Trouwe Hond K-9

Trouwe Hond K-9 offers a variety of training programs tailored to individual needs. All programs begin with an **Evaluation / Consultation**, a 1-hour session to assess the dog’s temperament and discuss specific obedience or behavioral issues and goals. The evaluation fee is $185.00, credited back with a board and train package, and a $250.00 non-refundable deposit is required for reservation, also credited back.

**In-Kennel Training Programs** are a core offering:
* The **One Week In Kennel Training Program** is for dogs 6 months and under, including 1 week of training and 2 private handler sessions. It covers basic commands and minor puppy behavior issues, laying a foundation for future training, primarily on-leash.
* The **Two Week In Kennel Training Program** is the most popular for dogs 6 months and older with mild to moderate behavior issues. It includes 2 weeks of training and 3 private handler sessions, addressing individual needs. The first week focuses on obedience and behavioral issues in distractions, while the second week trains off-leash control in higher distraction environments, including off-site proof training sessions.
* The **Three Week In Kennel Training Program** is for dogs or owners requiring additional training, rehabilitation, or dealing with escalated behavioral problems like aggression, dominance, or fear. It includes 3 weeks of training and 4 private handler sessions, further emphasizing off-leash control under high distraction.
* The **Four Week In Kennel Training Program** is an in-depth program for dogs needing further rehabilitation, conditioning, higher-level goals, or escalated behavior issues. It includes 5 follow-up handler sessions at the training field or various locations.

Other specialized programs include:
* **Home Protection Course**: 10 in-home sessions (local Boston area) covering obedience, behavior modification, and personal/home protection, including bite work elements.
* **Puppy Management**: 3 private lessons focusing on proper upbringing, obedience imprinting, foundation work, care, house breaking, husbandry, exercise, feeding, and awareness during early critical periods.
* **Maintenance / Refresher**: Available for dogs who have completed a training program, providing daily routine reinforcement of house manners, basic obedience, or addressing specific problem behaviors. Includes 1 private handler session.
* **Daily Board and Train**: Allows dogs who have completed an in-kennel program to receive training during their boarding stay, with basic instruction provided to owners for continued education.

Pricing Summary

An evaluation/consultation fee is $185.00, which is credited back with any board and train package. A non-refundable deposit of $250.00 is required for reservations, also credited back to the client with a board and train package. In-kennel training programs require a 50% payment on the day of drop-off, with the full balance due at pickup.

A $35.00 convenience charge is applied for dogs picked up between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, or for pick-ups/drop-offs before 10:00 AM or after 6:00 PM. Pick-ups after 7:00 PM will be scheduled for the next business day. Special care for medications, special feeding, geriatric dogs, and young puppies incurs an additional charge of $4.25 per day.

Local Boston area pick-up and delivery service is available for an average fee of $50.00. For dogs previously trained by Trouwe Hond K-9, “Beyond Boarding” is available at $175.00 per calendar day, with multiple dog discounts. The Home Protection Course, consisting of 10 sessions at the client’s home in the local Boston area, is priced at TBD plus equipment and mileage.

Policies

All deposits for training programs are non-refundable. An additional $35.00 convenience charge is applied for dogs picked up between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, or for pick-ups/drop-offs before 10:00 AM or after 6:00 PM. Pick-ups after 7:00 PM will be scheduled for the next business day.

The facility is closed on major holidays including New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. It closes at 1:00 PM on Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving Eve, and New Year’s Eve. A three-day minimum lodging stay is required during holidays.

Owners are responsible for providing their dog’s food to minimize digestive stress. For in-kennel training programs, a 50% payment is required on the day of drop-off, with the remaining balance due at pickup. Proof of current vaccinations (Rabies, Parvo, DHLP-P, and Bordatella within 12 months) is required prior to or at the time of check-in.

Trouwe Hond K-9, meaning “Loyal, or Faithful Dog” in Flemish, is a family-owned and operated full-service dog training and rehabilitation center located in Hanover, Massachusetts. David M. Ranieri, a Certified Master Trainer with over 33 years of experience, is the sole trainer and overseer, specializing in professional dog training and behavior modification for all breeds, ages, and dispositions.

The business offers a wide range of obedience skills, from house manners and behavioral problem-solving to advanced off-leash training and control. They also provide family, home, and personal protection packages, as well as therapy and service dog training. Trouwe Hond K-9 emphasizes focus-based training methods, aiming to build a strong bond and communication between dogs and their owners.

They offer in-kennel board and train programs, puppy management, and maintenance/refresher courses, with accommodations featuring large, clean, heated, and air-conditioned indoor/outdoor runs. All training is customized to meet individual client and dog needs, with all dogs personally trained by David. Trouwe Hond K-9 is recommended by breeders, shelters, and veterinarians, and is fully licensed and insured.

Accomplishments

David M. Ranieri’s canine career began in 1988 as an Obedience and Protection Dog Trainer. He founded Trouwe Hond K-9 in 1997, naming it after a mentor’s school in Belgium. He trained under notable figures such as Bob Warren, John Leblanc, Ted Hoppe (founder of the American Street Ring Association and former US military dog trainer), and Germain Pauwels (current president of NVBK, Belgium).

David has successfully titled dogs in various competition programs, including off-leash obedience, agility, and personal protection, through organizations like the American Street Ring Association, Belgian Ring Sport (NVBK), and French Ring Sport. He holds several Awards of Excellence and Certifications in Obedience, Behavior Modification, Agility, Personal, and Home Protection, and is certified as a Level 3 Training and Trial ASR Decoy.

His competition achievements include:
* 2001: Won the American Street Ring Championship Level 1 with his dog Kirk, also achieving the highest score in the trial and 3rd place in the ASR Tough Dog Contest.
* 2002: Secured 2nd place in the ASR Championship Trial Level 2.
* 2004: Won the intermediate level of the Dog Sport Open with Kirk and also won the Hardest Hitting Dog contest.
* His dog Eros was the first to win the Belgian Ring Category 3 in the United States and also earned French Ring Sport Brevet and Level 1.

How to Get Started!

To begin training, all dogs and their owners must first undergo an evaluation. This evaluation process typically lasts about 1 hour. During this time, dogs are genetically evaluated for temperament, nerve steadiness, reaction, sound, balance, and their relationship with the owner.

Specific obedience or behavioral issues, concerns, and training goals will be reviewed and discussed. Based on this assessment, recommendations will be made regarding the best program to achieve the client’s goals. There is an evaluation fee of $185.00. Should the client decide to proceed with a board and train package, this evaluation fee and a $250.00 non-refundable reservation deposit will be credited back to them. Training reservations are booked at the time of the evaluation.