Carrie Kelly K9 Solutions

Carrie Kelly K9 Solutions offers both group classes and private lessons. Group classes include Puppy Basics & Agility for pups aged 2-5 months, covering basic obedience, socialization, and puppy-specific issues, with an introduction to agility. Basic Obedience is available for dogs 6 months and older, focusing on foundational skills like attention, sit, down, stay, loose-leash walking, and addressing common behavior problems. The Performance Puppy class, for pups 8 weeks and up, builds a foundation for dog sports using clicker training, tricks, focus, drive, and control.

Advanced class offerings include Unleashed! for off-leash control and reliability with distractions (requires Basic Obedience), Beginner Agility for introducing obstacles and handling skills, and Intermediate Nosework, which prepares teams for NW1 title elements. Other specialized classes are K9 Trickster! for fun tricks, Dog Sports Skills for basic foundation in various sports, Performance Puppy II for continued body awareness and competition preparation, Way to Weave! for weave pole training, and Reactive/Excitable Dog for addressing barking and lunging issues around other dogs. Jim Kelly specifically teaches Beginner and Intermediate Nosework classes.

Carrie Kelly K9 Solutions offers dog training and professional pet services, serving Northwest Indiana and Southwest Chicago Suburbs. Their core philosophy is to make training enjoyable and effective for both the dog and owner, primarily utilizing positive reinforcement and clicker training methods. They advocate for short, fun training sessions that can easily integrate into any schedule.

The business provides Family Dog Training, aimed at strengthening the bond between owners and their dogs, resolving common behavior issues, and teaching desired behaviors to foster a well-mannered family pet. They also offer Performance Dog Training, which caters to high-energy, playful, shy, or confidence-lacking dogs, providing an outlet for their energy and engaging their minds through various dog sports.

The team includes Carrie Kelly, a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), and Jim Kelly, who specializes in canine scent detection. Carrie has a strong background in agility, flyball, and rally, having earned multiple titles. Jim has achieved titles in various nosework disciplines and is also certified in Human Remains Detection.

Accomplishments

Carrie Kelly is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), having graduated with distinction. She has competed in Agility, Flyball, and Rally with her dogs, earning multiple Championship titles. She previously taught Obedience and Agility classes for the Calumet Humane Society and Agility at Paw Power Blues Dog Club.

Jim Kelly is a retired Gary Indiana police officer with a Master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Calumet College of St. Joseph. He has earned titles in NACSW Levels 1, 2, and 3, UKC Scent Detection, AKC Scent Detection, and C-Wags Scent Detection, with placements including High in Trial, alongside his dog Xera. Jim and Xera also volunteer for NWI K9 Search and Recovery and achieved their Human Remains Detection certification through AWDA in October 2020.

How to Get Started!

To begin training, clients can visit the “Group Classes” page on the website for upcoming schedules and registration. Classes are conducted at Canine Connect Dog Sports and Stoney Run Canine Camp. For classes that do not currently have a scheduled start date, clients are advised to email the business to inquire about the next available start date.