Sylvias K9 Services

Training begins with a phone interview to assess needs. Private lessons occur in the client’s home or nearby location, using Sylvia’s pack as distractions. Board & train includes daily work on behavior issues, environmental socialization, and interaction with Sylvia’s pack, with daily progress reports and a final lesson upon return. Day training involves pickup/drop-off and training at Sylvia’s location or on outings. All programs emphasize owner education and daily practice. A minimum of 5 lessons is required for aggression/reactivity cases. Board & train requires 4–5 private lessons within 60 days prior.

Pricing Summary

Private lessons are $250 per 60-minute session; a package of 4 lessons includes 1 free (must be paid upfront). Daily pickup/drop-off training is $150/day (requires 1 private lesson first). Board & train starts at $100–$200 per day with a 10-day minimum. Overnight pet care is $50–$75/day (only for current clients). All services are cash-only. A 50% discount on lessons is offered for December 2025 and January 2026. No refunds for unused lessons in packages; 8-week completion window applies.

Policies

Deposits are required for all boarding reservations: 50% for peak dates, 25% for non-peak. Cancellations made less than 14 days before arrival are non-refundable. Board & train requires a minimum 10-day stay and pre-booking requirements including vaccination records, negative fecal test, escape-proof collar, and disclosed medical issues. Overnight pet care requires the dog to have had a lesson within the past 30 days. No refunds for unused lessons in packages; lessons must be completed within 8 weeks of first session.

Sylvia’s K-9 Services is a private dog training business owned and operated by Sylvia, a trainer with 55 years of experience in the K-9 world. She offers personalized in-home private lessons, board & train programs, and overnight pet care services, focusing on behavior modification for issues like aggression, reactivity, leash pulling, resource guarding, barking, separation anxiety, and obedience. Sylvia brings her own four trained dogs to each session as distractions to help dogs learn focus and impulse control in real-world conditions. She specializes in challenging cases often referred by other trainers and has a reputation for holistic training that includes nutrition advice and behavioral psychology. Her approach emphasizes training the owner as much as the dog, ensuring long-term success. She also offers free 30-day phone support after each lesson.

Sylvia provides board & train services with daily progress reports and a follow-up lesson upon return. Her overnight pet care is available only to current clients who’ve had a lesson within the past 30 days. All services are cash-only, and she requires a phone interview before booking to ensure compatibility. Her training methods are grounded in decades of hands-on experience with Schutzhund, police K-9 consulting, and behavioral rehabilitation.

She is certified as a CDT through IACP, an AKC CGC Evaluator, and a launch member of Cesar Millan’s trainer program. Her expertise spans working, service, and family dog training, with a strong focus on behavior modification and environmental socialization.

Accomplishments

Sylvia has 55 years of experience training dogs and has worked as a consultant and decoy for police and sheriff’s departments. She is a Certified Dog Trainer (CDT) through IACP, an AKC CGC Evaluator, and a launch member of Cesar Millan’s Trainer Program. She holds memberships in Schutzhund clubs in the US and Germany, Rottweiler clubs in the US and Germany, and professional organizations for animal massage, water therapy, and canine behavior. She has trained dogs for Schutzhund, service work, and home safety.

How to Get Started!

New clients must call for a phone interview to discuss their dog’s needs and determine if Sylvia is the right fit. After the interview, lessons can be scheduled. Board & train requires a minimum of 4–5 private lessons within 60 days prior to booking.