Alpha Dog K9 Training

Programs include Puppy Kindergarten (8–16 weeks), Obedience Foundations (for dogs over 4–6 months), Obedience Level 2 (for dogs with prior training), and AKC Canine Good Citizen Prep. All classes are small-group, held at their Medway facility. Private sessions and behavior modification consultations are available by appointment. Training progresses from basic manners to advanced skills with increasing distance, distraction, and duration. AKC certifications are integrated into curriculum.

Pricing Summary

Group classes range from $225 to $295 for 5–6 week sessions. Private training is offered at an hourly rate, with one client reporting $695 for five 40-minute lessons (approx. $200/hour). Puppies purchased from them include a six-week training course. No refunds are offered for unused classes.

Policies

Students must provide a clean fecal report from a vet before attending puppy class—without it, the dog is not permitted. No refunds are given for missed classes. Clients report being charged extra fees for payment errors, such as writing a check incorrectly. Classes require pre-registration.

Alpha Dog K9 Training is a professional dog training business founded in 1999 by Christina Taddei, a certified dog trainer with over 20 years of experience. They offer group classes and private training at their dedicated two-room, air-conditioned facility in Medway, MA, catering to dogs from puppyhood through advanced obedience. Their unique approach is balanced training, using both positive reinforcement and corrections—including martingale, prong, and E-collars—tailored to each dog’s needs. Classes are small to ensure personalized attention, and they emphasize building a strong bond between dog and handler through practical, real-life skills like loose-leash walking, recall, and polite greetings. They also provide AKC certifications including STAR Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, and Therapy Dog preparation. In addition to training, they breed and sell purpose-bred Standard Poodles and Lancashire Heelers, offering a six-week training course with every purchased puppy.

Their team includes certified trainers specializing in obedience, nosework, breed handling, and puppy kindergarten, all of whom are active evaluators for AKC programs. They partner with local veterinary, chiropractic, and grooming services to support holistic dog care.

While some clients praise their results and expertise, others have criticized their methods as harsh and unresponsive to individual needs, particularly for sensitive or autistic handlers.

Accomplishments

Christina Taddei has been training since 1999 and is an AKC evaluator for Star Puppy, CGC, Farm Dog, Temperament, and Tricks. She is a certified member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and the North American Police Working Dog Association. Her trainers are also AKC evaluators and certified in specialized areas like nosework and breed handling.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must contact the business to schedule an initial consultation or sign up for a class online. For group classes, pre-registration is required. Puppy applicants must submit a vet fecal report prior to the first class. Private training is arranged by appointment.