K9KEY

Training two young doodles (Mochi age 3 and Nori 2) with significant leash reactivity was a daunting task, but the "Board and Train" program with Steve provided the reset our household desperately needed. The Challenge We sent our dogs in because they had become increasingly difficult to manage. Despite knowing their commands, they simply chose not to listen. The situation was particularly serious with our eldest, who had five prior incidents of biting other dogs. As relatively new pet parents, we realized we had unintentionally fostered this environment by providing too much freedom and not enough structure. The Training & Results Steve provided a solid foundation that was missing. The "trust the system" approach was nerve-wracking, but it paid off. Behavioral Shift: They returned as much better-behaved versions of themselves. The foundation Steve built has made them significantly more manageable. Acclimation: While we were worried about how they would settle in, Steve noted they adjusted to the new environment and structure within about a week. Personalized Advice: One of the biggest takeaways was the instruction to walk them separately. Steve identified that they were bonding too much with each other rather than with us; separating their walks has been a game-changer for building that individual focus and bond. Communication The only area for improvement was the frequency of updates. As nervous owners, the wait between check-ins was difficult. Updates, photos, or videos typically came once every 7 to 10 days. While the results speak for themselves, more frequent communication would have helped ease the transition. Final Verdict If you are struggling with leash reactivity or dogs that "know" commands but don't follow them, Steve’s program is highly effective. It was a hard lesson for us to learn regarding structure versus freedom, but we are grateful for the foundation now in place. We finally have the tools to be the leaders our dogs need.

Although I’ve owned a Siberian Husky in the past, Monty had some issues that I felt needed professional help. He didn’t respect boundaries at home and showed a lot of anxiety around things like putting on his collar or leash especially if I had someone else dog sitting him. Once I contacted K9KEY Jay got back to me very quickly. I set up a consultation with Steve, where he explained what to expect from the program, and we scheduled Monty’s start date. I packed a duffel bag for him like a crazy dog mom with food, treats, vitamins, a blanket, and toys and Monty spent 12 weeks with Steve and his family in their home. Before choosing K9KEY, I had looked into several other board-and-train programs and noticed that many rely heavily on crating and don’t have someone present with the dogs overnight once the facility closes. It gave me a lot of peace of mind knowing that Monty would be living in a home environment with consistent supervision and interaction. I did receive occasional updates, and of course I would have liked to hear more but I made a conscious effort to trust the process and respect Steve as a professional. I’d rather know that their time is spent caring for and training the dogs than sending constant photos and texts to each client. With 24-hour care, that alone is more than a full-time job. The reunion with Monty was very informative. Beforehand Steve will provide a list of items he recommends for training, which you should be prepared to bring to the pickup session. And afterward he provides a video of the exercises he wants you to continue at home. I am 100% happy with the work Steve has done with Monty. He’s much calmer, and I truly think he needed the structure that Steve’s training provides. He’s learning and understanding what is expected of him and respecting boundaries. He drops items he shouldn’t have when asked, stays off the couch, and doesn't go upstairs. I train with him for a few minutes every day, and he does great at home with no distractions. We can now walk without leash pulling, and we’re even working on off leash heel in the backyard. When I call him while he’s free roaming, he actually comes. We’ve attended one group class so far, and both Monty and I still need work in more distracting environments. However, since Steve offers these opportunities and ongoing guidance, I’m confident it will continue to improve. I'm grateful to be able to train with other dogs around. Steve also offers boarding services for a reasonable fee for graduates of his program, which is a great option. You know your pup is in good hands, and their training continues to be reinforced. If you think K9KEY can help you and your dog, don’t hesitate and don’t stress if updates aren’t as frequent as you want. They’re professionals. Trust them to do their job, and more importantly be ready to do yours once your dog comes home. I think this was the best decision I could have made as an investment in Monty’s quality of life and for everyone he interacts with. Thank you to Steve and the K9KEY team for all the work you put in, and especially for dedicating your free time to providing free group classes for clients. It really shows how much you care and stand behind what you do.

I am truly not exaggerating when I say that Steve and his fellow trainers changed our lives. My husband and I got our dog, Stanley, just before the pandemic started and we had been dealing with behavioral issues since the beginning. He would be the sweetest boy one minute, and the next he would be snapping at us because we pet him in a way that he didn’t like. We went to countless behaviorists and trainers and they all had a tough time understanding Stanley and nothing really seemed to click. My husband and I knew we wanted kids, so we were desperate to find some sort of training for Stanley because the thought of rehousing him would absolutely break our hearts. Thank goodness we found K9Key School. Stanley stayed with them for 11 weeks during which we got the occasional picture and videos showing us his training journey and his results were astounding! Behaviorally he feels like a different dog. We were given instructions on how to continue Stanley’s training at home so we can keep progressing with him. If you are at all worried about leaving your furry friend, I hope this review helps you feel some relief. I had read horror stories from other overnight training programs about people getting their dogs back and they seemed like they had completely lost their personality, but I can say with absolute certainty that Stanley is still the same sweet, adorable goofball that my husband and I fell in love with. Also, Stanley is absolutely obsessed with Steve and loses his mind with happiness every time we see him at the group training sessions. Please know that you dog is in amazing hands with this company. 5 stars doesn’t feel like nearly enough!

I got 2 puppies at the same time and Steve at K9 Key saved my sanity. He took them into his home and kept them as long as needed to teach them basic commands and better leash behavior. Walking them used to be a nightmare and now I can walk them both without fearing I’m might fall when they get excited or otherwise. At home they have a routine and understand commands allowing us all peace! Steve also offers boarding services which is a load off my mind when I travel - he refreshes training during boarding which is a huge bonus.