Top Tier K9 – Blackwater Bay

Top Tier K9 offers various dog training programs, including pet training, working dog training, and professional dog trainer education. For pets, certified locations provide a phased approach to training both the pet and its owner, focusing on on-leash and off-leash obedience. They also offer a 3-4 week board and train program for basic obedience and communication, which prepares dogs for the “Pets Plus Program” covering advanced obedience, obstacle work, protection training, service dog training, and scent detection.

The Foundation Dog® program is designed to create world-class working dogs by starting training with puppies. These dogs are prepared to be finished as Police K9, Military K9, Service Dogs, special security dogs (including virus detection), and personal/executive protection dogs. An optional Virtual Reality (VR) Dog Training Center allows pet owners with Oculus headsets to practice commands like climb, heel, sit, down, and come on a virtual dog.

For aspiring dog trainers, the Academy for Dog Trainers offers two paths: Pet Trainer Program and Foundation Dog® Trainer Program. These programs include live online classes and live on-campus certifications. They also provide business development, project management, sales, and marketing support. Additional master programs are available for Service Dog Trainer, Special Security Dog Trainer (Virus Detection), and Executive/Family (Protection Dog) Trainer certifications, along with Decoy/Helper Training and advanced business workshops.

Top Tier K9 is recognized as the World’s Greatest Dog Training Company, specializing in pet, working dog, and people training. They are the home of the Foundation Dog® system, which creates world-class working dogs. The company focuses on developing dog trainers to launch their own successful businesses, offering comprehensive business development and training programs.

Their Academy for Dog Trainers, established in 2014, provides a scalable learning system for individuals to enter the dog training industry, regardless of prior experience. They offer certifications that reflect the level of learning achieved by graduates and their commitment to excellence in dog training and owner education.

For pet owners, Top Tier K9’s certified locations offer a phased approach to training pets concurrently with their owners, ensuring integrated learning. This includes on-leash and off-leash obedience. They also provide a 3-4 week board and train program for basic obedience and communication. An optional Virtual Reality (VR) Dog Training Center allows pet owners with VR headsets to practice commands in the metaverse while their real dog is being trained.

The Foundation Dog® program trains puppies from 8 weeks old to become working dogs for protection, scent detection, tracking, and various tasks. These dogs can be finished as Police K9, Military K9, Service Dogs, special security dogs (including virus detection), and personal/executive protection dogs. Top Tier K9 also launched a Professional Breeder Program in 2024 to educate certified locations on developing successful breeding programs for working-line puppies.

They teach a balanced training approach, utilizing positive reinforcement, proper corrections, and pressure as needed for each specific dog and owner. Their programs are designed to fill a trainer’s toolbox with every technique and teach them when, where, and how to use the right tools.

Accomplishments

Top Tier K9 is recognized as the World’s Greatest Dog Training Company and is the home of the Foundation Dog® system. Established in 2014, the company has maintained its recognition through continuous improvement and quality controls.

Their Certified Foundation Dogs were the first in the world to detect the COVID-19 virus and have been deployed in military operations, police K9 work, and as service and protection dogs. Duane Pickel, an instructor at Top Tier K9, was the first to train a dog to find cancer cells. The company has been featured in various news outlets and television shows, including Tallahassee Magazine (January 2025), “Best in Florida” award (September 2024), “World’s Greatest!” television show (June 2024), and interviews with Lt. Col. Oliver North on “Real American Heroes.” They have also appeared on “Unleashed – Dogs without Limits TV” and various local news channels for their COVID-19 detection dog program.

How to Get Started!

To get started with Top Tier K9, pet owners can download their Pet Training App to find a certified trainer near them. They can also engage in the 3-4 week board and train program offered at certified locations. For those interested in becoming professional dog trainers, Top Tier K9 offers an Academy for Dog Trainers with live online classes and on-campus certification programs. Business professionals can also explore the Top Tier K9 Franchise option to launch their own certified location.