Whispering X K9 Training Academy

Whispering X K9 Training Academy offers a comprehensive range of programs designed to build confidence and strengthen the bond between dogs and their handlers. Puppy training is structured in stages: Puppy Stage 1 (8 weeks to 5 months) covers basic behaviors like name recognition, sit, come, and down, with AKC STAR testing offered. Puppy Stage 2 (6 months to 1 year) builds on Stage 1 with longer sits/downs and recalls, also offering AKC STAR testing. Puppy Stage 3 focuses on fine-tuning heeling, recalls, and distance work, with AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) testing available.

For older dogs, Basic Obedience Level 1 (11 months and older) teaches heeling, sit, down, leave it, stay, wait, recall, and includes CGC testing. Advanced obedience classes include Obedience Community Level 2, which prepares dogs for the CGC Community title by practicing in distracting environments, and Obedience Urban Level 3, which takes training into city settings to navigate urban distractions and offers CGC Urban testing.

The academy also specializes in dog sports. Rally classes (Beginning and Advanced) involve navigating a course with numbered signs, acting as an obedience obstacle course for fun or competition. Beginning Agility is an 8-week outdoor course. Parkour training, or urban agility, teaches dogs to interact with their environment through climbing, balancing, and jumping. Treibball Level 1 and 2 introduces a competitive sport where dogs herd large balls into a goal using their nose or shoulders, taught off-leash without corrections. Additionally, the academy offers Bite Work classes and private sessions tailored to individual needs, as well as official AKC CGC and Trick Dog testing.

Pricing Summary

Group classes range from $150.00 to $210.00 for multi-week courses. Puppy Stage 1 is $155.00, Puppy Stage 2 is $160.00, and Puppy Stage 3 is $165.00. Basic Obedience Level 1 is $165.00, Obedience Community Level 2 is $170.00, and Obedience Urban Level 3 is $210.00. Rally classes are $165.00 for Beginning and $190.00 for Advanced. Agility classes are $150.00, Parkour is $185.00, and Treibball is $165.00.

Private sessions are available at the training center for $95.00 per hour or at your home for $120.00 per hour. Testing fees for AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) are $20.00, CGC Community is $30.00, and CGC Urban is $45.00. Trick Dog testing ranges from $20.00 for Novice to $45.00 for Elite Performer. Bite work drop-in classes are $35.00 per class.

Whispering X K9 Training Academy is a dog training business led by Tracy Gorham, who has over 40 years of experience in dog training. The academy focuses on building confidence in both the dog and handler through positive training methods in a fun and relaxing environment. Their mission is to provide progressive training at a reasonable price with excellent service.

Tracy Gorham has been the head dog trainer for Chuckanut Dog Training Association for over 8 years and has received numerous accolades for her approach. She strongly believes in positive training using treat or toy rewards, aiming to foster a lasting and healthy relationship between dogs and their human caregivers.

The academy offers a wide range of classes from basic puppy obedience to advanced competition training, including specialized sports like Agility, Rally, Parkour, and Treibball. They also provide private training sessions both at their facility and in clients’ homes, along with testing for AKC Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog titles. Tracy is also skilled in addressing various behavior issues.

Beyond classes, Whispering X K9 Training Academy organizes group walks and offers resources like a Dog Food Co-op. Tracy Gorham is an AKC FIT DOG instructor, AKC Temperament Evaluator, and a highly-rated Canine Good Citizen Evaluator in the USA.

Accomplishments

Tracy Gorham, the trainer at Whispering X K9 Training Academy, boasts over 40 years of experience in dog training, ranging from basic puppy obedience to advanced competition levels. She has served as the head dog trainer for Chuckanut Dog Training Association for over 8 years, earning numerous accolades for her training approach. Her students have achieved many levels of success in Dog Obedience and Rally competitions.

Tracy is an AKC FIT DOG instructor (Levels 1, 2, and 3), an AKC Temperament Evaluator, and an instructor for Treibball. She also judges Obedience and Rally at various venues and has been rated among the top 5 Canine Good Citizen Evaluators in the USA. Her personal dogs demonstrate her expertise: Xanadu, her first Shetland Sheepdog, excelled in Agility, Rally, Herding, Barn Hunt, Drill Team, Nose Work, and Tracking, winning the Novice High in Trial Award and a Nose Work Title One. Xanadu also developed the life-changing skill of detecting hypoglycemia, a skill required of diabetic service dogs. Her current dogs, Xada Bella, excels in agility, obedience, rally, Treibball, and Parkour, while Xanka Black Pearl, a rescue German Shepherd, found confidence and achieved Rally Advanced status. Xantha, a Belgian Malinois, demonstrates strong drive and balance in obedience, protection training, and bite work.

How to Get Started!

To get started with classes, clients can use the “Buy Now” links provided for each class, which lead to an Airtable form for purchase. For private sessions or testing (CGC, Trick Dog), clients are instructed to call or email to schedule an appointment.