Birch Valley K9

Birch Valley K9 offers a 4-week Board & Train program designed for dogs older than 6 months. This program focuses on essential commands like heel, sit, down, and place, alongside impulse control, confidence building, house manners, and crate training. It utilizes balanced training techniques, including food luring, leash skills, and E-collar communication, aiming to provide advanced off-leash control and teach owners how to maintain their dog’s behavior.

The Puppy Course is a 2-week program ideal for pups 6 months and younger. It covers engagement, confidence building, potty training, introduction to positions and place bed, solutions for jumping and biting, impulse control, crate comfort, handling drills for vet visits, and overall house manners. The course emphasizes making learning a fun and interactive experience for puppies.

For daily care, Birch Valley K9 provides Doggy Daycare services where pups can enjoy play and socialization in safe, selective play groups or individual play areas. The facility offers both indoor and outdoor spaces, including covered potty areas, ensuring fun regardless of weather.

Boarding services are available for extended stays, treating dogs like family in a comfortable, homestyle environment. Dogs retire to temperature-controlled living areas with cozy beds and soothing surroundings. The facility boasts several acres of fenced play areas, woods, and a creek for outdoor adventures, all under 24/7 monitoring for peace of mind.

Birch Valley K9 is a dog training business owned and operated by Head Dog Trainers Allie and Tommy, who bring over 20 years of combined experience and education to their work. They are passionate about training dogs and aim to help owners and their dogs in every real-life situation.

The business prides itself on offering a unique training facility in Ohio, spanning over 16 acres. This expansive property includes multiple indoor and in-home settings, as well as outdoor opportunities like fields, woods, a creek, and several fenced-in play yards. They provide a safe and enchanting environment for dogs to explore, romp, and socialize.

Birch Valley K9 offers a range of services including Board & Train programs, Puppy Courses, Doggy Daycare, and Boarding. Their approach focuses on balanced training techniques, incorporating methods like food luring, leash skills, and E-collar communication. They are committed to not only training dogs but also equipping owners with the knowledge and skills to maintain and enhance their dog’s behavior at home.

A key advantage is their small staff of three, ensuring that the people clients communicate with are the same ones providing direct care for their dogs. They address common behavioral issues such as anxiety, chewing, puppy biting, and digging, aiming to restore peace and calm to households. The facility also features 24/7 monitoring for the well-being and security of all furry guests.

Accomplishments

Tommy, a head dog trainer, began working with dogs at 13, becoming highly involved in protection sports in Belgium. He trained high-level competition dogs and served as a decoy, being invited to competitions across Europe and becoming the youngest decoy at the world championship at 18. He trained his family’s German Shepherd under the guidance of his stepfather, a Belgian Army dog trainer for over 35 years. Tommy competed with his Belgian Malinois, Roy, placing first in the level two category at the 2018 USMRA National Championship. He has competed in three Belgium National Championships (as decoy) and one (as handler), and two American National Championships (as decoy) and one (as handler). With three certifications, two world championships, seven nationals, and 80 trials, Tommy has competed in over 90 international competitions as a decoy and dog handler, and has trained dogs and taught seminars in over 15 countries.

Allie, also a head dog trainer, has had a deep connection to animals her whole life. She began working professionally with dogs in 2015 at an internationally recognized service dog organization. In 2018, she graduated from Starmark Academy for Professional Dog Trainers, and in 2019, she attended and interned at The Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers. In 2023, Allie completed certification in the NePoPo Silver School and Gold School. She holds eight certifications in animal behavior and management from three professional dog training schools and has experience in over nine dog training specialties, including pet dog obedience, ring sports, detection, trailing, service dogs, therapy dogs, personal protection, agility, dock diving, and nose work.

How to Get Started!

Clients can schedule a free meet & greet to discuss their needs and the needs of their dog. This initial consultation helps Birch Valley K9 understand the client’s goals and recommend the most suitable service.