K9 Manners Matter, LLC

Programs include Puppy 1 (10–16 weeks), Puppy 2 (4–9 months), Manners 1 and 2 (9+ months), Tricks (6+ months), and Canine Good Citizen prep. Each class is 6 weeks long, one hour per week. Manners 2 requires completion of prior classes. Private training is customized to the dog’s needs and can occur at home, a park, or store. The first week of Puppy 1 is owner-only, covering puppy care topics before training begins.

Pricing Summary

Pricing is not publicly listed; group classes are 6-week sessions with weekly 1-hour meetings. Private training starts with a 1.5-hour initial session, followed by 1-hour weekly sessions. Contact for detailed rates and package options.

Policies

Participants must complete a registration/waiver form prior to class. No specific cancellation or rescheduling policy is stated on the website.

K9 Manners Matter, LLC is a dog training business led by certified trainer Michelle Vickers, offering positive reinforcement-based training for all breeds, ages, and skill levels. Classes are held in a group setting at a facility and include private in-home sessions for personalized attention. Training focuses on building communication between owners and dogs using treats and rewards, with no force, pushing, or corrections. Programs range from Puppy 1 for 10- to 16-week-olds to advanced Manners 2 and Canine Good Citizen prep, with specialized classes in Tricks and behavior confidence-building. Michelle has 12 years of professional experience and is an AKC evaluator for CGC, S.T.A.R. Puppy, and Tricks. Her training philosophy emphasizes fun, motivation, and long-term behavior change without reliance on treats. Clients report success with rescue dogs, anxious pups, and competitive dogs alike, with many earning AKC and TDI titles.

The business supports families through structured weekly classes, flexible private sessions, and resources like downloadable checklists for what to bring. Michelle’s home environment includes multiple dogs of various breeds, and her background includes training in AKC all-breed clubs and hands-on experience with therapy, agility, and conformation work. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management, which informs her clear, supportive communication style with owners.

Accomplishments

Michelle Vickers is a Certified Dog Trainer through Animal Behavior College and an AKC evaluator for Canine Good Citizen, S.T.A.R. Puppy, and Tricks. She has 12 years of professional training experience, began training at age 16, and has trained dogs in obedience, rally, agility, barn hunting, therapy work, and conformation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from The University of Akron.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can contact via phone or email to inquire about class availability or schedule a private training session. Group classes require registration via the website’s downloadable waiver form. Private training begins with a 1.5-hour initial session to assess the dog and owner’s needs.