Knox Canine Training

Knox Canine Training provides comprehensive dog training services through group classes, private training, and online courses. Group classes are held in small groups at their Des Moines facility, meeting once a week to help dogs work in distracting environments and socialize. These include Puppy Exploration (2-5 months, 5 weeks, focuses on confidence building, handler knowledge, and supervised play), Puppy Basics (5-9 months, 5 weeks, covers basic obedience like nose/paw targets, sit, drop, stand, loose leash walking, handling, and includes off-leash play), and Obedience Class (9 months & older, 6 weeks, focuses on basic obedience such as sit, down, stay, impulse control, meet & greet, loose leash walking, and recall). The first session for puppy and obedience classes is an orientation without the dog. Specialty classes like AKC Novice Trick Class, AKC Canine Good Citizen, Introduction to Scent Work, Barkers Anonymous, and Obedience 2 are also offered.

Private training offers customized one-on-one sessions that can take place in-home, at their facility, or in public within Greater Des Moines. These sessions are tailored to individual needs and can cover puppy needs, basic obedience, behavior modification, or reactivity training. Reactive dog training sessions are specifically designed for dogs that bark, lunge, and growl at other dogs on leash, with Clint coaching alongside an assistant trainer and a non-reactive dog. These sessions are held on Wednesdays at their facility.

Online courses provide professional, self-guided training from home, ideal for those outside the service area or with busy schedules. These courses cover obedience skills (name recognition, nose targets, recall, sit, down, stand, impulse control) and problem behaviors (crate training, jumping, nipping/biting, potty training, separation anxiety). Phone sessions are also available for puppies and dogs of all ages and breeds, offering personal training over the phone for issues like behavior modification, aggression, recall, puppy issues, separation anxiety, loose leash walking, resource guarding, impulse control, and dog-to-human/dog-to-dog reactivity.

Pricing Summary

Knox Canine Training offers various services with specific pricing: In-Home Sessions start from $125.00, Puppy Basics is $210.00, Obedience Class is $240.00, Phone Sessions are $65.00, Online Training Courses are $89.00, and Reactive Training starts from $195.00. Package discounts are available for In-Home Sessions and Reactive Training.

All classes and private training sessions are non-refundable. However, they can be transferred towards other services. Training packages for private sessions must be utilized within six months of the purchase date, and unused sessions are not refundable. For no-shows or cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, a 50% cost of one session may be charged, though exceptions can be made for emergencies.

Policies

Classes are non-refundable, but clients can switch classes before the start date by emailing knoxcanine@gmail.com. Private training is also non-refundable, and training packages must be used within six months of purchase, with unused sessions not being refundable. Both classes and private training can be transferred towards other services. No-shows or cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice may incur a charge of 50% of one session’s cost, though exceptions are made for emergencies. For inclement weather, cancellations are posted on Instagram and Facebook, and clients receive an email with rescheduling information.

Knox Canine Training specializes in modern science-based training methods designed to address behavior and aggression issues in dogs of all ages and sizes. They utilize positive reinforcement and clickers in their training approach.

The business offers a variety of services including group classes, private training, and online courses. Private training can be conducted in-home, at their Des Moines facility, or in public locations within Greater Des Moines.

Clint Knox, the owner and trainer, started his dog training career in 2006 and launched Knox Canine Training in 2017. The team expanded in 2019 and opened a training facility in Des Moines in 2020. The team includes multiple class instructors and a scheduling and communications specialist.

Accomplishments

Clint Knox, the owner and trainer, began his dog training career in 2006. He is a graduate of Animal Behavior College and an ABC Certified Dog Trainer. Clint has successfully taught thousands of dogs and owners using positive reinforcement.

Michelle Hoile, a class instructor and private trainer, is a graduate of Iowa State University and was an educator for many years. She began teaching dog and puppy classes with positive reinforcement methods in 2014, helping hundreds of clients. Michelle is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and an Evaluator for the American Kennel Club.

How to Get Started!

To begin, clients are encouraged to contact Knox Canine Training to discuss their training goals. They will then receive a custom plan tailored to their dog’s unique needs. For group classes, the first session serves as an orientation, and dogs are not brought to this initial meeting. Clients must bring a signed copy of the Training Service Agreement, which can be downloaded from their Forms page. For reactive dog training sessions, clients should email knoxcanine@gmail.com to be manually booked.