Cross Country K9 Training LLC

Programs are custom-designed based on a free in-home assessment, considering the dog, owner, lifestyle, household, and family/other pet interactions.

Obedience (Foundation & Advanced) focuses on basic skillsets like sit, stay, heel, stand, and place, aiming to build or rebuild trust, bond, and leadership. These courses typically involve 8-10 sessions, customized for each dog and household, and include lifetime support for the included skill-sets. They are offered year-round as in-home private sessions and board and train programs.

Behavior Modification (Reactive & Aggression) specializes in addressing issues such as “doorbell mania,” reactivity or aggression towards other dogs, people, bicycles, cars, and horses. Pat also works with dogs that have a bite history. The goal is to establish or reestablish a trust bond, helping dogs overcome fears and triggers, though results and pace of recovery can vary.

Board & Train is an intensive option where dogs stay with the trainer for up to 30 days, receiving robust daily focus on chosen obedience skill sets and/or behavior modification. Owners visit near the end or during planned intervals to observe progress and begin the transition of leadership. The trainer completes the transition with multiple sessions once the dog returns home. This offering also includes lifetime support for included skill-sets.

Venomous Snake Avoidance Training focuses on sight, scent, and sound recognition to minimize the potential of a venomous bite. This training uses live, muzzled, fang-clipped, and milked Copperhead and/or Rattlesnakes. Dogs receive stimulation at an appropriate distance and are praised for retreating. The training also includes vital information on how to treat snake bites and how to advocate for a dog or human with a vet or doctor. An annual refresher is recommended.

Pricing Summary

Prices start at $250 and rarely exceed $1000. A no-obligation proposal with session numbers (typically 8-10) and price is provided after a free in-home assessment. Financing is available for some Board & Train programs. Lifetime support for included skillsets means no additional payment for remedial training for the subject dog. For snake avoidance training, no refunds are given for no-shows or if the registrant commits to a day. Refunds are only issued if a clinic is postponed or halted and services cannot be provided within 30 days of the original date, with requests made in writing and processed in 7-10 business days.

Policies

Most custom programs include lifetime support for determined skillsets, meaning no additional charge for remedial training for the dog’s life, and anytime text/call/video support. For snake avoidance training, no refunds are given for no-shows. Refunds for snake avoidance are only issued if a clinic is postponed or halted and services cannot be provided within 30 days of the original scheduled date; refund requests must be in writing and take 7-10 business days to process. Training may be postponed due to weather or snake availability, and paid enrollees will have first opportunity for future events.

Cross Country K9 Training LLC is a dog training business based in Shelbyville, KY, with services also extending to Florida. It operates as a sister company to Colorado K9 Academy LLC and The Fang Fighters LLC, which specializes in K9 and Alpaca venomous snake avoidance.

The primary trainer, Patrick (Pat) Felton, began his dog training journey in 1976. He emphasizes a highly individualized approach, recognizing that each dog and owner progresses at their own unique pace and requires a tailored path.

A key advantage of their custom programs is the inclusion of lifetime support for specific skillsets, which is defined as the lifetime of the dog or the trainer. This means that if a dog reverts to old habits, Pat will provide remedial training at no additional charge, and clients also receive ongoing text, call, and video support for the dog’s entire life.

Their training philosophy is balanced, integrating positive reinforcement as the core method, complemented by appropriate, fair, and timely corrections when necessary. They aim to cultivate a dog’s intelligence, performance capabilities, and confidence while addressing areas of weakness.

Pat specializes in working with fearful, reactive, and aggressive dogs, including those with a bite history, focusing on rebuilding trust and confidence. Additionally, they offer unique venomous snake avoidance training using real, humanely handled snakes and Ecollars, a skill Pat has honed since his teenage years. Beyond training, they also provide pet-sitting and dog-walking services.

Accomplishments

Trainer Pat Felton began training dogs in 1976, initially working with lost and abandoned dogs, puppies, and hunting dogs at a local Humane Society. He gained valuable experience training horses with difficult behaviors, which helped him develop a strong foundation in assisting animals through fears and phobias.

As a hobby, he trained friends’ and acquaintances’ dogs, including those with significant behavioral issues, and fostered many dogs abandoned or facing euthanasia due to behavior problems. He further invested in his expertise by attending various mentor seminars, focusing on challenging K9 behaviors and acquiring diverse training methods.

Pat has participated in dog shows and hunt tests. He developed his venomous snake avoidance training skills after undesirable encounters with snakes while training his own dogs, and he has since trained thousands of dogs using Ecollars for this purpose. Notably, he also has experience with Alpaca snake avoidance training. He is described as possessing “Knowledge, experience, patience, compassion, persistence, understanding, versatility, humility and curiosity.”

How to Get Started!

To begin, clients can fill out a contact form on the website, or call/text the provided phone number. Inquiries receive a response within one business day. Tori, the Assistant to the Owner/K9 Trainer, will then schedule an initial phone call with Trainer Pat Felton to discuss specific circumstances in detail.

Following this initial call, Tori will arrange a free in-home assessment where Pat evaluates the dog and determines the most suitable program. During or after the assessment, Pat may provide a no-obligation custom program proposal outlining the number of sessions (typically 8-10) and the price. Clients are encouraged to review the proposal at their leisure for a few days before making a decision. A team member will follow up, and if the client wishes to proceed, the first session will be scheduled. For snake avoidance training, purchasing a spot is required after registration to receive all necessary details and confirm attendance.