K9 Academics

Training is structured into four courses: Headstart (puppy training for dogs up to 16 weeks), Elementary (foundational obedience and behavior for all ages), Higher Education (advanced training for service and therapy dogs), and Electives (fun activities like tricks and K9 Discovery). Each course includes 8 weekly one-hour private sessions. The first two sessions occur at the client’s home; subsequent sessions take place in local environments to build real-world skills. Training is progressive, with advanced skills introduced based on the dog’s progress. Owners are expected to practice 10-minute sessions daily between lessons.

Pricing Summary

Headstart and Elementary courses are $500 for 8 one-hour private sessions over 8 weeks, with split payments: $250 due at session one and $250 at session three. Pricing for Higher Education and Electives is not specified. Cash or check only; no credit cards, PayPal, or Venmo accepted. No refunds for missed sessions, but rescheduling may be accommodated with advance notice.

Policies

Missed sessions are non-refundable. Clients must notify Robin in advance of anticipated absences to avoid losing a session slot; emergencies may be accommodated if possible. Training must remain consistent for progress, and scheduling is limited by waitlists for new clients. Split payments are allowed: half due at session one, half at session three. No credit card, PayPal, or Venmo payments accepted.

K9 Academics is a private dog training business owned and operated by Robin, a professional trainer with over 40 years of experience training service, working, therapy, and companion dogs. Sessions are conducted in the client’s home or other convenient local locations, offering fully customized training plans tailored to each dog’s needs and the owner’s goals. Services include foundational obedience, puppy training, behavior modification, socialization, public access skills, and advanced training for service, therapy, or working dogs. Fun elective courses like tricks and K9 Discovery are also offered to strengthen the human-dog bond. Training is exclusively private, with no group classes, ensuring personalized attention. Robin provides training supplies at the first session, including treats and a reward pouch, and recommends minimal equipment. The business emphasizes positive, science-based methods and supports clients between sessions with phone guidance and optional in-person refreshers.

Robin has served as a certified Search and Rescue Dog handler, Training Director, and Lead Evaluator in Colorado, and has assisted in training law enforcement patrol dogs. With training beginning as early as 3 days old for working puppies, K9 Academics specializes in early imprinting and lifelong skill development for dogs of all ages and backgrounds.

Accomplishments

Robin has over 40 years of professional dog training experience, including serving as a certified Search and Rescue Dog handler from 2001 to 2014, Training Director and Lead Evaluator for SAR dogs in Colorado, and assisting in the training of law enforcement patrol dogs in multiple states. Training began informally in 1988 and has evolved into K9 Academics, serving thousands of dogs and owners in Northern Colorado.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients should call or email to schedule an initial consultation. Training begins with a session at the client’s home, where Robin assesses the dog’s needs and provides initial training supplies including treats and a reward pouch. Sessions are scheduled weekly at a consistent day and time, Monday through Saturday, during morning, daytime, or evening hours.