OTCK9 Academy

OTCK9 Academy offers several dog training programs, including Board & Train options and Private Lessons. The “Well-Mannered Dog Program” is a 2-week board and train focusing on basic obedience like sit, stay, come, down, leave it, and heel, with included follow-up sessions and unlimited group classes. The “Train by Day, Home by Night Program” is a 10-day board and train where dogs are dropped off daily for intensive training and picked up in the evening, including private lessons and unlimited group classes. The “Man’s Best Friend Program” is a 4-week advanced board and train, suitable for therapy or service dog prep, covering advanced commands, off-leash control, and real-world application, also with private lessons and unlimited group classes. The “Private Lesson Program” consists of 6 one-hour private sessions tailored to the dog’s needs, with a customized at-home practice plan.

Beyond training for pet owners, OTCK9 Academy also provides professional certification courses. These include a “Service Dog Training Certification Course,” a comprehensive, hands-on program covering foundations, behavior, obedience, task-specific training, public access, and legal/ethical guidelines. Additionally, they offer a “Dog Grooming School,” a 4-week hands-on program for aspiring professional groomers, covering all dog breeds and coat types, with job placement assistance.

Pricing Summary

Payment plans are available for all programs, with options including Schoolhouse Financing and PayPal, and payments as low as $99 a month. The Dog Grooming School tuition is $5,875, which includes grooming tools and supplies. The Service Dog Training Certification Course costs $12,975. Doggy Daycare is $35 for a full day. Dog boarding incurs a $5 extra daily charge for major holidays, and a mandatory $45 flat rate bath is required for stays of 5 or more nights. Grooming services start at $35.

Policies

New clients may need to pass a temperament test for boarding. For doggy daycare, dogs must be neutered or spayed, though a “Doggy Day-School” option is available for un-neutered/un-spayed dogs. Un-neutered and un-spayed dogs are accepted for boarding. Owners are generally recommended not to visit dogs during board and train programs to maintain focus. A mandatory $45 bath is required for all dogs staying 5 or more nights for boarding. Required vaccinations for all programs (Consultations, Day-School, Boarding, Training) include Bordetella, Rabies, Distemper, and Canine Influenza.

OTCK9 Academy is a veteran-owned, family-run dog training academy located in Woodstock, GA, serving the Atlanta metro area and surrounding cities like Kennesaw, Acworth, and Canton. Founded in 2015 by retired Air Force veterans Darrell and Kim Swanson, the academy specializes in turning unruly pups into well-mannered companions. They address a wide range of behavioral issues including leash pulling, separation anxiety, jumping on guests, excessive barking, aggression, leash reactivity, overexcited behavior, chewing, digging, and fearful behavior.

OTCK9 Academy offers personalized training programs from puppy training to advanced obedience, including board-and-train programs, private lessons, and group classes. They also provide doggy daycare, overnight boarding, and full-service pet spa and grooming services.

The academy is authorized by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Educational Institution Act of 1990 and accepts Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) funding for eligible students. They also offer dog grooming school and service dog trainer certification courses for aspiring professionals.

Accomplishments

The owners, Darrell and Kim Swanson, are retired Air Force veterans. They hold Professional, Advanced, and Advanced Master Dog Educator/Trainer Certifications from Jo-Thor’s Dog Trainers Academy after four years of study. OTCK9 Academy meets the requirements set forth by the Nonpublic Postsecondary Educational Institution Act of 1990 of O.C.G.A. § 20-3-250 and is listed in the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission Directory of Institutions. They also accept Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) funding. The business has been serving the community for over 8 years.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients can call OTCK9 Academy for a consultation or to learn more about programs. Consultations can also be scheduled online. For simple questions before a consultation, clients can send a message to a trainer via a contact form. Booking for boarding and grooming services can be done online.