Nitro K-9 LLC

“The first time I spoke with Steve over the phone I thought he sounded a bit arrogant or cocky. Then I met him in person and had a great conversation and was able to ask a ton of questions. It was then I realized my initial judgement was very wrong. And while I was wrong about my initial assumptions about him, I also realized he is right to be so confident and sure that his training techniques, expertise, and ability to help people properly train their dogs works and works quite well. Once I met Steve in person and was able to have a conversation with him, I immediately knew he was the right choice to select as our trainer. At times the tips, advice, and training techniques he shares seem so simple in theory or thought. And once you put them into practice, you will quickly realize how well they work. You will quickly understand during daily practice and exercise of your dog that the tips, advice, and training techniques Steve shares are the easy part. You will quickly come to understand that the most difficult part about training your dog to be successful is that you have to train and exercise your dog daily and consistently. I would even say to see the best success in and to see best of your dog’s abilities; you should be doing all this 2 or more times each day, don’t miss or reschedule any of your weekly training sessions, and if there is a dog social event scheduled during the week, try to attend them whenever possible. Last, to share our own experience; we are training a small service dog. When we started she expressed a lot of anxiety toward just about any dog she saw no matter the distance or what the dog was doing. Taking her into establishments as a service animal often created a feeling of being anxious because we weren’t sure or confident she wasn’t going to act out which is never good when she’s supposed to be working. It was only a matter of a few months of training with her consistently that the feeling of anxiety disappeared and we could take her into any establishment without hesitation believing she was going to perform without any issues without worry that she might act out when any situation arose that could cause a distraction and her behavior might change. Thank you Steve for providing such a great place to train and all the advice and tips along the way that have made Izzy a fantastic service animal. She’s truly the amazing dog she should be and so much better for it.”
– Eric Freeman

“I can’t say enough wonderful things about Nitro K9 and the incredible experience I’ve had training my amazing pup to become a fully trained service animal. After searching for years and coming up short, finding Nitro K9 truly changed everything. From day one, Steve — the fabulous trainer and owner — has been nothing short of phenomenal. His expertise, patience, and dedication made all the difference, not just for my dog but for me as well. The transformation in my pup has been remarkable. She’s now obedient, confident in public, and able to perform essential tasks for me during difficult times. But what I didn’t expect was how much I would grow through this process too — training her has also taught me patience, calmness, and the importance of consistency. One of the things that really sets Nitro K9 apart is the community Steve has created. He goes above and beyond, even hosting service animal meet-up groups in his own free time. These sessions focus on training with high levels of distraction, recalls, and social etiquette — and they’re invaluable. Not only do they strengthen our dogs’ skills, but they also foster a supportive and safe community for handlers and their service animals. I feel so incredibly grateful and blessed to be part of this journey. If you’re looking for exceptional training and a trainer who truly cares, Nitro K9 is the place. Thank you, Steve, for everything you do — your dedication changes lives.”
– Live_Laugh_Love

“If you are looking for a dog trainer who will not only transform your dog’s behavior but also revolutionize the way you understand and communicate with your four-legged companion, look no further than Nitro K9 and Steve! From the very first session, it was clear that Steve doesn’t just train dogs—he trains YOU to think, lead, and connect with your dog on a whole new level. What sets him apart from other trainers is his ability to cater every session specifically to your dog’s unique personality, your lifestyle, and your skill level. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned dog owner, he meets you exactly where you are and builds from there. But Steve isn’t just about teaching commands—he teaches a philosophy. This isn’t some rigid, cookie-cutter obedience program. Instead, Steve empowers you with the knowledge and skills to develop your own commands and truly understand how your dog thinks. His methods create a level of trust and respect between you and your dog that goes beyond simple sit-stay exercises—it’s about building an unshakable bond. And for those of us with unpredictable schedules (shoutout to my fellow on-call professionals rushing into the ER at a moment’s notice!), Steve is incredibly understanding when last-minute cancellations happen. He gets that life happens, and his flexibility and compassion make a world of difference. But Nitro K9 isn’t just a training service—it’s a community. Steve actively helps connect dog owners with each other, fostering a supportive network both online and in-person. His free socialization and training classes are absolute gold, giving dogs and their humans a safe and structured environment to practice and learn together. If you’re serious about unlocking the full potential of your relationship with your dog, Nitro K9 is THE place to go. Steve is not just a trainer—he’s a mentor, a guide, and a game-changer in the world of dog training. Five stars? I wish I could give ten. Nitro K9 is simply the best.”
– Erin Welter