PUPPY CLASSES AND CONSULTATIONS
GROUP CLASSES
BEHAVIOUR CONSULTING PRIVATE 1:1 TRAINING
Welcome to K9 Kind, where we teach you how to teach and motivate your dog using positive reinforcement, reward-based training. Dog training methods are most effective when they focus on teaching your dog what to do, rather than punishing them for unwanted behaviours. Reward based training leads to a dog that chooses to do what you want them to do instead of a dog who avoids doing the wrong thing to evade punishment. Dogs trained with punitive methods or tools show stress-related behaviors during training. Dogs trained with reward-based methods show increased attentiveness to their person.
Reward-based training is the fastest and easiest way to teach a dog a new skill and using food rewards does not have to come at the cost of other undesirable behaviours. Quite the contrary. Reward-based training is also the fastest and easiest way to resolve nuisance behaviours by teaching our dogs how to wait patiently, sit to greet, and behave politely around the dinner table.
Our team of knowledgeable trainers are committed to positive reinforcement training based on compassion and respect. Our values are grounded in evidence-based principles that prioritize animal welfare. We promote non-confrontational and humane solutions to living successfully with our canine companions.
K9 Kind’s services were developed with animal welfare in mind and over the last decade we have grown into the Comox Valley’s leading dog training company. We are BCSPCA Animal Kind accredited and adhere to exceptional welfare practices. The AnimalKind accreditation serves to address the need for regulations in dog training and increase professionalism in the industry. AnimalKind is a voluntary accreditation in which dog training companies choose to align with the BC SPCA’s evidence-based standards. The program ensures that our trainers are well-acquainted with the latest scientific understanding of dog behaviour, and are willing to openly discuss their training methodologies.
The dog training industry is un-regulated meaning anyone can call themselves a dog trainer regardless of their education, experience, or policies. The absence of meaningful requirements in dog training means that best practices need not be adhered to by those choosing to forego the necessary education and assessment of their own skills. Punishment starts when knowledge is exhausted and self-proclaimed trainers may provide faulty and misleading advice to dog owners. The lack of such standards has been shown to increase the risk of relinquishment to shelters, the emergence or worsening of aggression and other serious behavioural issues in animals, and fails to protect trainers, the public, and the pets in their care.
Kind K9 aligns with reputable and trusted organizations who share our values and standard of professionalism. Such organizations are setting a standard of animal welfare which serves to increase public education about the importance of humane training methods that are reward-based and evidence-based and improve the welfare of dogs.
K9 Kind is dedicated to providing public education to improve animal welfare through such community initiatives as: the Taking the Lead Canine Therapy Program at École Au-cœur-de-l’île and the Paw Prints Fundraiser, as well as Dog Licensing Municipal programs in our community, and our neighbouring community.
Punishment relies on force and coercion to teach, and fear and intimidation to maintain. Positive reinforcement relies on teaching by association, and motivation to maintain. The difference between behaviour based on fear compared to behaviours based on motivation, is reliability.
I adopted two shelter dogs who were terrified when we tried to clip their nails. The vet had to put them out to do it for us. I consulted with Carrie, who worked with the dogs for a short time, and we have since been able to use positive reinforcement to get the job done quickly and efficiently, with no stress to them at all. Also worked for barking, whining and handling thunderstorms. Superb!!!
Hunny’s Mom
Awesome experience with K9 Kind. Really enjoyed attending classes and they were great at providing feedback on our training and advice for specific situations. We would definitely recommend if you're looking for an awesome puppy school experience!
Jessica Kerr
I highly recommend K9 Kind for high quality, professional dog training services. They are the best at what they do and have helped our family immensely to understand and train our dog.
Cameron Knox
We had a wonderful experience with positive reinforcement training for our German Shepherd with Carrie - she was so informative, kind with us and our dog -- the result = a delightfully sweet disposition and super obedient 4 year old Shepherd who is amazing with kids, adults and our kitten :)
Sharmeen
Great training courses, well structured, organized and accommodating.
I would not hesitate to bring another pup or adult dog who needed some additional aid with training to K9 Kind.
The one on one training was incredibly helpful also!
Ryan Wanner
K9 Kind is a wonderful training resource for your dog. I’ve tried other trainers and Carrie and Karou are amazing to say the least. You won’t be disappointed by choosing them.
Jessica Turmuende
Our family has tried every dog trainer in the area, and this team was by far the most courteous, thoughtful and professional service we’ve encountered.
Scout’s Dad
We attended puppy kindergarten. She is absolute magic with dogs - any dogs.
We learned so much and it was a great socializing experience for our little one.
All sizes, breeds, behaviours, and issues. Would recommend!
Kathryn Nimchuk
We took our 8 month old, high energy Labrador Retriever puppy (Teddy) to K9 Kind puppy kindergarten classes. Carrie and Kaoru are very good at what they do! They were patient and skilled at making our very excited puppy do exactly what they asked of him and teaching us how to be better puppy parents. They gave us the tools to continue training him at home which has made a world of difference. Our pup is now very well trained, even off leash, which we thought would never happen. Thank you Carrie and Kaoru! We highly recommend K9 Kind.
Jake Bapty
As a professional dog trainer and behaviour consultant, I have the opportunity to refer clients to Carrie on a regular basis, I am more than happy to do this, as her professional, friendly and helpful attitude all make her someone I am proud to be in the dog training profession with. Oh! And she is also good at training dogs, too! :)
Lynne Fedorick
I did the obedience 1 training with my 8 month old puppy and it was worth every penny. K9 kind do a great job of breaking down positive reinforcement training and both my dog and I are better for it. Would highly recommend.
Summer Scott
I brought both my dogs (German Shepherd cross & Blue heeler) to K9 kind Obedience Classes and had a positive, educational experience. Carrie takes time with each dog and handler to help with specific issue or questions. Classes were fun and good mix of real life situations and take home practice!
Sara Schouten
Rita Picard
Rudy's Mom
Sharky's mom
Erica Grace
Melissa Flynn