jumping, and separation anxiety. Their unique Montessori Dog School provides structured daytime training and socialization in a facility setting, complemented by evening group classes and private in-home lessons. Active K9 also operates a rescue foundation that rehabilitates dogs with training before adoption, and they offer free or low-cost classes to adopters to reduce rehoming rates. The facility supports community education on bite prevention, service dog rights, canine nutrition, and socialization. Their team includes Samantha Bednar, a Certified Canine Training and Behavior Specialist (CTBS) trained at Triple Crown Academy, and a dedicated family team with decades of combined experience in dog training and rescue.

In addition to training, Active K9 provides pet boarding, grooming, and day training services. They emphasize positive, customized training plans tailored to each dog’s needs and prioritize creating lifelong bonds between dogs and their owners through consistent, engaging education.

Active K9 also offers specialized programs such as service dog training, rattlesnake avoidance classes, and a Blanket Project supporting children affected by dog attacks.

Their training philosophy centers on real-world generalization, with group classes held in a controlled environment to help dogs practice skills around distractions. They use a combination of positive reinforcement and structured routines to achieve reliable behavior.

All dogs must be up-to-date on vaccinations to participate in any program.

Active K9 is committed to combating false service dog claims and promoting ethical training standards nationwide.

Accomplishments

Samantha Bednar is a Certified Canine Training and Behavior Specialist (CTBS) from Triple Crown Academy. Active K9 has trained over 70 rescue dogs for adoption, provided over 70 blankets to children affected by dog attacks through their Blanket Project, and developed the only Montessori Dog School in the U.S. They have been operating since 1999, starting with their own dog Joe, who became the foundation of their training philosophy.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must first book a $40 consultation through the Paw Partner platform, complete a pet profile including vaccination records and a photo of their dog, and submit the information via the Active K9 forum. Appointments are not confirmed until documentation is verified. Only after this step can clients enroll in training programs.