Akela K9 Services

I did a decoy development course with Scott and it was phenomenal. I learned so much, the course was very well thought out. Scott absolutely has a passion for dog training and the care and attention he puts in to everything really shows. He worked us hard and coached each of us extremely well. He took the time to make sure each of us understood what we were learning. I recommend him to anyone who is looking for a decoy course!

I recently had the opportunity to attend a decoy course with Akela K9, and it was honestly an incredible experience from start to finish. Scott has a way of teaching that really stands out. He’s able to break down complex pieces of decoy work and explain them in a way that feels effortless and easy to understand. What I appreciated most was how he connected everything together using real examples that everyone in the class could relate to. Whether you were newer to decoying or had some experience, he made sure the information made sense and that people could actually apply it. You can also tell how passionate Scott is about decoying and the craft behind it. It’s not just about catching dogs it’s about understanding them, reading them, and working in a way that develops the dog correctly. That level of passion really shows in the way he teaches and in the time he takes to make sure people are learning the right way. Shelby was also incredibly welcoming and helped make the whole environment feel comfortable and positive. From the moment we arrived, she made everyone feel like they were part of the group. That kind of atmosphere makes a big difference when you're spending long days learning and working dogs. Another thing that really stood out was how well trained the dogs were. Watching them work and seeing the level of control, clarity, and engagement they had with their handlers was impressive. It’s clear that a lot of time and dedication goes into developing dogs at that level, and it added a lot to the learning experience for everyone attending the course. Overall, it was a great experience and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to learn from people who care so much about what they do. Courses like this not only help you become a better decoy, but also give you a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into building and developing good dogs.

Unfortunately in today’s modern world, there is an over saturation of “dog trainers”, so it can be hard and overwhelming to find people who are not only knowledgeable, but trustworthy. At Akela K9, Scott and Shelby are excellent trainers, personable, and do an incredible job leading both dogs and their owners through a positive training experience. Their guidance is clear, thoughtful, and rooted in years of experience, which makes the process both effective and enjoyable. Highly recommended for anyone looking for quality dog training and care!

I recently attended the 5-day decoy course with Akela K9, and in short, it was absolutely fantastic. I’ve participated in numerous decoy courses over the years, and this one truly takes the cake. Scott covers virtually everything you can imagine when it comes to decoy work, both in theory and hands-on application. The depth and clarity of instruction were outstanding. Every concept taught is directly applicable across all areas of protection work—whether you’re involved in personal protection dogs, sport work, or Law Enforcement K9. If you attend, take advantage of the asking questions during Q&A, Scott is a wealth of knowledge. In my opinion, this course is more than worth the investment. It will save new decoys countless hours, dollars, and unnecessary frustration getting information from conflicting sources. For anyone on the fence, I highly recommend it. One thing that really stood out on top of the rest was the training environment—there were absolutely no egos. Scott and his wife Shelby are incredibly welcoming and foster a positive, professional atmosphere that supports all skill levels. 10/10 experience.

After a home visit/consultation with Alyssa from Akela K9, we opted for board and train for our terrier mix rescue, Ollie. At the consultation (and after through text messages), Alyssa answered all of our questions and addressed our concerns about the board and train process. She picked up a nervous, reactive, resource-guarding pup with separation anxiety and returned a calmer, happier, more confident guy. She gently but firmly reminded us that the training is to continue at home to reinforce what he learned with her, and begins the process of human training with the three at-home lessons included in the package. Alyssa is kind, calm, gentle, and firm (with dogs and humans, lol). I can't say enough positive things about Alyssa and Akela K9.