Telluride K9 Adventure School

Telluride K9 Adventure School offers various programs including the Adventure Dog Club for off-leash pack hikes and enrichment day camp, which are hiking-based day adventures (4-5 hours including drive time) with door-to-door pick-up/drop-off. These include structured learning, games, socialization, and calm time, focusing on trail skills and breed fulfillment through activities like biking, mushing, swimming, bikejoring, SUP, rollerblading, and agility. Key skills taught include emergency stops, leave it, neutrality, sit & down-stays, impeccable recall, and directionals. The weekly recurring day training school is currently accepting puppies 6 months and under, with a waitlist for older dogs. Drop-in hikes are available for visiting, off-leash friendly dogs.

The school also provides AKC certification programs, including a 6-week AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class for puppies up to 1 year old, covering house-training, chewing, and basic skills like coming when called, leading to the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy title. Evaluations and courses are offered for AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Community Canine (CGCA), Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU), Trick Dog (all levels), and Fit Dog (all levels). Training for these titles can be done through classes or direct evaluation. Virtual trick sessions and consultations are also available.

Pricing Summary

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program 6-week course is $95. AKC Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, and Urban CGC evaluations are $20 each. AKC Trick Dog Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced evaluations are $20, while Performer and Elite Performer evaluations are $30. For film work, wedding/elopement handling, and premium canine concierge services, rates are available upon inquiry.

Telluride K9 Adventure School, owned and operated by Sierra, offers a holistic approach to dog training and care, focusing on outdoor adventures and natural settings. Sierra, an applied canine ethologist and fitness coach, works with dogs’ true nature to develop their best personality traits and skills for safe and free living in the human world. The school emphasizes structured learning, fun games, socialization, and calm time in natural environments, avoiding artificial settings.

The business provides a range of services including hiking-based day adventures, weekly recurring day training, and drop-in hikes for visiting dogs. They also offer specialized services like full-service wedding and elopement dog handling, dog handling and training for film work, and K9 Wilderness First Aid certification courses. Additionally, Telluride K9 Adventure School provides dog sitting and home-based boarding, including VIP options with enhanced amenities, and a premium canine concierge service for comprehensive dog care and travel needs.

Sierra is a certified AKC evaluator for various titles and offers classes and evaluations for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Community Canine (CGCA), Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU), Trick Dog, and Fit Dog. The training focuses on lifelong skills and growth, overcoming distractions in outdoor settings, and building confidence, trust, and consistency through positive reinforcement. Sierra also has extensive experience with equine conditioning and care, as well as handling a variety of exotic and farm animals.

Accomplishments

Sierra, the owner/operator, has been professionally caring for animals since 2004. She is an applied canine ethologist and fitness coach, and a certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM) through the LEGS model. She is a certified AKC Evaluator for S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, Advanced CGC, Trick Dog (all levels), and FIT Dog (all levels), and a certified instructor for FIT Dog 6-week classes. Her qualifications include Advanced Canine CPR & 1st Aid (K9 Medic), Trauma Care for the working dog, and certifications to instruct courses in Equine Emergency Aid, Pet First Aid & CPR, and Canine Wilderness First Aid. She is also a FEMA Equine & Pet responder.

Sierra is a graduate of Dr. Ian Dunbar’s SIRIUS® 4-day Dog Trainer Academy and holds Masterclass certifications in Free Ranging Dogs and Holistic Dog Behavior & Training from Anthrozoology Education Dog Canines. She has completed an Aggression in Dogs Masterclass and is pursuing a Diploma in Canine Aggressive Responses (ISCP). Her experience includes volunteer work with multiple humane societies, 5 years as an equine veterinary technician, 11 years in 4-H leadership, 15 years of professional horse starting and training, and a 2-year internship in Wild Horse Behavioral Ecology. She also holds human-focused certifications such as Wilderness First Responder (NOLS), W-EMT-B (NREMT), and ALS/AED/CPR for Providers (American Red Cross), and has volunteered with San Miguel County Search & Rescue.

How to Get Started!

To get started, dog owners can use the online form to add their dog to the waitlist for the weekly recurring adventure school hikes or to request a spot for overnight camp/vacation. For drop-in hikes while visiting the area, clients are encouraged to reach out to inquire. To book an AKC evaluation or get on the schedule for upcoming classes, clients can send a message via email or text. Virtual consultations or trick sessions can be requested by signing up on a list.