Mind of a K9 is a professional dog training business in Ashland, VA, serving dog owners throughout the Richmond area. We help puppies, adult dogs, and families build better communication, stronger obedience, and calmer everyday behavior. Training options include puppy and obedience classes, private lessons, day training, and board-and-train programs for leash skills, behavior modification, and more structured training needs. With decades of hands-on experience and a practical foundation in dog psychology, Mind of a K9 helps owners better understand their dogs and achieve lasting real-world results.
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultationProgram details
Behavior modification training helps address challenges such as reactivity, fearfulness, impulse control, leash issues, guarding tendencies, and other behavior concerns. Training focuses on improving communication, building better habits, and helping dogs respond more calmly in everyday situations.
Canine Good Citizen preparationProgram details
Training classes focused on the 10 essential skills established by the AKC Canine Good Citizen program. CGC training helps dogs practice polite behavior, basic obedience, and good manners around people, other dogs, and everyday situations.
Obedience trainingProgram details
Puppy trainingProgram details
Puppy training helps young dogs build a strong foundation for obedience, manners, socialization, and communication. Training can address common puppy challenges such as basic commands, leash skills, house manners, confidence building, and appropriate behavior around people and other dogs.
SocializationProgram details
Behavior support
Fear and confidenceProgram details
Reactivity trainingProgram details
How training happens
Board and trainProgram details
Board & Train is a structured program for dogs who need a solid training foundation. Dogs stay in our trainers’ homes, are integrated into daily home life, practice obedience and manners, receive socialization, and go on public outings to reinforce training in real-world settings.
Day trainingProgram details
A structured training day that gives your dog time out of the house while working on basic commands, manners, and behavioral goals. Dogs spend the day with our trainers, receive hands-on training, and may also participate in supervised playtime and socialization when appropriate.
Group classesProgram details
Weekly group dog training classes designed to teach basic commands and improve obedience around real-world distractions. Classes meet for one hour per week for six weeks and include Puppy, Beginner, and Intermediate levels.
Private trainingProgram details
Personalized, hour-long dog training sessions in your home with one of our trainers. Private lessons are ideal for new puppies, adult dogs who need better manners, and owners who want 1-on-1 guidance. New clients are encouraged to start with at least one private lesson before using other services.
Dog age
Adult dogsProgram details
PuppiesProgram details
Training approach
E-collar trainingProgram details
E-collar training is offered as part of a structured private training or day training program. This service helps owners learn how to use e-collar communication appropriately as part of a broader training plan focused on obedience, consistency, and real-world reliability.
Other listed services
View 2 additional details
Supervised Playgroups for Current ClientsProgram details
Supervised playgroups give current client dogs an opportunity for appropriate play and socialization with other dogs. Trainers monitor the group to help ensure safe, appropriate interaction. Playgroups are only available for dogs who have completed at least one lesson with Mind of a K9.
Dog trainingProgram details
Professional dog training in Ashland, VA for puppies, adult dogs, and owners who want better obedience, communication, and everyday behavior. Training options include private lessons, group classes, day training, and board-and-train programs.
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
5/5Kalli is amazing! Our puppy was beginning to pick up some bad habits (biting, counter surfing, taking over our furniture, jumping) and we did a private lesson with Kalli and she was able to give us direction on how to correct those behaviors going forward and keep our pup in the …Read full reviewClose full review
Kalli is amazing! Our puppy was beginning to pick up some bad habits (biting, counter surfing, taking over our furniture, jumping) and we did a private lesson with Kalli and she was able to give us direction on how to correct those behaviors going forward and keep our pup in the right position in our pack. She was also able to give us guidance on how our small kids should interact with the pup too. She’s super knowledgeable, relatable and down to earth...super easy to talk to. We also boarded our dog with Kalli while we were out of town and it was the BEST experience! He came home to us and was so calm and well behaved. Kalli had him out and about and sent tons of pictures which was great peace of mind while we were away. I highly recommend Kalli and Mind of a K9 !!
A
amy geatz
5/5I am so grateful that I have Mind of a K9 in my corner for helping me train my incredibly energetic and smart dog. I can’t imagine what kind of dog Hazel would be now if Kalli and Lauren hadn’t worked with me and continue to work with me to train her to be a wonderful, well behav…Read full reviewClose full review
I am so grateful that I have Mind of a K9 in my corner for helping me train my incredibly energetic and smart dog. I can’t imagine what kind of dog Hazel would be now if Kalli and Lauren hadn’t worked with me and continue to work with me to train her to be a wonderful, well behaved dog. They have been a resource for me during tough times, even when it wasn’t behavior related. I think so highly of Mind of a K9 that I asked Kalli to hold a 5 week training class in my neighborhood so the many new dog owners would still be able to train their pups, regardless of the pandemic.
B
Becky Thalhimer
5/5
Mocha did a board and train with Lauren and she loved it! She came home with great manners and still loves to see Lauren. I think she would live with her if we let her! These two ladies are so good with puppies and dogs. You will be very happy!
K
Katharine Chisholm
5/5
So much to say but not enough words. Kallie and team are excellent, patient trainers that leave owners confident they can have a relationship with their dog that’s beneficial to both sides. No matter the behavior issue, they can help. Highly recommend!
R
Robin Mott
5/5I can’t say enough about how Kalli owner of (Mind of a K9) helped our family. We have an almost 5 month old Golden Retriever (Zara) who is the sweetest baby girl but we were struggling with some major issues such as just being able to take her for a walk without her going every …Read full reviewClose full review
I can’t say enough about how Kalli owner of (Mind of a K9) helped our family. We have an almost 5 month old Golden Retriever (Zara) who is the sweetest baby girl but we were struggling with some major issues such as just being able to take her for a walk without her going every direction and pulling and choking herself and also being frightened if things and people just in our neighborhood. Also another major issue was jumping on my younger children and visitors and grabbing their clothes and just really out of control. And after just one session with Kalli she has drastically changed our family and we have a much more relaxed and happier puppy and family! I would highly recommend anyone that is having similar issues or any issues at all with their four legged family member to get in touch with Kalli!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
FirstBark