K9 College Dog Training, LLC

K9 College Dog Training offers a variety of 6-week classes held at 4 Paws Spa & Training Center. The Signature Program includes Foundation Puppy 1 (for puppies under 1 year, covering focus, leash walking, grooming, basic commands, crate training, boundary work, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Award eligibility) and Foundation Puppy 2 (reinforcing Puppy 1 skills with more distractions, distance, duration, and challenges).

Progression continues with Adolescent Dog 1 and 2 classes, focusing on loose leash walking, recalls, sit/down stays, Figure 8 walking, and introducing dog sports like agility, scent work, rally, obedience, and tracking. Intermediate Obedience prepares students for competition, focusing on connection, clarity, confidence, and new challenges. Competition Obedience covers elements through Utility, preparing dogs and handlers for show, including calmness protocols and warm-up drills.

Specialized classes include Beginner Scent (introduction to target odor, handler mechanics, footwork, leash skills, using Birch, Anise, Clove, Cypress) and Advanced Scent (continuing mechanics, reading the dog, challenging odor placements). Rally Drop-In classes are offered monthly, providing opportunities to practice Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Excellent, and Masters courses with assistance.

Pricing Summary

Ruff N’ Ready Summer Camps: All 3 Sessions for $299.99, 2 Sessions for $229.99, 1 Session for $119.99. Signature Program Foundation Puppy 1: $270.00 for a 6-week session. Signature Program Foundation Puppy 2: $250.00 for a 6-week session. Returning students for Adolescent Dog 1 or 2, Competition or Intermediate Classes: $250.00 for a 6-week session. New students for Adolescent Dog 1 or 2: $270.00 for a 6-week session. Rally Drop In: 3 Runs for $45.00 (paid in advance). Payment accepted in Cash, Check, or Venmo App.

Policies

Deposits and payments are non-refundable, but may be used as a credit under certain circumstances, valid for 3 months. For group classes, make-up classes are not available, but an abbreviated private lesson may be available at a prorated cost. Rescheduling or cancellations more than 14 days prior to the start date allow the original payment to be used as a credit for a future class or service. Cancellations less than 14 days prior forfeit the original payment, requiring a new payment to reschedule. If a dog becomes ill, a veterinarian’s letter can result in a credit for remaining classes.

For private lessons, a minimum of 24-hour notice is required for cancellation or rescheduling; late cancellations or “No-Shows” are charged at the normal rate. Private lesson packages (6 lessons) must be completed within 8 weeks. Extensions require a written request and approval. Board and Train deposits are non-refundable. Rescheduling more than 14 days prior allows original payments as credit, but a new deposit is required. Cancellations less than 14 days prior forfeit the original deposit, requiring a new deposit. Products can be returned within 30 days if unused and in original condition.

Clare Owings founded K9 College Dog Training, LLC in 2017, turning her passion for working with dogs and owners into a business. She has over 25 years of experience breeding, training, and showing dogs, initially focusing on Golden Retrievers and later Australian Shepherds. Clare considers herself a positive reinforcement-based trainer, emphasizing that training is critical for a long-lasting relationship with a dog, focusing equally on the owner and the animal.

K9 College Dog Training aims to help owners develop well-behaved dogs and create strong, lasting relationships. They believe in the art and science of dog training, including canine behavior and psychology, and emphasize mental and physical exercise for dogs. The business provides leading-edge training for both owners and dogs to develop the dog every owner desires.

Accomplishments

Clare Owings has over 25 years of experience breeding, training, and showing dogs. She was co-founder of two AKC recognized Golden Retriever clubs in the 80s and put her first AKC Conformation Championship on her second dog, Topaz. Her dogs have earned numerous AKC titles including Obedience Companion Dog (CD), Tracking Dog (TD), Canine Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA), Trick Dog Advanced (TKA), Ratting Open (RATO), Beginner Novice (BN), Rally Excellent (RE), Farm Dog Certified (FDC), Scent Work Novice (SWN), Scent Work Container Element (SCE), Scent Work Exterior Element (SEA), Companion Dog Excellent (CDX), Rally Advanced (RA), Herding Certificate Title – Sheep (HCT-S).

Clare actively pursues continuing education, attending workshops and online courses from experts like Joanne Fleming, Connie Cleveland-Nolan, Nando Brown, Yo Armendariz, Michelle Dart, Anna Lawre, Michael Shikashio, Betsy Scapicchio, Linda Brennan, Colin Ratcliffe, Kamal Fernandez, Debby Kay, Julie Daniels, Lori Stevens, and Bobbie Lyons. Assistant trainers Cassie Nilsson, Karen Baker, and Wendy Marchant also have extensive experience and titles with their own dogs in various sports like Agility, Rally, Herding, Obedience, Scent Work, and Trick Dog. Joyce Engle is a Scent Work Trainer with dogs holding AKC Container Master (SCM) titles.

How to Get Started!

To get started, dog owners can register for classes using the provided registration form. For private lessons, an initial assessment is conducted to identify struggles and create a training plan. Copies of vaccine certificates are required at the time of payment to secure a spot in classes.