Tucson K-9 Learning Center

The core program is a 2-week intensive board-and-train course in basic obedience, taught for 20 minutes per hour, 6am–9pm daily, with three 30-minute supervised play sessions. Training includes heeling, recall, sit, down, placemat, door manners, and rattlesnake avoidance. Follow-up includes three private instruction sessions after pickup. Additional programs include puppy development, service dog, therapy dog, scent detection, protection training, and advanced obedience with off-leash skills, agility, and trailing.

Pricing Summary

2-week board-and-train package: $1,450. Rattlesnake avoidance training: $100 one-time fee (includes initial training, 2–4 week re-check, and annual re-checks). Aggressive dogs: +$200. Follow-up private sessions included in board-and-train package.

Policies

All dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations. Aggressive dogs incur an additional $200 fee. Training is conducted in a controlled environment with a maximum of 8 dogs at a time. Weather-related safety adjustments are made for brachycephalic breeds during extreme heat.

Tucson K-9 Learning Center is a dog training facility located on a 5-acre ranch in Southwest Tucson, offering intensive board-and-train programs focused on basic obedience, behavior modification, and specialized training like rattlesnake avoidance. Their method is modeled after military dog training at Lackland Air Force Base and does not use treats, clickers, or e-collars—instead relying on physical and verbal praise. They train a maximum of 8 dogs at a time in a climate-controlled, camera-monitored kennel with supervised play sessions three times daily. The center provides a range of services including puppy development, service dog training, therapy dog training, scent detection, protection training, and advanced obedience. Clients receive three private follow-up instruction sessions after their dog’s boarding period to reinforce training. All dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations, and aggressive dogs incur an additional $200 fee.

The facility is run by Steve Reaves, a Certified Master Dog Trainer with over 60 years of experience since 1964, and holds licenses as a Wildlife Service Provider and Registered Veterinary Technician. They offer a Holiday Special: a 2-week board-and-train package for $1,450, which includes rattlesnake avoidance training and follow-up sessions. Their programs are designed for dogs of all ages and sizes, with a strong emphasis on safety, consistency, and long-term retention.

Additional services include annual re-checks for rattlesnake avoidance training at $100 per session, and they prioritize dog safety in extreme heat, adjusting outdoor activities accordingly.

Accomplishments

Steve Reaves is a Certified Master Dog Trainer, graduate of the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers (2010), and has been training dogs since 1964. He is a Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and a member of the National K-9 Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Licensed by the Arizona Department of Game and Fish as a Wildlife Service Provider and holds credentials as a Registered Veterinary Technician.

How to Get Started!

Call Steve at 520-484-5958 for a free evaluation to discuss your dog’s needs and schedule a board-and-train program.